Late Han Zhao Tang

When Zhang Yu led his cavalry into battle, the Tang generals saw the banners fluttering and the troops from all sides charging towards the Chen army. Under the accumulated impact, the Chen soldiers' front ranks swayed precariously. This scene was like a volcano that had been suppressed for a long time erupting; the molten lava flowed slowly, but its force was unstoppable.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Chen Jiangle was furious. He snatched a long sword from his subordinate and roared at his soldiers, calling for them to fight back.

"Those who retreat will die!"

The next instant, the iron whip came whistling through the air. The soldier who had rushed forward to intercept it was knocked unconscious. He stumbled a few steps and then collapsed to the ground.

Originally, in order to defeat Chen's army more quickly, Zhang Yu led his armored cavalry to charge the enemy formation again and crush the enemy who were blocking his way.

Le roared and led his personal guards to charge forward without hesitation.

Dozens of riders charged straight in; under the steel torrent, no matter how valiant Le Jiu was, he would be swallowed up by the herd.

Ma Chao spurred his horse to arrive, abandoned his spear, and swung his sword to cut down Yue Jiu's general's flag. Then, as he charged into the enemy ranks, he shouted the news that Yue Jiu had been beheaded.

The Chen army was filled with despair, the vanguard was completely routed, the Tang cavalry broke through the enemy lines, and officers either fled or died. They were simply unable to stop the Tang army.

As the war has progressed to this point, the defeat of Chen's army is inevitable!

"kill!"

When Chen Jun was on the verge of collapse, the National Protection Army infantry slowly advanced to the flank and rear of Chen Jun's army. Seeing that their own army was making good progress, the morale of the soldiers was greatly boosted, and they shouted the bugle call and marched forward.

At Gao Shun's signal, the front-row warriors stepped forward, pointed their spears forward, and roared, "The other tribes have already broken through the enemy lines. How can we fall behind? We must kill the enemy and make contributions!"

The armored soldiers responded with a roar of approval, and eight hundred heavily armored soldiers, wielding long swords and spears, stepped forward to act as arrowheads, advancing in a wall formation. Due to years of training, their strides were almost identical, and from above, they resembled waves crashing against the enemy ranks.

Amidst the surging tide, the infantry, weakened by the defeat at the front, were quickly routed by the heavy infantry's onslaught, unable to halt the advance of the human wave. Behind the heavy infantry, thousands of armored soldiers, spear in hand, advanced to cover their flanks.

Before long, the 5,000-strong army was defeated, and the National Protection Army infantry invaded the rear of the army, causing chaos and commotion in the rear of the Chen army.

"Your Majesty, we can't fight anymore!"

Seeing the dire situation, Cai Mao said urgently, "The enemy army is not only not attacking, but when they attack, it's like a stone falling from the sky, and we can't stop them at all. We should retreat to our camp and devise another plan."

“With the morale of the army collapsed, if we retreat to our camp now, we will be pursued relentlessly by the Tang people, and the casualties will inevitably be heavy,” Ji Ling said.

"But what can we do if we don't withdraw our troops now?"

"If cavalrymen block our way, our army can take the opportunity to consolidate its position and perhaps fight the enemy again. After all, the enemy's numbers are fewer than ours, and if the fighting drags on, the Tang army's strength will inevitably be exhausted."

"Where are the cavalry?"

"Of the three thousand elite cavalry, most have been lost. Huang Zhong's cavalry was also defeated by the Tang cavalry, and now there are no cavalrymen available."

"Withdraw your troops!"

"If Your Majesty can withdraw to the main camp now, you may still have the resources to rise again with the support of the two provinces of Yu and Jing. If Your Majesty continues to fight without withdrawing and is captured by the Tang people, the country will be in chaos and there will be no chance to reverse the situation."

The voices from both sides were noisy and the discussion was chaotic, but no feasible idea could be found.

Yuan Shu was in a daze. He was unwilling to retreat and thought that a stalemate was feasible, but he was also worried that he would be captured, which would lead to the destruction of his foundation.

"The Tang cavalry are charging at our army again!"

As the crowd argued, someone exclaimed in surprise.

Yuan Shu looked in that direction and suddenly saw the armored cavalry once again breaking through the enemy lines, launching their third attack. The leading general was still Zhang Yu, and this time their target was the central army.

"Zhang Yu is truly fearless!"

Yuan Shu gritted his teeth. He still couldn't understand how Zhang Yu, who controlled Hebei, dared to charge into battle time and time again. To be honest, if it weren't for Zhang Yu leading the charge, the Tang soldiers might not have unleashed such astonishing fighting power!

Ugh!
Yuan Shao was defeated and killed by Zhang Yu. Could it be that I was no match for Zhang Yu?

His defeat today not only shattered his hopes of unifying the country, but also meant that the hard work of the Yuan family over generations would be in vain.

Pain!

Yuan Shu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and dizziness in his head.

As the Tang soldiers approached the central army, chaos erupted among the troops.

"Take the Emperor away quickly!"

Cai Mao directed the crowd, saying, "Yingchuan and Runan still have troops. Now that we have been defeated, we can gather the remnants of our army and unite the troops from the two prefectures. There is still a chance for us to rise again. We must not let the Emperor be in danger."

"Come on!"

Yuan Shu remained expressionless and cooperated fully with those around him. With the help of the crowd, he dismounted from the carriage and was then helped onto a large horse.

Following Ji Ling's arrangements, the civil and military officials escorted Yuan Shu in his escape, while Ji Ling stayed behind to command the imperial guards to cover the rear. After all, the wealth and status of the imperial guards depended on Yuan Shu; if Yuan Shu's regime fell, their riches would vanish. By covering Yuan Shu's escape, even if they died in battle, their families would receive generous rewards.

When Zhang Yu led his armored cavalry to break through the central army, Yuan Shu and his men were nowhere to be seen. Ji Ling had also led his troops to retreat, leaving only empty carriages.

"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu has abandoned his chariot and fled!" Ma Chao, eager to try, asked, "Should we pursue Yuan Shu now?"

"Chase!"

Zhang Yu gripped the reins and said in a deep voice, "I have already ordered Xu Chu to lie in ambush at Honggou. If we pursue him now, we may be able to capture Yuan Shu. And if we capture Yuan Shu, the Central Plains will be at peace!"

With that, Zhang Yu pointed at Ma Chao with his whip and said, "Mengqi, you and Zilong will lead the cavalry to pursue Yuan Shu to the very end."

"Yes, sir!" Ma Chao was greatly encouraged. He accepted the order and first found Zhao Yun in the crowd, then pursued Yuan Shu with him.

Xu Chu and Gao Shun both belonged to the Protectorate Army. After Zhang Yu learned of Yuan Shu's attack, he ordered Xu Chu to abandon his baggage and ride to Honggou to intercept the defeated Chen army.

With Yuan Shu abandoning his army and fleeing, the Tang army's victory was a foregone conclusion, and they entered the stage of pursuing and eliminating the fleeing enemy.

From the sky, tens of thousands of Chen soldiers were fleeing in disarray. The Tang army's infantry and cavalry surrounded and blocked them, either defeating the soldiers in formation or forcing the fleeing Chen soldiers to surrender. They tried their best to prevent any fierce men from leading an elite force to counterattack.

Therefore, even though Chen Jun had capable generals such as Han Hao and Wen Pin, they were unable to demonstrate their talents due to the rout of the defeated army and could only drift with the tide.

If Yuan Shu had possessed courage and followed Yuan Shao's example of abandoning his armor and fighting to the death, perhaps the stalemate could have lasted longer and caused significant trouble for the Tang army. Unfortunately, Yuan Shu came from a powerful family and was more timid than Yuan Shao, who was cautious about his actions. After all, Cai Mao and the others escorted him away; although he didn't verbally agree, his silence was tantamount to consent.

Half-heartedly mounted his horse, Yuan Shu, despite his large physique, relied on his memories from his youth to lead his men in a frantic retreat, fearing they would be held back by the Tang army.

After half a day of running, Yuan Shu led his men to Honggou, where they prepared to cross the river via a pontoon bridge.

Seeing the surging crowd, Xu Chu knew that the Tang army had defeated the Chen army. He ordered his men to sound the horn and led his troops out without hesitation.

"Woo!"

The bugle sounded suddenly. Looking at the Tang soldiers who were waiting in battle ahead, Yuan Shu was shocked and said to his men, "Will we perish here today?"

“Your Majesty, there is a shallow shoal five miles upstream, and that’s where the cavalry crossed the river,” Cai Mao said.

"go!"

"Head upstream!"

Yuan Shu had no intention of fighting and directly followed Cai Mao's advice, choosing to escape by taking a detour.

The trusted men spurred their horses to follow, fearing that if they fell behind, they would be captured by the Tang army.

As they walked upstream along the river, a cavalry force suddenly emerged from the reeds, led by Xu Chu, with about three hundred men, and headed straight for Yuan Shu.

Xu Chu knew that Chen's army had been defeated and could not be intercepted by infantry, so he specially asked Zhang Yu for three hundred cavalrymen. He let his brother Xu Ding lead the infantrymen, while he led the cavalry to lie in ambush in the reeds between the pontoon bridge and the shallows.

Seeing the Tang cavalry charging out, Yuan Shu was so frightened that he lost his mind and hurriedly spurred his horse to avoid them.

But Yuan Shu was too 'noble' in appearance; his massive physique and golden armor and brocade robes immediately attracted the attention of the Tang cavalry. Without anyone pointing him out, those who were interested all rushed towards Yuan Shu.

Seeing that Yuan Shu was attracting attention, his personal guards rushed out and blocked the Tang cavalry's pursuit.

"drive!"

Ignoring the fighting around him, Yuan Shu hurriedly turned his horse and fled.

Seeing Yuan Shu flee, Xu Chu drew a small halberd from his waist and hurled it directly at the Chen cavalry ahead. With a short, sharp whooshing sound, the Chen cavalryman fell from his horse.

Xu Chu wielded a large spear and concealed a small halberd. If he encountered enemy enemies, he would first use the large spear and then throw darts with the small halberd.

Within ten paces, anyone hit by Xu Chu's halberd would fall from their horse and die.

With his exceptional martial skills, Xu Chu led his cavalry to break through the enemy's blockade and pursued Yuan Shu.

Although Xu Chu did not know who the person in the golden armor and brocade robe was, he knew that such a 'noble' person was no ordinary person.

Yuan Shu was in a sorry state, his trusted followers were nowhere to be found, and now he was disheveled, glancing at Xu Chu who was pursuing him from time to time, his expression filled with fear.

After a short while, Xu Chu, relying on the speed of his steed, gradually caught up with Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu, being larger in stature, and riding a less robust horse than Xu Chu, was unable to shake off the pursuit.

"Whoosh!"

After approaching Yuan Shu at a distance of thirty paces, Xu Chu threw his small halberd in an attempt to kill him, but due to the great distance, it only stuck in the ground where the horse's legs had passed.

Seeing this, Yuan Shu breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Xu Chu had targeted him, and then he fled with peace of mind.

Before long, Yuan Shu spotted the shallows where he could cross the river. Fearing that Xu Chu would catch up, he spurred his horse to gallop at full speed as he turned the corner.

As Yuan Shu turned and crossed the river, shortening the distance between them, Xu Chu took out his last small halberd and hurled it.

The next instant, the halberd struck Yuan Shu's calf. Yuan Shu cried out in pain, and because his calf was weak, he lost his balance and plunged headfirst into the river, creating a huge splash.

The river water in the shallows was waist-deep but not shoulder-deep. Normally, a person could wade across, but Yuan Shu was sideways in the river, and with a halberd in his calf, he was powerless to get up. He could only keep splashing and struggling in the water.

Seeing that Yuan Shu was about to drown, Xu Chu had no intention of saving him, but planned to wait until Yuan Shu drowned, then behead him and take him back.

"I am Yuan Shu!"

Yuan Shu splashed around a few times, and seeing that he couldn't get up, he barely managed to stick his head out of the water and shouted to identify himself.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chu's expression changed drastically. For ordinary generals, there was little difference between life and death, but Yuan Shu was different; he was the pseudo-Emperor of Chen.

Xu Chu hurriedly dismounted and personally waded into the water to rescue Yuan Shu.

"call!"

Yuan Shu was lifted up by Xu Chu. He spat out a few mouthfuls of water and gasped, "If you release me, I will appoint you as a Grand General, bestow upon you a copper mine and a fortune that will last forever!"

Xu Chu sneered and shoved Yuan Shu's head back down! (End of Chapter)