Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 127 The Will to Charge into Battle, A Will to Die or Be Survived

Historical records about Gao Shun are scarce; there is not even a biography of Gao Shun in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.

However, the names of Gao Shun and his elite troops have been widely circulated and can even be said to be renowned in later generations.

The Trapped Camp only had about 700 men, but it was said to have a thousand.

The seven hundred soldiers were all clad in fine armor and carried hooked shields and twelve-foot-long horse spears. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, when armor was scarce, their equipment was so exquisite that it could be described as luxurious.

The spears of the soldiers in the Trapped Camp were four meters long, and when combined with the charge of heavy infantry, they could penetrate the enemy formation within five paces.

The front ranks held shields to engage the enemy, while the rear ranks thrust with lances. The formation advanced like an iron barrel, making it difficult for enemy cavalry to charge and even more impossible for infantry to resist.

This "human tank" configuration had an absolute overwhelming advantage in the era of cold weapons.

In terms of equipment, the only ones that can rival it at present are the halberdiers led by Zhang He under Yuan Shao.

Under the command of Gao Shun, this army was always able to quickly break through enemy lines, and was invincible in every attack and battle, hence the name "Trap Camp".

The Records of Heroes states: "Shun was a man of integrity and dignity. He did not drink alcohol and did not accept gifts. He led more than 700 soldiers, who were called a thousand men. Their armor and weapons were all well-made and complete. Every attack they made was successful. They were known as the Trapped Camp."

However, the reputation of the Trapped Camp has not yet been established.

Historically, he should have become famous after defeating the armies of Liu Bei and Xiahou Dun.

Although he was left behind by Lü Bu to cover the rear, Gao Shun showed no sign of resentment.

At this moment, facing the ever-growing number of Cao Cao's troops ahead,

Gao Shun stood at the front of the battle line, his face ashen, holding a long spear.

Seven hundred soldiers of the Vanguard Camp formed a wild goose formation behind him.

As Cao Ren's vanguard approached, Gao Shun suddenly shouted:
"The ambition to be trapped in a battle will lead to death but not life!"

"We are determined to fight to the death!" The seven hundred soldiers of the Vanguard Camp shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the sky.

Cao Ren led 5,000 elite troops in a square formation, with swordsmen and shieldmen in front and spearmen behind.

On the flanks were over a thousand cavalrymen led by the brothers Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, providing support.

As a veteran general of Cao Cao's army, Cao Ren was confident in his deep knowledge of military strategy. When he saw that the Trapped Camp dared to challenge him with only 700 infantrymen, he couldn't help but laugh in anger: "The enemy general is arrogant and dares to block my army with less than a thousand men!"

Cao Cao's war drums sounded, and they began their charge!
Gao Shun brandished his spear at Cao Cao's army, and the seven hundred soldiers suddenly changed formation.

The shield bearers in the front row raised their hooked shields at an angle to form a wall, while the spearmen in the back row placed their lances between the shields. The entire force, like a giant iron-shelled tortoise, slowly rolled forward.

Upon seeing this, Cao Ren immediately issued orders to the Xiahou brothers, instructing them to launch an attack from the flank.

Three thousand cavalrymen kicked up dust and charged towards the Trapped Camp from the left and right flanks.

When the cavalry approached within thirty paces, the shield bearers of the Trapped Camp suddenly crouched down, and the spearmen in the rear pointed the three-edged armor-piercing spikes at the front of their lances diagonally at the ground.

Cao Jun's cavalry couldn't rein in their horses in time, and the front-line warhorses were pierced through the chest and abdomen by lances. The riders were thrown off by the momentum and crashed into the rear ranks of cavalry, causing chaos and disarray.

Gao Shun seized the opportunity and shouted, "Stab!"

The shield bearers of the Trapped Camp rose to their feet, the shield wall in the front row was raised again, and the spearmen in the rear row laid their lances flat and began rhythmically thrusting at Cao Cao's cavalry.

The Xiahou brothers' cavalry suffered heavy casualties in an instant.

Upon seeing this, Cao Ren immediately ordered the central army to provide support.

Suddenly, the Trapped Camp changed formation again, splitting into four teams of a hundred men each, like four steel knives cutting back and forth through Cao Cao's army.

Cao Ren personally took up his spear and went into battle, attempting to stabilize the situation.

But just as his warhorse charged to the front of the Vanguard Camp, a Vanguard soldier suddenly threw out a hooked shield, the iron hook entangled Cao Ren's horse's leg, and another soldier took the opportunity to thrust his spear into the horse's belly.

Cao Ren hurriedly dodged, but was struck in the left arm by the third lance, and blood immediately stained his battle robe.

When Cao Cao's army saw that their commander was wounded, their morale plummeted.

The Trapped Camp, however, fought with increasing ferocity. Their hooked shields could not only parry swords and spears but also hook enemy weapons. Combined with the thrusting of their lances, they drove Cao Cao's army into a series of defeats.

Cao Ren managed to hold out for half an hour, but seeing that defeat was inevitable, he had no choice but to order his soldiers to retreat.

Fortunately, the Trapped Camp was small in number and consisted of heavy infantry, which made it difficult to pursue and kill, so Cao Ren's infantry losses were not too great.

The Xiahou brothers will probably cry when they get back.

They originally had only two thousand cavalrymen left, and after this battle, less than five hundred of them returned...

Cao Cao was observing the battle from the rear. Seeing the Trapped Camp achieve a victory against overwhelming odds, he exclaimed in amazement, "Lu Bu actually has such capable men under his command?! If I could obtain them, what would I have to worry about in unifying the world!" He turned to Cheng Yu and asked, "Zhongde, have you ever seen such a battle tactic before?"

Cheng Yu shook his head and said, "I have never seen it before. It seems to be somewhat similar to the Wei Wuzu described in the records. This army has excellent armor and weapons, strict tactics, and its generals are good at using both orthodox and unorthodox methods. It is truly a formidable enemy!"

Cao Cao nodded and said, "If we can recruit him into our ranks, we will gain another tiger general!"

Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan, along with seven thousand soldiers, were defeated by Gao Shun's seven hundred elite troops, leaving Cao Cao both surprised and delighted.

To show his respect, Cao Cao personally led a large army, determined to capture Gao Shun and the Trapped Camp!

……

At the same time, Cao Yan's Qingzhou troops had already surrounded Zhang Liao.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan's Flying Dragon Cavalry went to pursue and kill Lü Bu and Zhang Miao's fleeing soldiers.

Of Zhang Liao's original five thousand soldiers, less than three thousand remain.

They were soldiers that Lü Bu obtained from Yuan Shao, as well as private soldiers contributed by the gentry and wealthy families of Yanzhou.

Their loyalty is low, and their combat capabilities vary greatly.

Those left behind to cover the retreat were already demoralized, and now that they were surrounded, many began to throw away their weapons, bury their heads in their hands, and squat down to surrender.

When Cao Cao's army saw that Zhang Liao's soldiers had surrendered, they ceased their offensive.

At this moment, Cao Yan's voice reached Zhang Liao's ranks, "The situation is hopeless, Zhang Wenyuan, leave a way out for your brothers."

The words fell.

The military formation that had surrounded Zhang Liao and his men so tightly that it was impossible to get through suddenly opened up a passage.

Cao Yan led the way, with Dian Wei and Guo Jia beside him, as they walked in through the passage.

Guo Jia is just here to join in the fun.

The appearance of Cao Yan and Dian Wei made Zhang Liao completely give up the idea of ​​struggling.

Dian Wei alone is more than Zhang Liao can handle now, let alone Cao Yan...

Seeing that he was surrounded by well-disciplined elite troops, Zhang Liao knew he had no chance of breaking through the encirclement. Despair filled his heart. "Perhaps, dying a heroic death is now my only option..."

But compared to Gao Shun, Zhang Liao was more quick-witted.

Gao Shun is too honest and straightforward; you can't persuade him at all.

But Zhang Liao was different. He had the potential to be a great general, but his ambitions remained unfulfilled, so he was naturally unwilling to die in such a place.

Seeing that Zhang Liao's soldiers had all surrendered spontaneously, but he was still hesitating, Cao Yan advised him, "Zhang Wenyuan, you have no way out. You should surrender."

Zhang Liao: “…”

"Was it worth it for Lü Bu to leave you to cover his retreat and die for him?"

Zhang Liao: “…”

Seeing that Zhang Liao remained silent, Cao Yan decided to offer some valuable advice.

He said, "Zhang Liao! You were originally under Ding Yuan's command, and later you were sent to He Jin's side. When Dong Zhuo occupied Luoyang, you followed Dong Zhuo, and later became Lü Bu's subordinate. Is what I'm saying true?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao's hand gripping the spear stiffened slightly, and he replied, "How do you know about me?"

Seeing that his words had an effect, Cao Yan pressed his advantage and asked, "Why do you think Lü Bu ordered you to cover the rear?"

Zhang Liao suddenly raised his head and looked at Cao Yan!
“In Lü Bu’s heart, only the generals who have followed him since Bingzhou are his true subordinates! He probably never considered you a true confidant.”

If he hadn't known of your exceptional bravery, strategic brilliance, and the legendary prowess of Zhao Hu, he probably would have abandoned you long ago.

Zhang Liao looked up in surprise and asked, "How do you know me so well?"

Guo Jia finally couldn't take it anymore, rolled his eyes at Cao Yan and Zhang Liao, and muttered to himself, "One dares to fawn, and the other dares to accept! They're like the ancient Zhao Hu, and I'm like the ancient E Lai!"

Upon hearing this, Dian Wei turned his head and gave Guo Jia a strange look.

Not long ago, Boss Cao called me "the ancient evil one". What, are you trying to steal me from me?

Guo Jia shivered inexplicably. Seeing Dian Wei staring intently at him, he couldn't help but reply, "Let's watch Zi'an's performance. Why are you looking at me?"

"..."

(End of this chapter)