The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 272 Xiahou Yuan encounters Liu Bei's ambush, Pang Tong discusses the greatest in the world (4th update)
Liu Bei wanted to withdraw his troops, but he couldn't simply abandon the cultivated wasteland.

He then entrusted the matter to Jia Kui, instructing Jia Kui to contact the powerful and wealthy families of Jiangyi and purchase the wasteland that Liu Bei had reclaimed with money and grain.

Although this land belongs to Jiangyi, turning wasteland into arable land requires a great deal of manpower and resources. Powerful families would not be idle enough to organize manpower and resources to reclaim wasteland.

However, if there is existing farmland, it is worthwhile for wealthy families to purchase it. After acquiring it, they can recruit displaced people to cultivate it, which will bring them a substantial fortune.

Furthermore, since it was General Liu Bei who was selling the land, forming a good relationship with Liu Bei in this era of war would provide more options for the future.

Most importantly, Liu Bei is now trying to reason with them and seek a win-win situation. Which powerful clan would dare to refuse? If they refuse to reason and instead want to seize the property by force after Liu Bei leaves, then Liu Bei will also directly enter the homes of powerful clans and seize their money and grain.

The transactions of land, property, money, and grain were carried out happily in Jiangyi.

A few days later, Liu Bei sent another letter to Zhong Yao, the gist of which was: Your divisive tactic worked well. Now I am going back to compete with Yuan Shang, and I have sent someone to inform you.

Upon receiving the message, Zhong Yao was skeptical but quickly sent someone to investigate. The result of the investigation surprised and delighted Zhong Yao: "Liu Bei has finally withdrawn his troops! If he hadn't withdrawn, the people of Hedong would have resented me."

Unable to repel Liu Bei's troops, the people of Hedong were forced to continuously contribute money and grain. If it weren't for Zhong Yao's reliance on the righteousness of the imperial court and Cao Cao's military might, combined with both kindness and force, countless people in Hedong would have rebelled.

Although Jia Kui was also taken away by Liu Bei, Zhong Yao didn't care much.

At this time, Jia Kui is only just beginning to show his talent and has not yet caught Zhong Yao's eye. Moreover, Jia Kui is willing to follow Liu Bei, and Zhong Yao cannot stop him even if he wants to.

After Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong, appointed a new magistrate of Jiangyi to appease the people of Jiangyi, Zhong Yao returned to Hongnong with his army. The ensuing disputes were no longer something Zhong Yao could interfere with.

Zhong Yao's duty was to ensure that Guanzhong remained peaceful. If Liu Bei had not suddenly led his troops to Hedong, Zhong Yao would not have come to Fenhe to confront Liu Bei.

Meanwhile, in Shequan, Hanoi Commandery, Xiahou Yuan also received news of Liu Bei's return. He was overjoyed: "That brat Yuan Shang has indeed cut off Liu Bei's retreat route. Otherwise, Liu Bei would never have retreated in such a panic. Gongming, you stay and guard Shequan. I will lead troops to harass Liu Bei's rear army and perhaps burn some supplies and provisions."

“It is unacceptable to lead the army.” Xu Huang was greatly alarmed upon hearing this: “Liu Bei is a skilled and courageous general, and military strategy dictates that one should not pursue a retreating army. If we rashly pursue them, we will surely fall into an ambush.”

Xiahou Yuan scoffed, "Gongming, you're boosting the enemy's morale while diminishing your own. Liu Bei relies on his recruited strategist, Zhuge Liang. Right now, Zhuge Liang isn't in Hedong, and Liu Bei has had almost no victories there. He was even soundly defeated by Zhong Yao at the gates of Pishi. If a mere civil official like Zhong Yao could defeat Liu Bei so badly, it's clear that without Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei hasn't made any progress in recent years. He's nothing special."

Seeing that Xiahou Yuan was arrogant and wouldn't listen, Xu Huang urged again, "General Dian is responsible for the entire army, how can he go so lightly? Liu Bei is now fighting Yuan Shang, and neither side's troops will come to ambush Shequan. It would be better if I led the vanguard to harass Liu Bei's rear army, while General Dian led his troops to provide support. If there is an ambush, General Dian can also come to my rescue."

Xiahou Yuan laughed heartily: "Gongming, if you want to make a name for yourself, there will be many more opportunities in the future, so why compete with me? Since you are worried about an ambush, I will assign you an army as the rear guard. If you see that my front guard is ambushed, you may lead your troops to rescue it; if there is no ambush, you are not allowed to compete with me!"

Seeing that Xu Huang was still talking, Xiahou Yuan interrupted him forcefully: "Go and prepare immediately! Do not speak again!"

Seeing that Xiahou Yuan insisted on personally pursuing the enemy, Xu Huang could only sigh and remain silent.

Immediately, Xiahou Yuan selected a thousand infantry and cavalry as the vanguard to attack Liu Bei's rear army.

Upon seeing Xiahou Yuan's troops suddenly charging in, Liu Bei's rear guard was terrified and scattered in all directions.

"Liu Bei, relying on his superior numbers, thought I would not dare to come. If he had listened to Gongming's advice, how could I have achieved such a great feat?" Xiahou Yuan laughed heartily and ordered his men to set fire to the place.

Just as Xiahou Yuan was feeling triumphant, he suddenly heard a great drumbeat from the valley to his left. A troop of soldiers swept in like a raging fire. The general at the forefront, with his phoenix eyes and silkworm eyebrows, and the cold glint of his crescent blade, was none other than Guan Yu leading his ambush. Almost simultaneously, from the dense forest to his right, Zhang Fei's eighteen-foot spear cleaved through the thorns, his voice like thunder. Ahead, dust billowed as Yan Liang and Wen Chou, two fierce generals from Hebei, stood ready with their swords drawn, also leading their troops in. "We've fallen into a trap!"

Xiahou Yuan was so startled that he almost fell off his horse and hurriedly ordered his troops to retreat.

However, just as the military order was issued, another flag appeared in the rear, belonging to Huang Zhong, a general under Liu Bei!

"I regret not heeding Gongming's wise advice!"

Attacked from all sides, Xiahou Yuan's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He now realized that the supply wagons he had just seen were actually a trap.

If Xiahou Yuan hadn't lit the fire, they wouldn't have been ambushed. But once the fire was lit, it became a signal for Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Huang Zhong to surround them from all sides.

Pang Tong was already well aware that Cao Cao's army was adept at raiding supply routes.

Especially during the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao kept Yuan Shao busy by raiding his supply lines, and in the end, even Wuchao was burned down.

Therefore, Pang Tong anticipated that Xiahou Yuan, who was shooting dogs, would follow suit, so he placed some of the supply wagons in the rear army to lure Xiahou Yuan to burn the supplies.

In reality, they deliberately chose this terrain to set a trap for Xiahou Yuan, waiting for him to fall into it.

Although Xiahou Yuan's thousand infantry and cavalry were more elite and better at fighting than Liu Bei's troops, their numerical disadvantage made it difficult for Xiahou Yuan to break through the encirclement. In addition, Liu Bei's generals were brave and had a strong ambush, which made up for the difference in combat strength between ordinary soldiers.

Xiahou Yuan charged left and right, but could not break through the encirclement.

In a critical moment.

Xu Huang led the rear guard to break through the encirclement, his great axe sweeping across the bloody path.

"The army must march immediately!"

Xu Huang pulled Xiahou Yuan onto a spare warhorse, preparing to cover the rear alone.

Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Xiahou Yuan's courage returned, and he shouted urgently, "With all the troops here, how can I abandon them and flee? I will cover the rear with Gongming!"

Although Xiahou Yuan lacked strategic acumen, he was no less brave and courageous, unlike Ma Su, who was only good at talking. If he really abandoned his army and fled, half of his two thousand soldiers would not be able to return!
Seeing that Xiahou Yuan had gathered his troops for another battle, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou also beat drums to rally their forces, in order to avoid being attacked by Xiahou Yuan from the opposite direction.

For a time, it was difficult to determine the cause.

On the hilltop, Liu Bei stared at the fierce Cao soldiers below and couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that even with the martial prowess of Yun Chang and others, plus Shi Yuan's wisdom, we still couldn't capture Xiahou Yuan. The bravery of Cao Cao's soldiers is the greatest in the world."

Pang Tong scoffed, his tone encouraging: "My lord, you must not underestimate yourself. The troops you have recruited and trained are less than two years old and have not yet fought any major battles. Yet, with four thousand against two thousand, you are able to hold your own against Xiahou Yuan's forces. Given time, you may very well be able to overthrow them and become the best in the world!"

　Update 4 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)