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

After dismissing the generals, Shen Pei's fierce aura remained. He left Feng Ji alone and approached him, lowering his voice: "Ever since Young Master Tan obtained the Great General's sword and seal, his mind has become restless! Observing his behavior, I find him no different from Young Master Shang. He is greedy for life and cannot be entrusted with important matters! However, tonight's surprise attack is a matter of life and death, and there is no room for error! Yuan Tu, you will immediately go to Young Master Tan's command, ostensibly to assist him, but in reality to supervise the battle."

At this point, Shen Pei's tone turned icy: "If his troops dare to retreat in the face of battle and shake morale, there's no need to report back; execute them on the spot to deter others! You must make sure that Young Master Tan's entire army fights to the death; there can be no mistakes!"

Feng Ji also noticed that Yuan Tan had been acting strangely lately.

Since assuming the position of Grand General, Yuan Tan has become increasingly indifferent to Shen Pei, spending his days caressing the seal and hesitating to launch a military campaign.

This also made Feng Ji feel alarmed, and he immediately promised, "Zheng Nan, don't worry. With me stationed at Young Master Tan's place, even if he has any hesitation, he will definitely launch a full-scale attack tonight."

With everything arranged, the chief examiner breathed a sigh of relief.

Recalling his two sons who died tragically in Cao Cao's camp, Shen Pei's hatred reignited in his eyes: "Cao Cao, tonight it's either you or me who dies! I'll make sure you never return!"

Feng Ji was ordered to Yuan Tan's camp to supervise the battle, but Yuan Tan saw through his intentions at a glance.

Yuan Tan lightly traced the cold sword mark with his fingertips, his voice laced with sarcasm: "The military supervisor ordered you to join my ranks, which means you don't trust me!"

Fearing to offend him, Feng Ji hurriedly flattered and smiled obsequiously: "Young Master, you misunderstand! Supervisor Shen had no such intention! It was actually Young Master Shang who abandoned the city and fled. I am filled with resentment and am willing to do my best to assist you!"

Yuan Tan sneered: "When you supported Yuan Shang, why weren't you so indignant? You only come to serve me after being discarded like trash. You underestimate me! Am I so worthless that I can only be a backup option for you to secure your livelihood?"

A chill ran down Feng Ji's spine, and his posture became even more humble: "Young Master Tan, please calm down! It was my ignorance back then that led me to mistake rubble for jewels! Now I know that among the sons of the Yuan family, only you, Young Master Tan, are the true hero! I beg you to forgive my past shallowness!"

Seeing Feng Ji groveling like a dog, Yuan Tan's sneer intensified.

To prevent him from causing trouble and making mistakes, Yuan Tan pretended to be moved by Feng Ji's words, and his expression softened slightly: "Since you have this intention, I will give you a chance. I hope you will behave well in the future and not disappoint me!"

Yuan Tan's arrogant attitude aroused resentment in Feng Ji, but he became even more submissive on the surface: "I would rather die than give up my life for you, my lord!"

"Good!" Yuan Tan immediately gave the order to Feng Ji, saying, "Tonight you are the commander of the vanguard. Anyone who is cowardly and speaks of retreat will be executed without mercy!"

Front?

Feng Ji wanted to refuse, but Yuan Tan's gaze was fixed on him, so he had no choice but to accept the military order and said respectfully, "I am willing to supervise the army for Young Master Tan, and I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Seeing Feng Ji's resentful yet helpless expression, Yuan Tan felt a surge of satisfaction at his revenge: "Back then, you ignored me, but now you can't even reach my level. How dare a mere pedantic scholar from Nanyang slander me and obstruct my inheritance of the Yuan family business? How utterly hateful!"
That night.

Shen Pei and Yuan Tan each reorganized their troops and agreed to leave the city together.

Shen Pei came first, followed by Yuan Tan.

The soldiers, with gags in their mouths and their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, took advantage of the darkness to march straight into Cao Cao's camp.

Seeing the seemingly unprepared Cao camp, Ma Yan and Zhang Yi, who were at the forefront, were overjoyed. They set fire to the camp to create chaos while calling on the rear guard to catch up quickly.

Just as Ma Yan and Zhang Yi entered Cao Cao's central command tent, they suddenly heard the sound of drums from both sides. They saw Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao attacking from the left, Yue Jin and Gao Lan attacking from the right, and Cao Hong and Zhang He attacking from the front.

"Fell into a trap!"

Ma Yan and Zhang Yi were so shocked that they immediately led their troops in a hasty retreat.

However, in the darkness, with no clear signage and loud noise, Ma Yan and Zhang Yi couldn't simply retreat as they pleased. In their panic, they even caused their own soldiers to trample each other. Meanwhile, in the rear...

When Commander Shen Pei arrived, he learned that the vanguard had been ambushed. Shen Pei did not panic, but instead sent someone to inform Yuan Tan in the rear to prepare for a counterattack.

It's normal to encounter a prepared enemy during a raid. As long as the deployment is proper, a counterattack can be launched. Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, who knows if there isn't a young man lurking to catch the oriole behind?

however.

Just as Shen Pei's messenger entered the rear army to relay the order, Han Meng slashed the messenger down with a single blow.

The sudden turn of events startled Feng Ji, who asked in horror, "Han Meng, what's the matter?"

Han Meng grinned maliciously at Feng Ji: "Back then, when I was transporting grain, it was robbed by Cao Cao. Shen Pei wanted to punish me according to military law. Now that I have the opportunity, how can I not avenge this grudge?"

Feng Ji felt a chill run through his hands and said in alarm, "Han Meng! Why must past grievances be settled tonight? If the Imperial Inspector is defeated and killed, do you think you can still survive? You must not act rashly! As long as you lead your troops forward, I can pretend I didn't see you kill the Imperial Inspector's soldiers tonight."

Han Meng licked his lips and sneered, "Only the dead can keep secrets. Feng Ji, I've disliked you for a long time."

Feng Ji was terrified. He reined in his horse and turned to run away, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back and saw an arrow protruding from his chest.

"How could this be?"

Feng Ji never understood why Han Meng was so decisive until his death.

Looking at Feng Ji, who lay dead with his eyes wide open, Han Meng sneered and led his team directly towards the plains.

Yuan Tan, however, turned back towards Pingyuan shortly after leaving the city, leaving Han Meng at the front partly to mislead Shen Pei and partly to deal with Feng Ji.

Yuan Tan showed no benevolence in repaying evil with kindness when Feng Ji wanted him dead.

It was pitiful for Shen Pei and the others, who thought Yuan Tan would bring his rear army to help, and they were desperately trying to block Cao Cao's offensive.

Even if some people questioned Shen Pei, they only assumed that Cao Cao had prepared in advance to intercept Yuan Tan's rear army, and he just kept ordering his generals to fight to the death.

Gradually, Shen Pei finally realized something was wrong: Cao's troops were already few in number, and now they were dividing their forces to intercept Ju Shou and Yuan Tan, so why were there more and more people surrounding him?

For a moment, Shen Pei couldn't help but have a guess, and this guess made Shen Pei both surprised and frightened: Could it be that Young Master Tan has also run away?
With a quick change of heart, Shen Pei dared not order his soldiers to fight to the death any longer, and instead issued a military order to break through the siege and return to the city.

Ma Yan, Zhang Yi, and the others breathed a sigh of relief and put all their strength into breaking through towards Ye City.

For the past month, Shen Pei has ensured that his soldiers have been well-fed and clothed, which has greatly boosted their strength. Therefore, even though they are not as fierce as Cao Cao's soldiers, they will not be easily defeated.

With the valiant efforts of the soldiers, the encirclement of Cao Cao's troops was finally breached, and the Yuan soldiers followed, heading straight for Ye City.

"Open the city gates immediately!"

Upon arriving at Ye City, Ma Yan and Zhang Yi urgently shouted towards the city walls, but instead of the gates opening, they were met with a hail of arrows.

The sudden turn of events astonished Ma Yan and Zhang Yi, only to see Shen Rong on the city wall shouting down towards the people below: "I have already surrendered to Cao Sikong, why don't you all just surrender?" (End of Chapter)