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

Xu Huang was even more worried: "Judging from this, Yan Liang and Wen Chou's harassment over the past few days must be a trap to lure the enemy. General, you must not fall for it."

Xiahou Yuan roared, "Why are you afraid to fight, Gongming? Zihe must have been defeated because he was ambushed by Zhao Yun while pursuing Ju Shou. What are Yan Liang and Wen Chou? If they dare to appear before me again, I will capture those two traitors alive!"

As if sensing something amiss, no sooner had Xiahou Yuan finished speaking than a sentry rushed to report: "Reporting to the general! Yan Liang and Wen Chou are again leading three hundred cavalry to challenge us in front of the hill... they're... they're calling the general... a 'white-ground general'!"

Xiahou Yuan's eyes were bloodshot: "How dare you insult me ​​like this, you brat!"

The title "General of the White Land" was originally a compliment; however, after being ridiculed as "fleeing five hundred li in three days, Xiahou Yuan truly deserves the title of General of the White Land!", it became a major taboo in Xiahou Yuan's heart, and would incur his wrath if touched upon!
Seeing Xiahou Yuan about to rush out in a rage, Xu Huang quickly stepped in front of him, saying, "General, please calm down! Zhao Yun has already appeared on the west side, how can we be sure Guan Yu won't be lurking on the east? This is—"

"Get out of the way!" Xiahou Yuan shoved aside Xu Huang's arm armor and roared, "All soldiers, follow me! Today I will surely slay Yan Liang and Wen Chou!"

Seeing Xiahou Yuan lead his army out in a fit of rage, Xu Huang feared for his life and immediately sent someone to request reinforcements from Cao Ren, while also gathering troops to follow and support him.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Our lord has had the general raise the horse for so long, why is he still so impatient? It's all a waste of effort."

On the hill, the dust settled slightly.

Yan Liang reined in his horse and stood side by side with Wen Chou, watching Xiahou Yuan's banners grow ever closer.

Rough fingers habitually rubbed the hilt of the knife, and Yan Liang's lips curled into a sneer: "As expected, this 'White Land General' is still the most effective. Those four words are more likely to provoke anger than cursing his ancestors for eighteen generations."

Wen Chou grinned, his voice loud and mischievous: "'General of the White Land' was originally a boastful title, but who would have thought that General Guan's words, 'Xiahou Yuan fled five hundred li in three days, he truly deserves to be called General of the White Land,' would turn it into a thorn in Xiahou Yuan's heart that can never be removed."

As they chatted and laughed, Xiahou Yuan's military flag was already close by.

Xiahou Yuan spurred his horse forward and roared, "Yan Liang, Wen Chou, do you dare to fight me to the death?"

Yan Liang and Wen Chou simultaneously spurred their horses forward to meet them, shouting in unison, "We'll fight you!"

Xiahou Yuan was so angry that his eyes were about to burst: "Yan Liang, Wen Chou, how could you two be so shameless?"

In a one-on-one fight, Xiahou Yuan is not afraid of either Yan Liang or Wen Chou; in a two-on-one fight, Xiahou Yuan is not so blindly confident that he can withstand the combined attack of Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

Yan Liang laughed and said, "Xiahou Yuan, you just called both of our names at the same time, so naturally we should both go into battle! Everyone says that you, Xiahou Yuan, can't count, and it seems that they are right!"

Wen Chou also chuckled and said, "The generals of Cao Cao's camp are so illiterate; such an amusing incident should be recorded in history!"

Seeing the two men acting so shamelessly, Xiahou Yuan was enraged and abandoned his pursuit of a one-on-one duel, ordering the entire army to charge.

As before, Yan Liang and Wen Chou immediately retreated in "panic". After only two rounds of arrows clashing, they turned their horses around and fled "hastily" along the valley. The troops were in complete disarray, with flags askew, armor clashing, and soldiers clashing.

"They're using this trick again! Chase them! Don't let those two thieves get away!" Xiahou Yuan's anger flared even more as he saw Yan Liang and Wen Chou feigning escape again, and he had no more doubts.

At first, Xiahou Yuan had some doubts, but Yan Liang and Wen Chou made four feigned escapes in a row, and even pretended to surrender once. After being exposed, they fought desperately to break through and escape. This made Xiahou Yuan certain that Yan Liang and Wen Chou did not have many troops and were simply harassing and hindering him.

With a swift crack of his whip, his cavalry followed closely behind, surging into the valley.

Xu Huang, on horseback, gave chase, shouting, "General, be careful! Beware of a trap!" but his voice was drowned out by the noise of the marching troops.

The valley path twisted and turned, leading deeper and deeper. Xiahou Yuan's captain, with his sharp eyes, spotted what appeared to be figures moving on the hillsides on either side, and a sense of foreboding arose: "General! There seems to be an ambush on the hillside!"

Excited by the pursuit, Xiahou Yuan looked up and scanned the area. He saw shadows swaying on the mountain ridge, indicating that there were indeed people, but their clothes were a motley collection and their flags were crooked, showing none of the orderly appearance of government troops.

With a sneer, Xiahou Yuan said with disdain, "These must be local ruffians and bandits coerced by Yan Liang and Wen Chou, or perhaps the ignorant private soldiers of powerful local tyrants in Julu! A rabble, what is there to fear?"

The disorganized nature of the "ambush troops" made Xiahou Yuan even more uneasy.

Just as the main force poured into the gourd-shaped open valley, a sudden change occurred!
call out--!
A whistling arrow pierced the air, its sharp sound echoing through the valley.

Suddenly, the once silent dense forests on both sides of the valley entrance erupted with the thunderous roar of war drums!
Amidst the deafening shouts of battle, countless figures suddenly sprang up from their hiding places!
However, this group of people who suddenly appeared were dressed in a motley collection and had a variety of weapons: there were spears, ring-pommel swords, hunting bows, and some even carrying sharpened wooden sticks.

The flags were also bizarre and varied, mostly embroidered with deer, birds, and family crests, and were crooked and messy.

This was the retinue of powerful families from various clans in Julu County, commanded by Guan Yu and assembled on the orders of Tian Feng!

At the same time, Yan Liang and Wen Chou led their troops back, shouting, "Xiahou Yuan, you have fallen into our trap! Why don't you dismount and surrender immediately?"

Shouts of "Kill the traitors!" "Don't let Xiahou Yuan escape!" "Stop them!" "Kill!" and other similar cries rang out from both sides.

Strangely, despite the thunderous shouts of battle, these soldiers merely waved their flags and cheered, with no one actually approaching to fight.

Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but sneer: "Yan Liang, Wen Chou! You only need to pull this kind of bluffing trick once. Doing it every time, aren't you tired? I'm getting annoyed for you!"

But for a moment.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou fled again, and the surrounding soldiers scattered in all directions.

"General, should we continue the pursuit?" the captain asked hesitantly.

Xiahou Yuan sneered, "Of course we must pursue them! This place is Calabash Valley. Only the entrance allows troops to pass through. Although you can also exit the valley at the end, you have to climb the mountain to get out. Yan Liang and Wen Chou don't know the geography, so they will surely be captured by me today! Those miscellaneous soldiers are nothing but ants, don't bother with them!"

After speaking, Xiahou Yuan took the lead, and his elite cavalry, full of vigor, chased after Yan Liang and Wen Chou's routed troops, heading straight for the narrow end of Hulu Valley.

The mountains on both sides are narrow and the road is even more rugged.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou's "defeated army" was in complete disarray, their banners scattered and their panicked state incredibly realistic, greatly stimulating Xiahou Yuan's nerves, which were already consumed by contempt and rage.

"Let's see where you can run to!" Xiahou Yuan was in high spirits, as if victory was already in sight, and he swung his whip even louder.

Seeing Xiahou Yuan stubbornly venturing into dangerous territory, Xu Huang was extremely anxious and worried that the valley entrance would be blocked. He could only divide his troops to guard the entrance while continuing to enter and provide support.

Just when Xiahou Yuan thought he had driven Yan Liang and Wen Chou to their doom, a mocking voice rang out from ahead: "General Xiahou Yuan of Baidi, how have you been?"

Upon hearing the voice and looking around, Xiahou Yuan's pupils constricted sharply, and he exclaimed in disbelief, "Guan Yu, what are you doing here?" (End of Chapter)