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

"Hehehe." Guan Yu stroked his magnificent beard, his phoenix eyes glancing sideways at Xiahou Yuan: "Warfare is based on deception. You are arrogant and headstrong, have you not heard that even in the pursuit of the fleeing and the defeated, one must assess the situation?"

Although raising horses had made Xiahou Yuan more composed, he still couldn't help but feel angry and indignant at Guan Yu's condescending and lecturing manner: "Guan Yu, it's not your place to tell me how to use troops!"

Looking at Xiahou Yuan, whose face was contorted with shock and anger yet forced a composed expression, Guan Yu's face regained a touch of old friendship: "I still remember when we were in Xuchang, Cao Cao, in order to befriend Yide, arranged for your niece Xiahou Juan to marry him. Although the ceremony was not completed due to the circumstances, Yide has always thought of her and remains unmarried to this day. If I were to kill you, I fear it would incur Yide's resentment. Why don't you dismount and surrender to save your life?"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Yuan's expression changed drastically, and his shame and anger intensified.

In the past, Cao Cao, in order to win over Liu Bei, not only submitted a memorial recommending him as the Left General, but also treated him with great courtesy, "sharing the same carriage when going out and sitting at the same table when sitting."

During this time, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Lian, the younger brother of Xiahou Dun, to act as matchmaker, intending to marry Xiahou Juan, the niece of Xiahou Yuan, to Zhang Fei, who was not yet married. Although Xiahou Yuan was unwilling, he did not stop it for the sake of Cao Cao's great cause.

The two families had already performed the six rites of betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, and presenting betrothal gifts. Just as they were about to hold the ceremony of setting the wedding date, Yuan Shu wanted to pass through Xuzhou to go north and join Yuan Shao. Cao Cao hurriedly sent Liu Bei to supervise Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to intercept him, agreeing that the wedding ceremony would take place after they returned to Xuzhou after the mission was accomplished.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Fei never returned.

The marriage alliance failed and became a laughing stock.

Since five of the six rites had already been performed, the marriage was practically a done deal. Even if it came to an abrupt end, in the eyes of the world, Xiahou Juan was no different from someone who was already "married".

Xiahou Juan, adhering to ancient customs, considered it an act of self-degradation to marry another before the wedding was completed. Therefore, she politely declined the other marriage arrangements made by Xiahou Yuan and returned to her old residence in Qiao County in sorrow.

Xiahou Yuan had always doted on this niece, and he deeply resented her for this humiliation. Whenever he thought of it, he would grit his teeth and wish he could devour Zhang Fei's flesh alive.

(Note: This is based on unofficial historical records and is not part of the main text of the Wei Lue.)
Today, Guan Yu brought up the old matter again, like a sharp awl piercing the last shred of reason remaining in Xiahou Yuan's heart.

"Shut up!" Xiahou Yuan roared, his eyes bloodshot. "I am a general of the Cao family. How could I submit to such treacherous people as you? You hypocrite, you big-eared scoundrel! You butcher Zhang are utterly rude! I will capture these two scoundrels alive one day! Guan Yu! If you have the guts, fight me to the death!"

"Since that's the case, don't blame me for disregarding our old friendship!" Guan Yu's old feelings vanished instantly, leaving only a chilling killing intent. He had done his best to persuade Xiahou Yuan to surrender, but Xiahou Yuan was determined to die, so there was no need for further words!

"Thump! Thump thump thump—!"

Guan Ping waved his command flag, and the awe-inspiring sound of war drums rose like thunder, rumbling down from the high slopes on both sides and shaking the mountains!
The scattered tribal soldiers above the valley, waving flags and shouting, erupted in even fiercer and closer cries upon hearing the drumbeats:
"Kill!"

"Don't let Xiahou Yuan leave!"

The deafening shouts of battle, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, filled the valley floor.

With a deafening roar, a large number of pre-prepared logs and boulders crashed down from above, completely blocking Xiahou Yuan's retreat and turning this valley into a desperate situation where only a fight to the death was possible.

Either Xiahou Yuan defeats Guan Yu, or Guan Yu defeats Xiahou Yuan; this will determine who is superior and who will live or die!
"kill!"

Dust billowed up from the hillside!

Guided by the command flag, Yan Liang and Wen Chou each led light cavalry, charging out from the left and right flanks like sharp blades, heading straight for Xiahou Yuan's main light cavalry, intending to divide them up.

"Hold on! Form a circular formation..." Xiahou Yuan roared angrily, but his voice was completely drowned out by the deafening drumbeats, shouts of battle, and hoofbeats.

On the high hillside, Guan Yu's sharp, hawk-like gaze was fixed on the battle situation at the bottom of the valley.

Guan Ping held the command flag with ease, accurately conveying military orders.

After studying military strategy and battle command under Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu no longer had much interest in personally engaging in fierce battles, but was more intoxicated by the pleasure of strategizing and commanding with composure.

With Yan Liang and Wen Chou, two fierce generals no less capable than Xiahou Yuan, charging into battle, Guan Yu didn't need to personally intervene. "Left flank infantry, fire arrows! Block the right flank cavalry from converging!"

"Right-wing infantry, throw stones and bamboo spears toward the center!"

"Flags with the character 'Yan' (颜) forward! Flags with the character 'Wen' (文) turn left!"

"."

The instructions were concise and clear, meticulously adjusting the positions and directions of Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

Driven by strict orders and aided by the shouts of the powerful clans' private soldiers who harassed the enemy with arrows and stones, Yan Liang and Wen Chou's every maneuver struck the vital points.

Although Xiahou Yuan's light cavalry were far superior in individual combat to Yan and Wen's troops, they were unable to perform effectively due to low morale and chaotic command.

Ahead, Yan Liang and Wen Chou blocked the road, attacking, dividing, and flanking; behind, the road was blocked; on both sides, arrows, rocks, and bamboo spears constantly disturbed their peace of mind.

Xiahou Yuan's forces are crumbling little by little.

The command flag that Guan Ping waved in his hand was like an invisible noose.

The direction the flag tip points is the precise point of impact—either directing soldiers to cut off a small group of Cao army remnants attempting to form a counter-attack, or ordering Yan Liang and Wen Chou to charge again and tear open a nearly collapsed formation.

Despite their bravery, Cao Cao's cavalry were now like caged beasts, constantly being squeezed, divided, and devoured, quickly falling into a desperate situation where they fought individually and could not attend to both ends!

Yan Liang's sweeping longsword and Wen Chou's cunning and ruthless steel spear, each swing brought forth a blinding rain of blood, like the Grim Reaper wielding his scythe.

Looking at the battlefield where the fighting was taking place at the bottom of the valley, Guan Ping's face flushed with excitement.

Since recognizing Guan Ping as his brother, Guan Yu has often kept Guan Ping by his side, carefully teaching him martial arts and military strategy. He also arranged for Guan Ping to take turns serving in various camps for training. This time, he appointed Guan Ping as a flag officer, allowing Guan Ping to experience the wonders of command and dispatch more directly.

Guan Ping seemed born for the battlefield, handling military affairs with great efficiency. Guan Yu's bravery, wisdom, and the ease with which he defeated enemies with a smile only increased Guan Ping's admiration for him day by day.

At the bottom of the valley, Xiahou Yuan's personal guards, their armor stained with blood, reported anxiously: "General! The rear route is completely blocked! Our brothers on the right flank are cut off and surrounded!"

"Don't panic! Heed my command!" Xiahou Yuan, also covered in blood, watched helplessly as his elite troops fell one after another with cries of agony, and a sense of unease welled up in his heart.

But as the commander-in-chief, Xiahou Yuan dared not show the slightest fear.

The general is the courage of the soldiers; if the commander is timid, the morale of the soldiers will surely collapse.

After a moment of panic, Xiahou Yuan's anger intensified: throughout the fierce battle, it was always Yan Liang and Wen Chou who charged into battle, while Guan Yu himself had never personally made a move! Xiahou Yuan felt as if he were being toyed with by Guan Yu like a child!

"I never imagined that Guan Yu would have grown to this level in just over two years." Gazing at the Guan Yu banner on the slope, Xiahou Yuan felt a renewed sense of apprehension.

Back in Xuchang, Xiahou Yuan was wary of Guan Yu's martial prowess, but he despised Guan Yu's leadership, believing that Guan Yu was at best a mere fighting general.

He has never studied military strategy; he's just a reckless brute.

However, he was now in a life-or-death situation at Guan Yu's hands. This shocked and angered Xiahou Yuan, who also found it hard to understand. No matter how talented he was, how could he command with such composure without the guidance of a master? (End of Chapter)