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

Upon receiving the order, Guan Ping's command flag fluttered in his hand.

The shouts of "Xiahou Yuan has fled! Those who surrender will be spared!" echoed down the hillside and into the valley. Hearing this, the remaining Cao army soldiers, fighting like cornered beasts, began to crack their taut will.

A general who inspires courage in his soldiers will cause them to flee; a general who flees will intimidate his soldiers.

"Clang!"

The spear fell to the ground, and a desperate cavalryman tumbled from his saddle and knelt in the blood and mud.

Immediately afterwards, another series of clanging sounds rang out. The Cao soldiers, already filled with fear and anxiety, were sustained only by the unwavering belief of their commander, Xiahou Yuan, that he was still fighting to the death.

At this moment, with their commander fleeing and their escape route cut off, the will to survive ultimately overwhelmed their loyalty to Xiahou Yuan.

But Xiahou Yuan's personal guards were bloodshot and their eyes were bloodshot.

"Those who betray their lord for personal gain are ashamed before General Xiahou! We have received great favors, and it is our duty to cover the rear for the general!"

A lieutenant, his face covered in blood, shouted angrily and then stabbed to death his comrade who had surrendered out of fear, in order to intimidate the rest of the troops.

Immediately, the adjutant took the lead and charged headlong into Wen Chou's troops.

"kill!"

The general's ferocity was unleashed, and he showed no fear of Wen Chou whatsoever.

"I will uphold your loyalty and righteousness!" Wen Chou's steel spear, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, pierced through the general's breastplate in just a few exchanges.

Amidst the splattering of blood, Wen Chou roared at his men, "Those who are stubborn and unyielding, shall be executed!"

Inspired by the courageous sacrifice of his lieutenant general, or remembering the kindness Xiahou Yuan had shown them in the past, the remaining personal guards also shouted and charged towards Wen Chou's army formation.

Even if it's like a moth drawn to a flame, one must uphold loyalty and righteousness.

A moment later, the shouts of battle subsided, leaving only the mournful neighing of wounded horses, and the air above the valley was thick with the stench of blood.

On the outer perimeter, where logs and boulders blocked the way, only a narrow passage was opened.

Xu Huang was concerned for Xiahou Yuan's safety, so he hurriedly led more than a hundred cavalrymen to rush in. However, the scene before him terrified Xu Huang: blood-soaked broken flags, wrecked horses wandering among piles of corpses, surrendered soldiers lying on the ground with their armor removed, and the corpses of Cao Cao's army lying scattered in the valley, but Xiahou Yuan was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is General Xiahou?!"

Xu Huang pulled hard on the reins and shouted loudly.

The surrendered soldiers lay prostrate on the ground, trembling, and none dared to raise their voices in response.

When Yan Liang saw Xu Huang arrive and question him, he shouted, "Xiahou Yuan is dead! Who are you? Why don't you dismount and surrender?!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Huang's eyes widened in fury. He raised his axe and roared, "I am Xu Huang, the Lieutenant General and Marquis of Duting! You traitor, do you dare to fight me to the death!"

"What's there to be afraid of! Watch Yan Liang capture you!" Yan Liang was already annoyed that Xiahou Yuan had escaped, and upon hearing the title of "Lieutenant General, Marquis of Duting," he immediately drew his sword, ready to fight.

Capturing Xu Huang would be a great achievement.

At the top of the hill, Guan Yu recognized Xu Huang. Fearing that the two tigers would fight and both would suffer losses, he quickly drew his sword, spurred his horse, and charged down the hill. He first stopped Yan Liang, then urged his horse forward. When he was about ten paces away, he cupped his hands and shouted, "Brother, how have you been?"

This address of "elder brother" left Yan Liang and Wen Chou utterly astonished: Did General Guan have an old acquaintance under Cao Cao? Xu Huang gripped his long axe tightly, his knuckles already white: "Yun Chang! Although we have a personal bond, today is a matter of national importance! Since you killed Xiahou Yuan, I must avenge General Xiahou! Are you ready to fight to the death?!"

Guan Yu shook his head slightly and pointed in the direction Xiahou Yuan had fled: "Brother, you misunderstand. Yan Liang's words were merely meant to provoke you into a desperate fight. Xiahou Yuan actually abandoned his horse and fled up the mountain."

"Really?" Xu Huang looked suspiciously, following the direction Guan Yu pointed, then turned back to stare at Guan Yu.

With the joy of reuniting with an old friend on his face, Guan Yu reined in his horse and rode forward, the two horses almost touching head to head. He said in a low voice, "Brother, have you ever heard me speak nonsense? I also do not wish to fight to the death with you."

Seeing Xu Huang lower his long axe slightly, Guan Yu changed the subject, as if recalling old times in Xuchang: "Back in Xuchang, I was fortunate enough to be informed by my elder brother that Guan Family Village still existed, which allowed me to reunite with my relatives on my previous trip to Hedong. I have never forgotten this kindness!"

At this point, Guan Yu's tone suddenly turned deep, like the clash of metal and stone: "Cao Cao, nominally the Chancellor of Han, is in reality a traitor to the country! The Emperor is trapped in the den of wolves, and righteous men throughout the land are united to punish him. Elder brother, you are known for your great principles, why not abandon the darkness and embrace the light, and join me in supporting the Han Dynasty? General Zuo is eager for talent and will certainly not fail you!"

Xu Huang's chest heaved, a fleeting struggle flashing in his eyes before settling into resolute determination: "I eat the food of my lord, and I must serve him! Cao Cao's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, and even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I would never betray him! Today we each serve our own lord. If Yun Chang wishes to take my head, then come and fight!"

"Alas—" Guan Yu sighed deeply, his regret mixed with even greater respect.

Jade can be broken but its whiteness cannot be altered; bamboo can be burned but its integrity cannot be destroyed.

Guan Yu was a loyal and righteous man, and he was unwilling to let Xu Huang tarnish his reputation because of personal feelings.

“I will not fight to the death with you, elder brother, and you need not stay here either. Although Xiahou Yuan has escaped, his path is fraught with dangers. Instead of fighting with me, elder brother, you should hurry and find him to uphold your loyalty.”

After saying this, Guan Yu took out an item from his bosom and handed it to Xu Huang: "This is a map of the valley. Brother, you can use the map to find it."

Xu Huang took the map and scanned it. It showed a detailed plan for the ambush on Xiahou Yuan. His expression became complicated and indescribable: "Why is Yun Chang doing this? If you had a few dozen more men lying in ambush here, you could have captured General Xiahou alive."

“It’s not that we can’t capture him, but that we can’t kill him!” Guan Yu gazed at the distant mountains, his figure as resolute as a pine tree. “In the past, Cao Cao once said to General Zuo, ‘The only heroes in the world are you and I!’ I wholeheartedly agree. Although Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao, he only gained military advantage; the hearts of the people of Hebei are not yet with him. Although General Zuo is difficult to contend with, he has the advantage of terrain and the support of the people, which is enough to defend the strategic passes and fortified cities. The current state of the world is like that of the seven warring states. When two strong powers contend, the weak will inevitably benefit. Qin destroyed the six states by first weakening them and then strengthening them. When you return to see Cao Cao, please convey General Zuo’s message.”

Xu Huang immediately understood Guan Yu's meaning: releasing Xiahou Yuan was to leave Cao Cao with a glimmer of hope and also to leave Liu Bei with a way out.

Xu Huang's gaze grew even more profound.

Back in Xuchang, the two would talk about their shared hometown or admire each other's bravery; it was simply a case of heroes appreciating each other.

Today, while my own wisdom and strategy have yet to be revealed, Guan Yu's plans are already as towering as a mountain!

Guan Yu's wisdom has reached such a level!

Xu Huang sighed inwardly, took a deep breath, put the map into his robes, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I will certainly convey Guan Yu's wishes to Cao Cao! Take care!"

Xu Huang glanced at the crouching surrendered soldiers and reminded them again, "Cao Ren will arrive shortly. Yun Chang, you should hurry and not let the surrendered soldiers cause any problems."

Guan Yu's expression turned slightly serious: "I understand what you mean, elder brother."

After Xu Huang led his troops away, Guan Yu's phoenix eyes narrowed suddenly: "What a pity! If Cao Cao had let my elder brother lead the army, I would not have been able to achieve complete success today. But I cannot fail to repay the kindness of my elder brother in the past."

After a moment's hesitation, Guan Yu suddenly issued an order: "Pass down the order that all spoils be discarded. Do not let these spoils become a burden for us. After a short rest, set off immediately. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Yan Liang was taken aback: "What should be done with the surrendered soldiers?"

Guan Yu coldly swept his gaze over the prisoners: "Since I have already clearly ordered them to be spared, how can I go back on my word? Tell the prisoners that, for Xu Huang's sake, I will release them." (End of Chapter)