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

After adopting Guo Jia's strategy, Cao Cao decided to take advantage of Liu Bei's preoccupation with other matters to seize Qingzhou and completely eliminate Yuan Tan.

Upon receiving the order, Cao Ren immediately led his troops eastward to join Xiahou Dun, while Cao Cao left Dong Zhao to garrison Ye City and personally led his elite troops to follow.

Yuan Tan had just suffered a defeat at the hands of Xiahou Dun, and his morale was low. Faced with Xiahou Dun's fierce pursuit, he could only hastily retreat to Pingyuan City.

Several days later, Cao Cao's various armies gathered at the city and formed battle formations. Although Pingyuan City was fortified, Yuan Tan's troops had just suffered heavy losses and were in a state of panic.

Cao Cao originally intended to implement a strategy of encirclement, waiting for the enemy to fall into disarray, in order to reduce the losses from a direct assault.

However, Cao Chun, who had previously suffered setbacks at the hands of Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry, and Xiahou Yuan, who had been intimidated by Guan Yu, were not punished by Cao Cao, but felt deeply ashamed.

Seeing that Yuan Tan was trapped, the two strongly advocated for a strong attack.

Cao Chun further advised, "My lord! Although Pingyuan is fortified, Yuan Tan is already a frightened bird. His troops have just suffered a defeat and are demoralized, with no will to fight. Moreover, the morale of the people in Qingzhou is wavering. If our army is bogged down for too long, something untoward may happen. Now is the time for our soldiers to fight with their lives on the line. We should press on and attack the city in one fell swoop! If we wait for them to catch their breath and regroup, or if they lure Liu Bei to attack from the side, our army will miss a golden opportunity! I request permission to personally lead my troops and charge into battle!"

Cao Cao knew Cao Chun was loyal and brave, and his words hit the nail on the head: Liu Bei was temporarily unable to intervene, which was indeed the perfect opportunity to eliminate Yuan Tan; if the newly defeated army was not annihilated quickly, it was possible that they would fight like cornered beasts or seek external assistance.

With Xiahou Yuan also volunteering to charge, Cao Cao looked around at his generals and, considering the shadow cast by Guan Yu and Zhao Yun in recent days, he also urgently needed a great victory to boost morale.

With a glint in his eyes, Cao Cao resolutely ordered: "Follow Zihe's advice! Order the entire army: eat well tonight, conserve your energy, and attack the city at dawn tomorrow. We must take Pingyuan!"

Before dawn the next day, the war drums of Cao Cao's camp had already sounded.

Countless soldiers carried siege ladders and surged towards the city walls on the plain like a tidal wave.

Arrows rained down, and stones and logs cascaded down from the city walls. Cao Cao's attacking troops suffered heavy casualties, and many corpses lay beneath the city walls.

In despair, Yuan Tan and his remaining troops unleashed their final ferocity, relying on the fortified city to fight to the death.

The battle was exceptionally fierce, with fighting taking place from dawn until noon. Under the blazing sun, Pingyuan City remained standing, and Cao Cao's offensive was showing signs of fatigue.

Witnessing the heavy casualties at the front and the repeated repelling of offensives, Cao Cao frowned deeply.

However, Cao Cao knew that if he sounded the retreat at this time, it would severely damage the morale that had just been boosted, and all previous efforts would be in vain.

With a decisive and fiery mind, Cao Cao shoved aside his guards, strode to the front of the battle, and snatched the drumstick from the drummer next to him!

"Thump thump thump—thump thump thump—thump thump thump—"

The deep, powerful sound of war drums suddenly changed its rhythm!

It is no longer a commanding urging, but a powerful appeal filled with resolute will and an unwavering belief in victory!

Cao Cao personally beat the drums of attack, his crimson battle robe fluttering in the wind, and three rapid drumbeats resounded across the battlefield!

All the Cao army soldiers who fought valiantly trembled violently upon hearing this!

"With the Grand Commandant personally beating the drums, how dare we fear our lives?!"

"The city falls today! Those who are not afraid to die, follow me into battle!"

"kill--!!!
The earth-shattering shouts erupted once again!
Encouraged by Cao Cao's war drums, Cao Cao's soldiers charged towards the city walls like a raging torrent, risking their lives!

Yuan Tan's defending troops, whose morale was on the verge of collapse, could not withstand this final blow!
As the sun began to set, Cao Cao's army broke through one, two, and multiple sections of the city wall defenses at great personal risk!

Cao Chun, Zhang Liao and other fierce generals were the first to scale the city walls and wreak havoc.

Pingyuan City has fallen!

Seeing the city fall and the army routed, Yuan Tan was terrified. He had hoped to hold out and wait for Cao Cao to retreat, but unexpectedly, the city fell in less than ten days.

Terrified, Yuan Tan spurred his horse and fled for his life toward the east gate of the city!
The secret passage made Linzi City more fortified, and could serve as a final barrier.

However, Cao Chun's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had sharp eyes like eagles!

In the chaos, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry caught a glimpse of a man who, though disheveled, was dressed in fine clothes, rode a magnificent steed, and was guarded by personal soldiers.

"This is no ordinary man! He must be Yuan Tan!"

The valiant riders immediately made their judgment, called out to their companions, and several riders gave chase like arrows released from a bow!

Yuan Tan spurred his horse and galloped away, the wind whistling past his ears, while the shouts of the pursuers and the sound of their hooves drew ever closer behind him!

Terrified, Yuan Tan lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud from his galloping horse!
Yuan Tan, who was dazed and confused from the fall, had no time to get up before the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were already in front of him, their cold blades pointed straight at his throat!
The shadow of death loomed over them instantly.

Yuan Tan turned around abruptly, his face covered in sweat and mud mixed with extreme terror, and shouted at the pursuing soldiers on horseback: "Brave warrior! Let me go... I'll make you rich! I'll give you whatever you want..."

"Crack!"

A flash of cold light!
The Tiger and Leopard Knight's face was as cold as frost, his eyes filled only with killing intent and a thirst for military merit.

Before Yuan Tan's screams of promising wealth and honor had even faded, his terrified and desperate head was severed by a single blow!

Blood splattered as the eldest son of the once powerful Yuan family collapsed, his eyes wide open, frozen in shock and resentment at the last moment.

Inside the city.

Gongcao Huayan knelt down in fear before Cao Cao, saying "I surrender," and also claiming to be Hua Xin's cousin.

Hua Xin has now been appointed as an Imperial Consultant and Military Advisor to the Minister of Works.

Although he was of the same clan as Hua Yan, he was not his cousin. Hua Yan's attempt to claim kinship was merely a ploy to survive.

Guo Jia whispered, “I have heard that Yuan Tan has two trusted confidants: one is Hua Yan, who is the Chief Clerk of Pingyuan and in charge of all affairs in Pingyuan; the other is Kong Zhang, who is the Chief Clerk of Qi and in charge of all affairs in Qi. Hua Yan and Kong Zhang are on good terms with each other, so perhaps we can have Hua Yan persuade Kong Zhang to surrender.”

Hua Yan, with his sharp ears, keenly heard Guo Jia's whisper and hurriedly kowtowed, swearing, "This humble servant is willing to persuade Kong Zhang to surrender on behalf of the Minister of Works!"

Just as Cao Cao was hesitating, Cao Chun entered, threw Yuan Tan's head on the ground, and reported, "The traitor Yuan Tan has been executed!"

Hua Yan stared at Yuan Tan's unseeing head, so frightened that he collapsed to the ground. He then pleaded with Cao Cao again: "Please allow me to go to Linzi, Minister of Works. I am sure I can persuade Kong Zhang to surrender!"

Cao Cao's eyes were like knives as he glanced at the terrified Hua Yan, then said to Cao Chun, "Take this man with you and head to Linzi immediately."

Cao Chunnuo responded and then dragged Hua Yan out like a chick.

Although he had gained Pingyuan and executed Yuan Tan, Cao Cao was not happy about it, because he had just received the latest intelligence on Bohai and Hejian from Hua Yan.

Xu Xun, the governor of Bohai, and Zhang Zhi, the chancellor of Hejian, surrendered Bohai Commandery and Hejian State. Liu Bei then dispatched his generals Huang Zhong and Qian Zhao to garrison Nanpi and Lecheng respectively.

Liu Bei also sent a letter to Hua Yan, hoping that Hua Yan would be pragmatic and follow the example of Xu Xun, the governor of Bohai, and Zhang Zhi, the chancellor of Hejian, by surrendering Pingyuan. However, because Cao Cao pursued Yuan Tan too fiercely, Hua Yan was blocked in Pingyuan before he could reply to Liu Bei.

Clearly, Liu Bei had once again anticipated Cao Cao's plan to eliminate Yuan Tan, not only seizing the opportunity to take over Bohai and Hejian, which were relatively rich in manpower and resources, but also aiming to expand into Pingyuan.

"Xuande and I have the same idea." Cao Cao laughed instead of getting angry, but his tone was chilling. (End of Chapter)