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

"My lord's brilliant plan has succeeded! General Qian, quickly lead your troops to raid the camp, and I will personally cut off Cao Cao's retreat route!" Tian Feng made a decisive decision, and his admiration for Liu Bei's strategy grew even stronger.

In his secret letter during the day, Liu Bei had already detailed his strategy of luring the enemy and his predictions about Xiahou Yuan: First, Liu Bei would provoke Xiahou Yuan into a fight, then lure him into a raid on Liu Bei's camp under the pretext of a battle the next day; if Xiahou Yuan raided the camp as predicted, he would encounter Liu Bei's empty camp and the illusion of a camp relocation, thus luring Xiahou Yuan to pursue him at night; if Xiahou Yuan pursued him at night as predicted, he would fall into Liu Bei's ambush. If Xiahou Yuan was cautious enough, he might even send reinforcements from his own camp. Tian Feng and Qian Zhao, on the other hand, would take this opportunity to split their forces into two groups: one to cut off Cao Cao's retreat route, and the other to raid Cao Cao's main camp.

If everything goes as planned, we can decisively defeat Xiahou Yuan tonight!
Therefore, regardless of whether Xiahou Yuan sends reinforcements from his own camp, Tian Feng and Qian Zhao will both leave the city to cooperate with Liu Bei's plan.

This is also why Liu Bei initially ordered Qian Zhao to defend Lecheng and Tian Feng to reinforce Lecheng. One of them was Liu Bei's sworn brother, and the other was someone who had been saved by Liu Bei and was recommended by Yuan Shao. Both of them had absolute trust in Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was not worried that Tian Feng and Qian Zhao would be afraid to leave the city due to fear and hesitation. Only when the ruler and his ministers were of one mind could they seize the opportunity.

Qian Zhao did not hesitate and immediately agreed with Tian Feng's decision.

The two then mustered their troops and left the city, heading straight for Cao Cao's main camp and another straight for Xiahou Yuan's inevitable retreat route, leaving only Zhang Zhi, the Prefect of Hejian, with a small number of troops to guard Lecheng.

Seeing the extraordinary courage of Qian Zhao and Tian Feng, Zhang Zhi was also filled with righteous indignation. He patted his chest and vowed, "As long as the city stands, I will live; if the city falls, I will die. I, Zhang Zhi, will never surrender to Cao Cao!"

The city gates opened, and the troops rushed out.

Although Tian Feng was a scholar, he was also skilled in horseback riding and archery. While his military command skills were not as good as those of regular generals, he was not mediocre either.

Moreover, for the generals and soldiers, the courage of the commander-in-chief is the most important thing, while bravery is secondary. Tian Feng, a mere scholar, dared to ride his horse and hold his spear in front, so how could the rest of the soldiers be afraid?
As the defenders of Lecheng went into battle, the situation on the battlefield gradually evolved as follows: Xiahou Yuan fought and retreated to join forces with Xu Huang, preparing to retreat back to his camp, while Liu Bei personally led his troops in pursuit; Li Dian first received orders to lead troops to provide support, but later discovered that Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang's forces were engaged in a major battle with Liu Bei. He had just led his troops out of the camp when he suddenly heard that his own camp was under attack, which frightened Li Dian so much that he hurriedly returned to reinforce his own camp; Tian Feng led his troops to block the way that Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang were bound to retreat.

Xiahou Yuan was shocked to see Tian Feng's troops suddenly appear: When did Liu Bei also lay in ambush here? Why didn't Man Cheng come to meet him?

What Xiahou Yuan didn't know was that Li Dian was now in dire straits himself.

Unlike the previous raid, Qian Zhao came this time with the determination to fight to the death. Even when Li Dian led his troops back to reinforce, Qian Zhao did not intend to retreat.

In order to buy time for Liu Bei and Tian Feng, Qian Zhao's offensive was also exceptionally fierce.

His cavalry were elite troops who had fought against the Wuhuan people in Yanmen for many years, and their mobility and maneuverability were unmatched by ordinary cavalry.

Moreover, the previous failed raid on the camp had left Qian Zhao feeling deeply ashamed, so this time, having seized the initiative, Qian Zhao was eager to avenge his previous defeat.

Li Dian, who was caught in the crossfire, was unable to break free or send troops to support Xiahou Yuan.

"You've raised an army for a thousand days, only to use it for one. If you win this battle, you will all share in the glory; if you lose, your families will all be captured by Cao Cao. Remember your place; you are the strongest army under the Left General. Those who retreat will be despised by both gods and men!"

Tian Feng, spear in hand, roared.

The soldiers under his command were originally brought by Tian Feng from Zhuo County. They had received great kindness from Liu Bei and had a high degree of identification with Liu Bei.

Inspired by Tian Feng, the morale of the crowd soared, and shouts of battle filled the air.

Hearing the resounding shouts of Liu Bei's army, Xiahou Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that this battle could not end well, so he roared angrily, "Gongming, fight to the death with me!"

Xu Huang also looked solemn. Unlike the battles in Hedong and Weijun North, the first two battles took place during the day, and Xu Huang was always in the rear. Therefore, he was able to protect Xiahou Yuan's retreat in one battle and save Xiahou Yuan's remaining troops in the other.

This battle took place at night, and both Xu Huang and Xiahou Yuan were within Liu Bei's ambush.

Xu Huang and Xiahou Yuan are now exhausted troops who have been attacked from both sides by Liu Bei and have no reinforcements. They have no choice but to fight to the death!
“Mancheng has not arrived yet, so the camp must have been attacked as well. I will cover the general’s breakout.” Xu Huang, carrying a large axe, intended to use his martial prowess to break through Tian Feng’s army formation.

However, Tian Feng was conservative and prudent. While his offense was somewhat lacking, his defense was rock solid.

Encouraged by this, his soldiers did not retreat in the face of battle, and they were able to maintain their formation even when facing a strong attack from a valiant general like Xu Huang.

If Zhang Liao were added, it might be possible to recreate the bravery of Xu Huang and Zhang Liao capturing Chunyu Qiong alive amidst ten thousand troops in the Battle of Wuchao. However, Xu Huang alone would not be enough to break through the enemy's formation.

With Liu Bei's rear guard joining the fray, the situation became increasingly unfavorable for Cao Cao's troops.

"Xiahou Yuan, why don't you surrender sooner!"

In the midst of the chaos, Liu Bei led Chen Dao, Yang Qun, Ding Li, and the elite White Feather Army to Xiahou Yuan's banner, brandishing his double-edged sword and charging straight at Xiahou Yuan.

In a fair one-on-one situation, Liu Bei's martial prowess is indeed inferior to Xiahou Yuan's, but Xiahou Yuan is currently at a disadvantage and dares not engage Liu Bei in a prolonged battle.

Therefore, after exchanging blows with Liu Bei several times, Xiahou Yuan once again hid behind his personal guards, refusing to fight Liu Bei.

The two sides fought fiercely until dawn, with the battle continuing unabated.

Just as Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang were at their wits' end, a group of Cao soldiers suddenly attacked from behind Tian Feng's army formation. It was Li Dian who came from the rear.

Xiahou Yuan was both surprised and delighted to see an opening. He quickly led his personal guards to join Xu Huang in a pincer attack, breaking through Tian Feng's army formation.

"I ordered Mancheng to send troops to provide support, why is it taking so long?" Xiahou Yuan asked breathlessly, his eyes filled with reproach as he looked at Li Dian.

He was even more indignant: This time I listened to the advice, but the result was more dangerous than if I hadn't? Was this just a case of standing by and watching me make a fool of myself?
Li Dian didn't have time to think much, and his tone became even more anxious: "Liu Bei sent troops to launch a surprise attack on our camp, and I couldn't stop him. I also learned that the general is surrounded, so I came to the general's aid first."

Xiahou Yuan was greatly alarmed: "If you come here, how will our stronghold defend itself?"

Seeing that Tian Feng's army was about to regroup, Li Dian cried out, "General, we must make a decisive move. Returning to the camp now may save our lives."

In his heart, Li Dian felt wronged: one cannot have both fish and bear's paw. If it weren't for the need to support the general, why would I have given up guarding this camp?

Xiahou Yuan glanced at Tian Feng's army, which was re-forming its ranks, and Liu Bei's army, which was pursuing from behind. He could only grit his teeth and whip his horse: "Pass on my order, break through the encirclement with me!"

Seeing Xiahou Yuan break through the encirclement, Tian Feng was filled with remorse. He rode forward to Liu Bei and apologized: "It was my failure to intercept him that ruined your grand plan, my lord."

Liu Bei, unperturbed, reassured the enemy while simultaneously assessing the situation: "The enemy reinforcements have arrived, yet instead of joining forces for a counterattack, they hastily flee. This must be because Cao Cao's main camp's defenders failed to defeat Zijing. Quickly follow me and launch a counterattack! Today, we will surely raze Xiahou Yuan's camp to the ground!" (End of Chapter)