I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 442 We all win! We all win!
three days ago.

Zhou Yu has returned to Dingtao.

As usual, he walked around the city wall of Dingtao and looked out at the Jishui Camp on the opposite bank.

"Yuan Shao, the attack is about to begin."

Looking up, the entire sky was incredibly gloomy, as if an unattractive veil had obscured the light, with only a few hazy shadows flashing by.

Strong winds blew last night.

It not only blew the clouds from the sky over, but also wiped away all the colors on the ground.

The entire Central Plains seemed to have transformed overnight from a vibrant wilderness into a desolate battlefield.

The transition from spring to autumn was so swift, as if the transition from summer to winter didn't exist, suddenly making the soldiers, who were originally leisurely and somewhat lazy, solemn!

Zhou Yu, with one hand on his sword, saw smoke rising from the chimneys on the opposite bank and immediately made a decision—

"Withdraw the troops tonight!"

Taishi Ci asked in surprise, "Aren't we going to wait?"

"I can't wait any longer! Yuan Shao hasn't given me the slightest chance to expose myself these past few days!"

Dingtao was never the final battlefield that Zhou Yu chose.

His initial purpose in staying here was to emulate Cao Cao's actions at Yan Jin or Bai Ma, taking advantage of Yuan Shao's eagerness for quick success and creating a weakness in the enemy's strategy.

But this time, Yuan Shao seemed to have regained the level he had when he pacified Gongsun Zan. Zhou Yu confronted him for many days but still couldn't find an opportunity to strike a fatal blow.

"If this drags on any longer, Yuan Shao will very likely cross the Ji River directly, and then we won't be able to leave even if we want to."

This year's rainfall has been scarce; since Zhou Yu arrived in Dingtao, there has only been a light drizzle that lasted for less than fifteen minutes.

This caused the water level of the Ji River to drop to a precarious level, and Zhou Yu was unwilling to continue risking his life there.

"Notify Cheng Gong and Wen Pin to begin their retreat together to avoid being cut off from their escape route."

Zhou Yu was at his peak mental energy at this moment.

"From the perspective of the Central Plains battlefield, everything is actually as I predicted."

"The only thing we're really worried about right now is Qingzhou."

At this moment, Zhou Yu also felt something was off.

It's like having something right in front of you, but you just can't seem to grasp it.

Zhou Yu looked towards Yuan Shao's camp across the way. He saw banners fluttering and an imposing presence, but something still felt off.

As a general, Zhou Yu did not believe in ghosts or gods, nor did he believe in anything that was just a whim.

If you feel there's a problem, then there must be a problem! There's no coincidence involved!
But what is it that he hasn't discovered yet...?

------

As the overall commander of this battle, Zhou Yu, who was entrusted with full authority by Liu Miao, ordered a retreat. Both Cheng Pu and Wen Pin on the western front, as well as the Han army stationed in Xiaopei and Pengcheng on the eastern front, cooperated with Zhou Yu in their actions.

Cheng Pu and Chunyu Qiong have been exchanging insults almost every day these days.

Even after receiving the evacuation order, Cheng Pu still went up to the city wall as usual.

When Chunyu Qiong saw Cheng Pu, he cleared his throat, ready to unleash the insults his strategist had painstakingly devised the previous night to wage war against Cheng Pu. But Cheng Pu preemptively said, "What's the point of this insulting? Why don't we reorganize our troops today and then fight to the death tomorrow?"

"Oh?"

Chunyu Qiong felt both frustrated and excited.

He went to great lengths for today's war of words!

If Cheng Pu doesn't curse today, wouldn't it be a waste of those words?

But Chunyu Qiong was eager for Cheng Pu to come out and fight him, so how could he refuse?

Chunyu Qiong immediately exclaimed excitedly, "Good! You mustn't go back on your word!"

After Cheng Pu descended from the city wall, he did not remove his armor but instead urged his soldiers to start a fire and cook.

"Having been insulted by Chunyu Qiong outside the city for so many days, how can we let him off so easily?"

Cheng Pu ate a dou of rice, swallowed five jin of meat, and drank a pot of wine: "Today I will lead the elite troops to raid the enemy camp tonight!"

"If the governor asks, just say that Chunyu Qiong's cavalry is numerous! If we retreat rashly, we may be pursued by them!"

Cheng Pu gripped a steel spear, a long sword at his waist, and led his warhorse.

"Tonight, I will lead only a hundred cavalrymen to charge into battle! I will return at dawn and then slowly withdraw!"

"Here!"

At midnight, the gates of Xingyang were suddenly flung open!

Cheng Pu, though his beard was streaked with gray, exuded an imposing aura! He indeed led only a hundred cavalrymen to charge towards Chunyu Qiong's main camp on the opposite side!

Unlike Cheng Pu.

As soon as Chunyu Qiong returned to the military camp, he ordered his soldiers to rest and prepare for a decisive battle with Cheng Pu the next day!

In the middle of the night, I first felt the bed beneath me shaking, and then I heard urgent sounds—

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Before going to bed, Chunyu Qiong even took off his armor and took a bath to make sure he was well-rested!
Hearing the commotion, he hurriedly dressed and it took him a full quarter of an hour to finally crawl out of the tent!
Upon emerging, Chunyu Qiong immediately saw Cheng Pu's face illuminated by the firelight!

"Cheng Pu, you old scoundrel! You challenged me to battle tomorrow! Why are you attacking my camp tonight?"

When Cheng Pu saw Chunyu Qiong come out, he immediately burst into laughter: "It's already past midnight, how can we not call it tomorrow?"

At this moment, the Han soldiers who rushed in with Cheng Pu kept shouting, banging gongs and drums, and setting fire to the military tents. As a result, the Yuan army had no idea how many enemies had come. They could only shrink in their own tents, constantly putting out fires and defending themselves, but dared not advance easily.

Confident in his own strength and courage, and seeing that Yuan's army did not retaliate, Cheng Pu had a sudden inspiration: "Let me go to the rear!"

Passing through the camp, what came into view was indeed Yuan's army granary!

"Burn as much as you can!"

Cheng Pu estimated the time well; the granary had just caught fire. Without lingering in battle, he immediately charged back!

It was the veteran general who swept up the enemy camp with his flag, leading a light cavalry charge under the moonlight!
Chunyu Qiong's troops were unable to extinguish the fire. It was only after Yuan Chunqing noticed the fire and led his soldiers to the scene that the fire in the camp was finally brought under control.

"How could General Chunyu believe that old scoundrel's words?"

Hearing Yuan Chunqing's question, Chunyu Qiong could only look indignant: "I respected him because he was a hero who followed Sun Wentai to fight against Dong Zhuo back then! Who knew he would be so despicable now? I wonder who he learned it from?"

"Who else could it be but Liu Miao?"

Yuan Chunqing also discovered the problem.

Liu Miao gave the Han generals at the front a great deal of freedom, as if he never micromanaged them from the rear.

Therefore, neither Cheng Pu nor Wen Pin were disturbed from the rear, which made them even more lawless.

Yuan Chunqing also brought news—

"Cheng Pu and Wen Ping have now abandoned Xingyang and Guandu, and are retreating their battle lines. It seems that something must have happened in the east, and they are in a hurry to retreat in order to avoid being cut off from their retreat."

Chunyu Qiong immediately grasped the key point!

"Retreat?" "Why should Cheng Pu retreat?"

"You think you can just run away after hitting me? Bah!"

Chunyu Qiong deeply understood the importance of the western front!
The importance of the Western Front is like making pickled vegetables without salt! Like infantrymen without horses!

Neither the Han army nor the Yuan army took the western front seriously!
The main purpose of both sides is to hold each other back and maintain the front line as much as possible before the outcome of the main battle in the east becomes clear!

Cheng Pu and Wen Ping's retreat means that it is very likely that the two sides will not be able to have another direct battle before the end of the war!
How could Chunyu Qiong tolerate such an outcome?
Seeing that Chunyu Qiong seemed intent on pursuing them, Yuan Chunqing frowned.

"General, as long as we can capture Xingyang and Chenliu, and take a commanding position to prevent the Han army from reaching Pengcheng from Jingzhou, why must we force a pursuit?"

Yuan Shao's initial task for the two of them was not to defeat Cheng Pu and Wen Pin.

Now that Cheng Pu and Wen Pin have taken the initiative to retreat, there is naturally no need to pursue them!
"What are you saying?"

Chunyu Qiong didn't dare to make a move in front of Cheng Pu, who was raiding the camp, but now he's very arrogant in front of Yuan Chunqing!

"When I was fighting the Yellow Turbans, you were still breastfeeding! How to fight this battle is not for you to tell me!"

He heard Chunyu Qiong using his seniority to intimidate others.

Yuan Chunqing could only helplessly lower her head.

In terms of status and seniority, Chunyu Qiong was of the same generation as Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

How many people like that could there be in such a chaotic world?
Yuan Chunqing dared not refute, and when a wisp of black smoke swept past the corner of his eye, he suddenly realized what was going on.

Chunyu Qiong wasn't actually angry and wanted to pursue them.
It was clear that Chunyu Qiong was afraid that if he suffered this small loss, he would not be able to achieve anything and would not be able to explain himself to Yuan Shao, which was why he wanted to pursue him!
Yuan Chunqing was immediately under great pressure.

He was stationed on the western front with Chunyu Qiong. If Chunyu Qiong was reprimanded, how could he escape?

"In that case, we should pursue it!"

"Cheng Pu and Wen Ping's troops are all infantry; they can't run fast!"

Chunyu Qiong personally led over a thousand cavalrymen in pursuit.

"You will lead the troops to provide support from the rear. You must capture Cheng Pu and Wen Ping in one battle!"

Although Yuan Chunqing was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree: "Yes!"

The warhorses ridden by Yuan Jun's cavalry were all excellent Youzhou horses, which were extremely fast!
Even at dusk, traces of the Han army could already be seen.

The Han army was extremely flustered when they saw Yuan's army pursuing them, and hurriedly fled westward.

Chunyu Qiong could see clearly that the cavalry were clearly carrying Cheng Pu's banner, so he was overjoyed and immediately charged into the grove!
Just as the Yuan army cavalry was about to catch up with the Han soldiers, an arrow suddenly shot straight through the enemy's eye socket, causing him to fall to the ground!

Upon seeing this, many of Yuan's soldiers hurriedly pulled on their reins to try to dodge, but the next moment, a wall of arrows was already in front of them!

The Yuan army cavalry, unable to dodge in time, were instantly thrown to the ground!

Suddenly, shouts of killing erupted from the woods!

Heavy footsteps echoed from the depths of the dense forest. Fully armed and clad in heavy fish-scale armor, Wen Ping, holding a shield as tall as a person in his left hand and a halberd with a ring pommel of iron in his right, pressed down on Yuan's cavalry like a moving mountain!

Wen Ping deployed heavy infantry here!
Chunyu Qiong panicked when he saw so many monsters rushing out of the woods, exclaiming, "We've fallen for that old scoundrel's trick again!"

Chunyu Qiong hurriedly turned his horse away, only to be horrified to find that dust was rising again from the south!

There were about a hundred riders, and who else could be leading them but Cheng Pu?
"Chunyu Qiong! We agreed to fight to the death today! Don't run away!"

Cheng Pu charged in with overwhelming force, demanding that Chunyu Qiong fulfill her promise.

But Chunyu Qiong was trembling at this moment, and he no longer had the spirit he had just had.

For a moment, Chunyu Qiong and his cavalrymen looked south in panic, fearing that if they were not fast enough, they would become victims of the sword!
He escapes, he chases!

He has wings... huh?

Chunyu Qiong suddenly realized that a large army seemed to be approaching! Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but Yuan Chunqing?
There is always a way out!

The Mandate of Heaven truly rests with Yuan!
Chunyu Qiong turned around triumphantly, as if to provoke Cheng Pu, but as soon as he turned his head, his eyes were drawn to a red feather.

The next moment, the crimson arrow seemed to transform into a red eagle, biting down hard on Chunyu Qiong's nose!
"what!!!"

Chunyu Qiong let out a scream and almost fell off his horse!

The guards on either side quickly came to protect him, but they saw Chunyu Qiong covering his mouth and nose, with blood gushing out from between his fingers.

"General!"

When Chunyu Qiong painfully opened his palm, the guards all gasped in shock!
The arrow was incredibly accurate and powerful! It pierced right through Chunyu Qiong's nostril, leaving a huge hole!

At this moment, Chunyu Qiong only had half of his nose hanging off his face, making him look hideous!
When Yuan Chunqing arrived, he was also inexplicably frightened upon seeing Chunyu Qiong in such a state. He dared not fight against the Han army and took Chunyu Qiong back to Yuan's camp.

When Cheng Pu and Wen Ping saw Yuan Chunqing arrive, they had no choice but to retreat and return to the established Yingshui defense line.

When the news reached the east, an extremely strange scene unfolded.

Zhou Yu's tactics were based on using the vastness of the Central Plains to increase the Yuan army's food and supplies consumption.

Cheng Pu led his troops in a night raid, burning a lot of Yuan's army's grain and fodder. This was an unexpected bonus, so how could the Han army not be happy?
And Yuan Jun...

Although Chunyu Qiong was attacked at night, resulting in the burning of his supplies and even the loss of his nose during the pursuit, Yuan's army did indeed advance into territory, thus completing the mission of conquering cities and seizing land!

In this situation, how can Yuan Jun be considered to have lost?
So...

Upon receiving the news, Liu Miao immediately ordered that Cheng Pu and Wen Ping be rewarded, and spread the good news throughout the army!

Upon receiving the news, Yuan Shao also sent people to present gifts to Chunyu Qiong and Yuan Chunqing, and spread the good news throughout the army!

Thus, soldiers on both sides of the Eastern Front were extremely confused.

"Has Yuan Jun gone mad? He's so happy after losing the battle!"

"Have the Han army gone mad? They're so happy even after losing a city!"

This bizarre scene was reported to Liu Miao by the soldiers, who burst into laughter: "A complete victory! A complete victory! Yuan Shao is winning like crazy! Haha!"

After making a few jokes, Liu Miao stopped paying attention to the matter.

Let Yuan Shao say whatever he wants!

It's fine to call black white.

It's fine to call a defeat a victory.

In the end, I won't play along with everyone's act.

Compared to this farce, Liu Miao was more concerned about the people and things in front of him.

Chen Gong and Zhao Yun.

The two, weary from their journey, sat in Liu Miao's tent.

In addition, all of Liu Miao's advisors and strategists were also seated here.

Liu Miao coughed lightly a few times, forcing his eyes away from Zhao Yun and turning them to Chen Gong.

"Does Gongtai mean... Yuan Tan wants to besiege the city and attack reinforcements?"

"Just a guess!"

At this point, Chen Gong disregarded formalities and simply pleaded with Liu Miao: "Your Majesty, please dispatch ships to bring the General back to Jiangdong from the sea, so that Yuan Tan's scheme will not succeed!"

(End of this chapter)