Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 143 Xiahou Dun, You're This Kind of Person

"General Zhenbei, since this was a gift from an old friend, why not try it on?"

Xiahou Dun's expression changed upon hearing this, and he glared angrily at Yang Hong.

"What does Military Advisor Yang mean by this?"

As he spoke, he gave instructions to his men.

"Guards! Burn this thing immediately for this general!"

"How dare you, Le Jin, insult me ​​like this! Allow me to leave the camp and fight you, and I will surely cut off your head!"

"General Zhenbei is joking."

How can one easily discard a gift from an old friend?

After saying this, he gave the same instructions to his men.

"Guards! Quickly help the General of the North change his clothes."

Xiahou Dun was shocked!
Everyone around was shocked!
Taishi Ci on the left and Chen Dao on the right, they looked at General Xiahou Dun, then at the strategist Yang Hong, and stepped forward without hesitation to restrain Xiahou Dun.

Seeing that he was about to be dressed in women's clothes, Xiahou Dun flew into a rage.

"Yang Hong! Taishi Ci! Chen Dao!"

How dare you! You have insulted me so blatantly! I will report this to my lord and fight you to the death!

At this point, he had no choice but to change Yang Hong's clothes. His attendants rushed forward to help him change, one garment at a time. Facing Yang Hong's wide, angry glare, Yang Hong remained fearless and smiled, saying:

"It's alright! Afterwards, Hong will also present a memorial to the lord and inform the world that General Xiahou Dun, in order to repay the lord's special favor, did not hesitate to sacrifice his integrity and dressed in women's clothes to deceive Cao's army."

Your unwavering loyalty and steadfastness set an example for the world, and you are universally recognized as a paragon of loyalty.

If we achieve a great victory over Cao Cao's army this time, my lord will surely submit a memorial to the Emperor, requesting that you be posthumously granted the title of "Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness" and enshrined in the Golden Terrace.

Even Taishi Ci and Chen Dao, who were holding people down, couldn't help but look on with envy at the rewards Yang Hong promised.

That's the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness!
Such a title is unique throughout history!
However, they watched as the future Marquis of Loyalty was being held down by the two of them and forced to change into women's clothing with a humiliating expression.

Taishi Ci and Chen Dao exchanged a glance. "Forget it," they thought, "such a shortcut is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Let's just focus on defeating generals and raising flags, accumulating merits and being ennobled."

"Yang Hong, you brat!"
"How dare you insult me! I swear I will kill you!"

Seeing that General Zhenbei was struggling and being forcibly dressed in new clothes, Yang Hong's eyes remained calm and unmoved.

General Zhenbei, the lord specially left you behind before his departure, instructing me to make good use of you. How could I, Hong, disappoint him?

His eyes were indifferent, and he said lightly:

Mencius said: "Therefore, when Heaven is about to entrust a great task to someone, it will first afflict his mind, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body, leave him destitute, and thwart his actions, so as to strengthen his resolve, temper his character, and increase his abilities."

"The humiliation you have suffered today, General Zhenbei, is Heaven's will to entrust you with a great task in defeating Cao Cao. General, you are deeply grateful for Lord Yuan's kindness; do not disappoint him."

As he spoke, he instructed Taishi Ci to go to Chen Dao.

"You two take him to walk around Cao Cao's camp. When Yue Jin sees that General Zhenbei is willing to suffer this humiliation, he will understand his determination to hold firm and not come out."

If we stubbornly hold our ground, his forces number less than 30,000, making it extremely difficult to conquer him.

To avoid wasting resources and time, it was anticipated that he would cut his losses and begin the withdrawal process.

"General Ziyi, you can order men to observe Cao Cao's camp tonight. If there is any movement, we can defeat Cao Cao tonight."

Taishi Ci nodded slightly, deeply agreeing.

"Does the strategist mean it's time to use that secret passage?"

"The time has come to use them." Previously, Yue Jin had launched a fierce offensive, risking casualties, forcing Yuan's army to abandon a camp and retreat, which was then occupied by Cao's army.

However, when Yuan's army occupied and held these fortified positions, it was difficult for the enemy to break in. But once the enemy occupied them, it was equally difficult for Yuan's army to drive them out.

Therefore, when the camp was first built, secret passages were left inside as a backup plan.

The reason it hadn't been used before was because Cao's army had more soldiers than Yuan's army, and even if they managed to infiltrate through secret passages, they would have difficulty gaining the upper hand.

However, if one can seize the opportunity of Cao Cao's retreat, and wait for his vanguard and central army to withdraw from the camp, then suddenly attack his rear through a secret passage, it will surely prevent him from defending both ends and cause a great defeat to his rear army.

Therefore, Yang Hong said to him:
"If Cao Cao's army does indeed withdraw tonight, Ziyi, you will lead three thousand men to launch a frontal assault on the west gate of the camp to disrupt Cao Cao's forces."

"Uncle, you must lead seven thousand men out through the secret passage and seize the east gate of the camp as soon as possible. Use this to cut off Cao Cao's army from both ends. Then, lead your troops to coordinate from within and without, helping Ziyi break through the west gate and storm the camp."

Taishi Ci/Chen Dao: "Yes!"

Yang Hong laughed and bowed to Xiahou Dun, "You're wrong! We all obey the orders of General Zhenbei. General Zhenbei's plan is brilliant!"

Taishi Ci and Chen Dao also smiled and bowed to Xiahou Dun.

"I will obey General Zhenbei's orders and will not disappoint you tonight."

Xiahou Dun: "."

He just watched as these people openly discussed their strategies to defeat Cao Cao right in front of him. How could he not know that Cao Cao's army was doomed?

But what can he do?

He was forced to wear women's clothes, and even if he wanted to, he was powerless to do so.

Before long, Yue Jin, while in Cao Cao's camp, saw Yuan Shao's front line again, with the banner of "Xiahou" fluttering in the wind, clearly indicating that General Xiahou Dun, the General Who Guards the North, had come to inspect again.

This is a common occurrence, but for some reason, Yuan's camp is unusually noisy today.

When he looked closely, his eyes widened in shock!
It turns out that Xiahou Dun had no shame. Under the "protection" of Taishi Ci and Chen Dao, he walked around in public wearing women's clothing given to him by his own family, as if he was afraid that people would not know.

He seemed to be cursing and shouting something, but unfortunately he was too far away to hear clearly. In short, he was probably cursing Le Jin.

Upon witnessing this scene, I let out a long sigh.

"My plan failed; it is fate!"

After saying this, he summoned Dian Wei to discuss the matter.

"It is unknown what special treatment Yuan Gonglu had given him. Unexpectedly, after joining Yuan's camp, Xiahou Yuanrang did not hesitate to ruin his integrity for him, dressed in women's clothes, and treated it as nothing."

He can endure such a great humiliation; there is absolutely no way we can force him to fight and make a mistake. This expedition will only end in failure.

"General Dian, tonight we will arrange the withdrawal of troops. After returning to Luoyang, I will personally apologize to our lord."

"Xiahou Yuanrang is a traitor, what integrity does he have left?"
This time we returned empty-handed, not because of General Yue, but because Xiahou Yuanrang was too shameless. I was so blind to have thought he was someone important.

Such shameless people are not worthy of being associated with!

Upon returning to Luoyang, Dian Wei and General Yue went together to apologize.

After the two had reached an agreement, they began to arrange the withdrawal of troops.

That night, Dian Wei led the vanguard and central army to withdraw from the camp, and even the rearguard was partially withdrawn under the command of Yue Jin.

Just then, shouts of battle arose, and the white-robed general, leading three thousand men (pretending to be ten thousand), charged out of Yuan's camp, shouting:

“Le Jin, you little brat, has fallen for General Zhenbei’s scheme.”

The humiliation suffered during the day will be repaid tonight!
"Taishi Ziyi, acting on the orders of the General Who Guards the North, has come to take your head."

Cao's army had more soldiers than Yuan's army. During the day, Cao had repeatedly insulted and humiliated Yuan's army, making it impossible for them to win a battle. Who could have predicted that Taishi Ci would dare to take the initiative to attack the camp tonight?
(End of this chapter)