Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 213 Slaying Yan Liang and Wen Chou, Liu Bei Launches a Strong Attack on Yan Province (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Wen Chou of Yanjin, like Yan Liang, was originally a retainer of Yuan Shao.

Although he was more composed than Yan Liang in terms of personality, this was only relative to Yan Liang.

As for the ability to train and command troops, Wen Chou was just as bad as Yan Liang.

Without having studied under a renowned master or coming from a military family, relying solely on his personal martial prowess and his status as a confidant of Yuan Shao, he could manage to train and command troops, which was sufficient against the Yellow Turbans or opponents like Kong Zhou and Kong Rong. However, he would be completely outmatched by those who had thoroughly studied military strategy.

In contrast, consider Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and Huang Zhong.

Although Dian Wei and Huang Zhong only trained and commanded troops based on their personal martial prowess and their status as Liu Bei's confidants, and the two did not spend much time studying military strategy, Lü Bu was different.

Not only did Lu Bu have many brave generals and warriors under his command who fought alongside Dong Zhuo in Liangzhou for many years, but Lu Bu also received professional guidance from Lu Zhi. Even if he did not formally become a student, he could be considered half a student of Lu Zhi.

The difference between having a renowned teacher and not having one is obvious.

Therefore, when Lü Bu led the two camps of Dian Wei and Huang Zhong to appear outside Yan Jin, Wen Chou was completely dumbfounded and could not understand how Lü Bu could avoid scouts and spies and appear in front of the camp like a divine soldier descending from the sky.

Cao Cao lured Yan Liang out of the camp and then ambushed him to reduce the difficulty of attacking the camp.

However, Lü Bu did not try to lure Wen Chou at all, and instead arrived at Yan Jin as quickly as possible.

The former was because they lacked the strength to launch a direct assault on Yan Liang's camp at Baimajin, so they resorted to trickery; the latter simply did not take Wen Chou's camp at Yanjin seriously and directly overpowered him with force.

With Lü Bu in the center, Dian Wei on the left, and Huang Zhong on the right, the three armies launched a direct assault while Wen Chou's army at Yan Jin was in a state of panic.

"I thought he was some great general, but he's nothing special."

Lu Bu did not personally go into battle, but instead mocked Wen Chou's camp.

As one of the two strongest battalions in Liu Bei's Lingyan Army, Lü Bu's Lingyan Army consisted of seasoned veterans, many of whom were fierce generals and soldiers. They also had a high rate of wearing armor, so they did not face much pressure when attacking Wen Chou's camp.

Or to put it another way: sending 6,000 Lingyan soldiers to raid Wen Chou's camp, which only had 5,000 troops, was really too much of a bully.

If it weren't for Wen Chou's fortified camp providing a geographical advantage, they wouldn't have been able to withstand this first wave of attack!
"Quickly, cross the river and ask for help at Baimajin!"

Surrounded on three sides, Wen Chou's land-based reinforcements could not reach him, so he could only seek help from the water towards Baimajin.

However, what Wen Chou didn't know was that Yan Liang at Baima Ford was also in dire straits.

After being ambushed by Cao Cao, Yan Liang could only lead his remaining troops to defend Baima Ford to the death, where he was also surrounded and fiercely attacked by Cao Cao.

Yan Liang also sent someone to ask Wen Chou for help.

Therefore, Yan Liang was even more shocked when he received Wen Chou's plea for help.

"Yanjin has also been besieged? That despicable Liu Bei!"

Startled and frightened, Yan Liang had no choice but to send men by boat down to Puyang to seek help.

This was the second time Yan Liang had sent someone to ask for help.

The first time was after being ambushed and escaping back to Baimajin, when Yan Liang sent someone to ask for help; now that Wen Chou has also been attacked, Yan Liang has no choice but to send someone to Puyang again to urge reinforcements.

Upon receiving Yan Liang's plea for help, Shen Pei immediately dispatched Chen Gong with troops to Baimajin, and also sent messengers to Ju Shou and Tian Feng, urging them to quickly lead troops to their aid.

Although he had guessed that Yanjin might also be attacked, Shen Pei was still terrified after receiving Yan Liang's second plea for help.

It was only because Liu Bei's surprise attack on Dongjun was too fast that Shen Pei didn't have time to react before he learned that Baimajin and Yanjin had been attacked.

He usually boasts of his intelligence and calls Qiao Mao and Chunyu Qiong useless. Now that Baimajin and Yanjin have been attacked one after another, it is enough to show that Shen Pei, the governor of Dongjun, has poor defensive capabilities.

Perhaps in seven or eight years, Shen Pei will grow into a general skilled in defense.

However, Shen Pei, like Ju Shou and Tian Feng, was only recruited by Yuan Shao after Liu Yu declared himself emperor in Ye City.

In terms of actual skill, he was not even as good as Qiao Mao, who was forcibly removed from his post by Yuan Shao and only knew how to defend.

Although Shen Pei also chose to defend, he was reluctant to give up Yanjin and Baimajin, and overestimated Wen Chou and Yan Liang, believing that as long as the two held their ground, they would not fail.

Unexpectedly, Yan Liang was ambushed by Cao Cao first, and even more unexpectedly, Liu Bei took 6,000 Lingyan soldiers to launch a surprise attack on Yan Jin, which only had 5,000 men.

If Qiao Mao were still the governor of Dongjun, after learning that Liyang had been burned, he would definitely not have ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to divide their troops at Yanjin and Baimajin, but would have sent them back to Puyang.

With the advantage of Puyang's location, and with an additional 20,000 troops defending the city.

Let alone Lu Bu, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and Cao Cao, even if Liu Bei himself came, he wouldn't dare say he could break through Puyang City.

Although Qiao Mao was not as good at military strategy as Liu Bei, he clearly understood one principle: as long as I defend Puyang like a tortoise, even if Yue Yi came, he would be unable to do anything to me.

The reason why Yue Yi was able to capture more than seventy cities in a row, but could not capture Jimo in the end, was that Tian Dan knew his own limitations: "If I can't beat you in the wild, I will play the tortoise. What can you do to me?"
Shen Pei did not understand Liu Bei.

While it may seem that Liu Bei preferred to fight against overwhelming odds, he actually always used superior strength to bully the weak. However, Liu Bei's superior strength was more reflected in his advantages in combat power and tactics.

When their combat strength is insufficient, they will flank from the side; when their combat strength is sufficient, they will launch a frontal assault, always achieving the effect of overwhelming the weak in actual combat.

Against Liu Bei's style of warfare, Qiao Mao's tortoise-like tactics are actually less likely to result in defeat.

Cao Cao's fighting style was quite similar to Liu Bei's.

They all liked to brave arrows and stones themselves, focusing on surprise attacks and infiltrations.

To strike unexpectedly and catch the opponent off guard, leaving them exhausted and constantly on the run.

Those born into powerful and aristocratic families are ultimately too afraid of death, and being too afraid of death makes it difficult for them to contend with generals like Liu Bei and Cao Cao who prefer a strong offensive style.

While Shen Pei urgently requested Ju Shou and Tian Feng's assistance, Chen Gong, who was rushing to rescue Bai Ma Jin, also encountered Gao Shun blocking his way.

Chen Gong and Zhang Miao were old friends, and Chen Gong also knew the general whom Zhang Miao had personally invited from the Gao family.

"Gao Shun, Zhang Miao has treated you well, yet you choose to aid the traitors today?" Chen Gong shouted, whip in hand, attempting to persuade him to surrender: "Almost all the Gao family members from Chenliu have gone to Hebei, and Gao Gan is the General's nephew. With your talent, if you were willing to assist the General, why worry about not being ennobled and appointed a general?"

Seeing Chen Gong's overwhelming numbers, Gao Shun, despite having only eight hundred men, showed no fear and did not hesitate to accept Chen Gong's offer of surrender. He coldly replied, "I already repaid Zhang Miao's kindness to me when I was in Chenliu, and my uncle also kept his promise not to harm Zhang Miao or his family."

"Although I was born into the Gao family of Chenliu, the Gao family of Chenliu only mocked my talents, and Zhang Miao repeatedly broke his promises. Only my uncle truly appreciated my talents, gave me eight hundred sets of heavy armor, and allocated money and provisions to train the soldiers who would break into the enemy lines."

"Without my royal uncle, there would be no eight hundred soldiers in the battle, and I would not have had the opportunity to fully display my talents. A scholar will die for one who understands him. My royal uncle understands me, and I will serve him to the death."

"Chen Gong, if you return to Puyang City, I will not pursue you; if you insist on going to Baimajin, I will not hesitate to kill you here."

Gao Shun usually speaks very little except when training troops, but today he spoke repeatedly, both in response to Chen Gong's words that "Zhang Miao treated you well" and his help to Yuan Shao, as well as his gratitude to Liu Bei and his expectations for the first battle of the Trapped Camp.

Seeing that Gao Shun refused to listen to his advice, Chen Gong stopped wasting his breath.

If Baimajin falls, Yanjin to the west will also fall. Hebei has already experienced changes. If Yanjin and Baimajin also fall, we will have no choice but to defend Puyang to the death.

Chen Gong was unaware that Yan Jin was also under heavy attack; at this moment, he only wanted to quickly annihilate the Trapped Camp and rush to Bai Ma Jin to provide assistance.

"Archers!"

Chen Gong gave a stern shout, and the flag officers on the left and right relayed the order, and the archers with powerful bows and crossbows quickly assembled forward.

Seeing Chen Gong mobilize the archers, Gao Shun remained silent. He lowered his command flag, and the eight hundred soldiers suddenly gathered like an iron wall.

This is the first battle for the Trapped Camp, and Gao Shun cannot afford to lose.

"Raise your shield!"

Amidst the clanging of heavy armor, layers of square shields rose up. Even with Chen Gong's archers firing in unison, they could not penetrate the double defense of shields and armor.

"Liu Bei is really generous!"

Chen Gong's expression instantly turned serious.

The armor and shields worn by these eight hundred men were enough for Chen Gong to arm eight thousand men.

"Charge! Advance!"

Gao Shunsheng's voice was as cold as ice.

After Chen Gong's crossbows, the Trapped Camp suddenly opened up like a floodgate, and the Trapped Camp soldiers, under the cover of the shield bearers in front, charged forward with spears, their steps as swift as thunder.

"Damn it!"

Seeing the advancing enemy forces, Chen Gong dared not confront them head-on and could only retreat temporarily.

However, just when Chen Gong thought Gao Shun would continue to move forward and prepare to detour, he saw Gao Shun retreat back to his original position.

Gao Shun had obviously guessed Chen Gong's thoughts, so he kept a distance to prevent Chen Gong from circling around to the rear.

This turtle-shell-like fighting style left Chen Gong with no openings.

Gao Shun understood the strengths and weaknesses of the Trapped Camp better than Chen Gong, and knew better how to deploy them to avoid Chen Gong exploiting their lack of flexibility.

Taking advantage of the terrain, Gao Shun was able to effectively block Chen Gong.

After all, Gao Shun's mission was not to defeat Chen Gong, but to prevent Chen Gong from going to Baimajin.

"We have no choice but to fight to the death!"

Chen Gong's gaze became even sharper.

Gao Shun's skillful command left Chen Gong with no other option but to use his superior numbers to fight a direct confrontation.

With a cold face, Chen Gong ordered his armored soldiers to assemble as the vanguard, with archers and crossbowmen providing cover from the rear, and they advanced once more.

With reinforcements blocked, Yan Liangjiu of Baimajin grew increasingly panicked as they waited in vain for their arrival.

Although Yan Liang could have left by boat at Baima Ferry, if he had simply fled back to Ye City, he would have been unlikely to be trusted by Yuan Shao again.

Yan Liang was unwilling to accept defeat!

however.

Despite Yan Liang's efforts to organize his troops to resist Cao Cao's attack, the increasingly low morale led to the camp's defenses becoming more and more dilapidated.

On the other hand, the Qingzhou soldiers became increasingly fierce and brave.

Cao Cao even personally went to the front lines to supervise and command the battle.

Last year, during the counterattack at Xiaopei, we relied on Liu Bei's Lingyan Army.

At the beginning of the year, we went to fight Kong Rong in Beihai. Although we won, it was also because Kong Rong was utterly defeated by Lü Bu the previous year.

It's no wonder Yan Liang looked down on Cao Cao; Cao Cao indeed didn't have any impressive military achievements that made Yan Liang take him seriously.

Having failed to capture or kill Yan Liang during the ambush, Cao Cao vowed to completely conquer Baima Ford and capture or kill Yan Liang to demonstrate his prestige as the governor of Yan Province!

Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and others were also eager to make a name for themselves.

It was dusk.

Xiahou Yuan was the first to break through the left flank of the camp.

"Yan Liang, you scoundrel, dare you fight me!"

Arrogant roars echoed through the camp. Xiahou Yuan unleashed even greater combat power than usual, and none of Yan Liang's soldiers could rival him.

In a different setting, Yan Liang would undoubtedly clash with Xiahou Yuan.

But today Yan Liang is fighting like a trapped beast, so even if you want to compete with Yan Liang, you don't have the chance.

Without command and supervision, the soldiers in this camp would probably all surrender immediately.

Seeing that Yan Liang refused to fight, Xiahou Yuan quickly charged to other positions to help Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and others enter the camp.

As night fell, Yan Liang, who had not received any reinforcements, was besieged at Jinkou, with only about a hundred men left to put up a stubborn resistance.

"Yan Liang, you have already been defeated. If you are willing to surrender, you can be spared the death penalty." Cao Cao spurred his horse forward, staring at Yan Liang, who was at his wit's end.

Although Yan Liang was defeated, his martial prowess displayed during the process made Cao Cao appreciate his talent.

However, Yan Liang retorted with a string of curses: "You traitor Cao, I am different from you. You are just a eunuch. You will betray your lord, but I will never betray my lord."

Cao Cao's face instantly turned gloomy.

All these years of effort were to escape the identity of being the daughter of a eunuch, but today Yan Liang exposed his shortcomings in public, and Cao Cao's newly born appreciation for talent vanished instantly.

"Shoot the thieves!"

A calm and indifferent voice rang out, and the crossbowmen moved forward.

With only a hundred or so men left and no advantageous terrain, Yan Liang was utterly powerless against the concentrated fire of hundreds of archers.

As the guards around him fell one by one, Yan Liang was also hit by several arrows.

As Cao Cao grew increasingly blurry, Yan Liang's last breath faded away, leaving only a deep sense of regret: "My lord, this humble general is incompetent."
"Although he served Yuan Shao, he was utterly loyal. Give Yan Liang's body a proper burial, but do not behead him." Cao Cao sighed, his eyes regaining their coldness.

In the direction of Yanjin, although Wen Chou did not ambush outside the camp like Yan Liang, he also failed to stop the offensive of Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and Huang Zhong.

As the morale of the garrison at Yanjin crumbled, Lü Bu personally led dozens of cavalrymen to leap over the camp. His superb archery skills were unmatched, and he killed several flag-bearing bandits in a short time.

The final arrow shot down Wen Chou's banner!

As Lü Bu stabilized his position, the Lingyan Army behind him surged in like tigers released from their cages.

Without the advantage of a fortified position, Wen Chou's soldiers found it even harder to withstand the Lingyan Army's fierce charge.

Seeing that the camp was indefensible, Wen Chou dared not linger in battle any longer and turned to run to the shore to seize the boats. The soldiers in the camp also rushed to the shore to seize the boats.

However, ships were limited, and not every soldier could board. Seeing Lü Bu closing in, Wen Chou hardened his heart and stabbed the soldier who was trying to steal a ship to death, and screams of agony immediately filled the air.

Just as Wen Chou was in a hurry to leave, two arrows flew towards him.

In the rush, Wen Chou pulled a guard aside to avoid an arrow, but before he could dodge, he was hit by a second arrow and fell into the river.

"Commander Lü, I didn't mean to steal credit." Huang Zhong rode his horse to the riverbank, raised his bow, and laughed.

It turns out that the first arrow was from Lü Bu, and the second arrow was from Huang Zhong. Wen Chou had his personal guards act as human shields to avoid Lü Bu's arrow, but he did not expect that Huang Zhong, whose archery skills were comparable to Lü Bu's, would also shoot an arrow.

(End of this chapter)