My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Pei County, Luofeng Slope.

The sky was overcast, with dark clouds hanging low.

Yuan Shao's army slowly advanced eastward along the narrow valley.

The mountains on both sides are steep, with jagged rocks and withered vegetation, creating a desolate scene.

The army stretched for more than ten miles, the soldiers with their heads down, dragging their heavy steps, none of them wanting to speak.

That day in the Pei County camp, Yuan Shao's impassioned speech temporarily boosted morale, but after days of marching, fatigue, hunger, and fear once again took hold of everyone's hearts.

Yuan Shao rode on his horse, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, his face as pale as paper.

His health was deteriorating, and the constant jolting had nearly caused him to fall off his horse several times.

But he still stubbornly refused to get into the carriage or rest.

He knew that if he fell at this moment, the army would be completely finished.

Ahead, a huge stone tablet stands by the roadside.

Yuan Shao reined in his horse and looked up.

Three large characters are prominently displayed on the stone tablet.

Luofengpo.

Yuan Shao frowned and snorted coldly.

"Fallen Phoenix Slope..."

"I don't like this name."

Xu You rode forward and said softly, "My lord..."

Yuan Shao pointed at the stone tablet and said in a deep voice, "Once I take Xuzhou, I will definitely rename this place! What 'Fallen Phoenix Slope'? It's bad luck!"

Xu You paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Yes, my lord."

He felt a vague unease in his heart.

Luofengpo...

The army continued its march.

Xu You rode on his horse, his eyes constantly scanning the mountains and forests on both sides.

Those bare trees, those jagged rocks, those dark ravines... danger may lurk in every corner.

His unease grew stronger and stronger.

Cao Cao and Guan Yu did not pursue them along the way.

Did they just stand by and watch the 100,000-strong army leave?

This is not normal.

Zhang Fei of Xuzhou clearly only had 10,000 troops defending the city, yet he didn't send any troops to intercept them, allowing them to advance unimpeded? This is even more unusual.

unless……

Xu You abruptly reined in his horse and cried out, "My lord! Hold your horses!"

Yuan Shao turned around, frowning, and asked, "Ziyuan, what's the matter?"

Xu You spurred his horse forward and said urgently, "My lord, I am uneasy! Cao Cao and Guan Yu are not pursuing, and Zhang Fei is not stopping us. This is too unusual! I fear there may be an ambush ahead. Please send scouts to investigate carefully and only proceed after confirming it is safe!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao's face darkened.

"An ambush? Ziyuan, you're overthinking it."

He pointed ahead and sneered, "Look, this Falling Phoenix Slope is a treacherous place. If there's an ambush, how could it escape my eyes? Did my scouts discover anything unusual?"

Xu You was taken aback.

The scouts... indeed found nothing unusual.

But it was precisely because he found nothing unusual that he became even more uneasy.

"My lord."

He wanted to add, "It's always good to be cautious..."

Yuan Shao waved his hand impatiently: "Enough! Ziyuan, you've been spreading alarmist rumors ever since Guandu. Now that I'm at the gates of Xuzhou, are you going to stop me?"

He suddenly cracked his whip, pointing ahead: "That scoundrel Zhang Fei is nothing but a butcher. Seeing my 100,000-strong army pressing in, he's already cowering in Xiapi, trembling with fear! How dare he come out to stop me? As for Cao Cao and Guan Yu, they're afraid of my rearguard, so they don't dare pursue too closely!"

He turned to look at Xu You, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination: "Ziyuan, today, I will take Xuzhou!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse and charged ahead.

Xu You stared at his retreating figure, opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

He could only follow silently behind, his unease growing heavier and heavier.

The army continues its march.

They surged into Luofengpo in a mighty, unstoppable flow.

At noon, in the middle section of Luofeng Slope.

The valley became increasingly narrow, and the mountains on both sides became increasingly steep.

Looking up, all you can see is a sliver of sky.

The mountain wind blew by, making a strange, howling sound, like the wailing of ghosts.

The soldiers felt a chill run down their spines and involuntarily quickened their pace.

Just now.

A single bugle call shook the heavens and the earth!

Countless logs and rocks rained down from the mountains on both sides! Shouts of battle shook the heavens, and arrows swarmed into the valley like locusts!

"There's an ambush!"

"Run!"

Yuan's army was thrown into chaos!

The soldiers at the forefront were smashed to pieces by rolling logs and riddled with arrows.

The soldiers behind them tried desperately to run back, but their path was blocked by their own men, and they were all crammed together.

Screams, cries of alarm, and wails filled the valley.

Yuan Shao reined in his warhorse, his face ashen.

"An ambush...there really is an ambush..."

He turned abruptly and shouted hoarsely, "Send the order! The entire army breaks through! Charge out of the valley!"

But is it too late?

On both sides of the mountain road, countless elite soldiers of the Jingnan Army surged down like a tide.

The first general, riding the Red Hare and wielding a phoenix-winged gilded halberd, was none other than Yuwen Chengdu.

He was covered in blood, and wherever his halberd passed, Yuan's soldiers fell like straw.

"Yuan Benchu!"

A loud shout, like a thunderclap, rang out.

"Give me your life!"

Red Hare leaped into the air like a red lightning bolt, charging straight towards Yuan Shao's central army.

Jiang Yiqu, standing beside Yuan Shao, fought desperately, but was swept away by Yuwen Cheng with a single blow, spitting blood and falling from his horse.

Guo Tu, Xin Ping, and other strategists panicked and fled in all directions!

Xu You rushed to Yuan Shao's side with his sword drawn, shouting hoarsely, "My lord, run! I'll cover your retreat!"

Yuan Shao trembled all over, looking at Yuwen Chengdu who was like a god of death, and finally realized.

It’s over.

It's all over.

He gritted his teeth, turned his horse around, and neighed, "Retreat! Retreat now!"

Several guards fought desperately to protect him, running wildly back the way they came!

Behind them, Yuwen Chengdu's roar grew closer and closer...

At the valley entrance, Zhang Liao led another group of ambushing troops out.

Gao Lan led his troops in a desperate resistance, but Zhang Liao pierced his shoulder with a spear and he fell from his horse.

Several Jingnan soldiers rushed forward and captured him alive.

"General Gao Lan has been captured!"

Yuan Jun completely collapsed.

The soldiers threw down their weapons and fled in panic.

Some knelt down and begged for mercy, some fled desperately, and some even trampled each other to their deaths at the feet of their comrades.

In the valley, corpses lay strewn everywhere, and blood flowed like a river.

Amidst the chaos of battle, Xu You desperately tried to break through the encirclement.

He was left with only a dozen or so personal guards, and was surrounded by the Jingnan Army.

"My lord, run!" he cried hoarsely, his eyes filled with despair.

An arrow pierced the air.

Xu You had no time to dodge; the arrow pierced his chest with a "thud."

He looked down at the trembling arrow in his chest, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"My lord..."

He murmured, his body went limp, and he fell off his horse.

As he lay in a pool of blood, he looked up at the sky, at the gloomy clouds, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"If only I had known...this would happen..."

He didn't finish speaking.

Eyes slowly closed.

Deep within the valley, Zhang He was still fighting desperately.

He led several thousand remaining soldiers to hold off the pursuers, buying Yuan Shao time to escape.

"General! Run! We can't hold them off any longer!" the lieutenant shouted hoarsely.

Zhang He gritted his teeth: "We can't leave! Our lord hasn't gone far!"

He swung his gun and stabbed several more people, his body covered in blood, yet he did not retreat an inch.

Ahead, Yuwen Chengdu arrived.

"Zhang He!"

Yuwen Chengdu roared and slashed down with his phoenix-winged gilded halberd.

Zhang He raised his gun to block.

"clang!"

With a loud bang, Zhang He's tiger's mouth burst open, and his spear flew out of his hand.

He felt an immense force erupt like a torrent, and he was thrown off his horse, crashing heavily to the ground.

Several Jingnan soldiers rushed forward and pinned him down!

Zhang He struggled, screaming hoarsely, "Kill me!"

Yuwen Chengdu rode forward, looked down at him, and said coldly, "Take him away and await the lord's decision."

Zhang He was bound hand and foot and dragged away.

Outside the valley entrance, Yuan Shao led his remaining troops in a hasty retreat.

He looked back and saw flames soaring into the sky and shouts of battle shaking the heavens at Luofeng Slope.

Those 100,000 men, that army of 100,000 that he was once so proud of, are being devoured little by little.

Tears flowed silently down her face.

Ziyuan...

Gao Lan...

Zhang He...

And those countless soldiers...

It's all over...

It's all over...

"My lord! Let's go!" the guard urged desperately.

Yuan Shao wiped away his tears, spurred his horse hard, and galloped away.

Behind them, the shouts of battle faded into the distance.

But what he didn't know was...

Ahead, an even more terrifying enemy awaited him.

The dust has settled at the Battle of Luofengpo.

Yuwen Chengdu stood on a high place, looking at the corpses scattered on the ground, and slowly put away his weapon.

"Report!"

A scout rode swiftly to report: "General! Yuan Shao has led his remaining troops of about 30,000 men in a flight towards Pei County!"

Yuwen Chengdu frowned: "Thirty thousand?"

The scout reported, "Yes, Zhang He and Gao Lan have been captured, Xu You has been shot dead, Jiang Yiqu is seriously wounded, and Guo Tu and Xin Ping are missing. Yuan Shao is left with only remnants of his defeated army, whose morale is low and they are easily defeated!"

Yuwen Chengdu nodded and was about to speak when he suddenly saw billowing dust in the east, and a large army was rapidly approaching.

At the head of the procession was a large banner with a huge character "Zhang" written on it.

Zhang Fei led 10,000 elite troops and attacked from the direction of Xiapi.

"Chengdu!"

Zhang Fei spurred his horse forward, grinning broadly, "Didn't I arrive just in time? Where did Yuan Shao run off to?"

Yuwen Chengdu pointed towards Pei County: "General Zhang, Yuan Shao has led 30,000 to 40,000 remnant troops in that direction."

A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Fei's eyes: "Alright! I'll chase after them right now and slaughter them all!"

He cracked his whip and led his army away in a whirlwind.

Yuwen Chengdu watched his departing figure, then looked towards Pei County, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Yuan Benchu, you've finally met your match.

Pei County, Gaixia.

As dusk approached, twilight descended.

Yuan Shao led his remaining troops on a frantic escape, finally reaching a small town.

He reined in his horse, panting heavily, and almost fell off.

"Where...where is this?" he asked hoarsely.

A follower looked around and said in a trembling voice, "My lord... this... this is Gaixia..."

Gaixia.

Yuan Shao was startled.

He suddenly looked up and laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the valley.

"Gaixia...Gaixia...Hahahaha..."

As I laughed, tears streamed down my face.

"My lord!"

A general stepped forward and said urgently, "The Wujiang River is just ahead! There are civilian boats on the riverbank! We can seize one, cross the river, and head south to Yangzhou to seek refuge with Yuan Shu! After all, Yuan Shu is your brother; he will surely take us in!"

Yuan Shao was taken aback.

Yangzhou... Yuan Shu...

He also has a younger brother in Yangzhou.

If he can cross the river and find Yuan Shu, he still has a chance to make a comeback.

But he looked down and glanced at the remnants of his defeated army around him.

More than 30,000 people, each one pale and emaciated, their armor incomplete, the light in their eyes long since extinguished.

With their last ounce of strength, they kept following behind their lord, awaiting their fate.

How many people can a few civilian boats carry?

Several hundred people?

Could Yuan Shao, with only a few hundred men, abandon the tens of thousands of soldiers who had followed him for many years, and escape alone?

He can't.

He, Yuan Shao, came from a family that had produced high-ranking officials for four generations. He was the ruler of Hebei and a great general. How could he do such a cowardly thing to survive?

"No."

He slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse but firm: "I won't leave."

The general cried out urgently, "My lord! As long as we live, we can fight another day! If you don't leave, you will surely die!"

Yuan Shao looked at him and suddenly smiled.

That smile contained relief, sorrow, and a hint of liberation.

"In his lifetime, he roamed the world, and back in Luoyang, he pointed his sword at Dong Zhuo, how spirited he was! He gathered eighteen warlords to fight against Dong Zhuo, how majestic he was! Now..."

He paused, gazing towards the Wujiang River, and murmured, "Now, how can I abandon these tens of thousands of soldiers and flee alone?"

The general knelt on the ground and wept bitterly.

The remaining soldiers around them also knelt down, their cries shaking the heavens.

"My lord!"

Yuan Shao closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened my eyes again, they were completely calm.

"Pass down the order to set up camp on the spot. Tonight... I will drink one last cup of wine with my soldiers."

That night, at Gaixia, in Yuan's army camp.

It was called a large camp, but it was just a simple temporary encampment.

The soldiers sat around the campfire, their faces blank, none of them willing to speak.

In the central command tent, Yuan Shao sat alone at his desk, with a pot of wine and a cup in front of him.

He picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, he filled it up again and drank it all in one gulp.

He recalled the days in Luoyang when he drank and discussed the world with Cao Cao and others.

Back then, they were all passionate young people, full of ambition and high spirits.

He recalled how powerful Yuan Shao was back in Suanzao when he gathered eighteen warlords to fight against Dong Zhuo!

He recalled his days in Yecheng, when he had countless strategists and generals under his command, and who in Hebei did not depend on him?

But now...

"Ziyuan is dead."

He murmured, tears silently streaming down his face.

"Gao Lan and Zhang He were captured."

He picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"At this moment, people are in a state of panic... I'm completely flustered..."

He lay on the table and wept bitterly.

The cries echoed in the silent night sky, mournful and desperate.

Outside the tent, the remaining soldiers, hearing the cries, also shed tears.

No one speaks.

Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

At 11:45 AM, Zhang Fei saw that Yuan's army was in disarray, so he led his army to attack.

The shouts of battle shook the heavens, and flames soared into the sky.

Zhang Fei took the lead, his eighteen-foot spear thrusting left and right, causing Yuan's soldiers to fall and their horses to tumble.

Those who surrender will be spared death!

The Jingnan Army shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Yuan's army had long lost its fighting spirit, and upon being charged, they immediately scattered and fled.

Some threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender, some fled in panic, and some jumped into the icy Wujiang River without thinking.

Startled awake, Yuan Shao fled the tent in a panic, not even having time to put on his clothes and armor, wearing only a single garment.

"My lord! Run!"

Several guards risked their lives to protect him, and under the cover of night, they ran eastward at breakneck speed.

Behind them, the shouts of battle grew closer and closer.

The next morning.

Yuan Shao reined in his horse, panting heavily.

Only about eight hundred riders remained by his side.

He looked back and saw that the road he had come from was empty, with no pursuers in sight.

But he knew that the pursuers would arrive soon.

"My lord."

A follower said in a trembling voice, "The Wujiang River is just ahead... what do we do?"

Yuan Shao remained silent.

He simply gazed at the surging river and the unfamiliar land on the opposite bank, remaining silent for a long time.

As the morning mist dissipated, a stone tablet came into view.

Two large characters are prominently displayed on the stone tablet.

Wujiang River.

Yuan Shao was startled.

Wujiang River...

Wujiang River...

He suddenly looked up and burst into laughter.

The laughter was shrill and echoed across the river.

"Wujiang... Hahahaha!"

While laughing, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood!

"puff!"

Blood stained his clothes.

He swayed and fell off his horse!

"My lord!"

The generals were shocked and quickly dismounted to help him up.

Yuan Shao lay on the cold earth, gazing at the gray sky, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet a relieved smile on his face.

The once-powerful warlord, Yuan Shao (Yuan Benchu), died here.

The Wujiang River continues its eastward flow.

A river breeze swept by, swirling up a flurry of yellow leaves.

In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached.

Zhang Fei led his army to the scene, and stared at the corpse lying on the riverbank, remaining silent for a long time.

"Yuan Benchu..."

He murmured to himself, dismounted, walked to Yuan Shao's side, and looked down at him for a long time.

"Even though you lost, you are still a hero."

He stood up and waved his hand: "Make sure you restrain yourself properly and send them back to Shuntian with the courtesy due to a feudal lord."

"promise!"