My Three Kingdoms is not right

The next morning, at the palace.

The warm spring morning light bathed him, yet Liu Xun's face remained tense.

"Your Majesty, I request permission to lead the Imperial Guards to Wancheng to support Cao Cao, the Minister of Works."

Last night, he summoned someone to inquire about Cao Cao's movements and learned that she had led the main force to attack Zhang Xiu in Wancheng. He couldn't sit still on the spot.

Zhang Xiu?

Wancheng!

Wasn't it one of Cao Cao's most devastating defeats, the Battle of Wancheng?

In the original history, Cao Cao personally led a large army to the south and attacked Wancheng. Seeing the strength of Cao Cao's army, Zhang Xiu surrendered the city after being persuaded by Jia Xu.

Who would have thought that after Cao Cao entered the city, he took Zhang Xiu's sister-in-law, Zou, as a concubine, won over Zhang Xiu's general, Hu Che'er, and forced Zhang Xiu to rebel.

Therefore, under Jia Xu's planning, Zhang Xiu launched a night attack on Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao suffered a crushing defeat and almost lost his life, but fortunately Dian Wei fought to the death and his eldest son Cao Ang allowed Ma Fang to escape.

But in this world, Cao Cao has become a young girl.

Without Cao Ang's presence, and with his mount Jueying given to him, he might really be killed by Zhang Xiu.

Given the current situation, if anything were to happen to Cao Cao, the Xuchang court would be unable to survive.

The world would most likely fall into the hands of the Yuan brothers.

His mission to restore the Han Dynasty was thus completely ruined.

So he tossed and turned, and before dawn he got up to go to the palace to ask for permission.

We must go to Wancheng to warn Cao Cao to be on guard; if there is no time, we must do our best to save her life.

Xun Yu was quite surprised by his suggestion, and cupped his hands in a smile, saying, "Your Highness need not worry about the military situation. I received a military report last night that Zhang Xiu has retreated into the city and sent an envoy into the camp to express his intention to surrender to Cao Cao."

"Wancheng was captured without bloodshed; there's no need to send reinforcements."

Zhang Xiu's Wancheng was very close to Xuchang, and his troops were mainly Xiliang cavalry brought by Dong Zhuo, which were quite powerful. They could be described as a dagger held to the throat of the imperial court.

This is why, after learning of the falling out between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, Cao Cao did not take action against Yuan Shu, but instead eagerly removed Wancheng, a thorn in his side.

However, upon hearing this news, Liu Xun became even more nervous.

Zhang Xiu's surrender indicates that the Battle of Wancheng is imminent.

He suppressed his anxiety and forced a smile, saying, "The situation on the battlefield changes extremely quickly. Until everything is settled, it's always better to have more safeguards."

"Actually, the Imperial Guards are few in number and cannot play a significant role. I wanted to take this opportunity to train the soldiers and hone their skills in long-distance marches and raids."

Xun Yu pondered for a moment, nodded slightly, and looked at the emperor.

Liu Xie had just welcomed him back yesterday, and seeing that he was leaving again, he felt quite reluctant to part with him.

But she also knew that Liu Xun's decisions were always made after careful consideration, and ultimately, they were all for her and for this turbulent court.

In the end, he nodded in agreement.

After the imperial edict was issued, Xun Yu inquired about the details: "I will immediately write to Lord Cao. When does Your Highness plan to depart?"

"I'll be leaving this afternoon," Liu Xun replied.

Xun Yu was surprised: "How can a large army be mobilized so hastily? Besides, the allocation of provisions also takes time."

Liu Xun was in a hurry to rescue people and did not want to delay: "This time I will not bring the Tiger Warriors, but only the Imperial Guards."

"All cavalry should be lightly armed, carrying only five days' worth of rations. The training focuses on their ability to conduct rapid raids."

This demonstrates the importance of the Music Garden to the Imperial Guards.

An army marches on its stomach.

If the provisions were entirely in the hands of the imperial court or Cao Cao, the actions of the imperial guards would be subject to many restrictions.

However, because of the agricultural settlements in the Yueyuan Garden, the Imperial Guards were able to be self-sufficient, thus gaining true independence.

Xun Yu nodded: "Since Your Majesty has given the decree, I will go and inform Lord Cao. I will also arrange for the notifications to be issued at the passes along the way."

She looked at Liu Xun and added gently, "Your Highness has just returned from your journey and is about to embark on another campaign. Please take good care of yourself."

-----------------

On the banks of the Yu River, at Cao Cao's army camp.

As night deepened, a thin mist slowly seeped into the camp along the riverbank.

The sentry standing guard against the wooden fence couldn't help but yawn.

It's no wonder she was lax; after all, the battle was over before it even began.

The young Zhang Xiu was clearly not a hero like his aunt Zhang Ji. Before Cao Cao's army could even make a move, he quickly knelt down.

Right now, there are only friendly forces around, no enemies, so standing guard is just a formality.

Inside the central command tent, Cao Cao was about to undress and go to bed when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

"My lord!" The guard's voice was filled with barely concealed panic: "Zhang Xiu has suddenly led his troops into the camp and is attacking towards the central army!"

"My lord, please set off immediately, or it will be too late!!"

Cao Cao abruptly stood up, enraged: "Zhang Xiu, that illegitimate daughter! How dare she betray me?"

She grabbed the sword beside the bed and strode out: "Order the vanguard to hold their ground; I'll lead my personal guards to reinforce them immediately..."

The moment she lifted the tent flap, she swallowed the rest of her words.

Shouts of battle surged in from all directions like a tidal wave. The entire military camp was in chaos, with fires raging everywhere, turning half the sky red.

It's too late.

Without further hesitation, she took the reins from her guard, mounted her horse, and began to ride.

"Walk!"

She looked toward the gate where the battle cries were most intense, and in the distance, illuminated by the firelight, she saw a tall figure wielding two long halberds, sweeping down rows of enemy soldiers as they surged forward.

That was Dian Wei. She stood like an iron tower at the gate, her two heavy halberds whirling through the crowd like wheels, leading her small detachment of only a few dozen men to hold back the surging tide of Zhang Xiu's rebel army.

Cao Cao glanced at it once, then turned away and whipped his warhorse hard.

She knew that Dian Wei couldn't stop the rebels; he was risking his life to buy her time.

But she had no time to grieve.

The deafening shouts of battle were getting closer and closer!

The Yu River gleamed coldly under the moonlight.

Cao Cao lay prone on his horse, his teeth clenched.

Ignoring the stinging pain from the reeds scraping against his calves, he frantically waved his whip.

The rebels had caught up, and she kept hearing the screams of her guards being shot by arrows and the sounds of them falling from their horses.

As dawn broke on the horizon, her heart grew colder and colder.

They barely managed to escape here because of the poor visibility in the dark. Once it gets light, the pursuers' arrows will be more accurate, and they will probably be killed or wounded even faster.

Suddenly, her mount let out a mournful cry, its front hooves buckled, and it threw her to the ground.

Fortunately, the muddy riverbed cushioned the impact, and Cao Cao rolled several times before managing to stand up.

The warhorse, its neck pierced by an arrow, was struggling futilely on the ground. The few dozen guards remaining beside her turned their horses around, desperately trying to stop the Xiliang soldiers approaching her.

Is this the end of my dream?

Cao Cao gritted his teeth, picked up the sword that had slipped from his hand when he fell from his horse, and wiped the mud off the hilt with his satin cloak.

Even if you die, you should die with dignity.

The Xiliang cavalry, like wolves and tigers, howled and surrounded them.

The first general was none other than Hu Che'er, a fierce general under Zhang Xiu.

She grinned maliciously as she rode closer, shouting, "Cao Mengde, today is your death day!"