The dawn had not yet arrived…
Half an hour remained until the Guanzhong Allied Army would gather and advance on the Dragon Soaring Camp.
Han Yue, Han Sui’s son, was still lost in a pleasant dream. In the distance, a black mass of people grew larger from a small speck!
—Rumble, rumble!
Gradually, the thunderous sound of hooves approached. The sentries in the camp turned their heads towards the sound, and then… flags bearing the black symbol of "Dragon Soaring" appeared in their eyes.
Above the Dragon Soaring banners, the golden characters "Dragon Soaring" were written in large print.
"It's the Dragon Soaring Cavalry!"
"No… it’s… it’s the Dragon Soaring Cavalry!"
"We’re finished!"
…
Seeing this, the sentries in the camp cried out in alarm…
Instantly… an absolute sense of powerlessness swept through their bodies in the face of such might.
Even their generals looked pale, staring blankly at the approaching Dragon Soaring Cavalry!
As former allies of Great Wei, they knew all too well the power of the Dragon Soaring Camp…
Just yesterday, a mere three thousand Dragon Soaring Cavalry had annihilated General Ma Dai’s seven thousand elite troops overnight.
And then there was the "child-stopping" terror of Jiangdong;
The downfall of Ta Dun at White Wolf Mountain;
The instantaneous annihilation of the mighty Yuan clan of Runan…
Event after event, these deeds… instantly transformed into an infinite deterrent, causing despair to spread through the hearts of every Xiliang soldier guarding the camp!
Han Yue had been awakened.
He looked at the scene before him with utter disbelief, his eyes full of doubt. It was not yet the hour of Chen, was it not agreed to gather and attack together at the hour of Chen?
How…
How was it that the Dragon Soaring Cavalry was attacking him first?
In a flash…
The Dragon Soaring Cavalry crashed through the army like a destructive force. Cao Xiu, Gongsun Zan, and Qu Yi watched with cold gazes at the Xiliang cavalry before them, who showed no will to fight.
"As allies of Great Wei, wasn’t it good to be alive?"
Cao Xiu spoke slowly, his gaze fixed on these men…
They had once been Great Wei’s most loyal allies, and now they appeared so utterly defeated.
"Must you learn from the Wuhuan, who were slaughtered by our Dragon Soaring Camp, their families destroyed, their entire Xiliang region left without a single living creature? Are you satisfied now?"
Looking at the Xiliang soldiers with bowed heads, Cao Xiu shouted again.
At this shout, the Xiliang soldiers began to lay down their weapons.
Clang, clang, clang…
The pleasant sound of weapons hitting the ground echoed.
Han Yue looked around for his father. By all rights, his father should also be in this camp. But… but… after waking up, where was his father?
Han Yue knew it in his heart. None of the Xiliang warlords were a match for the Dragon Soaring Cavalry. He was finished!
Indeed, as Han Yue thought, the moment the Dragon Soaring Camp attacked, the soldiers lost all will to resist. Even if they were to surrender, they… lacked the courage to raise their weapons in defiance.
A moment later…
Cao Xiu walked up to Han Yue.
Han Yue also saw Cao Xiu’s sword.
"Young Master Han, it has been a while!"
"Hmph… Dragon Soaring Camp, Marquis of Southern Hunt… Don’t… Don’t think you’ve won!" Han Yue seemed to recall something…
As if understanding finally dawned, Han Yue slowly closed his eyes, knowing… he would surely die today.
Cao Xiu’s expression remained unchanged. With a light, clear clang of his sword… Han Yue’s body slowly fell, his head rolling onto the ground.
"We only punish the ringleader, and ask no further questions!"
Cao Xiu shouted…
At these words, the anxious hearts of all the Xiliang soldiers finally settled. Had they… managed to save their lives?
Clearly…
The Dragon Soaring Camp’s strategy was successful. They had eliminated one of the enemy forces before the others could even gather.
This undoubtedly… further greatly demoralized the enemy!
However…
Only Lu Yu frowned. This time, he had accompanied the Dragon Soaring Camp on the expedition, positioned at the rear, closely guarded by Dian Wei and Xiahou Mao.
But observing this battle…
Everything seemed far too easy!
Who was Han Sui? He was the one who rebelled with Bei Gong Boyu, fought against famous generals like Huangfu Song, Zhang Wen, Dong Zhuo, and Sun Jian, causing chaos throughout the land. Later, he accepted the imperial amnesty and carved out his own territory for over thirty years…
How could such a figure have raised such a timid army?
How could his camp be so vulnerable?
And yet, his son was in this camp.
It didn't seem like a trap!
Was there a problem?
Seemingly no problem, but in reality, there was a huge problem…
Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed, a bad premonition flashing in his mind…
Dian Wei, seeing his demeanor, quickly asked, "Marquis, is something amiss?"
Looking at Dian Wei’s concerned gaze, Lu Yu sighed. "Even if it was a surprise attack, everything went too smoothly. And… where is Han Sui?"
"Perhaps he went to another warlord’s camp!"
Dian Wei attempted to answer…
Lu Yu shook his head…
Xiahou Mao, standing nearby, raised a question, "According to the intelligence provided by our spies, all the Xiliang warlords were to launch a general offensive at the hour of Chen. Yet… when our army launched its surprise attack, it was only half an hour before the hour of Chen. Logically, the enemy should have been preparing meals, not so carelessly guarded!"
Exactly…
Hearing this, Lu Yu’s eyes tightened. Han Sui would not make such a mistake. Furthermore… as they easily swept through the enemy camp like a autumn wind, the other camps remained completely silent… this…
With this thought, Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed further.
After a moment of contemplation, he finally uttered.
—"It’s a trap!"
As expected…
Just then.
Several scouts arrived in quick succession.
—"Report, two thousand cavalry of Liang Xing and Hou Xuan discovered to the south!"
—"Report, three miles to the east, fifteen thousand cavalry of Cheng Yin and Li Kan discovered!"
—"Report, three thousand cavalry of Zhang Heng and Cheng Yi ambushing in the western forest."
—"Report… North of our position… Liang Xing and Hou Xuan are leading twenty thousand iron cavalry charging towards us!"
As expected… it was a trap!
Lu Yu’s face turned a shade paler.
They were surrounded…
What nonsense about an offensive at the hour of Chen, this was clearly false intelligence, designed to lure the Dragon Soaring Camp into a proactive attack!
If his guess was correct, not only Han Sui’s camp, but every warlord’s camp was an "empty camp." Their objective was to encircle the Dragon Soaring Camp!
Cheng Yin, Li Kan, Zhang Heng, Cheng Yi, Liang Xing, Hou Xuan, Liang Xing, Hou Xuan… charging from all directions.
Not to mention Han Sui and Ma Chao’s forces, sharpening their blades!
"Heh heh…"
As all the knights’ faces turned grim, Lu Yu alone laughed. The laughter was absurd…
The Dragon Soaring Camp had quite the reputation!
For three thousand men, the enemy mobilized one hundred and twenty thousand, sacrificing their cities was not enough, they even had to resort to such schemes…
Lu Yu sat on a dirt mound…
Looking at the dull-witted Dragon Soaring cavalry before him, he continued to laugh, tears almost streaming from his eyes.
Instantly, two trails of moisture appeared on his cheeks!
Alright then…
When soldiers come, we shall block them; when water comes, we shall cover it…
Since Han Sui could plan to this extent, then… it was fitting for the Dragon Soaring Camp to—finally—defy the heavens!
…
"Commander Lu, let’s fight!"
Xiahou Mao spoke first. With his words, all the Dragon Soaring cavalry looked towards Lu Yu.
At this moment, not a single Dragon Soaring knight was afraid. They were the most valiant and gloriously victorious cavalry of Great Wei; their families were proud of them!
The honor of the Dragon Soaring Camp must not fade;
The families of the Dragon Soaring Camp would forever be superior;
The souls of the fallen martyrs of the Dragon Soaring Camp, whose lives had earned their banners, would be continued…
In the hearts of every Dragon Soaring cavalry soldier, they could die in battle, because… if they died, their families could still proudly tell others that their son was a Dragon Soaring Cavalryman!
This pride would endure forever…
And… as if recalling the proud expressions of their families, a gentle smile appeared on the soldiers’ faces…
…
"Commander Lu, let’s fight!"
"Commander Lu, the Dragon Soaring Camp requests battle!"
…
One after another, the Dragon Soaring cavalry soldiers shouted. Lu Yu’s eyes were beginning to mist over…
In truth, this battle was not as dangerous as they imagined, but the truth… he could not tell any of them!
Because he needed these soldiers to have the courage to fight for their lives!
But witnessing the faces of his brothers before him, Lu Yu’s eyes welled with tears. To have such a group… brothers he had personally trained and fought alongside for so many years… it was worth it!
Taking a deep breath, Lu Yu then looked aside, wiping away the tears at the corner of his eyes. He then turned his head again, looking at all the soldiers with a proud expression!
"I, Lu Yu, have always been timid. It is the bravery of you brothers that allows me to dare to come to this battlefield."
"Today, our three thousand Dragon Soaring Camp face twelve0,000 Xiliang iron cavalry. If this battle is lost, all the past glory of the Dragon Soaring Camp will be wiped out. But if we win, every one of you will be remembered in history!"
Looking at the Dragon Soaring Cavalry…
Looking at each Dragon Soaring knight whose eyes were filled with the light of "requesting battle" and "determination," a cold glint flashed in Lu Yu’s eyes, a cold sneer.
"To the brink of death, to fight for survival!"
Hearing this…
All the Dragon Soaring cavalry were stunned for a moment. They knew what this battle meant.
Then, the eyes of all the soldiers revealed madness, their tear-streaked faces lifted in radiant smiles…
Just then, Lu Yu’s final words echoed.
"Sons of the Dragon Soaring Camp, today, let us win once more! How about it!"
As his voice fell…
The crowd roared in unison.
—"To the brink of death, to fight for survival!"
—"To the brink of death, to fight for survival!"
—"To the brink of death, to fight for survival!"
Upon the vast yellow sands…
The hearty and heroic laughter of the Dragon Soaring Cavalry echoed in the air. Soon… they transformed into a black silhouette, charging towards the enemy cavalry with a roar!
Guo Jia and Ju Shou stood on a barren sand dune with Cao Chong.
Ju Shou’s eyes were filled with bewilderment…
In such a desperate situation, what kind of belief could make all the Dragon Soaring Camp soldiers face death and fight for survival!
At this moment, Ju Shou gained a new understanding of the Dragon Soaring Camp.
He realized that the Dragon Soaring Camp of the past represented "glory"!
The Dragon Soaring Camp of today represents "heritage"!
Cao Chong, however, was remarkably calm, unlike the others. This composure was beyond what his age could typically bear.
Guo Jia smiled and asked, "Young Master Chong, we are now completely surrounded by one hundred and twenty thousand enemy troops, and we cannot rely on the defense of a military camp. We can only fight with all our might!"
Speaking of this, Guo Jia couldn’t help but glance at Cao Chong again.
"Under such circumstances, are you still not afraid, Young Master Chong?"
"I am not afraid!" Although Cao Chong’s voice was childish, it was firm and resonant. "Master Lu has not faced a situation of fighting for survival for the first time… Moreover, Master Lu has always been adept at psychological warfare and is infallible in his calculations. Now, to be in such a dangerous position… this is not his usual style of operation!"
Hmm…
Hearing this, Guo Jia couldn't help but exclaim in his heart.
What a sharp and wise Young Master Cao Chong!
He then added a question.
"Then, Young Master Chong, how do you think your Master Lu should deal with such a situation?"
"Attack the enemy’s mind!" Cao Chong murmured. "Though Chong’er is young, observing the current situation, Master Lu must have a backup plan, and this move must be a psychological attack. Perhaps… he will emulate the past when he attacked the traitor Yuan Shu, where the enemy, despite their numbers, would ultimately disintegrate from within!"
"If that is the case, then what is there to fear, even if the enemy has one hundred and twenty thousand troops?"
Heh!
Guo Jia’s eyes widened…
Cao Chong, at such a young age, could already see this far. He was a person of great potential, a person of great potential. It was no wonder… Zi Yu valued him so highly, and had such high hopes for him!
…
…
"Dada-da…"
Tens of thousands of Xiliang iron cavalry, riding their warhorses, continuously tapped their reins!
This was the best opportunity.
The best opportunity to gain fame.
The Dragon Soaring Camp finding itself in such a predicament… was unprecedented, perhaps even unparalleled and unrepeatable.
If they won this battle, the reputation of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry would shake the heavens and echo throughout the Nine Provinces… even if it meant paying the most tragic price.
Gazing at the iron cavalry charging from all directions towards the Dragon Soaring Cavalry, Han Sui, on a distant slope, narrowed his eyes tightly… his plan was only one step away from completion!
As long as the Dragon Soaring Camp was eliminated, Lu Yu was killed, and Cao Chong was dead…
Then…
When Cao Pi usurped the throne…
Great Wei would inevitably be torn apart. And he, Han Sui, leading this renowned "Xiliang Iron Cavalry," would have the opportunity to advance westward into the Central Plains. At that time… he, Han Sui, would decide the fate of the world!
Haha…
Every time he thought of this, Han Sui’s heart was filled with immense excitement, surging tides!
Yet his expression remained extremely calm…
Like a tranquil lake, undisturbed, with Ma Chao by his side… he could not be too high-profile. He just needed to rejoice in his heart, just rejoice, he couldn’t reveal his hand!
Immediately…
Han Sui sighed, "After this battle, Brother Shoucheng’s revenge will be half fulfilled!"
"Yes… Father’s revenge is half fulfilled thanks to Uncle Han." Ma Chao’s eyes were fixed, and he continued, "However, what I cannot fathom is that Uncle Han, to lure the Dragon Soaring Cavalry into the encirclement, was willing to sacrifice his own son. Respectable, and lamentable!"
As Ma Chao mentioned…
Han Sui had deliberately left his son Han Yue as bait!
Otherwise, he worried that the spies of the Dragon Soaring Camp scattered throughout the Xiliang army would discover the anomaly and cease their surprise attack.
If they could not lure the Dragon Soaring Cavalry into the encirclement and instead had to attack the Dragon Soaring Camp’s stronghold, then… the outcome of the battle would be uncertain.
Han Sui had made a great sacrifice this time; he only had one son!
Of course…
In history, Han Sui was the same. Under Cao Cao’s intimidation, he could send his son to Xudu as a hostage, and without regard for his only son's life, launch a rebellion. In the end… this son was torn apart by five horses by Cao Cao!
Han Sui was an extreme egoist…
His heart was already as hard as iron!
"If one is not ruthless, one cannot establish oneself firmly!" Han Sui gritted his teeth and said, "I am irreconcilably opposed to Wei, unlike the sun and moon!"
"Oh…" Hearing this, Ma Chao, who should have been filled with righteous indignation, appeared exceptionally calm. He murmured, "If one is not ruthless, one cannot establish oneself firmly… Heh heh, Uncle Han is so cruel to his own son, then to my father, your sworn brother… it's likely the same, isn't it?"
—"Well said, 'If one is not ruthless, one cannot establish oneself firmly'!"
These words…
Suddenly carried a rather profound meaning!
…
…