Chapter 159

But Gongsun Zan is different!

In this era at the end of the Han Dynasty, family lineage and social background are viewed as extremely important.

Gongsun Zan comes from the frontier, and can be considered a frontier warlord similar to Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, and others.

In the eyes of the great clans, these people are "soldier-ruffians" who will wreck the place at the slightest disagreement and are impossible to reason or cooperate with!

At this moment.

Gongsun Zan intends to lead his army across the Yellow River to attack Jizhou.

For the Hebei faction, this is absolutely intolerable!

In an instant, they reached a consensus: they must withdraw their troops!

If they do not withdraw, Jizhou will suffer the invasion of the "soldier-ruffian" Gongsun Zan, and their interests will certainly suffer a fatal blow.

However.

Just as Ju Shou was planning to call the other warlords into the tent to discuss matters.

Zhang Yang was seen running over from outside with a hurried expression, asking while panting:

"Where is Alliance Leader Yuan?"

"I must withdraw my troops!"

"Lu Bu has led the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to invade my Bingzhou, and Shangdang Commandery is under his blade at every moment."

"If I do not withdraw my troops, Shangdang will fall!"

Hearing this.

The strategists in the Yuan camp looked astonished.

"Lu... Lu Bu?"

That’s right!

The cavalry units of Dong Zhuo’s army seemed to have collectively disappeared.

Since the start of the war, there hasn't been a trace of them.

Previously, Ju Shou and the others were still wondering why Gu Yi did not dispatch the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Now, the truth has finally come to light!

So, this scoundrel Lu Bu was secretly leading the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to attack Bingzhou!

However, before Zhang Yang could finish speaking.

Liu Bei was also seen walking quickly toward Yuan Shao’s main camp from outside.

His face was filled with anxiety.

Before he even reached the edge of the camp, he asked urgently:

"Is Alliance Leader Yuan in the tent?"

"I have an extremely urgent matter to find him for!"

Hearing this, Ju Shou quickly responded:

"Lord Xuande, please remain calm."

"My lord is currently feeling unwell."

"If you have any matters, you can speak with me first."

Liu Bei naturally knew of Ju Shou’s status in the Yuan camp.

Although he was somewhat puzzled as to why Yuan Shao would suddenly be unwell.

But at this moment, there was an even more pressing matter that made him extremely anxious.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei said:

"Mr. Gongyu, that scoundrel Sun Ce withdrew from Yuzhou before."

"It was not to head toward Wuguan to go to Chang'an and defect to Dong Zhuo."

"But to head south and attack Huainan!"

"Right now, I only have a few thousand new recruits left to guard Huainan."

"If I do not return my troops in time."

"I fear Huainan will soon be taken by that scoundrel Sun Ce!"

Damn it!

At this moment, the strategists in the Yuan camp no longer knew what to use to describe the shock in their hearts.

Gongsun Zan attacking Jizhou...

Lu Bu attacking Bingzhou...

Sun Ce attacking Huainan...

Fighting this battle until now, the strategists of the Yuan camp had become gradually bewildered.

Are they the ones banding together to attack Dong Zhuo, or is Dong Zhuo attacking them?

A wave of dizziness descended upon the strategists of the Yuan camp.

At this moment, they even felt a bit envious of Yuan Shao.

Fainting directly like that, in a sense, could be considered a good thing.

At least, they wouldn't have to suffer the thunderbolt-like blow for the time being!

Slightly straightening his trembling body, Ju Shou sent people to call Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Kong Rong, and others to discuss matters.

Things have reached this point.

Three warlords have already had their territories attacked.

This campaign to crusade against Dong Zhuo can only be forced to a halt.

Before long.

Yuan Shao gradually woke up from his coma.

And Cao Cao and the others also arrived at the tent, prepared to discuss the matter of withdrawing troops.

Because Yuan Shao’s body was still too weak.

This meeting was presided over by Ju Shou and Cao Cao on his behalf.

In the end, the various warlords unanimously agreed to the plan to withdraw.

And set the time for the withdrawal for tomorrow evening.

This was the only way out.

Gongsun Zan has already rebelled.

The territories of Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and Zhang Yang have all been attacked.

If they don't withdraw now, their home bases will be gone, so what is the point of fighting?

At the same time

At Hulao Pass

Zhang Liao also received the intelligence sent by Gu Yi from Sishui Pass.

As an excellent general with extremely keen intuition.

Zhang Liao had a premonition that the allied warlord forces might soon withdraw.

Subsequently, he sent scouts to quietly approach the vicinity of the allied camp to gather intelligence.

Sure enough.

The siege ladders and battering rams that the allied forces had originally ordered their craftsmen to build with all their might had now all become "unfinished projects."

This indicated that the allied forces no longer had any intention of attacking Hulao Pass.

Upon receiving this news, a hint of a smile flashed in Zhang Liao’s eyes.

Wanting to withdraw as soon as the situation looks bad?

Heh, did they ask him, Zhang Wenyuan?

In the Hulao Pass council chamber

Zhang Liao summoned the generals to hold an emergency war meeting.

Originally, to strengthen the defensive power of Hulao Pass.

Gu Yi specially sent Pang De, Yan Xing, Zhang Ren, and Wu Yi to assist Zhang Liao.

At this moment, all four had arrived.

Even Wu Yi, who was often elusive and not present, had arrived as promised.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhang Liao said:

"Gentlemen, the time to achieve merit and establish a career has arrived."

"I wonder if you dare to follow me in a surprise attack on the allied camp?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

All four generals stood up, full of anticipation for the surprise attack on the allied camp.

These four could all be considered mid-way additions to Dong Zhuo’s army.

In terms of seniority and military merit, they were clearly not comparable to the veteran members.

At this moment, the plan for a surprise attack on the allied camp proposed by Zhang Liao seemed somewhat risky.

But in reality, this was an excellent opportunity to overtake them on a curve!

The group was of one mind, and they quickly formulated a detailed plan.

To avoid complications from long delays.

Zhang Liao decided to act immediately that very night.

Only in this way could they catch the enemy off guard!

Soon

Night fell

To ensure his army had sufficient combat power, Zhang Liao specially selected the 20,000 most elite troops from the 60,000 defenders of Hulao Pass!

Although these 20,000 men were far fewer in number than the Guandong allied forces.

But at this moment, the cavalry units of the Guandong allied forces had already suffered heavy losses.

In other words.

Even if the Guandong allied forces still held a numerical advantage.

Most of the remainder were infantry, having lost the big killing weapon capable of annihilating Zhang Liao!

No sooner said than done.

Zhang Liao had always been a man of action.

Whether it was the Battle of White Wolf Mountain or the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in history, they were all sudden events.

This moment was no exception.

Led by Zhang Liao, the 20,000 elite Hulao Pass defenders struck at the allied camp with the speed of a thunderbolt.

Inside the allied camp.

The various warlords had not yet gone to sleep.

There was no help for it.

There had been too many worrying things happening in the last two days, so many that even in the dead of night, they could not sleep peacefully.

However.

Most of the ordinary soldiers in the allied forces, after a full day of fierce fighting, had long since entered dreamland.

Facing the sudden attack.

They were completely unprepared for battle.

In an instant!

Zhang Liao was like a sharp blade, the first to pierce into the allied camp!

Following closely behind were the four generals: Wu Yi, Zhang Ren, Pang De, and Yan Xing!

The martial prowess of these four was not weak either.

As long as they didn't encounter top-tier fierce generals, they shouldn't be easily taken out.

Seeing their own general so brave.

The 20,000 Hulao Pass defenders were even more unstoppable, as if they had been injected with chicken blood!

In the allied camp, the first to be attacked were the units of Zhang Yang and Kong Rong.

Pick the soft persimmons first.

Zhang Liao understood this principle well.

At this moment, he wanted to bully the weak soldiers under Kong Rong and Zhang Yang.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the soldiers under Kong Rong and Zhang Yang had been completely scattered.

And this also caused great trouble for the other warlords.

Their soldiers were already having difficulty forming ranks in the dark.

Being further disrupted by the fleeing soldiers of Kong Rong and Zhang Yang, it instantly became even harder to organize an effective counterattack.

Poor Zhang Yang was caught by Zhang Liao in the chaotic army and captured on the spot.

Kong Rong’s luck was much better than Zhang Yang’s.

But with his army already routed.

He could only rely on the protection of a few personal guards.

To move closer to Cao Cao’s camp.

Immediately after, Zhang Liao did not stop, and immediately led the Hulao Pass defenders to kill toward the camp of Liu Bei and Tao Qian!

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei recovered from the panic and led their troops to begin a counterattack.

But it was a pity.

Pang De and Yan Xing were faster!

Before the two of them could gather, Pang De and Yan Xing had already led their men to surround them.

"Thief! Do you dare to fight your Grandpa Zhang Fei to the death?"

Seeing that the situation was not good.

Zhang Fei roared sternly.

Intending to provoke Yan Xing and Pang De.

However.

Before Yan Xing and Pang De set off from Hulao Pass, Zhang Liao had already instructed them never to duel with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Looking at the entire Hulao Pass, there was no one who could defeat them in a one-on-one fight.

Even in the entire Dong Zhuo army.

Only Lu Bu, Huang Zhong, and Zhao Yun could compete with the two of them.

Therefore.

Pang De and Yan Xing naturally would not mindlessly fall for the trick and go up to die.

Facing Zhang Fei’s provocation.

Yan Xing sneered.

Immediately, he ordered the archers behind him to aim at Zhang Fei, preparing to shoot him into a sieve!

Fortunately, Guan Yu had sharp eyes and timely led Zhang Fei to retreat.

Otherwise.

I fear that even with martial arts as strong as Zhang Fei’s, he would have met his end here today.

But the retreat of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also caused the group of soldiers under Liu Bei to fall into panic.

Pang De and Yan Xing naturally would not let go of this opportunity.

The two of them immediately commanded the army to move forward and set fires.

Burning Liu Bei’s camp to ashes!

And on the other side.

Tao Qian ran into Zhang Ren.

The cavalry commander under Tao Qian, Jiang Shi, confident in his own martial prowess, rushed forward to duel with Zhang Ren.

However.

Jiang Shi was at most a third-rate general.

Under Zhang Ren’s treacherous and varied spear techniques.