Chapter 441: 427. Zhang He's Scheme
If you want to read 15 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
The journey back was grueling, but Lie Fan and his army pushed forward, driven by the knowledge that their comrades were depending on them. Along the way, scouts were sent ahead to relay their progress and gather information on the current state of the battlefield. When they finally reached back to Zhang Liao and Gao Shun's position, Lie Fan immediately sought out his commanders. "Report," he demanded, dismounting and striding towards Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Jia Xu, and Xun You.
Jia Xu spoke first. "My lord, the battle entered a stalemate when you took 40,000 men to intercept Bao Xin. With the reduced number of troops on the front line, we managed to hold our ground but couldn't push forward significantly."
Xun You added, "We've done our best to coordinate our forces and exploit any weaknesses in the enemy's line, but Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin have proven to be formidable opponents. Despite our efforts, progress has been slow."
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun also stepped forward, their expressions resolute but strained. "We've been trying to break through their lines, My Lord." Zhang Liao reported. "Our men are fighting bravely, but Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin managed to put up a strong defense."
Gao Shun nodded. "We've inflicted casualties on them, but our own forces are feeling the strain. We need a decisive push to turn the tide."
Lie Fan's eyes hardened with resolve. "Then we shall make that push once again. The Qilin Army has recuperated to full power minus the wounded or dead soldiers due to the battle, we will use this momentum to break their lines."
He turned to Jia Xu and Xun You. "Coordinate our forces for a full-scale assault, Wenhe and Gongda. We need to hit them hard and fast, targeting the weakest points they had now."
Jia Xu and Xun You hearing Lie Fan's order immediately began issuing orders, directing units to key positions, and preparing for the assault.
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun moved swiftly, ensuring that every detail of Jia Xu and Xun You's plan was executed flawlessly. Troops repositioned with precision, archers took up strategic positions, and the cavalry prepared for another devastating charge.
"Ensure the left flank is reinforced," Zhang Liao commanded, his voice carrying over the din of the preparations. "We must press them where they are weakest."
Gao Shun nodded, relaying orders to his officers. "Have the infantry maintain a tight formation. We need to punch through their lines and break their morale."
The Qilin Army moved like a well-oiled machine, each unit synchronizing with the others to create a formidable force. Jia Xu and Xun You, standing atop a small rise, directed the movements with calculated precision.
Lie Fan, observing the preparations, felt a surge of confidence. With the combined efforts of his trusted commanders, the full scale assault would be the turning point in this grueling battle.
Meanwhile in Shangdang, a detachment of Yuan Shao's army led by Zhang He and Gao Lan was in pursuit of Zhang Yan and his forces, who had retreated to Jinyang. Zhang He and Gao Lan rode at the front, their expressions filled with determination and the thrill of impending victory.
"This will be our moment of glory, Gao Lan." Zhang He said, glancing at Gao Lan. "Capturing Zhang Yan will solidify our position and earn us great honor, while those two would keep arguing which give us a large amount of time to capture Zhang Yan."
Gao Lan nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Haha! Indeed Zhang He! You are truly a devious man! Let's ensure that no detail is overlooked so that Zhang Yan will not escape our grasp, which will not benefit us but cost us everything you have prepared and done."
Back in Shangdang, however, chaos reigned. Yan Liang and Wen Chou, two of Yuan Shao's most formidable generals, were locked in a perpetual state of argument and conflict with each other.
Each meeting between them erupted into arguments, their clashing egos creating a rift within the command structure due to the debate they had with each other in the last meeting.
"This is no way to run an army, Brother Yan!" Wen Chou shouted during one of their confrontations. "Your orders are reckless and lack foresight!"
Yan Liang fired back, his temper flaring. "And your hesitation is costing us precious time, Wen Chou! We need decisive action, not endless deliberation on whether should we advance or not!"
Their constant bickering resulted in a chaotic line of communication. Orders conflicted, causing confusion among the ranks.
Yuan Shao's entire army felt the effects of this discord. Officers and soldiers alike were caught in the crossfire of differing commands, unable to perform their duties effectively. The once disciplined and formidable force was now a shadow of its former self, hampered by internal strife.
The conflict between Yan Liang and Wen Chou grew so intense that word of it reached Yuan Shao in Nanpi. Furious at the disruption within his ranks, Yuan Shao immediately penned a scathing letter admonishing the two generals for their childish bickering and its detrimental impact on his army.
When the letter arrived in Shangdang, Yan Liang and Wen Chou stood side by side as they read Yuan Shao's harsh words. The weight of their commander's anger silenced their arguments, forcing them to reflect on their actions.
"This is a wake-up call for us, Brother Yan." Wen Chou admits reluctantly to Yan Liang. "We cannot afford to be divided any longer."
Yan Liang nodded, his pride wounded but his resolve strengthened. "Agreed. We must put our differences aside and focus on our common enemy. For the sake of the army and Lord Yuan Shao's cause."
With their conflict temporarily resolved, the army began to regain some semblance of order. Officers and soldiers breathed a collective sigh of relief, hoping that the newfound cooperation between Yan Liang and Wen Chou would restore their effectiveness.
Meanwhile, Zhang He and Gao Lan had successfully caught up with Zhang Yan's retreating forces. The two armies clashed in a fierce confrontation, the sound of battle echoing across the landscape.
Zhang Yan's troops, weary from their retreat, fought valiantly but were steadily being pushed back by the relentless assault of Zhang He and Gao Lan's forces. Amidst the chaos, Zhang He spotted Zhang Yan and spurred his horse forward, cutting through the melee to reach him.
"Zhang Yan!" Zhang He called out, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "It is futile to resist any longer. Surrender now, and you may yet save your men from further bloodshed."
Zhang Yan, his face grim and determined, met Zhang He's gaze. "You speak easily for me to surrender, Zhang He! But I had sacrificed many of my people to reach this point! I cannot betray them by laying down my arms to someone like Yuan Shao!"
Zhang He, respecting Zhang Yan's resolve, pressed on. "Yes, the lives you had sacrificed to reach this point is a sad thing, but consider the lives at stake right now! You have fought bravely, but this battle is lost in the end. Yield and I swear your men will be safe."
The two warriors circled each other, but their exchange didn't stop the conflict around them. Zhang Yan's eyes flickered with doubt as he weighed his options, the fate of his men hanging in the balance.
In the end, Zhang Yan lowered his weapon in a calm manner. "Very well, Zhang He. For the sake of my brothers that still alive and have been sacrificed, I will surrender."
Zhang He nodded, acknowledging Zhang Yan's honorable decision. "You have made a wise choice, Zhang Yan. We will ensure your men will be safe and sound."
With the battle concluded, Zhang He and Gao Lan secured Zhang Yan's surrender, ending the battle between the two armies.
As Zhang Yan's men laid down their weapons, the air filled with a somber sense of resignation. Zhang He, taking advantage of the moment, led Zhang Yan and Gao Lan to a secluded corner of the battlefield.
With a cautious glance around to ensure they were not overheard, Zhang He began, "Zhang Yan and Gao Lan, the future under Yuan Shao's command for us is very uncertain. His leadership is marred by internal conflicts and lack of strategic vision combined with him only favoring Yan Liang and Wen Chou. We deserve better."
Zhang Yan, still processing his recent surrender, looked perplexed at hearing what Zhang He had just said. "What are you suggesting, Zhang He? I just surrendered and you suddenly said things like this?"
Gao Lan, equally taken aback, added, "Are you proposing we abandon Lord Yuan Shao, Zhang He? Such a move could be perilous for us, you knew the size of army he had."
Zhang He nodded, his expression resolute. "Indeed, I am. We must align ourselves with a lord who values our skills and offers us a promising future. Someone like Lie Fan or Cao Cao, who has demonstrated both tactical brilliance and the ability to inspire loyalty among their men, while also being very fair lords in their own right."
The suggestion took both Zhang Yan and Gao Lan by surprise. Zhang Yan's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications. "Lie Fan and Cao Cao? The two of them were formidable leaders, but would they trust us? How do we know we would not be walking into a trap?"
Zhang He leaned closer, his voice low but firm. "We would have to prove our loyalty and worth. If we present ourselves as a united front, capable and ready to serve, both Cao Cao and Lie Fan would see the value in welcoming us. Besides, staying with Yuan Shao only leads to inevitable downfall. His house is divided, and division spells disaster."
Gao Lan, after a moment of contemplation, nodded slowly. "There is wisdom in your words, Zhang He. Yuan Shao's leadership is very especially after he confused the entirety of the north, and we cannot ignore the signs any longer. If either Cao Cao or Lie Fan can offer us stability and respect, then it may be worth the risk."
Zhang Yan, seeing the determination in Zhang He's eyes and the agreement in Gao Lan's, finally relented. "Very well. If this is the path we choose, we must tread carefully. We will reach out to Lie Fan and Cao Cao to negotiate our terms, but after we finalized my surrender with Yuan Shao and lay low for a while."
Zhang He smiled, a sense of relief washing over him. "Agreed. We will proceed with caution. I will make the necessary arrangements to contact Lie Fan and Cao Cao discreetly when the time is right. Until then, we must continue to play our parts as loyal officers under Yuan Shao." With their decision made, the three men returned to their respective duties, their minds now focused on the delicate task of navigating Zhang Yan's men and playing their part to cultivate their defection plan slowly.
____________________________
Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 31 (198 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 825
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 96
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Tang12
Tang12 Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone