Chapter 601: 576. Battle At Ye
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The message was sent back to Nanpi with haste, and when Yuan Shao received it, his fury knew no bounds. He hurled the letter across the room, his face red with rage. "Traitors, all of them! Gongsun Du, Gongsun Gong, they will all pay for this betrayal!" But even as he raged, the reality of his situation pressed down upon him. The walls were closing in, and the strength that had once made him a formidable warlord was slipping away.
In Luoyang, the siege had dragged on for days even a week with no significant progress whatsoever. Yuan Shao's forces under Wen Chou, now severely undermanned and disorganized, found themselves increasingly bogged down.
The initial fervor of their campaign had dissipated, replaced by the harsh realities of attrition, poor leadership, and dwindling morale. The situation was exacerbated by the incessant bickering between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, the two eldest and youngest sons of Yuan Shao, who used every opportunity to undermine each other rather than focus on the war effort.
Wen Chou had long endured the dysfunction in Yuan Shao's family, but this was beyond his tolerance. Despite his best efforts to enforce discipline, the lack of a unified command structure meant his orders were often ignored or debated to the point of irrelevance. The soldiers, once inspired by the vision of Yuan Shao's dominion, now grumbled openly about their leaders.
The rationing of supplies added to the misery. What food and equipment remained had to be stretched impossibly thin. Wen Chou had pushed his men hard, launching repeated assaults on Luoyang's walls in the hope of achieving a breakthrough, but the defenders, commanded by Cao Cao himself, were unyielding. Each failed assault chipped away at the army's already fragile morale.
Inside Luoyang, Cao Cao sat at the head of a war council in the main tower of Luoyang's northern wall. His advisors, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, and Jia Kui, were gathered to discuss the recent developments. A scout knelt before the table, delivering a detailed report of the unfolding chaos in Yuan Shao's domain.
"My lord," the scout began, "it appears that Yuan Shao's army at the rear has been disrupted which caused a contingent led by Yan Liang to separate. He has broken through the defenses of Zhang Yan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan to intercept a new threat."
Cao Cao raised an eyebrow. "A new threat? What kind of threat you're talking about?"
The scout nodded. "Yes, my lord. It is Lie Fan. His forces have launched a surprise campaign against Yuan Shao's territory. Reports suggest that in one almost two days, Pingyuan and Guiyang fell to him. Half of his army, numbering around 350,000 men, now advances toward Ye. Yan Liang's contingent was sent to halt Lie Fan's progress in taking more land."
The room fell into stunned silence. Xun Yu, the ever-perceptive strategist, was the first to speak. "So, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. Lie Fan has used the chaos of this war to strike at Yuan Shao's heartland. Brilliantly timed, if I may say so."
Guo Jia chuckled darkly. "It appears that Yuan Shao, in his arrogance, has not realized that he has been outmaneuvered at every turn. Lie Fan's campaign renders his siege of Luoyang meaningless. Without his territory, he cannot sustain this war."
Cao Cao leaned back, a rare smile crossing his face. "It seems Lie Fan has done more for us than we could have hoped. Yuan Shao stretched himself too thin, chasing after ambitions that outpaced his capacity. Now, he reaps the rewards of his overreach."
Xi Zhicai nodded. "What will be your next move, my lord? Shall we capitalize on Yuan Shao's weakness and push him back?"
Cao Cao's eyes gleamed. "Patience, gentlemen. Let Lie Fan continue his work. If we strike too soon, we risk uniting Yuan Shao's forces against us. Instead, we will fortify our defenses and let Yuan Shao's house crumble under its own weight. After that, we will send our army to destroy Yuan Shao's army and fortify Zhang Yan's domain so Lie Fan won't capture it. After that, we will think of what we should do next."
The council agreed, and Cao Cao's forces redoubled their efforts to hold Luoyang, confident that time was now on their side and they could have fewer casualties than predicted with Lie Fan entering as a new variable.
Back in Nanpi, Yuan Shao's fury over the rejection of his surrender offer to Gongsun Gong reached a boiling point. The letter, returned with a mocking response, had shattered any illusions of diplomacy. Yuan Shao threw the parchment into the fire, his hands trembling with rage.
But even as he raged, the grim reality of his situation loomed over him. What he doesn't know was, that the moment Gongsun Gong pledged his allegiance to Lie Fan several years ago had sealed the North's fate. Yuan Shao's forces were now completely surrounded, with Lie Fan's armies bearing down from the south and Gongsun Gong advancing from the north.
Meanwhile, Yuan Xi struggled to maintain order in Nanpi. His militia, though numerous, was poorly trained and ill-equipped to face a seasoned army. The Zhen Clan worked tirelessly to support the war effort, providing resources and organizing supply lines, but it was clear to Yuan Xi that their efforts were merely delaying the inevitable.
Zhen Ji, ever pragmatic, saw the writing on the wall. "Husband," she said one evening, "we must consider our options. If Nanpi falls, what will become of us? Of our family?"
Yuan Xi looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "I will not abandon my father," he said firmly. "As long as he commands, I will fight."
Zhen Ji, her disgust carefully hidden, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then let us prepare for the worst. The Zhen Clan will do what it can to protect Nanpi, but you must be ready for the possibility of retreat."
Meanwhile, Lie Fan's armies continued their inexorable advance. With Beiping secured and Nanpi within reach, his forces were a well-oiled machine, their momentum unstoppable. Lie Fan rode at the head of his army, his confidence unwavering.
"We are close to victory," he told his generals. "Yuan Shao's forces are in disarray, and their morale is shattered. Once Nanpi falls, Yuan Shao himself will have no choice but to surrender or flee. Either way, his reign will come to an end."
Lu Lingqi, riding beside him, gripped her halberd tightly. "Let us finish this, then. The sooner we bring down Yuan Shao, the sooner we can secure peace for the people."
Sima Yi added, "Nanpi's fall will mark the end of an era. Yuan Shao's failure will serve as a lesson to all who overreach their grasp."
Lie Fan nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Then let us march. The final chapter of Yuan Shao's reign begins now."
Lie Fan's campaign against Yuan Shao had entered its decisive phase, and with each passing day, the momentum only seemed to grow in his favor. Leading the combined might of the Qilin, Qinglong, and Baihu armies toward Nanpi, Lie Fan's forces marched with an air of inevitability.
At the same time, Taishi Ci's Zhuque Army and Zhang Chao's Xuanwu Army, wielding a formidable force of 275,000 men, began their siege of Ye. This two-pronged assault aimed to shatter Yuan Shao's contour over the southern part of his domain in one fell swoop.
Ye's defenders, unlike those in Ganling and Pingyuan, were neither caught off guard nor poorly prepared. The city's formidable walls stood strong, and the soldiers stationed there, loyal to Yuan Shao, were determined to hold their ground. The initial attacks by Taishi Ci and Zhang Chao were met with fierce resistance, with both sides sustaining heavy casualties.
However, the introduction of an unfamiliar and terrifying weapon, Lie Fan's Hwachas, soon turned the tide. Under orders from their commanders, the Zhuque and Xuanwu armies unleashed volleys of fire arrows that lit up the sky like fiery comets.
These devastating barrages rained down on Ye's defenders, wreaking havoc on their formations. Soldiers on the walls screamed in agony as flames engulfed them, while others fled in panic, their morale crumbling under the relentless assault.
Despite this, the defenders of Ye clung to their resolve. Their commanders rallied them with cries of loyalty to Yuan Shao, urging them to protect their homes and families at all costs. For every soldier who fell, another took his place, reinforcing the city's determination to withstand the siege.
Just as the siege appeared to be taking its toll on Ye's defenders, a loud, rhythmic pounding of war drums echoed from the south. The sound grew louder and louder until Yan Liang emerged at the head of an army 150,000 strong. Among them were 50,000 newly conscripted militiamen from Henei, hastily recruited to bolster Yuan Shao's ranks.
Their arrival was like a beacon of hope for the beleaguered defenders of Ye, who erupted in cheers as they saw the familiar banners unfurling in the distance.
Yan Liang's presence immediately changed the dynamics of the battle. His army's approach forced Taishi Ci and Zhang Chao to make a critical decision. Continuing the siege under the threat of being flanked was untenable, so their respective strategists, Bu Zhi and Zang Hong, quickly advised them to abandon the siege temporarily and engage Yan Liang's forces head-on.
The Zhuque and Xuanwu armies repositioned themselves swiftly, forming defensive lines to meet the approaching army. Taishi Ci and Zhang Chao were no strangers to such maneuvers. They knew that maintaining discipline and cohesion among their troops was crucial against Yan Liang's forces.
The battlefield south of Ye soon became a chaotic scene of clashing steel and roaring battle cries. Yan Liang's troops charged with ferocious intensity, determined to break through the lines of their enemy and relieve the siege on Ye.
However, the Zhuque and Xuanwu armies were not so easily routed. Their training and superior equipment, bolstered by Lie Fan's innovative strategies, gave them a significant edge.
Taishi Ci, wielding his signature twin rod hammer, led the vanguard personally, putting down enemies with every swing. His imposing presence on the battlefield inspired his troops, who fought with renewed vigor. Meanwhile, Zhang Chao directed his forces with precision, using disciplined formations to counter Yan Liang's aggressive tactics.
As the battle raged on, Bu Zhi and Zang Hong saw an opportunity to turn the tide decisively in their favor. They ordered the deployment of Hwachas to the front lines. These deadly weapons, which had already sown fear and confusion among Ye's defenders, now targeted Yan Liang's advancing forces.
The sudden barrage of fire arrows caught Yan Liang's army off guard. Columns of men were incinerated or scattered in panic as the flaming projectiles rained down upon them. The militiamen, inexperienced and poorly equipped, were especially vulnerable to the Hwachas' devastation. Entire units broke ranks and fled, their morale shattered by the terrifying spectacle.
Despite the chaos, Yan Liang refused to back down. He rallied his remaining forces and launched a desperate counterattack, hoping to buy time for Ye's defenders to regroup. His bravery on the battlefield was undeniable, but it was not enough to turn the tide. The Zhuque and Xuanwu armies, buoyed by their technological advantage and superior coordination, gradually gained the upper hand.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 32 (199 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0
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