章 450: 435. Three Different Scenery
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In the days that followed, Lie Fan's forces across the region prepared for the next phase of their campaign. The Qilin, Zhuque, and Qinglong Armies all focused on rest, resupply, and reinforcement while the Baihu Army focused on taking Jibei. The coordinated assault on Puyang, Chenliu, and Wan was meticulously planned, with each head general and advisors understanding the crucial role they would play.
After several days of battle, Dian Wei and Chen Deng alongside the Baihu Army finally managed to breakthrough the line of defense that the Jibei defense army organized, allowing them to break open Jibei's gate.
As the Baihu Army surged through the broken gates of Jibei, the once formidable defenses crumbled under their relentless assault. Dian Wei led the charge, his imposing figure cutting a swath through the defenders. Chen Deng directed the troops with strategic precision, ensuring that their advance was methodical and efficient.
After two hours of intense combat, the resistance within Jibei began to falter. The streets were filled with
the clash of steel and the shouts of soldiers, but the Baihu Army's discipline and coordination proved
overwhelming. Finally, the last pockets of resistance were subdued, and the town was pacified.
Dian Wei, accompanied by Chen Deng and several units, approached the Governor's Castle. The massive doors, once a symbol of Jibei's power, now stood vulnerable before them. Dian Wei smashed through the doors with brute force, and the Baihu Army poured into the castle.
Inside, the Governor of Jibei and his loyalists had made their final stand. They were heavily outnumbered but fought with the desperation of men
with nothing left to lose. Dian Wei's might and Chen Deng's tactical acumen soon overwhelmed the
defenders.
The Governor, a man of stern resolve, stood defiant even as his forces were cut down around
him. Chen Deng stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "Governor, your resistance is futile.
Surrender now, and your lives may be spared."
The Governor, bloodied but unbowed, spat on the ground. "I would rather die than see Jibei fall
into the hands of traitors." Dian Wei's eyes flashed with anger, but Chen Deng held up a hand to stay him. "Very well," Chen Deng said, his voice icy. "You have chosen your fate."
With a swift command, the remaining loyalists were surrounded and disarmed. Their refusal to surrender sealed their fate, and Chen Deng ordered their execution. The Governor and his men met their end with grim determination, their defiance a final testament to their loyalty to Cao Cao.
As the executions were carried out, Dian Wei and Chen Deng took a moment to survey the castle. The
battle for Jibei had been fierce, but their victory was decisive. The Baihu Army had secured a crucial foothold in the region, and the stage was set
for the next phase of their campaign.
Chen Deng turned to Dian Wei. "We must fortify our positions and prepare for the next step. We also need to send word to Lord Lie Fan of our success." Dian Wei nodded. "Agreed. We'll make sure Jibei is secure and ready for the next move."
As the Baihu Army began to consolidate its hold on Jibei, messages were dispatched to inform Lie Fan and the other generals of their victory. The successful capture of Jibei was a significant step forward in their
campaign, and it bolstered the morale of their forces across the region.
The coordinated assault on Puyang, Chenliu, and Wan loomed on the horizon, and the Baihu Army's triumph in Jibei was a crucial component of their overarching
strategy. With each victory, Lie Fan's forces grew stronger and more confident, to face the next challenge that lay ahead.
Messages flew back and forth, confirming the readiness of all units. The Qilin Army, alongside the other armies, made their final preparations, ensuring that supplies were stocked, strategies were refined, and morale was high.
In Xuchang, the atmosphere was tense. Cao Cao and his advisors, ever watchful of the evolving situation, had been eagerly anticipating reinforcements. When word came that Cao Ren, Jia Kui, Xu Huang, and Zhang Ji had returned with their armies, a palpable sense of relief swept through Cao Cao's court.
Cao Cao stood at the gates of Xuchang, flanked by Xun Yu and Guo Jia, as Jia Kui and the generals approached. Cao Ren, leading the group, saluted Cao Cao. "My lord, we have returned as swiftly as possible. Our forces stand ready to do whatever you order us to do!"
Cao Cao nodded, his expression a mix of gratitude and resolve. "Your timely arrival is most welcome, Cousin. The situation is dire right now, but your arrival added more strength to our defenses, and we can slowly turn the tide."
Jia Kui to the left of Cao Ren stepped forward. "We have received reports of Lie Fan's advances, My Lord. His strategy is aggressive and effective. We must counter with equal fervor in terms of the aggressiveness they had shown."
Xu Huang, who was always looking at things pragmatically, added, "My Lord, please send me and my men to bolster our defenses. The enemy is formidable, but we can outlast them if we play our cards right."
Zhang Ji, on the other hand, cupped his hand toward Cao Cao. "My Lord this is the first time we met, I'm Zhang Ji and I'm sure My Lord has known who I am. If I may suggest, we also should defend Xuchang to the extreme since from the way Lie Fan advances, it looks like Xuchang will be surrounded soon in the Central Plains."
Cao Cao nodded his head hearing what all of them said, greeted Zhang Ji, and then turned to Jia Kui, Xun Yu, and Guo Jia. "Wenrou and Fengxiao begin coordinating with Liangdao for the placement of our newly arrived armies, to strengthen our defenses, and also prepare the supplies needed for each of the armies that had just arrived."
As Jia Kui, Xun Yu, and Guo Jia moved to carry out their orders, Cao Cao addressed the gathered generals. "I hear what you all said, we may have lost a lot of ground, but we have not lost the war. Each of you has proven your valor. Now, I want all of you to show that same valor and show Lie Fan that we could change the tide of this war!"
The generals nodded, their spirits burning due to Cao Cao's speech. With the arrival of reinforcements, the mood in Xuchang shifted from despair to determination. Plans were quickly set into motion to fortify Xuchang and prepare for the coming battles.
On the other hand, in Nanpi, the air was filled with the sounds of music and laughter, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere in Xuchang.
Yuan Shao's victory over Zhang Yan was a cause for grand celebration. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the streets were alive with festivities. The people of Nanpi rejoiced, believing that their lord's power was unassailable.
Inside Yuan Shao's grand hall, a lavish banquet was being held. Noblemen, generals, and scholars were gathered, their faces flushed due to excitement and wine. Yuan Shao, seated at the head of the table, looked over his guests with a satisfied smile.
"Today, we celebrate not just Zhang Yan's surrender, but I becoming the Overlord of Northern China!" Yuan Shao declared, raising his cup. "This is a toast to Zhang He and Gao Lan, whose bravery and wisdom brought us this victory."
A chorus of cheers followed, and Zhang He and Gao Lan rose to acknowledge the applause. Despite the praise, there was a lingering sense of unease in their hearts and it became a reality.
"But! Even though it was due to the two of them, without Yan Liang and Wen Chou's effort to take down Shangdang, their action to persuade Zhang Yan would never happen!" After drinking the wine in his cup, Yuan Shao continued his speech and this word immediately caused silence to befall the hall.
"So Yan Liang and Wen Chou would receive the highest reward in this campaign! Both Zhang He and Gao Lan would receive a reward one level below Yan Liang and When Chou! I hope they can use this chance to motivate themselves to do more!" Not noticing the somber atmosphere, Yuan Shao continued to talk and when he stopped it caused the hall to explode.
The murmurs and laughter of the nobles, who found humor in the unusual equal reward system could be heard from every corner, and this did not escape Zhang He and Gao Lan's notice who was shimmering with frustration and anger.
Zhang He exchanged a glance with Gao Lan, their shared frustration and anger were evident. They had fought valiantly and risked their lives, and yet, their achievements were being belittled.
Later, away from the prying eyes of the banquet hall, Zhang He and Gao Lan found a moment to speak privately in the corner of the hall, where no one would notice them.
"Can you believe this?" Zhang He said, his voice low but seething with anger. "Our efforts reduced to a mere jest among these nobles. We gave everything to ensure this victory, yet we are mocked."
Gao Lan nodded, his expression dark. "Yuan Shao's favoritism is clear. Yan Liang and Wen Chou will always be his preferred generals. Our contributions will never be truly recognized, and this only proves that our decision was correct."
Their resolve was strengthened even more with Yuan Shao's action. They had aligned with Zhang Yan and together planned to betray Yuan Shao, but out of loyalty to Yuan Shao they still somehow held a sliver of hope. But now, this treatment only reaffirmed that they were right to seek a different path.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shao continued to revel in his success, oblivious to the simmering discontent that Zhang He and Gao Lan had due to his decision. Yan Liang and Wen Chou could be seen drunk with happiness and wine, as Yuan Shao's favorite was still them.
As for Feng Ji and Guo Tu, they shared the same table as Shen Pei discussing plans on how to gain some rewards and favors with the drunk Yuan Shao, and how to increase their influence over Yuan Shao.
In a quiet corner of the hall, a lonely table was shared by two men Tian Feng and Xu You who were ostracized by the rest of Yuan Shao's court as usual, but due to the contributions made by Tian Feng, he was invited and decided to bring along Xu You so that he could have someone to talked two. Seeing how grand the banquet was, Tian Feng could only shake his head as he was sure now that Yuan Shao would not be the last man standing on the chessboard.
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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
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