Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Qiao County, a land Cao Cao painstakingly cultivated for years, held many of his hopes and foundations. Cao Cao always showed deep concern for the people of Qiao County, never slacking off in his care, regardless of his own rise or fall. This deep bond earned the people of Qiao County unwavering loyalty and unity, making it a stronghold for Cao Cao's power.

Yuan Yao personally led his army, advancing aggressively towards Qiao County, accompanied by the fierce general Ji Ling. The army was unstoppable wherever it went, and they quickly captured two or three cities in Qiao County. Standing atop a newly conquered city, Yuan Yao surveyed the remaining territory of Qiao County, his eyes gleaming with greed, as if the entire county was already under his control.

However, Cao Cao would not sit idly by and watch his base camp be invaded. Generals Yu Jin, Li Dian, and Le Jin quickly assembled their forces and rushed to rescue Qiao County. They understood the importance of Qiao County, and Cao Cao's long-standing kindness to them was immense. Protecting Qiao County was protecting Cao Cao's very foundation, and it was their unshirkable responsibility.

Upon their arrival, Yu Jin and his men immediately organized a defense. Standing atop the city wall, Yu Jin gazed upon the surging enemy troops below with a stern expression, shouting a rallying cry: "Brothers, Qiao County is our lord's lifeblood and our homeland. We must not allow the enemy to advance even a single step!" Li Dian and Le Jin also raised their arms and shouted, inspiring the Cao army's soldiers, moved by their heroic spirit and aspirations. Their morale soared, and they gripped their weapons tightly, ready to fight the enemy to the death.

Yuan Yao and Ji Ling, upon seeing Cao Cao's reinforcements arrive, ignored them and continued their frantic attacks. However, Yu Jin and his men, with their exceptional military prowess and tenacious fighting spirit, skillfully deployed defensive lines, repelling Yuan Yao and Ji Ling's attacks time and again. The two sides reached a stalemate, and the war entered a stalemate, with each day marked by fierce fighting and heavy casualties.

As the days passed, both sides were consuming more strength in this long confrontation.

As the stalemate dragged on, the sky over Qiao County seemed shrouded in a thick haze, the air thick with the scent of blood and gunpowder. Every inch of land bore witness to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers on both sides. The bodies piled up beneath the city walls, their blood staining the ground a dark red.

Yuan Yao grew increasingly anxious. He had assumed that taking Qiao County would be a piece of cake, but he hadn't anticipated the fierce resistance from Yu Jin and his men. He paced back and forth in his tent, his face etched with rage. He turned to Yan Xiang and said, "I didn't expect this tiny Qiao County to be so formidable! Yu Jin and his men are truly despicable!"

Yan Xiang, however, remained calm. He clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Cao's army may be tenacious, but we have the advantage in numbers. As long as we adjust our strategy, we will surely capture the city." Yuan Yao paused and asked eagerly, "What's your plan?" Yan Xiang pondered for a moment and said, "Cao's army excels at defense. We might as well feign a retreat, lure them out of the city, and then set an ambush to catch them off guard." Yuan Yao's eyes gleamed, and he nodded, "That's a very good plan. I'll do as you say."

So, the next morning, Yuan Yao ordered his army to feign a retreat. The soldiers in the tents began packing their belongings, pretending to leave and slowly moving backward. Yu Jin, watching this from the tower, became suspicious. He knew that Yuan Yao and Ji Ling were not the type to give up easily, and that this retreat must be a ruse. Turning to Li Dian and Le Jin, Yu Jin said, "You two, this retreat by Yuan's army is quite suspicious. We might be ambushed. We must not pursue them rashly."

Li Dian nodded in agreement and said, "Wen Ze is absolutely right. Yuan Yao is full of tricks. We must not fall into their trap." Le Jin couldn't help but said, "Wen Ze, maybe they are really exhausted and retreating. If we don't chase them now, when will we?" Yu Jin looked at Le Jin seriously and said, "Wen Qian, don't be impulsive. We are responsible for the important task of guarding Qiao County. We must not fall into the enemy's trap because of carelessness." Although Le Jin was unwilling, he still obeyed Yu Jin's orders.

Seeing that Cao's army hadn't left the city to pursue them, Yuan Yao grew increasingly anxious. He devised another plan: he sent a small group of troops to the city walls to shout insults, hoping to provoke Cao's army. This group of troops recklessly insulted Cao's soldiers, their language unbearable to the ear. Upon hearing this, Le Jin's face flushed with anger, and he pleaded again, "Wen Ze, these bandits are going too far. Let me lead the troops out of the city and teach them a lesson!" Yu Jin remained unmoved, saying, "Wen Qian, don't let them provoke you. This is just Yuan Yao's provocation. We just need to hold the city, and they'll find their weaknesses."

In this way, Yuan Yao's schemes failed again and again, and the two sides continued to stalemate. During this period of stalemate, both sides were constantly adjusting their deployments, replenishing their troops, and preparing for the possible next war.

On their way to Qiao County, Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu heard that the fighting there had reached a stalemate. Cao Ang, fully aware of Qiao County's importance, was extremely anxious and urged the Western Liang cavalry to accelerate their march. He said to Ma Yunlu, "Yunlu, Qiao County is where my father's roots lie. We must arrive as soon as possible to lend a helping hand to General Yu Jin and his men." Ma Yunlu nodded and said, "Yes, we will travel day and night and will surely arrive soon."

Finally, after several days of rapid marching, the 10,000 Xiliang cavalry led by Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu arrived at Qiao County. Yu Jin, standing on the city wall, saw the dust rising in the distance and realized that it was Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu's reinforcements. He was overjoyed and immediately ordered the city gates to be opened to welcome them.

After Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu entered the city, they reunited with Yu Jin, Li Dian, Le Jin, and others. Yu Jin gave Cao Ang a detailed report on the current battle situation. Cao Ang paused and said, "With Yuan Yao and Ji Ling held back by us, their morale must be low. We should seize this opportunity to launch a counterattack and reclaim lost territory." Ma Yunlu remarked, "I agree with Master Cao. The Western Liang cavalry excels at rapid raids and could deliver a fatal blow to Yuan's army by surprise."

After discussion, everyone decided to launch an immediate counterattack. Cao Ang, Yu Jin, Li Dian, Le Jin, Ma Yunlu, and others formulated a meticulous battle plan, ready to catch Yuan Yao and Ji Ling off guard and completely reverse the situation in Qiao County. Meanwhile, Yuan Yao and Ji Ling were still racking their brains over how to break through Qiao County, completely unaware of the danger quietly approaching...

Cao Ang keenly sensed the opportunity and decisively decided to launch a proactive offensive to recapture the two or three cities previously occupied by Yuan Yao. He quickly met with Yu Jin and Le Jin, and after careful discussion, the three of them meticulously formulated a comprehensive battle plan. According to the plan, Yu Jin would personally lead a feint attack from the front, using deafening shouts and a fierce attack to draw the enemy's full attention. Le Jin would lead a select group of elite troops, like ghosts in the night, stealthily circling the enemy's rear, seeking to cut off their retreat and thwart any hope of escape. Finally, Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu would command ten thousand fierce Xiliang cavalrymen in a thunderous flank attack, delivering a devastating blow and instantly crumbling the enemy's defenses.

The battle horn suddenly blew, and Yu Jin, like a roaring tiger, led the Cao army forward, charging head-on into the enemy's path. The cries of killing echoed like thunder, resounding through the heavens. Seeing this, Yuan Yao and Ji Ling hurriedly assembled their forces to resist, and the two sides instantly engaged in a fierce and intense battle. For a moment, the sound of swords and spears clashing was incessant, blood splattered, and the cries of killing and screams intertwined like a tragic elegy.

At that moment, Le Jin's troops appeared behind the enemy lines like ghosts, unnoticed. With swift and agile skill, they ignited the enemy's tents. Instantly, a blazing fire shot up into the sky, blazing like a raging dragon, engulfing Yuan's camp. Yuan's army was thrown into chaos. Panic seized the soldiers, their once orderly formations instantly crumbling, and they fled in all directions, like ants on a hot pan, completely lost in thought.

Cao Ang and Ma Yunlu seized this opportune moment, leading the Western Liang cavalry to charge from the flank like a tiger descending a mountain. The clatter of their hooves resonated like rumbling thunder, shaking the earth. Cao Ang's spear danced like a dragon and snake, unstoppable, striking down several enemy commanders in quick succession. Wherever he passed, the enemy fell, blood splattering everywhere. Ma Yunlu, wielding his dual swords like lightning, charged left and right through the enemy lines, his movements as nimble as a flying swallow, terrorizing the enemy and forcing them to retreat. Under this three-pronged attack, Yuan Yao's army's defenses collapsed completely, and like a dam breached by a flood, they began to retreat.

Cao's army, buoyed by their victory, pursued them with unstoppable force, successfully recaptured two or three cities. Yuan Yao and Ji Ling, seeing the situation was hopeless, led their remaining troops in a desperate and disastrous escape. Cao Ang, unwilling to let this golden opportunity slip away, led his army in relentless pursuit.

During the pursuit, Cao Ang keenly spotted Ji Ling, who was desperately commanding the remnants of his army in a final stand. Despite being at a disadvantage and surrounded by enemies, Ji Ling remained incredibly brave, like a trapped lion. He wielded his gleaming, three-pointed, double-edged sword, each swing carrying immense force as he fiercely hacked at the advancing Cao troops, forcing them to retreat.

Cao Ang, fully aware of Ji Ling's extraordinary bravery, dared not underestimate him. He exchanged a knowing glance with Yu Jin and Le Jin, and the three of them, understanding each other's intentions, moved in unison, like three nimble cheetahs, to surround Ji Ling. Seeing the three men attacking in unison, Ji Ling showed no fear. Instead, he roared loudly, his voice resounding like a bell, brandished his three-pointed, double-edged sword, and resolutely engaged the three in a desperate battle.

In an instant, the flashes of swords and sabers gleamed like cold stars, and the cries of killing were deafening, as if to shake the very heavens and earth. Ji Ling fought the three with all his might, holding his own. His swordsmanship was fierce and brutal, each strike carrying the force of a tidal wave, forcing Cao Ang and the others to react cautiously, not daring to slack off. However, Cao Ang and the other two coordinated perfectly, as if they were one, launching a torrential attack from different directions, gradually wearing down Ji Ling's strength.

After a thrilling and intense fight, Ji Ling gradually began to feel exhausted. Beads of sweat streamed down his forehead, and his swordplay became choppy. Cao Ang, seizing this fleeting opportunity, roared a cry like ripping silk, thrusting his spear forward like a dragon emerging from the sea, piercing Ji Ling. Ji Ling frantically raised his sword to block the blow, but his strength was already exhausted, and he was powerless to repel the blow. With a thud, Cao Ang's spear pierced his arm. Ji Ling's three-pointed, double-edged sword fell to the ground with a resounding, desperate clang. Yu Jin and Le Jin seized the opportunity, pouncing like tigers on their prey, and successfully captured Ji Ling alive.