Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

In Yuan Shao's camp, "My lord, Chenliu City will be captured soon!" said his counselor Guo Tu with a flattering face.

Yuan Shao nodded slightly, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. He said, "That scoundrel Cao Cao is so delusional that he thinks he can stop the advance of my army with just a solitary city. He's really overestimating his own capabilities. When I capture Chenliu, I'll make sure he learns the consequences of being an enemy of me, Yuan Shao!"

After saying this, Yuan Shao turned to the messenger and ordered, "Pass the word down. Reward the troops today. Kill some pigs and sheep, and give them a good meal to boost morale. Tomorrow, we will attack Chenliu in one fell swoop!"

"Yes!" The messenger received the order and immediately ran away.

Soon, the Yuan army camp was bustling with activity. Soldiers gathered around, eating large chunks of meat and drinking large bowls of wine. The tents were filled with the aroma of barbecue and the soldiers' laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.

Generals Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and others also celebrated with the soldiers in the tent. Yan Liang raised his glass and said loudly, "Brothers, tomorrow we will capture Chenliu City and achieve great success. When that happens, the lord will surely reward you handsomely!"

"Capture Chenliu! Capture Chenliu!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their morale greatly boosted.

Wen Chou also smiled and said, "Even if Cai Yang and Wei Yan had three heads and six arms, they can't stop our army's attack. Tomorrow, I will personally take their heads off!"

Everyone burst into laughter again, raised their glasses and drank, full of confidence for tomorrow's siege.

Meanwhile, inside Chenliu City, Cai Yang and Wei Yan watched the bustling scene at the Yuan army camp outside the city, realizing that the enemy was gathering strength for a final assault. Cai Yang solemnly addressed Wei Yan, "General Wei, it appears Yuan Shao is ready to launch his final offensive. We don't have much time left."

Wei Yan clenched his sword tightly, his eyes determined as he spoke: "General Cai, life and death are determined by fate. Now that we have come to this, we must fight to the death and show Yuan Shao that we are not to be trifled with!"

Cai Yang nodded, turned around and said to the soldiers beside him: "Pass my order, all soldiers, prepare to meet the final blow of Yuan's army. The city survives as long as the people are there, and the city is destroyed and the people are dead!"

The soldiers obeyed the order one after another, their eyes revealing their determination to face death head-on. A tragic and heroic atmosphere permeated the city of Chenliu.

The next morning, the sun rose, its rays shone upon the tents of Yuan Shao's army, illuminating a vibrant scene. After a hearty feast the previous day, Yuan's soldiers were in high spirits, their morale high, as if they were filled with endless energy.

Yuan Shao, clad in magnificent armor and mounted on his towering Red Hare, stood majestically at the front of the battle. With eagle-like eyes, he fixed his gaze on Chenliu City. With a wave of his hand, he barked the command, "Attack! We must capture Chenliu today!"

At Yuan Shao's command, the Yuan army rushed towards Chenliu City like a tiger descending from a mountain. War drums beat, shouts of killing shook the heavens, and the Yuan army's attack was more fierce than ever before.

The siege vehicles, like gigantic monsters, were driven by the soldiers' might, slowly advancing towards the city gates. Every impact made the earth tremble. Archers formed neat rows, firing a volley of arrows at the top of the city walls like a torrential rain, overwhelming the Cao army soldiers.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou each led a team of elite soldiers, carrying ladders and charging towards the city wall like a gust of wind. They led the charge, shouting encouragement to the soldiers to charge forward. Like a tide, Yuan's soldiers surged towards the city wall, desperately climbing the ladders.

On the city walls, Cai Yang and Wei Yan led the few remaining Cao troops in a desperate resistance. Cai Yang brandished his long sword, leading the charge. Each blow carried immense force, cutting down the Yuan soldiers approaching the city walls. His eyes revealed a resolute determination as he shouted, "Brothers, defend Chenliu to the death! For Cao Gong, for our homeland!"

Wei Yan led the Western Liang cavalry, galloping back and forth on the city walls, his broadswords brandishing with impenetrable force. Wherever the cold light flashed, Yuan soldiers screamed and fell. However, facing the Yuan army's wave after wave of attacks, Cao's army gradually became exhausted, and casualties continued to mount.

At that moment, Cai Yang caught a glimpse of his nephew, Qin Qi, from the corner of his eye. Qin Qi was struggling to fend off the Yuan army climbing onto the city walls, but was accidentally attacked from the side by a Yuan soldier, who thrust a spear into his back. Qin Qi grunted, dropped his weapon, and slowly fell forward, plummeting from the city wall.

"Qin Qi!" Cai Yang roared heartbreakingly, his eyes filled with endless rage and heartache. He recklessly rushed towards Qin Qi's fall, wielding his long sword wildly, cutting down every Yuan soldier who tried to stop him. At this moment, Cai Yang was like an enraged beast, completely disregarding his own safety.

By the time he finally fought his way through and reached the spot where Qin Qi had fallen, Qin Qi was already dead. Cai Yang slowly crouched down and gently closed Qin Qi's wide-open eyes. Tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his blood-stained cheeks. He gritted his teeth and said, "Yuan Jun, I will kill you!"

Cai Yang slowly stood up and turned to find Wei Yan. His eyes, now filled with anger and a resolute determination to face death, clutched Wei Yan's arm tightly and said, "General Wei, Qin Qi is dead. I'm determined to die with this city of Chenliu! But you're different. You're incredibly brave, and the Xiliang cavalry are incredibly elite. Lead them through the encirclement and find Cao Gong. As long as there's life, there's hope!"

Wei Yan's eyes were red as he shook his head and said, "General Cai, how can I abandon you? If you want to die, I will die with you!"

Cai Yang firmly grasped Wei Yan's hand and shouted, "General Wei, do not act rashly! You are a guest soldier, and Cao Cao's great cause is yet to be accomplished. He needs a brave general like you to support him. Chenliu City is no longer defensible. If you can break out, you can avenge us in the future!"

Wei Yan was filled with grief, but he knew Cai Yang was right. He gritted his teeth and said, "General Cai, don't worry! I will live up to your trust!"

Cai Yang nodded with satisfaction, turned around and rushed towards the enemy camp again, shouting: "Brothers, kill!"

Wei Yan looked at Cai Yang's back, his eyes filled with respect and reluctance. He then mounted his horse, brandished his broadsword, and shouted to the Xiliang cavalry, "Brothers, follow me and break through the encirclement!"

Under Cai Yang's desperate protection, Wei Yan led the few remaining Xiliang cavalrymen towards a weakly defended section of Yuan's city wall. Wei Yan led the charge, wielding his broadsword left and right. Wherever he went, Yuan soldiers retreated. The Xiliang cavalrymen followed closely behind, like a sharp blade, forcing a bloody path through Yuan's encirclement.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Shao hurriedly ordered a pursuit. However, Wei Yan and his men were skilled riders and incredibly brave, making it difficult for Yuan's pursuers to catch up. Wei Yan, leading the remnants of his troops, raced towards Cao Cao, the dust he raised gradually dissipating behind him. Chenliu City ultimately fell to Yuan Shao. Cai Yang, wounded multiple times in the chaos, died a heroic death, his image forever etched on this blood-soaked land.

Cao Cao had been traveling tirelessly these past few days, desperately trying to get by. His physical condition hadn't improved despite the travel, and his headaches were still a constant presence, but even so, he never paused. After all, leaving Cai Yang in Chenliu would undoubtedly have meant exposing him to danger, practically committing suicide. Yet, the current situation forced Cao Cao to make this difficult decision.

As the army neared the borders of Chenliu, Cao Cao knew that knowing nothing about the situation in Xudu, a rash advance would be too dangerous. So, he dispatched his most astute scouts to Xudu ahead to gather information. The army remained stationed, and Cao Cao waited anxiously in his tent, his heart filled with worry.

Just as Cao Cao was apprehensive, he saw the scout galloping back. At the same time, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Yu Jin, and other generals also appeared. During this difficult period of escape, the military had relaxed its strict rules. Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and the others galloped all the way, hastily stopping outside the military tent and shouting in unison, "Lord, my lord!"

Cao Cao, already distraught from a tormenting headache, heard these urgent calls in a trance. He abruptly sat up from his couch, not even taking the time to straighten his clothes before hurriedly exiting the tent. He saw Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Yu Jin, Le Jin, and Li Dian kneeling in front of the tent, their faces etched with guilt. Cao Cao's heart sank, and he had already guessed something.

Cao Ren spoke first, his voice tinged with self-blame and sorrow: "My lord, we are useless. Xudu has fallen!" Cao Cao looked at the generals who had served him for so many years, feeling a mixture of emotions. He hurried forward, helped them up one by one, and said, "Generals, please rise quickly. These are difficult times. I am so happy to see you return safely. My illness seems to have eased a little. Rise quickly and follow me into the tent for a chat."

When Guo Jia, Xun You, Cheng Yu and others heard that Cao Ren and other generals had returned, they put down their work and hurried over.

The atmosphere in the tent was oppressive and suffocating, as if an invisible boulder weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. Cheng Yu was the first to break the silence, looking at Cao Ren and Yu Jin and asking, "General Cao Ren and General Yu Jin, why are your two armies gathered together?"

At these words, the generals were startled, and they all knelt before Cao Cao with a plop. Seeing this, Cao Cao sighed softly and said, "Ah, the fact that they have been able to unite is sufficient to prove that Xudu has fallen completely into the hands of the enemy. Why dwell on this? Tell me, what has been the situation since you sent out the troops?" As he spoke, Cao Cao helped everyone up one by one.

The generals all lowered their heads with solemn expressions. No one spoke for a moment. Cao Cao fixed his gaze on Cao Ren and said, "Zixiao, you go first."

Cao Ren took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Cao Hong and I led the troops to Yingchuan. Unexpectedly, Yingchuan was attacked by General Wen Pin and the three Liu Bei brothers sent by Liu Biao of Jingzhou. We fought with them, and although we won and lost, if we had defended the city, we could have held on for a while. However, there were obviously wise men in Liu Bei's camp, and they had all kinds of clever tricks, which were really hard to guard against. We were no match for them. In addition, the brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were too ferocious in martial arts. Every time we clashed, our army suffered heavy casualties. We were really unable to resist!" Cao Ren said, his face full of helplessness and self-blame.

Cao Cao frowned slightly, lost in thought. Liu Bei was already not to be underestimated, and now with Liu Biao's help and the counsel of wise men, the situation was indeed dire.