Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After returning to the camp, the generals congratulated Wei Yan. Yang Feng said, "General, you are very clever. You saw through Wen Chou's trick and made him lose more than he gained!"

Wei Yan smiled faintly and said, "Everyone has worked hard. This is the result of everyone's concerted efforts. However, Wen Chou will definitely not give up. We must not let our guard down and must strengthen our defenses."

Sui Gu nodded and said, "General, you are right. Wen Chou has suffered a loss this time, and he will definitely come up with a more vicious plan next time. We must always be vigilant."

Wen Chou led the remnants of his army back to the main camp, feeling angry and annoyed. Seeing his dismal demeanor, Guo Tu hurried forward to inquire about the battle situation. Wen Chou recounted the events in detail, concluding with a bitter remark, "I didn't expect Wei Yan to be so cunning. He fell for my trick!"

Guo Tu frowned slightly, and after a moment's contemplation, he said, "General Wen, the Xiliang army has joined forces with Cao's army, greatly increasing their strength. A frontal attack will probably be difficult to win. In my opinion, we can send troops to raid their food and fodder, cutting off their supply. This will cause the enemy to become disorganized, and we can seize the opportunity to defeat them."

Wen Chou's eyes lit up, and he said, "Mr. Guo, this is a brilliant plan! However, the Cao army and the Xiliang army will surely be guarding their food supplies tightly. If we want to launch a successful surprise attack, we need to plan carefully."

Guo Tu nodded and said, "General, you are absolutely right. The most urgent task is to send spies to find out the location of their food and fodder storage and their defenses, and then formulate a detailed surprise attack plan."

Wen Chou immediately said, "Very well, I will do as you say. I will send someone to gather information. Please be very careful and do not alert the enemy."

A few days later, the spies returned one after another, reporting their findings in detail. It turned out that the Xiliang army's rations were stored in a valley ten miles from the camp, guarded by Yang Feng and Sun Qing, and surrounded by numerous traps and sentries. Meanwhile, Cao Cao's rations were stored within Hangu Pass, guarded by Xiahou Dun's deputy general, Han Hao, and heavily guarded.

After listening to the spies' report, Guo Tu paced back and forth in the tent. After a moment's reflection, he said, "The valley where the Xiliang army's food supplies are located is complex. While the defenses appear tight, we can exploit the terrain and encircle them from the back mountain paths. Cao Cao's food supplies are located within Hangu Pass, making them difficult to attack by force. We can feint an attack on Hangu Pass to draw Cao Cao's attention, while secretly sending troops to raid the Xiliang army's food supplies. If we burn the Xiliang army's food supplies, Cao Cao's army will undoubtedly panic. Then, we can launch an all-out attack and surely defeat them."

Wen Chou was delighted and said, "Mr. Guo is truly resourceful! We'll do as you say. However, who should lead these two raiding forces?"

Guo Tu said, "General Wen can personally lead a group of elite troops to raid the Xiliang army's food supplies via the back mountain trail. General Zhang He is a skilled warrior and can lead a group of troops in a feint attack on Hangu Pass to draw Cao Cao's attention. As for Generals Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang, they can set up an ambush along the way to prevent reinforcements from the Xiliang army or Cao Cao."

Wen Chou nodded in agreement and immediately sent a message to Zhang He. He then summoned Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and explained Guo Tu's plan in detail. Everyone took the order and left to prepare.

For several days, the battlefield remained eerily quiet, Yuan Shao's army remaining motionless. Wei Yan and his fellow generals were filled with suspicion. Wei Yan frowned, worried, and said, "We're wasting our supplies, while the enemy remains silent. What's going on here?"

The generals all echoed this, their faces showing worry: "Yes, General, the enemy has been so quiet these past few days, it's really puzzling."

Wei Yan pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "We won't move unless the enemy moves. We need to minimize unnecessary casualties. After all, we only have 40,000 soldiers. Our main goal is to lift the siege of Hangu Pass, not to fight them to the death. Let's continue to fight. Everyone must strengthen their defenses and not slack off in the slightest."

However, the peace was short-lived. Guo Tu's carefully planned strategy began to unfold. Wen Chou personally led an elite force, advancing fiercely towards Hangu Pass. Instantly, shouts of battle resonated throughout the air. Wen Chou, spear in hand, commanded his soldiers, using ladders to charge the city. At Hangu Pass, the brothers Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan personally supervised the battle. Relying on the fortified pass, Cao Cao's army put up a desperate resistance, and the two sides reached a stalemate.

Wei Yan, in his camp, heard deafening cries of battle emanating from Hangu Pass and immediately ascended the watchtower to investigate. He saw raging battles at Hangu Pass, with Yuan Shao's army advancing fiercely. Wei Yan didn't perceive this as a decoy tactic, but rather felt that this was the perfect opportunity to leverage the power of the Western Liang cavalry and attack Yuan Shao's rear while the siege was underway, promising success.

Wei Yan acted decisively, waving his hand and bellowing the command: "Call out ten thousand Western Liang cavalrymen, follow me!" With Wei Yan's command, the ten thousand Western Liang cavalrymen charged like lightning towards Wen Chou's rear. The galloping horses, the dust rising in the air, threw Yuan Shao's army into disarray wherever they passed. Wen Chou had not anticipated Wei Yan's sudden attack, and the rear was thrown into chaos. Seeing the Western Liang army's reinforcements, Cao Cao's army, emboldened, launched a counterattack. Helpless, Wen Chou hurriedly turned back to fend off the Western Liang cavalry.

The two sides engaged in a chaotic battle. The Xiliang cavalry, fierce and valiant, charged left and right through Wen Chou's army, unstoppable. Wen Chou's army was decimated, leaving their armor and weapons in ruins. Thousands of soldiers and horses instantly lay in a pool of blood. While Wei Yan and his cavalry were engaged in a fierce battle with Wen Chou, Guo Tu had already arranged for Zhang He to take advantage of the Xiliang camp's open defenses. He led a squadron of light cavalry, quietly circled around the rear mountain, and attacked the Xiliang army's food and fodder storage area.

Yang Feng, Sun Qing, and others guarding the grain pile discovered Zhang He's approaching army and quickly organized the Black Mountain Army to put up a desperate resistance. However, Zhang He's troops were elite and their force was fierce, making it difficult for the Black Mountain Army to resist. Soon, the grain pile caught fire, and the fire spread rapidly, driven by the wind.

When Yang Feng saw the food supplies on fire, he became extremely anxious and shouted, "Brothers, we must protect the food supplies at the risk of our lives and never let the enemy succeed!" Encouraged by Yang Feng and Sun Qing, the Black Mountain Army soldiers rushed towards the enemy regardless of their lives and engaged in a desperate battle with Zhang He's troops.

Despite the Black Mountain army's desperate efforts, the fierce fire continued to devour the food and fodder. Fortunately, Bai Rao led reinforcements and arrived in time. Together with the Black Mountain army, they fought hard and finally repelled Zhang He. However, even so, half of the food and fodder was burned, resulting in heavy losses.

While engaged in a fierce battle with Wen Chou at the front, Wei Yan learned of the burning forage, infuriated and enraged. However, with the battle raging, he suppressed his rage and steadied his position. After finally repelling Wen Chou's forces, Wei Yan quickly led his troops back to camp. Gazing at the still-smoking pile of charred forage, Wei Yan's expression was as solemn as steel. He knew that while he had inflicted a blow on Wen Chou's army, the loss of their forage had also put his own side in a dire situation.

Back in Yuan Shao's camp, Guo Tu frowned when he learned that while he had successfully burned some of the Xiliang army's food supplies, Wei Yan had disrupted the siege plan, resulting in the loss of many soldiers. Wen Chou, with a look of annoyance, said, "I didn't expect Wei Yan to play by the rules and charge at the critical moment, ruining my plan!"

Guo Tu said, "General Wen, don't worry. Although we didn't achieve all our goals this time, burning half of Xiliang's food supply is already a significant achievement. The Xiliang army's food supply has been damaged, and their morale is undoubtedly unstable. Without sufficient food and supplies, they will likely resort to a quick battle. Next, General Wen Chou should simply hold the camp tightly and be wary of a pincer attack from the Xiahou generals and Wei Yan at Hangu Pass. Also, notify General Zhang He and have him arrive as reinforcements at a critical moment. I predict that the Xiliang and Cao armies will be unable to hold back."

Wen Chou agreed and nodded quickly. He then summoned Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and gave them stern instructions, "You two must be fully prepared for defense and not slack off in the slightest. Keep a close eye on the enemy's movements and report any signs of trouble immediately. We'll wait here for them to take the bait."

Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang responded in unison: "We will follow the general's orders!" After that, the two of them hurried to arrange the defense.

Wen Chou quickly sent someone to inform Zhang He of the current plans and arrangements, and asked him to be on standby and ready to respond at any time.

In the Xiliang camp, Wei Yan sat solemnly with his fellow generals, discussing countermeasures. With their food supplies burned, the army only had enough to last a short while, a fact that worried everyone.

Yang Feng spoke first, his face filled with anxiety: "General, we only have half of our food left. What should we do? If we continue to waste our resources like this, we'll probably collapse without even a fight!"

Sun Qing also echoed, "Yes, General. The plan now is either to fight a quick battle or find a way to replenish food and grass, otherwise the morale of the army will be difficult to stabilize."

Wei Yan frowned, and after a moment's contemplation, he said, "A quick battle is not impossible, but Wen Chou will surely be prepared. Furthermore, if we attack rashly and fall into an enemy ambush, the consequences will be disastrous. As for replenishing food and fodder... Although there is Cao's food and fodder at Hangu Pass, it is limited, and there is no guarantee that it will not be intercepted by the enemy during transportation."

Sui Gu said, "General, the enemy has burned our food supplies. I bet they will think we are eager to attack. Why not take advantage of their tactic and pretend to be unable to hold back, luring them to attack while we set an ambush. Perhaps we can turn defeat into victory."

Wei Yan's eyes lit up, thinking this plan was somewhat feasible, but he still had some concerns: "Although this plan is brilliant, we must proceed with caution. Wen Chou is cunning and sly, and Guo Tu is full of schemes. We must consider everything carefully and not reveal any loopholes."

Bai Rao said, "General, we can first send a small force to challenge them, feigning a desire for battle to lure them out of the camp. At the same time, we can set up numerous ambushes along their likely routes. If they dare to pursue, they will be forfeit."

Wei Yan nodded slightly and said, "Okay, let's do it. But before that, we must first stabilize the morale of the troops and inform the soldiers that we have a plan to deal with it. They must not panic."

All the generals took orders and went about their preparations. Wei Yan, in his tent, carefully considered every detail, hoping to seize this opportunity to reverse the current unfavorable situation.

Meanwhile, inside Hangu Pass, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan also learned of the burning of the Xiliang army's food supplies. Xiahou Dun's face was grim as he addressed Xiahou Yuan, "Miaocai, the Xiliang army's food supplies are damaged. The situation is unfavorable to us. We must work closely with Wei Yan to find a solution."

Xiahou Yuan nodded and said, "Brother, I think we should unite with the Xiliang army and take the initiative to attack. While the enemy thinks we are panicking, we can catch them off guard."

Xiahou Dun said, "How can we cooperate? Wen Chou's 10-strong army is blocking the road, and we can't communicate."

Xiahou Yuan said, "Brother, in this situation, we can only rely on tacit understanding with Wei Yan. Wei Yan's army is short of food and grass, and will inevitably fight with Wen Chou's army. We just need to wait for them to clash, seize the opportunity, and attack from both sides, catching Wen Chou off guard."