Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

As time ticked by, the hour of Yin passed midway through the night. Suddenly, a dull rumble echoed from the earth, as if a sleeping beast in the distance were awakening. Zhang Liao and Xu Huang exchanged a glance, their voices synced, and they exclaimed in unison, "Here they come!"

By this time, they had already led their soldiers in constructing simple fortifications. Ahead, densely packed rows of chevaux de frise stood like sharp fangs, blocking the enemy's advance. Behind them, layers of crossbowmen stood in formation, their bows fully drawn, arrows on the strings, poised to be released. Further back, behind the crossbowmen, lay the fearsome Western Liang cavalry, mounted on majestic warhorses, their expressions stern, awaiting the command to charge at the enemy like tigers descending from the mountains.

As the roar grew louder, the Xiongnu cavalry gradually appeared on the distant horizon like black dots, becoming clearer and clearer. They surged towards the Han army's defenses like a black torrent, and the sound of their horses' hooves shook the earth.

Seeing this, Zhang Liao suddenly shouted, "Archers, get ready, pull the strings!" The soldiers quickly pulled the bowstrings to full length, their eyes fixed on the approaching Xiongnu cavalry, and the air was filled with tension.

As the first group of Xiongnu cavalry entered effective range, Zhang Liao shouted without hesitation, "Release!" Instantly, countless arrows rained down upon the Xiongnu cavalry. The Xiongnu cavalry, charging at full speed, were caught off guard and fell to the ground, utterly screaming. For a moment, men and horses fell, blood splattered, and the frontline Xiongnu cavalry was thrown into a moment of chaos.

However, Huochequan roared loudly during the charge: "My men, now these Han dogs are blocking our way home. Only by breaking through them can we return to the embrace of the grassland! Charge!" Under his encouragement, the Xiongnu soldiers not only did not slow down, but accelerated their charge even more frantically. There was a crazy light in their eyes, as if they had put life and death aside.

The Han archers were undaunted and methodically launched three rounds of projectiles, each of which inflicted heavy casualties on the Xiongnu cavalry. However, the Xiongnu, relying on their numerical superiority and frenzied momentum, continued to charge forward recklessly.

Seeing the Xiongnu cavalry approaching the chevaux de frise, Zhang Liao decisively shouted, "Crossbowmen, stand back! Xiliang cavalry, prepare!" The archers quickly obeyed, retreating to both sides to clear the central passage. As the Xiongnu cavalry charged the chevaux de frise, they encountered stiff resistance. Their horses were tripped, and their riders fell, suffering countless casualties. After finally overcoming the chevaux de frise, they found themselves faced with pits that trapped horses. The Xiongnu could only use their lives to fill these traps that blocked their advance.

By this time, the crossbowmen had successfully withdrawn. Zhang Liao, leading the Western Liang cavalry, shouted, "Charge!" In an instant, the Western Liang cavalry, like a sharp blade, launched a fierce charge towards the Xiongnu cavalry. The two sides instantly engaged in a fierce battle, and the sounds of shouting, screams, and neighing horses intertwined and resounded throughout the night sky.

On this fierce battlefield, swords flashed and blood splattered. The Xiongnu cavalry, relying on their fierce fighting style and strong will to survive, engaged in a desperate struggle with the Xiliang cavalry. Meanwhile, the Xiliang cavalry, relying on their superb riding skills, excellent equipment, and strict discipline, engaged the Xiongnu in a head-to-head contest.

Huochequan brandished his long sword, charging left and right, trying to lead the Xiongnu to break through. He saw Zhang Liao commanding the Xiliang cavalry in battle, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. He thought to himself, "If we kill this general, the Han army will be in chaos!" So, he rushed towards Zhang Liao without hesitation.

Seeing Huochequan charging towards the commanding Han general Zhang Liao, Midang also shouted loudly, swung his long sword to split the intercepting Western Liang cavalry to the left and right, and rushed towards Huochequan with all his might. After meeting up with Huochequan, they charged towards Zhang Liao together.

Huochuquan and Midang were renowned warriors across the grasslands. Otherwise, why would Kebi Neng not seize the opportunity to annex them during their defeat, instead taking them under his wing? It was precisely because of their unparalleled bravery that Kebi Neng retained them under his command. At this moment, the two generals reasoned that, with their own valor, if they could slay the Han general Zhang Liao, the enemy would be thrown into disarray, allowing them to break free.

Zhang Liao saw their intentions clearly, but showed no fear. He thrust his broadsword forward and charged at the two. As the saying goes, an expert knows a man's strength from the first blow. As soon as the three engaged, Huochuquan and Midang, one on each side, quickly surrounded Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao felt his broadsword slam into the other's weapons, and the immense force nearly made it impossible for him to hold his weapon.

But this was a crucial moment in a desperate fight, and Zhang Liao knew he couldn't afford to show any fear. He shouted, his voice resounding like thunder, instantly rallying his spirits and focusing intently on fighting the two generals. Blades flashed, and the three figures moved swiftly across the battlefield. Every time their weapons clashed, dazzling sparks flew, accompanied by a resounding, crisp clash.

Not far away, Xu Huang was engaged in a furious slaughter, his axe whirling and swishing, sending the Xiongnu cavalry before him reeling. Looking up, he suddenly caught sight of Zhang Liao, locked in a fierce, single-handed battle with Huo Qubing and Midang, clearly struggling. Bloodshot flashed through Xu Huang's eyes, his eyes wide with rage, and he let out a thunderous cry, "Enemy general, stop your arrogance! Your grandfather, Xu Huang, is here!" Before he'd finished his words, he swung his axe like a madman, splitting the Xiongnu cavalry blocking his path and charging towards Zhang Liao and his men.

Xu Huang, like a tiger charging into a flock of sheep, quickly reached Mi Dang and, with a single swing of his axe, struck him. Seeing this, Mi Dang abandoned his assault on Zhang Liao and turned to face Xu Huang. Zhang Liao's pressure was instantly relieved, and he roared, "Thief, give me your life!" He then raised his sword and engaged Huochequan in another fierce duel.

On the battlefield, four generals clashed head-on, swords and axes flashing, sparks flying. Zhang Liao and Huo Qubing, Xu Huang and Mi Dang, each refusing to yield. After forty or fifty rounds, the battle remained undecided. By this time, the sky was gradually brightening, and the faint light of dawn cast a shadow across the bloody battlefield, stretching the shadows of the soldiers on both sides.

Despite their desperate charge, the Xiongnu cavalry were unable to break through the Han defenses and were held in place. The two sides were locked in a stalemate, the battle reaching a stalemate. The Xiongnu were desperate to break out and return to the grasslands, while the Han army, determined to annihilate the Xiongnu, held their line with all their might.

Mi Dang anxiously gazed toward the horizon. Dawn had broken, but the Han general across from him remained as imposing as a towering mountain, unshakeable. Amidst the fierce fighting, he finally found a break and shouted to Huo Qubing, "Great Khan, this Han general is incredibly brave. We can't take him down anytime soon. Why don't we retreat and find another way out? If we delay any longer, once daybreak arrives and those Han pursuers arrive, we'll be stuck!"

Huochequan was desperately trying to fend off Zhang Liao's ferocious onslaught. His sword danced with impenetrable force, yet it seemed a bit strenuous. He gritted his teeth and replied, "Where to run? We're surrounded by enemies on all sides. Where else can we go?"

Mi Dang's face was filled with anxiety, and he almost cried out in tears: "Khan, let's retreat first! We really can't break out!"

Although Huochuquan was extremely unwilling, he took a look at the situation and realized that what Mi Dang said was true. He gritted his teeth and finally ordered: "Pass the order, retreat!" The Xiongnu saw that it was dawn and there was no hope of breaking out, so they had already decided to retreat. Now that the Khan had given the order to retreat, they withdrew one after another.

Zhang Liao and Xu Huang were locked in a fierce battle with Huochuquan and Mi Dang. How could they easily let them succeed? Zhang Liao's broadsword was like a dragon emerging from the sea, his moves fierce and swift, each strike aimed directly at Huochuquan's vital points; Xu Huang's axe was even more powerful, forcing Mi Dang to retreat. The two fought fiercely with Huochuquan and Mi Dang, determined to hold them back.

However, desperate to survive, Huo Qubing and Mi Dang exchanged a glance and simultaneously made a bold decision. They seized the opportunity between Zhang Liao and Xu Huang's attacks, risking injury and each taking a blow. Zhang Liao's broadsword slashed Huo Qubing's shoulder, causing blood to ooze out and stain his clothes red. Mi Dang, unable to dodge Xu Huang's axe, was struck on the arm, leaving him pale with pain.

But the two ignored their injuries and took advantage of the moment when Zhang Liao and Xu Huang's moves were exhausted and there was an opening, they turned their horses around and fled back desperately. Although they were injured, they relied on their tenacious desire to survive and successfully escaped from the battle circle despite their injuries.

Xu Huang watched Huochequan and Midang fleeing despite their injuries, and he was so furious that he would not give up. He squeezed his horse's belly without hesitation and was about to urge it to chase, vowing to capture these two fierce Xiongnu generals.

At that moment, Zhang Liao hurriedly reached out to stop Xu Huang, his expression grave. "Gongming, don't pursue a desperate enemy. The Xiongnu are trapped like a turtle in a jar, unable to escape. The general and his army are rapidly approaching. We should advance steadily, link up with the general's main force, and form a closed encirclement. In this way, we will surely capture the Xiongnu in one fell swoop. If we pursue them rashly, we may fall into their trap, fall into danger, and ultimately fail to achieve our goal."

Xu Huang, though unwilling to accept Zhang Liao's words, knew Zhang Liao was right. He gritted his teeth, suppressed his anger, and slowly reined in the reins, watching Huochuquan and Midang gradually retreat into the distance under the cover of the Xiongnu cavalry.

"Hmph, these two bandits got away with it!" Xu Huang said bitterly, while tightening his grip on the axe in his hand, as if the axe blade could feel his anger.

Zhang Liao patted Xu Huang on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Gongming. They can't escape. Let's quickly reorganize our troops and advance steadily according to our plan. Once we reunite with you, it will be the end of the Xiongnu."

Zhang Liao and Xu Huang quickly ordered their soldiers to reorganize their ranks, re-arrange their battle formation, and advance steadily in the direction of the Xiongnu's retreat with a disciplined military presence. The soldiers marched with a firm step, their morale high, their weapons gleaming coldly in the morning light.

On the Xiongnu side, although Huochuquan and Midang managed to escape, they were also seriously injured and in a miserable state. Huochuquan galloped away, looking back at the Han army chasing him, his eyes full of resentment and anger.