Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 52 Zhao Yun Battles Lü Bu, Righteous Cavalry Fights Against the Suspected Cavalry!

Now that Zhao Yun had recognized him, Cao Cao no longer concealed the truth and explained the whole story to him. Zhao Yun then suddenly realized what had happened and asked in surprise, "So, Young Master Gu has been kept in the dark all this time, unaware that his father-in-law is none other than the Minister of Works of the Han Dynasty?"

"Exactly." Cao Cao nodded slightly and instructed, "I hope Zilong will keep this secret for now and not tell my son-in-law." "I understand." Zhao Yun agreed, but then said, "But it's not a solution for Sikong to keep it a secret like this. Young Master Gu will find out sooner or later." "I have no choice. If he were willing to take up an official post, I wouldn't have to resort to this." Cao Cao sighed helplessly.

Zhao Yun also sighed, "Although Young Master Gu has the talent of a strategist, he really can't stand being restrained and only wants to live a carefree life. I can understand Sikong's difficulties."

Cao Cao sighed, "After this battle is over, I will have to find a way to get him out of here. Zilong, you have a good relationship with him, so I will need your help to subtly persuade him."

"Don't worry, Master Sikong!"

Zhao Yun cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Whether Young Master Gu comes out of seclusion or not concerns the well-being of the people. I will do everything in my power to help the Minister of Works persuade him to come out of seclusion and assist him in pacifying the world as soon as possible!"

"Excellent, excellent!" Cao Cao was overjoyed and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Put this matter aside for now. I'm entrusting the training of the White Horse Cavalry and the handling of the Bingzhou cavalry to you!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Yun readily accepted the order.

A month later, all of Cao Cao's cavalry, including the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, were placed under Zhao Yun's command.

Zhao Yun selected eight hundred elite soldiers to form a new cavalry battalion, secretly training them using the methods employed by the White Horse Cavalry. During this month, Lü Bu became arrogant and overconfident, stationing his troops south of Pengcheng and constantly hurling insults and challenges. Cao Cao, however, remained patient, ignoring Lü Bu's insults and strictly ordering his troops not to engage in battle. Before they knew it, a month had passed.

Zhao Yun reported that the White Horse Cavalry had completed their training. Cao Cao immediately replied to Lü Bu: "The decisive battle will take place south of the city tomorrow afternoon!"

South of Pengcheng, Lü Jun's main camp.

Inside the large tent, the aroma of wine filled the air. Lü Bu was hosting a banquet, drinking and laughing with his generals.

"That coward Cao Cao, we've cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations, and he still hasn't gone to war. He's really good at enduring!"

Lu Bu sneered, his words and expression revealing no trace of sarcasm. Chen Gong then flattered him, saying, "Lord Wen's cavalry from Bing Province is invincible. Cao Cao is helpless against them; what can he do but cower in his shell?"

The generals in the tent all burst into laughter.

"Chen Gongtai, in your opinion, how long can Cao Cao hold out?" Lü Bu asked casually, sipping his wine. Chen Gong calculated for a moment and said, "Yuan Shao is about to capture Yijing, so Cao Cao must return to Xuchang in advance to prepare for the decisive battle with Yuan Shao. Therefore, he cannot afford to linger in Xuzhou. I estimate that he will definitely retreat within three months at most."

"Alright, then I'll wear him down for three months." Lü Bu chugs down a cup of wine. Chen Gong smiles and says, "Once Cao Cao leaves, Marquis Wen can take the opportunity to reclaim Pengxiaopei, conserve his strength, and watch Yuan and Cao decide their victory. Marquis Wen can then reap the benefits."

Hearing this grand plan, Lü Bu was filled with pride and couldn't help but burst into wild laughter. "Father, Commander!"

Lu Lingqi couldn't help but remind him, "Don't forget, there's still the hidden danger of Gu Cheng. We're afraid he might offer Cao Cao another ingenious plan. We should be careful."

When Gu Cheng was mentioned, Lü Bu's arrogance subsided slightly, and a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

"This Gu Cheng is indeed cunning and resourceful, but no matter how clever his schemes are, can he possibly defeat Wen Hou's Bingzhou cavalry?" Chen Gong retorted with a cold smile. Lü Lingqi was speechless.

Although she was wary of Gu Cheng, she also firmly believed that he was the legendary reclusive figure behind Cao Cao. However, she had to admit that Chen Gong's confidence was not unfounded. The Bingzhou cavalry was indeed not something that could be defeated by strategy alone.

A domineering glint flashed across Lü Bu's face as he coldly snorted, "I hope that brat hasn't run away by the time Cao Cao retreats. If he's willing to serve me when he falls into my hands, fine; if not, I'll make him wish he were dead!"

Lu Lingqi shivered, but for some reason, a sense of worry arose in her heart.

"That brat is disrespectful to Father Commander and refuses to come out of seclusion to assist him. If Father Commander wants to kill him, he deserves it. What do I have to worry about?"

Lu Lingqi secretly scoffed, forcibly dismissing the slight worry in her heart at that moment.

Song Xianxing stormed into the tent, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Marquis Wen, Cao Cao has sent a messenger agreeing to a decisive battle with our army south of the city tomorrow!" The tent immediately erupted in commotion. Lü Bu was overjoyed, laughing wildly, "Good! That traitor Cao has finally lost his temper and stopped being a coward! Excellent, truly excellent!" All of Lü Bu's generals were filled with fervor, clamoring to capture Cao Cao alive…

"Lord Wen, Cao Cao has been patient for a month. He knows the strength of my Bingzhou cavalry, yet he suddenly wants to fight. I wonder if there is a trap involved?"

Zhang Liao, however, possessed some strategic acumen and couldn't help but offer a reminder.

Lu Bu frowned and looked at Chen Gong: "Gongtai, what do you think of Wen Yuan's reminder?" Chen Gong stood up, paced around the hall, and remained silent in thought.

Back in Yanzhou, he had served as Cao Cao's advisor, and he knew all too well how cunning Cao Cao was. Moreover, besides strategists like Guo Jia and Cheng Yu, Cao Cao also had an even more terrifying and extraordinary figure like Gu Cheng behind the scenes, who could offer Cao Cao advice at any time.

To say that he had no qualms whatsoever would be self-deception.

He racked his brains, considering all the possible methods Cao Cao might use to deal with the Bingzhou cavalry, but still couldn't come up with a solution.

He stopped abruptly. Chen Gong's face showed no more hesitation. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Wen, I can't imagine what other tricks Cao Cao could pull. Since he's so determined to be defeated, how can we not grant him his wish!"

"Good!" Lü Bu slammed his hand on the table and said arrogantly, "Pass down the order to let the soldiers eat and drink their fill, and capture Cao Cao alive for me tomorrow!" The order was given, and the whole army was invigorated.

The next day, at noon.

Seven thousand Lü soldiers marched out of their camp and arrayed themselves south of Pengcheng.

Zhang Liao, Song Xian, and others commanded the infantry, forming more than ten battle formations of varying sizes, arrayed in the center. Lü Bu personally led nine hundred Bingzhou cavalry, deployed on the flanks for easy attack. Afternoon passed.

The south gate of Pengcheng was wide open, and tens of thousands of Cao troops marched out of the city in an orderly fashion, forming ranks with their backs to the city walls.

The infantry was positioned in the center, with the cavalry arrayed on the flanks—a formation identical to that of Lü Bu's army. Cao Cao's gaze swept to the left flank and landed on Zhao Yun.

At this moment, this veteran general from Youzhou, leading his meticulously trained 800 White Horse Cavalry, was focused on preparing for battle. "Liheng, this Zhao Zilong you recommended to me won't disappoint me, will he?"

Cao Cao gripped his whip tightly, his brow furrowed with unwavering conviction. His generals, including Cao Ren, stood around him, sweating profusely, their hearts filled with apprehension. A few hundred paces away, the Lu army's formation was visible.

Lu Bu glanced at Cao Cao's army and sneered, "Cao Cao, the same troop formation, haven't you learned your lesson from last time?" Taking a deep breath, he raised his halberd and roared, "Bingzhou Iron Cavalry, follow me to break through the enemy formation and capture Cao Cao alive!" Nine hundred Bingzhou cavalrymen crashed through the enemy lines and surged towards Cao Cao's army.

The Bingzhou cavalry was dispatched.

The entire Cao army was on edge, gripping their weapons tightly. The scene of their previous defeat was still vivid in their minds. Now, facing the Bingzhou cavalry again, even the elite Cao soldiers couldn't help but feel lingering fear. "Zhao Zilong, it's up to you!" Cao Cao's eyes were stern as he cracked his whip and shouted, "Order the White Horse Cavalry to meet them!" The command flag in the center waved. Left flank.

Zhao Yun, having long prepared, felt his fighting spirit ignite at the sight of the signal flag waving. "Brothers, follow me, Zhao Yun, to meet the enemy!" "Where righteousness lies, we will follow each other to the death!" He brandished his silver spear and let out a long, resounding roar. "Where righteousness lies, we will follow each other to the death—" "Where righteousness lies, we will follow each other to the death—" Eight hundred loyal followers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and earth. Zhao Yun spurred his horse and charged forward. Eight hundred iron cavalrymen roared forward, following Zhao Yun and charging into battle. The two cavalry forces clashed head-on. A hundred paces away...

Seeing Cao Cao's cavalry move out, Lü Bu's face showed contempt, and he sneered, "Cao Cao, do you think your so-called Tiger and Leopard Cavalry can be a match for my Bingzhou Cavalry!"

With a flick of his halberd, his nine hundred elite cavalry instantly changed direction. Their original frontal charge formation transformed into an arc, about to sweep past Zhao Yun's cavalry. This formation wasn't for a direct assault, but rather a long-range attack using mounted archery. "Minister, Lü Bu is going to use mounted archery again!" Cao Ren whispered, a deep apprehension flashing in his eyes.

Cao Cao, however, cracked his whip and shouted sternly, "Don't panic, watch how Zilong handles this!" (At the front of the formation.)

Seeing Lü Bu's army change formation, Zhao Yun immediately brandished his silver spear and shouted, "Change formation! Draw your bows!" Upon receiving the order, Zhao Yun took the lead in turning his horse around.

Behind him, eight hundred loyal followers abruptly changed direction, simultaneously drawing their bows and aiming at the enemy troops opposite. The Cao army's loyal followers and the Bingzhou cavalry almost simultaneously formed an arc formation, preparing to launch a long-range attack with mounted archery.

As Cao Jun's elite troops changed formation, they drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming a fraction of a second before the enemy cavalry. "What?"

"Cao Cao's cavalry, they even use mounted archery?" A look of surprise flashed across Lü Bu's disdainful face. The next instant, arrows from the elite cavalry swarmed in like locusts. Lü Bu had no time to think, and shouted, "Fire!" The Bingzhou cavalry unleashed their arrows, hastily turning their horses to dodge the incoming barrage. The rain of arrows descended. "Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!" Blood splattered, and screams filled the air.

The two armies exchanged arrows, and a moment's hesitation could be fatal. The Bingzhou cavalry had no time to dodge, and in an instant, more than forty riders were pinned to the ground.

Zhao Yun's cavalry fired first, then spurred their horses to dodge the enemy's subsequent barrage of arrows; fewer than ten riders were hit.

In the first round of attacks, Cao Jun's troops clearly gained the upper hand.

A cheer immediately erupted from Cao Cao's army, and all the thousands of Cao Cao's soldiers were thrilled and overjoyed.

"Lord Sikong, Zhao Yun has actually gained the upper hand!" Cao Ren exclaimed excitedly.

Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief and laughed loudly, "Today we'll see how Zhao Zilong of Changshan will once again raise the name of the White Horse Cavalry!" The morale of Cao Cao's soldiers soared.

The Bingzhou cavalry had already suffered a setback in their fighting spirit and their will to fight had wavered.

Lu Bu turned to look at the loyal followers and exclaimed in surprise, "In less than a month, Cao Cao's cavalry have actually learned mounted archery tactics! How is that possible!"

An incredulous look flashed in his eyes. The tactics of mounted archery were not something that all cavalrymen in the world were proficient in. Only cavalrymen stationed on the frontier, who fought against the Hu people who were skilled in mounted archery year after year, could master the tactics of mounted archery.

Looking across the land, only the cavalry of Xiliang, Bingzhou, and Youyan possess this ability. And among the countless fierce generals in the world, those proficient in mounted archery are mostly military commanders from the border regions.

Lu Bu vaguely remembered that Cao Cao had no generals from remote areas under his command, so how could they have mastered such advanced horse archery tactics overnight?

This tactic was so advanced that it even surpassed that of his Bingzhou cavalry. "Impossible! There is no one in the world who understands archery and horsemanship better than me, Lü Bu!" Lü Bu's pride was ignited. He turned his horse around, brandished his halberd, and shouted, "Bingzhou cavalry, let's fight again!" The defeated Bingzhou cavalry followed Lü Bu, circled around him, and then charged towards Cao Cao's cavalry in an arc formation.

"Lu Bu, today I'll show you that when it comes to riding and archery, my White Horse Cavalry is truly unparalleled!" Zhao Yun's eyes blazed with arrogance as he brandished his spear and shouted, "Form ranks and fight again!"

The eight hundred loyal followers immediately turned back, quickly reforming their formation and employing the same tactics to exchange arrows with the Bingzhou cavalry from a distance. This time, Lü Bu dared not underestimate his opponent, and the arrows rained down from both sides almost simultaneously. Blood splattered, and screams rang out again. More than ten riders from each army were pinned to the ground, while most of the knights dodged the incoming arrows. The second wave of mounted archery ended in a stalemate. Following this, the two cavalry forces constantly changed formations, relentlessly bombarding each other with long-range arrows.

The infantry of both armies were dumbfounded, staring blankly at the two pairs of the strongest cavalry in the world, engaging in a dazzling exchange of mounted archery.

"In terms of commanding cavalry with unparalleled skill, none of my generals can match Zhao Yun even slightly!"

Cao Cao stroked his beard and murmured a sigh.

Cao Ren said, "Minister, the White Horse Cavalry and the Bingzhou Cavalry seem to be evenly matched. How long will this stalemate last?" "Don't worry, Lü Bu won't last much longer," Cao Cao said confidently, already certain of victory.

The White Horse Cavalry excelled in endurance, while the Bingzhou Cavalry prioritized speed and ferocity.

Cao Cao vividly remembered Zhao Yun's assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the two cavalry units before Gu Cheng in Xiaopei City that day. Now that the two armies were locked in a stalemate, the Bingzhou cavalry, exhausted from their previous defeat, would inevitably be the first to crumble. And indeed, it did.

After several rounds of attacks, the Bingzhou cavalry finally showed signs of fatigue, and the speed of their horses began to drop sharply. "Damn it, Cao Cao's cavalry seems to be specifically designed to counter my cavalry!" Lü Bu gritted his teeth, finally realizing the trick.

The horses he used for his cavalry charge were mostly Bingzhou horses, which were large and fast, perfectly suited to his tactics of riding and shooting to disrupt the enemy and to break through enemy lines to behead generals.

However, the weakness of the Bingzhou horses was their poor stamina, making them unsuitable for protracted battles; a swift victory was essential. On the other hand, the cavalry chosen by Zhao Yun primarily used Youzhou horses. These horses had the opposite characteristics: while smaller and slower, they possessed exceptional stamina. If this stalemate continued, Cao Cao's cavalry would naturally gain the upper hand in the end. "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Another volley of arrows rained down.

The Bingzhou cavalry, their speed greatly reduced, were unable to dodge and were met with a barrage of arrows. Waves of cavalrymen screamed and fell to the ground; over a hundred fell instantly. This heavy blow finally shattered the Bingzhou cavalry's morale. Skilled at winning battles, they crumbled in the face of this unfavorable situation and turned to flee. "No retreat! Anyone who dares to flee will be killed without mercy!" Lü Bu roared, brandishing his halberd and slaying several deserters. But it was all in vain.

The Bingzhou cavalry's morale had collapsed; they no longer cared about Lü Bu's threats and only wanted to flee for their lives. Their weakness had been exposed.

Zhao Yun's eyes burned with murderous intent. He brandished his silver spear and shouted, "Obeyers, listen to my command! Discard your bows and exchange them for spears! Follow me and crush the enemy!" The order was given.

The eight hundred loyal followers immediately grabbed their silver spears, formed a cone-shaped formation, and surged forward towards the routed Bingzhou cavalry. "Minister Cao, Zhao Yun has won! Zhao Yun has crushed Lü Bu's Bingzhou cavalry!" Cao Ren shouted excitedly.

The soldiers of Cao Cao's army on both sides were overjoyed, and their fighting spirit soared instantly.

"Liheng, thank you for recommending Zilong to me. I will remember this great achievement for you!" Cao Cao was pleased and laughed wildly, "What are we waiting for? The whole army shall attack! Let's finish this off in one fell swoop and wipe out the enemy!" "Woo woo woo—" The mournful sound of the horn pierced the sky.

Tens of thousands of Cao Cao's infantrymen, with a thunderous roar, broke through their formation and surged towards Lü Bu's army like a torrent. "The White Horse Cavalry!"

"This is the battle tactic of the White Horse Cavalry!"

"How is it possible that someone in Cao Cao's army knows the White Horse Cavalry's battle tactics!" With the tide turning against him, Lü Bu finally awoke with a start, his face contorted with incredulous horror.