Chapter 404

Chapter 404

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Kingdoms, Unification of the World, Chapter 404: A Just Cause for War

This was no opportunity for inside-outside coordination left for him. It was clearly Cao Cao and Guo Jia, working together, who had lured both him and Zang Hong into this trap.

He couldn’t determine when Zang Hong and Zhang Chao had been trapped in the city, nor the extent of the disparity in strength between the two sides. But he could see the state of the defenders in Pingqiu City at this moment—it wasn’t a breakthrough in a stalemate, but a desperate grasp at a lifeline in absolute despair.

Yet, when Zang Hong died, that lifeline had already been severed in the middle.

Following closely, Cao Cao’s cavalry charged into the breach with even greater ferocity, no longer appearing as the vulnerable prey they once seemed!

Those seemingly disheveled soldiers in retreat were actually elite troops handpicked by Cao Cao while waiting for Yuan Shao to fall into the trap. After fleeing under the cover of military tents, they now wielded close-range crossbows, launching deadly attacks at Yuan Shao’s identified subordinates.

Yuan Shao hastily retreated into the protective ranks of the noble families’ private soldiers, finally catching his breath.

He was more grateful than ever that when Xu You advised him not to charge to the front, he hadn’t ignored it out of pride but had instead stayed in a position befitting his status, under protection.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been Zang Hong who was killed by that miraculous arrow, but Yuan Shao himself!

No, dwelling on this brush with death was pointless. To escape successfully, he faced far more than just that single arrow.

He also heard a familiar voice shouting something, and then the soldiers, as if afraid Yuan Shao wouldn’t hear, chanted it in unison, reaching his ears.

Yuan Shao’s expression changed.

If they had shouted “attack,” it would have been one thing, but they were shouting, “Welcome Grand General Yuan Shao to Yanzhou!”

He nearly lost his breath and fell off his horse.

Amid the chaos, he couldn’t pinpoint the origin of this statement, only feeling countless seemingly respectful yet mocking gazes fall upon him.

Thinking of Zhong Yao’s earlier escape, Yuan Shao could easily guess why they were shouting this.

But knowing was one thing; facing this “honorific” was another!

“Enter the city!” Xu You suddenly spoke, cutting through Yuan Shao’s rage.

In the bizarrely shifting light, Yuan Shao even suspected Xu You had gone mad. Why else would he suggest entering the city?

Despite the city walls of Pingqiu, if Zang Hong and Zhang Chao couldn’t break through, how could their forces turn the tide?

“If you retreat now, can you truly escape?” Xu You urgently asked. “Our defeat is evident, and the enemy is prepared. Once we retreat, disorder will ensue, leading to disaster. Please, protect Zang Ziyuan’s body and rush back into Pingqiu City!”

Yuan Shao’s gaze never left Xu You’s face, and he didn’t miss the momentary glance of disdain Xu You cast around.

He suddenly realized that Xu You’s suggestion to enter the city might not be about entering the city at all, but about replacing his escort for a better chance to flee.

This was the true escape plan!

Without hesitation, Yuan Shao made his decision.

By his side were a group of disguised bodyguards, still maintaining the demeanor of elite soldiers. At Yuan Shao’s command, these death-squad-trained guards cut through the crowd, heading toward where Zang Hong had fallen.

The noble youths, already terrified by the real battle, were in a state of panic. Seeing Yuan Shao, the Grand General, take action, they quickly followed, fearing they would become casualties if they lagged behind.

This chain reaction made Yuan Shao’s counterflow into the city less conspicuous.

As Yuan Shao approached the city walls, the soldiers’ unusual respect for Zang Hong ensured that Yuan Shao, escorting his body back, received exceptional protection.

It was the soldiers’ final tribute to a general.

But Yuan Shao had no special thoughts about this. When the sounds of arrows piercing soldiers and swords clashing finally ceased, he let out a long sigh of relief.

Then he heard Xu You’s second suggestion.

With his life hanging by a thread, Yuan Shao dared not delay. Following the soldiers’ guidance, he found Zhang Chao, who had also retreated into the city, and sternly said, “Open all four city gates. We’ll each choose a path to break out. The enemy thinks we’re trying to hold the city, so Cao Cao’s elite forces are concentrated at the earlier breach. The other areas are the least defended—this is our chance.”

“But…” Zhang Chao instinctively felt something was off.

This scattered escape might save some, but it would surely sacrifice most.

Before he could finish, Yuan Shao cut him off, “Zhang Menggao, do you have any other options? The forces I brought are the last in Yanzhou capable of providing support. Zang Ziyuan has already died breaking through. Isn’t it better to have a chance at survival than for all of us to die here?”

Zhang Chao, lacking his elder brother’s prestige and Zang Hong’s wisdom, dared not show his anxiety to the soldiers but couldn’t help feeling restless.

Thus, under Yuan Shao’s harsh words, he hesitated only briefly before Yuan Shao seized control.

Who could question Yuan Shao’s decision now?

The simple fact that he was the Grand General was enough for this battered army to follow his orders.

The troop movement didn’t take long. Yuan Shao didn’t intend for everyone to escape safely. When Cao Cao arrived at the breach Yuan Shao had chosen, the gates of Pingqiu City suddenly opened, and both the city defenders and Yuan Shao’s soldiers poured out.

The dim light of dawn had turned to the rising sun, but as the soldiers scattered, trying to carve a path, the light couldn’t reveal where Yuan Shao or Zhang Chao were.

Perhaps because daylight made the surroundings clearer, and knowing this was their last chance, the soldiers displayed astonishing ferocity, making it seem as though they were no longer just Chenliu defenders or noble private soldiers.

Facing this, even Cao Cao frowned and remarked, “I underestimated Yuan Benchu’s adaptability.”

“No, you should say he still has capable people around him,” Guo Jia replied.

Yuan Shao might lose his composure, but those under him, fighting for their lives, wouldn’t.

The more dangerous the situation, the more such quick-witted strategists could shine.

As they spoke, the encircling forces unleashed a volley of arrows at the fleeing soldiers. The vanguard couldn’t withstand such relentless resistance.

Guo Jia spotted a familiar face among the fallen—a member of the Qiao family from Yanzhou who had once visited Chang’an.

Whether from arrows or trampling on the battlefield, he had no chance of survival.

But Guo Jia was certain that was the fate of the noble youths following Yuan Shao, not Yuan Shao himself!

With Yuan Shao’s regard for his own life and Xu You’s counsel, he would never be among those troops.

These soldiers scattering in all directions, testing the weakest defenses, were Yuan Shao’s sacrificial scouts for his own escape.

Sure enough, reports soon came in of several cavalry units breaking through the eastern defenses and fleeing.

Their sudden appearance, coupled with a northern cavalry escape, allowed the eastern route to go unblocked.

When the northern route was captured by Cao Hong and brought to Cao…








When Cao Cao and Guo Jia exchanged glances, they both saw the speculation in each other’s eyes—Yuan Shao was likely among the cavalry fleeing eastward. The one being escorted over at that moment was none other than Zhang Chao, which meant Yuan Shao had successfully escaped. Once the Tiger Guard Middle General in Luoyang, Yuan Shao, despite his flawed decisions, was undeniably skilled in horseback archery. Years of comfort hadn’t dulled his abilities, and with Xu You’s strategic guidance, he managed to exploit a gap in the military camp’s defenses and break free.

Heading straight north to Ji Province wasn’t their best option. Instead, the east offered a glimmer of hope. But they weren’t safe yet. The cavalry from Hulao Pass, mounted on prized steeds from Bingzhou, were hot on their trail. Yuan Shao, relying on his and Xu You’s superior horses, left the rest of his companions behind to slow the pursuers.

Under the pressure of life and death, Yuan Shao’s heart pounded, and his breath grew ragged. He knew he couldn’t stop now. When the outline of a city appeared ahead, he felt a surge of relief. But it wasn’t Changyi or Juye, which had welcomed him before—it was Dingtao, with its gates tightly shut.

Dingtao had its advantages. If they ignored his advance on Chenliu, perhaps they’d turn a blind eye to his escape now. Moreover, his disheveled appearance, with his helmet lost and face dirtied, might make him seem like just another fleeing cavalryman, not a significant figure.

But before Yuan Shao could pass Dingtao, a rain of arrows descended from the city walls. He yanked the reins, steering his horse away, but it was too late—his mount was hit, throwing him to the ground. The impact nearly knocked him unconscious, but a voice reached his ears clearly: “Yuan Shao, don’t run!”

Glancing up, Yuan Shao recognized the man—Cao Ren, Cao Cao’s cousin. Whether Cao Ren had been lying in wait or was sent after Zhong Yao’s report, his appearance dashed Yuan Shao’s hopes. With cavalry charging from the city, Yuan Shao knew he had little time. Refusing to be captured after escaping Pingqiu, he pulled Xu You off his horse and mounted it himself, fleeing north during the lull in Cao Ren’s archery.

Dingtao lay near the Ji River, where Qiao Yan had once defeated Bo Cai. The river, swollen from spring rains, offered a chance. Yuan Shao’s only hope was to cross the pontoon bridge, cut it, and use the river to block Cao Ren. Without waiting for Xu You, he raced onto the bridge.

But Cao Ren wasn’t one to be outdone. Despite the bridge’s swaying and Yuan Shao’s erratic movements, Cao Ren fired three arrows in quick succession. One missed, one struck a follower, and the last hit Yuan Shao’s horse. The already exhausted steed collapsed, throwing Yuan Shao into the river. Weighed down by his armor, he sank immediately.

Cao Ren: “…”

This wasn’t what he’d expected. But it didn’t matter—Yuan Shao was cornered. He ordered his men to fish him out. However, when Cao Cao and Guo Jia arrived, they found Cao Ren in a self-imposed punishment stance, with Xu You bound and Yuan Shao’s armor before him.

Cao Cao, amused and exasperated, asked, “What are you doing?”

Cao Ren, laden with thorny branches, replied, “I didn’t expect Yuan Shao to escape under such circumstances. I failed to stop him.”

The Yuan clan of Runan was known for its waterways, so Yuan Shao’s swimming skills were no surprise. In a final act of cunning, he shed his armor and swam upstream, not downstream, evading Cao Ren’s search. By the time Cao Ren thought to look the other way, Yuan Shao had already reached the shore and disappeared.

Now alone and without a horse, if Yuan Shao could find civilian clothes, he’d blend into Yanzhou unnoticed. Cao Ren regretted not killing him outright. If Yuan Shao caused trouble upon returning to Ye City, the blame would fall on him.

But Guo Jia interrupted, “Yuan Shao alive is more useful than dead.” The internal strife among Yanzhou’s noble families needed a prominent leader, and no one fit the role better than Yuan Shao. With the world recovering from two years of famine, the instigator of Yanzhou’s chaos deserved condemnation. This was another justified charge for Da Yong’s campaign against the Ye court!