If the Cao Army's main camp were still intact, they could have used it as a barrier, gathered the routed soldiers, and slowly prepare for another battle.
But now that the camp was on fire, it had presumably already been burned down by the Yuan Army.
With the camp lost, even reinforcements like Xiahou Dun would be of no use. Yuan Xi's army would soon be pursuing them.
The Cao Clan's related generals were all quite formidable, and Xiahou Dun in particular was a Lord Tier warrior. But in a massive battle involving a hundred thousand troops, even a Lord could not turn the tide alone.
Xiahou Dun still found it hard to believe. "My lord, I know that bodyguard who delivered the order. He is one of our Cao Clan descendants and has always been loyal. Why would he falsely convey your military command?"
Cao Cao sighed. "I have heard that Yuan Xi is skilled in Daoist Gate sorcery and comes from the same school as Zhang Jiao. He must have used sorcery to bewitch my bodyguard. You cannot be blamed for this."
Xiahou Dun was filled with remorse. "Had I not trusted him so readily, we would not have lost the main camp. My lord, what should we do now?"
Cao Cao said, "There is nothing more to be done. Our army can only abandon the camp, cross the White River, and return to Liyang. With Liyang's sturdy walls to rely on, we can stabilize the situation, gradually gather the remnants of our army, and then discuss a strategy to defeat Yuan."
After a pause, Cao Cao asked, "Where are Guo Jia, Zhicai, and the others?"
Xiahou Dun replied, "The advisers are all frail scholars. Fearing that blades and arrows show no mercy on the battlefield, I left