Liu Bei's Defeat, Lan Tian Holds His Sword

Regarding the incident of the secret edict, Cao Cao was absolutely furious. Beyond the bloody purge he carried out in Xudu, Liu Bei, who was far away in Xiaopei, was also a thorn in his side.

Cao Cao summoned his civil and military officials, intending to personally lead a campaign against Xu Province. Everyone tried to dissuade him, citing the threat of Yuan Shao's massive army pressing against their borders. Although Zhang Xiu had led his forces to surrender at the end of last year, if Yuan Shao were to launch an attack while they were busy with Liu Bei, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Cao Cao sighed, "Liu Bei is a hero. If we do not strike him now, he will surely become a future calamity."

Just as the ministers fell silent, Military Advisor Guo Jia stepped out of the ranks and said, "Yuan Shao is slow by nature and prone to suspicion; even if he moves south, he will not be quick. Liu Bei has only just gained Xu Province, and the hearts of the people are not yet settled. If my Lord strikes quickly, he will surely be defeated."

Cao Cao slapped his thigh and said, "Fengxiao's words align perfectly with my own thoughts. Liu Bei previously spouted nonsense, claiming he knew I would come personally. This time, I shall let him see the methods of Cao."

Having said this, Cao Cao mustered his troops and marched toward Xiaopei.

With a great battle between the armies of Yuan and Cao imminent, Yuan Shao was strong while Cao Cao was weak. Many in Xudu were secretly pledging allegiance to the north, and news of Cao Cao's eastern expedition quickly reached Ye City.

Tian Feng, the Assistant Governor of Ji Province, urged Yuan Shao, "Cao Cao is personally leading the campaign against Xu Province, which will consume much time. If my Lord raises an army to strike his rear, we can shatter Xudu in a single stroke. This is a heaven-sent opportunity."

At that moment, Yuan Shao's youngest son, Yuan Shang, was ill, and Yuan Shao used this as an excuse to refuse to mobilize against Cao.

Hearing Yuan Shao's excuse, Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and sighed, "The tides of fate wait for no one. How can we lose such a chance just because an infant is ill? What a pity."

A large part of the reason Liu Bei did not listen to Lan Tian was the restraint provided by Yuan Shao; he believed Cao Cao would not dare to risk coming personally. The situation in the Central Plains was still uncertain, which was why he had left behind such bold words when he repelled Liu Dai and Wang Zhong.

When he learned that Cao Cao had truly arrived, Liu Bei was exceptionally flustered, thinking to himself, How does this fellow wage war without following the rules?

At this time, Guan Yu was still in Xiapi. With no one around to discuss a strategy to defeat the enemy, Liu Bei conspired with Zhang Fei to use the same camp-raiding tactic that had worked against Liu Dai and Wang Zhong.

The two gathered all the troops of Xiaopei and split into two routes to raid the Cao camp under the cover of night.

Having campaigned for many years, Cao Cao was highly experienced in the defense of camps and provisions.

After Zhang Fei charged into the Cao camp, he discovered it was completely empty. Realizing he had been tricked, he turned his horse to flee, but at that moment, Cao Cao's hidden ambushes erupted from all sides, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens.

Relying on his personal prowess, Zhang Fei managed to hack his way out of the encirclement, with only a few dozen horsemen remaining in his wake.

With pursuers on all sides, Zhang Fei was driven to a dead end and had no choice but to flee toward Mangdang Mountain.

Liu Bei's contingent also fell into a Cao army ambush; after the two forces clashed, his army collapsed almost instantly. The bold words he had left for Liu Dai and Wang Zhong just a short while ago vanished like burning smoke in the wind.

After the failed raid, Liu Bei fled with his remnants toward Qing Province, where he was later received by the Qing Province Inspector, Yuan Tan, and taken to the north.

Cao Cao captured Xiaopei and took Liu Bei's subordinate Xiahou Bo prisoner, then marched toward Xiapi with lightning speed.

Hearing that Xiaopei had fallen, Guan Yu was shocked and pale. He hurriedly organized his troops to prepare for the enemy.

Lord Guan was well-versed in military strategy. He prepared to lead a force to station outside the city, ordering his deputy to hold Xiapi to create a pincer formation—the exact same strategy Chen Gong had once offered to Lu Bu.

During this time, Lan Tian had been slacking off at his post, spending his days reading and tending to his garden. When the city became chaotic and rumors began to fly, he suddenly realized that Xiapi was about to be lost again.

Lan Tian prepared a silk pouch and handed it to Guan Yu before he left the city, saying, "General Guan, please be extremely careful on this journey. This pouch may be opened in times of great peril. Remember this, remember this well."

Guan Yu took the pouch with a look of confusion. At this moment, the situation in Xiapi was dire, and he felt compelled to take Lan Tian's words seriously. He tucked the pouch close to his body, instructed Lan Tian to look after the two sisters-in-law, and then led his army out of the city.

Lan Tian returned to the residence of Gan Qian and Mi Zhen and instructed them to pack their bags and not wander about. He found a sword from somewhere and stood guard at the door as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Little Brother, what are you doing? Have bandits entered Xiapi?"

After Guan Yu became the Administrator of Xiapi, he often went out to suppress bandits, so the two ladies did not yet know that Cao's troops had arrived.

Lan Tian replied, "It is said that Cao Cao has come to Xu Province in person and will reach Xiapi shortly. The people in the city are panicked, and General Guan has already led his troops out to defend against the enemy."

"My Lord says General Guan is invincible under heaven; I imagine Xiapi should be able to hold," Mi Zhen said, somewhat dismissively.

"Little Brother, since Cao Cao has come to Xiapi, what has happened to Xiaopei? And what will become of my husband?" Gan Qian asked with concern.

Lan Tian shook his head and said, "Although no scouts have come to report, I suspect Xiaopei has already fallen, and I fear our Xiapi will be difficult to hold as well."

"Then my husband..." Gan Qian worried.

"Brother-in-law has campaigned for many years and understands when to advance and when to retreat. He should have escaped safely; I believe there is no danger to his life, so you may rest easy, Sister." Lan Tian comforted her.

Mi Zhen said speechlessly, "It looks like we are about to become prisoners again."

The two were already accustomed to such encounters. Although Gan Qian was worried about Liu Bei's safety, having Lan Tian guarding her side gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

"We must prevent internal chaos in the city at this time. You must not wander about," Lan Tian reminded them.

"We will follow your arrangements, Little Brother," Gan Qian said.

"Understood," Mi Zhen echoed.

The Cao army arrived swiftly, and Guan Yu soon fell into a bitter struggle outside the city. Cao Cao also arrived personally outside Xiapi to oversee the battle. After several encounters, he grew quite fond of Guan Yu and wished to recruit him, just as he had once recruited Zhang Liao.

Cao Cao summoned Zhang Liao and instructed, "I am very fond of Yunchang. After the battle, you should return the favor and persuade him to surrender, should you not?"

Zhang Liao cupped his hands and said, "I also admire General Guan's character. When the time comes, I shall persuade him to surrender to my Lord."

"That is excellent. Order the vanguard to accelerate the assault. Once Xiapi is broken, Yunchang will be unable to look after both ends, and he can be captured," Cao Cao laughed, stroking his beard.

"My Lord's use of troops is divine; this subordinate is full of admiration," Zhang Liao flattered.

Cao Cao nodded, "This time it was Wenyuan who offered the strategy to use the former troops of Lu Bu as the vanguard. It has indeed made the journey twice as effective with half the effort."

"Report to my Lord! All four gates of Xiapi have had people offer to open them. The vanguard has already breached the outer city!" While the two were speaking, a messenger flew in on horseback to report the situation.

Cao Cao laughed heartily, "Liu Bei is nothing more than this. Wenyuan, you may go to assist Xu Gongming, and while you are at it, tell this good news to Yunchang."

"Understood." Zhang Liao cupped his hands, turned his horse, and left.

With Guan Yu not guarding the city, the collaborators within Xiapi incited their servants to steal open the gates shortly after the fighting began, so the city did not hold out for long before the Cao army breached it.

Lan Tian stood guard at the courtyard where Lady Gan and Lady Mi resided, hearing the clamor on the streets growing ever louder. Guan Yu had only left a dozen men to guard this place, and he did not know if they were in any danger.

Although he knew the outcome was to go to Xudu, Lan Tian was not clear on exactly how many people would accompany Guan Yu.

Before long, the sound of metal clashing echoed outside the courtyard; it seemed someone was attacking their position.

Although it was the first month of the year, the hand with which Lan Tian gripped his sword was already drenched in sweat.