Although Cao Zhang was not the commander-in-chief of the army, his status surpassed Cao Xiu's, and he had always been famed as a warrior unmatched by ten thousand. His sudden execution by Lan Ji before the lines instantly threw the entire Wei Army into an uproar.
A general's defeat and death in single combat before the armies had an impact comparable to Xiahou Yuan's fall at Dingjun Mountain. Wei officers and soldiers looked at one another in dismay, while Guan Yu seized the chance to direct the Jing Province troops in a fierce advance.
Pang De and Guan Ping led light cavalry straight into the Wei Army's two wings, while Guan Yu personally led Jing Province's main force in a frontal assault.
Lan Ji's execution of an enemy general shattered the balance of morale between the two armies. As the Jing Province soldiers charged, white vapor poured from their mouths as they roared and howled.
The pounding of hooves, the thunder of footsteps, and the cries of battle merged into one, making the earth tremble as though spring thunder were about to rouse hibernating animals.
With the Wei vanguard's chief general slain, the deputy generals, lieutenant generals, colonels, and other officers responsible for directing the battle did their utmost to keep their men from panicking. Yet none possessed Cao Zhang's intimidating presence. Faced with the onrushing Jing Province army, the soldiers with weaker nerves were the first to break.
Once the restless agitation began, the soldiers unconsciously started backing away, and the Wei Army's once-orderly formation twisted out of shape.
Lacking the command of a powerful supreme commander, the Wei Army's chaotic formation could not withstand the Jing Province troops. The moment battle was joined, the Wei forces began to collapse. Then the rout spread and expanded in disorder like