While Zhang Fei and Ma Chao rode roughshod over Bing Province, Guan Yu led the main force of the Han Army into battle against Cao Hong at Liyang. Though Cao Hong resisted with everything he had, whether in total troop numbers or the quality of individual soldiers, the Wei Army was already declining like a river flowing downhill.
With warhorses from Qilian Mountain Horse Farm and stirrups issued to the cavalry throughout the army, even Cao Hong's reorganized Tiger and Leopard Cavalry could not hold them back.
Before absolute superiority in strength, every tactic, stratagem, and sinister scheme was useless. Given the situation now facing the Wei Army, even if Cao Cao returned from the dead, he would have no chance.
Guan Yu and Gan Ning's forces landed in Hebei. The Wei Army under Cao Hong held out for less than half a month before the vital stronghold of Liyang was taken by the Han Army. Cao Hong then fled with his remnants to Ye City.
Plains Commandery in eastern Ji Province came under siege from the allied forces of Zhao Yun and Lu Xun while Cao Hong and Guan Yu were locked in battle.
Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Lan Yuan, and Lu Xun—none of them lacked renown. They were far beyond what the defending general Qin Lang could handle. When the Han Army crossed the Yellow River, he immediately sent a fast rider to Ye City to ask Cao Rui for reinforcements.
More than half of Wei's main force was under Cao Hong's command. Ye City had neither troops nor generals to send as reinforcements.
After Sima Zhao finished reading Qin Lang's plea for aid, Cao Rui leaned back on the dragon throne with a face full of sorrow, silent for a long while.
After a while, Cao Rui