Chapter 18: Giving Counsels, Jia Xu Directs A Great Victory; Braving Battlefield, Xiahou Dun Loses an Eye

Jia Xu anticipated the enemy’s plan and approached Zhang Xiu. “Cao Cao has noticed the southeast corner of the wall is weak and repaired with mud bricks. His attack on the northwest is a feint to draw our defenses away. He’ll strike the southeast under cover of darkness.”

Zhang Xiu asked, “What do you suggest?”

“Send our best soldiers to hide near the southeast corner and disguise townspeople as soldiers defending the northwest. Let the enemy breach the southeast wall, then ambush them once they’re inside. We might even capture Cao Cao.”

The plan was set. Scouts later informed Cao Cao, “The defenders are focused on the northwest, leaving the southeast exposed.”

“They’ve fallen for it!” Cao Cao exclaimed, ordering his troops to feign attacks on the northwest while veterans scaled the southeast wall during the second watch. Entering without resistance, the invaders triggered a hidden bomb and were ambushed. Trapped, they faced heavy losses as Zhang Xiu attacked from behind, forcing a chaotic retreat. Pursued until dawn, Cao Cao lost 50,000 soldiers, baggage, and had two generals injured.

Jia Xu then urged Zhang Xiu to ask Liu Biao to block Cao Cao’s retreat. Liu Biao mobilized his forces to Anzhong, leaving Huang Zu to defend Jingzhou, while Zhang Xiu attacked Cao Cao from the rear.

Cao Cao’s army advanced cautiously, arriving near Xiangyang. One day, standing by the River Yu, he cried out. Asked why, he said, “A year ago, I lost my great general Dian Wei here. How can I not grieve?”

He halted the march to honor Dian Wei, his nephew Cao Amin, his son Cao Ang, and fallen soldiers. His sincerity moved the troops.

Meanwhile, Xun Yu informed Cao Cao that Liu Biao had joined Zhang Xiu to block his retreat. Calmly, Cao Cao replied, “I expected this. My plans are ready. We’ll crush them at Anzhong.”

That night, Cao Cao’s men opened a secret pass and set an ambush. At dawn, Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu, seeing Cao Cao’s small force, advanced confidently into the pass. The ambush was sprung, and their forces were decimated.

After regrouping, Liu Biao lamented, “We didn’t anticipate such a trap.”

“Let’s try again,” Zhang Xiu replied. The two leaders then joined forces at Anzhong.

Xun Yu’s spies uncovered Yuan Shao’s plan to attack Xuchang. Alarmed, Cao Cao immediately set out for the capital. Zhang Xiu, learning of Cao Cao’s retreat, wanted to pursue, but Jia Xu warned against it. Liu Biao insisted on the chase, which led to an initial skirmish where Cao Cao’s rearguard repelled the attack.

After their defeat, Jia Xu unexpectedly advised pursuing again, predicting victory. Though hesitant, Zhang Xiu followed the counsel, leaving Liu Biao behind. This time, Cao Cao’s rearguard, unprepared, was routed, abandoning supplies in their retreat. However, a surprise force from the hills, led by Li Tong, came to Cao Cao’s aid. Zhang Xiu, fearing further losses, withdrew.

Cao Cao met Li Tong and, in gratitude, titled him Lord Who Renders High Services and tasked him with defending Runan. Upon returning to the capital, Cao Cao strategized with his advisors. Guo Jia outlined Yuan Shao’s ten weaknesses against Cao Cao’s strengths, noting Yuan Shao’s inability to lead effectively despite his vast army. Cao Cao, convinced, decided to deal with the threat from Lu Bu before confronting Yuan Shao.

Meanwhile, in Xuzhou, Liu Bei received a secret letter from Cao Cao urging him to prepare against Lu Bu. However, the letter was intercepted by Chen Gong and exposed to Lu Bu, prompting him to send multiple forces against Liu Bei.

At Xiaopei, Liu Bei fortified his position. His brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, defended the gates, and Liu Bei managed the city. Lu Bu’s general Gao Shun attacked but met resistance. Zhang Liao, despite his loyalty to Lu Bu, showed hesitation when facing Guan Yu, hinting at his conflicted heart.

Cao Cao, learning of Liu Bei’s plight, dispatched reinforcements led by Xiahou Dun. In a fierce battle, Xiahou Dun was struck in the eye by an arrow but famously swallowed it, declaring, “Essence of my father, blood of my mother—I cannot discard it!” He then killed his attacker, Cao Xing. However, Gao Shun pressed on, forcing Cao Cao’s troops to retreat and regroup.

As Lu Bu arrived with reinforcements, the conflict escalated, with each of Liu Bei’s brothers facing one of Lu Bu’s generals. The battle for Xiaopei intensified.