Chapter Thirty-Two: Dong Zhuo’s Retreat (Part One)

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Before long, Yuan Shu’s army had advanced within bowshot.

The archers and crossbowmen of Luo Ang’s army were the first to loose their arrows.

In an instant, a powerful rain of arrows descended upon Yuan Shu’s ranks, sending countless ripples through the mass of soldiers.

The archers and crossbowmen of Yuan Shu’s army immediately returned fire, their arrows plunging into Luo Ang’s formation.

Before long, Yuan Shu’s warhorses surged before Luo Ang’s line. The riders raised their blades and spears, shouting hoarsely as the bloodlust of slaughter boiled within them. Their iron-shod hooves seemed capable of trampling anything beneath them.

In the blink of an eye, the fierce tide of cavalry crashed into Luo Ang’s battle line. It looked as though the formation might shatter in an instant.

Yuan Shu widened his eyes in excitement.

Yet when the thunderous impact had passed, Yuan Shu and the others stared in disbelief. The enemy’s defensive line remained completely intact. The cavalry’s ferocious charge had not shaken it in the slightest.

Yuan Shu could not help shouting, “Impossible!”

The instant the words left his mouth, Luo Ang’s formation opened.

Xu Chu and Guan Yu emerged once more, ordinary broadswords in the former’s hands and the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade in the latter’s. Like tigers bursting from their cages, they charged out of the formation and plunged straight into the mass of Yuan Shu’s cavalry crowded before the lines.

Xu Chu’s broadsword and Guan Yu’s Azure Dragon Crescent Blade sent the surrounding cavalrymen tumbling from their mounts, blood and flesh flying in every direction.

At the same time, several hundred heavily armored horsemen, each wielding an enormous cavalry saber, followed Dian Wei into the midst of Yuan Shu’s cavalry.

The massive blades swept up sheets of dazzling cold light. Like reapers, they cut down swath after swath of enemy riders.

In an instant, the ground was covered with corpses of men and horses, mingled with pools of blood. The cavalrymen and warhorses that had not yet died shrieked miserably, while Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and the breach troops trampled over the bodies and blood and pressed forward without pause.

Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and the breach troops grew fiercer with every moment, striking terror into the hearts of all who watched them.

Yuan Shu’s cavalry, meanwhile, became more and more frightened as the battle continued. Panic spread through their ranks, and their formation descended rapidly into chaos.

At that moment, the great body of infantry following behind the cavalry, prepared to break through the enemy line, was blocked by its own horsemen and could advance no farther. They could only watch helplessly as the cavalrymen ahead were slaughtered in a frenzy.

Yuan Shu was frantic with rage, shouting curses and orders without cease.

Then, enormous war drums sounded from within Luo Ang’s army.

Yuan Shu froze. He saw Luo Ang himself leading three thousand cavalry out from one side of the formation. They swept out in a shallow arc before crashing into the flank of Yuan Shu’s infantry. Zhang He, Cheng Lian, and Dong Yuan rode at his side.

General Yang cried out, “This is bad!”

Before the echo had faded, Yuan Shu’s unsuspecting infantry was breached by Luo Ang’s three thousand horsemen. The ranks instantly fell into disorder, and the soldiers began fleeing backward in panic.

Seeing this, Yuan Shu’s cavalry could hold no longer. They wheeled their horses around and fled as well.

For a time, infantry and cavalry alike scrambled desperately for their lives.

Yuan Shu’s entire army fell into chaos in an instant.

Cheng Yu, who had remained within the formation to direct the main force, would never let such an opportunity pass. He immediately ordered the army to attack, pursuing and slaughtering Yuan Shu’s troops.

Luo Ang’s officers and soldiers descended like a pack of tigers from the mountains. With broad blades swinging, they charged forward unstoppably, leaving Yuan Shu’s dead strewn across the field and blood flowing in channels.

Hulao Pass.

Dong Zhuo watched the scene and shouted his praise. “Zicheng is truly formidable! It seems Yuanyuan made the right choice in marrying him.”

Li Ru hurriedly said, “Grand Tutor, this opportunity is rare. Quickly order Hua Xiong to lead the entire army in an attack!”

Only then did Dong Zhuo come to his senses. He immediately sent down the order.

The gates of the pass opened, and Hua Xiong led more than a hundred thousand infantry and cavalry out like a flood released from a breached dam. The several units attacking the pass were instantly unable to withstand them, and their defeat came like a landslide.

Yuan Shao and the others watched in astonishment as Yuan Shu’s fifty thousand troops were routed by Luo Ang and sent fleeing like frightened wolves and boars.

Yuan Shao shouted angrily, “Yuan Shu is utterly useless! Fifty thousand troops could not defeat a mere ten thousand of the enemy, and he has been defeated so quickly!”

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“Alliance Leader, look!” Zhang Chao, Governor of Guangling, suddenly pointed toward Hulao Pass.

Everyone hurriedly looked toward the pass and saw, to their shock, that its gates had opened and Hua Xiong was leading tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry out of the city. Their expressions changed at once.

When they saw Hua Xiong rout the several units attacking the pass and charge toward them, many began to panic. Their forces had still been unable to breach Hulao Pass, and now Luo Ang had brought his army to the rescue and defeated Yuan Shu’s forces.

Bao Xin, Chancellor of Jibei, shouted, “This is disastrous! Yuan Shu has suffered a crushing defeat, and Hua Xiong is coming as well. We must flee!”

Several of the other lords echoed him.

Cao Cao shouted sternly, “No one is to retreat!”

Everyone’s hearts jolted, and they turned toward Cao Cao.

Cao Cao declared resolutely, “If we retreat now, all our efforts will be wasted! Our army greatly outnumbers the enemy. We can certainly steady our formation. Zixiao, immediately lead our cavalry against Hua Xiong. No matter the cost, you must hold him back!”

Cao Ren loudly acknowledged the order, then hurried away. He soon led nearly ten thousand cavalry into battle, charging toward Hua Xiong’s army of more than a hundred thousand.

The assembled lords were deeply shaken by the sight.

Cao Cao clasped his fists toward Yuan Shao. “I ask that the Alliance Leader order the cavalry under your command, Brother Gongsun’s command, Brother Kong Rong’s command, and Brother Yuan Yi’s command to attack together and hold back Hua Xiong’s army. Let the remaining infantry form ranks where they stand. Anyone who dares shake the army’s morale is to be executed without mercy!”

Yuan Shao could not help nodding. He followed Cao Cao’s suggestion and sent men to deliver the order.

In an instant, four contingents of cavalry poured out from their camps one after another, wave upon wave, charging directly into Hua Xiong’s advancing army.

The two sides collided in the blink of an eye, plunging into a chaotic battle.

“This is bad!” Tao Qian cried anxiously. “All of Yuan Shu’s defeated troops are charging this way! If they disrupt our camp, we’ll be in serious trouble!”

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao looked northward. Sure enough, Yuan Shu’s routed soldiers were rushing toward them in blind panic.

For a moment, Yuan Shao could think of no response, and a look of alarm appeared on his face.

Cao Cao calmly clasped his fists toward Yuan Shao. “Alliance Leader, the situation is urgent. We must make a decisive choice at once!”

Yuan Shao no longer had the luxury of preserving his dignity and hurriedly asked, “Mengde, what plan do you have?”

Cao Cao replied, “Please order Lord Tao to send Xu Province’s cavalry into battle and scatter Yuan Shu’s routed troops. Only then can we protect the camp.”

Yuan Shao no longer had any concern for Yuan Shu’s fate. He immediately issued the order.

Although Tao Qian did not wish to offend Yuan Shu, this was an emergency, and he could not afford to hesitate. He ordered his twenty thousand Xu Province cavalry to attack.

The cavalry of Xu Province surged forward and plunged straight into Yuan Shu’s fleeing troops. Slashing wildly all the way, they forcibly drove the routed soldiers apart.

Yuan Shu was both shocked and furious. As he fled for his life, he shouted, “Tao Qian, you and I are enemies from this day forth!”

Luo Ang was leading more than ten thousand infantry and cavalry in pursuit of Yuan Shu’s routed troops when he suddenly saw twenty thousand horsemen burst from the enemy camp and scatter the fugitives in a single charge.

Luo Ang cursed the lost opportunity under his breath. He halted his advance, formed ranks where he stood, and looked toward the main battlefield beneath Hulao Pass.

The more than a hundred thousand infantry and cavalry led by Lu Bu had been firmly held back by the enemy’s five cavalry contingents. The battle was locked in a stalemate, and there was no longer any possibility of breaking through the formation.

Cheng Yu said to Luo Ang, “The opportunity has passed. My lord, we should withdraw into the pass and decide what to do afterward.”

Luo Ang nodded at Cheng Yu’s words and led his army toward Hulao Pass.

Hulao Pass.

Dong Zhuo saw that Luo Ang had failed to break into the enemy formation in a single stroke, while Hua Xiong had also been firmly checked by the enemy’s five contingents and could not secure victory. He could not help lamenting the missed opportunity.

Li Ru hurriedly said to Dong Zhuo, “Grand Tutor, the opportunity is gone. We should withdraw while the enemy has yet to recover.”

Dong Zhuo nodded repeatedly and ordered the army to sound the retreat.

The bells of recall rang out.

When Hua Xiong heard them, he led his troops out of the battle and withdrew into Hulao Pass. Luo Ang likewise retreated into the pass at the same time.

Thus, the great battle came to an end.

Afterward, the allied lords were utterly exhausted. They suspended their assault and withdrew to their camps.

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Hulao Pass.

When Dong Zhuo saw Luo Ang, he was overcome with delight. He hurried forward and seized Luo Ang in a tight bear hug.

Luo Ang nearly suffocated. The stench clinging to Dong Zhuo nearly made him faint, and he quickly pushed the man away, clasping his fists as he said, “Father-in-law!”

Dong Yuan also clasped her fists. “Father!”

Dong Zhuo was beside himself with joy. His eyes shone as he looked at Luo Ang and his daughter. “It is thanks to the two of you arriving in time that we were able to blunt the attack of those rebels!”

Hua Xiong felt somewhat dissatisfied, but said nothing.

Luo Ang clasped his fists. “Grand Tutor, you flatter me. I merely came to contribute what little strength I could.”

Dong Zhuo waved his hand. “This was no small contribution! My worthy son-in-law, you are a renowned general of the age. Knowing that you had come to aid me made me feel as though I had taken a calming draught.”

Luo Ang had not expected Dong Zhuo to value him so highly. He could only laugh awkwardly.

Dong Zhuo took Luo Ang by the hand and led him toward the main tent, saying happily, “Today, we must drink to our hearts’ content!”

Hua Xiong, Li Ru, and the others followed behind, traces of jealousy showing on their faces.

Dong Zhuo asked, “Tell me, my worthy son-in-law, have you and Yuanyuan completed the wedding rites?”

Luo Ang replied, “Thank you for your concern, Father-in-law. Yuanyuan and I completed the rites some time ago.”

At his words, Dong Yuan did not dare look at Luo Ang. Her father had asked such a question in front of everyone, and her husband had answered so directly. It was mortifying beyond words.

Yuan Shao’s main tent.

The disheveled Yuan Shu drew his sword the moment he saw Tao Qian and advanced to kill him in revenge.

Cao Cao immediately seized the agitated Yuan Shu in his arms, while Tao Qian hurriedly took refuge behind Yuan Shao.

Pointing at Tao Qian, Yuan Shu cursed, “Tao Qian, how can I dispel the hatred in my heart if I do not kill you?”

Yuan Shao slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Enough!”

Yuan Shu started, glared fiercely at Tao Qian, and then sheathed his sword.

Only then did Cao Cao release him.

Yuan Shao said, “Tao Qian acted under my orders. You are not to blame him!”

Yuan Shu stared at him in astonishment and asked aggrievedly, “Alliance Leader, why would you do such a thing?”

Yuan Shao replied irritably, “If your routed troops had disrupted the formation of my army, the consequences would have been unthinkable.”

Yuan Shu was struck speechless.

Yuan Shao wore a look of relief. “Fortunately, I responded in time, and no serious consequences arose. Although today’s battle brought us a minor setback, the overall situation remains unchanged: the enemy is weak, while we are strong. Luo Ang arrived with only a mere ten thousand troops. He cannot possibly change anything. Breaking through Hulao Pass and entering Luoyang is only a matter of time.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Yuan Shao swept his gaze across them. “Our army is tired, but the enemy is equally exhausted. Let the army rest for one night. Tomorrow, we resume the assault!”

Everyone answered in unison.

Hulao Pass.

By then, the main tent was brightly lit, filled with the clinking of cups and lively conversation.

After several rounds of wine, Dong Zhuo sighed and set down the cup in his hand.

Seeing this, the others could only put down their own cups as well.

Li Ru clasped his fists and asked, “Grand Tutor, are you troubled by the rebels before us?”

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