After the deaths of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, Yuan Shao, enraged, mobilized his entire army. He ordered a full-scale advance toward Guandu.
On the Guandu battlefield, the camps of Cao’s forces and Yuan’s faced each other across tens of miles. Yuan Shao’s banners blotted out the sky, his fortifications strong, his forces immense. The sheer scale pressed heavily upon anyone who looked upon it. In contrast, Cao’s camp, while orderly, was noticeably smaller.
Inside Yuan Shao’s tent, the atmosphere was so tense it seemed to squeeze the air.
Yuan Shao’s face was dark as iron, his voice hoarse with restrained rage:
“Cao Ahman, I swear I will tear you limb from limb!”
His strategist Ju Shou stepped forward calmly:
“My lord, please calm your anger. Though we lost generals, our foundation remains. Our troops and provisions are tenfold that of Cao. The urgent task is to press with steady force—construct watchtowers, pile earthworks high, use strong crossbows to rain down on the enemy camp, advancing step by step, while dispatching cavalry to harass their supply lines. Cao’s forces will collapse without food.”
But another adviser, Guo Tu, spoke up, more aggressively:
“Ju Shou’s plan is too slow! The heavens favor you, my lord. You should strike in your rage, crush Cao’s camp in one blow! Split our forces to attack both flanks, so their head and tail cannot aid each other. Victory will come in a single battle!”
Already desperate after prior defeats, Yuan Shao’s temper aligned with Guo Tu’s impatience. He made a decisive order:
“Follow Guo Tu’s counsel! Command all units to take turns attacking the enemy camp day and night without pause! I will make Cao Mengde suffer without a moment’s rest!”
At Cao’s camp, Cao Cao and his advisers watched the waves of Yuan troops battering the defenses. His face was grave.
He sighed to Xun Yu and Guo Jia:
“Yuan Shao is risking everything now.”
Cao Cao ordered:
“Xu Chu, Yu Jin, hold the fort to the death. Anyone who retreats will be executed. I will share the same food, the same sleep, facing this danger together.”
Cao’s orders inspired the soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, their fortified camp and disciplined troops repelled wave after wave of assaults. The battlefield became a grinding mill of blood and flesh, with lives lost every moment.
Yet, over several days, the situation worsened. Cao Zhi’s forces were thin; many sections of the walls were breached. Soldiers risked everything to reclaim ground. Morale plummeted, and even Cao Cao grew anxious, his temples streaked with white overnight.
Xiahou Dun slammed his fist on the table:
“Are we to sit here and await death? Better to gather all forces and fight Yuan Shao to the end!”
Guo Jia shook his head:
“Xiahou Dun, a desperate battle plays right into Yuan Shao’s hands. Our troops are exhausted; we would collapse before even engaging.”
A sense of helpless despair hung over the tent. Nothing seemed possible—except a miracle.
Meanwhile, in Cao Zhi’s tent, a messenger arrived breathless, reporting urgent news from Guandu: Cao Cao’s forces were in critical danger and needed immediate reinforcement.
Cao Zhi, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Xu Huang gathered around a map.
Xu Huang urged:
“My lord, why wait? Lead troops to Guandu to aid the Chancellor!”
Cao Zhi said nothing, eyes fixed on Wuchao.
Relying on memories from his previous life, he knew the turning point of Guandu lay at Wuchao. Yuan Shao’s forces were vast; frontal engagement meant certain defeat. Historically, Xu You defected and revealed Wuchao as the Yuan supply depot. Cao Cao personally led five thousand elite troops in a night raid, destroying the supplies—triggering Yuan Shao’s collapse.
But history had shifted with Cao Zhi’s presence. Xu You had not defected.
Cao Zhi lowered his voice, firm and resolute:
“Three generals, you have seen the battlefield. Yuan Shao commands hundreds of thousands; even if we rushed to Guandu with under ten thousand, the outcome would not change. The only chance lies here—Wuchao.” He pointed to the map.
Zhao Yun’s voice was grave:
“What is your plan, my lord?”
Cao Zhi’s gaze was unwavering:
“A surprise raid—burn Wuchao! Yuan Shao’s supplies are all there. Once they’re gone, his army will collapse. This is the only way to save my father and the army. If we wait to seek permission, we will lose the moment.”
Zhang Liao frowned:
“My lord, this plan is extremely dangerous. Acting without the Chancellor’s approval is…”
Cao Zhi interrupted:
“All responsibility rests with me alone. If successful, the credit belongs to the three of you. If failure, I will take my life and bear the blame. None of you will be implicated.”
His words, assuming full responsibility for risk, stunned the three generals.
Zhao Yun was first to respond, clasping his fists:
“Lord, I will follow you, ready to die a thousand deaths!”
Zhang Liao and Xu Huang exchanged looks, both shaken and resolute. They knew this was the only chance, and were moved by Cao Zhi’s courage.
In unison, Zhang Liao and Xu Huang declared:
“We will follow your command, my lord! Share in any consequences!”
Cao Zhi nodded approvingly.
He carefully selected three thousand elite troops, primarily cavalry, and ordered all reflective armor and weapons to be darkened. Even horses’ hooves were wrapped to muffle sound.
That night, the three-thousand-strong unit took a hidden, narrow route, vanishing into darkness, heading silently toward Wuchao.