The timeline returned to the night Cao Zhi’s army set out, inside the Yuan army’s Wuchao camp.
The tents were brightly lit, cups clinking. Commander Chunyu Qiong sat bare-chested, face slick with oil, drinking heavily with a few subordinates. The tables were a mess of overturned plates and cups.
A flattering officer raised his cup:
“General, please drink this! At Guandu, Cao’s forces are gradually retreating. Victory is certain for our lord! Guarding the supplies here is a glorious, peaceful duty—all thanks to your prestige!”
Chunyu Qiong hiccupped, laughing boisterously:
“Hahaha! Indeed! Cao Ahman is probably crying in his camp now, unable to think of attacking Wuchao! We can rest easy here!”
Another officer chimed in:
“Exactly! Even if some stray Cao troops approach, the sight of our banners will surely scare them away! Another toast to the general!”
Chunyu Qiong downed his drink, eyes already glassy:
“Drink! To pleasure! When the lord defeats Cao, we will all be meritorious… uh… this wine is weak… gentlemen… enjoy yourselves… I… I shall rest a while…”
Before finishing, his massive frame leaned back on the couch, snoring thunderously. Other officers were similarly slumped, and no one attended the camp’s guards or patrols. The Wuchao camp lay defenseless, wide open, utterly unalert.
By the next day, Cao Zhi led three thousand elite troops, moving like shadows through the hills under Yuan Shao’s control.
After a night and day of rapid march, by dusk the following day, they reached the forested outskirts of Wuchao.
At midnight, when all were weary, they observed the sprawling camp. Supply mounds rose like mountains, guards appeared numerous but poorly disciplined. Patrols were lax, and from the Yuan general’s tent, faint laughter and drinking could be heard.
Zhang Liao whispered:
“My lord, after this long raid, they have clearly not expected us. Yet their fortifications are strong; a direct assault would be difficult.”
Xu Huang added:
“We need to find a weak point.”
Cao Zhi’s gaze sharpened:
“They will expect a frontal assault. Look there—on the west side, near a stream, the ground is low, and patrols are sparse. This will be our breach.”
He gave the final orders:
“General Zilong, take the cavalry through the gap and strike straight for the enemy command tent. The target is one—kill Chunyu Qiong and paralyze their command!”
“General Zhang Liao, follow Zilong with a unit, bring torches and fire oil, and set the supply mounds ablaze! Create chaos with fire and noise!”
“General Xu Huang, secure both sides of the breach, hold formation against reinforcements, and ensure our retreat path!”
“I will observe from a height and coordinate the attack. Success or failure depends on this moment. Move!”
Zhao Yun obeyed, riding forth, his spear glinting cold in the moonlight. With a shout, he charged like a silver flash toward the chosen gap.
The Yuan guards were caught unawares; Zhao Yun and his elite cavalry cleared them instantly. Like a dam breaking, the army surged into Wuchao.
Zhang Liao followed, soldiers paired—one with shield, one hurling fire oil at the massive supply mounds.
Autumn dryness made the grain instantly flare. Within moments, mounds ignited, towering flames lighting the night sky as if day had come.
“Enemy attack!”
“The supply depots are on fire!”
The Yuan camp descended into total chaos. Soldiers woke to a nightmare of flames and screams, completely disoriented, running like headless flies.
Inside Chunyu Qiong’s tent, bodyguards rushed to awaken him.
Half-drunk and bewildered, he shouted:
“What noise?! What is happening?!”
A pale guard stammered:
“General! It’s serious! Cao’s army… they have broken in! The supply depots are all aflame!”
Chunyu Qiong’s fear snapped him awake:
“What?! Impossible!”
He stumbled out of the tent to see the inferno consuming the camp. Fires erupted on multiple fronts. Zhang Liao and Xu Huang, experienced in setting fires efficiently, fueled the blaze with oil and flaming arrows, creating multiple walls of fire.
“Enemy attack! Cao’s troops are here!”
Panic spread exponentially.
Chunyu Qiong drew his sword, knocking aside a panicked soldier:
“Don’t panic! It’s just a small group of Cao bandits! Rally! Form ranks! Follow me!”
Though a seasoned general, the chaos overwhelmed him. Misjudging the enemy’s main force, he led several thousand troops out, hoping to counterattack what he believed to be a flank.
Exactly what Cao Zhi had intended.
As Chunyu Qiong’s troops left the gate, Zhao Yun, hidden at the side, received the signal.
With a roar, he charged:
“Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here! Chunyu Qiong, prepare to die!”
Like thunder striking, he broke through the hastily formed lines. Chunyu Qiong, stunned, tried to rally spear troops, but Zhao Yun’s speed tore the formation apart. Ignoring the ordinary soldiers, he surged straight for the general.
Chunyu Qiong, realizing the threat too late, panicked:
“Stop him! Stop him!”
None could stop Zhao Yun. In a flash, his spear struck. Chunyu Qiong raised his blade, but the force shattered it, his hand crushed.
Without pause, Zhao Yun drove the spear into Chunyu Qiong’s chest.
The general gasped, disbelief and resignation in his eyes:
“You… you are—”
Before he could finish, Zhao Yun withdrew. Chunyu Qiong fell from his horse, lifeless.
With the commander slain, Yuan troops scattered in chaos, unable to regroup.
Cao Zhi, seeing the supplies engulfed in flames, knew the mission’s main objective was achieved. Understanding reinforcements could arrive at any time, he ordered:
“Do not pursue fleeing troops! Focus on burning everything! Once complete, retreat along the original route!”
The soldiers executed the command strictly, setting more supplies ablaze. Wuchao became a massive torch, illuminating the sky.
By dawn, Cao Zhi’s army, having achieved a miraculous victory and slain the enemy commander, vanished into the darkness, leaving Yuan Shao with a nightmare that could not be extinguished.