After the battle, Zhang Yang and Zhang Liao met with Qin Longyang and Guan Yu. They exchanged pleasantries, with Zhang Yang exclaiming, "Hahaha, General Qin's reputation is truly deserved, and this General Guan here is able to slay enemy generals with ease amidst thousands of troops. I am deeply impressed."
Qin Longyang smiled lightly and said, "Not at all, not at all. The greatest merit today belongs to the two generals. I was merely fortunate to witness such elite cavalry. However, now is not the time for idle chatter. The enemy is still present, and we should quickly enter the city to discuss plans to repel them."
"Indeed, please!"
On one side, the situation had been turned around, while on the other, the Xiongnu were in utter panic. The remnants of their forces on the eastern front retreated to the northern Xiongnu camp and reported the death of Uluozhen to General Yufuluo. Yufuluo felt a sudden darkness before his eyes.
It didn't matter who had died, but the deceased was the Fourth Prince, Uluozhen, Huchuquan's most beloved son. Uluozhen had insisted on joining the campaign, and Huchuquan had reluctantly agreed, making Yufuluo promise to protect him. Now that Uluozhen had been killed, Yufuluo was destined to face a grim fate.
"General, the Han reinforcements have entered the city. If we continue to fight, it will be disadvantageous for us. Perhaps we should retreat from Yanshan and regroup," a Xiongnu advisor suggested quietly.
Yufuluo, gritting his teeth as he looked at the almost captured Jicheng, said, "One day, I will make these Han people pay with their blood for today's fallen brothers! Retreat!"
At Yufuluo's command, the Xiongnu camp quickly mobilized. This was witnessed by Qin Longyang and his group, who had just entered Jicheng. Liao Hua immediately volunteered, "Lord, the Xiongnu are severely weakened and are retreating in panic. Why not take advantage of the situation to pursue them and drive them out of the Central Plains?"
The other generals agreed, but Qin Longyang smiled faintly and said, "The Xiongnu won't be unprepared. They might be waiting for us to attack. The ones who are truly weakened are us. The most pressing task is to restore order in Jicheng and repair the defenses."
"Understood." The generals saluted in unison. Qin Longyang then assigned tasks, "Yuanjian (Liao Hua) and Yunchang (Guan Yu), follow me with 5,000 troops to rescue someone."
"Rescue? Who else needs to be rescued?" The two were puzzled. Qin Longyang explained, "Liu Bei, Liu Xuande."
The siege of Jicheng was lifted, and Yufuluo had no choice but to lead his remaining forces north over Yanshan. Meanwhile, Qin Longyang led 5,000 cavalry to rush towards a place southeast of Jicheng called Quanzhou.
At this moment, Quanzhou had just experienced a bloody massacre comparable to the siege of Jicheng. On one side were the Xiongnu stationed in Quanzhou, and on the other, Liu Bei, who had been sent by Liu Yan to seek help from Gongsun Zan.
Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan were fellow disciples, having studied under the general Lu Zhi in their early years. However, Gongsun Zan immediately refused to send troops to aid Jicheng, not caring about their past friendship.
Knowing Liu Bei's concern for his reputation, Gongsun Zan suggested that he could raid the Xiongnu's grain depot in Quanzhou, weakening them without a direct confrontation. Liu Bei agreed, unaware that the Xiongnu had set a trap in Quanzhou, waiting for him.
As night fell in Quanzhou, Liu Bei and his remaining few hundred soldiers took a brief rest on a desolate mountain. The Xiongnu encircled them below, their fires illuminating the night, intent on annihilation.
In the camp, the soldiers, stained with blood, sat together, their expressions grim. These 2,000 troops were Liu Yan's men, and Liu Bei was just a "connection" in their eyes. Today's defeat left them dissatisfied with Liu Bei.
"Big brother," Zhang Fei arrived on horseback, "I just scouted, and the western side of the encirclement seems weak. We can break out from there under the cover of night."
"The west..." Liu Bei pondered, "Yes, let's break out and head for Jicheng. If Qin Longyang is reinforcing Jicheng, they must be engaged with the Xiongnu by now. Spread the word and prepare to break out to the west."
"Got it! I'll lead the charge and make these bastards regret!" Zhang Fei shouted, raising his spear and mounting his horse. Liu Bei, too, readied his swords and mounted. The soldiers, suppressing their resentment, rose to form ranks.
However, this was another Xiongnu trap. Thousands of soldiers awaited Liu Bei's retreat in the west.
"General, the Han soldiers are indeed coming this way!" In the tall grass, the Xiongnu lay in ambush. A deputy pointed out the approaching figures.
"Haha!" The Xiongnu general sneered, "Prepare the trip ropes!"
As Liu Bei and Zhang Fei approached, a trip rope suddenly appeared, causing them to fall. The soldiers behind them were met with a volley of arrows, leaving the ground littered with corpses.
"Big brother!"
"Yide!"
The two were quickly captured by the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu general laughed arrogantly, "Han soldiers are nothing. I've captured you two with a simple trick!"
Suddenly, a white figure flashed across the night sky and landed among the Xiongnu. A young man, dressed in white armor and riding a white horse, wielded a silver spear. Despite his youthful appearance, estimated to be only sixteen or seventeen, he cut through the Xiongnu forces, killing more than twenty soldiers with his spear.
The Xiongnu were astonished by his skill, comparing him to a reaper. The Xiongnu general, drawing his sword, shouted, "Who are you, and why do you kill my men?"
"You dare invade our land? Listen well! I am Zhao Yun, Zilong of Changshan. Today, I am here to kill all of you scoundrels! Do you dare face me in combat?"
The young man declared his name, but the Xiongnu didn't recognize the famous Zhao Zilong of Changshan. The general laughed, "You think you can last ten rounds against me? I'll be impressed if you last three!"
"Enough talk, have at you!" Zhao Yun shouted, thrusting his spear like a lightning bolt. The Xiongnu general, surprised, barely parried the attack. In a flash of silver, Zhao Yun's spear pierced his chest.
The general spat blood and fell from his horse, lifeless.
"Who else dares to face me?" Zhao Yun swung his spear, sending a gust of wind that made the Xiongnu retreat in fear.
Just then, shouts and flames erupted nearby. A large "Qin" flag was raised, and Liu Bei sighed in relief as Qin Longyang's forces arrived.
Guan Yu and Liao Hua, along with an old general, charged into the enemy lines, cutting down the Xiongnu and scattering them.
The battle ended quickly, and Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were saved. "Brother Xuande! Are you unharmed?" Qin Longyang helped Liu Bei up, his concern seemingly genuine, even Zhang Fei thought he had changed.
"Thanks to General Qin's rescue, I'm fine," Liu Bei replied, bowing slightly. His gratitude, however, lacked warmth.
Qin Longyang pretended not to notice, smiling kindly, "Thanks to you for holding off the enemy, we were able to transport the provisions from Quanzhou back to Jicheng. This victory is due to your efforts."
"No need for that!" Liu Bei huffed, "Please prepare two horses for us; we will return to Beiping without troubling you further."
"Beiping?" Qin Longyang frowned, "That's Gongsun Zan's territory. Are you going there?"
"I led the elite troops out for reinforcements and failed. I cannot face Governor Liu with any dignity."
Qin Longyang found it amusing that Liu Bei was so upfront about switching sides. But he nodded seriously, "If that's your decision, Yuanjian, prepare two good horses for our brother."
"Understood!"
Liu Bei cast a disdainful glance at Qin Longyang and turned his attention to the young man in silver armor.
"Thank you, young general, for saving us," Liu Bei said, bowing. "May I know your name?"
"There's no need to be so formal, sir. I am Zhao Yun, traveling with my master, who happened upon the Xiongnu's misdeeds. We were sent by my lord to rescue you," Zhao Yun replied politely.
"L-Lord?" Liu Bei stammered, caught off guard by Zhao Yun's words.
"Oh," Qin Longyang chuckled, "Yes, I met Zhao Yun and his master on Mount Xu and was moved by their loyalty. So, I invited them to join my service."
Qin Longyang knew what Liu Bei was thinking. Seeing Liu Bei's frustration made him feel satisfied.
"Well, then, farewell!" Liu Bei said curtly as Liao Hua brought two fine horses. Liu Bei mounted one angrily, not even saying goodbye.
"Brother Xuande, be careful traveling at night; you don't want to end up in a ditch!" Qin Longyang teased.
Liu Bei ignored him, snorted, and left with Zhang Fei, heading toward Beiping.
"Today, I owe it to Zilong and Master Tong for their assistance. Otherwise, I would have fallen into the Xiongnu's trap," Qin Longyang said, thanking Tong Yuan and Zhao Yun.
It turned out that the Xiongnu had set an ambush at the foot of Mount Xu to prevent anyone from rescuing Liu Bei. Qin Longyang, eager for glory, nearly fell into their trap. Fortunately, Zhao Yun and Tong Yuan had warned him in time, saving his life and securing two great warriors.
"No need to thank me, my lord. Ever since you broke the Yellow Turbans in Zhuo Commandery, I have admired you. Meeting you today is fate," said Tong Yuan, despite being over fifty, still full of vigor, his voice strong and clear.
Qin Longyang nodded repeatedly, "It's getting late. Let's discuss further once we return to Jicheng."
"Yes, my lord!"