Drums and trumpets sounded on the tower ship, and Taishi Ci drove the ship to chase Cao Cao, while Generals Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai led their troops to guard him.
The Eastern Wu fleet rushed towards the water fort on the north bank like a ferocious beast. Cao's army hurriedly fired arrows on the shore, but it was too late to stop the warships that were breaking through the waves.
Taishi Ci drew his bow and arrow, and stretched out his arms like an ape. Several enemy generals on the shore fell to the ground. Cao's army was in chaos, and Cao Cao fled to the rear camp surrounded by guards.
Bang, bang, bang—
The ships crashed into the harbor, and the entire water fort was shaking like an earthquake. The morale of the Wu army soared, and they picked up their weapons and followed Taishi Ci and others ashore to chase the enemy into the fort.
Zhou Yu led the army to the middle of the river and suddenly heard the sound of drums. He urged the boats forward and saw that the navy had already rushed to the other side of the river. People in the camp were running around in panic and there were sounds of shouting and killing everywhere.
Lü Meng laughed and said, "Cao is arrogant and domineering, but I think he is just like that."
He and Taishi Ci were both in Yuzhang at the time and did not participate in the Battle of Hefei. They were incredulous when they heard the news. Now that they were personally meeting the enemy, they saw that Cao's army was defeated at the first touch, so they did not take it seriously.
"Not good!" Zhou Yu, standing at the bow, suddenly changed his expression and ordered, "Sound the horn and withdraw the troops immediately."
Lü Meng was puzzled and asked, "The troops have landed and are advancing rapidly. It is the time to seize the opportunity to fight. Why are the troops defending?"
Zhou Yu said in a deep voice: "The Cao army fled after one battle, which means they must have suffered a defeat on the water. They have to wait for our army to land before fighting again. There must be an ambush in the camp."
Lu Meng was doubtful and suddenly the sound of horns was heard. However, the wind was very strong on the river, and the sound of drums and fighting in the front shook the whole area, so the front army could not hear the order at all.
Zhou Yu ordered his men to wave the flags and retreat, but Taishi Ci and others had already rushed into the camp and could not see the situation on the river.
Just when they were getting anxious, a dull drum sound was heard on the shore, and green smoke rose from several water forts in the east and spread to the west.
It was mid-spring and the southeast wind was strong on the river. Once the fire spread, the army's retreat would be cut off and the consequences would be disastrous.
"Hurry up and support the front army!" Zhou Yu was shocked and immediately sent four generals, Lu Meng, Zhu Huan, Ding Feng and Pan Zhang, to sail downstream.
As soon as the fleet set out, thick smoke was seen rising from all the water forts. The black smoke billowed and filled the river bank. Under the scorching sun, flames could still be seen rising.
"Cao thief!" Zhou Yu's face turned pale and he gritted his teeth and said, "I didn't set the fire yet, but you started it first."
Originally, he planned to send a fleet to burn the water fort in the evening when the east wind was strongest. However, Cao Cao was so decisive and burned the water fort to repel the enemy.
Lu Xun, who was guarding the central army, sailed closer and clasped his fists, saying, "General, Cao Cao has set up an ambush by burning the water fort. He must have decided to retreat to Ruxu. Why don't we land the entire army, rescue the generals, and occupy the north bank?"
Zhou Yu looked at Lu Xun in surprise, and immediately issued an order: "General Lu and Pan Zhang will land from the downstream, and I will go to the upstream to meet them. We will attack from both sides and defeat Cao's army together."
Lu Xun received the order to steer the boat and lead half of the troops, sailing quickly downstream. Zhou Yu looked at Lu Xun's back at the bow with a deep gaze.
Taishi Ci was too reckless and fell into an enemy ambush. He was so impatient that he almost lost his composure. This rising star of the Lu family actually had such keen observation skills. He was truly a talented general.
At this time, the sound of killing was deafening on the shore, and Zhou Yu had no time to think too much. The remaining fleet went upstream, bypassed Cao's water stronghold and outflanked from behind.
Taishi Ci rushed into Cao's camp first, brandishing his iron halberd and killing several people in a row. He stared at Cao Cao in a red robe and led his troops in pursuit.
When they chased out of the rear camp, they saw a general blocking their way and shouted, "Jiao Chu is here, Wu Gou, surrender quickly!"
Taishi Ci did not answer, but strode forward with his lips pursed. Jiao Chu was furious and urged his horse to slash at him with his sword.
Taishi Ci did not retreat but advanced, staring closely at the broadsword that was swinging towards him, like a deep pool and a steep mountain. When his mount got close, he roared and swung his iron halberd to meet the broadsword.
Cavalry has a natural advantage over infantry because they are in a dominant position and have the impact force of their horses. Faced with the charge of cavalry, infantry without a battle formation can only avoid it.
"Go to hell!" Jiao Chu swung his sword with all his might, trying to kill the person who was blocking his way.
However, Taishi Ci twisted his waist and suddenly dodged when the big knife approached. Jiao Chu slashed at the air, but because he used too much force, his horse shook.
At this moment, Taishi Ci's iron halberd suddenly stabbed towards him, as if his body was facing the tip of the halberd, and with a "whoosh", it pierced into his left rib.
With a thud, Jiao Chu was pulled off the horse by Taishi Ci, grabbing the belt of his robe and screaming. Under the huge impact, his internal organs were shattered, and his body rolled over, and he died with blood clots at his mouth.
It was only a brief encounter, Cao Cao was still not far ahead, Taishi Ci grabbed his mount, picked up his sword, and rode up, shouting, "Cao thief, don't run away!"
"You killed my brother and you still want to leave?"
Zhang Nan and Jiao Chu were both former generals of the Yuan family and had the closest relationship. Zhang Nan was ordered to guard the rear camp, and when he saw Jiao Chu being killed, he came to seek revenge.
Taishi Ci's face was as gloomy as water, and he continued to urge his horse forward, with only Cao Cao in his eyes. Zhang Nan stepped forward, and when the two horses crossed, he was killed by a sword.
Cao's army was in chaos, and all the soldiers who rushed up were killed by Taishi Ci. Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin also led their troops to the scene at the same time, grabbed the war horses and rushed forward. The Wu army rushed forward, and Cao's army retreated.
Taishi Ci urged his horse to chase Cao Cao, but suddenly a general blocked his way. He was strong and muscular, covered in black armor, like an iron tower. He said in a buzzing voice, "I, Xu Chu, will meet you!"
when-
Taishi Ci urged his horse forward and slashed with his sword, but was blocked by Xu Chu's sword. The blow was rebounded and he was secretly shocked. He had long heard of the name of Cao Cao's bodyguard "Tiger Crazy", and he realized that he was indeed quite powerful.
When they turned their horses around to fight again, suddenly drums sounded in Cao's camp and ambushes emerged. Xiahou Dun, Le Jin and Zang Ba led their troops to attack respectively, and the cavalry rushed forward like a tiger descending from the mountain.
Taishi Ci turned back and saw thick smoke rising from the shore. He immediately realized that something was wrong and exclaimed, "We've fallen into a trap. Retreat!"
"Wu dog, take my sword!" Xu Chu laughed wildly and swung his sword, not allowing Taishi Ci to retreat at all.
Taishi Ci was very anxious. He gritted his teeth and caught Xu Chu. He shouted to Zhou Tai and the others, "I will cover your retreat. Retreat quickly!"
Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin hurriedly commanded their troops to retreat towards the water fort while fighting. Only by retreating into the fort and using fences and trenches could they stop the cavalry's charge.
The cavalry was extremely fast, especially the newly recruited Xianbei cavalry led by Le Jin, who, like the Wuhuan cavalry, could draw their bows and arrows and launch archery on horseback.
Le Jin arrived first, his war horse whizzed past, and arrows rained down on the Wu army. A large number of them fell, and the hastily organized formation was in chaos.
Xiahou Dun and Zang Ba followed closely behind, and after a fierce charge, the Wu army was scattered, just like when they used warships to attack Cao's army on the water. The situation was reversed and they could not be stopped at all.
Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin had just retreated to the gate of the village when they saw a big fire in the village. Thick smoke spread over. The scorching flames made it impossible for them to get close, so they had to rush forward with all their might.
The two also took advantage of the chaos to grab the horses and rushed to Taishi Ci. Zhou Tai helped to force Xu Chu to retreat, shouting: "The coast is on fire, and the retreat is cut off."
Taishi Ci turned his head and looked, his face suddenly changed. Seeing that Cao's army was surrounding them again, he shouted: "The commander-in-chief will definitely come to rescue us. Fight to the east and break out."
Zhou Tai and the other two also knew that they were now surrounded and the only way to survive was to fight to the death, so they organized their men to charge downstream.