Liu Qi returned to Wancheng and scouted the horses to report. Xiahou Dun led a hundred thousand troops to attack Bowang and rushed to the front line without stopping.
Nanyang is home to the Chu and Henan vassals and is known as the throat of Qin and Wu. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side, with the Qinling Mountains to the west, Funiu Mountain to the north, and Tongbai Mountain to the east. The Chu State once built the Great Wall here to exclude the Central Plains.
Entering the Nanyang Basin from the Central Plains, there is a long and narrow corridor with hills and low mountains throughout, and Bowang is one of the chokepoints.
Xiahou Dun sent troops to Bowang and divided his troops into three battalions to surround the city from a distance. Yu Jin and Han Hao each led an army and completely blocked the entire passage.
After setting up camp, Xiahou Dun was about to leave the camp and call for battle. Han Hao said: "Guan Yu is defending the city. We should not engage in confrontation with him. It is better to attack in three directions and break the city as soon as possible before Liu Qi and Xu Shu arrive."
Xiahou Dun sneered and said: "Why should we be afraid of Guan Yu's unsuspecting people? I will capture him and it will be easy to break the city again."
After giving the order, Cao Ying's drum beat loudly, shaking the surrounding areas, and they rushed to the gate of Xinye City in a mighty manner. Smoke and dust filled the air, covering the sky and blocking out the sun.
Guan Yu stood at the top of the city and glanced coldly at Cao Jun. When he saw Xiahou Dun arriving in person, he sent an order: "Follow me to meet the enemy!"
Wen Pin said: "Cao's army is powerful, hold on and don't go out."
Guan Yu smiled proudly and said: "Xiahou Dun is a general who is often defeated. Why should we be afraid? When the army approaches the city, if you don't resist the enemy and try to undermine the power of our army, won't you be laughed at by others?"
Wei Yan also witnessed such a huge scene for the first time, and laughed and said: "What Yun Chang said is absolutely true. The two of us will go first to kill Cao Jun's majesty, and General Wen will defend the city."
As the drums on the city sounded, the city gate opened, and the red rabbit and horse were like a ball of flames, raising their hooves and neighing, and the sound was like cracking silk.
"Xiahou Dun, come and die!" Guan Yu immediately raised his sword, lifted his beard and glanced coldly at the audience. Cao's army was in a commotion.
Xiahou Dun stared at Guan Yu with one eye warily and ordered his soldiers: "Be careful of sneak attacks!"
Just as he was preparing to step forward to meet the enemy and lure Guan Yu to the front of the army and kill him with random arrows, the deputy general Zhang Nan asked for his order: "The last general is willing to lead the battle and offer Guan Yu's head to his subordinates."
Xiahou Dun nodded and said: "Don't underestimate the enemy, just lead him to the front of the army!"
Zhang Nan surrendered to Cao Cao, killed countless enemies during the Wuhuan campaign, and was promoted to partial general for his meritorious service. Full of confidence, Zhang Nan rode out into battle and pointed his gun at Guan Yu: "Guan Yu, it's time for you to die!"
Wei Yan cupped his fists and said, "How can you kill a chicken with a bull's knife? Let me do it!"
"Be careful, Mr. Wen!" Guan Yu nodded slightly, revealing a hint of a smile.
Guan Yu was arrogant and indifferent to his generals, but when he saw Wei Yan, he looked calm. Everyone thought it was because of his red face.
Little did he know that Guan Yu admired Wei Yan because he saw Wei Yan's strong martial arts and aloof character.
Because Guan Yu was forced by the wealthy family, he killed people and took refuge in the rivers and lakes. He made friends with all the heroes of the green forest. He was well aware of the sufferings of the world, hated the nobles, and sympathized with the common people.
After gaining fame, he was proud of his superiors but not his subordinates, bullied the strong but not the weak. He valued his powerful generals very highly and looked down upon those children of aristocratic families who were in high positions due to their family power.
Wei Yan rode out of the battle, Zhang Nan shouted: "Who is coming?"
"That's right, Wei Yan!" Wei Yan did not hesitate, and rode straight towards Zhang Nan.
Zhang Nan was furious and raised his spear to stab him, but Wei Yan swung his sword and knocked him away. He slashed with his backhand and Zhang Nan hurriedly dodged.
The two horses crossed each other and then turned around to fight. However, Zhang Nan couldn't resist after only four or five of them. Remembering Xiahou Dun's command, he turned the horses' heads and left.
"Want to leave? Leave your dog's head behind first!" Wei Yan shouted violently, urged his horse to catch up, and slashed from behind with a knife.
Zhang Nan heard the sound behind his head and hurriedly lay down on his horse to dodge, but Wei Yan had already expected it and slashed down with his broadsword.
I saw a cold light flash across, Zhang Nan and his mount's head were chopped off, Gululu rolled into the dust, the two corpses rolled over, and blood sprayed everywhere like a fountain.
Cao Jun was in an uproar. Xiahou Dun narrowed one eye and exclaimed: "Another one with a red face?"
"Watch me kill this man for revenge!" Jiao Chu was furious and urged his horse to enter the arena.
He and Zhang Nan were both generals of the Yuan family and had a close friendship. When he saw Zhang Nan being killed, he came to take revenge.
It was too late for Xiahou Dun to dissuade him, so he had to be ready to respond at any time. Jiao Chu rushed to the front of the formation and was killed by Wei Yan within a few seconds. His sword skills were chaotic.
Xiahou Dun shouted: "Jiao Hu, retreat quickly!" The crossbowmen were already ready in front of the formation.
Wei Yan was so scared that he ran away in embarrassment, but did not pursue him. Hengdao laughed and said, "One-eyed dragon, do you dare to come and test whether a certain sword is sharp?"
"My sword is not bad at all!" Xiahou Dun was most afraid of others saying that he had one eye. Hearing this, he was furious and came to fight Wei Yan.
The drums of the two armies were beating loudly, and the two generals were fighting in circles in the field like a revolving lantern. For more than thirty people, there was no winner or loser. Xiahou Dun was secretly shocked that the unknown general could have such strength.
After fighting for more than ten rounds, when the horses were circling, out of the corner of their eyes, they saw Guan Yu pulling the horses. The red rabbit horse was waving its head and pawing its hooves in front of the formation, as if it wanted to rush out, and his heart was shocked.
But he forgot that he only had one eye, and when he glanced at Guan Yu from the corner of his eye, the other side became a blind spot.
Wei Yan slashed with the sword, and because he was distracted, when he heard the sound of breaking wind, the blade was already close.
Xiahoudun screamed in surprise and hurriedly lowered his head to dodge. The tip of the knife passed over his head and hit his helmet. His head suddenly shook and stars shot out of his eyes.
"General, be careful!" Cao Jun shouted in fright when he saw Xiahou Dun's helmet and tassels being chopped off.
Xiahou Dun was still in shock and worried about Guan Yu's surprise attack. He didn't dare to fight anymore, so he hit his horse and fled.
Guan Yu was just waiting a little impatiently in front of the formation. The two were fighting, and he didn't even bother to make a sneak attack. At this time, seeing Xiahou Dun's defeat, he led his troops to charge.
Xiahou Dun retreated in embarrassment, and the Chinese army was suddenly in chaos. When he saw Guan Yu charging towards him, Cao's army became timid before fighting, and their positions were in chaos.
Guan Ping on the flank led troops to respond, followed Wei Yan, and rushed straight towards the turbulent Cao army in two groups: left and right.
The red rabbit horse galloped like a shooting star, carrying Guan Yu's sword, and rushed to the front of the formation with the power of thunder. The green dragon sword swept past and the figures flew.
Guan Yu's reputation has spread throughout Cao Ying. Anyone who dares to fight with him will follow Xiahou Dun and flee.
On the other side, Wei Yan and Guan Ping did not give in too much. Their horses galloped like tigers among sheep, and they were invincible. Cao's army was completely in chaos and fled in confusion.
Taking advantage of the victory, Guan Yu led his troops to attack, preparing to rush straight into the Chinese camp. However, Yu Jin and Han Hao had already prepared their formations and gave way to the rebels in the middle. Arrows were fired from both wings, and the arrows were like locusts, airtight.
The Jingzhou soldiers slaughtered for a while, with corpses strewn on the ground outside the city and rivers of blood flowing. Cao's army formed a formation and did not dare to attack. He watched them snatch weapons and return in triumph.
Xiahou Dun returned to camp in embarrassment, sweating profusely and holding his head in shock. At this time, he still felt his head was buzzing.
Yu Jin and his two men defeated the enemy and returned to the camp, saying: "Today's defeat and morale are low, it is better to retreat to Mopo temporarily."
"I was just plotted against, how can I say I failed?" Xiahou Dun said angrily, "Tomorrow the whole army will attack the city. If Wei Yan is not killed and Guan Yu is not captured, I swear that I will not be a human being!"
Han Hao said worriedly: "Guan Yu is brave and has Wei Yan as his assistant. I'm afraid they will come to rob the camp tonight."
"Rob the camp?" Xiahou Dun rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "If Guan Yu really dares to come, I will capture him!"
Yu Jin understood in his mind, clasped his fists and said: "If we can turn defeat into victory, we will definitely break the city tomorrow!"
Xiahou Dun smiled coldly and sent an order to reorganize his troops and deploy them secretly in the camp.
