The Wuguan city wall was so tall that it was still impossible to climb to the top using a ladder. The next day, Xu Huang changed his strategy and led his troops to attack the city again.
Cao Jun suppressed the defenders with catapults and well lanterns, and prepared dozens of rams to rush to the pass and smash through it.
Drums were beating loudly inside and outside Wuguan City, and arrows rained down from the gate. Cao's army suffered numerous casualties. Seeing the soldiers fall under his own crossbows, Xu Huang gnashed his teeth in hatred of Liu Qi's deceit.
For several days, Cao's army attacked the city one after another. Due to the cold weather, the blood solidified in an instant, and steps several feet high were built under the wall.
A large expanse of scarlet blood ice was filled with countless broken corpses, which was shocking.
After several rounds of fierce attacks, Cao Jun's men and horses suffered numerous injuries and most of their weapons were destroyed. Wuguan was still as stable as a rock. The offensive gradually weakened, the men and horses became tired and slack, and their morale was low.
It snowed heavily that night. Fu Wei and Wei Yan discussed: "Cao's army has been tired recently, so it is better to seize the opportunity to rob the camp and kill Xu Huang in one fell swoop."
Wei Yan was wiping his sword and said with a smile: "General and I have coincided with each other. If we go out in the snow tonight, Cao's army will definitely be unprepared. If we can capture Xu Huang, it will be a great achievement."
After the third watch, the second general led his troops out of the pass and quietly arrived outside Cao's camp in the snow. The howling northwest wind covered up the sound of footsteps, and they rushed into the camp from left to right.
As expected, Cao's army was not well-prepared. The defenders wanted to beat drums to warn, but Wei Yan had already taken the lead and charged into the camp, waving his sword, but there was no enemy.
Cao Jun could not resist, and the camp was in chaos. The men and horses had no time to put on their armor and fled separately.
Fu Xu led his troops to set fire everywhere and went to where the weapons were piled. As long as these weapons were burned, Cao's army would not be able to attack the city.
Wei Yan rushed straight towards the central army. Wherever he passed, Cao's soldiers overturned their horses and fled in panic. They reached the camp, only to find that there was no one inside.
"No, we've fallen into a trap!" Wei Yan's face changed drastically, and he hurried back to his horse and shouted: "Retreat, retreat quickly!"
Dong dong dong——
At this moment, drums were beating loudly in Cao's camp, shouts were heard everywhere, torches were lit in the back camp, and they swarmed up the mountain road.
Fu Wen was leading his troops to burn wooden objects such as well rails and catapults. Suddenly, the structure in front suddenly collapsed, and countless soldiers were knocked down. Immediately afterwards, an ambush came out from behind.
It turned out that Cao's army used vehicles and equipment for cover and lurked under the cliff. The Jingzhou soldiers were caught off guard and retreated in a hurry.
Fu Wei was shocked and hurriedly ordered his soldiers to form a formation, but Cao's army came very quickly. Xu Huang personally hid here and swung his big ax, rushing the men and horses to pieces.
"Thief, take your life!" Under the firelight, Xu Huang recognized Fu Wei and ran straight over.
Fu Wei gritted his teeth and stepped forward to fight, but Wei Yan was still charging ahead. If he retreated, Wei Yan would be trapped.
The two fought to the death at the foot of the cliff, with Fu Wei clinging to Xu Huang. Xu Huang was helpless and roared angrily.
At this moment, Wei Yan led his troops to retreat and dispersed the besieging Cao army. He roared and slashed at Xu Huang with his sword, shouting: "Retreat!"
Fu Wei retreated to the outside of the camp, gathered the remaining soldiers and rushed in again. Wei Yan's enemy was staying in Xu Huang, and they were killing and walking. After Fu Wei was cut off, the two fought to the death and escaped.
"Wei Yanxiu, leave!" Xu Huang led his troops and then covered up the killing, hoping to use all his strength to follow him into the pass while taking advantage of the chaos.
Wei Yan urged his horses, galloped to the pass, and shouted to the defenders on the city: "Fire the arrows, fire the arrows quickly!"
Seeing that there were still many of his own troops in the rear, the defenders were hesitating. Wei Yan roared: "If you hesitate again, don't blame the ruthless military law!"
At this time, Fu Wei led the remaining soldiers to retreat to the city. Wei Yan drew his bow and arrow on his horse and aimed at Xu Huang.
The wind was blowing loudly in the dark night. Xu Huang was only focused on chasing Fu Wei. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his left arm. He knew he had been hit by an arrow and hurriedly reined in his horse.
In this moment of hesitation, Guan Guan was already raining down arrows, and the chasing Cao soldiers, together with some Jingzhou soldiers in front, fell to the ground one after another.
When Xu Huang saw Wei Yan aiming at him with his bow, he cursed: "Despicable person, hurting people with hidden arrows!"
Fu Wei was injured on his shoulder. He gritted his teeth and stood at the gate of the city to hold on. They waited for the remaining soldiers to retreat into the city before the two returned to the city.
Xu Huang was hit by an arrow in his arm. Seeing that the defenders were heavily guarded and there was no hope of breaking through, he had no choice but to lead his troops and retreat.
Wei Yan retreated to the city. In this battle, almost the entire army was wiped out, and more than 3,000 men were lost. He sighed: "Xu Gongming is indeed a good general, but we were still careless."
After Fu Xi died, he suffered several more wounds on his body, especially when Xu Huang's axe scratched his shoulder blade, penetrating into his bones and nearly losing an arm.
The doctor bandaged his wound, grinning in pain, sucking in cold air and saying: "No, no...hiss...don't rush for success."
Wei Yan sighed softly and told Fu Shu to rest in peace and recover, and then come to inspect at the critical moment.
Snowflakes were still falling, Cao's army had already retreated, and some fell into darkness again, but their hearts could not be calm for a long time.
Both of them were eager to prove themselves by making meritorious deeds, and they were so careless in underestimating the enemy that they were defeated in such a big way. They learned a lesson from every experience, and they should keep this lesson in mind.
The next day, Cao soldiers took advantage of their victory and attacked the city again. Wei Yan personally led the troops and fired several arrows. Several Cao soldiers fell down.
Xu Huang was furious, rode his horse to the city, pointed at Wei Yan and cursed: "A rat can hurt someone with his hidden arrows, how dare you fight with a certain person?"
Wei Yan did not answer, but drew his bow and aimed at Xu Huang, and an arrow whizzed towards him.
Xu Huang raised his ax to push it aside and yelled and cursed for a while. Seeing that Wei Yan refused to fight, he sent an order to attack the city.
The fighting ended in the morning and Wei Yan was resting. Suddenly he heard reports from the defenders, and Liu Qi sent Fengchu Pang Tong to help in the battle.
Wei Yan was overjoyed and personally welcomed him out of the city gate, clasping his fists and saying: "I'm in Xiangyang. I've heard about your name for a long time. I came just in time!"
Pang Tong smiled and said: "Although General Liu knew that Cao Cao was dividing his troops to capture Wuguan, he did not send reinforcements. He believed that Chang Wen could securely defend Wuguan. I am here to come, which is just the icing on the cake."
"Sir, you are making fun of me!" Wei Yan laughed dryly, welcomed Pang Tong into the house, and told the truth about the defeat a few days ago.
After sitting down, he regretted and sighed: "I took the risk and greedy for merit, almost missed a big event, and failed the great master's trust."
Pang Tong said: "Chief Wen was able to escape in time and turn danger into safety, which shows the general's ability to recognize people. Generals focus on strategy rather than courage. Chang Wen must remember this."
Wei Yan accepted it humbly, clasped his fists and said, "Xu Huang manages the army well. Cao's army is attacking fiercely. I wonder what countermeasures you have, sir?"
Pang Tong smiled and said: "When I came, the general had already given instructions, and he was soon ordered to return without success."
Wei Yan asked for advice, but Pang Tong smiled and said nothing. The two of them went to the gate first to inspect.
Pang Tong clasped his hands in his sleeves, scanned the winding road outside the pass, and pointed ahead with his chin: "Wuguan is bordered by Juejian to the east and cliffs to the west. If we build a defense line at that mountain depression, we will be safe."
Wei Yan frowned and said: "Cao's army is outside the pass and can send troops to attack at any time. I'm afraid building a wall will be in vain."
Cao's camp is not far away, extending along the mountain road. It is Cao's defense line for more than ten miles. Building a wall is really unnecessary.
Pang Tong grinned and said, "What if I build a three-foot-high wall in three days and merge it with the cliff?"
"How is this possible?" Wei Yan said in surprise: "Cao's army is just outside the pass. It is not easy to retreat. How can we build a wall several feet high in three days?"
Pang Tong's eyebrows jumped from side to side, and he chuckled: "I have a clever plan of my own."
