When Guan Hai heard that Zhang Chen's army had withdrawn, he knew that he must have received news and was rushing back to reinforce Ye City overnight.
Although Generals Zhang and Li and the Zhao Commandery troops had broken through Liangqi, their deep penetration into Wei Commandery still carried significant danger. Only by advancing on two fronts, preventing Zhang Chen from supporting both ends, could safety be ensured.
Thinking of this, Guan Hai dared not delay for a moment. He urgently ordered all units to break camp and rush towards Quliang.
Past the third watch, Guan Hai's army had arrived at Quliang. As expected, they found the camps empty. Outside the tents, cooking utensils and other items had not even been packed, and many provisions were left behind in the rear camp.
Guan Hai's heart settled. He speculated that this must be due to Zhang Chen's loss of Liangqi, causing him to retreat in a panic.
Guan Hai quickly ordered someone to fetch a map to examine.
A short while later, Guan Hai pointed at the map and said to his generals, "South of Quliang, after passing through this forest and then following the official road west, lies Ye City. If the army marches quickly, we can reach the city gates of Ye City before dawn."
Yang Feng frowned and said, "Protector, the Soldiers have been fighting all day and marching all night; they are utterly exhausted. How about we rest here for the night and set off at dawn?"
Guan Hai said sternly, "No! Zhang Chen must be marching through the night. If we wait until dawn, he will have already returned to Ye City. By then, Zhang Baiqi and the others will face a pincer attack from the city's defenders and Zhang Chen's main force. Once the Zhao Commandery troops are defeated, Zhang Chen will lead his army into the city and hold Ye City, putting us on the defensive. Pass down the order: the entire army is to march immediately! Those who disobey will be executed!"
With Guan Hai's military order issued, Yang Feng had no choice but to comply. The Yellow Turban Army marched through the night, heading south towards the Qing Forest.
By the time it was past the fourth watch, Guan Hai's army slowly entered the forest.
It was early autumn, and the weather was still somewhat hot. The Yellow Turban Army had fought all day and had not rested, leaving everyone and their horses utterly exhausted.
Guan Hai himself led the central army, with Generals Yang Feng and Xu Huang beside him. As the army advanced deep into the forest, Xu Huang looked around and couldn't help but frown slightly.
Xu Huang said to Guan Hai, "Protector, this place has dense trees, suitable for an ambush. That Zhang Chen is skilled in military tactics. Even if he retreats, it's hard to guarantee he won't set up an ambush on the road. We need to be careful."
Guan Hai said disapprovingly, "Gongming worries too much. You saw just now how chaotic the camp was; it was clearly caused by Zhang Chen's hurried retreat. His sole focus now is rushing back to reinforce Ye City. How could he spare the effort to set up an ambush? We just need to pass through quickly; there should be no major issues."
"But..."
"No need for further words. Order the entire army to quicken their pace. Those who delay or are slack will be executed!"
Xu Huang sighed helplessly and could only give up.
Not long after, the entire Yellow Turban Army had entered the forest. At this moment, they did not realize that in the darkness, pairs of eyes were staring intently at them.
Suddenly, a thick smoke drifted through the forest.
"What's that smell?"
"Bang!" "Boom!"
A series of explosions rang out. Instantly, several tongues of fire shot out from all directions. For a moment, flames soared into the sky, igniting the trees on both sides!
"What's happening?"
"Fire! Fire!"
"Enemy attack! It's an enemy attack!"
Immediately, fires erupted on all sides. At the same time, deafening shouts of killing came from all directions.
"Not good! It's a trap! Quick, retreat!" Guan Hai was startled and urgently ordered the army to withdraw from the forest.
These Yellow Turban Soldiers were already exhausted and low in morale. Facing sudden changes at this moment, they were terrified out of their wits. How could they obey orders? They immediately fled in panic, scattering in all directions.
"Don't panic! Don't panic!" several generals immediately shouted, but they couldn't suppress the chaos.
Guan Hai couldn't help but become furious. He immediately drew his sword and cut down two Soldiers nearby, shouting, "Those who disobey orders will be executed immediately!"
The army was intimidated by his might and finally settled down, but the fire in the forest grew larger and larger.
In late autumn, the weather is dry and everything is flammable. Once a fire starts in the forest, it becomes uncontrollable. Guan Hai urgently ordered the army to retreat, but before they had retreated far, shouts of killing came. A troop of Soldiers charged out from the direction they came, instantly routing the fleeing Yellow Turban Army, sending men and horses tumbling.
Under the firelight, a voice was heard shouting, "Rebels, do you know the might of my 'Trapped Camp'!"
"Charge into the trap, advance without fear! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The shouts of the Halberdiers shook the heavens, instantly causing the Yellow Turban rebels to lose all will to fight.
Guan Hai was shocked. Seeing his retreat route cut off and flames everywhere, he quickly turned his horse and shouted, "All Soldiers heed my order! Follow me and charge south! As long as we get out of the forest, we will be saved!"
Guan Hai was indeed battle-hardened. In this moment of crisis, he made a decisive decision without hesitation and immediately led his troops to charge south.
Along the way, countless Yellow Turban Soldiers were burned to death or trampled to death. It wasn't until the fifth watch that the group finally saw the end of the forest.
The fire in the forest had not spread this far, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, after this ordeal, they had lost at least ten thousand troops.
Zhang Chen, just you wait for me!
Guan Hai harbored resentment in his heart and quickly ordered the army to continue marching directly towards Ye City.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the vanguard unit exited the forest and reached the official road, a row of torches lit up on the opposite hillside, and a troop of Soldiers appeared on the slope.
Guan Hai and the others were startled by the sight.
On the hillside, Qu Yi laughed heartily and said, "Little brat Guan Hai! This general, by order of Lord Zhang Chen, has been waiting here for a long time! Today, with my 'First to Ascend Camp' here, you won't even think about laying a hand on Ye City! Loose arrows!"
As soon as his voice fell, there was a sound of arrows cutting through the air, and a rain of arrows fell from the sky. The Yellow Turban Army was caught off guard, and instantly countless Soldiers fell under the arrow rain.
Guan Hai originally intended to lead his troops to charge forward, but seeing the intense arrow rain from the west, he knew it would be impossible to take this road today. He had no choice but to turn his horse around and shout, "All Soldiers heed my order! Retreat to the east!"
Guan Hai led his army in flight for several miles, finally escaping the ambush of the First to Ascend Camp. But at this moment, the Soldiers were utterly exhausted, and their morale was extremely low. Of the one hundred thousand troops, less than half remained.
This Zhang Chen is truly cunning and utterly detestable!
At this moment, it was dawn, and the sky was dimly lit. The Soldiers were truly unable to continue marching, so Guan Hai had no choice but to order the army to rest in place for half an hour before making further plans.
While the army was resting, Guan Hai was also deep in thought in secret.
Why could this Zhang Chen set up these ambushes while also retreating in a hurry?
Since his army entered Wei Commandery, it seemed as if everything was being led by the nose, as if it was all intentionally orchestrated.
Could this be Zhang Chen's plan to lure the enemy?
Could it be that the news from Liangqi was also false, that Liangqi did not fall, and that Zhang Baiqi and the others failed?
Guan Hai's heart couldn't help but be secretly alarmed. He felt increasingly that things might not be that simple. But with Generals Zhang and Li plus the Zhao Commandery troops, there were over thirty thousand Soldiers. How could they not capture a small Liangqi?
Forget it, things have come to this, we can only take it one step at a time.
Guan Hai took out the map and found their current location. Ahead of this road was a valley. Passing through the valley, they could take a route northwest and retreat back to Great Deer.
It seems this operation has failed. Not to mention the loss of troops and generals, the agreement with Zhang Ning is even more impossible to fulfill. Forget it, upon returning, the "Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove" must be opened as soon as possible. Only by obtaining the treasures within can we recruit Soldiers and horses and revive the Yellow Heaven Great Cause!
This place is not to be lingered in. After a little over half an hour, Guan Hai drew his sword and mounted his horse, ordering the army to set off and head east.