[Lightscreen]
[If one were to summarize the defining trait of Cao Cao's army during the Three Kingdoms, the general impression would be "numbers."
Aside from the Battle of Guandu, where Cao Cao was forced to defeat Yuan Shao's overwhelming forces with fewer troops, the Cao army usually preferred to fight with superior numbers and overwhelm weaker opponents. This is also the most reliable approach in military strategy.
Faced with a large army, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao devised a plan. Xiabian would be defended by Wu Lan and Lei Tong, while Zhang Fei and Ma Chao would lead a small force to station themselves on Gushan north of the city.]
"It should be done by ordering the soldiers to cut down trees and decorate the banners, then create a loud commotion as if we intend to strike the rear of the Cao army. Their morale will surely waver, and they will be thrown into confusion. When that happens, we can break out with ease, and the Cao army will collapse on its own."
Zhang Fei spoke with complete composure and confidence, as though victory were already assured. In truth, this was indeed one of his favored tactics. At Changban Slope, he had ordered his personal troops to fell trees and drag them with horses, raising dust to simulate an ambush, causing the Cao army to hesitate and establishing his fame at Dangyang Bridge.
Liu Bei felt greatly reassured. His third brother was indeed reliable when it came to military strategy.
[Lightscreen]
[As the Cao army approached, Zhang Fei ordered his soldiers on the mountain to create noise and wave banners while shouting, "The rear of Cao's army has been cut off!" When Cao Hong saw the dense array of banners on Gushan, he suspected an ambush and hesitated, consulting Cao Xiu and Cao Zhen on whether to retreat.]
Zhang Fei cast a proud glance outside the hall, his expression full of disdain. See that, my strategy. A feigned ambush to stall the three Caos, a phantom force to stabilize Hanzhong.
He could not help but imagine further. With Xiabian as a stepping stone, and himself as commander, taking Hanzhong would be effortless. After that, he would guard Hanzhong, his second brother would hold Jing Province, his elder brother would proclaim himself emperor in Chengdu, and the realm would be settled.
[Faced with Cao Hong's hesitation, Cao Xiu stepped forward. →]
A sudden sense of unease rose in Zhang Fei's heart.
[Lightscreen]
[The Cao army always fought as brothers and sons together. Cao Hong was Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Zhen his adopted son, and Cao Xiu was also treated like a son. Cao Hong and Cao Xiu were uncle and nephew, so Cao Xiu's opinion could not be ignored.
Cao Xiu said: If the enemy truly cut off our supply lines, they would conceal their movements and set ambushes in secret. This display is merely a feigned tactic. The urgent matter is to strike Xiabian swiftly while its garrison is weak.
This judgment was entirely correct. Cao Hong ordered the army to ignore the suspected ambush on the mountain and attack Xiabian directly. The city quickly fell. Wu Lan and Lei Tong were slain in battle, while Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, both considered ten-thousand-man enemies, managed to escape.]
Zhang Fei's face flushed red at once, and he lowered his head, muttering, "Cao's sons are really too many..."
Zhao Yun teased, "General Zhang, that trick at Changban Slope taught the Cao army a lesson. It does not work in Hanzhong anymore. I heard Cao Xiu commands the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. He might even be one of your old acquaintances from Changban. No wonder he did not believe it. He has been fooled before."
Guan Yu also warned, "Third brother, the art of warfare lies in adaptability. You must not reuse the same tactic repeatedly, or not only will it fail, it may also cost the lives of your comrades."
Zhang Fei, still red-faced, shouted, "I understand!"
Guan Yu frowned. "If you understand, then understand. Why are you shouting so loudly?"
[Lightscreen]
[Xiabian is located in what is now Gansu. Later, people even filmed videos there, and the terrain is indeed steep and dangerous. Some wondered how Zhang Fei and Ma Chao managed to escape if the Cao army had surrounded the mountain.
In truth, it is probably not an issue. After all, one Lü, two Zhao, three Dian Wei, four Guan, five Ma, six Zhang Fei.
These so-called ten-thousand-man enemies from the Romance, if they truly wished to flee, who could stop them?]
Jian Yong laughed loudly. "General Zhang, so this is how 'the valor of one against ten thousand' is explained?"
Mi Zhu showed some curiosity. "One Lü, two Zhao, three Dian Wei. It does sound quite catchy. Was this arranged by later generations? I wonder what criteria were used for the ranking."
"The light screen already said it is from the Romance," Jian Yong replied as he stuffed half a dried persimmon into his mouth. "It must be exaggerated. Perhaps it was even compiled by Lü Bu's descendants."
By now, Zhang Fei's head was nearly under the table.
"But even so, Lü Bu has very few military achievements. In formation battles, he lost at Luoyang to Sun Wentai, at Chang'an to Li Jue, and achieved few major victories in Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Puyang. How could he deserve first place?" Mi Zhu still refused to accept it.
[Lightscreen]
[Speaking of this rhyme, it was likely invented by modern netizens. Our founding ancestor once praised Zhengding County in Shijiazhuang, saying, "Zhengding is a fine place, for it produced Zhao Zilong." This line still hangs on the archway outside Zhao Yun's temple and serves as the best commentary on this great general.]
At this point, Wen Mang inserted several images of the entrance to Zhao Yun's temple.
On the main gate, the right side read:
"Renowned in Changshan, recalling the past, his loyalty and courage supported the Han."
The left side read:
"His name endures in Shu for later generations, his spirit vast as mountains and rivers, his integrity exalted."
Further inside was another couplet:
Right side:
"Master of both civil and military arts, steady and cautious, long seasoned on the battlefield, a lifetime of achievement passed down for generations."
Left side:
"Orderly and complete, strict yet composed, repeatedly achieving great feats, his heroic spirit shakes the nine provinces."
All the civil and military officials in the hall widened their eyes. Even Sun Qian, who was usually calm as still water, nearly smeared ink onto Zhuge Liang's sleeve.
[Lightscreen]
[Later, this ranking was expanded into the Twenty-Four Generals of the Three Kingdoms, covering figures from Wei, Shu, and Wu across a broader timespan, even including Deng Ai and Jiang Wei from the later period of Shu. It is considered relatively comprehensive.
However, no matter the version, Lü Bu is always ranked first. Although many criticize him for lacking achievements and for repeated betrayal, from another perspective, being able to survive so long while acting so recklessly among the warlords of the late Han is itself proof of strength.]
Forget Lü Bu. Who exactly are these twenty-four generals? Everyone in the hall was shouting inwardly. Who did not wish for their deeds to be remembered for generations?
Zhao Yun even had a temple, and his legacy had lasted for more than a thousand years. A later founding emperor had personally praised him and left inscriptions. Such honor was enough to drive anyone mad with envy.
Jian Yong was already scheming. Since later generations could compile such lists, why could he not create a "Twenty-Four Civil Officials" or "Twenty-Four Worthies"? Whether people accepted it now did not matter. The key was to include himself and pass it down through the ages.
Zhang Fei said sourly, "Then in the future, can Yunmei be called Zhao Zilong of Shijiazhuang?"
There was no way not to feel sour. Just a moment ago, he had been criticized for relying on a single tactic that failed and endangered his comrades, and now they were talking about glory lasting for generations.
Zhao Yun smiled faintly. "General Zhang may call me as he wishes."
A temple for Zhao Yun. I, Zhao Zilong, now stand as one who is indifferent to the world and steady as Mount Tai. Merits and faults will be judged by later generations. The eyes of those who come after are indeed clear.
[Lightscreen]
[We can set aside Yunmei for now, since the Hanzhong Campaign and the later feats are still to come.
Returning to Lü Bu, another explanation is that although his personal strength allowed him to survive for so long, individual valor has its limits, while unity has boundless strength.
The Bingzhou Cavalry he led was exceptionally powerful, a force with deep historical roots.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, three elite cavalry forces were established to campaign against the Xiongnu: the Liangzhou Steeds, the Bingzhou Cavalry, and the Youzhou Rapid Cavalry. From that time onward, able-bodied men from these regions eagerly joined the army until the end of the Han.
The Book of the Later Han records: "Shizu used the cavalry of Youzhou and Bingzhou to pacify the realm, establishing camps at Liyang under supervision, with a thousand cavalry exempted from heavy duties."
This refers to Liu Xiu relying on these cavalry forces to secure the realm, granting them dedicated camps and tax exemptions, which already shows the early signs of professional soldiers.
How can amateurs fight professionals? That is why Lü Bu was able to operate for over a decade in the central plains under the watchful eyes of the warlords. The foundation laid since Emperor Wu's time made this cavalry force extraordinarily powerful.]