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Fei Qian watched as Bao Xin and Cao Cao led their troops into the distance, disappearing beyond the horizon. His heart churned with complex emotions, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
In Fei Qian's memory, wasn't Cao Cao ambushed and defeated while pursuing Dong Zhuo's retreating army? Yet now, Cao Cao and Bao Xin had already set out with their forces—and Dong Zhuo's army hadn't even begun to withdraw!
Fei Qian couldn't be sure whether his words to Cao Cao and Bao Xin had influenced their decision. What if history had truly been altered because of him? Would future events change as well?
Moreover, this time, it wasn't Cao Cao leading the army—Bao Xin was in command, with Cao Cao merely serving as his deputy.
In truth, given the current circumstances, this arrangement made sense. After all, Bao Xin was the legitimate Chancellor of Jibei, while Cao Cao… well, if the wanted posters at the city gates were still up, Cao Cao's status was that of a fugitive on the run.
Speaking of fugitives, where was that traveling trio? Why hadn't they arrived at Suanzao yet? Had they actually gone off sightseeing?
At present, Suanzao only hosted forces led by Kong Zhou, Liu Dai, Zhang Miao, and others. Liu Bei hadn't arrived. Gongsun Zan hadn't come. Tao Qian was absent. Even the two Yuan brothers—Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao—were nowhere to be seen.
Yuan Shao was busy establishing his authority in Ye County, while Yuan Shu seemed to have mobilized troops to seize Wancheng…
Was Zhang Chao, the Governor of Guangling, Tao Qian's representative? But Zhang Chao had never mentioned such a thing. If he were truly a representative, there would at least be a banner bearing Tao Qian's name during the alliance's oath-taking ceremony. Yet no such banner was in sight.
Now, with Guan Yu absent, what was to be done about Hua Xiong?
Originally, Fei Qian had considered seeking out Liu Bei to establish contact, but Liu Bei still hadn't arrived—and now Bao Xin and Cao Cao had already marched out to attack Dong Zhuo!
What's more, their combined forces were substantial.
Bao Xin commanded around ten thousand troops from Jibei's provincial army. Cao Cao's newly recruited soldiers—the so-called "Cao Family Army"—numbered about five thousand. Additionally, a man named Wei Zi, who had accompanied Cao Cao, brought two thousand soldiers. Though Zhang Miao didn't join the campaign, he had allocated three thousand troops to Cao Cao's command. Altogether, Bao Xin and Cao Cao led nearly twenty thousand soldiers.
Twenty thousand troops—this was completely inconsistent with Fei Qian's recollection of Cao Cao's defeat, where his forces had been much smaller.
Would Cao Cao really lose this time?
Fei Qian was no longer certain. He returned to his tent alone and sat in contemplation. After turning the matter over in his mind, he still felt uneasy, so he decided to seek out Huang Zhong.
Though Fei Qian had studied The Six Secret Teachings, his knowledge was purely theoretical, untested in actual warfare. He lacked practical experience in leading soldiers, so consulting a professional like Huang Zhong was the wisest course of action.
At the very least, Huang Zhong had demonstrated calm and capable command during their journey from Xiangyang to Suanzao. He was undoubtedly more experienced than Fei Qian, making him the ideal person to consult.
Huang Zhong and Huang Cheng were stationed in the tent next to Fei Qian's, just a short walk away.
These past few days, Huang Zhong had been restless. His son's illness weighed on his heart like a stone—until it was resolved, his mind remained burdened. Though he understood that Fei Qian's stay in Suanzao was necessary, worry and anxiety were only natural.
When Fei Qian met with Huang Zhong and Huang Cheng, his first words weren't about his own concerns. Instead, he addressed Huang Cheng.
"Shuye, could you take inventory of our military supplies? Note any shortages. If it's common matériel, replenish it promptly. If not, compile a list for me."
Huang Cheng asked, "Commander, are we setting out soon?"
Fei Qian nodded. Though he regretted not encountering Liu Bei's trio, time waited for no one. It was time to move.
"Then I'll make preparations at once!" Huang Cheng saluted and left to assess their supplies. Huang Zhong made to follow, but Fei Qian stopped him.
"Hansheng, let Shuye handle that alone. I have some questions I'd like to ask you…"
Hearing that they would soon depart, Huang Zhong's mood improved. He smiled and said, "Young Master Fei, you're too polite. Speak freely."
Since leaving Xiangyang, Fei Qian had been pondering a question.
During battles in the Han Dynasty, did opposing generals really step forward first to exchange words, then clash in a duel, after which the victorious side would shout for a full assault while the defeated fled in disarray?
Huang Zhong burst into laughter and shook his head. "Commander, since you've never led troops, it's natural you wouldn't know. But what you describe was customary centuries ago…"
"Centuries ago… Do you mean during the Warring States period?"
Huang Zhong considered his words. "Yes. The scenario you mentioned—generals dueling before battle—did happen, but it was exceedingly rare. Both sides had to agree to such an arrangement beforehand."
As it turned out, cities, camps, and fortifications were usually heavily fortified. Without siege equipment, attacking an entrenched force was often more trouble than it was worth. Thus, the attacking side would typically issue a challenge—sending loud-voiced soldiers to taunt the defenders at the gates or delivering a formal declaration of war—to provoke the enemy into open battle and avoid the disadvantages of assaulting fortified positions.
The defending side would only accept the challenge if confident in their martial superiority. They would then agree to a time and place for the battle, adhering to the old Warring States traditions of dueling generals and clashing armies.
Of course, a general's personal prowess was still crucial. Victory in single combat could significantly boost morale.
However!
Such occurrences were extremely rare.
After all, defenders held the advantage of terrain. Few commanders were willing to abandon that advantage to accommodate their enemies.
Moreover, the term "rounds" (huíhé) in the context of generals clashing for multiple rounds originated from the chariot warfare of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
During that era, noble warriors in chariots would charge past each other within a few meters' distance. The moment their weapons crossed was called the "clash" (hé). If neither managed to strike down the other's charioteer, the chariots couldn't stop immediately. They had to gradually slow, turn around at a distance, and then accelerate for another "clash." This turning process was called the "return" (huí).
By the late Warring States period, cavalry had gradually replaced chariots, rendering such vehicles obsolete. Thus, the so-called "turn-based" duels between generals faded into history, becoming little more than a ceremonial relic of the past.
Fei Qian was stunned. This revelation upended his understanding of ancient warfare, leaving him momentarily unable to process it.