Chapter 36: First work

Yuan Shu, panting heavily from his harrowing escape, finally encountered Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, who had been waiting with his own troops.

"My lord!" Han Fu exclaimed, clearly concerned about Yuan Shu's welfare. "You've survived the battle, thank the heavens!"

Yuan Shu nodded, still catching his breath. He was relieved to have reached the relative safety of Jizhou. "It was a fierce battle, Han Fu. Hua Xiong is a formidable opponent. We were forced to retreat."

Han Fu frowned, troubled by the news. "Hua Xiong... He's a force to be reckoned with. His presence on the battlefield is terrifying. We must inform the other princes immediately."

Yuan Shu agreed, realizing the urgency of the situation. "Yes, we cannot underestimate him. He has already shown his strength and ambition. We need to rally the Guandong coalition and devise a strategy to deal with Hua Xiong and the Xiliang cavalry."

The defeat at Aocang had shaken the confidence of the Guandong princes. The sight of Hua Xiong and his cavalry charging through their ranks was not one they could easily forget. They needed to regroup, assess their options, and plan their next move carefully.

Back in Chenggao, Hua Xiong was overseeing the aftermath of the battle. The field was littered with the bodies of Nanyang soldiers, and his troops were busy collecting the spoils of war. Hua Xiong himself was wiping his blood-stained blade with a cloth, a satisfied grin on his face.

"We've sent a message to inform the other princes of our victory," one of his officers reported.

Hua Xiong nodded, his eyes filled with confidence. "Good. Let them know that the might of Xiliang cannot be underestimated. We've made our mark on this war, and there's more to come."

As the news of Hua Xiong's victory spread, it sent shockwaves through the ranks of the Guandong coalition. The other princes were now acutely aware of the formidable adversary they faced, and they knew that they would need to unite and strategize if they were to have any hope of success against Hua Xiong and the Xiliang cavalry.

The battle of Aocang had set the stage for a long and grueling conflict, and the fate of the Guandong coalition hung in the balance.

Hua Xiong rode triumphantly back to Chenggao, his victory securing his reputation as a formidable general in the Xiliang Army. As he entered the city, the soldiers and residents cheered, acknowledging his remarkable achievement on the battlefield. It was clear that Hua Xiong had earned the respect and admiration of those around him.

Lu Bu, who had been observing the situation from within Chenggao, greeted Hua Xiong upon his return. The two generals exchanged a few words, and Lu Bu praised Hua Xiong for his exceptional performance in the battle.

"Well done, Hua Xiong," Lu Bu said with a nod. "Your bravery and skill on the battlefield are truly commendable. This victory will undoubtedly boost the morale of our army."

Hua Xiong, still exhilarated from his success, replied humbly, "Thank you, General. It was an honor to lead our troops to victory. But I must also acknowledge the support and leadership of our lord."

Lu Bu smiled at Hua Xiong's humility. "Indeed, we make a formidable team. Now, let's celebrate this victory and prepare for what lies ahead. The other princes will not take this defeat lightly, and they will surely come back with a vengeance."

Inside the city, preparations for the celebration were already underway. Soldiers and residents alike gathered to commemorate the victory, and the city was filled with an atmosphere of jubilation.

Meanwhile, news of the defeat at Aocang had reached the other Guandong princes, and they were faced with the sobering reality of Hua Xiong's strength. The defeat had shaken their confidence, but it had also galvanized their determination to unite and confront this new threat.

Back in Xingyang, the princes held a council to discuss their next steps. They knew that they needed a cohesive strategy and strong leadership if they were to stand a chance against Hua Xiong and the Xiliang Army.

"Clearly, underestimating Hua Xiong was a grave mistake," Cao Cao remarked, his expression serious. "We must coordinate our efforts and pool our resources if we are to defeat him."

Yuan Shao, who had been one of the strongest advocates for the Guandong coalition, nodded in agreement. "We cannot afford to be divided at a time like this. We need a unified command structure and a clear plan of action."

The other princes voiced their support for this approach. They realized that their individual ambitions had to be set aside in the face of this formidable adversary. It was time for the Guandong coalition to function as a true alliance.

In Chenggao, Hua Xiong was unaware of the discussions taking place among the other princes. He celebrated his victory with his fellow generals and soldiers, basking in the glory of his recent triumph. However, he knew that the battle was far from over and that the Guandong princes would not take their defeat lightly. The next phase of the conflict promised to be even more challenging, and Hua Xiong was ready to face it head-on, determined to continue earning his reputation as a fearsome warrior on the battlefield.