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Hu Zhen led five thousand elite soldiers, charging out from Si Shui Pass with great fanfare. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the gleaming armor shone brilliantly, creating an imposing spectacle. In Sun Jian's camp, Cheng Pu rode out on horseback, spear in hand, rushing straight toward Hu Zhen. As the two armies clashed, the sound of hooves kicked up clouds of dust, and the two generals engaged in fierce combat at the front lines. Hu Zhen wielded his spear like a venomous dragon piercing the clouds, while Cheng Pu skillfully countered with his Iron Spine Snake Spear, their weapons clashing and sparking as they fought. The two men battled fiercely, and the battlefield was filled with the sounds of neighing horses and shouting soldiers.
Suddenly, Cheng Pu let out a mighty roar and charged forward on his horse. With a swift motion, he launched a lightning-fast thrust aimed directly at Hu Zhen. Caught off guard, Hu Zhen was struck in the chest by the spear, blood gushing forth as he fell from his horse. Cheng Pu glanced around coldly and shouted while brandishing his spear, "The enemy general is dead! Surrender now or face death!" Seeing this, Sun Jian immediately spurred his horse and raised his sword, his voice booming like thunder: "All troops advance! Charge straight for the pass! Let Dong Zhuo's minions know who truly rules this land!" The Jiangdong Army surged forward like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains, sweeping through the enemy ranks and forcing Dong Zhuo's forces to retreat.
However, the defenders at Si Shui Pass were not to be underestimated; they had long been prepared for battle. Arrows rained down from the walls like a torrential storm, while rolling logs and boulders crashed down upon the Jiangdong Army, causing chaos among their ranks and gradually halting their advance. Observing this situation, Sun Jian made a quick decision and ordered, "All troops retreat! Set up camp at Liangdong and wait for a better opportunity to fight again." After a brief pause at the pass, the Jiangdong Army withdrew while Sun Jian led the main force to establish their camp.
Back at the camp, Sun Jian immediately summoned his subordinates to take action. He sent messengers to deliver news of their victory to Yuan Shao's main camp while urgently dispatching someone to Yuan Shu to request supplies. However, within Yuan Shu's tent, dark currents were already stirring; he harbored jealousy towards Sun Jian's accomplishments. One advisor suggested, "General, although Sun Jian is part of our alliance, he is brave and skilled in battle. If he truly captures Luoyang and slays Dong Zhuo, do you think he will be content to remain subordinate? This Jiangdong Tiger could become uncontrollable and even threaten your position. It would be better to withhold supplies for now to shake his morale and create chaos within his ranks; this way we can curb his achievements without harming our own standing."
Yuan Shu sneered and pondered for a moment before replying, "You make a valid point. Send orders down: delay the supply of provisions; there is no need to rush." The messenger returned empty-handed, plunging Sun Jian's army into dire straits.
With insufficient supplies, discontent grew among the soldiers; grievances echoed throughout the camp. As night fell, arguments erupted outside the tents as soldiers fought over the last remaining rations. Several generals advised Sun Jian: "General, it seems Yuan Shu is deliberately withholding supplies to weaken our strength." Upon hearing this, Sun Jian was filled with rage and slammed his hand on the table in anger: "Yuan Shu is so shortsighted! How can he play political games when our nation is in peril? Is he trying to let Dong Zhuo seize control of this land?"
Yet internal troubles had not settled when external threats loomed large. Scouts quickly relayed news of Jiangdong Army's food shortages back to Si Shui Pass. Hua Xiong was overjoyed upon learning this and immediately summoned strategist Li Su for a secret discussion. Li Su proposed a plan: "General, we cannot miss this opportunity. Reports indicate that Sun Jian's army is in disarray and discontent among soldiers is rising. Tonight I will lead an elite force through a back road to encircle his main camp while you attack from the front with your main forces. With attacks coming from both sides, even Sun Jian's Jiangdong Tiger will be unable to withstand it!"
Hua Xiong rose with determination etched on his face: "Excellent plan! Let this Jiangdong wolf witness the might of my Xiliang Iron Cavalry!" With that order given, war drums sounded as soldiers quickly readied themselves for an all-out assault on Sun Jian’s forces under cover of night. The air thickened with bloodlust as they prepared for what would surely be a night of carnage.
After feasting well, Hua Xiong set out under the moonlight for a surprise attack on Sun Jian’s camp. Underneath the night sky surrounding Si Shui Pass was eerily quiet except for the low whinnies of warhorses. At that moment, with the bright moon hanging high and a gentle breeze blowing through, Hua Xiong’s army surged toward Sun Jian’s encampment like a black tide. Upon reaching outside the camp, Hua Xiong waved his hand; war drums thundered as torches flared up all around them and cries of battle shattered the stillness of night. The soldiers charged into the camp like tigers breaking free from their cages.
Sun Jian was awakened by the commotion and quickly donned his armor before mounting his horse with a fierce shout: "Enemy attack! All troops prepare for battle!" Armed with his Ancient Coin Blade, he burst out of his tent just as Hua Xiong came charging toward him. The two clashed on horseback; blades flashed as they exchanged blows with ferocity. Hua Xiong was imposing in stature with powerful strikes while Sun Jian responded nimbly; amidst flashing steel their weapons clashed loudly.
Just as they fought fiercely for less than ten exchanges, Li Su's reinforcements arrived from behind the camp shouting: "Set fire to their tents!" In an instant flames erupted everywhere as chaos engulfed Sun Jian’s camp; soldiers panicked and fled in all directions. Sun Jian shouted: "Steady yourselves! Follow me out of this encirclement!" However, amidst rising flames and relentless enemy assaults, it became increasingly difficult for Jiangdong Army to organize an effective defense.
In the midst of chaos, Zu Mao closely followed Sun Jian as he swung his sword to clear away pursuing enemies. At that moment Hua Xiong pursued from behind angrily shouting: "Sun Jian! Prepare to die!" Sun Jian turned around nocking an arrow swiftly shot two arrows in succession; Hua Xiong evaded them both thanks to his agility. Unwilling to give up easily, Sun Jian drew back a third arrow with all his might but heard a loud snap as his bowstring broke under pressure. Cursing under his breath he threw down his bow and spurred his horse onward in flight.
Seeing this, Lord Zu Mao urgently said, "My Lord, you are wearing the Red Cap, making it easy for the enemy to identify you. Please give me the cap and escape through a different route." Sun Jian decisively handed the Red Cap to Zu Mao, donned his armor, and commanded, "Be careful; I will take the small path to get out!" Zu Mao nodded, put on the Red Cap, and shouted loudly to attract the enemy's attention before galloping away in another direction.
From a distance, Hua Xiong spotted the Red Cap and immediately ordered his soldiers to pursue. "The one wearing the Red Cap is Sun Jian; capture him alive!" The pursuing soldiers surged after Zu Mao. As he rode swiftly, he saw a village ahead with charred pillars still standing. A clever idea struck him; he took off the Red Cap and hung it on one of the half-burned pillars. Then he leaped down and quickly hid in the dense forest outside the village.
Under the dim moonlight, Hua Xiong's army saw the Red Cap from afar, like a bright beacon hanging on the ruined pillar. Hua Xiong frowned and restrained his impatient subordinates, whispering, "Don't rush in; it might be a trap." He ordered archers to surround the area, and arrows rained down like locusts toward the Red Cap. The sound of arrows whizzing filled the air as they struck without hitting anything; finally, a soldier approached to take a closer look and discovered it was merely a decoy.
"Damn Sun Jian!" Hua Xiong roared in anger, pointing his blade forward. "Continue the pursuit; don’t let him escape!" However, before Hua Xiong's troops could act, Zu Mao suddenly burst out from the forest on horseback, wielding his Dual Sabers that gleamed coldly as he charged at Hua Xiong. Zu Mao shouted fiercely, "Dog thief Hua Xiong, come and face me!"
Hua Xiong sneered and swung his Dadao to meet him. The two horses collided amidst flashing blades and cold winds mixed with the scent of blood. Zu Mao's strikes were swift and aimed at Hua Xiong's vital points, but Hua Xiong relied on sheer strength, his blade steady as a mountain. After several exchanges, Hua Xiong let out a fierce roar; taking advantage of Zu Mao’s exhaustion, he delivered a heavy blow that sent Zu Mao crashing to the ground along with his horse, blood splattering everywhere.
"Sun Jian's subordinates are nothing but this!" Hua Xiong looked down at Zu Mao's lifeless body with disdain and coldly commanded his troops to retreat while taking advantage of the dawn's light.
The next morning, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang led their troops in search and finally found a disheveled Sun Jian. The three dismounted to greet him. Han Dang quietly asked, "My Lord, are you injured?" Sun Jian shook his head and said solemnly, "I am fine, but Zu Mao sacrificed himself heroically, and many of our soldiers suffered losses. How can I face them?" His gaze swept over his subordinates as he coldly declared, "Gather the remaining troops and regroup; we cannot let the enemy underestimate us Jiangdong warriors!"
Sun Jian sent messengers overnight to report the situation to Yuan Shao’s camp. Upon receiving the news, Yuan Shao's expression darkened as he slammed the letter onto his desk with a cold laugh. "I never expected Sun Wentai would be defeated by Hua Xiong! The war against Dong Zhuo has just begun and we’ve already lost two generals; how am I supposed to explain this?"
The following morning, Yuan Shao summoned various warlords to discuss matters in his main tent. The atmosphere inside was tense and oppressive as everyone kept their heads down in silence. Yuan Shao scanned them coldly with dissatisfaction evident in his voice: "The other day General Bao’s brother acted without orders and ended up dead on the battlefield, resulting in significant losses for us. Now Sun Wentai has also fallen to Hua Xiong’s hand—this has dampened our morale! What should we do now?"
A dead silence filled the tent; no one spoke up. Only the charcoal in the fire pit occasionally crackled. Yuan Shao’s piercing gaze swept over every warlord present but found them all looking down submissively as if weighing how to respond.
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