The next morning, Kui Tou flew into a rage.
As the grandson of Tanshihuai and leader of the three Xianbei tribes, he had been forced back toward his own royal court by a mere two thousand Han cavalry.
Unacceptable.
Before departing, he brought Qianman along—unwilling to leave him behind even in an empty royal camp.
"Set off!"
With a single command, Kui Tou led six thousand cavalry westward in force.
Zhang Xin's Surprise
When the scout reported this, Zhang Xin was stunned.
"The Xianbei actually took the initiative to attack?"
In his expectations, the enemy should have waited comfortably at their base, forcing him into a difficult position—either fight exhausted or face a pincer attack.
Instead—
"They've handed me an opportunity."
Zhang Xin immediately ordered:
"All troops, assemble!"
Contact
Within fifteen minutes, the Han army was on the move.
They advanced steadily, conserving their horses.
Soon, another scout arrived.
"Enemy spotted—twenty li ahead. Around six thousand troops… and the royal banner is present."
Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow.
"The royal banner? Then Kui Tou himself is here."
Now it made sense.
No ordinary general would dare move the royal army like this.
Battle Formation
Zhang Xin halted his army and began arranging his forces:
Left Wing: Lü Bu with 500 cavalry Right Wing: Yan Rou with 1,000 Wuhuan cavalry Center: Zhang Xin himself, supported by Dian Wei, Cao Xing, and Hou Cheng
Across the open steppe, the Xianbei army also formed ranks.
The two sides faced each other from ten li apart.
Time passed.
Neither moved.
The Waiting Game
Niu Feng grew impatient.
"They've formed up—why aren't they attacking?"
Zhang Xin glanced at the sky and smiled.
"Kui Tou isn't a fool."
"It's morning. The sun is in the east—behind us. If we fight now, the sunlight blinds them."
"He's waiting for the sun to shift west—so it blinds us instead. At the same time, he's letting his men and horses recover."
Niu Feng was stunned.
"So… what do we do?"
Zhang Xin's eyes sharpened.
"Advance."
First Engagement
The Han army moved forward.
Zhang Xin's heart pounded.
Two thousand against six thousand…
He exhaled slowly.
With Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and the others… I can win.
He raised his hand.
"Right wing—attack!"
Yan Rou led a thousand cavalry charging toward the Xianbei left.
Kui Tou responded immediately.
The horns blared.
1,500 Xianbei riders surged forward.
Arrow Storm
"Mounted archery!" Yan Rou shouted.
At fifty paces—
Arrows flew.
The Xianbei front line collapsed as dozens fell from their horses.
The enemy general stared in shock.
Since when did Wuhuan archers shoot this far?
Before he could react—
Another volley struck.
Then the distance closed.
"Draw swords—kill!"
Yan Rou crashed into the enemy ranks.
Cavalry Clash
Steel met steel.
Men fell from saddles.
The Xianbei quickly adapted, attempting to circle and use hit-and-run tactics.
Yan Rou pursued, locking them in combat.
For a time, the battle balanced out—equipment versus numbers.
Lü Bu Enters
Seeing the stalemate, Zhang Xin gave the next order.
"Left wing—advance!"
With a roar, Lü Bu charged.
Five hundred cavalry thundered forward.
Kui Tou sneered.
"Only five hundred? Crush them!"
Another 1,500 Xianbei cavalry charged to intercept.
This time, they were cautious—lowering themselves behind their horses to avoid arrows.
The Decisive Moment
Zhang Xin watched the left flank closely.
Lü Bu… this battle depends on you.
Then he turned his gaze to the center of the enemy formation—toward the royal banner.
His voice dropped.
"Old Dian… it's our turn."
The decisive clash was about to begin.