Assault on the Mount Tai Bandits

Let's talk about Yanzhou Province, Taishan Prefecture. Due to its proximity to Mount Tai, it has been plagued by banditry since the early Han Dynasty.

Currently, the most notorious bandits are led by Chang Xi, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Sun Guan. They have been entrenched in Mount Tai for many years, and due to the chaos caused by the Yellow Turban Rebellion, their numbers have grown to over ten thousand.

Recently, these audacious bandits even descended from the mountain to capture Taishan Prefecture, killing the appointed Prefect. Wu Dun stayed behind in Taishan, acting as a tyrannical magistrate and oppressing the people.

The terrain of Mount Tai is intricate and complex, and over the past six years, Chang Xi and his men have become intimately familiar with every nook and cranny.

All the paths up the mountain are heavily guarded with sentries and hidden posts, making it a stronghold that is easy to defend and hard to attack.

Consequently, the Prefects of the neighboring prefectures avoid dealing with this troublesome area, allowing the bandits to become even more brazen. This eventually led to their collusion with local officials in Langya.

However, on this particular day, Wu Dun, usually stationed at the foot of the mountain, staggered back up, covered in blood. Chang Xi and Sun Guan were drinking and making merry in the assembly hall when they saw Wu Dun's sorry state and were shocked.

"Second Brother! What happened?" Chang Xi quickly stood up with concern.

Wu Dun knelt on the ground with a wretched expression. "Big Brother! This morning, a troop attacked the city. Their general, with a red face and long beard, looked like a demon. I couldn't defeat him, so I had to flee back here with our men."

"Damn it! Who dares to challenge us?" Chang Xi roared, slamming the wooden table.

Wu Dun hesitated, then said, "It seems to be that Qin Longyang from Langya. The troops attacking the city appear to be his."

"Qin Longyang…" Chang Xi's face twisted with anger. "Third Brother was beheaded by that brat in Langya City. He is our sworn enemy. Now he dares to come here and provoke us! I'll kill him myself!"

"Big Brother! There's no need for you to act. Give me five thousand men, and I'll make them flee in terror!" Sun Guan offered, standing up with a fist salute.

But Wu Dun scoffed, "Fourth Brother, don't make things worse. There are at least ten thousand soldiers at the foot of the mountain. Going down there with our men is a death sentence."

"Then what do we do? Hide on the mountain like cowards?" Sun Guan retorted angrily, stomping his foot, while Chang Xi nodded thoughtfully.

Wu Dun clasped his hands together. "Big Brother, the enemy is bound to attack the mountain. I have a plan: we set up an ambush on the mountain and send some men to harass them from below.

By provoking them repeatedly, we'll force their general to make a rash move. When they attack, we'll catch them in our trap and defeat them easily."

"Hmm…" Chang Xi thought for a moment, then patted Wu Dun on the shoulder. "Second Brother, you're always the clever one. Let's do as you say!"

Chang Xi, knowing Sun Guan's impatience, turned to him. "Fourth Brother, you heard your Second Brother. Don't act on your own and ruin our plan, understood?"

Sun Guan pouted but reluctantly saluted, "Understood, Big Brother."

With the plan set, the three leaders went their separate ways. This brings us to the situation on Mount Tai.

Chang Xi and his comrades, being bandits for many years, knew every strategic point on the mountain. They built their main stronghold at the mountain's center, with three smaller forts at strategic points around it, forming a protective ring.

The main stronghold, where Chang Xi resided, was also the central storehouse for their supplies and treasures. With Yin Li dead, Chang Xi had to personally oversee one of the smaller forts to maintain their defenses.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, Guan Yu and Wei You's forces captured Taishan Prefecture City in less than half an hour.

However, the scene inside the city was shocking. Under Wu Dun's rule, the bandits had plundered and abused the populace, killing anyone who resisted. The once-thriving city, home to tens of thousands, was now a wasteland.

The remaining inhabitants were either elderly or emaciated refugees, scattered like corpses on the streets.

Guan Yu, surveying the devastation from horseback, saw only fear in the eyes of the people. His imposing presence, with his cold gaze, only added to their terror.

"What ruthless bandits!" Guan Yu exclaimed angrily. "They've oppressed the people for too long. Once we take their stronghold and capture their leaders, I'll tear them apart!"

Guan Yu was ready to pursue the bandits when Wei You stopped him. "General Guan, don't act rashly. The bandits have set up many ambushes."

"Attacking now is not wise. We should first stabilize the city and gather more information about their defenses before making a move."

Wei You's reasoning calmed Guan Yu, who sighed and agreed. "Very well, let's do as you suggest."

Wei You then organized the troops to repair the city walls and clean up the city, while he and Guan Yu distributed food to the remaining citizens.

"People, we are under the command of Qin Longyang, the Prefect of Langya. We are here to eliminate the bandits of Mount Tai. Do not fear; as long as we are here, the bandits will not harm you again!" Wei You reassured the people.

Hearing this, the citizens were moved to tears, their fear replaced by hope.

The news of Qin Longyang's forces recapturing Taishan Prefecture quickly spread throughout Xuzhou, attracting the attention of other Prefects and drawing refugees to the city. Within days, the population of the city surged, bringing life back to the once desolate place.

However, this peace was short-lived. One day, a soldier rushed to Guan Yu, who was drilling the troops, with urgent news. "General Guan, bad news! Half an hour ago, another group of refugees was massacred by bandits outside the city. Our soldiers arrived too late…"

"What!" Guan Yu erupted in anger, not because of the bandits' actions, but because this was not the first incident. Every day, refugees were being attacked despite increased patrols. The bandits, familiar with the terrain, always managed to escape.

Determined to act, Guan Yu decided to mobilize his troops, but Wei You intercepted him. "General Guan, are you planning to attack Mount Tai?"

Guan Yu, expecting Wei You's opposition, retorted, "No need to dissuade me, Advisor. We cannot sit idly while the bandits harm innocent people. We must act!"

"General Guan, hear me out," Wei You urged. "Our scouts report that the bandits have set numerous traps. Today's attack is clearly a lure. If we charge up the mountain, we'll fall into their ambush."

"Hmph!" Guan Yu, proud and fearless, replied, "I have fought on many battlefields and never known fear. Whether against the Yellow Turbans, the Xiongnu, or the rebels in Liaodong, I have always prevailed. "

"Give me five thousand men, and I'll break their stronghold by dawn. If you fear, stay here and wait for the bandits to surrender."

Understanding Guan Yu's resolve, Wei You sighed, knowing he could not stop him.

Guan Yu snorted coldly and strode past Wei You. Wei You didn't try to stop him further, only closed his eyes and sighed.

"Advisor, General Guan has already taken the troops to march. Are we really just going to wait in the city?" Half an hour had passed since Guan Yu led his troops out of the city towards Mount Tai.

Standing on the city wall, Wei You silently watched the army's departure. A nearby guard, puzzled, asked him.

"Wait? Wait for the bandits to surrender?" Wei You couldn't hold back his frustration and retorted, "General Guan is sure to face defeat on this mission. If I, Wei You, were not loyal to our lord, I wouldn't have bothered trying to dissuade him! It's infuriating."

Wei You took a deep breath and shook his head. "Enough. Assemble two thousand men to follow me and support General Guan. I hope we can get there in time."

"Yes, sir!" The guard saluted and set off to carry out the order.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu, leading five thousand elite soldiers, marched out of the city straight toward the bandit stronghold on Mount Tai.

Along the way, they swiftly overpowered the bandit sentries. Emboldened by his victories, Guan Yu became increasingly reckless, pursuing the fleeing bandits deep into the mountains.

"Whoa!" Guan Yu halted as they reached a dense forest at the foot of Mount Tai, where the bandits suddenly disappeared. His troops were left standing in the shadowy forest, and an eerie atmosphere settled around them. Guan Yu sensed the unease.

"General Guan, this place is dangerous. The bandits likely have an ambush set up," his lieutenant warned, riding up to him.

Guan Yu knew continuing forward could lead them into a trap, but he recalled his boast to Wei You before leaving. Returning without success would damage his pride and his standing among the troops.

Resolute, Guan Yu gritted his teeth and pointed to a barely visible mountain stronghold in the distance. "What fear have we of mere bandits? Follow me to take their camp and behead their leader. The rest will scatter like birds!"

"Yes, sir!" The lieutenant echoed loudly, and the army resumed their march toward the stronghold under Guan Yu's command.

After they left, the previously quiet forest suddenly came alive with numerous shadowy figures moving stealthily in the darkness...