As the sun rose to its zenith, the Xianbei army led by Tan Shihuai finally came into view of the Han soldiers.

The momentum of 70,000 cavalrymen galloping forward was indeed astonishing. Cao Song, Xun Shuang, and other officials watching from the city walls couldn't help but glance at the emperor outside the city with worried expressions.

However, upon seeing the calm and composed emperor and the unwavering Han soldiers, their worries vanished.

On the central platform, Liu Hong sat on a gilded dragon throne, a cold smile playing on his lips as he looked at the tattered armor of the nearby Xianbei cavalry.

"My dear minister Huangfu, what do you think of these Xianbei cavalry?"

"Your Majesty, after a series of battles, long journeys, and last year's harsh winter, the Xianbei's warhorses have lost weight. This battle may be easier than expected!"

Huangfu Song spoke slowly and deliberately, revealing an absolute confidence.

Liu Hong stood up and looked at the approaching Xianbei cavalry, his gaze focusing on the warhorses beneath them.

As Huangfu Song said, even the fine steeds of the grasslands under Gao Liu's elite steeds had unusually dull coats and thin bodies.

For steppe cavalry, a emaciated warhorse meant a significant reduction in combat effectiveness. Even the elite Gaoliu troops, hailed as the strongest army on the steppe, were nothing more than a pack of toothless tigers.

On the other hand, the Han army, thanks to ample supplies, had warhorses that were all plump, strong, and glossy, seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy.

As the Xianbei cavalry drew ever closer, Lü Bu gripped the reins tightly, constantly trying to calm the somewhat excited Red Hare.

Before long, the Xianbei cavalry slowly stopped five miles away and began to deploy their troops.

As instructed by Tan Shihuai, He Lian and Mi Jia each led 15,000 men to form two huge cavalry squares, while Tan Shihuai and Han Sui led 10,000 elite Gaoliu troops and 30,000 able-bodied men to guard the central army.

After arranging their formations, Tan Shihuai and Han Sui went to the front lines together.

Looking at the orderly and disciplined formation of the Han army, Tan Shihuai remained silent.

With their backs against the Juyan city wall, if the Han army wanted to attack from both sides, they would first have to face crossbow fire from the city walls. Even if they managed to get close, they would be doomed.

At this moment, all Tan Shihuai can do is break through the Han army's formation from the front.

Gazing at the Han emperor on the opposite high platform, Tan Shihuai's resolve deepened.

"Minister Huangfu, order Fengxian and Hansheng to go out into battle first and dampen the Xianbei's morale!"

"Here you go!"

Huangfu Song responded loudly, then turned to Lü Bu and the others and waved a command flag in his hand.

Upon receiving the order, Lü Bu and Huang Zhong excitedly spurred their horses into battle, and in no time, they arrived at the front lines of the two armies.

The Xianbei army opposite them was taken aback when they saw the two riders suddenly appear.

Tan Shihuai also looked at Lü Bu, who was holding the halberd, with a gloomy expression, feeling very displeased.

He knew that none of his men were a match for Lü Bu.

Therefore, Tan Shihuai subconsciously did not want to fight the opponent.

However, he worried that if he backed down like this, it would inevitably affect the morale of the entire army.

For a moment, Tan Shihuai was caught in a dilemma...

"Fengxian, it seems they are quite afraid of you. How about I lead the battle this time?"

Seeing that Tan Shihuai was only staring at Lü Bu beside him, Huang Zhong couldn't help but speak up.

"good!"

Lü Bu nodded, then turned his horse around and retreated to a distance of twenty paces behind Huang Zhong.

Huang Zhong then raised his long-handled broadsword and pointed it at the Xianbei cavalry opposite him.

"The mighty Huang Hansheng is here! Who dares to fight me to the death?!"

At this time, Huang Zhong was in his prime, and his roar was as steady and long as a great bell, shaking people's minds.

The warhorses of the Xianbei soldiers in the front row were also frightened and became somewhat restless by Huang Zhong's roar.

"Excellent! With such a valiant warrior in our great Han Dynasty, we shall be invincible in the world!!"

On the walls of Juyan, the officials, scholars, and students watching the battle couldn't help but cheer.

"I am Huang Hansheng, the great Han! Who dares to fight me to the death?"

Seeing the unresponsive Xianbei army, Huang Zhong's face darkened, and he roared again.

Although shocked by Huang Zhong's roar, Tan Shihuai's expression softened considerably after seeing Lü Bu retreat.

As long as it's not a one-on-one fight with Lu Bu, it's fine...

With this in mind, Tan Shihuai dispatched one of his most valiant guards to confront Huang Zhong.

Seeing the Xianbei knights rushing towards him, Huang Zhong narrowed his eyes, gripped the long hilt of his sword tightly with his right hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the sharp blade flashed with a cold light, aimed at the charging enemy.

Just as the Xianbei knights charged within thirty paces, Huang Zhong's slightly narrowed eyes suddenly snapped open, a glint of light flashing in them. He spurred his horse forward, charging towards the enemy.

When the two are charging at each other, the distance of thirty steps is covered in the blink of an eye.

The instant he rushed close, Huang Zhong released the reins with his left hand and switched to holding the knife with both hands.

"Prepare to die!!"

With a roar, before the Xianbei knight could thrust his lance, a dazzling blade flashed past, and then he felt a pain in his throat, as if he had been lifted into the air.

With a single stroke, a head fell to the ground. For the first time on the grasslands, Huang Zhong's broadsword revealed its terrifying sharpness.

In the Xianbei formation, seeing Huang Zhong's stunning strike, Tan Shihuai's pupils shrank. If he didn't know the background of this Han general and rashly confronted him, he would probably lose his head.

At the same time, Huang Zhong reined in his horse and lowered his long sword diagonally. He didn't even glance at the severed head lying on the ground behind him, but kept his eyes fixed on the Xianbei army's formation.

Seeing this, Tan Shihuai sent five more of his personal guards to fight against Huang Zhong.

However, none of them could withstand a single blow from Huang Zhong; with a single stroke of his broadsword, a head would fly off.

Looking at the six human heads at Huang Zhong's feet, Tan Shihuai shook his head with a bitter expression.

He could tell that the Han general wielding the long-handled broadsword was no less skilled than Lü Bu, and might even be slightly better.

"First there was Sun Jian, and now there's Huang Hansheng. Where did this great Han Dynasty get so many fierce warriors?" Tan Shihuai's mood was extremely low at this moment.

He knew that even if he sent more men over, they would only be sent to their deaths, and that would only further demoralize his men.

Ignoring Huang Zhong's challenge, Tan Shihuai turned his attention to Mika on the right wing.

"Your Majesty, the Xianbei are about to attack!"

On the high platform, seeing that Tan Shihuai no longer sent anyone to fight Huang Zhong, Huangfu Song immediately understood his intention.

"It's a pity we won't see Fengxian's halberd!"

Upon hearing Huangfu Song's words, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh.

"Beat the drums! White Horse Battalion, Yellow Wind Battalion, prepare for battle!!"

After Liu Hong sighed, Huangfu Song waved his command flag and ordered Gongsun Zan and Huang Zhong to go and fight against the cavalry led by Mi Jia.