Is “He led troops into battle and was repeatedly defeated.” true?
attested in history
The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Xiahou Dun records that his military achievements were mediocre, but due to his seniority and frugality, he was highly favored by Cao Cao.
Xiahou Dun
In official history, he was a founding figure of Wei known for his frugality and loyalty, while in fiction he is famous as a fierce warrior who ate his own eye after pulling out an arrow.