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The next morning, the sky was overcast, and a heavy smell of gunpowder hung in the air over Wan Cheng, making it hard to breathe. Zhu Jun stood on high ground, commanding the troops to withdraw from the southeastern front, feigning a retreat. His gaze remained fixed on the city walls, taking in all the movements within.
"Xuan De, the success or failure of this plan is crucial to our overall strategy. If Han Zhong truly escapes, it will be our moment of crisis," Zhu Jun said, turning to Liu Bei with a serious tone.
Liu Bei clasped his hands and replied, "Rest assured, General. Xuan De has ordered his subordinates to prepare an ambush; Han Zhong will have no way out."
Guan Yu stood nearby, gripping his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and added in a deep voice, "If Han Zhong dares to abandon the city and flee, Yun Chung will surely take his head to ease the suffering of the people."
Zhang Fei rubbed his fists together, holding his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear, and grinned fiercely, "Let’s see if that scoundrel dares to run! The moment he steps out of the city, Zhang Fei will make sure to take his head!"
Zhu Jun nodded and waved his hand, ordering the entire army to intensify their assault on the northwest direction, creating an impression of a strong offensive. Cannonballs whistled through the air, crashing against the city walls and shaking the entire fortress as if it were trembling. Dust flew up as sections of the wall crumbled. Han Zhong stood atop the battlements, feeling a surge of panic as he witnessed the fierce attack on the northwest corner.
"General, the enemy has retreated from the southeastern front! Is there another ambush?" his deputy reported anxiously.
Han Zhong furrowed his brow, his gaze darting around as he wrestled with his thoughts. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "The Imperial Army's offensive is fierce; their withdrawal from the southeast is a ruse. They merely want to lure me into a trap here. If we don’t retreat soon, our supplies will run out and our soldiers will be exhausted. How much longer can we hold out?"
"But General," the deputy cautioned quietly, "if this is a tactic to lure us..."
"Shut up!" Han Zhong shouted angrily, determination etched on his face. "At this point, staying in the city is just waiting for death! All troops out of the city—fight our way through!"
No longer hesitating, Han Zhong immediately led the remnants of his army to push open the city gates and flee towards the southeast. The soldiers surged out like a torrent of water; however, they had barely gone far when they heard horns sounding from both sides. The ambush was launched as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei's forces simultaneously encircled them with spears like a forest and banners blocking out the sun amidst cries for blood.
"Han Zhong, come meet your end!" Zhang Fei roared as he charged ahead on horseback, aiming his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear directly at Han Zhong. Shocked and furious, Han Zhong hurriedly raised his weapon to block it; however, Zhang Fei's spear struck down with such force that it knocked Han Zhong's weapon from his grasp.
"I come to assist you!" Guan Yu charged in from the right, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade glinting coldly as it aimed directly for Han Zhong's neck. Han Zhong shouted and rolled away just in time, but an arrow flew through the air and struck him squarely in the chest. He let out a wail and fell from his horse, blood spraying onto the ground.
Liu Bei lowered his bow, his expression stern as he fixed his gaze on the fallen Han Zhong. "Han Zhong, the rebels defy heaven; they will ultimately not escape the sword of justice."
Han Zhong struggled on the ground, and seeing their leader slain, the Yellow Turban Soldiers behind him instantly lost morale. Some knelt in surrender while others dropped their weapons and fled in all directions. Zhang Fei turned to Guan Yu, holding his spear and laughing heartily. "These bandits are truly a rabble! Brother, Yun Chung, we have won!"
Liu Bei's gaze remained steady as he pointed his sword forward. "Do not relax; the entire army must continue the pursuit. We must eradicate the remaining scum so that the people can live in peace!"
As dusk fell, the setting sun bathed the land in a bloody hue. Outside Wan Cheng, the Imperial Army was desperately pursuing the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led the charge, eager to eliminate every last enemy when suddenly a cloud of dust rose from the northwest, accompanied by deafening drums and battle cries.
"Report!" A scout rushed in from afar, panic etched on his face. "General, a large number of Yellow Turban Rebels are coming from the northwest, led by Zhao Hong and Sun Zhong! Their forces are immense and fierce; Wan Cheng has already been retaken!"
Zhu Jun was at the center of command when he heard this news; his face turned pale as he scanned the northwest with piercing eyes. "Damnable bandits! How dare they seize our city!"
At that moment, in the distance, the Yellow Turban Army had already closed in. Zhao Hong personally took to the battlefield, clad in tattered armor, wielding a long knife as he roared commands to reorganize his troops. Sun Zhong followed closely behind, directing infantry to form a killing formation that pressed toward the Imperial Army. Seeing their strength growing, Zhu Jun decisively raised his hand and shouted, "The entire army shall temporarily retreat! Set up camp ten miles from the city and rest before we fight again!"
As night fell, within the Imperial Army's camp, bonfires blazed brightly while soldiers wore expressions of exhaustion and tension. Zhu Jun stood inside his tent, frowning deeply with a glimmer of unwillingness in his eyes. He slammed his hand on the table and declared, "The remnants of the Yellow Turbans dare to rebel again and have even retaken Wan Cheng! If we do not act swiftly to suppress them, how can there be peace in this world?"
Liu Bei stepped forward with cupped hands, his tone calm yet firm. "General, at present, the enemy forces are pressing hard upon us. Our troops have fought tirelessly for days and are weary; if we attack recklessly now, we risk losing more men. We should prioritize stability."
Guan Yu added solemnly, "What my brother says is reasonable. Zhao Hong is skilled at utilizing troop strength; attacking rashly would be akin to striking a rock with an egg. Our army should wait for an opportunity to wear them down before striking decisively."
However, Zhang Fei was indignant as he slammed his hand on the table. "Do not hesitate! No matter how many bandits come our way, I, Zhang Fei, will slay them all! Give me a squadron; I will teach them what true might is!"
Zhu Jun saw Zhang Fei's impatience and waved his hand to stop him. "Yi De, calm down! This battle cannot be decided by mere bravado."
Just then, urgent hoofbeats sounded from outside the tent. Moments later, a scout burst into the military tent, kneeling down with an excited expression. "Reporting to the general! A group of reinforcements has arrived from the east, bearing the banner with the character 'Sun'. They are approaching swiftly, seemingly here to assist us!"
Zhu Jun was slightly taken aback, then showed a hint of confusion. "The Sun family? Could it be Sun Jian from Jiangdong?"
At that moment, a powerful voice rang out from outside. "Sun Wentai has come to lend support! Where is General Zhu?"
Everyone quickly exited the military tent. In the flickering light of the campfire, a troop of soldiers stood in formation, their hoofbeats mingling with the heavy echoes of clashing steel. At the forefront was a man clad in light armor, tall and robust, with a broad forehead and strong features that exuded determination and authority. He dismounted swiftly and walked up to Zhu Jun, clasping his fists in salute. "I am Sun Jian from Fuchun of Wu Commandery. Seeing the Yellow Turbans causing chaos, I gathered young men and brave merchants from my hometown to come to your aid!"
Seeing this imposing figure and hearing his spirited words, Zhu Jun's face lit up with joy as he stepped forward to grasp his hand. "General Wentai, I have heard much about you. Today I see you in person; you truly are a hero! Your arrival with troops is indeed a blessing from heaven!"
Sun Jian laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "General Zhu is too kind. The Yellow Turbans are wreaking havoc across the land. Though I am from Jiangdong, all common people are my kin; how could I stand by idly? Hearing that you were forced back by the bandits, I hastily led fifteen hundred elite soldiers here to assist in battle. What can I do for you?"
Liu Bei stepped forward and cupped his hands in respect. "General Sun's extraordinary spirit and formidable troops are indeed a blessing for the Imperial Army. Xuan De has heard that Zhao Hong has recaptured Wan Cheng; if we can join forces with General Sun in this battle, we will surely defeat the bandit army and stabilize the people's hearts!"
Sun Jian nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. "Zhao Hong is merely a cornered wolf; tomorrow we will split into two routes to encircle him and take Wan Cheng!"
Zhu Jun clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "With General Wentai's assistance, how can we fear the bandits? All commanders, heed my orders: tomorrow we will mobilize our troops and launch an all-out assault on the city!"
The campfire cast a red glow on the faces of the commanders, and as shadows danced around them, the morale of the Imperial Army reignited once more; tomorrow's decisive battle was already inevitable.
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