Outside, the scout's voice continued.
"Esteemed officials, cease your questioning. It is an urgent report from the Shanyue... a matter of utmost urgency that requires immediate delivery to Lord Sun, admitting no delay whatsoever!"
An urgent report?
Empress Dowager Wu and Sun Yi paused.
Now... with Chibi fallen, Cao's army was bound to make further moves. An urgent report was nothing unusual.
But... it was the Shanyue's urgent report that truly caught Sun Yi's attention.
The main body of the Shanyue had already surrendered to the Lu Family Army. Only one contingent remained near Chibi, stationed in Stone City, comprising over thirty thousand soldiers and a hundred thousand dependents.
Hiding amongst the mountains, relying on the impregnable natural defenses, they felt utterly secure!
In the past, Jiangdong had dispatched numerous troops to suppress them, but what was the result? Forget suppression, they couldn't even penetrate the mountain passes!
So...
This time, the urgent report?
Could it be that the Great Wei's forces had already breached the Shanyue's Stone City?
No...
Absolutely impossible!
The Great Wei's forces...
Including the Dragon Cavalry Camp, they were primarily skilled in plains warfare. Mountain warfare was not their forte.
How difficult was it to break through the natural barrier of towering mountains?
Furthermore, the Shanyue, since they hadn't surrendered to the Lu Family Army before, certainly wouldn't surrender to Great Wei. Relying on the mountainous terrain, they would undoubtedly feel secure!
Sun Yi instinctively felt... that the Shanyue's urgent report might have nothing to do with Great Wei!
At this moment...
The scout had already entered the palace.
He was about to speak, but Sun Yi preempted him, "The urgent report? Hand it over!"
"Yes!" The scout hurriedly presented the bamboo slip.
Sun Yi slowly unrolled it...
But what met his eyes was soul-stirring!
—"The Great Wei forces advanced on the Shanyue overnight, surrounding them completely. Two hundred flying spheres attacked in unison, launching a night raid on Stone City. Stone City burned, ablaze for two days and two nights, with the Shanyue people... soldiers and civilians alike, not even one in ten survived, all consumed by the flames!"
Upon reading this, Sun Yi stumbled.
Instinctively, he couldn't believe it. It was unbelievable!
But in reality...
The scout wouldn't report false news; his head would be on the line...
So...
This meant that the Shanyue had indeed... indeed been annihilated by fire, with fewer than one in ten surviving!
With this thought, Sun Yi's expression suddenly turned ashen, his lips as pale as paper.
If... if even the Shanyue, who relied on their terrain, could be incinerated in an instant by the Great Wei's "flying spheres," then... what about Wujun? What about the Six Commanderies of Jiangdong? Would they also... would they also...?
It wasn't just Sun Yi who looked as though he had lost his parents.
Empress Dowager Wu and Sun Shangxiang were the same. The Shanyue were like a persistent skin ailment to Jiangdong... plaguing it for a long time, especially the contingent near Chibi...
But...
Undoubtedly, such a battle outcome was like a crippling blow, paralyzing them and instilling such fear that they lost the courage to resist.
Everything... was utterly ruined.
Empress Dowager Wu's legs buckled. If Sun Shangxiang hadn't supported her, she would have fallen to the ground.
Sun Shangxiang spoke in a timely manner, "Mother, Brother... I have met that Southern Hunting Marquis. He... he always gives an unfathomable impression... If it were him... if it were him, to incinerate the Shanyue in a single night... it wouldn't be strange."
Hoo...
Empress Dowager Wu let out a long sigh. First, there were Zhou Yu's words of persuasion, and then the annihilation of the Shanyue tribe overnight...
Great Wei, no... to be precise, Lu Ziyu was putting immense pressure on him, immense pressure!
"Cough... cough cough..."
Empress Dowager Wu coughed repeatedly.
"Mother..." Sun Yi was worried and quickly looked back at Empress Dowager Wu.
"Your Highness need not panic..." Zhou Yu cupped his hands and said, "This time, the Great Wei's Southern Hunting Marquis merely tested the waters, but the result... as you have seen, the Shanyue tribe, which has troubled our Jiangdong for many years, was annihilated in an instant..."
"Compared to Great Wei, the Southern Yue Kingdom is merely a city and a commandery. To attempt resistance... is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. And if you think about it carefully, isn't our Jiangdong also like this?"
Zhou Yu continued his counsel...
Just then...
With a "clang," the great doors were pushed open.
Countless civil and military officials rushed into the palace in a coordinated manner.
"Your Highness, Lord Sun... surrender, surrender..."
The first to speak was Zhang Zhao...
And as he spoke, families of all sorts began to speak.
"To resist stubbornly is to court certain death!"
"Lord Sun... stop fighting, we can't win!"
"Jiangdong was originally prosperous. If war breaks out again... then... then..."
The voices urging surrender were endless...
Zhou Yu, who was once the most resolute proponent of war, now became a persuader for Great Wei.
This...
Empress Dowager Wu knitted her brows, and Sun Yi also furrowed his brow.
"Mother, Brother... let us surrender..." Sun Shangxiang also repeatedly advised... "This chaotic era should be unified again. This is the common hope of all the people under heaven!"
As if influenced by Lu Yu.
Sun Shangxiang pursed her lips and repeatedly advised.
This...
Empress Dowager Wu surveyed everyone. She... she spoke, "My son, the general trend is towards submission. Heaven's mandate returns to Han!"
"Wait..."
As Empress Dowager Wu's voice fell, Lu Su's voice followed immediately, "In the past, when Lord Sun split the case corner, he said that whoever dared to mention surrender again would be like this case. It has only been a few months, and you all... have you forgotten?"
"What Zi Jing says is easy to say..." Zhang Zhao said, "But with what can we fight? Against that Southern Hunting Marquis, be it the former Sun Bofu or the current Lord Sun, has Jiangdong ever won a single battle?"
"We have won!" Lu Su's tone was firm.
Zhang Zhao was stunned, "How can I not remember?"
"We have indeed won!" Lu Su said, "Perhaps you should wait a few days. The battle report from Ruxukou will be arriving soon... this will surely be the beginning of Jiangdong's comeback!"
"You..." Zhang Zhao pointed a finger at Lu Su...
His expression was as if he were telling Lu Su—you are beyond saving!
"Heh heh..." Lu Su, however, smiled, "Chief Clerk Zhang, didn't you just say that Jiangdong has never won? Heh heh, if that's the case, then for the first victory... even ten thousand troops are worth it, everything is worth it!"
With that said, Lu Su turned around and gazed towards the northwest.
Considering the time, Sun Zhongmou's army should have already arrived at Ruxukou, right?
...
...
Within Ruxukou Port.
A massive defense map was displayed!
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were discussing something with the generals of the Dragon Cavalry Camp...
Looking at the defense map, the generals showed a hint of disbelief, "General Zhang, to launch a surprise attack between the enemy's two camps, could it be a trap?"
Gao Shun opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed the words.
Zhang Liao knew his intention and frowned as he gazed at the defense map.
"Are there any unusual movements in Sun Zhongmou's camp?"
"No unusual movements!"
"That's good..." Zhang Liao said with a sigh of relief, "Heh heh..." He gave a slight smile, and then his expression became stern. "Everyone, with the great battle imminent, I will tell you something today!"
Zhang Liao's tone became increasingly serious.
"The Lu Family of Jiangdong, you should be familiar with them. This time, they are leading seventy thousand troops to reinforce Sun Zhongmou, forming a total of one hundred thousand soldiers!"
"But, in fact... the Lu Family is the maternal clan of Commander Lu. These seventy thousand Lu Family soldiers are not enemies, but our comrades-in-arms!"
Ah...
Ah...
As these words were spoken, everyone was stunned. Da Feng Novel Network
Just then, a scout rushed into the tent: "Report..."
The scout knelt down, "Reporting to the General, the Lu Family Army's camp has withdrawn all defenses from the East and North gates..."
As these words were spoken, the generals and soldiers present were all surprised.
"Heh heh..."
Zhang Liao smiled, "In this battle, it appears to be eight hundred against one hundred thousand from the outside, but in reality, it is our seventy thousand and eight hundred men fighting against Sun Zhongmou's mere thirty thousand!"
Zhang Liao once again cast his gaze upon the defense map, his demeanor quite leisurely and self-satisfied!
With a "bang."
Zhang Liao tapped his hand on the table. It was a large tent located in the rear of the enemy's defense map.
Because it was very close to the Lu Family Army's encampment...
Therefore, it was not heavily fortified.
And this spot... was Zhang Liao's target.
Historically, Zhang Liao's skill in "surprise attacks" has been misunderstood. For example, in a certain card game, Zhang Liao was given a skill to steal two cards from others.
How could this be Zhang Liao?
This should be Shi Qian, the clever scholar, or Li Xiaoyao's Flying Dragon Cloud Hand.
What did Zhang Liao's surprise attack refer to?
It was to strike quickly before the enemy could form a cohesive force, to defeat them... to render them incapable of command... Note, the emphasis was on rendering them incapable of command, not combat.
This was similar to modern warfare, where it was often necessary to precisely strike the enemy's command center... once the command center was paralyzed, even a large army could not act in concert and would be at the mercy of the enemy!
"Everyone listen clearly. For the night raid an hour from now, I do not want you to engage with the enemy. I only want you to penetrate this tent! Whoever reaches this tent will be the first to receive merit!"
Upon these words...
All bowed and said, "Yes!"
...
...
Xuchang City, Hanzhang Palace...
The rain trickled down. Under a solitary lamp, Empress Fushou stood by the window with a worried expression. She was supposed to accompany the Emperor to Ye City to see the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, but because she was concerned about no one managing the rear palace, she stayed behind alone.
At this moment, her mood was extremely melancholic.
She thought of when she was in Dongwu County, Langya Commandery.
Her Fu family was the eighth-generation descendant of Fu Zhan, the Grand Minister of the Western Han. Her father, Fu Wan, was a renowned scholar of the time, and her stepmother was Princess Yang'an, Liu Hua.
At that time, her mother had rescued a young wandering knight...
It was said that this knight had offended a powerful young lord who preyed on the local villagers and was being pursued by more than ten warriors. Outnumbered, and already wounded... he was on the verge of being captured!
It was Princess Yang'an, Liu Hua, who stepped in to resolve the matter and took him in.
At that time, because he was severely injured... the young Empress Fushou took meticulous care of him.
She even disregarded her father Fu Wan's orders, insisting on keeping him in the mansion to recover from his injuries...
Later, she learned that this young man was Wang Yue... a native of Yanshan, Liaodong.
He had come here to apprentice himself... but unexpectedly encountered great misfortune. Fortunately... with the help of the elder young master and Fushou, he was saved...
After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Wang Yue went to apprentice himself.
But unexpectedly, after completing his studies, Wang Yue entered the imperial court and became the General of the Tiger Guards during Emperor Ling's reign...
His martial arts were even more unparalleled!
In the past... at Yanmen, he defeated Zhang Liao in one move.
It should be noted that the current Zhang Liao was a general of the Dragon Cavalry Camp and a person highly valued by the Southern Hunting Marquis, Lu Ziyu.
Now... he was going to...
"If... if he really makes a move, then... then will Xiliang's Ma Teng survive?" Fushou bit her lip, as if she saw the impending unification of this chaotic era about to stir up new waves...
The Han court was already extremely weak.
As the Empress of the Great Han, she truly prayed... prayed for mercy for the Great Han.
Hoo...
She let out a long sigh.
Fushou gritted her teeth.
"Someone."
"Empress." A trusted maidservant entered the chamber.
Fushou's teeth clenched, and she ordered, "Tell Governor Man that the capital city has been unstable recently. Young Lady Zhaoji, the sister of the Southern Hunting Marquis, is compiling the 'Continued Book of Han' here, and Madam Xiahou Yuan is recuperating in Rangshan... Tell him to be extremely vigilant and absolutely not to let another palace fire like the previous one happen!"
Hearing this...
The maidservant's eyes darted. She asked curiously, "Isn't guarding the palace the duty of Commander Ma? Your Highness... should I also report to Commander Ma when I inform Governor Man!"
"No need!" Fushou's mood was complex...
She didn't know why she had said the previous words...
She... she could have remained neutral!
Now, for whom was she acting?
"Just inform Governor Man immediately. Commander Ma has just returned to Xuchang and needs to rest..."
"Yes..."
The maidservant agreed and quickly walked out.
Who would have thought that at this moment, above the roof of Hanzhang Palace, shadows moved... a few leaps and turns... the shadows disappeared without a trace.
It seemed...
One could vaguely see a fierce glint in his eyes, and the "Zhongxing Sword" at his waist also flashed with a dazzling light!
...
...
Ruxukou Port, a dark and windy night.
The sound of the horn suddenly erupted, as if announcing a signal.
Accompanied by the sound of the horn were suddenly appearing torches... and cold, sharp blades, and spurting blood.
The Dragon Cavalry drew their bows, vowing not to turn back!
Zhang Liao led the charge, wielding his crescent halberd like a wisp of black smoke, rushing towards Sun Quan's camp first.
And the eight hundred Dragon Cavalry also stormed into the enemy camp, like wolves entering a flock of sheep!
The bright moon hung high in the sky.
The ground suddenly began to shake, and the sound of hooves broke the silence of the night. A field of spears, plated with silver by the moonlight, pointed directly at the great camp, charging forward rapidly.
"Abatis?"
Beneath his battle helmet, Zhang Liao's eyes were exceptionally bright. Seeing the abatis wrapped around a large tent, he directly struck with his crescent halberd. The wooden abatis, weighing tens of pounds, shattered under the terrifying force.
Under the night sky, chaos, blood, and the clanging of weapons merged into a victory horn, resounding across the vast plains.
How could the youths of Jiangdong have imagined?
That a mere few hundred enemy soldiers would choose to attack proactively!
Even less could they imagine that the enemy would choose to attack from their most vulnerable rear!
So?
The question arises?
What were the Lu Family soldiers doing? Did they not send any signals at all?
The Jiangdong youths did not have much opportunity to ponder...
Before they could even pick up their weapons, these Dragon Cavalry soldiers with green glints in their eyes... had already ripped them open with their fine steel halberds!
This was a legion that had fought its way out of countless piles of the dead!
The contorted faces showed no mercy whatsoever!
They were like death gods who had broken through from hell, and with every swing of their scythes, only corpses and withered bones remained!
—"This is Zhang Wenyuan of the Dragon Cavalry Camp! Sun Zhongmou, you impudent child, die quickly!"
—"Dragon Cavalry goes to war, those who block shall die!"
Zhang Liao loudly proclaimed his name and the name of the Dragon Cavalry Camp with impunity!
And...
The Dragon Cavalry Camp...
These three words, enough to make people's hearts tremble,
At this moment, they became the funeral dirge for countless Jiangdong youths in this military camp!
...
...