Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

On the north bank of the Yangtze River, in front of the Han army’s water fort, the flames of war illuminated the September evening red.

Ran Ming, the general of the Chu army, held a blood-stained spear in his hand and stood in front of the breached gate of the Han army's water fort, with Chu soldiers rushing in like a tide behind him.

"Kill! Don't leave any alive!" Ran Ming roared, his voice echoing on the battlefield.

He had just personally killed three Han generals - Jiang Mao, Li Ding and Wang Yan. At this moment, the morale of the Chu army was high and they were unstoppable.

The wooden fences of the Han army's water fort collapsed one after another under the attack of the Chu army, making heart-pounding cracking sounds.

The gate of the water fort had been breached long ago, and the heavy wooden door fell to the ground, trampled by countless military boots.

The Chu army warships on the Yangtze River docked one after another, more soldiers joined the battle, and a black crowd rushed towards the Han army positions.

"Report—the front camp has been breached!"

"Report—the Han army on the left wing has been defeated!"

The successive reports of victory made the Chu army more excited, and their shouts of killing shook the earth.

On the observation tower deep in the Han army’s water fort, Emperor Liu Che of Han had a face as gloomy as iron.

He gripped the railing with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the effort.

General Lu Xun beside him was anxious, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Your Majesty, let's go!"

Lu Xun said hurriedly, "The Chu army has already charged in! Generals Jiang Mao, Li Ding, and Wang Yan were all killed in the battle. The gate to the water stronghold has been lost, and our army's morale is low! If we don't leave now, it will be too late!"

When Liu Che heard the news of the death of his three trusted generals, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He let go of the railing, turned around and asked, "Where is the Chu army's dragon banner?"

Lu Xun quickly replied, "The spies just reported that the Chu army's dragon flag is on a tower ship and is approaching us."

Liu Che narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "So, Chu Ning is about to come ashore?"

"Exactly!" Lu Xun nodded. "Based on the Chu army's current attack speed, the Chu Emperor must have already reached the shore!"

Liu Che finally revealed a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with the light of success:

"Very good, pass the order down. The front camp will continue to resist the Chu army, and the rear army will retreat in an orderly manner. Be sure to maintain the formation!"

Lu Xun breathed a sigh of relief and immediately turned around to convey the order.

He knew that it would be much wiser to retreat in batches than to flee the entire army.

Soon, the Han army's rear camp began to retreat in an orderly manner. Although the situation was critical, the military discipline was strict and there was no chaos.

At the same time, at the gate of the Han army's water camp, a gorgeously decorated ship slowly approached the shore.

A large Chu army flag embroidered with golden dragon patterns fluttered on the bow of the ship, shining brightly in the setting sun.

Chu Ning, wearing silver armor, stepped onto the north bank under the guidance of the dragon banner, followed by the elite guards.

"Your Majesty, General Ran Ming has led his troops into the Han army camp."

General Zhao Yu stepped forward and reported: "The Han army's rear guard is retreating."

Chu Ning's stern face showed no emotion, he simply gave a brief order: "Continue the pursuit."

He jumped on his horse, took the spear handed to him by the servant, and prepared to go into battle himself.

As the king of a country, he knew very well how much going into battle in person would boost morale.

At this moment, three rockets suddenly rose from the Han army camp, streaking through the darkening night sky.

The glaring red light reflected on Chu Ning's face, making him frown slightly.

"What's going on?" Zhao Yu looked around vigilantly.

Soon, deafening shouts and cries of killing were heard from the surface of the Yangtze River.

The sound came from the east, getting closer and closer.

Zhao Yu's expression suddenly changed. "Why is there a battle on the river? Didn't the Han navy retreat to the shore?"

A Jinyiwei rushed over and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, this is terrible! Three Han Fu ships, along with other ships, are approaching our army! And the Han army lurking underwater suddenly appeared and seized two of our Fu ships!"

Chu Ning's eyes flashed: "Five blessed ships?"

He turned to look at Zhao Yu: "Didn't you say before that the Han army had three blessed ships that were just empty shells?"

Zhao Yu's forehead was covered in sweat. "This... the information is indeed true."

Chu Ning sneered and tightened his grip on the spear in his hand: "What a Liu Che, setting such a trap for me."

Zhao Yu suddenly realized: "Could it be that Zhou Yu's defeat last time was fake? Was the Han Emperor's capture of Zhou Yu also a show? Was it all for this attack today?"

"Not only that."

Chu Ning's eyes were sharp. "Those three so-called empty-shell Fuzhou ships were also a cover. Liu Che deliberately spread false information to lure me ashore so that his navy and land forces can attack from both sides!"

Just as the two were talking, the situation on the shore suddenly changed.

The Han army, which was originally retreating, suddenly stopped. Liu Che personally turned his horse around and shouted loudly:

"All troops, listen up! Stop retreating and counterattack immediately!"

He raised his sword, pointed it directly at the Chu army, and smiled confidently:

"Chu Ning, I hope you like this gift I carefully prepared for you! I'm looking forward to seeing your expression when you're captured alive!"

Only then did Lu Xun understand that all of this was a series of schemes set up by His Majesty and General Zhou Yu.

He excitedly brandished his sword, "All troops, listen to my orders! Cooperate with General Zhou Yu and capture the Emperor of Chu alive!"

The morale of the Han army was greatly boosted, and the originally retreating troops turned around in an instant and counterattacked the Chu army like a tide.

At the same time, the Han army warships on the river began to encircle the Chu army.

Chu Ning looked around and found that he was surrounded by enemies from all sides.

But he did not panic, instead he showed a hint of sneer: "Liu Che, Liu Che, do you think you can trap me like this?"

He raised his spear high and shouted like thunder: "Soldiers of the Chu army, listen to my orders! Change your formation and meet the enemy! Let the Han army see the might of the men of the Great Chu!"

The war drums beat and the trumpets blew.

On both sides of the Yangtze River, a battle that would determine the fate of the two countries entered its most intense stage.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the surface of the river, reflecting the figures of countless soldiers fighting bloody battles. History will remember this September evening.

At this time, Zhou Yu was standing on the towering deck of the Fu ship, and the river breeze was blowing his scarlet battle robe.

He looked down at the Chu army warships in chaos, a ferocious smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

"Chu Ning, Chu Ning, you finally took the bait."

He was ecstatic and gripped the side of the boat tightly with his fingers, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He had waited too long for this battle.

From feigning defeat and retreating, to being punished in public by Liu Che, to secretly mobilizing elite navy to lurk at the bottom of the river, every step was carefully calculated, just for today!

"What do you mean the invincible Emperor of Chu? He's nothing but this!"

He looked at the dragon flag of the Chu army fluttering on the distant shore, his eyes flashing with fanaticism.

As long as Chu Ning is killed today, his name will shake the world!

The world will remember that it was Zhou Yu who ended the myth of the Chu army's invincibility, and it was he who personally sent that arrogant emperor to the underworld!

"Order! All warships, advance at full speed. Cut off the Chu army's retreat at all costs!"

He snapped, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

After this battle, he was no longer the despised defeated general, but a hero who rewrote history!