Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The weather was perfect, with a rare burst of sunshine, but it failed to dispel the gloom of war. Emperor Liu Bian, filled with the ambition to revive the Han Dynasty, stood before the tent, his gaze firm and penetrating. Beside him, Lu Zhi elaborated on his strategic vision: "Your Majesty, the current situation is delicate and unpredictable. Although Chang'an has been initially secured, the surrounding counties remain unstable. Fufeng, a strategic location, is of great significance to consolidating our power. However, our forces are limited at this moment, and a forced attack is not the best strategy." Liu Bian nodded slightly in agreement.

Immediately, Liu Bian, following Lu Zhi's plan, urgently summoned Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Inside the tent, Liu Bian gazed at the three men with a solemn expression, saying, "Uncle Your Majesty, the capture of Fufeng is crucial to the grand plan of the Han Dynasty's revival. But we are short-handed and must not act rashly." Liu Bei bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We will adhere to the strategic plan and proceed with caution." Guan Yu narrowed his eyes, gently stroking his long beard, his face determined. Zhang Fei, his eyes wide, declared in a gruff voice, "I, Zhang, will certainly live up to this mission!"

Soon, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led their troops on their journey. Along the way, flags fluttered and horses' hooves clattered. When their army arrived at Fufeng City, they found towering walls and heavily guarded fortifications. Liu Bian followed his plan and secretly dispatched several astute and capable envoys. These envoys, disguised as officials, blended into the crowd and quietly infiltrated the prefecture.

These envoys were tasked with unnoticed attempts to contact the governor, probe his thoughts, and seek an opportunity to exploit. Outside the city, Liu Bei and his men remained on high alert, guarding against a surprise enemy attack.

Liu Bian knew this operation required caution. He sent another messenger to the three generals, specifically admonishing them: "Do not act rashly in this battle. Our forces are limited, so we must not engage the enemy head-on. Conserving our strength is crucial. Chang'an has just been stabilized, and much remains to be done. The people crave peace and tranquility. Our strategy should prioritize prosperity and rest for the people. The best strategy would be to sow discord and capture Fufeng, thereby avoiding further conflict."

Liu Bei looked at the enemy troops on the city wall and had a plan in mind. He said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "Second brother, third brother, we need to wait patiently for the opportunity and not attack rashly." Guan Yu nodded in agreement. Although Zhang Fei was unwilling, he also understood the pros and cons.

Meanwhile, envoys who had infiltrated the city were active. They spread rumors of discord and mutual suspicion among the enemy commanders in taverns and markets, and deliberately stirred up trouble near the prefectural governor's residence, arousing the governor's suspicions. The governor, already deeply concerned about the current situation, was further apprehensive by these rumors.

A few days later, tensions grew within the prefect's mansion. He summoned his officers to discuss countermeasures. Opinions diverged, with some advocating for a standstill, while others, fearing the enemy's strength, advocated for peace. Internal divisions widened, and contradictions became increasingly apparent.

Outside the prefectural governor's mansion, Dong Huang, a member of Dong Zhuo's remnant, was suspicious and wary by nature. He had noticed an unusual atmosphere in the city in recent days. In taverns and markets, unfamiliar faces were constantly chatting and passing on confusing news. Furthermore, seemingly unintentional disturbances were frequent near the prefectural governor's mansion, but upon closer inspection, he felt something was amiss.

Dong Huang secretly dispatched personnel to investigate, uncovering clues. The unfamiliar faces seemed to be connected to the Han army outside the city, and the county magistrate's movements also seemed rather mysterious. Dong Huang's suspicions grew, and he concluded the county magistrate must be hiding something.

That night, under a dark and windy sky, Dong Huang decided to strike first. He gathered his trusted confidants, a group of strong, blade-wielding soldiers. Dong Huang's face was gloomy, his eyes gleaming with a fierce glint. He said, "Brothers, the old governor is afraid he will defect to the Han Dynasty, ending our survival. Tonight, we will go and take control of Fufeng County!" Everyone responded in unison, their gaze filled with murderous intent.

Dong Huang and his men quietly approached the prefect's residence. Before the guards at the gate could react, they were quickly dispatched by Dong Huang's trusted associates. They rushed inside, where the prefect was pacing anxiously in his study. Hearing the commotion outside, he was startled.

Before the governor could react, Dong Huang had already kicked the door open. He looked at him in horror and shouted, "Dong Huang, what do you mean?" Dong Huang sneered, "Sir, you are secretly colluding with the Han Dynasty. Are you trying to sell us out? I have plenty of evidence. Don't try to quibble!" The governor hurriedly argued, "Don't slander me. I am loyal to Lord Dong Zhuo!" Dong Huang refused to listen. His eyes widened as he roared, "At this point, you still dare to be stubborn!"

With that, Dong Huang waved his hand, and the soldiers behind him rushed forward. The governor tried to resist, but his guards were outnumbered. Dong Huang took action himself, swinging his long sword and slashing at the governor. Unable to dodge, the governor fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere. The governor groaned in pain, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness.

Dong Huang was so angry that he continued to give orders: "Don't leave anyone alive, wipe out the roots!" The soldiers killed people indiscriminately in the county magistrate's mansion, and no one close to the county magistrate was spared.

After Dong Huang killed the prefect, he took control of the prefect's office and quickly took over the military power in the city. Knowing that the Han army was eyeing him covetously, he ordered the city defenses to be strengthened in preparation for the Han army's attack.

Liu Bian's original plan of secretly instigating rebellion failed, and the situation suddenly became serious.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei received orders from Liu Bian and led their troops to Fufeng. When they arrived at the city, they saw the closed gates and the enemy troops waiting in formation on the city walls.

Liu Bei looked at the enemy troops on the city wall and said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei with a serious face: "Second brother, third brother, I am afraid this siege will be a fierce battle."

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, big brother, we will fight to the death."

Zhang Fei brandished his Zhangba Snake Spear and shouted, "I, Old Zhang, will annihilate these traitors without a single mortal left!"

The three generals commanded their soldiers to attack the city, but the enemy troops on the city wall were defending tightly and arrows fell like rain, greatly hindering the Han army's attack.

Dong Huang stood on the city wall, looking at the Han army attacking the city with a cold smile in his heart. He had learned the lesson from Dong Zhuo's previous failure and decided to hold the city firmly and resolutely not leave the city to fight.

The two sides were deadlocked for several days, and the Han army suffered heavy losses, but still failed to break through the city gate.

At night, in the Han army camp, Liu Bian personally went to the front line to discuss countermeasures with the three generals.

Liu Bian said, "Generals, the situation is at a stalemate. I wonder if you have any good ideas?"

Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, the enemy is holed up in the city. A forceful attack is not the best strategy. We must find another way."

Guan Yu suggested: "Can we send people to dig a tunnel and attack the city from underground?"

Liu Bian shook his head: "This move is too risky and time-consuming. If the enemy discovers it, all our efforts will be wasted."

Zhang Fei stamped his feet anxiously: "This won't work, that won't work, are we just going to sit there and wait?"

After discussing for a long time, everyone still couldn't come up with a good plan to break the city.

As the days passed, the two sides remained deadlocked, and the Han army was never able to capture Fufeng County.

Liu Bian looked at the still unconquered Fufeng City with a heavy heart, but he also knew that the road to reviving the Han Dynasty was full of difficulties and obstacles. He encouraged his soldiers to conserve their strength and wait for another day of battle.

Yuan Shao, leading his vast army on the long journey back, was filled with anxiety and trepidation, eagerly awaiting news from Liu Biao. Liu Biao, upon receiving Yuan Shao's secret instructions, had unhesitatingly dispatched his great general, Huang Zu, to stop Sun Jian. During the intense and breathtaking battle, Huang Zu, lurking in the shadows, his eyes etched with ruthless determination. He drew his bowstring, aimed at Sun Jian, and instantly unleashed an arrow. Sun Jian was caught off guard and struck by the sudden arrow, instantly falling from his horse. He was critically injured, his life uncertain.

Yet, Sun Jian's son, Sun Ce, a young, energetic, and fearless general, witnessed his father's impending arrow strike. His eyes instantly blazed red, like an enraged lion. Lance in hand, he charged the enemy lines, roaring, his entire being radiating a breathtaking aura of valor. Surrounded by a dense mass of enemies, Sun Ce charged left and right, his spearpoint sending foes falling. With fearless courage, superb martial prowess, and unwavering resolve, he forged a bloody path through the encirclement, then vanished into the vast wilderness with the remnants of his army, their whereabouts unknown.

Upon learning of this outcome, Yuan Shao's hopes were instantly dashed, and he was overcome with a wave of regret, having lost more than he gained. He knew Sun Ce's bravery was unmatched, a valor that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies on the battlefield. The thought of this filled Yuan Shao with rage, and he couldn't help but curse Liu Biao as an incompetent loser who couldn't even handle such a task. But now that things had come to this, to prevent Sun Ce from becoming a future threat, he could only place his hopes on his own generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou. So, Yuan Shao decisively ordered these two powerful generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, to lead their well-equipped and elite troops in pursuit of Sun Ce, following his escape route.