Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After this profoundly meaningful discussion and unique wedding ceremony, everyone, filled with confidence and anticipation, began final preparations for the upcoming operation. The next morning, sunlight gently shone across the Shanyue camp, bathing the vibrant landscape in a golden glow. However, good times are always fleeting, and the time for parting quietly approached. Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and the others bid farewell to the Shanyue tribe, including Shamoke and Sally. Though deeply reluctant, they were compelled to embark on their own journeys to achieve their common goal.

After a reluctant farewell, Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and the others quickly returned to Wu County. Once back in the city, they immediately began their intensive deployment. Drawing on his extensive military experience, Ma Chao orchestrated each task methodically. He divided his soldiers into teams, each responsible for defending the city, transmitting intelligence, and liaising with the Shanyue forces. He also personally inspected the inventory of weapons and equipment to ensure they were in perfect condition.

Sun Ce, on the other hand, was busy trying to stabilize the people in the city. He knew a major battle was imminent, and only when the people were at ease could the rear be stable. So, he personally took to the streets to appease the people, promising to protect Wu County. Thanks to his efforts, the people's panic gradually eased, and they expressed their willingness to support their actions.

Meanwhile, back in the Shanyue camp, Shamoke was intensively assembling his forces. He selected a group of elite Shanyue warriors, equipped them with sophisticated weapons, and conducted a final pre-war mobilization. The Shanyue warriors were eager to fight, eager to prove themselves in this battle and secure a bright future for the Shanyue.

With all preparations complete, the Shanyue army, as planned, launched another fierce attack on Wu County. For a moment, shouts and cries of battle shook the heavens, clouds of dust billowed in the air. Like a tide, the Shanyue warriors surged toward the city gates, their eyes filled with determination and resolve.

Sun Ce and his men were on the city walls, bracing for battle. Seeing the Shanyue army approaching, they feigned defeat, deliberately revealing their weaknesses. Soldiers acted panicked, some even feigning injury and falling to the ground. Flags on the city walls were deliberately toppled to create the illusion of impending defeat.

The aristocratic families in the city had previously been confident that Sun Ce's forces would be able to completely quell the Shanyue Rebellion. Unexpectedly, the Shanyue launched a fierce offensive, and Sun Ce's army was in a state of collapse. This sudden situation left them panicked and completely at a loss.

These pampered aristocratic families, facing this crisis, were timid and panic-stricken. They had hoped that Sun Ce would be their savior and resolve the Shanyue, their great threat, but now that Sun Ce seemed defeated, their hopes were instantly dashed.

To protect themselves, they all began to mobilize their connections. Families that had close ties with Xu Gong hurriedly wrote letters, earnestly and anxiously exposing the city's plight and pleading for swift relief. Their letters were filled with concern for their own safety. Those families with ties to Wang Lang were equally fearless, dispatching their trusted servants to Wang Lang's camp at full speed, bearing letters filled with fear and plea for help. They detailed the Shanyue's ferocious offensive and the "disastrous defeat" of Sun Ce's army, imploring Wang Lang to show mercy and send troops to their aid.

Meanwhile, Sun Ce was feigning defeat with his army, retreating to a defensive position within the city. While seemingly disorganized, they were actually methodically deploying their defenses. While the soldiers appeared panicked and their steps unsteady, secretly, the commanders of each battalion were quietly mobilizing their forces according to a pre-planned strategy.

On the city wall, the military flags, though tilted by the panicked soldiers, concealed the elite forces gathering behind them. Some soldiers deliberately shouted loudly from the walls, their voices filled with fear, as if they were terrified by the Shanyue's attack. But in reality, they were closely monitoring the movements of the Shanyue troops outside the city and the incoming reinforcements from Xu Gong and Wang Lang.

Clad in battle armor, Sun Ce moved among the soldiers, feigning anxiety while commanding the defense while secretly observing the unfolding situation. He barked orders to the generals beside him, his tone brimming with urgency, signaling the entire army to engage. Like a cheetah lurking in the shadows, he waited for the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow.

Xu Gong was leisurely enjoying tea and the scenery in his mansion garden when he received the letter from the aristocratic family requesting assistance. Dressed in finery, he glanced at the letter in hand, a scornful smile playing on his lips.

"Come here, call my staff over." Xu Gong raised the letter in his hand and spoke lazily. After a while, several staff members hurried over and stood respectfully by.

Xu Gong casually dropped the letter onto the stone table and sneered, "Look, those aristocratic families in Wu County are panicking, saying that the Shanyue have defeated Sun Ce and are asking me to come to the rescue."

An aide stepped forward, bowed, and said, "General, Wu County is geographically important. If it were occupied by the Shanyue, it would be disadvantageous to us."

Xu Gong waved his hand dismissively, saying, "The Shanyue are just a mob. They've only been able to engage in minor skirmishes for a long time. What kind of power can they possibly achieve? Sun Ce, while capable, was defeated by the Shanyue this time. He's clearly not to be feared. Wu County is still some distance from us. Sending troops now would be a waste of manpower and would be more trouble than it's worth."

Another staff member frowned and thought, "But if the Shanyue gain a foothold in Wu County and continue to grow, they might become a serious threat in the future."

Xu Gong picked up the teacup nonchalantly, took a sip, and said coldly: "Let's wait until they really have the ability to do so. Going to rescue them now will only make wedding clothes for that old bastard Wang Lang. Let's keep our troops in place and see how the situation develops." After hearing this, all the staff nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, in Wang Lang's mansion, the atmosphere was equally tense. Wang Lang sat in his study, his face gloomy as he looked at the letter for help in his hand.

"Everyone, the noble families in Wu County asked us to send troops to deal with Shanyue. What do you think?" Wang Lang asked as his eyes swept across the faces of his staff.

An aide said worriedly, "Sir, Wu County is a strategic location in Jiangdong. If it falls into the hands of the Shanyue, the situation will be disastrous. Moreover, we have connections with those aristocratic families. If we don't rescue them now, I'm afraid that in the future..."

Wang Lang interrupted him with a cold snort, "Hmph, Wu County is still far from our sphere of influence. The Shanyue have always been harassing us in small groups. Even if we defeat Sun Ce this time, it won't cause any major waves. Sun Ce is young and impetuous, so it's only natural that he should suffer some losses. If we rush out and suffer heavy casualties, wouldn't that be more harm than good?"

Another staff member advised: "But if the Shanyue take this opportunity to expand and threaten the surrounding counties, we will be in trouble."

Wang Lang pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I have my own plans. First, send people to closely monitor the situation in Wu County. There is no need to rush to send troops. If the Shanyue really show signs of threatening us, it will not be too late to make plans. As for Sun Ce, after this defeat, I believe he should be more restrained." The staff members bowed their hands, accepted the order, and retreated.

Thus, Xu Gong and Wang Lang, due to their own calculations, chose to delay their request for assistance from Wu County. They had no idea that their contempt and laziness were pushing themselves step by step into the abyss of failure.

Ma Chao and Sun Ce, in Wu County, anxiously awaited news of the reinforcements from Xu Gong and Wang Lang every day. They stood on the city walls, gazing into the distance, hoping to see the billowing clouds of dust that would signal the arrival of reinforcements, but day after day, all they saw was the silent wilderness.

"What on earth are Xu Gong and Wang Lang up to? It's been so long, why haven't the reinforcements shown up yet?" Sun Ce frowned, his anxiety burning in his heart like a raging fire, and he couldn't help but complain.

Ma Chao was equally anxious, but he remained composed, trying to analyze the situation from various angles. "Xu Gong is known to be cunning, and Wang Lang is also shrewd and calculating. Perhaps they are wary of the Shanyue's strength, or perhaps they have their own agenda, hoping to reap the benefits."

As the two were talking, a messenger hurried over, knelt on one knee, and breathlessly reported, "General, scouts from various directions report that Xu Gong and Wang Lang haven't sent a single soldier to our aid. They seem unconcerned about our plight."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce was so enraged that he slammed his fist against the battlement and shouted, "These short-sighted fellows are so short-sighted! If Wu County falls into the hands of the Shanyue, do they think they can escape unscathed?"

Ma Chao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and said slowly, "The only thing we can do now is to notify Shamoke and ask him to suspend the attack. We need to reconsider our countermeasures. We can't let this unexpected situation disrupt our overall plan."

Therefore, an urgent letter was quickly sent to the Shanyue camp. After receiving the letter, Shamoke immediately summoned all the Shanyue leaders to sit around the campfire to discuss the current situation.

"Xu Gong and Wang Lang are truly despicable. They're so disregarding the overall situation!" Shamoke slammed his thigh, his face filled with anger. "Our soldiers were all ready to fight, but now they have to stop."

An elderly Shanyue leader stroked his beard and said after a moment's thought, "Perhaps we can take the initiative and directly attack Xu Gong and Wang Lang's territory to force them to send troops."

Shamoke shook his head and said, "No, we have an agreement with Sun Ce. Besides, if we disperse our forces rashly, we might be in a disadvantageous position. We should wait for them to arrive and work out a foolproof plan together."

In Wu County, Ma Chao and Sun Ce also summoned Lu Su and other advisers and held a heated discussion in the tent.

Lu Su pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Xu Gong and Wang Lang haven't sent out their troops, simply hoping for the best, believing the Shanyue won't pose a threat. We might as well take advantage of their tactic and create the illusion that the Shanyue are about to abandon Wu County and attack their territory."

Sun Ce's eyes lit up, and he asked anxiously, "What good plan does Zi Jing have?"

Lu Su smiled faintly and said, "We can deliberately spread false information and have our spies pass it on to Xu Gong and Wang Lang, saying that the Shanyue have been besieging Wu County for a long time and have learned that they have no intention of providing assistance, so we have decided to attack them first. At the same time, we can have Shamoke pretend to retreat, making it look like we are trying to divert our attention."

Ma Chao nodded in agreement. "This is a brilliant plan. Xu Gong and Wang Lang will undoubtedly panic. To protect their territory, they will most likely send out troops."

After everyone had made their decision, they quickly set to work. The false news spread like wildfire among the various factions. Shamoke followed the plan, leading the Shanyue army in a feigned retreat. For a moment, the dust was billowing, and the noise was overwhelming.