Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The land of Wu Commandery was a complex landscape, rife with intertwined forces. Xu Gong controlled Lou, Jiaxing, Haiyan, Yanguan, Qiantang, and Fuchun counties, a vast region of fertile fields and thriving commerce, which amassed a wealth of supplies and troops. Meanwhile, Wang Lang controlled Wujin, Yunyang, Piling, Yangxian, Gujun, and Wucheng counties. Leveraging strategic terrain, he established a formidable defense and commanded a formidable army. As the seat of Wu Commandery, Wu County, a jewel within its midst, held immense importance. Precisely because of Wu County's existence, Xu Gong and Wang Lang, driven by strategic considerations, maintained a formidable peace for years, each maintaining their own separate territories.

When the Shanyue and Sun Ce engaged in a fierce battle in Wu County, letters of aid from prominent families poured in to Xu Gong and Wang Lang. Despite receiving the news, both chose to remain silent. In Xu Gong's residence, the atmosphere in the meeting room was tense. His advisors expressed their opinions, but none could sway Xu Gong's resolve. "Everyone, the Shanyue have been causing trouble for a long time. Who can guarantee that this so-called request for assistance isn't Sun Ce's scheme?" Xu Gong's gaze swept across their faces. "If I rashly send troops to rescue Wu County, Wang Lang will undoubtedly act. If he seizes the opportunity to attack my rear, cut off my food supply, and raid my base, wouldn't I be attacked from both sides, doomed?"

An aide spoke up urgently: "But General, if Wu County is lost, I'm afraid we will be in trouble as well." Xu Gong snorted coldly: "The lips and teeth will be in trouble? Humph, doesn't Wang Lang think so? I don't think he will send troops easily. It is best for us to keep our troops in place and wait and see what happens." Everyone looked at each other and finally nodded helplessly.

Meanwhile, Wang Lang was conferring with his staff. "We must take Wu County's request for assistance seriously, but we can't act rashly." Wang Lang's expression was stern, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Xu Gong is cunning and treacherous. If I send troops, he'll likely stab me in the back. If the balance we've maintained for so many years is disrupted, Wu County will be plunged into even greater chaos." One staff member suggested dividing the troops, but Wang Lang shook his head and rejected it. "Dividing the troops will weaken us. We won't be able to defeat either the Shanyue or Xu Gong. Let's wait and see."

Ma Chao and Sun Ce waited in vain for reinforcements in Wu County. Learning of Xu Gong and Wang Lang's concerns, Ma Chao and Sun Ce felt helpless but could only devise another strategy. "I didn't expect these two to be so cautious and unwilling to take the bait so easily," Sun Ce frowned, a look of chagrin on his face. Ma Chao's gaze was penetrating. After a moment's reflection, he said, "Since they're wary of each other, let's exploit this and further disrupt their minds." Thus, a carefully planned tactic of sowing discord quietly unfolded.

They dispatched several groups of spies to infiltrate the territories of Xu Gong and Wang Lang. On Xu Gong's side, the spies spread rumors that Wang Lang was secretly gathering forces, intending to seize Xu Gong's territory while he was dispatching troops to Wu County. On Wang Lang's side, rumors spread that Xu Gong had reached a secret agreement with the Shanyue to join forces against Wang Lang. For a time, panic gripped the territories of both Xu Gong and Wang Lang, and these rumors unnerved both men.

Xu Gong, restless, summoned his advisors once again to discuss the matter: "Is Wang Lang really going to attack me? I must prepare for it." The advisors were also in a state of disarray, with some advocating a preemptive strike, others suggesting strengthening the defenses. Wang Lang was similarly paranoid, unsure of what to do in the face of rumors. While Xu Gong and Wang Lang were wavering, Ma Chao and Sun Ce arranged for Shamoke to lead the Shanyue army in a feint attack on the border between Xu Gong and Wang Lang's territories. For a moment, war drums beat and shouts of killing shook the heavens.

Xu Gong and Wang Lang were completely panicked. Amidst this complex situation, a deluge of mixed news poured in like a surging tide, completely engulfing them in a whirlpool of panic. The news, true and false, mixed and unreal, was like a fog, making it difficult for them to discern the true situation.

On Xu Gong's side, Lou County, adjacent to Wu Commandery, was the first to experience a crisis. One morning, the residents of Lou County were horrified to discover the presence of Shanyue people in the streets and alleys. These Shanyue people, dressed in distinctive attire and wielding sharp blades, moved with a feral force. Wherever they went, the people fled, plunging the entire county into chaos.

The commander of Lou County was so frightened that his face turned pale. He hurriedly sent people to ask Xu Gong for help. The handwriting on the battle report was crooked due to panic: "Sir, Lou County was suddenly attacked by Shanyue. The city is in chaos and the people are in danger. I beg you to send troops to rescue as soon as possible!" When Xu Gong received the battle report, he was sitting in his mansion, upset about the situation in Wu County. When he saw Lou County's request for help, he jumped up from his chair, with veins bulging on his forehead.

"How dare these Shanyue people attack my very doorstep!" Xu Gong's eyes widened in anger, his heart filled with shock and fury. He knew the importance of Lou County. If it were lost, his territory would be wide open, and the Shanyue people would likely march straight in. He could no longer sit idly by and watch Wu County fail. He immediately ordered, "Assemble your troops quickly and follow me to Lou County to provide assistance!"

A similar crisis was brewing in Wang Lang's territory. Linshui County, nestled against a river, had long been a source of confidence for Wang Lang, as the Shanyue people were not adept at naval warfare. However, no one could have anticipated their alliance with the notorious Jinfan bandits.

One day, sunlight streamed across the river, shimmering and serene. Suddenly, countless ships appeared in the distance, flags of the Shanyue clan fluttering on their bows. Their hulls approached rapidly like a school of black fish. The Jinfan pirates stood at the prows, shouting loudly, their weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Upon seeing this, the Linshui County defenders were thrown into disarray. They had originally thought the natural defenses of the rivers and streams would be enough to resist the Shanyue, but they hadn't expected the enemy to appear in such a way. "Oh no! The Shanyue and the Jinfan bandits are attacking us!" The soldiers' cries echoed through the city, and the civilians, terrified, fled into their homes, closing their doors and windows.

When Wang Lang received the emergency document from Linshui County, his face darkened. "What the hell is going on? How could the Shanyue people be mingling with the Jinfan bandits?" He angrily threw the document to the ground, his heart filled with regret and resentment. But at this moment, he had no time to dwell on it; he could only urgently dispatch troops to Linshui County for a rescue.

In this panic, Xu Gong and Wang Lang dispatched their armies. All of this was precisely what Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Shamoke had anticipated. Their meticulously planned strategy had finally led Xu Gong and Wang Lang into a trap. Across the land of Wu Commandery, a decisive battle loomed like a storm, poised to determine the fate of all factions.

Under the fierce assault and pressure of the Shanyue, the gates of Lou County creaked under the weight, then with a resounding boom, the heavy gates collapsed. Instantly, the Shanyue warriors, who had been clamoring for battle outside the city, roared into Lou County like a raging flood. Their eyes gleamed with fiery fighting spirit, their blades flashed coldly, and with shouts that resounded through the air, they launched a devastating attack on the defenders within.

Inside the city, Xu Gong's defenders rushed into battle. Though they fought hard, they were defeated by the Shanyue's well-planned and coordinated attack. Their attack was unstoppable and unstoppable. Relying on their familiarity with the complex streets and alleys and their fearless bravery, the Shanyue warriors quickly engaged in fierce fighting with the defenders at every strategic point in the city.

Shamoke rode a towering black horse, charging into the battlefield at the head of the pack. His stature was as imposing as a towering mountain, and the massive battle axe in his hand, more than half a man's height, gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight. Every swing of his axe was accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, stirring up a bloody storm. "Kill! Leave no one alive!" His voice was like a bell, his furious roar echoing throughout the battlefield. The fierceness and determination in his eyes struck fear into Xu Gong's soldiers.

Xu Gong's generals were terrified, desperately trying to mount an effective resistance. "Quick, hold this street! We can't let the Shanyue break through!" a captain shouted at the top of his lungs, leading a group of soldiers in an attempt to establish a solid defense along the street. However, their resistance seemed weak against the overwhelming Shanyue. The Shanyue quickly surrounded them, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat. In a moment, the captain was stabbed multiple times, his armor stained red with blood, and he collapsed helplessly in a pool of blood. Soldiers around him also fell to the sharp blades of the Shanyue, and the defense collapsed instantly.

The city's inhabitants were plunged into utter terror, fleeing in all directions. The streets were a scene of chaos. Abandoned items were scattered everywhere, and panicked figures could be seen everywhere. Shop windows and doors were smashed, and goods were scattered everywhere. Raging fires blazed across the city, and black smoke billowed across Lou County, draping the city in a heavy veil of mourning.

The gates of Lou County collapsed with a bang, and the Shanyue warriors poured in like a surging tide. They had a clear goal and rushed straight to the mansions of the wealthy families in the city, leaving the common people alone.

Shamoke led the way, his battle axe gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He led his elite troops to the Zhao family compound, the most prominent in the city. As the head of Lou County's aristocratic family, the Zhao family routinely exploited their power to oppress the Shanyue people, seizing their land and plundering their property, committing numerous atrocities.

"Smash it!" Shamoke shouted, and the Shanyue warriors rushed into the courtyard like tigers pouncing on their prey. The Zhao family's guards fought hard, but they were no match for the fearless Shanyue. Shamoke swung his axe, and with a few blows, he split open the Zhao family's gate.

"You can't do this! I am an official appointed by the court!" Zhao Chong, the master of the Zhao family, shouted in horror, his voice trembling.

"Hmph, why didn't you mention the imperial court when you were oppressing the Shanyue people? Today is the day you die!" A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Shamoke's eyes. He raised his axe and chopped Zhao Chong's head and body apart in an instant.

On another street, Shanyue warriors surrounded the Qian family. The Qian family had colluded with Xu Gong to monopolize the grain trade in Lou County, driving up prices and causing many people to starve to death. The Shanyue warriors mercilessly stormed the Qian family home and slaughtered every member of the family.

The entire Lou County was plunged into chaos, but the people discovered that the Shanyue people only targeted the wealthy and powerful families who had committed many evil deeds. In the homes of ordinary people, the Shanyue warriors simply passed by without any infringement.

"The Shanyue people won't kill us!" a young man shouted in surprise. The people hid in their homes, watching the battle outside through cracks in their doors. They found that although the Shanyue people were brave and fierce, they had no ill will towards them.

Soon, the aristocratic families of Lou County were completely slaughtered. Their bodies lay scattered across the streets, their blood staining the ground red. The common people, however, were unharmed, and they began to gain a new understanding of the Shanyue people.