Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Wang Lang frowned, pondering for a moment, his face still filled with suspicion. "How could it be? How could Gan Ning's Jinfan bandits be colluding with the Shanyue? There's no connection between them. Are you exaggerating?"

The staff member raised his head and said solemnly, "Sir, Gan Ning values ​​profit. Although the Shanyue are remote, they also have abundant resources. Perhaps someone has mediated and tempted them with benefits, thus promoting their alliance. Furthermore, we have always been wary of the surrounding forces, but we never thought that these two forces would come together. This is too strange, and we must be on guard."

Wang Lang's expression darkened. He slowly sat back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrest unconsciously as he pondered, "If it's true what my staff members say, then the situation behind this is probably even more complicated than I imagined. Could it be that someone is deliberately plotting to completely drive me, Wang Lang, out of Wujun?"

Wang Lang shuddered at the thought. He raised his head, a fierce look in his eyes, and addressed his staff, "You're right. This matter is by no means simple. Send someone to investigate immediately. We must find out who is behind this. At the same time, strengthen the defenses of each city and recall the troops stationed outside. I want to see who has the audacity to run wild on my territory!"

The staff took their orders and left. Wang Lang looked out the window, a sense of foreboding welling up in his heart. This sudden change seemed to be just the beginning, and perhaps a bigger storm was yet to come.

In the camp of Lou County, Ma Chao, Sun Ce and Shamoke sat together, with the table filled with fine wine and delicious food. However, everyone's mind was not on the feast at all. Instead, they were immersed in the joy of the victory they had just achieved, and were also enthusiastically discussing the next plan.

Sun Ce's face flushed, his excitement was beyond words. He picked up a bowl of wine, stood up and said loudly: "The victory of Lou County and Linshui County this time is thanks to the heroic fighting of Brother Shamoke and the Shanyue warriors, as well as your wise help. Come, I'll toast everyone a bowl!" After that, he raised his head and drank it all.

Shamoke laughed heartily, his voice resounding like a bell. "General Sun, you're too polite! We are now a family. We should go all out for our common goal! These two victories are just a test. Next, how do we completely conquer Wujun? The key is!"

Ma Chao smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. He picked up a branch and drew a rough map of Wu County on the ground. He said slowly, "Xu Gong and Wang Lang must be frightened and angry right now. They will definitely mobilize their forces and try to retake Lou and Linshui counties. We can use their tactics to lure them into a trap."

Sun Ce's eyes lit up, and he asked anxiously, "Brother, do you have an idea? Tell me now!"

Ma Chao pointed to several key locations on the map and said, "We can set up ambushes here. Xu Gong and Wang Lang, eager for revenge, will undoubtedly split their forces to attack Lou County and Linshui County respectively. We should set up ambushes along their routes ahead of time, and once they enter our encirclement, we can annihilate them in one fell swoop."

Shamoke nodded in agreement, rubbing his hands in anticipation, and said, "This is a brilliant plan! My Shanyue warriors will surely annihilate them without a single survivor!"

Lu Su pondered for a moment and then expressed his concern: "Although Xu Gong and Wang Lang are angry, they are not stupid. Will they be aware of our plan and take precautions?"

Zhou Yu continued, explaining, "This requires another tactic. We can pretend to be weak in Lou and Linshui counties, sending troops to attack other prefectures and counties. This will lead them to believe that our forces are scattered and defenses are weak. We can then reduce the number of defenders on the city walls to create a false sense of panic. Eager for revenge, they will surely fall for our ruse."

Shamoke clapped his hands in applause. "This is a brilliant plan! Xu Gong and Wang Lang are always suspicious. When they hear this news, they will definitely believe it. Then they will be eager to launch an attack, which will play into our hands!"

With the deliberations finalized, the Shanyue people acted swiftly and decisively. The next morning, the gates of Lou and Linshui counties flung open, and the Shanyue warriors poured out like a surging torrent. Their armor gleamed, their weapons gleamed coldly in the morning sun, and their flags clattered, their strange totems painted on them looking ferocious and alive.

In the ranks, Shamoke rode a majestically tall horse, a massive battle axe slung across his shoulder. The bloodstains on the axe hadn't yet dried, emanating a chilling aura. His gaze blazed ahead, and he barked out commands. The Shanyue warriors behind him responded in unison, their footsteps shaking the earth slightly.

The team marched towards Jiaxing County with great fanfare, raising clouds of dust along the way, as if to crush anything that stood in their way. They deliberately created a huge noise so that the surrounding people could hear it, intending to convey their powerful momentum to Xu Gong.

Soon, this scene was clearly witnessed by Xu Gong's nearby spies. Xu Gong's scouts galloped back to the palace and breathlessly reported to Xu Gong, "Sir, something terrible has happened! The Shanyue people have come out in full force and are heading towards Jiaxing County. Judging from their momentum, they're coming with great force, and I'm afraid they're going straight for Huanglong!"

When Xu Gong heard this, his face turned ashen in an instant, and veins popped out on his forehead. He slammed the table and roared, "These barbarians are really going too far! How could I, Xu Gong, be afraid of them!" After that, he immediately summoned his generals to discuss strategies to defend against the enemy.

The atmosphere in Xu Gong's meeting room was so dignified that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it. The generals and staff filed in, and seeing Xu Gong's face, as gloomy as the approach of a storm, they couldn't help but hold their breath, afraid to make even the slightest sound.

"Listen up!" Xu Gong suddenly stood up and slammed his hands on the table, shaking the documents on it. "The Shanyue people are so arrogant that they dared to invade Jiaxing County! We must make sure they never return!"

Lieutenant General Li stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sir, the Shanyue people are coming with such force this time that we must not attack rashly. In my opinion, we should first close the city gates, strengthen the city defenses, and wait for them to tire themselves out."

Xu Gong frowned and snorted coldly, "Staying indoors? Wouldn't that be a sign of weakness to the world? Where is my reputation as Xu Gong?"

At this time, Zhang Yu, an aide, clasped his fists and spoke, "Sir, please calm down and listen to me. The Shanyue are fighting simultaneously in Linshui and Lou County. Although they have captured Lou County, they are already at the end of their strength. Now they have diverted their forces to attack Jiaxing County. I infer that Lou County must be undermanned. We can seize this opportunity to gather our best forces and recapture Lou County. Then, we can attack them from both sides. The Shanyue will be attacked from both sides and will be defeated!"

Xu Gong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he paced back and forth in the hall. After a moment's thought, he clapped his hands and said, "Great! This plan suits my taste perfectly. The Shanyue people thought they could frighten me, yet they dared to act so arrogantly right under my nose. I must teach them a lesson."

Lieutenant General Zhao clasped his fists and pleaded, "Sir, I am willing to lead our elite troops to recapture Lou County!"

Xu Gong nodded in agreement. "Okay, Lieutenant General Zhao, I'll give you 8,000 men. You must fight swiftly and recapture Lou County. Remember, your actions must be covert and you must not alert the enemy. Once you capture Lou County, you can form a pincer attack with Jiaxing County."

Xu Gong then turned to Lieutenant General Li and said, "I will personally garrison Jiaxing County this time. Lieutenant General Li, you will lead 5,000 troops to lie in wait outside Jiaxing County. If the Shanyue attack the city, attack from the flanks to disrupt their formation."

He then instructed General Qian, "General Qian, you will be responsible for the dispatch and material preparation within the city, ensuring sufficient food and grass and a solid city defense."

The generals and staff took their orders and left. Xu Gong watched them go, a fierce look in his eyes: "Shanyue people, this time you will not return, and you will pay a heavy price."

Meanwhile, the Shanyue people were marching in a mighty force towards Jiaxing County. Shamoko, perched on his horse, gazed at the rising dust ahead, a sneer on his lips: "Xu Gong, are you ready? This drama has only just begun."

Lieutenant General Zhao led eight thousand elite troops, silently advancing towards Lou County under cover of darkness. Under the cover of darkness, the troops galloped along the winding path like a long black dragon. The sound of horse hooves was muffled by the thick cotton cloth, and the soldiers wore tense expressions, their weapons tightly grasped, ready for any possible situation.

When they were still several miles from Lou County, silence reigned, save for the rustling of the wind through the trees. Lieutenant General Zhao felt a sense of unease, but then, thinking of Lou County's current lack of troops, he felt certain of victory. Just as he was about to order the march to accelerate, a sharp horn blast pierced the night sky.

"Oh no! An ambush!" Lieutenant General Zhao shouted. Before his soldiers could react, a raging fire suddenly erupted on the surrounding hillsides. Countless Shanyue warriors rushed out like tigers descending from the mountains. Leading the charge were Zhou Yu and Huang Gai. Zhou Yu, clad in silver armor, his eyes gleaming with a cold, resolute determination in the firelight.

"Kill! Leave no one alive!" Zhou Yu, brandishing his longsword, led the Shanyue warriors towards Lieutenant General Zhao's troops. The Shanyue warriors shouted, their weapons flashing with a cold light, as they engaged in a fierce battle with Xu Gong's soldiers. This sudden attack caught Lieutenant General Zhao's soldiers off guard, their formation instantly thrown into disarray.

"Quick, organize resistance!" Lieutenant General Zhao shouted at the top of his lungs. He brandished his long sword, trying to fend off the Shanyue's attack, but the Shanyue were so powerful that soldiers fell one after another. In the chaos, Lieutenant General Zhao saw Zhou Yu rushing towards him, and despair surged in his heart.

"Are you Lieutenant General Zhao? Today is your day of death!" Huang Gai shouted, thrusting his spear at Lieutenant General Zhao like lightning. Lieutenant General Zhao quickly raised his sword to block the blow, but Huang Gai's spearmanship was so sharp that after several rounds, Lieutenant General Zhao was stabbed in the chest by Huang Gai and fell to the ground, dead.

Meanwhile, outside Jiaxing, Shamoke led the Shanyue people as they watched the city from afar. Atop the city walls, Xu Gong's soldiers stood in formation, nervously watching the Shanyue's every move. However, the Shanyue simply stood there quietly, making no move to attack.

"What the hell are they doing?" Xu Gong stood on the city wall, frowning, his heart full of doubts. At this moment, a messenger ran over panting.

"Sir, it's bad! Lieutenant General Zhao's troops were ambushed on the way to attack Lou County. The entire army was wiped out, and Lieutenant General Zhao was also killed in the battle!" The messenger's words were like a blockbuster bomb, making Xu Gong's face pale in an instant.

"What? How is this possible!" Xu Gong's eyes widened, he couldn't believe his ears. He felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground.

"Damn it! These Shanyue people are so cunning!" Xu Gong roared angrily, blood spurting from his mouth. He looked at the Shanyue people outside the city, his eyes filled with hatred and despair. At this moment, he was completely trapped in despair, and the outcome of this war seemed to be doomed.