Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Xu Gong nodded slightly, a forced smile on his face, but doubts still lingered in his heart. Although he had long heard of Zhou Yu's reputation and knew of his extraordinary talent, the current complex situation, which concerned his own survival and the safety of Jiaxing City, made it difficult for him to completely let down his guard.

"General Sun has great trust in Zhou Gongjin, so I believe Zhou Gongjin must have extraordinary qualities. But the Shanyue people are cunning and ruthless, so we must not take them lightly." There was a hint of temptation in Xu Gong's tone, and his eyes were fixed on Sun Ce's expression.

Sun Ce's expression straightened, his gaze firm as he looked Xu Gong straight in the eye. He said, "Don't worry, Lord Xu. Gongjin and I have known each other for many years and have fought countless battles together. I am well aware of his abilities. We have already formulated a detailed plan for this battle against the Shanyue. Gongjin will be stationed outside the city, and he will definitely hold the Shanyue people in check, preventing them from threatening Jiaxing. Once we have discussed our countermeasures within the city, we will attack from both inside and outside, and we will surely annihilate the Shanyue in one fell swoop!"

Seeing Sun Ce's sincere words and resolute attitude, Xu Gong's doubts were slightly alleviated. However, years of ups and downs in officialdom and brutal struggles had cultivated in him a cautious and suspicious character, and he could never completely let go of his doubts.

"That's very good, that's very good." Xu Gong responded perfunctorily, then changed the subject, "Since General Sun and Zhou Gongjin have already made a plan, why not tell me in detail so that we can discuss and improve the strategy together."

In the meeting hall of Jiaxing City, Sun Ce stood tall and straight, his eyes sparkling as he told Xu Gong about their carefully planned battle plan.

"Lord Xu, ever since we launched our rebellion in Wu County, we've sensed a delicate situation. The Shanyue had been advancing aggressively, but suddenly, the pressure on Wu County eased. We explored along the way and learned that Lou County had been breached. When we returned from Lou County, the scene we witnessed was truly horrific!" Sun Ce frowned, his face filled with grief and indignation. "The Shanyue were like demons. After entering the city, they burned, killed, looted, and committed all sorts of atrocities. The city's aristocratic families were slaughtered, and the common people were not spared either. The entire Lou County was devastated."

In reality, the Shanyue were well-disciplined and did not massacre ordinary civilians during their actions. They targeted only the aristocratic families who routinely abused their power and exploited the people. In the Shanyue's view, these aristocratic families' annexation of land, their heavy taxes, and the resulting suffering of the people were the root cause of the chaos in Wu County.

However, Xu Gong, a long-time ruler of power, was obsessed with his own power and self-interest. Upon hearing the news of the brutal massacre of the aristocratic families, he instantly concluded that the common people would be equally vulnerable. This wasn't a concern for the people's well-being; on the contrary, he saw them as mere insignificance, to be manipulated and exploited at will. What truly mattered to him was the political power, economic resources, and intricate network of connections that the aristocratic families represented. The demise of these families meant a severe blow to the foundations of his rule in Wu County, potentially shaking his grip on power and threatening the collapse of the structure of interests he had painstakingly cultivated. Therefore, when he hastily concluded that the people were "inevitably suffering," his heart was not filled with compassion for the people, but with a sense of panic and anxiety about the precariousness of his own power and position.

Upon hearing this, Xu Gong's face darkened, a fierce glint in his eyes. While the lives of ordinary people might not have mattered to him, the demise of the aristocratic families struck a chord with him, as he, too, was a member of that powerful class. He reasoned that if the Shanyue people had treated the aristocratic families so ruthlessly, they would surely show no mercy to the common people, and so he believed Sun Ce's words without a doubt.

"This group of evil thieves are truly guilty of heinous crimes!" Xu Gong said gritting his teeth.

Sun Ce nodded slightly and continued, "However, Lord Xu, there's no need to worry. Since we launched our rebellion in Wu County, we've fought bravely and have successfully recovered Lou County. It may appear that the Shanyue have completely surrounded Jiaxing City, but in reality, we've already cut off their retreat." As Sun Ce spoke, he walked over to a map hanging on the wall and pointed at the markings. "You see, the Shanyue are reckless and are wreaking havoc in Qiantang County and other surrounding counties. The forces besieging Jiaxing are actually very weak."

Xu Gong frowned slightly, his eyes filled with suspicion. "General Sun, are you serious? I've personally fought against the Shanyue people many times and know they fight bravely and fearlessly. If I hadn't repeatedly mobilized troops from other places, Jiaxing City would have fallen long ago. In my opinion, the Shanyue are far from being so vulnerable."

Sun Ce smiled confidently and said, "Lord Xu, this is a different time. The Shanyue people have repeatedly won battles against you and have become arrogant. They believe that Wujun is invincible and have dispersed their forces to attack other counties. Otherwise, how could those counties be captured so easily? This is enough to prove that their available forces are limited."

Seeing Xu Gong still looking hesitant, Sun Ce continued, "Mr. Xu, if you still have doubts, why not have my sworn brother Zhou Yu outside the city launch an offensive against the Shanyue people first? You can simply watch from the city walls. Once the Shanyue people are defeated, you can lead the troops out of the city to help. Together, we can attack them from both sides and we will surely defeat them!"

Xu Gong listened to Sun Ce's earnest and clear speech, and his doubts gradually dissipated. After a moment's reflection, he felt that Sun Ce's words made sense. If Zhou Yu could first dampen the Shanyue people's spirit outside the city, and then he could come out to help, there would indeed be a great chance of victory. At this thought, Xu Gong couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"General Sun is truly a young hero, both wise and brave! I was too suspicious," Xu Gong said with a smile. "Come on, quickly prepare the banquet. I want to have a good drink with General Sun and discuss a plan to defeat the enemy!"

Soon, the conference hall was filled with sumptuous food and wine. Xu Gong and Sun Ce sat opposite each other, toasting their cups. On the surface, the two men chatted and laughed, the atmosphere harmonious; but in reality, each harbored hidden agendas, secretly plotting their next move. This seemingly joyful feast concealed a hidden agenda, foreshadowing a more intense struggle to come.

Outside the city, Zhou Yu stood before the army, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the dim light. After receiving Sun Ce's message, he briefly pondered and grasped the key. He then rode at full speed to the Shanyue camp for an urgent meeting with Ma Chao and Shamoke. They quickly reached a consensus and formulated a plan.

The next morning, at daybreak, Zhou Yu gave the order, drums beat, and he led his troops toward the Shanyue camp like a tiger descending from the mountains. The soldiers shouted in unison, weapons flashing in their hands, their momentum fierce.

The Shanyue, on the other hand, appeared to be responding hastily, but in reality, their response had been well-planned. As soon as the two sides clashed, the Shanyue soldiers feigned defeat, their formation falling into disarray, and they began to retreat. The battlefield was filled with flying dust, and the clash of weapons and shouts of killing echoed throughout.

From the walls of Jiaxing County, Xu Gong, accompanied by Sun Ce, watched anxiously from the sounds of fighting from the early morning. He held up a telescope and peered from afar, witnessing the Shanyue soldiers, under the fierce attack of Sun Ce's army, abandoning their armor and weapons and fleeing in panic.

Sun Ce stood aside, his eyes fixed on the battlefield, constantly encouraging Xu Gong: "Xu Gong, this opportunity cannot be missed! Now is the critical moment to decide the outcome. You see, the Shanyue people are already in disarray. If we don't move quickly, I'm afraid they will flee. If our two armies attack from both sides, we will surely wipe out the Shanyue people and put an end to their future troubles!"

Xu Gong's eyes were clearly wavering. Gazing at the chaotic battle outside the city, his hands unconsciously clenched the battlements. However, his years of cautious habits made him hesitate between sending his troops and not deciding.

Sun Ce was distraught when he saw Xu Gong still undecided. He asked anxiously, "Mr. Xu, what are you still hesitating about? If you don't make a decision now, the Shanyue people will flee far away, and then we'll miss this great opportunity to fight!"

Xu Gong gritted his teeth, struggling fiercely within himself. Finally, he turned to the messenger and shouted, "Open the city gates, march out, and join General Sun's troops to annihilate the Shanyue!"

As Xu Gong's order was issued, the gates of Jiaxing City slowly opened and the defenders in the city poured out like a tide.

On the battlefield, the situation gradually descended into a bizarre stalemate. Zhou Yu pointed his sword, and his troops surged toward the Shanyue troops like a surging wave. Their momentum seemed to crush all enemies before them. Like startled birds and beasts, the Shanyue warriors fled in panic, disorientingly, towards Jiaxing City, raising clouds of dust that obscured the sky.

As the Jiaxing defenders left the city walls, they were met head-on by the ferocious Shanyue people. Though seemingly retreating, the Shanyue warriors, once engaged in close combat, unleashed a formidable fighting force. Wielding swords and spears, they charged with unstoppable ferocity, catching the Jiaxing defenders unawares. Screams rang out, blood flowed, and the ground was stained a crimson. Zhou Yu's army pursued them relentlessly, their flags waving and the soldiers' shouts resounding, as if determined to annihilate the Shanyue.

On the city wall, Xu Gong's face turned pale as he gazed at the chaotic and bloody battle below. His lips trembled slightly as he muttered to himself, "General Sun, what's going on? How can these Shanyue people still be so brave? Our troops are about to be overwhelmed!"

Sun Ce pressed hard against the arrow embrasures of the city wall, his eyes wide as he cried out anxiously, "Lord Xu, Lord Xu! Who could have predicted the Jiaxing County's military strength was so weak? But don't panic. These Shanyue are just trapped beasts fighting desperately, their last gasp. Look, Zhou Yu has already led our army in a comprehensive encirclement and suppression of them. Now, we only need to send out our elite troops from the city to strangle these Shanyue here in one fell swoop, and we will achieve an unprecedented feat!"

Xu Gong's brows knitted into a knot, his mind tangled. On the one hand, the disastrous state of his own troops outside the city terrified him; on the other, Sun Ce's words seemed to make some sense. He subconsciously turned to his staff, hoping for some advice.

An aide stepped forward tremblingly and whispered, "My lord, the current situation is unclear. If we rashly send our elite troops out of the city, what if..." Before he could finish his words, he was glared back at by Sun Ce's sharp gaze.

Sun Ce raised his voice and urged again, "Lord Xu, the opportunity for battle is fleeting! If you hesitate any longer, not only will you miss this golden opportunity to annihilate the Shanyue, but you may also cause the lives of the soldiers inside and outside the city to be wasted!"

Xu Gong gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and roared with resolve, "Alright! Send another two thousand elite troops out of the city. We must reunite with the troops outside and completely annihilate the Shanyue!" As his orders were issued, another wave of soldiers, blades in hand and heavily armored, emerged from the city, charging toward the battlefield. However, he didn't realize that this decision was dragging him and his forces into an abyss of no return.