Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

On the river, the waves surged, and warships, like black giants, plowed through the waves. The white spray stirred up by their prows resembled the manes of galloping horses. Zhou Yu, clad in a pristine white robe, his sleeves fluttering freely in the fierce river breeze. His handsome face held a stern expression, revealing the composure of a mastermind. Beside him, Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai stood tall and straight, like proud pines, their eyes sharp as eagles, ever vigilant. Although Gan Ning had not come, his Jinfan troops were under Zhou Yu's command. These Jinfan warriors were all slender, their skin tanned by the river breeze and the scorching sun, and their eyes gleamed with the bravery and unbridled courage of a great bandit, like a pack of wolves ready to pounce on their prey.

The warships sped along the river, passed Yong'an County, and rapidly approached Wucheng County. When they were near Wucheng County, Zhou Yu waved his hand and decisively ordered a landing.

As soon as they set foot on this land, they sensed the thick tension in the air. Within Wu County, a sense of panic reigned, and every blade of grass seemed to be an enemy. Looking up, the towering walls of Wucheng County were visible, their flags fluttering, their swords and spears pointed, and soldiers densely packed together, ready for battle. The scene of intense security was chilling.

Seeing this, Zhou Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident and calm smile. Then, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Order a exploratory attack." Instantly, the war drums thundered, the dull beat shaking the earth slightly. Shouts of killing rose to the sky, and the soldiers surged towards the city gate like a surging tide. However, Wucheng County's defenses were impregnable. The soldiers on the city walls were well-trained, and their arrows rained down like a torrential rain, accurately repelling each attack. The offensive was ruthlessly turned back at the city gate.

Zhou Yu surveyed the battle situation, his mind already sizing up the situation. Unhurried, he raised his hand with a gentle wave and declared, "Set up camp first! Do not attack rashly." His orders were as firm as a mountain, and the soldiers sprang into action. Dust billowed outside the city as tents were quickly erected under his command. Zhou Yu sat quietly in his tent, awaiting Ma Chao's arrival. The flickering candlelight illuminated his determined face, his eyes filled with anticipation and determination for the impending battle, as if he had everything under control.

Under the full guidance of the Mu brothers, Ma Chao trekked through mountains and rivers, overcoming countless dangers. The winding mountain path was as steep as a ladder to heaven, and each step required every ounce of strength. The scorching sun overhead created an unbearable heat, while the thorny underfoot threatened to lacerate the skin. But Ma Chao and the Mu brothers remained undaunted. They supported each other and persevered. When their rations ran out, they gathered wild fruits to satisfy their hunger. When their water bottles dried up, they sought the mountain springs to quench their thirst. Finally, they successfully crossed the rolling mountains and entered Wucheng County.

As soon as they entered, scouts Zhou Yu had dispatched ahead of them quickly emerged from hiding, stepped forward to greet them respectfully, and successfully led them to the main army camp. Ma Chao's face was covered in dust, sweat and dirt leaving streaks on it, but he couldn't hide the eagerness in his eyes. He strode up to Zhou Yu with great speed, frowning slightly, and asked with a hint of doubt and eagerness: "Gongjin, speed is of the essence in war. Now is a perfect opportunity. Why not launch a direct and fierce attack while the enemy is still under preparation? Perhaps we can seize Wucheng County in one fell swoop." His eyes were firm and resolute, as if he had already seen the dawn of victory.

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, with a glint of wisdom in his eyes, and said slowly: "Brother, this is not an easy matter. The entire Wu County is now in a tense situation. The war in Yong'an County has just started, how could Wucheng County be defenseless? We have already launched a tentative attack before, and Wucheng County was heavily guarded by old Wang Lang, and the defense was impenetrable. If we attack by force, not only will it be difficult for us to win, but it will also increase casualties. Therefore, we must not act rashly at this time, and we need to take a long-term view." Zhou Yu analyzed the battle situation in a calm tone and a clear and logical manner. He looked calm and confident, which made people convinced involuntarily.

Ma Chao frowned, anxious, and blurted out without thinking: "Gongjin, that being said, we have already fought hard in Wujun for a long time. It is now May and June, and we have been delayed for four or five months. Yangzhou is still frozen by Yuan Shu, and the situation is precarious. If we can't wipe out Wujun as soon as possible, the longer we delay, the greater the variables and risks." As Ma Chao spoke, he unconsciously clenched his fists, and his knuckles turned white due to the force.

His eyes were filled with anxiety and impatience, his deep worry surging like a raging tide, threatening to overwhelm him. Ma Chao knew that only by quickly capturing Wujun could he coordinate with Sun Ce and lift the siege of Yangzhou. However, the battle had raged for five or six months, and Wujun was still not completely under control, let alone Yangzhou. Thinking of the people of Yangzhou, who were suffering under Yuan Shu's oppression and desperately needed help, Ma Chao was filled with anxiety, eager to launch an immediate attack and break the stalemate.

Ma Chao's heart was thick with worry, his face etched with unconcealed anxiety. The food and fodder supplies of the Xiliang soldiers, far away in Runan County, were a constant source of worry for Ma Chao. A single interruption in the long, arduous supply line would mean the soldiers starving and freezing. This was a matter of life and death for the army, not only morale but also its very survival.

Furthermore, the emperor's attitude toward him was ambiguous, and Ma Chao knew that relying on the emperor for solid support was wishful thinking. Li Ru's earlier announcement of widespread war in Western Liang, intended as a deceptive ploy, now served as a shackle to Ma Chao. The war in Wujun was stalemated, progress was slow, while the situation in Western Liang was devastating, leaving him torn between two options.

Every time he thought of this, Ma Chao's heart burned with anxiety. He wished he could grow wings, put an end to the war once and for all, and then return to the capital without stopping. He desperately wanted to return to Xiliang, rescue the imperiled Xiling, and protect the land and people he loved so much. This anxiety, like a raging fire, burned fiercely in his chest, never easing.

Zhou Yu looked calm, a confident smile plastered across his face. He raised his hand and gently placed a hand on Ma Chao's arm, advising him gently, "Brother, don't be impatient. In war, steady progress is key. We must proceed step by step. Look at Wucheng County. The enemy is already well-positioned and heavily guarded. It's not something we can easily capture overnight. I've already arranged a preliminary attack. Although it was a minor one, it served its purpose."

Zhou Yu paused briefly, a sly glint in his eyes as he continued, "This way, Wang Lang will undoubtedly worry about the safety of Wucheng County and will likely send more troops to reinforce it. At the same time, Cao Bao in Yong'an County will also know that we have penetrated deep into his rear. This is like a double-edged sword. On the surface, we appear to be surrounded, but from another perspective, we have also successfully encircled Cao Bao."

"Brother," Zhou Yu said earnestly, looking at Ma Chao with a determined gaze. "For now, we just need to hold our ground and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. In these troubled times, there's always room for battle. We just need to wait for them to lose their composure and offer themselves to us. Then, we can strike with one blow and surely achieve complete victory."

Ma Chao took a deep breath, trying to calm the anxiety surging within him. He knew Zhou Yu's words made perfect sense; the current situation indeed demanded a steady and cautious approach, a strategy they had already agreed upon. Reason gradually overcame his impatience, and Ma Chao silently reminded himself that impulsiveness on this ever-changing battlefield would only lead to harm.

He turned to look at Zhou Yu, nodded slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Gongjin is absolutely right, I was too impatient." Zhou Yu responded with an understanding smile, and the two of them had a tacit understanding.

Then, they quickly passed the order down, and the soldiers sprang into action. Some busied themselves felling trees to build a sturdy tent frame, while others dug trenches and laid out fortifications to prevent a surprise attack. For a moment, dust billowed through the camp, yet the activity remained calm. Soon, the tents were neatly arranged, flags rustled in the wind, and the entire camp was in perfect order.

Upon hearing his retreat had been cut off, Cao Bao panicked. He paced back and forth in the tent, each step heavy and urgent, as if he was going to tear a hole in the ground beneath his feet. His face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm. After a moment, he stopped abruptly, gritted his teeth, and squeezed out a few words: "No, we can't just sit there and wait. We have to send troops to cooperate with Wucheng County to resolve this trouble behind us!" His tone was undeniably firm.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Rong's heart skipped a beat. He hurried forward, clasped his hands together, and advised earnestly: "General, you can't do this! We must not divide our troops at this time. The most important thing for us right now is to defend Yong'an County and tie down the enemy troops in front of Wucheng County. As long as Yong'an County is firmly in our hands, the enemy troops between Wucheng County and Yong'an County will be left to Wang Lang to deal with. They can't escape even if they have wings. We must hold our ground and wait for the right time to act." Zuo Rong was anxious, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his tone was full of anxiety and earnestness.

But Cao Bao's face was filled with impatience, his brows knitted into a knot as he roared, "You know nothing! It's scorching hot out here. If we keep defending Yong'an and don't get reinforcements, we'll be trapped and isolated. With no food or water, and no one to rescue us, how can we defend it?" He grew increasingly agitated, waving his hands wildly in the air like an enraged beast. "I've made up my mind. I must lead my troops to eliminate this hidden danger behind us, otherwise Yong'an will be lost!" Cao Bao's expression was resolute, his eyes revealing a desperate determination, and he would not listen to Zuo Rong's advice.

Zuo Rong wanted to persuade him again, but before he could say anything, Cao Bao eagerly waved his hands and began to explain in a torrent of words: "Don't you understand yet? Opportunities for battle are fleeting! Since the Shanyue have separated their forces and gone around to the back of Yong'an County, the enemy we are facing in Yong'an must be bluffing. How many troops can they have if they go around to the back? The Shanyue and we were fighting hard on the city before, and neither side had the upper hand. Now they dare to separate their forces. Aren't they courting death?" Cao Bao became more and more excited as he spoke, his face flushed, and his eyes flashed with a determined light.

"Think about it, if we take this opportunity to destroy the team that has circled behind us, then the siege of Yong'an will be lifted naturally, right? This is a matter of military importance, you cannot be indecisive! How can you understand the ins and outs of this?" Cao Bao said as he poked the table hard with his fingers, as if he wanted to force his ideas into Zuo Rong's head.