Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Cao Bao, however, was adamantly refusing to listen to Zuo Rong's earnest advice. His mind was preoccupied with plans for a surprise attack, believing this was the perfect opportunity to turn the tide of the war. He insisted on splitting his forces to raid Ma Chao and Zhou Yu's camps. Zuo Rong, looking at Cao Bao's resolute expression, felt helpless and anxious, but there was nothing he could do. He could only sigh, grit his teeth, and decide to defend Yong'an to the bitter end.

Outside Yong'an, Shamoke and Gan Ning led the Shanyue tribe in launching wave after wave of seemingly ferocious attacks. War drums pounded, shouts of killing echoed, but in reality, it was all bluffing. Zuo Rong knew he had nowhere to retreat, a desperate situation behind him. If he couldn't hold Yong'an, everything would be over. With red eyes and a hoarse voice, he commanded his soldiers, fighting with a determination to die.

As they attacked the city, Shamoke and Gan Ning felt the pressure was less intense than in the previous few days; the enemy's resistance seemed less intense. However, they also faced their own difficulties. Due to the strategic plan formulated by Ma Chao and his men, they had limited forces and dared not launch an all-out attack. They could only continue to feint and intimidate the defenders.

At this moment, both sides on the battlefield were wary. The attackers' seemingly fierce attack was actually bluffing, hesitant to commit too many troops. The defenders, though sparsely armed, were determined to fight to the death, with every soldier fighting desperately for survival. It was like using a stick to fight a wolf, with both sides fearing it. The two sides fought back and forth, and for a while, the battle remained stalemated, with neither side able to easily break the deadlock.

The sun was high in the sky, its blazing rays pouring down relentlessly, scorching the land that would soon become a battlefield. In the distance, Cao Bao rode a sturdy black horse, his posture erect. His face, gilded by the sunlight, couldn't conceal the eagerness and determination in his eyes. Behind him, the Danyang soldiers, like a black torrent, lined up in neat and solemn formations. Clad in heavy armor, they wielded long spears and large shields. The sunlight shone a cold metallic sheen on their armor and weapons, highlighting the prestige of this elite division.

"Brothers! Today is the day for us to make achievements. Charge and destroy the Shanyue camp!" Cao Bao suddenly drew the sword from his waist and raised it high. The cold light reflected from the blade crossed the sky, accompanied by his powerful and passionate shout, which echoed for a long time in the open wilderness.

Instantly, the drums roared, shaking the earth like rumbling thunder. The Danyang soldiers shouted in unison, their voices coalescing into a powerful wave that seemed to rend the heavens. With measured, powerful steps, they surged toward Ma Chao and Zhou Yu's camp like a surging tide, their ground beneath their feet sending up clouds of dust and smoke. The momentum was both imposing and terrifying.

Inside the camp, Ma Chao had long sensed the enemy's movements. Dressed in brocade, his figure swift as a cheetah, he gripped his spear tightly, its tip gleaming with a cold gleam. Hearing the approaching cries of battle, his thick eyebrows raised, a flicker of excitement and fighting spirit in his eyes. He shouted, "Brothers, follow me and kill the enemy! Make sure these invading enemies never return!" With that, he charged out of the camp like an arrow from a bow, followed closely by Wu Anguo, Pan Feng, and other fierce generals. Their figures loomed tall in the sunlight, like gods of war descended to earth.

The Danyang soldiers rapidly approached the camp, forming a tight phalanx of spears. The front row, armed with large shields, acted like a rolling steel wall, shielding their comrades behind them. Spears pierced through the gaps between their shields, densely packed like a clump of sharp thorns, pressing ever closer towards the camp. Faced with such a fierce attack, the camp's defenses instantly came under immense pressure.

Seeing this, Ma Chao's gaze fixed on the point where the Danyang soldiers were attacking most fiercely. He clamped his legs against the horse's belly, and the warhorse beneath him neighed as he galloped away like silver lightning. Wu Anguo and Pan Feng, understanding his intention, followed closely behind. Ma Chao charged into the enemy lines, his spear wielding like a dragon emerging from the sea, soaring and surging. Wherever he went, a flash of cold light emanated, and the Danyang soldiers fell with screams. His spearmanship was fierce and varied, each thrust carrying a tremendous force, making it impossible to defend against. Even surrounded by the Danyang soldiers, he showed no fear, but instead his fighting spirit intensified. The spear whirred in his hand, and he fought against a hundred enemies alone, throwing the enemy into disarray.

Wu Anguo swung his massive hammer, each blow carrying the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks. Dust flew from the ground as the hammer fell, and the shields and armor of the Danyang soldiers shattered like fragile paper under the immense force. His roar blended with the clatter of the hammer, creating the most intimidating note on the battlefield.

Pan Feng, unwilling to be outdone, brandished his broadsword with vigor and ferocity. His nimble frame allowed him to weave freely through the enemy lines, each swing of his blade unleashing a hail of blood. His gaze was resolute and fierce, like the god of death from hell, striking fear into the hearts of the Danyang soldiers wherever he went.

On the battlefield, soldiers from both sides engaged in close combat. The cries of killing, the clashing of weapons, and the screams of agony intertwined to a deafening chorus. Blood stained the ground red, glaring under the blazing sun. The Danyang soldiers, relying on their elite training and tenacious fighting spirit, launched relentless charges. Ma Chao's men, relying on the bravery of their commanders and the tenacious resistance of their soldiers, held their ground. The two sides exchanged blows, neither yielding, in a ferocious battle resembling hell on earth.

Cao Bao anxiously commanded the troops from the rear, constantly adjusting his deployment in an attempt to break through Ma Chao's defenses. However, Ma Chao and his men's resistance was like an impenetrable wall, rendering his every attack fruitless. Although the Danyang troops were an elite force, they could not gain an advantage against the valiant fighting of Ma Chao, Wu Anguo, Pan Feng, and other fierce generals.

Zhou Yu stood high above, calmly observing the battlefield. A hint of worry lingered in his eyes. The Danyang soldiers' combat effectiveness far exceeded his imagination, far surpassing the Shanyue and Jinfan troops. Their tacit coordination and strategic execution put immense pressure on his side. But Zhou Yu knew he couldn't panic at this moment. He had to think calmly and find a way to defeat the enemy.

The fighting on the battlefield continued, both sides locked in a stalemate. The soldiers' strength was constantly draining, blood was constantly flowing, but no one retreated. This battle was not only a contest of strength and courage, but also a game of will and wisdom. No one knew who would ultimately win.

The sun scorched the earth, smoke thickened the battlefield, and the shouts of killing were ear-piercing. Ma Chao, clad in silver armor and a brocade robe, pawed anxiously at his horse, stirring up clouds of dust. He gripped his spear tightly, blood still dripping from its tip, and stared intently at the Danyang soldiers who were rushing towards him like a tide.

"These Danyang soldiers are a real problem!" Ma Chao gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his face brimming with fighting spirit. Watching the Danyang soldiers, relying on superb coordination and tenacious will, repeatedly break through his own defenses, the heroic spirit in his chest erupted like a ignited powder keg.

"I, Ma Chao, am a master of the battlefield. How could I be stopped by you?" Ma Chao pulled the reins sharply, and his horse neighed loudly, its front hooves raised high, drawing a powerful arc in the air. Then, he swung his spear, and the tassel rustled in the wind like a burning flame.

"Brothers, follow me! Charge straight at Cao Bao's rear and show them how powerful we are!" Ma Chao roared at the top of his lungs, his voice piercing through the layers of shouting and echoing across the battlefield like a bell. His personal guards, their morale high, followed closely behind him. Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, dust billowed in the air as they charged like sharp daggers, swiftly stabbing towards Cao Bao's rear.

Ma Chao led the charge, his spear a flash of silver lightning, each swing carrying a tremendous force. With his agile physique, he charged left and right through the enemy lines, unstoppable. Danyang soldiers fell before him, yet he remained powerless to stop his advance. His gaze, resolute and intense, locked onto Cao Bao's position, as if ignoring all else but the enemy and the impending victory.

Cao Bao, commanding from behind the formation, had a keen eye and immediately spotted something unusual about the white-horse general. Ma Chao's silver helmet and armor gleamed in the sunlight, his spear gleaming with a cold gleam. The Danyang soldiers retreated wherever he moved, as if he were in an empty space. With a clear target in mind, he charged swiftly towards his own central army.

"Not good!" Cao Bao's face changed suddenly, and he thought to himself that something was wrong. He immediately shouted an order at the top of his voice: "Quick, dispatch troops and surround him. Don't let him get close!" Following his order, the surrounding Danyang soldiers responded quickly, rushing in from all directions like a tide, trying to encircle Ma Chao.

Yet, Ma Chao was like a gust of wind on the battlefield, unstoppable. His horse, Aurora, seemed to possess a humanlike instinct, darting nimbly through the flashes of swords and sabers, its hooves whirring like the wind. Ma Chao's spear swung with impenetrable force, its icy gleam gleaming, each thrust elicited a scream. Though fearless and undaunted, the Danyang soldiers struggled to close in. Ma Chao repeatedly tore through the encirclement, sending soldiers falling one after another, and Cao Bao's expression grew increasingly grim.

Seeing Ma Chao about to break through the encirclement, Cao Bao's heart burned with anxiety, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He knew that if Ma Chao approached again, his life would be in danger. In desperation, Cao Bao gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, turned his horse, shouted, "Retreat!", and fled with the remnants of his army.

Ma Chao would not let them go so easily. He led his personal guards in pursuit. But the Danyang soldiers, true to their elite status, maintained a degree of order even in their retreat, organizing counterattacks as they retreated. They exploited the terrain and their weapons to harass Ma Chao and his men. Despite their pursuit, Ma Chao and his men were unable to gain any significant advantage. Dust billowed across the battlefield, and the cries of battle faded into the distance, leaving only a devastating mess.

After a fierce battle with Cao Bao, Ma Chao failed to completely defeat him, but he succeeded in repelling the enemy and returned to the camp victorious. Upon entering the tent, he saw Zhou Yu had been waiting for him for a long time.

Zhou Yu, with a smile on his face, walked quickly forward, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply to Ma Chao, and said first: "We were able to repel the enemy this time thanks to your bravery. If it weren't for you charging at the front and boosting morale, it would have been a lot of trouble for us to win." Zhou Yu's words were sincere, and his eyes were full of admiration and gratitude.

Ma Chao waved his hands. While his expression showed the joy of victory, it was also filled with deep contemplation of the battle. He frowned slightly and sighed, "Alas, these Danyang soldiers truly live up to their reputation. I never expected them to be so formidable. I've fought on the battlefield for many years, and I've rarely encountered such a well-trained and coordinated elite force. If it weren't for our concerted efforts today, the outcome would have been unpredictable."

Zhou Yu nodded slightly, agreeing deeply. "Brother, you are absolutely right. The Danyang soldiers should not be underestimated. However, our soldiers are no less capable than us, and your bravery inspired us all, allowing us to repel the enemy. However, after this battle, Cao Bao will surely be frightened and retreat to Yong'an County, not daring to send troops out easily."