Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The atmosphere in the general's mansion in Jiujiang County was tense and heavy. Lei Bo, clutching Yuan Shu's secret order, frowned, his gaze darting back and forth between Jiujiang and Yuzhang counties on the map. His lord had ordered him to escort grain and fodder to the front lines in Yuzhang County to relieve the soldiers' urgent needs. This was a heavy responsibility, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Lei Bo didn't dare delay and hurried to his aide Chen Lan's tent to discuss matters. Chen Lan, a man over forty and a man of extraordinary wisdom, was lost in thought over a sand table. Seeing Lei Bo hurried in, Chen Lan rose to greet him. Before Lei Bo could speak, she spoke first, "General Lei, this transport of grain is a long journey, and the situation is volatile. We must proceed with caution. In my opinion, the land route is full of risks, and the water route is more secure."

Lei Bo frowned slightly, showing a look of disapproval on his face, and retorted: "Mr. Chen, our army is now very powerful in Jiujiang County, and the surrounding enemy forces dare not invade easily. Although the water route is convenient, there are many variables. If we encounter wind and rain or are intercepted by the enemy navy, it will be troublesome. Now that we are in the rear, the land route should be fine. I have made up my mind, and there is no need to discuss it anymore." After that, Lei Bo turned around and strode out of the tent, and began to prepare for the transportation of grain and grass.

Chen Lan looked at Lei Bo's departing back, sighed softly, and felt even more worried.

A few days later, a massive grain transport convoy slowly set off along the official road of Jiujiang County. Over a hundred carriages laden with grain and fodder snaked one after the other like a long, winding dragon. The bulging grain sacks on the carts exuded a fragrant aroma, as if foreshadowing the imminent arrival of ample supplies for the soldiers on the front lines.

Lei Bo rode atop a tall, powerful black horse, clad in heavy armor. The sword at his waist gleamed coldly in the sunlight. His eagle-like gaze swept over the surrounding soldiers, and he shouted, "Everyone, be alert! This transport is a matter of life and death for our army. Anyone who dares to be negligent will be punished by military law!" Upon hearing this, the soldiers straightened their bodies, gripped their weapons tightly, and answered in unison, "Yes!"

The team advanced, initially without incident. Jiujiang County was peaceful, and the people, upon seeing the grain transport passing by, hid to the side, not daring to look directly at them. Lei Bo was secretly pleased, thinking that Chen Lan had indeed been worrying too much.

However, when the team reached Lujiang County, the situation suddenly changed. The originally clear sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds, blocking out the sunlight and making the surrounding atmosphere oppressive and gloomy.

Lei Bo felt an ominous premonition in his heart. He pulled the reins, looked around vigilantly, and shouted an order: "Slow down and be on guard!" Upon hearing this, the soldiers gripped their weapons tightly and glanced vigilantly at the woods on both sides of the road.

At this moment, the clear chirping of birds suddenly echoed from the silent woods, followed by cries of killing. Zhang Xiu's Wancheng soldiers, clad in black armor and armed with sharp blades, their eyes revealing a fierce and resolute look, burst out from the woods like ghosts.

Lei Bo was horrified, his face turning pale. He had never expected the enemy to set an ambush. But he was a seasoned general after all, so he quickly calmed down and shouted, "Protect the food and forage! Kill them!"

A fierce battle immediately erupted between the two sides. The Wancheng soldiers fought valiantly, charging into the grain transport like a tiger descending from a mountain, swords flashing and blood splattering everywhere. Although Lei Bo's soldiers fought hard, they gradually began to struggle under the Wancheng soldiers' fierce attacks.

Lei Bo brandished his sword, charging left and right, trying to hold his ground. However, the Wancheng soldiers' offensive grew increasingly fierce, and the grain transport team's defenses were gradually breached. Zhang Xiu, riding a nimble warhorse, rushed towards Lei Bo like a flash of black lightning, shouting, "Lei Bo, today is your death!"

Lei Bo was horrified. He knew that today was a dangerous day, but if he didn't fight to the death, not only would his food supplies be lost, but his own life would be in jeopardy. So he gritted his teeth and brandished his sword to meet Zhang Xiu.

The two engaged in a fierce duel on the battlefield, swords clashing and sparks flying. Although Lei Bo was brave, he gradually became exhausted under Zhang Xiu's fierce attacks.

At that moment, a Wancheng soldier seized the opportunity and attacked Lei Bo from behind. Lei Bo heard the sound of wind behind him and thought to himself, "Oh no!" He tried to dodge, but it was too late. At this critical moment, a personal soldier stepped forward and blocked the fatal blow with his body.

Lei Bo felt a pang in his heart, and taking advantage of this opportunity, he turned and fled the battlefield. At this time, the grain transport team had been completely defeated, and most of the grain and grass had been looted by the Wancheng soldiers.

Lei Bo looked at the stolen food and fodder, feeling anxious and angry, but he could do nothing. He fled in disarray towards Jiujiang County with his remaining troops, leaving behind a devastated battlefield and countless corpses.

Zhang Xiu gazed upon the mountain of grain and fodder, a sense of accomplishment filling his heart. His successful capture of Lei Bo's shipment not only fulfilled his military advisor's mission but also dealt a heavy blow to Yuan Shu's arrogance. However, he knew full well that in these turbulent times, he could not afford to be careless or complacent.

Watching the busy soldiers before him, Zhang Xiu frowned slightly, a hint of caution in his eyes. He knew that if any mishap occurred during the transportation of this hard-earned food and fodder, all his efforts would be wasted. So, he acted decisively, his gaze fixed on Hu Che'er, and barked an order: "Hu Che'er! You are ordered to lead a team and escort the food and fodder back to Runan County immediately! You must be extremely cautious on the road, and no fanfare is allowed. All actions must be kept secret. Any mistakes will result in military punishment!"

Hu Che'er, sturdy in build and with a resolute gaze, clasped his fists in response, "I will obey your orders, General. I will live up to your trust!" With that, he quickly assembled a team of elite soldiers and methodically sorted the provisions and reloaded them onto the carts. Soon, the silent procession set off on its homeward journey. Hu Che'er, mounted on a plump and sturdy warhorse, glanced vigilantly around as he led the team further and further away.

Astride a sturdy warhorse, Zhang Xiu watched the grain transport depart, secretly pondering his next move. He reasoned that while he had fulfilled his military advisor's request and successfully cut off Yuan Shu's land supply, Yuan Shu's inherent suspicion and stubbornness meant he might try again. With this thought, Zhang Xiu decided to stay behind and set an ambush.

He turned to his trusted generals and said, "That old villain, Yuan Shu, has suffered a loss once, and he won't give up. I will personally set an ambush. Each of you will select elite soldiers and follow me to hide in the nearby mountains and forests. If Yuan Shu attempts to transport grain by land again, follow my command and attack with all your might. We must make sure they mistakenly believe we have a large force stationed here, so they won't dare to use the land route again."

The generals clasped their fists in response, quickly selecting a group of agile and experienced soldiers to follow Zhang Xiu into an ambush in a nearby secluded forest. Taking advantage of the terrain, they cleverly concealed their presence, waiting for Yuan Shu's grain transport to reappear.

Zhang Xiu, ensconced in a dense forest, stared intently at the road ahead, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. His palms sweated slightly, but his eyes shone with determination and resolve. He knew the crucial importance of this ambush, crucial not only to the complete severance of Yuan Shu's land supply routes but also to the success of his entire strategic plan. In the days that followed, Zhang Xiu and his ambushers remained at their ambush point day and night, maintaining constant vigilance.

Meanwhile, Lei Bo fled back to Jiujiang County with his remaining troops, utterly dejected and dusty. His face was covered in dust, his armor stained with blood, and his eyes were filled with resentment and anger. Upon returning to the general's residence, he headed straight for Chen Lan's tent, feeling both frustrated at his poor decision and uncertain about how to proceed.

Chen Lan had already heard the news of the grain transport's disastrous defeat and was sitting in his tent, frowning as he pondered a strategy. Seeing Lei Bo approaching with such a fierce aura, he rose to greet him. Before Lei Bo could speak, he spoke first, "General Lei, the situation is clear now. The land route is no longer safe. We've lost so much food and supplies for nothing. This is truly a heavy loss. In my opinion, it's safer to take the water route. Waterways offer greater concealment and are less vulnerable to enemy ambushes."

Lei Bo gritted his teeth, a hint of stubbornness on his face, and retorted, "Mr. Chen, how do you know that the bandits won't set an ambush by water? I think they must have fled long ago after getting so much food from us. I think they deliberately set an ambush on land, making us think that the land route is dangerous and take the water route, so that they can seize the opportunity to intercept us by water. Humph, the more they fear us taking the land route, the more I want to travel by land. I don't believe they can set up ambushes twice in the same place!"

Chen Lan was extremely anxious when she saw Lei Bo was so stubborn, but she also knew it was difficult to persuade him at this moment. She could only sigh helplessly, "General Lei, the situation is complicated right now. You must not act on impulse. It's better to take a long-term view."

However, Lei Bo refused to listen to Chen Lan's advice. Thinking of Yuan Shu's stern order, he panicked and dared not delay any further. So, he quickly ordered the requisition of some food and fodder, preparing to once again attempt to transport it overland to the front lines in Yuzhang County.

Jiujiang County was in turmoil. Soldiers were forced to collect food and fodder, while the people complained bitterly. But Lei Bo was no longer concerned. A new food transport team was quickly assembled. Although much smaller than the previous one, Lei Bo still held onto a glimmer of hope, hoping that this time the food and fodder would be successfully transported to the front lines.

The grain transport team once again set out on the land route to Yuzhang County. Lei Bo sat on his horse, feeling a little uneasy but also more than unwilling to give up. He constantly scanned his surroundings, alert for any possible danger.

However, he never imagined that Zhang Xiu had already set up a trap along their route. Zhang Xiu personally led the ambush troops, hiding in the mountains and forests on both sides of the road, patiently waiting for Lei Bo's grain transport team.

When Lei Bo's grain transport team entered the ambush, Zhang Xiu's eyes instantly became sharp. He waved his hand and gave an order, and the ambushers who had been prepared long ago rushed out like tigers descending from the mountains, and the shouts of killing immediately resounded throughout the valley.

Lei Bo was horrified, his face turning pale. He hadn't expected Zhang Xiu to actually set an ambush on land. Now it was too late to regret. He brandished his sword, trying to rally his soldiers to resist, but they were already so frightened by the sudden attack that they couldn't mount an effective resistance.

Under Zhang Xiu's fierce attack, Lei Bo's grain transport team quickly collapsed. The grain and grass were once again robbed, and the soldiers suffered heavy casualties. Lei Bo himself, under the protection of his personal guards, barely broke through the encirclement and fled back to Jiujiang County in a panic.

This time, Lei Bo was completely despairing. He slumped in a chair in the general's mansion, staring at his blood-stained hands, his heart filled with regret. He finally understood how foolish his decision had been to ignore Chen Lan's advice. Meanwhile, Yuan Shu, far away on the front lines in Yuzhang County, anxiously awaited the arrival of food and fodder, unaware that his repeated attempts to transport grain had come to nothing.