Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Although Li Feng and Lei Bo's forced requisitions had somehow managed to gather enough food and fodder, Yuan Shu knew this was merely a temporary solution. Frowning, he pondered, "If we fail to capture Yuzhang County, the army's daily expenditure will be so immense that this little food and fodder won't last long, and the situation will only become more dire."

Yang Hong was equally aware of the stakes, but his competitive spirit and eagerness to achieve success prevailed. He paced back and forth beside Yuan Shu, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm as he continually urged him, "My lord, now that food and supplies have arrived and morale is high, it's the perfect time for us to launch a decisive attack! Yuzhang County may appear impregnable, but in reality, it has been under siege for a long time, and the city must be exhausted. As long as we launch a concerted attack with all our might, we will surely break through and achieve our goal!" His voice was passionate and impassioned, as if victory was within reach.

Yan Xiang, however, was deeply concerned. He knew that a rash attack at this moment would be unwise. He stepped forward, bowed solemnly, and said, "My lord, please reconsider. Although we now have food and fodder, it only temporarily alleviates our difficulties. Given the current situation, this is not a good time to attack Yuzhang County. Although our army has food and fodder, if we forcefully attack Yuzhang, we will surely suffer heavy casualties. It would be better to use this food and fodder to safely withdraw our troops and return to reorganize our forces. Once we defeat Ma Chao and Zhou Yu, we can rest and recover, and then attack Yuzhang County. By then, with the right time, place, and people, we will surely be able to take it in one fell swoop. I hope my lord will prioritize the overall situation." Yan Xiang spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with worry and expectation, hoping that Yuan Shu would calm down and heed his advice.

Yuan Shu listened to the two men's conflicting opinions, his expression shifting between gloom and contention, his heart agonizing. He longed to capture Yuzhang County in one fell swoop and achieve his dominance, yet he also worried that Yan Xiang's words would come true, plunging the army into a hopeless situation. The atmosphere in the tent was momentarily tense, as everyone waited silently for Yuan Shu's final decision...

After hearing Yan Xiang's words, Yang Hong sneered disdainfully, his eyes filled with contempt. He raised his chin slightly and said tartly, "Mr. Yan Xiang, you are too cowardly! Our army's morale is high, and we have sufficient food and fodder. This is the perfect time to attack, yet you are here to encourage others and undermine your own prestige. Are you frightened by the Yuzhang County garrison? Or do you have other intentions?"

Yan Xiang's face flushed crimson, his entire body trembling with anger at Yang Hong's words. Suppressing his rage, he said, "Mr. Yang Hong, I'm doing this for the sake of our lord and the army, not out of cowardice. The situation is complex right now, and we can't act rashly. I hope you can think calmly."

Yang Hong ignored Yan Xiang's explanation and continued, "Hmph, stop your hypocritical talk about doing this for the sake of the army. You're just afraid of taking responsibility. If we return empty-handed like you say, how will we gain a foothold among the princes in the future? How will our lord achieve his ambitions?"

Yuan Shu listened to the two men's argument from the side, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and his heart became more and more irritated. Yang Hong saw that Yuan Shu's expression had relaxed a little, and he was secretly happy, knowing that the fire had reached a certain point and needed to be fueled. He straightened his body slightly, looked at Yuan Shu with a sharp gaze, and spoke earnestly and with a bit of passion: "My lord, the situation has come to this point now. We have spent a lot of effort and food. If we return without success at this time, we will be ridiculed by the princes of the world, and our morale will be crushed. It is better to give it a try, relying on our current momentum and food supply, and attack Yuzhang County with all our strength. If we win, we can enhance our military prestige and expand our territory; even if we cannot take Yuzhang County for the time being, our army will still have food and grass to support it, and it will not be too late to plan to retreat. My lord, this opportunity is rare, don't miss it!"

After saying this, Yang Hong knelt on one knee, clasped his fists over his chest, his eyes filled with determination and expectation, as if to show Yuan Shu his determination to charge into battle for his lord. As Yuan Shu listened to Yang Hong's words, the wavering thoughts in his heart gradually became firmer. He pursed his lips tightly, and a hint of fierceness flashed in his eyes.

Yan Xiang, who was standing by, was horrified when he heard Yang Hong's extremely persuasive words. He was about to persuade him again, but saw Yuan Shu raising his hand to stop him.

Yuan Shu watched Yang Hong's confident expression, and the balance in his heart gradually shifted. He recalled the hardships he had endured along the way, his ambition to dominate the world. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright! Let's do as Yang Hong says. We will unite our forces and storm Yuzhang County! If we succeed, I will reward you handsomely. Anyone who disobeys will be punished by military law!"

When Yan Xiang heard Yuan Shu's decision, his heart sank, and a look of despair crossed his face. He knew he could no longer change his lord's mind. But he remained steadfast, bowing once more and saying, "My lord, please reconsider..."

Yuan Shu waved his hand, interrupting Yan Xiang and saying, "No need to say more. My decision is made. Mr. Yan Xiang, please prepare the military supplies and provide logistical support."

Yan Xiang reluctantly retreated, silently praying for the army's safety. Yuan Shu began to plan his attack, and Yang Hong smiled triumphantly, as if Yuzhang County was already in his pocket.

Soon, Yuan Shu's army assembled and marched towards Yuzhang County in a mighty procession. War drums beat, flags fluttered, and a brutal siege was about to begin. Whether the glory of victory or the bitterness of defeat awaited them, no one knew...

At Yuan Shu's command, the army surged towards Yuzhang County like a raging tide. War drums thundered, shouts of war shook the heavens, and flags fluttered in the wind. Yuan Shu's soldiers, carrying ladders and pushing siege vehicles, charged fiercely toward the city walls.

Inside Yuzhang County, Prefect Liu Yao's face was grim. He gripped his sword tightly, his gaze fixed firmly on the defenders on the city walls. He knew this was a crucial moment of life and death, and there was no room for retreat. "Soldiers!" Liu Yao shouted, his voice echoing off the city walls. "Yuan Shu's bandits are invading. We must fight to the death and protect the people of Yuzhang!"

Taishi Ci, clutching twin halberds, stood atop the city wall, his eyes sharp as an eagle's as he watched the enemy troops swarming like ants below. His lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. "Today, I'll show these bandits how powerful I, Taishi Ci, am!" With that, he drew his bow and aimed an arrow at a distant Yuan Shu general. With a snap of the bowstring, the sharp arrow flew out like a meteor, sending the general falling from his horse.

Yu Mi and Fan Neng, unwilling to be outdone, each commanded a squadron of soldiers, ready for battle. As Yuan Shu's army's ladders neared the city wall, Yu Mi shouted, "Shoot!" Arrows rained down from the walls, and Yuan Shu's soldiers fell to the ground, screaming in agony. Fan Neng, wielding his broadsword, slashed at the enemy soldiers attempting to scale the ladders, each blow drawing a spray of blood.

After a brief moment of disarray, Yuan Shu's troops below the city quickly reorganized their attack. Braving a hail of arrows, they painstakingly set up ladders on the city walls, soldiers swarming up them like locusts. Siege engines pounded against the city gates, emitting a dull thud.

Seeing this, Taishi Ci shouted, "Follow me and kill the enemy!" He charged the ladders, brandishing his twin halberds with the fearlessness of a tiger among a flock of sheep. His halberds soared up and down, slaughtering the enemy wherever they touched. Yu She and Fan Neng also led their soldiers in a fierce hand-to-hand fight with the enemy. On the city walls, swords flashed, shouts of killing, and screams mingled, and the air was thick with the smell of blood.

Liu Yao commanded the battle from the city wall, closely monitoring the evolving situation and constantly adjusting his defensive strategy. He knew the battle would be extremely difficult, but he firmly believed that as long as the soldiers worked together, they would be able to hold Yuzhang County.

Yuan Shu, standing at the foot of the city, watched it struggle to break through, feeling extremely anxious. He constantly urged his soldiers to attack, but the defenses of Yuzhang County were as strong as a fortress, making it impossible for his army to advance. A fierce tug-of-war ensued between the two sides on the city walls, the battle reaching a fever pitch, and the outcome was uncertain.

Yuan Shu, perched atop his majestic horse, gazed upon the long-defied Yuzhang City, his anxiety blazing like a raging fire. His grip on the reins paled slightly from the strain, his expression growing increasingly ferocious. Watching his soldiers' attacks being mercilessly repelled time and again, he could no longer contain his inner fury, roaring at the top of his lungs, "Attack fiercely! Take this city at all costs!"

Following Yuan Shu's command, the attacking army once again surged towards the city walls like a surging wave. The soldiers, carrying heavy ladders, shouted as they charged, their voices shaking the very earth. However, Liu Yao, Taishi Ci, and others on the city walls commanded with unwavering determination, and the defenders fought bravely. Arrows and rocks rained down, repelling the attackers time and again. Each failed attack was accompanied by the soldiers' screams and the splattering of blood, but Yuan Shu, seemingly overcome by victory, continued to urge the next wave of attack.

Yan Xiang stood in the distance, witnessing this tragic scene, his heart awash with mixed emotions, his thoughts swirling like a tangled mess. He looked at the piles of corpses, listened to the endless shouts and screams, and a deep sorrow welled up in his heart. He knew that if this continued, Yuan Shu's army would suffer a heavy blow.

So, Yan Xiang gritted his teeth, ignored the obstruction of the soldiers around him, walked quickly to Yuan Shu, knelt down with a thud, and said anxiously: "My lord, you must not attack like this again! Our army has suffered heavy casualties. If we continue like this, I'm afraid the loss will outweigh the gain! Please withdraw your troops for the time being and make long-term plans!" There was a hint of trembling in his voice, and his eyes were full of worry and pleading.

When Yuan Shu heard Yan Xiang's words, his face turned ashen in an instant. He glared at Yan Xiang with his eyes wide open and shouted, "You coward! Now is the critical moment, how can you retreat? If you dare to talk nonsense and shake the morale of the army again, don't blame me for being rude!" After that, he swung the whip violently, turned around and continued to command the siege, as if he didn't take Yan Xiang's words to heart at all.

Yuan Shu's army, like a tidal wave, repeatedly assaulted the walls of Yuzhang County. The cries of battle, the clashing of weapons, and the whistling of arrows blended into a deafening cacophony. The defenders, led by Liu Yao, Taishi Ci, and others, put up a tenacious resistance, leaving every inch of the wall stained with blood.

Despite Yuan Shu's fierce offensive, Yuzhang County was in imminent danger under the ravages of war, with many walls damaged, bricks and stones collapsing, and the defenders suffering heavy casualties. However, every time Yuan Shu thought victory was in sight and the city was about to be captured, a tenacious force would erupt from within the city, forcing back their attacks.