Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Thus, from dawn to dusk, the battle raged all day. Yuan Shu's army, relentless in its assault, was unable to breach the Yuzhang County defenses. Instead, they suffered heavy casualties, leaving the soldiers exhausted and demoralized. Watching the brutal battle unfold before him, Yuan Shu was filled with resentment and anger, yet he could do nothing. As the sky darkened, he sighed helplessly, slowly raised his command flag, and glumly issued the order to withdraw his troops.

As the dull gongs rang out, Yuan Shu's army retreated like a deflated ball. The soldiers dragged themselves back dejectedly, their faces etched with fatigue and dejection, their bodies stained with blood and dust. The defenders of Yuzhang County, though exhausted, couldn't help but let out a faint cheer as they saw the enemy retreat.

Within the walls of Yuzhang County, shrouded in blood and smoke, Liu Yao stood atop the city wall, gazing upon the devastation. A mixture of emotions washed over him. His once resolute gaze was now replaced by panic. Yuan Shu's army's reckless, frantic attack lasted an entire day, a tormenting day that felt like a year.

The city walls were repeatedly captured by Yuan Shu's soldiers, but were repeatedly recaptured by the city's defenders at the cost of their lives. During the fierce battle, veteran General Fan Neng unfortunately injured his right arm. He endured the severe pain and continued to command the battle, but his pale face and slightly trembling body still revealed the severity of his injury.

The soldiers leaned against the city wall exhausted, their eyes filled with fear and despair, their morale at its lowest point. Liu Yao knew that if this continued, it would only be a matter of time before the city fell.

With a heavy heart, Liu Yao hurried to the meeting hall to discuss countermeasures with Xu Shao. Frowning, Liu Yao spoke with worry, "Mr. Xu Shao, today's battle was truly brutal. Yuan Shu's reckless assault has resulted in heavy casualties for our army. The city walls have changed hands numerous times. If it weren't for the soldiers' desperate resistance, the city would have been breached long ago. Now that veteran General Fan Neng has injured his right arm, morale is extremely low. Without external assistance, given Yuan Shu's temperament, he will undoubtedly continue his assault. I'm afraid we won't be able to hold Yuzhang County. If this continues, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out until tomorrow."

Xu Shao frowned slightly, a hint of anxiety in his eyes. He paced back and forth in the room, lost in thought for a long time, but couldn't come up with any effective countermeasures. After a moment's silence, he slowly said, "Mr. Liu, the situation is indeed critical now. Yuan Shu is powerful, and our army is isolated and helpless, making it difficult to resist for a long time. But where can we find such external help so soon? The surrounding princes are either colluding with Yuan Shu or struggling to protect themselves. It's really..." Xu Shao's words were filled with helplessness. As Liu Yao listened, his heart grew heavier. The two of them fell into a deep silence. The atmosphere in the meeting room was so oppressive that it was breathless. The fate of Yuzhang County was like a candle in the wind, shaky and crumbling.

At this moment, Taishi Ci, standing by, looked determined and clasped his fists, saying, "My lord, I understand that Sun Ce of Kuaiji Commandery has already led his troops into Yuzhang and has twice sent provisions to our territory. I see that Sun Ce is young and promising, and possesses considerable heroic spirit. His recent arrival must be intended to relieve the siege of Yuzhang. Considering the current situation, Yuan Shu is determined to fight to the death and will not relent in his attacks. It would be wise for me, a young general, to seek an audience with Sun Ce and implore him to personally lead his army to join us in the fight against Yuan Shu. With Sun Ce's help, we may be able to turn the tide of the war."

After hearing Taishi Ci's advice, Liu Yao's expression shifted slightly, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes, and he seemed a little moved. After all, at this critical moment, getting support from Sun Ce would undoubtedly be a timely help.

However, Xu Shao frowned slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he said solemnly, "Absolutely not! Yuan Shu's army is pressing in. Our forces are already stretched thin, and the city's fall is imminent. If you lead your elite troops to break out and seek reinforcements, the city's defenses will be greatly weakened, and Yuan Shu will capture it in an instant. For now, we should focus on defending the city, relying on the walls to hold out, and bide our time. Sending troops out rashly is too risky and would only hasten the city's fall."

Taishi Ci, upon hearing Xu Shao's words, was filled with anxiety. He repeatedly signaled to Liu Yao with his eyes, hoping his lord would change his mind and adopt his suggestion. But Liu Yao pondered the matter, finally nodding slowly and agreeing with Xu Shao's opinion. He looked at Taishi Ci helplessly and said, "Mr. Xu Shao's words are true. We really shouldn't take risks at this time. Ziyi, please be patient for a while. We will focus on defending the city first."

Taishi Ci was deeply frustrated when his plan was rejected, but he also understood that his lord and Xu Shao's concerns were not unfounded. He silently clasped his fists in a salute and walked out of the meeting room. Arriving at the top of the city wall, he saw the battered walls and the exhausted soldiers. Suppressing his resentment, Taishi Ci joined the team repairing the walls, ready to continue fighting to defend Yuzhang County.

After Taishi Ci left, Liu Yao's face was filled with anxiety and confusion. He couldn't help but look at Xu Shao and asked anxiously, "Sir, what exactly did you mean by stopping Zi Yi just now? I've thought carefully and I think Taishi Ci's words are not unreasonable. Our army is in a difficult situation now. If we can get help from Sun Ce, there may be a glimmer of hope. Why didn't you agree to let him go and seek assistance?"

Xu Shao sighed softly, a hint of worry in his eyes. He scanned the conference room before speaking slowly, his tone hesitant and cautious. "My Lord, you may not understand that Yuzhang County is in imminent danger. If Taishi Ci were to lead his elite troops to break out and request Sun Ce's support, the risks would be too great. Consider this carefully. Sun Ce has no deep friendship with us. His father, Sun Jian, even died at the hands of Liu Biao. As a member of the Han royal family, Sun Ce may even see you as harboring a hidden grudge against him. Why would he come out of kindness to help us break the siege?"

Liu Yao frowned slightly, lost in thought. Xu Shao, observing this, continued, "Furthermore, we're currently facing Yuan Shu, and the battle is raging. It's like a two-timing conflict. If we continue to stalemate, both sides will be exhausted and exhausted. If Sun Ce then arrives with his elite troops, we'll truly reap the benefits. We've fought so hard, only to be made an instrument of sacrifice for others. It's truly a loss."

At this point, Xu Shao paused, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. He leaned closer to Liu Yao and lowered his voice, "Furthermore, my lord, don't you find it strange? What merits and virtues did Taishi Ci possess to deserve such unwavering support from Sun Ce? Not only did he twice send us food and fodder, alleviating our urgent need, but Taishi Ci also praised Sun Ce with admiration. There's no guarantee there's some hidden agenda. If Taishi Ci leads his elite troops this time, our Yuzhang Commandery, already undermanned, will be difficult to defend. What if Taishi Ci secretly defected to Sun Ce and launched a surprise attack with his army? Wouldn't that mean both our forces and Yuan Shu's would be easily defeated by Sun Ce? In that case, we'd be doomed."

As Liu Yao listened to Xu Shao's analysis, his expression grew grave, his brow furrowed ever deeper, his worry growing deeper. He nodded slightly and said slowly, "Sir, you are absolutely right. I was inconsiderate. But given the current situation, what should we do?" Xu Shao was silent for a moment, then said, "For now, we can only do our utmost to defend the city, hold out until help arrives, and then explore other options."

Liu Yao's face was full of worry, his eyes revealed unwillingness and anxiety, and he said with a hint of resentment in his tone: "Are we just going to sit here and wait for death? Watching the enemy army advance step by step, but unable to do anything? If the city really falls, what should we do? We can't just surrender like this!" His hands clenched unconsciously, and his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force.

Xu Shao frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, trying to soothe Liu Yao's emotions: "My Lord, please don't worry. While the current situation is dire, it's not hopeless. If the city were to fall, we would be powerless to turn the tide, and there would be no need for us to resist in vain. Given your noble status as a relative of the Han Dynasty, even if we abandon Yuzhang County, we still have a place to stay."

He paused, looking at Liu Yao with a determined gaze, and continued, "We could go to Jingzhou and seek refuge with Liu Biao. Liu Biao is also a relative of the Han Dynasty, known for his benevolence and righteousness, and for treating the wise and the humble with courtesy. With your status and prestige, you will surely be treated as a distinguished guest in Jingzhou, and he will definitely not treat us unfairly. Moreover, in Jingzhou we can recuperate and look for opportunities to make a comeback, which is better than dying here in vain."

Liu Yao nodded slightly after hearing Xu Shao's words. His anxious expression eased slightly, but he couldn't hide his worry. He sighed softly and said, "This is the only way. Yuzhang County is a place I've painstakingly cultivated, and now I'm having to give it away. I'm truly unwilling to accept it. But now that things have come to this, I can only take it one step at a time. I hope we can hold on until the end; perhaps there will be a chance of a turnaround."

Xu Shao nodded and said, "My lord is right. We still have to do our best to defend the city, boost the morale of the soldiers, and hold on for one more day. Maybe something unexpected will happen on Yuan Shu's side, and we can escape danger." The two men looked at each other, their eyes revealing a hint of expectation for the future. Although the future is uncertain, they are still trying to find hope for survival.

In troubled times, such tragedies are common. For example, Liu Yao, despite his status as a relative of the Han Dynasty, lacked the talent and strategy to handle complex situations, making it difficult for him to truly manage a brave and resourceful general like Taishi Ci.

Taishi Ci, devoted to his master, sought a chance to save Yuzhang County and offered reasonable assistance, but his proposal was rejected by Liu Yao's incompetence and Xu Shao's unfounded suspicion. Liu Yao lacked the foresight to judge and employ his men, and his inability to trust his generals, constantly worrying about their loyalty, chilled their hearts and further exacerbated the situation.

In this context, capable individuals are denied opportunities to display their talents, while incompetent individuals occupy high positions, hindering their development and growth. Ultimately, the entire faction struggles to survive in the turbulent times, or even faces destruction. This mismatch between talent and lord, and the resulting lack of trust, is undoubtedly a key factor in the many tragedies of troubled times.