Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Upon receiving the order to retreat, the light cavalry quickly turned their horses and galloped back the way they had come. Wei Yan watched the retreating enemy but gave no orders to pursue them. He knew his forces were limited and that the ambush was merely a bluff. If he pursued them, he would likely fall into a trap.

Thus, a seemingly tense confrontation ended in dramatic fashion. The deputy general, accompanied by his light cavalry, returned without stopping to report to Ji Ling. Meanwhile, Wei Yan, with his remaining troops, joined Lü Meng and went to see Sun Ce in disgrace.

Ji Ling, upon learning of the situation, felt relieved and exchanged a smile with Yan Xiang. They had successfully determined that the enemy had no further ambushes, and now they could safely escort the grain. The army reorganized its ranks, quickened its pace, and marched towards Yuzhang City, intent on resolving the city's food crisis.

On the eve of New Year's Eve, a bitterly cold wind howled like a razor, yet Yuzhang City was bustling with activity. At the city gates, Yuan Shu, dressed in splendid attire, accompanied a group of civil and military officials, eagerly awaited their arrival. Their gazes fixed on the distance until, finally, the grain and fodder conveyed by Ji Ling and Yan Xiang slowly came into view.

The gloom that had originally covered Yuan Shu's face disappeared in an instant, and was replaced by a smile as bright as the warm spring sun. He couldn't help but applaud and cheer: "Good! Good! You are finally back, which really solved my urgent problem!" His voice was full of excitement and joy.

Ji Ling and Yan Xiang dismounted, their steps quick yet steady, as they trotted towards Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu strode forward, grasping their hands tightly. His voice trembled with emotion, "This time, I owe it all to you two. I, Yuan Shu, will remember this! Hurry and enter the city!"

The crowd arrived at the main hall of Yuzhang City, where the atmosphere was warm and solemn. Yuan Shu, beaming, walked briskly towards Yan Xiang, shaking his hand once again. He said sincerely, "Sir, I was inconsiderate and negligent before. Please don't take it personally. The successful transport of food and fodder this time was entirely due to your tireless efforts and hustle and bustle. This is a great accomplishment!"

Yan Xiang bowed slightly, his expression calm and composed, his eyes revealing unswerving loyalty, and he said gently: "My lord, you are too kind. Yan Xiang only has your great cause in his heart. How could he take those small misunderstandings to heart. It is Yan Xiang's great honor to be able to contribute my strength to the great cause." After hearing this, Yuan Shu was even more moved. He raised his hand and patted Yan Xiang on the shoulder, his eyes full of undisguised admiration.

Yuan Shu then turned to Ji Ling and, raising his voice, praised him loudly, "Ji Ling, despite being seriously injured, you resolutely led the troops to battle, overcoming countless hardships and dangers along the way to ensure the safety of the food and fodder. I, Yuan Shu, will never forget this heroic contribution and this unwavering loyalty! If it weren't for your courageous spirit, how could the food and fodder have been transported to us so smoothly?"

After hearing this, Ji Ling knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said respectfully, "Serving my lord is my duty, and I dare not take any credit for it."

Yang Hong, standing nearby, wore a seemingly benign smile, but a fleeting flicker of jealousy flickered in his eyes. He muttered to himself, "These two stole the show this time. They'll likely be even more favored by the lord in the future. I must find a chance to pull back." Lei Bo and Li Feng were also among the crowd, their teeth clenched, their fists unconsciously clenched, filled with envy and resentment. They wondered constantly when they could, like Ji Ling and Yan Xiang, receive such generous praise from the lord. The hall, while superficially harmonious, shimmered with jealousy. An invisible, intangible contest seemed to have quietly begun.

Some were happy, others were sad. By the time Wei Yan and Lü Meng, dusty and grimy, returned to Sun Ce's tent with their remaining troops, night had already fallen. The candlelight flickered within the tent. Upon hearing the news of their defeat, Sun Ben flew into a rage, veins bulging on his face. He fiercely kicked over the stool beside him and roared, "What's the matter with you two? You swore such promises, yet now you've returned in disgrace? I will personally lead the troops and seek revenge on that Yuan Shu!" With that, he began to charge out.

Sun Ce's face was calm. He stepped forward quickly, stretched out his hand to stop Sun Ben, and advised in a gentle voice: "Brother, don't be impulsive. Victory and defeat are common in the military. This defeat was not intentional on the part of the two of them." Then he looked at Wei Yan and Lu Meng. The two of them lowered their heads, their faces full of shame, and did not dare to look directly into Sun Ce's eyes.

Far from blaming them, Sun Ce offered gentle words of comfort, "Don't blame yourselves, you two. This journey was already fraught with difficulties. Yuan Shu's food and fodder transport was heavily guarded, so failure was inevitable. I value your courage, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future." Wei Yan and Lü Meng were overwhelmed with gratitude upon hearing this. They plodded to their knees, choking back tears as they said, "General, your kindness is so great that I cannot repay you. Next time, we will serve you at the risk of our lives and live up to your trust!"

Outside the tent, the wind still bit hard, but inside, the atmosphere gradually mellowed. Sun Ce looked at the crowd and said with a firm expression, "Today is New Year's Eve. Let's put aside the war for now and celebrate the New Year. When next spring comes and our troops are strong and powerful, we will fight Yuan Shu again!" Everyone nodded, and a new fighting spirit ignited in their hearts.

That evening, the soldiers gathered together in the camp. Though supplies were limited, a sense of the festive atmosphere was palpable. Everyone ate a simple meal, toasted each other, and offered encouragement. Sun Ce toasted with his fellow soldiers, and joyful laughter echoed through the tents, as if temporarily fading from the shadow of war. For them, this New Year's Eve was both a brief respite and the beginning of a new journey. Everyone looked forward to the battles of the coming year, hoping to avenge their previous defeats on the battlefield and restore military prestige.

On New Year's Eve, the chill wind cut through faces like icy blades. In Yuan Shu's camp on the Runan battlefield, the atmosphere was oppressive and almost suffocating. Inside Zhang Xun's tent, candlelight flickered violently in the howling north wind, and light and shadows swirled freely within the tent like ghosts.

Zhang Xun's brow furrowed, the wrinkles on his forehead forming the shape of a "chuan" (a Chinese character for "川"). Beads of sweat rolled down his temples, oblivious to the force of his movements. Bent over his desk, he wrote furiously, the brush in his hand feeling like a thousand pounds, yet he dared not pause for a moment. The rustling sound of his brush rubbing against the bamboo slips echoed like the murmur of his inner anxiety.

"My lord, send an army to the rescue! Ma Chao's bravery is truly unparalleled, and has plunged our army into a desperate situation..." He muttered to himself as he wrote, each word filled with endless panic and impatience. Ma Chao's name was like a death warrant, terrifying him. From the moment Ma Chao led his army to attack, the situation on the battlefield took a sharp turn for the worse. Ma Chao was like a tiger among a flock of sheep, his offensive was so fierce that it was difficult to withstand. Even though Zhang Xun held his camp firmly, afraid to engage in battle, Ma Chao cleverly divided his forces, and like a swift torrent, engulfed the counties of Runan County one after another.

The situation in Runan County was now precarious. Of the numerous county towns, only two remained, save the one he garrisoned. Almost all had fallen. Zhang Xun knew that if he didn't send a rescue force, the entire county would be lost only a matter of time. How would he face Yuan Shu's wrath then? But once he led his troops to the rescue, a new crisis would ensu. Two days ago, he had just rushed to a county town to provide assistance, and before he could even catch his breath, his camp was violently attacked by Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren.

That battle was a resounding battle, a battle of bloodshed. Shouts and clashes of weapons intertwined, a scene resembling hell on earth. The enemy's attacks, wave after wave, surged like a raging tide, threatening to overwhelm the entire camp. Had he not arrived in time to support them, the entire army would have been annihilated and imprisoned. Thinking of this, Zhang Xun's body trembled slightly, and the pen in his hand shook, leaving a crooked ink mark on the bamboo slips.

The more he thought about it, the more desperate he felt. Anxiety spread like wild weeds in his heart. The letter in his hand carried his last hope. He wanted to write down his fear, worry, and desperate desire for reinforcements so that Yuan Shu could immediately feel the danger of the battlefield.

"Quick, deliver this letter to the lord without delay!" Zhang Xun hurriedly rolled up the written letter and handed it to the messenger, his voice hoarse with excessive anxiety. After receiving the order, the messenger quickly disappeared into the night.

Zhang Xun donned a heavy cloak and trudged out of the tent. He surveyed the camp with a heavy heart. The soldiers shivered in the cold wind, their faces etched with exhaustion and fear. He gazed at the soldiers who had followed him, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. Though he possessed a certain amount of greed and lust, he possessed considerable talent. But now, on this New Year's Eve, facing such a desperate situation, he was filled with despair. Where was the joy of celebrating the New Year? He looked up at the night sky, but the pitch-black sky was devoid of a single star, just as he saw no glimmer of hope in his heart. This New Year's Eve was destined to be a sleepless night, and he could only await the judgment of fate amidst endless anxiety.

In stark contrast to Zhang Xun's miserable, icy situation, Ma Chao's camp was filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere. Inside the tents, the lights were bright, and the soldiers sat together, their faces brimming with the joy of victory, eagerly discussing the charge led by Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren two days ago.

After a few drinks, Xu Huang's already flushed face turned even redder, like a ripe persimmon, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He abruptly stood up, strode over to Zhang Liao, and with a broad, fan-like hand, clapped Zhang Liao's shoulder. He laughed heartily, "Good fellow! That was a truly satisfying day! You practically shattered Zhang Xun's shell! I say, you two both have the surname Zhang, and you showed no mercy when you attacked!" His hearty laughter instantly disrupted the established order in the tent, drawing the attention of the surrounding soldiers.

Zhang Liao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "How can we be soft-hearted when dealing with our enemies? Zhang Xun is resisting stubbornly. If we don't teach him a lesson, he'll think we're easy to bully!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Zhang Ren, standing nearby, also laughed and said, "That's right! We worked so well together that day that we beat Zhang Xun so hard he was completely stunned. I bet he still hasn't recovered from his shock!" He then imitated Zhang Xun's panicked expression, making everyone laugh.

Inside the tents, the soldiers chatted with one another, laughter and discussion mingled in a lively atmosphere. Some soldiers excitedly recreated the movements of the charge, while others praised the bravery of Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren. In this joyful atmosphere, everyone seemed to forget the cruelty of war and fully savored the rare joy of victory. This lively scene added a special touch of color to this special New Year's Eve, allowing the soldiers to feel a touch of warmth and joy amidst the tense battle.