Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao successfully conquered all of Runan. After completing all related matters, he immediately submitted a report to the emperor and continued his assault on Lujiang County without stopping. Clad in heavy armor and mounted on a tall horse, he commanded his troops with awe-inspiring authority. The high-spirited soldiers marched in unison towards Lujiang County, raising a cloud of dust along the way.

However, during this time, Hu Chi'er arrived from Wancheng, arriving at full speed with urgent military reports. Liu Biao had dispatched General Wen Pin with a 50,000-man army to launch a surprise attack on Wancheng. Zhang Xiu had previously withdrawn most of the troops from Wancheng to support Ma Chao, leaving the city undermanned. Zhang Ji, already critically ill, was overcome with anxiety and rage at this sudden and urgent battle, rapidly deteriorating his condition and leaving him on his deathbed.

Upon learning of this, Jia Xu was terribly anxious. Knowing the situation was critical, he dared not delay a moment and hurriedly dispatched Hu Chi'er to report to Ma Chao, requesting that the young master return to Wancheng immediately to take charge and resolve the crisis. Hu Chi'er traveled tirelessly, arriving at Ma Chao's camp exhausted, but he still managed to hold on to his fatigue and deliver the report to Ma Chao.

Inside the tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could be squeezed dry. Hu Chi'er knelt on one knee and detailed the critical situation in Wancheng. Then, a dead silence fell over the tent. Zhang Xiu's face turned pale, his eyes suddenly reddened. He paced back and forth anxiously, his steps hurried and frantic. "Uncle... how could he suddenly do this? How dare that fellow Wen Pin take advantage of the situation!" He turned abruptly and looked at Ma Chao, his eyes filled with anxiety and determination.

Ma Chao's expression was equally stern, his brows knitted into a knot. Without hesitation, he said, "Don't worry, my dear brother. I will go back to Wancheng with you to resolve the crisis. We must not let Liu Biao succeed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu quickly waved his hands and spoke earnestly, "Brother, the war here is crucial right now! Runan has just been captured, and the battle for Lujiang County has already begun. This is a critical moment. How can we leave so easily? I can't let the matter of Wancheng ruin this important situation!"

Ma Chao was about to persuade him again, but Zhang Xiu suddenly clasped his fists, stepped forward, and spoke passionately, "Brother, there's no need to say more! My uncle has been incredibly kind to me, and Wancheng is our stronghold. I will lead my troops back. The soldiers in Wancheng are all our Western Liang cavalry, each one a brave warrior. Why should we fear Liu Biao of Jingzhou?"

Ma Chao looked at Zhang Xiu's resolute face and realized that further persuasion was futile. He was moved but also worried. "Since that's the case, my dear brother, you must be extremely careful on your journey and make sure you return safely."

Zhang Xiu nodded heavily. "Don't worry, big brother. I will do my utmost to protect Wancheng. As for you, the battle in Lujiang is at a stalemate. You must pay attention to your safety."

Ma Chao patted Zhang Xiu's shoulder and said solemnly, "If Wancheng is in trouble, I will send more troops to support it!"

Zhang Xiu's eyes were slightly moist, and he took a deep breath: "I know, big brother, you must take good care of yourself. I'm going!" After that, he turned around and strode out of the tent. A moment later, a hurried assembly horn sounded outside the tent.

Ma Chao stood at the entrance of the camp, watching Zhang Xiu and his troops swiftly retreating, praying silently. At that moment, the sounds of fighting could be heard faintly from the Lujiang battlefield. Ma Chao gathered his composure, turned, and strode towards his own command tent, ready to devote himself wholeheartedly to this equally arduous battle.

Ever since Zhang Xun's disgraced retreat back to Lujiang, he had been like a frightened bird, but he quickly pulled himself together and threw himself into the city's defenses. He knew he was isolated and helpless, and any rash attack would be like hitting a rock with an egg. The only way to defend was to hold his ground. So, he personally ascended the city walls and directed his soldiers to reinforce them, piling huge boulders and sandbags atop them. He also ordered his men to gather large quantities of rolled logs, stones, and arrows from within the city, and densely stack them against the battlements, preparing for Ma Chao's attack.

Ma Chao led his army in pursuit, frowning at the closed Lujiang city gates and the enemy troops braced for battle on the city walls. He sent several small groups to the city walls to shout and challenge Zhang Xun, hoping to provoke him and lure him out for a decisive battle. However, Zhang Xun remained a coward, unmoved by Ma Chao's shouting and refusing to fight.

"This Zhang Xun has learned to be smart!" Ma Chao gritted his teeth, secretly annoyed in his heart, but he had to admire Zhang Xun's tenacity and prudence.

With no other choice, Ma Chao proceeded with a methodical siege. Carrying heavy ladders and protected by shield bearers, his soldiers launched repeated assaults on the city walls. The defenders on the walls resisted with all their might. Arrows rained down like a torrential rain, and rolling logs and rocks whistled down on the attackers. For a moment, the battlefield was filled with screams and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

Ma Chao, riding a mighty horse, commanded the battlefront, constantly adjusting his attack strategy. He ordered the catapults to line up in a row, and huge stones whizzed towards the city walls, sending the masonry flying. However, Zhang Xun had been prepared, having erected numerous shields on the city walls to mitigate the catapults' power.

The siege lasted for several days. Although Ma Chao's army attacked fiercely, Lujiang City remained impregnable under Zhang Xun's defense. Ma Chao looked at the battlefield in front of him, feeling worried. He knew that this war would be a difficult and protracted one, and he had to come up with a plan to break the city quickly to turn the tide of the war.

On the other side, the vast river roared with waves, the turbid waters emptied into the air. Yuan Shu's fleet of warships stretched for miles, their flags clamoring in the river breeze, seemingly shaking the very heavens and earth. Like giant black beasts, the massive warships cut through the waves, their oars rowing in unison, slapping the water and sending up layers of white spray.

On the deck, Yuan Shu, clad in a gorgeous brocade robe, stood with his head held high. Though his eyes showed a hint of fatigue, they still held a hint of arrogance. Beside him, Yan Xiang, his face calm, his gaze constantly scanning the river, alert to any movement around him.

"Hmph, this time when I return to Lujiang to provide assistance, I will definitely let that kid Ma Chao know how powerful I am!" Yuan Shu snorted coldly, his voice full of unwillingness and resentment.

Yan Xiang frowned slightly and reminded softly, "My lord, the river is wide. Although we have many men and horses and are well-equipped, we must not let our guard down and be on guard against a surprise attack."

Yuan Shu waved his hand with a look of disdain: "I don't think he would have the guts to do that. With my might and influence, who would dare to attack me?"

Gan Ning's navy patrolled the great river between Yuzhang and Lujiang. Vigilant by nature, he would personally ascend the observation tower every day to scan the river and its banks with a special telescope.

That day, the fog over the river had cleared slightly, and sunlight shone through the clouds. Gan Ning, as usual, was observing through his telescope. Suddenly, he noticed unusual reflections in the distance. Upon closer inspection, he saw tiny specks of sunlight bouncing off weapons and armor. As the reflections drew closer, he could faintly hear the muffled beat of war drums and the clatter of oars.

Gan Ning was startled, realizing a large fleet was approaching. He immediately ordered his navy to approach silently, using the reeds and fog on the river as cover. Once they were close enough to make out the flags, he was certain it was Yuan Shu's army, marching majestically towards Lujiang.

Gan Ning stood at the bow, the river wind whistling across his face. His gaze was fixed on the vast retreating Yuan Shu army on the river, his brows knitted into the shape of a "chuan" character. His soldiers also gripped their weapons nervously, the atmosphere oppressive and suffocating.

"General, Yuan Shu has too many troops. Our navy has no way to compete with him!" The deputy general beside him was anxious, with a trembling voice.

Gan Ning gritted his teeth, his heart filled with resentment. "I really can't bear to let them go like this! Send the order, launch a small attack, and teach them a lesson!"

Gan Ning stood at the bow, his posture slender and his gaze sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the slowly approaching fleet of Yuan Shu's army. The decks of the warships shone coldly in the sunlight, and the soldiers' armor gleamed with a similarly cold gleam. He waved his hand sharply and shouted in a low voice, "Come closer!" His voice, though low, carried an undeniable authority.

Like nimble fish, the naval warships darted silently across the river, taking advantage of the lingering morning mist to rapidly approach Yuan Shu's fleet. When they were close enough, Gan Ning shouted, "Shoot!" In an instant, thousands of crossbows unleashed their arrows, whistling with sharp force, as they descended upon Yuan Shu's warships like a swarm of locusts.

However, Yuan Shu's warships were tall and sturdy, towering over the river like towering fortresses. Their hulls were clad in thick wooden planks and inlaid with hard iron sheets, so ordinary crossbows shot at them, mostly hitting them in vain. Faced with Gan Ning's naval assault, Yuan Shu's army responded swiftly. The drums roared, their "dong dong dong" sound shaking the river's waves.

The soldiers, well-trained, fought back in an orderly fashion. Standing high on the deck, they rained down a hail of arrows on Gan Ning's fleet. Longbows were drawn, and arrows, with piercing force, pierced the air, piercing Gan Ning's warships. Simultaneously, Yuan Shu's army unleashed massive catapults, their thick ropes taut, sending massive rocks whistling down upon Gan Ning's fleet.

Stones slammed into the warships with immense force, cracking planks and shattering wood. Some ships were even punctured with massive holes, allowing the river water to surge in. Gan Ning's navy was in dire straits. Though the soldiers fought hard, casualties mounted. After several rounds of fighting, Gan Ning, gazing at the devastating scene before him, realized the vast disparity between his own strength and Yuan Shu's. Continuing the battle would only mean the deaths of his men.

He gritted his teeth, his face filled with resentment, but he decisively ordered, "Retreat! Escape to the depths of the river!" The warships quickly turned around and sped away across the turbulent river. Yuan Shu's army did not pursue them, allowing them to disappear into the vast river fog.

After breaking free from Yuan Shu, Gan Ning didn't dare to delay and quickly sent someone to deliver the news to Ma Chao. The messenger galloped along, raising a cloud of dust, and finally delivered the information to Ma Chao.

After reading the intelligence, Ma Chao's expression darkened, feeling a surge of pressure. He paced slowly, thinking to himself, "Yuan Shu has actually abandoned the tense battle in Yuzhang and rushed back to support Lujiang. It seems I've truly struck a vital point for him this time, and he's already restless."

With this thought, Ma Chao took a deep breath and quickly summoned his generals. Once everyone was assembled, he glanced around with a determined gaze and declared in a deep voice, "Yuan Shu's army has returned to reinforce us. The upcoming battle will only become more difficult, but this also presents our opportunity. Everyone must be fully prepared and not slack off. We must capture Lujiang before Yuan Shu arrives!" The generals responded in unison, their voices echoing through the tents, signaling the start of an even more intense battle.