Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Upon hearing Taishi Ci's sincere words, Sun Ce's face instantly blossomed into a brilliant smile, a smile like the warm spring sun, illuminating the entire battlefield. His eyes welled up slightly, his excitement evident. He quickly stepped forward, grasped Taishi Ci's arm tightly, and lifted him to his feet. His voice trembled with excitement, "Ziyi! Your decision today is a blessing for me, Sun Ce, and even more so for the people of the world! I have waited so long for this day!"

As he spoke, Sun Ce turned to face the crowd, took Taishi Ci's hand, raised it high, and announced loudly: "Soldiers, listen up! Today, Ziyi joins our army. He is brave enough to fight against ten thousand men. In the future, we will work hand in hand to pacify this chaotic world and bring peace and prosperity to the people!" When the soldiers heard this, they were excited. The cheers and shouts were deafening, and the weapons in their hands collided with each other to celebrate the surrender of this brave general.

Sun Ce took Taishi Ci's hand, his eyes filled with enthusiasm and trust. "Ziyi, from now on, you and I are brothers who will live and die together. You can speak freely about all military matters, big or small. Let's work together to achieve great things!"

Taishi Ci's face was deeply moved, his eyes slightly red, and his heart was filled with complex emotions, including regret for his past foolish loyalty and gratitude for Sun Ce's kindness in recognizing his talent.

Sun Ce patted Taishi Ci's shoulder, his eyes sharp and concerned. He looked towards the camp and asked, "Ziyi, I see something strange about this camp. There seems to be unusual movements in the rear. I think the camp is probably deserted. Why are you holding on here with only these soldiers? There must be something hidden."

Taishi Ci sighed deeply, his expression gloomy, and he told Huang Zu and Liu Yao everything about their selfish decision: "My lord, you don't know, Huang Zu and Liu Yao have discussed and asked me to lead these few soldiers to defend the camp to the death, to buy them time to escape. They are planning to cut off an arm to survive, and the 'arm' that is abandoned is me, Taishi Ci, and these brothers." At this point, Taishi Ci's tone was full of bitterness and unwillingness.

As Sun Ce listened to Taishi Ci's story, he felt a surge of rage rising from his feet to his forehead. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the exertion, and veins popped on his forehead. He cursed, "What a bunch of despicable villains! They usually talk about benevolence, righteousness, and morality, but at the critical moment, they are so selfish and cowardly, doing such a thing as selling out their friends for personal gain! Ziyi, you've worked so hard for them, and yet they treat you like this. It's truly despicable and unworthy!"

Taishi Ci's face was filled with shame, his head lowered even lower, not daring to look directly into Sun Ce's eyes, his voice full of self-blame and regret: "My lord, I was blind and trusted them wrongly, and almost made a big mistake. Today, since I have decided to be loyal to you, I beg you to allow me to lead my old subordinates as the vanguard to pursue Huang Zu and Liu Yao. I must capture these two treacherous men with my own hands and atone for my sins, so as to relieve the hatred in my heart and live up to your trust!" After that, he knelt on one knee with a firm posture, his eyes burning with the fire of revenge.

Sun Ce looked at Taishi Ci, who knelt on the ground, his anger subsiding slightly. He reached out and helped him to his feet, his gaze firm and trusting. He said in a deep voice, "Ziyi, I believe in you! Since you are so determined, I will allow you to lead your old troops as the vanguard. But you must remember that I want you to return unscathed. Do not take any risks rashly. Huang Zu and Liu Yao may be despicable, but they should not be underestimated. You must be cautious on this journey. I will lead the army to support you from behind."

Taishi Ci nodded heavily, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, touched by Sun Ce's trust and care. He straightened his back and shouted, "Thank you, my lord, for your trust! Taishi Ci will do his utmost to fulfill this mission!" With that, he turned and strode out of the general's tent, returning to his old men and quickly reorganizing the troops.

Inside the camp, the clatter of horses' hooves filled the air as the soldiers quickly assembled, morale high. Taishi Ci, atop his chestnut horse, stood tall and majestic. With a wave of his spear, he barked out a command: "Brothers, follow me to the battle! Today, we will make Huang Zu and Liu Yao pay for their deeds!" His former subordinates roared in unison, their voices resounding through the air. Then, led by Taishi Ci, they rushed like a gust of wind in the direction of Huang Zu and Liu Yao's escape, raising a cloud of dust.

Sun Ce watched Taishi Ci's receding figure, the galloping horse raising a cloud of dust before disappearing from view in an instant. He knew Taishi Ci was eager to fight, and he would surely rush to the battlefield with a rage in his heart.

Sun Ce didn't dare delay a moment and quickly made careful arrangements. He first looked at Lü Meng and Lü Dai, his gaze piercing, his words firm: "You two will immediately lead your elite troops to pursue from the flank. Don't alert the enemy. Complete the encirclement as quickly as possible and cut off the enemy's retreat." Lü Meng and Lü Dai obeyed the order with solemn expressions. They quickly assembled their troops and rushed towards the flank.

Then, Sun Ce gave orders to Xue Zong and Quan Cong: "You will encircle the enemy from the right wing. If you encounter enemy blocks along the way, do not fight. Reach the designated location as quickly as possible and meet up with the main force." Xue Zong and Quan Cong accepted the order and led their soldiers towards the right wing.

After everything was arranged, Sun Ce, holding a spear, mounted his warhorse with Wei Yan and other generals, and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, listen up, follow us and follow General Taishi Ci's footsteps and advance at full speed! We must wipe out Huang Zu's vitality outside Yuzhang City in one fell swoop!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their morale high, the sound of horses' hooves like thunder, and they rushed towards the battlefield in a mighty manner. A fierce encirclement and annihilation battle was about to break out outside Yuzhang City.

Huang Zu and Liu Yao, aware of Sun Ce's superior forces, were terrified. Taking advantage of Taishi Ci's foolish resistance, they rode non-stop through the night to escape. Along the way, the wind and the cry of the wind raged, and they were constantly on guard for Sun Ce's pursuit.

After Taishi Ci untied the knot in his heart, he recalled the past and was filled with rage. He jumped on his horse and clamped his legs against the horse's belly. The horse neighed and galloped out like an arrow. His old subordinates followed closely behind him. They all shared the same hatred for the enemy and their morale was high. The horses' hooves raised up clouds of dust and they pursued Huang Zu and Liu Yao in the direction they fled.

Finally, as they neared the city of Yuzhang, Taishi Ci and his men spotted the distraught army ahead. Huang Zu and Liu Yao's soldiers were already exhausted and their formation was in disarray, like a flock of frightened birds. Seeing this, Taishi Ci's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, and he roared, "Brothers, we've been chasing for so long. Time for revenge! Kill!" With that, he led the charge towards the enemy.

Huang Zu was galloping away when he heard a deafening cry of killing behind him. His heart clenched, and he turned back in terror. Taishi Ci, leading his elite troops, was chasing them at lightning speed. His imposing presence was like a vengeful god of war. Huang Zu turned pale with fear, and a cold sweat broke out. His heart nearly leaped out of his throat.

His eyes rolled around, and a sinister idea came to his mind. He hurriedly ordered his men to push Liu Yao to the front of the battle line. Liu Yao was so frightened by this sudden change that he trembled all over, his face turned pale, his legs became weak, and he could barely stand. He could only stand with the help of the soldiers.

Taishi Ci pulled on the reins, his warhorse rearing up with a long neigh. He gazed at the beleaguered Liu Yao, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. His past loyalty to Liu Yao, the days of counseling and fighting, resurfaced before his eyes. Even after Liu Yao had repeatedly abandoned him, he still cherished their friendship. But Liu Yao's actions now chilled him to the core. Yet, seeing Liu Yao's terrified and helpless expression, Taishi Ci's fury subsided slightly. He knew Huang Zu was desperate, merely trying to buy time.

"Taishi Ci, how did you get here so quickly?" Huang Zu feigned composure, his voice trembling uncontrollably, his eyes filled with confusion. "Did you abandon Sun Ce's army? Did he just let you chase him down alone?"

Taishi Ci's expression was stern, his gaze piercing as he responded loudly, "I have surrendered to General Sun! He is a benevolent and righteous leader, with the people of the world at heart. I am willing to serve him and work together to create a peaceful and prosperous world!"

"You! You traitor who betrayed me and defected to the enemy!" Liu Yao was furious upon hearing this. His previous fear turned completely into anger, and his forced composure was gone. He jumped to his feet and cursed, "I trusted you so much, but you betrayed me and defected to others. You are truly ambitious and ungrateful!"

Upon hearing this, Taishi Ci sneered and retorted with a determined look, "Trust? If you truly trusted me, how could you abandon me and my brothers twice at critical moments? Have you ever considered those of us who risked our lives for you? Have you ever considered the suffering people of the world?"

Liu Yao's face turned red after being rebuked. He was speechless for a while, and his face turned pale and red.

Taishi Ci continued passionately, "General Sun's heart is with the empire, his only thought is to save the people. Right now, the court is in turmoil, the princes are fighting for their own interests, and the people are suffering, starving and clothed. General Sun is committed to ensuring that the people have food and clothing, and to preventing foreigners from coveting our Han territory. And you, on the other hand, have only abused your power for personal gain, clinging to power and authority, with no regard for the lives of the people. I follow General Sun now, fighting for justice. How can you call him a betrayal?"

Liu Yao was speechless after hearing this and could only hang his head in shame. Huang Zu hid behind Liu Yao, his face growing increasingly gloomy. He knew that Taishi Ci had come prepared and would not be easily intimidated. A fierce battle was inevitable.

Huang Zu's face turned pale and blue. When he saw that Taishi Ci's troops were indeed small, he turned his eyes shifty and started to think of another evil idea.

He shouted at Su Fei anxiously: "Su Fei! Look, Taishi Ci and his men are few in number, we can hold on! Yuzhang County City is already in sight, you quickly take your men to resist them and don't let them catch up!" As he said that, he swung the reins hard again, urged the horse, and prepared to grease the wheels.

Su Fei had a bitter look on his face. Although he was extremely reluctant, he could not disobey the military order, so he could only bite the bullet and respond: "General, don't worry, I will do my best to resist!" Then, he hurriedly summoned the relatively neat troops around him, hastily formed a battle line, and prepared to fight Taishi Ci.

After Huang Zu finished making the arrangements, he no longer cared about Liu Yao. He whipped his horse and rushed towards Yuzhang County City for his life. Liu Yao was so scared that he shouted from behind: "Huang Zu, don't abandon me!" But Huang Zu seemed to have not heard him. Escaping was the most important thing. He just hoped to escape to Yuzhang County City as soon as possible and find a chance of survival.

When Liu Yao heard Huang Zu's request for Su Fei to hold off, he decided to flee, unwilling to give up this rare opportunity to escape. He watched Huang Zu galloping away, his heart aching. He no longer cared about his past dignity and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Huang Zu, wait for me! Don't leave me here!" He kicked the horse's belly in panic as he shouted.

The horse, startled, neighed and broke into a gallop. Liu Yao clutched the reins tightly, his body bobbing against the horse's back, his hat tilted to one side, his hair disheveled by the wind. He kept looking back, watching Taishi Ci's pursuers draw closer. His face paled with fear, and he kept urging the horse, "Faster, faster!" Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes.

Huang Zu glanced back and saw Liu Yao following him. Although he was full of disgust, he had no time to care too much at the moment. The two of them led the remaining soldiers and ran all the way towards Yuzhang County City, raising a large cloud of dust behind them.