Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The reasons behind Zhang Ying's ability to hold out for so long against Zhou Yu's fierce attacks were complex. For one thing, despite Zhou Yu's exceptional wisdom and command, his forces, divided across multiple fronts, were stretched thin. Facing the fortified defenses of Jiujiang County, his limited manpower made it difficult to launch a large-scale, all-encompassing offensive. Each charge seemed weak, failing to create an overwhelming force.

On the other hand, Zhang Ying, a seasoned general, was no ordinary commander. He fully understood the strategic significance of Jiujiang County and meticulously orchestrated everything from the city's defenses to the deployment of his troops. On the city walls, he cleverly deployed fortifications, hindering the full effectiveness of Zhou Yu's siege engines. Within the city walls, he rationally deployed his forces and patrolled day and night to ensure the defenses were impeccable. He remained unmoved by Zhou Yu's attempts to persuade him to surrender and his tactics to win over his enemies, remaining steadfast in his stance.

However, Zhang Ying was still somewhat inferior to Ji Ling and Yan Xiang. Ji Ling was a formidable warrior, his three-pointed, double-edged sword unstoppable on the battlefield. His charge into battle was like a god of war, a powerful inspiration to the soldiers. His fierceness instilled fear in the enemy, often giving him the upper hand in direct confrontations. Yan Xiang, Yuan Shu's trusted advisor, possessed exceptional wisdom and shrewd strategy. He could accurately discern the enemy's strategic intentions and formulate countermeasures in advance. Whether defending or sieging a city, he devised ingenious tactics that caught the enemy off guard.

Zhang Ying, on the other hand, while capable of managing temporary difficulties, lacked long-term strategic vision, making it difficult to make the most advantageous decisions in complex and ever-changing situations. His battlefield deterrence was also not as formidable as Ji Ling's. Therefore, despite his long-term defense, he was ultimately unable to withstand Zhou Yu's attack when the situation deteriorated to its extreme.

Zhang Ying stood on the city wall, gazing at the densely packed warships and the ferocious enemy forces outside. He felt a wave of despair wash over him like a tide. The wind whipped the battle flags, but it couldn't dispel the gloom that filled his heart. The long sword in his hand had long since bent, and his armor was covered in dents, mingled with dried blood and emitting a sickening stench.

The city was dead silent. The remaining soldiers wore faces of exhaustion and fear, their eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. They were no longer able to fight. Food and fodder had long since run out. The wounded and sick groaned in agony in the corners, with no one able to care for them. Even the usually clear well water was now murky, barely sustaining the lives of the people.

Looking at this scene of desolation, Zhang Ying knew that if he continued to hold out, his army would be annihilated. His lips trembled slightly, his teeth chattered, his face filled with resentment, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Finally, Zhang Ying sighed, his voice hoarse and bitter: "Pass the order down, abandon the county city, we will break out!" This order seemed to drain his last strength. His shoulders drooped slightly, and he looked ten years older in an instant.

Upon hearing the order, the soldiers were stunned for a moment, then began frantically packing their bags, preparing for a final breakout. Zhang Ying looked at these soldiers who had served him for so many years, feeling a mixture of emotions. He clenched his fists and vowed to himself that as long as he had breath left, he would lead them safely away.

The darkness of night enveloped the land, and the surroundings were eerily silent. Zhang Ying, leading the few remaining troops, tiptoed through the county town's west gate. The horses' hooves were carefully wrapped in thick cloth, and the wheels were padded with soft hay. The soldiers dared not breathe, fearing the slightest sound, as they cautiously and hastily fled into the endless darkness. Zhang Ying led the way, his eyes etched with determination and unwillingness, his heart fixed on a single, unwavering thought: to break through the encirclement and preserve a glimmer of hope for his brothers.

However, their every move was under Zhou Yu's close surveillance. Dressed in a plain robe, Zhou Yu stood quietly outside the tent, gazing into the darkness. A self-assured sneer slowly crept across his lips. "Zhang Ying, how could your thoughts escape my eyes?" It turned out that even as Zhang Ying was still debating whether to abandon the city and break out, Zhou Yu had already grasped his every thought.

Just as Zhang Ying's remnants had left the city, Zhou Yu swung his sword and shouted, "Move!" Instantly, the soldiers lying in ambush lit their torches. Instantly, flames shot up into the sky, like the dawn of day, completely dispelling the darkness. The roar of killing was deafening, overwhelming and overwhelming, seeming to drown the entire world.

Generals Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Zu Mao, and Han Dang, each leading an army, descended upon Zhang Ying's remnants from all directions like four fierce tigers emerging from the mountains. Cheng Pu, wielding his iron-backed snake spear and riding a chestnut horse, charged at the forefront like lightning, roaring, "Zhang Ying, give me your life!" His voice, like a resounding bell, echoed through the night sky. Zhang Ying's heart raced, and he quickly turned to meet his opponent. As the two clashed, swords and spears clashed, sparks flew, and the fierce clash filled the battlefield with a piercing roar. Cheng Pu's attack was unstoppable, each move packed with immense force. His spearhead flashed with a cold gleam, darting towards Zhang Ying's vital points. Zhang Ying gritted his teeth and fought with all his might. Though his wounds continued to burst, blood streamed down his arms and onto his horse's back, he remained oblivious, his single-minded determination: to fight his way through.

Huang Gai, wielding a heavy iron whip, charged left and right through the enemy ranks like a dragon emerging from the sea, untouched by the enemy's might. He caught a glimpse of Zhang Ying engaged in a fierce battle with Cheng Pu, a fierce glint in his eyes. With a sudden roar and a flick of his wrist, the iron whip lashed out at Zhang Ying with a whirring sound like a bolt of black lightning. Zhang Ying, sensing the deadly attack from behind, his face suddenly changed. He dodged desperately, but the iron whip whistled past his shoulder, leaving a long, bloody mark on it. The sharp tip of the whip slashed through his shoulder, and Zhang Ying groaned in shock, knowing he had faced a formidable foe he had never faced before.

Zu Mao wielded his broadsword, his movements agile and swift, tightly encircling Zhang Ying's lieutenant. The lieutenant gradually began to succumb to his fierce attack, his face filled with fear and despair. Zu Mao seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful blow. With a flash of cold light, the lieutenant was unable to dodge and was slain by Zu Mao's blade. Blood gushed out, spattering Zu Mao's face. Zu Mao wiped the blood from his face and rushed towards Zhang Ying again.

Han Dang led the archers, commanding the troops methodically from the rear. He shouted, "Shoot!" Suddenly, a thousand arrows unleashed, a dense rain of arrows like locusts, pelting Zhang Ying's remaining troops. Soldiers were struck one after another, screaming and falling. The crimson blood quickly spread across the ground, staining it a brilliant crimson.

Zhang Ying's troops were gradually falling into a desperate situation. Zhang Ying suffered several wounds one after another, bleeding profusely. His strength was rapidly draining away, and each swing of his sword seemed increasingly laborious. But he continued to resist stubbornly, his eyes gleaming with an unyielding light. Even though he knew his hope was slim, he would never give up.

Zhou Yu, riding a tall white steed, slowly approached the battlefront. He was calm and composed, his expression indifferent, as if the outcome of this battle was already under his control. Seeing Zhang Ying, Zhou Yu smiled faintly. His voice, low but clear, carried across the battlefield: "Zhang Ying, today is the day you will die. Why don't you surrender?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ying's eyes widened in anger, almost spitting fire from them. He gritted his teeth and roared, "Zhou Yu, don't even think about it! Even if I, Zhang Ying, die, I will never surrender to you!" After that, he ignored the pain in his body, used up his last bit of strength, kicked the horse's belly, and rushed towards Zhou Yu frantically.

How could Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Zu Mao, and Han Dang let him get even close to Zhou Yu? The four generals understood instantly and tacitly surrounded Zhang Ying once again. Cheng Pu's eyes flashed, and he spotted a flaw in Zhang Ying's defense and thrust his spear, the sharp tip of the spear piercing Zhang Ying's thigh. Zhang Ying let out a shrill scream, his body shaking violently, and he almost fell off his horse. Huang Gai took advantage of his unstable body and leaped high, lashing him hard on the back with the iron whip in his hand. With a crisp "snap", Zhang Ying vomited blood, and his internal organs seemed to be shattered.

Zu Mao and Han Dang attacked simultaneously. Zu Mao, with both swords raised, struck Zhang Ying's arms, two deep wounds instantly opening, blood gushing out like a fountain. Han Dang's spear, like a venomous snake, pierced his chest. Zhang Ying's eyes widened, his face filled with resentment and anger. His grip on his sword finally loosened, and it fell to the ground with a clang. Finally, like a kite with its string cut, he fell from his horse with a heavy plop, collapsing in a pool of blood.

As Zhang Ying collapsed to the ground, his blood spilled freely across the cold earth. His remaining troops completely lost their will to resist. The soldiers gazed at their leader's corpse, their weapons falling helplessly from their grasp, their eyes filled with despair and confusion. In this life-or-death moment, the instinct for survival compelled them to drop their weapons and kneel in surrender. The resounding cries of "surrender" echoed across the battlefield, heralding the end of this fierce battle.

Zhou Yu sat atop his majestic horse, his expression calm, yet his eyes gleamed with pride and joy. He slowly scanned the battlefield and ordered his troops to withdraw. For a moment, the throbbing drumbeats died down, and the soldiers methodically cleaned the battlefield, collected weapons, and escorted the prisoners.

Meanwhile, the people of Jiujiang County were already in a state of panic. The tragic news of Yuan Shu's death and Zhang Ying's defeat spread like wildfire, and fear and despair permeated the city. In the streets and alleys, the people stayed indoors, and businesses closed their doors one after another. The entire city seemed shrouded in a gloomy haze.

Those forces that had hoped for a last-ditch resistance were no match for the ferocious and formidable force led by Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu was a rigorous military commander with flexible and adaptable tactics. He skillfully deployed his forces to defeat each stronghold of resistance one by one.

For some cities that remained stubbornly resisting, Zhou Yu resorted to siege tactics, cutting off their food and water supplies. Hunger and thirst plagued the defenders, demoralizing them and leading to a change of heart. Before long, the city gates were opened by the inhabitants, welcoming Zhou Yu in.

In this way, although there were occasional sporadic resistances in the various cities of Jiujiang County, they were unable to withstand the attack of Zhou Yu's army. In just a few days, they all fell into Zhou Yu's hands. Thus, Zhou Yu successfully took Jiujiang County.