Three Kingdoms: Conquer Wu from Maicheng with Cavalry and Swords, Don't Fall Behind

Bonfires, braziers, and torches held high by soldiers formed a dazzling constellation, stretching endlessly. The soldiers of Jiangdong beat drums, stamped their feet, and shouted loudly.

The gongs led the way, followed by drummers. They advanced, striking the drums, their shouts shaking the heavens. The formations shifted, banners billowing like clouds. Vast and imposing, their momentum was magnificent.

A high platform stood silently, hundreds of paces away from the array, without a single lamp lit. Below the platform, warriors, clad in armor and wielding spears and crossbows, stared intently ahead, their muscles taut, creating an atmosphere that was both tranquil and fraught with danger.

Lu Meng clenched his fist, the veins on his neck bulging:

"Guan Yu has become stronger, he's become even stronger. He can kill five or six people, a dozen or more, with a single strike. Even when chariots run over him, they can't inflict fatal wounds. I really don't want to admit that such a powerful person exists in this world."

"I feel very honored to have witnessed this with my own eyes today."

"History always glorifies the might of a tyrant, like Lü Bu among men. After this battle, even the most shrewd strategies will be rewritten. We are different from the masses; we are generals of Jiangdong, with a prestigious title."

"Gentlemen, do you know what this means?"

Zhu Huan, Ding Feng, Xu Sheng, Zhu Ran, and the others all looked up. The moonlight made them appear very fair, unlike the dark complexion of those who had been through many battles.

Lu Meng said calmly, "Our every action and word today will be remembered by history. Whether it is an honor or a disgrace depends on your individual thoughts. I would like to trouble Mr. Zhuge to take up the pen."

Zhuge Jin suffered hardship in his youth, his family fell into poverty, and he had no servants to employ. He traveled alone to Jiangnan, carrying his books, copying them by hand, and thus developed beautiful calligraphy skills. He also single-handedly cared for his mother until her death, experiencing firsthand the harsh realities of life, and thus gained a keen understanding of human nature.

"If we cannot defeat Guan Yu today, we will hardly have another good opportunity. The Grand Commander is determined to die and is going to make a desperate gamble."

Lu Meng stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the entire battle situation, his face indifferent: "I will speak, sir, please take notes."

Zhuge Jin bowed and replied, "I am truly humbled and flattered."

Lu Meng solemnly declared: "In the winter of the 24th year of Jian'an (219 AD), in the 12th month, 18,000 men from Jiangdong braved the dangers and cold to surround Guan Yu's camp in Jiangdong. General Tai, driving a long chariot, severely wounded Guan Yu."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jin felt his hands and feet turn ice-cold. He opened his mouth several times, but ultimately could not utter a single word.

Xu Sheng's eyes were red-rimmed, and he clasped his hands in a resounding fist salute: "Grand Commander, why have you come to this!"

If this were recorded, and they hadn't killed Guan Yu, Lü Meng, as the Grand Commander, would likely be infamous for eternity. To be single-handedly break through a ten-thousand-strong army and rescue a weak scholar—such a story would shake the entire land.

People who didn't witness it firsthand wouldn't realize Guan Yu's extraordinary abilities. They would more likely compare this battle to the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford. The bitterness, grievances, and helplessness he experienced could only be swallowed down.

Lü Meng drew his sword with a clang, filled with lofty sentiments:

"Our homeland has been destroyed, and all living beings have perished. We have abandoned our ancestral graves, supporting the old and carrying the young, wandering and fleeing for our lives, to return to the holy land. We are grateful to the Lord for giving us life and nourishing us, and we are ashamed that we cannot encourage each other to repay the Lord's great kindness."

"Heroes of today are as numerous as carp crossing a river. Even the most outstanding men find it difficult to take a single step. Though we are but fish eyes, even if we cannot leap over the dragon gate, we will still ride the wind and waves and go against the current."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhuge Jin ground ink, picked up his brush, and captured the scene in a single stroke.

Lu Meng raised his arm, pointing his sword at the battlefield:

"It was Meng's fault that he failed to protect Xingba, which caused the soldiers to be fearful and claim that the Guan bandits were invincible. Today, Meng will spare no effort to protect Youping."

"Jiangdong needs a hero, a hero who can fight Guan Yu, a hero who can wound Guan Yu. Gentlemen, let us unite as one and draw our swords against Guan Yu!"

The generals of Jiangdong had no way out; they were roasted over a fire, almost oozing oil from their skin. Xu Sheng, Zhu Huan, Zhu Ran, and Ding Feng clasped their fists in unison, shouting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Record: General Jianwu Xu Sheng was loyal, diligent, courageous, and resourceful; he fought against Guan Yu!"

"Jin has noted it down."

"It is recorded that General Zhu Huan, known for his bravery and courage, possessed the qualities of a great general from ancient times who brought about a powerful nation!"

"Jin has noted it down."

"Record: General Zhu Ran of Zhaowu possesses ample courage and wisdom to command the masses, and sufficient bravery to repel the enemy!"

"Jin has noted it down."

"Record: Lieutenant General Ding Feng, a tiger general of Jiangdong, is capable of making important decisions."

Ding Feng looked up at the sky and thought, "Is everything completely ruined? Going to fight Guan Yu, my life or death is uncertain."

"I've noted it down, not a single word is wrong!" Zhuge Jin replied solemnly, his voice carrying a faint echo.

"I'll go first!" Zhu Huan witnessed Gan Ning's death in battle, and felt the most intense pain. He had always valued righteousness over wealth, generously supporting his soldiers and helping his relatives. He distributed all his salary and family wealth to the people.

Historical records state that Zhu Huan had an exceptional memory; "he knew all ten thousand of his followers and his wife and children," and "he could remember someone after just one meeting for decades."

Therefore, he cherished the lives of his soldiers very much, feeling that they were all living, breathing human beings.

His troops also loved and respected him, feeling that it was worthwhile to follow such a general for a lifetime, at least his name would be remembered.

The battle gave Zhu Huan no choice. He let out three long roars to encourage himself:

"Han Dang is not as good as me, Gan Ning is not as good as me, and even Guan Yu is not as good as me. I will survive to the end!"

At over forty years old, in the prime of his life, he personally led the troops out of the capital to oversee the battle, allowing his personal guards to kill several deserters.

The young men of Jiangdong feared his power and none dared to retreat.

"Tonight is the night to make our mark!" Zhu Huan organized his personal guards into formation and took a deep breath.

Everyone had arrived, lined up neatly, and together they held their ground, advancing step by step.

At a glance, people were standing shoulder to shoulder, with no one moving around or falling behind.

That spirit of unity and cooperation stood firmly and resolutely at the forefront, like an impregnable fortress.

Zhou Tai listened to the sounds of drums, horns, footsteps, and shouts, as if hearing heavenly music, and said with delight:

"Guan Yu, I have won! I have won! Ten thousand soldiers, their blood and courage swayed by my will. Though I die, I have no regrets."

The tigers under the vehicle desperately blocked the way, each one spitting blood, their heads exploding, their limbs broken, a truly gruesome sight.

The Martial Saint's body blazed with intense sword light, unleashing an extreme pressure that instantly shook the entire camp, its imposing aura capable of overturning the heavens.

It stands as supreme in the heavens and on earth, unassailable and majestic.

"Today's experienced soldiers taste especially good."

Qi Ye was overjoyed, feeling incredibly pleased. If he could reach level seventeen today, he wouldn't mind offering incense to Zhou Tai; this man truly deserved to be called the man with the most health among the generals of Eastern Wu.

He glanced briefly at the high platform where Yi Ji was bound, a kind thought in his heart: Uncle Ji, please don't let anything happen to you secretly. As long as you don't die, losing an arm or a leg is nothing.

With a fierce glare and a long, piercing roar, the Martial Saint swung his sword, smashing a javelin that had been thrown at him. He charged left and right, tearing enemy soldiers apart with blood and flesh, and no one dared to approach him.

The gleaming blade, carrying the force of wind and thunder, slashed straight at the enemy cavalry, instantly piercing through the man and horse into two separate streaks of blood mist.

In an instant, countless swords, spears, and halberds appeared from both sides, accompanied by a bloodthirsty howling wind, and sparks flew under the Martial Saint's sword light. Warhorses neighed and crashed to the ground, and Jiangdong soldiers were sent flying backward in unison.