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

As dawn broke, Maicheng regained some of its former liveliness. A few idlers sat under a tea stall, dogs darting between their legs.

"I really want to go home... even if it's just to squat under the earthen wall at the entrance of the village and bask in the sun for an afternoon."

"When I left, Gou Dan only came up to my knees. Next time I go back, he'll probably be shy around strangers."

"I remember the millet pancakes my mother used to make, soft and fluffy, yet with a crispy, caramelized flavor."

Qi Ye had been patrolling since dawn, but hadn't received a single mission. He thought he was used to it, but he was still slightly disappointed.

Hearing the discussions among the soldiers and civilians, he couldn't help but reflect: "Why do I feel that the morale of the people in the city is dropping? No, it hasn't started to drop yet; it should be that there is war-weariness."

Qi Ye recalled how he used to grind through quests and act like a sycophant when playing other games. Later, when a monarch conquered a city, he was directly granted a title and became the city lord.

Having just become the city lord, he was undoubtedly full of vigor and embarked on massive construction projects. However, the city's loyalty plummeted before long, leaving him completely bewildered. At first, he thought it was due to a lack of charisma, but later he discovered several underlying issues.

First, the city's grain reserves were insufficient, leaving the civilians and soldiers hungry and feeling insecure. Qi Ye spent a large sum of money to purchase a thousand units of grain and sell them into the city, ensuring the NPCs were well-fed and maintaining their loyalty.

Secondly, cities also have different cultural attributes. You must send a governor of the same culture before all of them will turn green. Other minor issues can be improved by dealing with them.

The Martial Saint possesses sufficient charisma and prestige, and there is no difference in cultural attributes, so having enough food to last for ten days is not a problem.

"It's probably due to being besieged for so long that they're feeling dejected. It seems like they're planning a festival celebration in this situation?"

Qi Ye was in a dilemma; the city's wine and food supplies were insufficient to support his extravagant spending. He did have some venison and dried horse meat, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to go around.

"I've noticed that this game is becoming more and more realistic, with many details."

When I used to play Mount & Blade, the most exhilarating yet frustrating moment was when all the enemy elites were wiped out, and the last remaining old peasants and greenhorns would still charge towards the player without hesitation.

The player had no choice but to cut them down one by one from horseback.

Both sides initially fielded players randomly. But later, elite troops were added, with ordinary elites taking over after the noble elites died, and finally, even the peasants were brought in.

And there were the fluttering imperial banners; if the standard-bearer fell, other soldiers would raise the banner. In truth, they themselves knew that if they raised the banner, they could no longer raise their shields to protect themselves.

But the soldiers still resolutely picked up the flag, carrying that flag that symbolized their homeland, and it would never fall.

From an old farmer in an empire to leading elite troops in a battle to conquer a nation and defend a city, or to single-handedly fight an army several times their size, anyone can deeply understand what it means for one general's success to be built on the bones of ten thousand.

"Thankfully, this is just a game." Qi Ye pondered how to organize a grand celebration.

Clang, clang, clang—the alarm bells rang out from the city wall. Speak of the devil, and he appears; speak of celebration, and celebration arrives; the ancients were truly wise.

The Martial Saint summoned his horse, mounted his beloved Red Hare, and galloped fiercely toward the East Gate, its hooves thundering. Along the way, it continuously overtook the soldiers reinforcing the city walls.

Just like racing, it's incredibly rewarding; you really do feel a thrill at the prospect of a battle.

Qi Ye was puzzled: "We just went through a big battle last night. The Martial Saint's total kill count has reached 6696. How dare these rats still take the initiative to attack?"

They're really fierce, really arrogant.

Red Hare galloped to the foot of the city wall, and the Martial Saint pushed off with his feet, leaping twice in a flash, and climbed the city wall, which was about ten feet high.

"My lord!"

"My lord!"

Greetings rose and fell in waves, forming a continuous chorus. Qi Ye observed carefully and noticed that some of the guards maintained a polite smile, but their muscles were stiff, and their expressions seemed painted on their faces, suggesting that the situation was not optimistic.

Guan Yinping's eyes darted around like a startled sparrow, her breath almost condensing into a thin mist. Only when she saw the Martial Saint did she slowly calm down.

"What happened?" the Martial Saint asked calmly.

Guan Yinping held a sharp blade, her battle robes fluttering, beautiful and majestic:

"A large-scale reinforcement from Jiangdong arrived last night. Initial estimates put the number at 10,000, with tens of thousands more expected to follow."

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

Qi Ye was stunned: "Martial Temple experience pack?!"

What else is there to say? Thank you so much, Sun Shiwan, for the experience pack; it's truly touching.

The tactic of adding fuel to the fire is a major taboo in military strategy.

Qi Ye's heart pounded, and he continued to ponder: "Logically speaking, Brother White is cunning and treacherous, he wouldn't be so unwise. After last night's great battle, the morale of the troops hasn't recovered yet, how can we possibly win if we rashly engage in battle?"

The Wu troops below the city, their armor gleaming, stood in solemn, silent formation. A gust of wind billowed their banners, and a young general emerged.

He was short and stout, clad in black armor. His small eyes revealed him to be an extremely sinister person.

Guan Yinping glared at him and exclaimed, "Fu Shiren!"

The crowd was horrified. After a moment, they clenched their teeth, their anger rising, wishing they could devour his flesh and sleep on his skin.

If Fu Shiren of the Public Security Bureau hadn't surrendered first, Mi Fang of Jiangling wouldn't have been so spineless. Even if they had held out for just one or two days, let alone ten or fifteen days, the situation in Jingzhou would have been reversed, and Maicheng wouldn't have faced such a dire situation.

Fu Shiren is a traitor who betrayed his country, was greedy for life and afraid of death, and committed heinous crimes by betraying his country and surrendering to the enemy!

His actions are despicable, his heart is contemptible, he will be cursed for eternity and leave a lasting stain on his reputation!

Zhao Lei's eyes flashed coldly, and without hesitation:

"It was him! He betrayed our lord, he betrayed Jingzhou! That dog-like bastard, how dare he show his face again!"

Wang Fu stood with his hands behind his back, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips:

"Instead of enjoying the comforts of the rear, you insist on coming out to seek attention. You are truly shameless. Since I chose to support the Han Dynasty and serve the King of Hanzhong and the Lord, I have secretly vowed never to betray them."

"Throughout my life, I have acted solely according to my conscience, without regard to fortune or misfortune. The four principles of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame are enough to make me willingly die for my lord and never leave his side."

Zhao Lei: "..."

You're speaking so confidently, it makes me look so foolish. Why should scholars make things difficult for each other? Wouldn't it be better if we all cursed the traitor and the scoundrel together?

The Martial Saint, though stern, remained unperturbed: "Fu Shiren, you're not even worthy of being listed for sale in the capital!"

Everyone couldn't help but recall Guan Yu's exploits from the previous night, and their burning hope was rekindled, causing them to puff out their chests with pride. Fu Shiren's arrival, however, was likely fraught with peril.

Qi Ye was worried about the celebration, but he didn't expect such a traitor to appear. It's like someone sent him a pillow when he was sleepy. Is there any celebration bigger than killing a traitor?

Fu Shiren, the center of attention, rode his horse with great pride. In order to earn a chance to fight, he risked his life and made a military pledge to Lord Wu to capture Maicheng within an hour.

He boasted all this, but if he's truly invincible, does the Marquis of Wu really think he can kill him?

Everyone knows that Guan Yu broke his military order and got away with it. Opportunities are only given to the bold and reckless!

Wei Yan once said, "If Cao Cao brings the entire world against us, I will defend you; if he sends a mere 100,000 troops, I will devour them for you!"

Therefore, he was the garrison commander of Hanzhong, not some Zhao Zilong of Changshan or Ma Chao of Xiliang!