Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

"No, we definitely can't hold out with just this many men. We must ask our lord for help."

Deng Ai knew that since Cao Ren had come to the outskirts of Jiangzhou, it meant that he had avoided the main force and that Cao Ren would definitely want to take Jiangzhou as quickly as possible.

However, with only 20,000 men defending the city, facing a fierce attack from 60,000, Deng Ai knew that he probably wouldn't be able to hold out for even a day.

"Don't worry, I've already sent someone to ask the lord for help. As long as we can hold out for one more day, the lord's first batch of reinforcements should arrive soon."

Zhong Hui was not worried about this.

However, Zhong Hui's reinforcements were intercepted by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry as soon as they left the city.

Back when they were discussing a strong attack on Jiangzhou City, Xun Yu had reminded Cao Ren and his men about the matter of reinforcements.

Without wasting words, Cao Ren deployed his troops and immediately ordered an attack on the city.

The army of 60,000 launched an attack directly from the two city gates.

This forced Deng Ai to divide his forces, giving half to Zhong Hui to defend the city.

However, two hours later, Cao Ren discovered that the attacking force had only climbed the city wall once, but was quickly driven back.

Xu Huang's command of the West Gate never even reached the city wall.

Cao Ren knew that the stalemate could not continue, so he immediately ordered the supervisory team to execute any soldiers found not putting in their best effort.

With the supervision of the supervisory team, these soldiers finally gave it their all.

Deng Ai's pressure also increased.

After a difficult three hours, both sides had reached their physical limits.

Deng Ai thought Cao Ren would retreat, giving him a chance to catch his breath.

It turned out that Cao Ren not only did not withdraw his troops, but instead intensified the pace of the siege.

Deng Ai knew that Cao Ren intended to take Jiangzhou City within a single day.

Moreover, no losses are considered.

Zhong Hui's side initially managed to hold on, but later they simply couldn't hold on any longer because Xu Huang personally led the attack on the city.

Xu Huang dodged all the rocks and logs and easily climbed onto the city wall.

Zhong Hui, carrying his knife, prepared to fight Xu Huang.

However, Xu Huang's combat prowess was among the best of all famous generals, and he knocked Zhong Hui's sword away in just two moves.

Zhong Hui knew he was no match for Xu Huang, and when Xu Huang's knife appeared in front of him, Zhong Hui rolled on the ground.

Although such behavior was undignified and extremely ridiculous, at least it saved his life, and he even managed to pick up the knife that had fallen to the ground.

Zhong Hui then ordered a retreat without hesitation.

Soon, Zhong Hui led the remaining men out of the west gate and directly to Deng Ai's south gate.

Upon seeing Zhong Hui, Deng Ai knew that the South Gate had fallen.

Fortunately, Zhong Hui retreated in time and did not suffer many losses; he still had nearly seven thousand men capable of fighting.

With the help of these seven thousand people, Deng Ai was finally able to catch his breath.

The narrowness of the city wall also prevented Cao Ren from taking advantage of his numbers, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides.

But everyone could see that Zhong Hui and his team's defeat was only a matter of time.

"We can't hold out for long. We haven't heard from the people we sent out yet, and they've probably all been intercepted and killed."

Upon hearing this, Deng Ai nodded.

"Then what can you do?"

Deng Ai swung his sword and killed a soldier who was about to climb the city wall, then looked at Zhong Hui.

"Jiangzhou City cannot be defended. Even if the lord finds out, he won't blame us. Let's retreat."

"Retreat? No, we absolutely cannot retreat. At present, the only strategically important city we have in Yizhou is Jiangzhou City. We haven't even taken Linjiang City yet. If we retreat now, we will have no strongholds left. If the enemy attacks us from both sides, our army may suffer a major defeat."

"Are you stupid? How many troops does Cao Ren have? At most 90,000. There are 60,000 here. How many people are left in Linjiang City? How could they possibly withstand the lord's offensive? As long as we break out and tell the lord about the situation in Jiangzhou City, the lord will definitely be able to take Linjiang City within a day. Then we will have a stronghold, right? The lord must be stopped by the enemy's feint."

Deng Ai also felt that Zhong Hui's words made sense.

But for some reason, even though Zhong Hui had already come up with a plan, Deng Ai noticed a hint of despair in Zhong Hui's eyes.

However, given the chaotic battlefield, Deng Ai dared not hesitate.

"Then let's retreat now!"

“No, Cao Ren has a lot of troops. If we break out together, we might not be able to get out. You take 5,000 men and leave through the north gate, which is closest to our lord. I will take the remaining 10,000 men and leave through the west gate. We will split up and break out.”

Deng Ai also felt that Zhong Hui's words made sense, and then patted Zhong Hui's shoulder heavily.

"Shiji, get out of here alive."

Don't worry, I'll definitely outlive you by one day!

After Zhong Hui finished speaking, he burst into laughter.

Soon, Deng Ai began to break through the encirclement, following the strategy instructed by Zhong Hui.

Because there were only a few people, Cao Ren didn't pay any attention to them and instead focused all his forces on Zhong Hui.

When Deng Ai rushed out of Jiangzhou City, he saw Zhong Hui still fighting on the city wall and realized that Zhong Hui had no intention of breaking out at all.

"Shiji!"

Deng Ai shouted, but there was no response from Zhong Hui.

Just as Deng Ai was about to go in, he was stopped by his deputy.

"General, our most important task now is to seek help. We cannot let General Zhong Hui's sacrifice be in vain. He risked his life to give us this opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Deng Ai clenched her fists tightly and then called out, "Shiji, wait for me!"

After saying this, Deng Ai immediately led five thousand cavalrymen toward Linjiang City.

However, after walking for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the five thousand people stopped in their tracks.

Because in front of them, Cao Zhen led two thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to block their way.

Seeing these people, Deng Ai finally understood why none of the messengers he had sent out had returned.

“I have been waiting for you here for a long time. Deng Ai, surrender to me. What Liu Bei can give you, my lord can give you as well.”

"Hmph, is that so? I'm truly sorry, but I, Deng Ai, no longer wish to follow Cao Cao, right from the moment he abandoned me."

After saying that, Deng Ai waved his hand.

Five thousand cavalry charged directly at Cao Zhen's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

However, these men were no match for the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all of these people were eliminated by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

However, by the time Cao Zhen realized what was happening, Deng Ai was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh no! We must chase after him immediately! We can't let him find Liu Bei!"

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were extremely fast.

Deng Ai sped up, but the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry eventually discovered his tracks.

However, Deng Ai's speed meant that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry could never catch up, maintaining a constant distance. Left with no other option, Cao Zhen ordered his troops to fire arrows.

Deng Ai turned around and swung his sword, knocking most of the arrows away, but a few still pierced his body.

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Deng Ai immediately lost consciousness.

But the mount beneath him continued to accelerate.

Zhong watched Deng Ai leave before he was finally at ease.

"Shizai, this may be the last time I scheme against you. I hope you won't be angry!"

After Zhong Hui finished speaking, he swung his sword and killed a Wei soldier who was charging past him.

"Kill everyone! Fight with all your might to defend Jiangzhou City!"

As soon as Zhong Hui finished speaking, he suddenly felt a heavy blow to the back of his head, and then he lost consciousness.

With Zhong Hui falling into a coma, the entire Jiangzhou city lost its last leader, and in the end, all the remaining troops in Jiangzhou city surrendered.

Cao Ren successfully entered Jiangzhou City.

At this moment, Xu Huang, carrying the unconscious Zhong Hui in one hand, came to Cao Ren.

"General, what should we do with this man?"

"Zhong Hui?"

Cao Ren hesitated for a moment, then said directly, "Wake him up and bring him up later."

Soon, Zhong was brought to the government office.

He was then woken up by Xu Huang pouring a basin of cold water over him.

When Zhong opened his eyes groggily, he saw that he was bound with ropes, and in front of him were Cao Ren and Xu Huang.

He knew he had been arrested.

"Zhong Hui, do you surrender?"

Cao Ren did intend to kill Zhong Hui, but he also knew that what their army lacked most were scholar-generals like Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei.

Therefore, Cao Ren decided to give Zhong Hui another chance.

"Surrender? Now that you've captured me, of course I'll surrender. But I, Zhong Hui, will never surrender to you. Even if I were to surrender, I would surrender to Cao Cao. Your status is unworthy of me."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun stepped forward and kicked Zhong Hui, sending him flying.

"You scoundrel, how dare you be so insolent again? You surrendered to Liu Bei back then, causing us so much suffering. Have you forgotten all that? Our lord has treated you well, hasn't he? Is this how you repay him?"

"Not stingy? Xiahou Dun, don't you feel ashamed when you say that? I made so many contributions back then, and what did I get in return? What rewards did I receive? How many times did I save you? Cao Ren, you tell me yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ren fell silent.

When Zhong Hui was by their side, he helped them a lot.

Even Cao Ren felt that Cao Cao was underestimating Zhong Hui, and even secretly asked Cao Cao to recommend Zhong Hui for credit, but Cao Cao ignored him.

Seeing that Cao Ren remained silent, Zhong Hui snorted coldly.

Xiahou Dun, who was standing to the side, then remembered the treatment Zhong Hui had received in front of Cao Cao.

I was at a loss for words.

Cao Ren sighed and immediately ordered the people around him, "Untie Zhong Hui and lock him up for now. I'll go ask the lord for his opinion."

Cao Ren always felt guilty towards Zhong Hui.

After Zhong Hui was taken away, Cao Ren sent a letter directly to Cao Cao, reporting on the situation in Jiangzhou City and mentioning Zhong Hui's affairs, while also praising Zhong Hui in the letter.

When Gu Rubing received the news from Jiangzhou City, it was already the third day since the city had fallen.

They also received news that Zhong Hui had been captured.

What worries Gu Rubing the most is that Zhong Hui was captured, but what about Deng Ai?

Upon realizing this, Gu Rubing immediately opened the control panel. When he saw that Deng Ai was not dead, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Gu Rubing then ordered his men to search for Deng Ai's whereabouts.

Soon, the group found Deng Ai on a hillside some distance from the camp.

However, Deng Ai had already lost too much blood and fainted by this time.

Gu Rubing saw the wounds on Deng Ai's body, as well as traces of the healing medicine given by Hua Tuo.

Gu Rubing quickly sent someone to treat Deng Ai.

In just half a day, Deng Ai regained consciousness.

I only found out after asking around.

After being shot by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Deng Ai completely lost consciousness.

When they regained their senses, they had already reached the mountainside. Cao Zhen clearly realized that Deng Ai had reached the vicinity of Gu Rubing's army's encampment and dared not pursue him any further, so he gave up and allowed Deng Ai to escape with his life.

After regaining consciousness, Deng Ai immediately treated his wounds, but eventually collapsed from exhaustion again. When he woke up, he was already in the military camp.

Moreover, Gu Rubing also learned from Deng Ai about Cao Ren leading an army of 60,000 to attack the city, and he also told Deng Ai about Zhong Hui's capture.

Upon hearing that Zhong Hui had been arrested, Deng Ai recalled the scene of his departure from Jiangzhou City. His face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Before falling into a coma, she held Gu Rubing's hand and kept talking.

"My lord, you must save Shi Ji."

Seeing Deng Ai faint again, the doctor immediately stepped forward to examine Deng Ai's body. After determining that it was a case of sudden internal heat rather than a serious illness, Gu Rubing left and returned to the commander's camp.

“We’ve been tricked. There are only 30,000 people in Linjiang City, and probably only one general, Jiang Wei. Give the order to attack the city with all our might. We must take Linjiang City within a day. Also, Zhong Hui has been captured. We must capture Jiang Wei and replace Zhong Hui.”

"Yes!"

Wei Yan then immediately led his army to launch a fierce attack on the city.

Gu Rubing, however, kept Zhang Liao behind and gave him an order.

Soon Zhang Liao broke away from the main force, quietly leaving with the Green Dragon Swordsmen and the Ironclad Cavalry.

After everyone left.

Lu Su then approached Gu Rubing and knelt down.

"My lord, it was Zhang Liao's feint that led to the fall of Jiangzhou. Please punish me."

Seeing Lu Su's condition, Gu Rubing immediately stepped forward and helped him up.

"Zijing, what are you doing? This matter is my responsibility. I made an unreasonable judgment, which caused the army to be left here. If anyone should be punished, it should be me. Fortunately, it's not too late, and we haven't faced the worst outcome. There's still time. As long as we capture Jiang Wei, we can exchange him with Cao Cao."

"Yes, my lord!"

Lu Su nodded.

Jiang Wei hadn't expected that Gu Rubing and his men, who had been calm and peaceful for the past few days, would suddenly launch an attack on the city, and that this would be a full-scale assault.

Moreover, judging from the enemy's offensive, they clearly intend to take Linjiang City in one fell swoop.

There is only one possibility for this situation: Jiangzhou City has probably been captured, and their plan has succeeded.

Logically, he should have been able to retreat by now, but Cao Cao had not yet issued the order to retreat. Cao Cao had said that without his order, he would defend Linjiang City to the death. (End of Chapter)