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

Jiang Wei could guess that Cao Cao's order would be issued soon.

Therefore, Jiang Wei did not intend to hold out to the death; in fact, he had already issued an order to prepare for a retreat.

However, two hours later...

Cao Cao's orders never arrived, but the city walls could no longer be defended.

Wei Yan took the lead and was the first to climb the city wall, searching everywhere for Jiang Wei's shadow.

However, Jiang Wei was hiding in the back at this time. He did not want to fight Wei Yan. Once he was entangled with Wei Yan, he would not be able to command the situation on the spot. After all, Zhang He's troops were still climbing the city wall.

Seeing that the city walls were about to fall, Jiang Wei immediately looked into the distance, hoping to find a messenger, but there was no trace of one.

"Have I also become a pawn abandoned by my lord?"

This time, Jiang Wei was wrong. After giving Jiang Wei his orders, Cao Cao made a special trip to Zhicheng, met Guo Huai, and handed him a letter instructing Zhang Liao to retreat.

He also instructed Guo Huai to deliver the letter to Jiang Wei as soon as news of the fall of Jiangzhou City arrived.

Guo Huai did as Cao Cao instructed.

Upon learning that Jiangzhou City had been successfully captured, Guo Huai sent someone to deliver a message.

However, the messenger was killed on the way by Gu Rubing's men who had been lying in ambush.

Guo Huai waited a long time before his men saw the messenger's body, and only then did Guo Huai realize what had happened.

Guo Huai then decided to personally lead a group to inform Jiang Wei to retreat.

Jiang Wei looked at the shadows of the Lie Army everywhere on the city wall, and saw that Wei Yan and Zhang He had already climbed the wall. He knew that Linjiang City could not be defended.

"General, let's retreat, we can't hold out any longer."

One of the lieutenants looked at Jiang Wei.

This deputy general had followed Jiang Wei for a long time and was extremely loyal to him. He also knew some things about Jiang Wei.

The deputy general understood that once Jiangzhou City fell, their Linjiang City would become useless, and it would be time for them to retreat.

With the enemy's offensive so fierce, Jiangzhou City has obviously already fallen, so they no longer need to fight desperately here.

What he didn't know was that Jiang Wei was still waiting for Cao Cao's orders.

Upon hearing his deputy's words, Jiang Wei hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Retreat."

As soon as Jiang Wei gave the order, the soldiers who had been waiting immediately set off according to the predetermined retreat route.

Their designated route was to leave from the east gate of Linjiang City, which was closest to Zhicheng.

However, just as they were preparing to leave, they discovered that Wei Yan was already blocking their way.

When Wei Yan saw Jiang Wei and the others, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Jiang Wei, we've been waiting for you here for a long time. You want to leave? I'm sorry, but our lord has given a death order: we must capture you today, no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei frowned.

Why did Liu Bei capture me instead of killing me? Did Liu Bei think I would surrender? But I had never revealed to Liu Bei any intention to surrender.

Could there be some other unexpected development?
Although Jiang Wei had doubts, the current situation did not allow him to think too much about it.

Jiang Wei immediately ordered his men to charge out.

Soon, tens of thousands of people engaged in a fierce battle at the east gate.

However, Wei Yan's target was very clear: Jiang Wei.

Just as Wei Yan was about to approach Jiang Wei, the deputy general rushed out and blocked Wei Yan's path.

"General, hurry up!"

The lieutenant shouted and charged towards Wei Yan.

Wei Yan had no interest in a mere first-rate general as a deputy, and killed him on the spot with a single move.

However, by the time Wei Yan went to see Jiang Wei, Jiang Wei had already disappeared.

Enraged, Wei Yan slapped his thigh, then looked at the deputy general's corpse and kicked it.

Wei Yan was furious that the credit he had just earned was gone, and in the end he could only vent his anger on the other soldiers.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Jiang Wei led several dozen personal guards and rushed out of the city gate.

However, after taking only a few steps, he was blocked by a group of people.

Among these people, some cavalrymen were armed to the teeth, and their warhorses were also covered in armor.

Seeing this, Jiang Wei knew without even thinking who the other party was.

"Iron Pagoda, now that Zhang Liao is here, there's no need to hide anymore, right?"

Jiang Wei's voice faded.

Zhang Liao then stepped out from the crowd.

"Jiang Wei, you are really clever. You thought of me as soon as you saw the Iron Pagoda."

"There's no other way. In the Lie Wang Army, you're the only one who can truly make the Ironclad Cavalry show their fighting power. It seems you've been waiting for me here for a long time?"

"Of course, I had no choice. My lord has ordered that you be captured alive."

"May I ask, why was it captured alive?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao burst into laughter.

"Jiang Wei, you don't need to try to trick me. Whatever you want to know, you'll find out when you see the lord. Right now, all you need to do is dismount and surrender. Don't even think about fighting your way out. Your personal guards are no match for the Iron Pagoda. Besides the Iron Pagoda, there are also the Azure Dragon Swordsmen here. I think you know how strong they are."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei looked at the people in front of him, and when he realized that he only had a few dozen men with him, he sighed helplessly and then ordered his men to surrender.

Jiang Wei was a smart man and naturally did not want to make a pointless sacrifice.

Moreover, Jiang Wei felt that since Gu Rubing had ordered him to be captured alive, it meant that the other party must have some ulterior motive. As long as he surrendered, not only would he live, but his personal guards should also be able to live.

Seeing that Jiang Wei was so easy to talk to, Zhang Liao didn't stand on ceremony and immediately ordered his men to tie Jiang Wei up.

However, just as Jiang Wei and his men were being tied up, Guo Huai arrived with 10,000 troops.

Seeing that Jiang Wei had been captured, Guo Huai couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"Oh, isn't this General Guo Huai? What a pity, you're too late. Jiang Wei has already been captured by me."

Upon hearing this, Guo Huai gritted his teeth and glared at Zhang Liao.

"Zhang Liao, release Jiang Wei."

"Release? On what grounds? Just because you, Guo Huai, and the nearly ten thousand soldiers behind you? Do you think I'm afraid of that?"

After saying this, Zhang Liao waved his hand, and the Ironclad Cavalry and the Azure Dragon Swordsmen slowly walked out.

Upon seeing this, Guo Huai subconsciously took a few steps back.

"You go first. Don't worry, Liu Bei won't kill me." Jiang Wei knew that once Guo Huai fought Zhang Liao, he would definitely lose, and Guo Huai might even be killed as well. The enemy's orders were to capture him alive, but they didn't say to capture Guo Huai alive as well. It was very likely that Zhang Liao would kill Guo Huai directly for the sake of military merit.

With Jiang Wei's words, Guo Huai could only grit his teeth and turn to leave.

Looking at Guo Huai and his group, Zhang Liao couldn't help but feel a little regretful. If Guo Huai had really attacked them just now, Zhang Liao would have already figured out how to fight back.

Unfortunately, he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble; his mission was simply to bring Jiang Wei back.

The battle in Linjiang City ended quickly.

Almost all of the 30,000 defenders in the city were killed in battle.

In this battle, Gu Rubing's side also suffered considerable losses, with more than 20,000 men killed.

Soon, Zhang Liao brought Jiang Wei to Gu Rubing.

Gu Rubing looked at Jiang Wei.

"Boyue, you're really unlucky. I've caught you again. What do you have to say this time?"

“King Lie’s methods are truly impressive, but I still will not surrender. At least my lord has not been abandoned as a pawn. Besides…”

Jiang Wei didn't continue speaking, but looked around and a smug smile appeared on his lips.

"If I'm not mistaken, the reason why King Lie said he wanted to capture me alive wasn't because of me, Jiang Wei, right? You're missing Deng Ai and Zhong Hui. If I'm not mistaken, the problem lies with those two generals. Let me guess, it's probably Zhong Hui."

Gu Rubing frowned slightly upon hearing this, and was also quite surprised.

According to Gu Rubing, it was normal for Jiang Wei to discover his purpose, but what puzzled him was...

It's reasonable that some of Deng Ai and Zhong Hui, who were inside the city, were arrested after the fall of Jiangzhou. But how did Jiang Wei know who was arrested?

After learning of the fall of Jiangzhou City, Gu Rubing had already ordered the entire Linjiang City to block all communication channels with the outside world. It was impossible for anyone to get the news to Jiang Wei, so all of this was just Jiang Wei's guess.

"Boyue, how did you know that it was Zhong Hui who was involved in the accident?"

“What’s so difficult about that? Zhong Hui and I were both once under Cao Cao’s command, and we’ve met in private. Zhong Hui is a very bold man, but he’s also quite ambitious. Yet, he happens to have a very good relationship with Deng Ai. Such a man must not have many friends, but once he has friends, he will definitely risk his life to protect them. Normally, he might scheme against Deng Ai, but if there’s real danger, he will definitely make sure Deng Ai leaves safely. With Zhong Hui’s intelligence, escorting Deng Ai away from General Cao’s attack is definitely not a difficult task.”

Hearing this, Gu Rubing admired Jiang Wei even more.

Jiang Wei had only met Zhong Hui a few times, yet he was able to analyze Zhong Hui's personality so clearly and make the most reasonable judgment based on Zhong Hui's character.

Such judgment is rare; it's comparable to that of Zhuge Liang.

"Alright, I'm really impressed by you. You're right, Zhong Hui was captured, but thankfully he wasn't killed outright. This gives me an opportunity. I want to exchange you for Zhong Hui. Do you think Cao Cao will agree?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei hesitated.

Cao Cao's personality was unpredictable, especially his attitude towards himself, which even Jiang Wei found hard to believe, so he didn't have much confidence in him either.

Seeing that Jiang Wei remained silent, Gu Rubing burst into laughter.

"Alright, since you don't know, let's see what Cao Cao's final intentions are. I'm really looking forward to it."

After saying this, Gu Rubing waved his hand and ordered his men to take Jiang Wei away.

After Jiang Wei left, Wei Yan anxiously stepped forward.

"My lord, Jiang Wei has been with Cao Cao for so long, and he's still not sure if Cao Cao will release Zhong Hui because of Jiang Wei. Shouldn't we just stop waiting? Why don't I take some men and find a way to rescue Zhong Hui?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing burst out laughing.

"Wen Chang, don't worry, Cao Cao will definitely replace him."

"Huh? Why?"

Wei Yan looked at Gu Rubing with a puzzled expression.

"Because we're just changing personnel and haven't asked for anything else, Cao Cao doesn't suffer any losses. Besides, this is a good way for Cao Cao to enhance his reputation. To get his own people back, our Duke of Wei is willing to give up quite a lot. Once this news gets out, what do you think his generals will think?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan nodded, agreeing with Gu Rubing's assessment.

Guo Huai returned to Zhicheng and strengthened the city's defenses. He also wrote a letter to Cao Cao, recounting the recent situation, especially the capture of Jiang Wei, which Guo Huai mentioned several times, fearing that Cao Cao might abandon Jiang Wei.

Soon, Cao Cao received two letters, one of which was from Cao Ren.

Jiangzhou City has been captured, and Zhong Hui has been arrested. Another letter is from Guo Huai, stating that Linjiang City has fallen and Jiang Wei has been captured.

Cao Cao looked at the two letters in his hand and hesitated for a moment.

He then summoned Xun Yu.

"Wenruo, what do you think?"

Cao Cao handed the letter to Xun Yu.

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu glanced at the contents of the letter and then burst out laughing.

"Does my lord really believe that Zhong Hui can surrender to us?"

"Of course I don't believe it. This is just Zhong Hui's delaying tactic. But now that Jiang Wei has been captured, Liu Bei's intentions are very clear. Are we just going to do nothing?"

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he suddenly changed his tone and exuded a terrifying killing intent.

"Or should we pretend we don't know anything and just kill Zhong Hui?"

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu immediately looked at Cao Cao, only to find that after Cao Cao finished speaking, the murderous aura on his body instantly dissipated, and a smile appeared on his face.

Upon seeing this, Xun Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"My lord, if you had been serious just now, that would have been truly terrifying. We don't need to be now."

Cao Cao smiled and nodded.

"But my lord, there's no need to rush. We can just wait. There are only two letters so far. There's still one more to wait for."

Just as they were talking, a soldier stepped forward and handed a letter to Cao Cao.

"My lord, there is a messenger outside who says he is Liu Bei's man."

"Haha, my lord, the letter we've been waiting for has arrived."

Xun Yu immediately stepped forward, opened the letter, and handed it to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao glanced at it twice and burst out laughing.

"This Liu Bei is really interesting. He wants to replace someone but doesn't say so directly. He just says he wants to get together with me."

Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, Xun Yu immediately frowned.

"My lord, it seems that Liu Bei has other plans besides wanting to exchange people with us. You'd better be careful."

"Something else? You mean?"

"Now that we know about the alliance between Liu Zhang and Sun Jian, Liu Bei must also know about it. I'm afraid Liu Bei is not in a good position right now, and it may even develop into a three-front war, which is something he doesn't want. So Liu Bei's meeting this time may be to discuss an alliance."

"An alliance? With me?"

Cao Cao didn't believe Gu Rubing was so kind; he knew perfectly well that he was Gu Rubing's greatest threat. (End of Chapter)