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

Seeing the situation inside the city, Gu Rubing finally had no choice but to abandon the campaign against Zhuti County.

Cao Ren was too timid, and coupled with Jiang Wei's lack of intelligence, he absolutely could not break through this dilapidated city.

In the end, Gu Rubing turned his attention to Xindu County.

Gu Rubing felt somewhat frustrated that his first battle of the new year had gone so poorly.

After Deng Ai and Zhong Hui were transferred back, Gu Rubing took over Mianzhu City again.

Meanwhile, information about the new capital city was presented to Gu Rubing.

Gu Rubing observed that during this period, the new capital city remained unchanged, still with the same 200,000 people, while Cao Cao was busy training his troops and had no time to pay attention to him.

In the end, Gu Rubing had no choice but to give up.

However, half a month later.

Gu Rubing stood on the city wall, looking in the direction of Xindu County in the distance, pondering what to do next.

A soldier ran up to Gu Rubing.

"My lord, a scout reports that Cao Cao's army has been spotted not far ahead, and in front of Cao Cao's army, there is a group of civilians."

"People?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing frowned immediately.

Knowing history well, he knew that many generals had used the lives of ordinary people as cannon fodder.

"No matter what, seal the city gates first."

Gu Rubing couldn't believe that Cao Cao would actually do such a thing, using the lives of ordinary people to call for help at the city gates.

Soon, Gu Rubing stood on the city wall and saw a group of people tied with ropes slowly walking towards Mianzhu City, followed by Huang Gai's army of 100,000.

The soldiers were whipping the people's bodies.

Many people screamed and fell to the ground.

The soldiers continued to whip them, cursing under their breath.

Seeing this, Gu Rubing clenched his fists.

"Liu Bei, haven't you always claimed to be virtuous? With so many people right in front of you, will you open the city gates or not?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing's expression darkened, but after a long period of contemplation, he slowly raised his hand.

"My lord, you mustn't."

Lu Su immediately stopped Gu Rubing.

"Zijing, are you going to watch these people suffer outside the city?"

"My lord, there is a high possibility that Huang Gai's men are hiding among these people. We cannot open the city gates. The city's garrison only numbers 30,000. Once the city gates are opened, how can we possibly fight against an army of 100,000?"

Lu Su didn't want to see these people suffer either, but if he opened the city gates, the entire city would be lost. At that time, these people would still be pawns in Huang Gai's hands, and he would continue to do the same thing in the next city.

Gu Rubing knew that Lu Su was right, but looking at the people in front of him, Gu Rubing hesitated.

Just as Gu Rubing was wondering what to do, these people suddenly knelt outside the city wall and kept kowtowing to Gu Rubing.

Seeing this scene, not only Gu Rubing, but even Lu Su, who had always been against it, couldn't help but be moved.

Gu Rubing gritted his teeth as he watched the scene unfolding below the city.

Finally, a good solution came to mind.

"Open the city gates and let them in."

After saying this, Gu Rubing personally led a thousand soldiers to block the entire city gate.

Upon seeing the city gates open, many people rushed into the city in a frenzy.

However, they were stopped by Gu Rubing as soon as they entered the city.

They began to check each person individually, and arrested anyone found to be carrying a knife.

Huang Gai was quite excited when he saw the people being allowed into the city.

Lu Su was right; Huang Gai's men were indeed among them.

The person who just knelt down was Huang Gai's man, and he did it to persuade Gu Rubing to have a change of heart and let the people in.

Then Huang Gai's men can take control of the city gates immediately, making them impossible to manage.

However, Huang Gai discovered that the people who went in seemed to have vanished without a trace; there was no one to open the city gate for him as he had imagined.

Upon seeing this, Huang Gai immediately became anxious.

There are 100,000 troops waiting for them to move out of here.

In his desperation, Huang Gai could only fire a signal arrow to alert the people inside the city to take action.

However, after the signal arrow was fired, the city gates still did not open.

It was only then that Huang Gai had a bad feeling.

Clearly, his plan had been discovered.

Just as Huang Gai was preparing to retreat, the city gate slowly opened.

Huang Gai was overjoyed upon seeing this.

Just as they were about to make a move, they saw Gu Rubing lead a group of soldiers out.

Each of these soldiers carried a person dressed as a civilian who was bound hand and foot.

"Huang Gai, is this your trump card? You want them to open the city gates and help you enter? Do you think I'm too easy to fool?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Gai's expression immediately changed.

Because the people under Gu Rubing's control were indeed people he had arranged long ago.

"Soldiers on the other side, take a good look at these people. See if they are your compatriots?"

Gu Rubing's voice was loud. The soldiers who came with Huang Gai looked at each other in surprise. They had already recognized that these people were indeed their men.

“Listen up, you guys on the other side. If your general surrenders, I can release the people and let your brothers go back.”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Huang Gai.

Huang Gai did not expect that Gu Rubing would use his method so quickly, and it seemed to be quite effective.

Several soldiers were already trying to step forward and persuade Huang Gai.

Before these men could even speak, Huang Gai whipped them to death.

"Anyone who dares to surrender will die!"

Upon hearing this, everyone swallowed their words.

"Hmph, Liu Bei, I admit you're ruthless, but so what? I have 100,000 troops, while you only have 30,000. How could you possibly stop me?"

"Is it?"

Gu Rubing immediately clapped his hands.

A sound of horses neighing rang out.

Huang Gai immediately looked in the direction from which the sound came.

Zhang Liao led three special forces units and charged towards Huang Gai.

"Oh no, it's Zhang Liao! Everyone retreat!"

Zhang Liao had a natural restraint towards Sun Jian's men. No matter who they were, the only reaction they had upon seeing Zhang Liao was to run away.

However, Zhang Liao had already begun a desperate battle.

The combat effectiveness of the three special forces units has increased dramatically.

Before long, they caught up with Huang Gai and his men who were retreating.

"Stop them, the rest of you continue the retreat."

Upon hearing Huang Gai's words, the ten thousand people behind him immediately turned around to block him.

However, these people were no match for Zhang Liao at all.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all of these people were cured.

However, this did give Huang Gai time to retreat.

By the time Zhang Liao realized what was happening and tried to chase after Huang Gai, Huang Gai had already retreated.

Zhang Liao dared not continue the pursuit, fearing an ambush. "My lord, Liao is back."

"That's good, Wen Yuan, you've really worked hard. Let's go, let's proceed."

After Gu Rubing finished speaking, he pulled Zhang Liao and went directly into the city.

Zhang Liao has been in the field recently. Although he hasn't launched a large-scale attack on Mianzhu Pass and Mianzhu City, there have been quite a few spies lurking outside the city. Zhang Liao has been busy dealing with these spies.

As a result, Zhang Liao became quite haggard during this period.

Gu Rubing could see the weariness in Zhang Liao's eyes.

So it was immediately decided to let Zhang Liao get some rest.

Just after Zhang Liao left, Gu Rubing received a message.

Of the dozens of crossbow captains he had sent to the Anluo Empire, all but one centurion were killed in action.

Upon learning this news, Gu Rubing was greatly shocked.

Upon seeing this news, Lu Su and the others all turned grim.

However, they didn't become like this because of the deaths of those crossbow captains.

And as for the centurion who was captured.

One was captured, and the rest were all killed. What does this mean?
It is highly likely that this person betrayed his companion in order to survive.

The message was not delivered by Gu Rubing's informant, but by Sun Jian's messenger.

Looking at the envoy before him, Gu Rubing waved his hand and killed him.

“My lord, it’s obvious that Sun Jian wants you to ransom people. There’s absolutely no need for us to rescue such a traitor.”

“That’s right, why should we save someone who’s so cowardly?”

Seeing the indignant expressions of those around him, Gu Rubing sighed.

The spies sent out were already in a very dangerous situation. Moreover, once captured, those who worked behind enemy lines had virtually no choice but to die, and were often tortured to death.

Very few people can endure the torment inflicted by the enemy.

Moreover, their mission this time was to investigate Sun Jian, and investigating the king in enemy territory was fraught with difficulties and could easily be exposed.

Thinking of this, Gu Rubing sighed.

"There is no evidence yet to prove that the centurion betrayed everyone. In any case, since Sun Jian has released the news that someone has been arrested, I can't just ignore it. Otherwise, who would be willing to help us gather intelligence on the enemy?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent instantly.

"Alright, I'll set off for the Anluo Empire now. While I'm gone, you all follow Zijing's instructions."

"Yes!"

After a quick pack, Gu Rubing immediately took Zhao Yun and Guan Yu and headed to the Anluo Empire. However, on the way, Gu Rubing still managed to send a letter to the Jingzhou camp.

The three of them sped along the way, barely resting.

half a month later.

Outside Constantinople.

Gu Rubing and his two companions arrived outside the city, looking travel-worn.

Sun Jian also received the news, opened the city gates, and led Sun Ce and Gan Ning out of the city to welcome them.

"King Lie, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you for so long."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing sneered and then waved his hand.

Zhao Yun threw a corpse directly in front of Sun Jian.

"I'm truly sorry, King Wu, but I didn't like your men, so I had them killed. I'm really sorry."

Upon hearing this, Sun Jian's expression immediately changed.

But it soon returned to normal.

"What a coincidence, I also prepared a gift for King Lie."

After saying that, Sun Jian clapped his hands.

Soon a pile of corpses fell from the city wall, and all of them had ropes around their heads.

"Does Prince Lie recognize these people?"

Upon seeing this scene, Gu Rubing's face instantly darkened, and he exuded a faint killing intent.

However, Gu Rubing's current strength and the killing intent he released posed no threat to Sun Jian at all.

Just as Sun Jian was about to continue his taunts, Guan Yu snorted coldly from the side.

That single sound caused Sun Jian's smile to vanish instantly, replaced by a look of awe as he gazed at Guan Yu.

"Alright, King Wu, now that you've discovered them, isn't it a bit unkind to insult them like this?"

"Haha, Your Highness, rest assured, I have already arranged a place for their burial and will soon arrange for them to be laid to rest. Although the weather is rather cool now, it is not good to leave the bodies for too long, don't you think?"

"Okay, you must let me know when it's time for the burial."

"of course."

Soon Sun Jian brought Gu Rubing to the front of the palace.

"When King Lie ordered my palace to be demolished, he was really thinking of me. I had no desire for that palace for a long time. I am grateful to King Lie for his help. Otherwise, I would have wasted a lot of time to demolish the entire palace."

"King Wu, you are too kind."

Gu Rubing didn't know if what Sun Jian said was true, but Sun Jian had indeed renovated the palace. The palace was now even more luxurious than before, and even the roof was made of gold.

"The King of Wu is truly incredibly wealthy!"

Gu Rubing couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing Gu Rubing's expression, Sun Jian immediately felt a little smug.

"well enough."

After everyone took their seats.

Sun Jian then said, "Although my men were killed by you, King Lie, I think you have already conveyed your message. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here. Your men are indeed in my hands. Would you like to see them?"

"Of course!"

Upon hearing Gu Rubing's accurate answer, Sun Jian immediately clapped his hands.

Soon, Lu Xun and Zhou Yu escorted the centurion in.

“King Lie, this is your man. You can take a look.”

Upon seeing this person appear, Guan Yu snorted coldly and said nothing.

Zhao Yun, standing to the side, watched him coldly.

No one will give a traitor a friendly look.

Gu Rubing then approached the centurion.

He saw that the centurion had dozens of wounds of varying sizes on his body.

This person has clearly undergone extreme torture.

Upon seeing Gu Rubing, the centurion immediately knelt down before him.

"My lord, I have not betrayed my own people, absolutely not. Please believe me, my lord."

He clearly knew everything and, fearing that Gu Rubing might misunderstand him, immediately began to explain.

"You didn't betray your own people? Then how do you explain that you're the only one alive while everyone else is dead?"

Before Gu Rubing could speak, Guan Yu glared at the centurion in front of him and kept asking questions.

The centurion kept shaking his head.

"I don't know, I really don't know. After I was captured, I was severely tortured, but I didn't say anything. Generals, and my lord, please believe me, I would never betray my comrades!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing patted him on the shoulder.

Just as he was about to say something, Sun Jian interrupted him.

"Alright, Your Highness, now that you've seen this man, shouldn't we discuss our deal?" (End of Chapter)