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

Now that he sees his army pressing in, in order to sever ties or to uphold the previous promise of "non-aggression," he hastily sends someone to "make amends," guiding him to find Shi Xie, using him as a tool to kill him and eliminate future troubles.

What a cunning Xiongnu leader! Gu Rubing sneered inwardly, but showed no sign of it on his face.

Right now, finding Shi Xie is the top priority; as for the Xiongnu leader's ulterior motives, we can deal with them later.

"Thank you for your trouble. Lead the way."

Gu Rubing said calmly, without asking any further questions.

The Xiongnu guide didn't say much, turned his horse around, and galloped off in a seemingly unremarkable direction.

Without hesitation, Gu Rubing ordered his army to follow closely behind.

With this local guide who was familiar with the terrain, the situation changed immediately.

The army avoided many quicksand areas and complex dunes where it was easy to lose its way, greatly increasing its speed.

In just two or three days, led by the Xiongnu guide, the Han army traversed a vast sand dune area that seemed impassable, and suddenly the view opened up before them.

A ruined ancient city, mostly buried by yellow sand, lies silently in the desert valley like a sleeping behemoth. Amidst the crumbling walls, figures can be vaguely seen moving – it is Shi Xie and his bandits!

"All troops, listen up! Encircle the city from both sides and surround it completely. Don't let a single fly escape!"

Gu Rubing made a decisive decision and issued the order.

The well-trained Han army quickly deployed, with cavalry flanking the city and infantry advancing steadily, soon forming a tight encirclement around the abandoned ancient city.

Banners fluttered, swords and spears gleamed in the sun, and a chilling atmosphere instantly filled the air above this ancient ruin.

On the crumbling walls of the ancient city, Shi Xie looked at the Han army that had suddenly appeared outside the city like divine soldiers descending from the sky, and at the familiar "Gu" character royal banner. His face was filled with disbelief, horror, and despair.

"How is this possible... How could they have found this place?!"

He couldn't understand how Gu Rubing could find him so accurately, even though he had hidden in such a secluded place.

After the initial panic subsided, a deep sense of powerlessness gripped him.

Break out? Outside were tens of thousands of well-rested and ready Han troops, while on their side were only a few thousand ragged and defeated soldiers. To charge out would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

It seems that even if I manage to escape, in this vast desert, without supplies or reinforcements, I will ultimately face certain death.

Looking at the orderly and menacing Han army formation outside the city, Shi Xie leaned against the cold, broken wall, his face ashen. An uncontrollable thought rose from the bottom of his heart—surrender.

Perhaps this is the only way out right now? As long as I can survive, there's still a chance!

His eyes darted around, quickly devising an excuse for himself. Yes! He'd pin everything on the Xiongnu and Wuhuan people!
They claimed that they had coerced them, that the massacres of the village were committed by them, and that they were forced into it, even to the point of enduring humiliation and feigning cooperation with them...

If I can get rid of the crime of massacring civilians, perhaps... perhaps Gu Rubing will spare my life because I was once a powerful warlord? Even being imprisoned is better than dying in this desert!
Thinking of this, he felt as if he had grasped a lifeline and immediately whispered his thoughts to Wang Yue, who was also looking solemn beside him.

"Mr. Wang, given the current situation, breaking out is hopeless, and holding out is tantamount to waiting for death. I... have made up my mind and am prepared to surrender to Gu Rubing. At that time, I will shift all the blame to the Xiongnu and Wuhuan, and you will need to help me negotiate..."

Looking at the densely packed Han army outside the city, and then at the group of demoralized and fearful remnants beside him, Wang Yue felt a chill in his heart.

Although he hated Gu Rubing to the core, he also knew that for Shi Xie at this moment, surrendering was indeed the only possible option for survival.

As for whether his attempt to frame someone else would succeed... Wang Yue didn't hold out much hope. Gu Rubing wasn't so easily fooled. But since things had come to this, he could only try anything.

He remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded heavily, his voice hoarse.

"...Understood. I will send someone out of the city to negotiate with Gu Rubing."

After making the decision, Wang Yue summoned his longest-serving and most reliable deputy general and gave him detailed instructions, emphasizing that Shi Xie was "forced" and "coerced," and that he was willing to "abandon darkness and embrace light" and "atone for his crimes through meritorious service."

The lieutenant, with a mixture of trepidation and determination on his face, found a piece of white rag, tied it to a long pole, and carefully opened a damaged side gate of the ancient city. Alone, he held up a simple white flag and walked step by step toward the Han army outside the city.
-
The deputy general, on whom Wang Yue had placed high hopes, held aloft a simple white flag. With trepidation and a sliver of hope for survival, he had only taken a few dozen steps out of the dilapidated city gate of the ancient city. His figure appeared particularly conspicuous and insignificant on the empty sand.

He was about to shout towards the Han army lines to explain his purpose.

However, this scene was witnessed by Zhang Fei, who was patrolling the front of the battle and whose round eyes were like searchlights scanning the ancient city!

In Zhang Fei's simple and straightforward mind, what could this lone figure leaving the city, carrying a bow and quiver, acting suspiciously, be doing? It didn't seem like a large-scale breakout, nor did it resemble a proper envoy's procession.

He either intended to use his personal bravery or archery skills to assassinate his elder brother, Gu Rubing! Or he wanted to use his familiarity with the terrain to sneak out and find reinforcements or deliver messages!
"You scoundrel! You dare to come out alone, you must have ill intentions! Watch me shoot your dog's heart through!"

Zhang Fei didn't have time to think it through, nor did he bother to ask any questions. He roared like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

He was incredibly strong, with amazing arm strength. He immediately took his specially made iron-rimmed bow from beside the saddle, and with a light stretch of his long arm, he drew the bow to its fullest extent in an instant. A wolf-tooth arrow was steadily nocked on the string and aimed at the deputy general who had just walked a short distance away!
"Whoosh-!"

The arrow left the bowstring with a piercing whistle!

The arrow flew with incredible speed, like a black lightning bolt, tracing a straight, deadly trajectory through the air before striking the lieutenant's chest with unparalleled precision!

The lieutenant had no idea that this would happen. Before he could even react, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and a tremendous force pulled him back a few steps.

He looked down in disbelief at the arrow shaft that was almost completely embedded in his chest, with only the fletching still trembling slightly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only streams of blood gushed from it.

The life in his eyes vanished quickly, his body swayed, and finally, with a "thud," he collapsed onto the scorching yellow sand. The white flag in his hand fell limply to the ground and was slowly buried by the wind and sand.

All of this was clearly seen by Wang Yue, who was standing on the dilapidated city wall and closely watching the movements outside the city!

Wang Yue's eyes instantly turned bloodshot! An indescribable grief and overwhelming rage surged from the depths of his heart to the top of his head like a volcanic eruption! This deputy general was no ordinary subordinate, but an old subordinate who had followed him since he was still in Youzhou! He was a trusted confidant whom he had personally promoted from humble beginnings!

Over the years, he followed him in his campaigns, experiencing countless battles and hardships, including the change of ownership of Youzhou, exile to the borderlands, and dependence on Shi Xie. He survived countless clashes and near-death experiences, and the bond between master and servant had become incredibly deep!
Wang Yue had already accepted reality and agreed to Shi Xie's surrender. He sent his most trusted deputy general out of the city in the hope that he could fight for a chance of survival for everyone, including himself.

But he never expected that what awaited his old subordinate was not negotiation, but a merciless cold arrow! Death!
"what--!"

Wang Yue let out a low growl like a wounded beast, his fists clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, not even noticing the blood seeping out.

He stared intently at Zhang Fei's towering figure outside the city, his eyes filled with deep-seated resentment and hatred!
"Zhang Fei! Gu Rubing! You...you are so ruthless! You even killed those who surrendered! If I don't avenge this, I, Wang Yue, swear I will not be a man!"

He roared and swore in his heart that he would remember this blood debt!

He is determined to get revenge, no matter the cost!
The news quickly reached the central command tent.

When Gu Rubing heard that Zhang Fei had shot and killed an enemy general who had come out of the city alone, he first frowned, and then immediately realized what was going on!

"Oh no! Yide is reckless!"

Gu Rubing suddenly stood up, his tone tinged with annoyance.

"In such a desperate situation, Shi Xie was weak-willed. How could he possibly send someone out of the city alone to assassinate someone or seek help?"

That was clearly an envoy sent to test the waters, or even to prepare for surrender! Carrying a bow and arrows might be a general's habit, or for self-defense; it didn't necessarily mean he was an assassin!

He knew Shi Xie very well, knowing that although the man was ambitious, he was extremely weak-willed, and that surrendering to save his life was the most likely choice he would make when he was at a complete disadvantage.

Although Zhang Fei's arrow killed an enemy, it might also frighten Shi Xie, causing him to abandon his surrender and choose to fight like a cornered beast, thus increasing the casualties of his own side in the siege.

However, Gu Rubing's frustration was only momentary.

He quickly calmed down, and his gaze returned to its deep focus.

Even if that person was truly an envoy, and even if Shi Xie surrendered, his numerous crimes of slaughtering civilians, colluding with foreign tribes, and wreaking havoc on the border had already sealed his fate—death was the only option! There was absolutely no possibility of pardon! Although Zhang Fei's actions were reckless, the result was essentially the same: Shi Xie had to die.

He did not order Zhang Fei to be blamed or punished. At this point, further investigation would be pointless and might even dampen the spirit of this fierce general.

The most important thing right now is to stabilize the situation and take advantage of Shi Xie's potential willingness to surrender in order to end this battle at the lowest possible cost.

He pondered for a moment, a new plan forming in his mind. Since Shi Xie had already shown signs of surrendering, although Zhang Fei's arrow had frightened him back, his will to survive would surely make him waver again. It would be better to take the initiative and give him a "way out."

"Somebody come!"

Gu Rubing summoned a eloquent and courageous civil official as his messenger and gave him detailed instructions.

"Take my token and go to the foot of the ancient city. Call out to Shi Xie and say that it was a misunderstanding. The patrolling soldiers were unaware of the situation and accidentally injured the envoy. I know he has repented. If he is willing to surrender sincerely, his life will be spared, and his past crimes may be pardoned. Have him open the city gate and welcome you in for a detailed discussion."

Gu Rubing's plan was very clear.

First, feign agreement to surrender, appease Shi Xie, and lure him into opening the city gates, or at least make him and his main followers lower their guard and leave their hiding places.

Once Shi Xie and the others escape the protection of the fortified city walls and enter his control, he can decide whether to kill or dismember them!
This results in far fewer losses than a direct assault.

The messenger understood perfectly, knowing that his task was to keep Shi Xie calm and lure him out of the cave.

Meanwhile, within the ancient city, Shi Xie was gripped by extreme panic.

Witnessing firsthand the scene of his deputy being shot dead by an arrow, his blood staining the yellow sand, chilled him to the bone. All his previous wishful thinking and carefully crafted lies were shattered by this cruel reality! Gu Rubing left no room for retreat!

He even killed the envoys who surrendered!

This is an attempt to wipe them out completely! The terrifying memories of being crushed and fleeing in disarray by Gu Rubing's army in the past surged into his mind like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming him.

He slumped onto a broken rock, his face ashen, his body trembling uncontrollably, his mind blank, filled only with despair.

"It's over...it's all over...Gu Rubing refuses to surrender, he wants to kill us all..."

Shi Xie muttered to himself, looking utterly lost.

Wang Yue stood aside, his face ashen, his eyes burning with hatred. But seeing Shi Xie's appearance, he knew that the situation was hopeless, so he gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Just as the desperate and oppressive atmosphere was about to drive the remaining bandits in the ancient city to the brink of collapse, a clear shout suddenly came from outside the city.

"Listen up inside the city! His Highness the King has decreed that what happened just now was a misunderstanding! The patrolling soldiers failed to identify the envoy, resulting in the accidental injury! His Highness is pleased to know that King Black Wind intends to submit!"
"His Highness has specially dispatched us to make contact! He promises that if Your Majesty is truly willing to lead your people to surrender, Your Majesty's life will be guaranteed, and past transgressions will be treated leniently! Please open the city gates and allow us to enter to discuss the details of our surrender!"

This sudden shout was like a ray of light in the darkness, instantly illuminating Shi Xie's heart, which had sunk to the bottom!

"What? A misunderstanding...? You're willing to surrender? And you'll even spare my life?"

Shi Xie suddenly raised his head, his ashen face instantly flushed with an unnatural red, and his voice trembled with excitement! The overwhelming joy overwhelmed his previous fear and despair!
He knew it! Gu Rubing was still reasonable! After all, he had once been a regional warlord and still had value!

That must have been an accident, a misunderstanding!

As if grasping at the last straw, he jumped up immediately without hesitation or even consulting with Wang Yue, shouting at the defending soldiers below the city.

"Quickly! Open the city gates! Let the envoy enter the city! Hurry!"
-
Urged impatiently by Shi Xie, the city gate was slowly pushed open a crack with a screeching sound.

The envoy sent by Gu Rubing straightened his clothes, his face composed, and stepped into the dilapidated ancient city, filled with despair and the smell of sand. (End of this chapter)