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

He has nowhere to retreat!

Tong Fei followed closely behind, landing lightly on a boulder on the mountaintop. Looking at Gu Rubing, who was cornered, a mocking expression appeared on his cold face for the first time, and he let out a low, hoarse laugh.

"Heh... Gu Rubing, you've certainly chosen a good burial place for yourself."

Guan Yu and the other six rushed to the top of the mountain one after another. They were shocked to see this and immediately took up their weapons to protect Gu Rubing behind them, confronting Tong Fei.

However, at this tense and seemingly hopeless moment, Gu Rubing suddenly turned around and gave Tong Fei a meaningful smile, even with a hint of pity.

Then, under the astonished gazes of Tong Fei, Guan Yu, and the others, he actually... leaped off the bottomless cliff!
"Big brother!"

"Lord!"

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others let out heart-wrenching screams, almost unable to believe their eyes!

But the next moment, something even more astonishing happened to them and Tong Fei! Just as Gu Rubing jumped off the cliff, he let out a short but clear whistle!

Upon hearing the whistle, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan, though filled with endless doubt and shock, made the same choice in that instant due to their unwavering trust in Gu Rubing.

Without any hesitation, the six followed Gu Rubing's figure and jumped off the cliff in unison!

This scene completely stunned Tong Fei!

He stood on the edge of the cliff, unable to react for a moment.

Suicide? Mass martyrdom?
Have Gu Rubing and this group of so-called legendary military generals gone mad?!
However, in that brief moment of his stunned silence—

"boom!!!!!!!"

“Rumble——!!!”

A deafening roar suddenly erupted from the interior of the mountain he stood on, as well as from the surrounding mountains!

It was as if countless fiery dragons were simultaneously turning over! The entire mountain was shaking and collapsing violently! Huge rocks tumbled from the summit, and dust billowed into the sky!

That was clearly a massive amount of gunpowder that had been planted beforehand, and it was detonated simultaneously!
The boulder beneath Tong Fei's feet cracked instantly. His expression changed drastically, and he retreated hastily. However, the explosion's range was too wide, and its power too terrifying. The violent shockwave and flying debris instantly engulfed him!
At this moment, about ten feet below the cliff, halfway up the mountain, several huge fishing nets woven from special materials and extremely tough are firmly fixed to protruding rocks and pre-driven stakes.

Gu Rubing and the six others, including Guan Yu who jumped down right after him, fell right into the fishing nets!
The immense force of the fall was dissipated layer by layer by the fishing net. Although the shock made everyone's blood boil and their heads spin, no one was seriously injured!
Lu Su, who had already led a team of elite soldiers to meet them, was moved to tears when he saw everyone land safely. He immediately led his men forward and carefully rescued Gu Rubing and the six generals from the fishing net using special tools and ropes.

With his feet firmly planted on solid ground, Gu Rubing took a deep breath, suppressing the lingering fear in his heart.

He looked up at the mountaintop, shrouded in smoke and dust, where the rumbling sounds of collapse continued to echo, his gaze icy.

With Lu Su's help, Gu Rubing, Guan Yu, and the others safely returned to the bottom of the cliff.

Everyone looked up with lingering fear. The once towering mountain peak, ravaged by a series of earth-shattering explosions, had its upper half collapsed, littered with rubble and still shrouded in dust. It looked as if an invisible giant axe had cleaved it in two, leaving it significantly shorter. The mountainside was deathly silent; Tong Fei was nowhere to be seen. It was unknown whether he had been completely buried by the terrifying explosions or had escaped wounded using extraordinary means.

"Finally... this major threat has been temporarily resolved."

Gu Rubing let out a long sigh of relief, his tense nerves finally able to relax a little.

Although it is uncertain whether Tong Fei is alive or dead, after this explosion, he will have no chance of posing a threat in the short term.

The group dared not linger and quickly returned to the new capital city along a hidden path.

At this moment, the fighting in the new capital has basically subsided!
With Cao Ren's retreat and Tong Fei's "disappearance," Cao's offensive completely collapsed.

Zhang He, Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, and others are directing soldiers to clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and repair the breaches in the city wall.

Although the city was defended, the price paid was extremely heavy. Corpses lay everywhere inside and outside the city walls, blood flowed in streams, and the air was filled with a heavy smell of blood and gunpowder.

Seeing Gu Rubing return safely, all the generals breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to pay their respects.

At this moment, Zhou Yu and Lu Xun also came over.

Zhou Yu cupped his hands to Gu Rubing, his tone carrying a perfectly measured compliment and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).

"His Highness Prince Lie was fearless in the face of danger, and possessed both wisdom and courage. He was able to devise a plan to severely injure that Penglai demon, which I truly admire."

"It is a great fortune for Yu and Boyan that we have been able to help Your Highness defend the new capital."

Gu Rubing looked at Zhou Yu, then glanced at the five thousand Anluo Empire soldiers behind him who, despite having experienced war, were still relatively well-organized. A half-smile appeared on his face, and his tone was somewhat teasing.

"Gongjin, you flatter me. In fact, I must thank King Wu for his generosity in sending Gongjin, Boyan, and these five thousand elite troops. But I wonder... is King Wu's assistance a genuine alliance with me, or is he plotting something else? After all, King Wu's timely help has come at just the right moment."

His words were barbed, clearly showing that he was well aware of Sun Jian's opportunistic nature of "not acting until he saw the benefits" and always making his bets at crucial moments.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu showed no embarrassment whatsoever, as if he had already anticipated Gu Rubing's question.

He smiled calmly and leisurely took out a meticulously drawn map from his sleeve, slowly unfolding it in front of Gu Rubing.

"Your Highness is too kind. Since my lord, the King of Wu, has renewed the alliance with Your Highness, he will naturally do his utmost to assist you and fight against the powerful enemy together."

Zhou Yu first stated his position, then pointed to a key point in northern Yizhou on the map—Mianzhu Pass.

"Your Highness has been engaged in fierce battles with Cao Cao recently, focusing on frontal offense and defense. Perhaps you have neglected the location of your supplies and provisions in the rear. Before coming here, I had already used some channels to find out the general location."

Cao Cao's army's lifeline during his invasion of Yizhou was not in Luocheng or anywhere else, but precisely in Mianzhu Pass, which he had just captured!

Mianzhu Pass?

Gu Rubing's gaze sharpened as he carefully examined the map. Mianzhu Pass, with its strategic location, was easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an ideal place to stockpile grain and fodder.

He had previously focused on recovering lost territory and on frontal defense, and he certainly did not expect Cao Cao to be so bold, or rather, so confident, to place the most important granary near Mianzhu Pass, close to the front line.

Zhou Yu continued his analysis, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"Cao Cao has just acquired Mianzhu and his foothold is not yet secure. His main force is also firmly tied down by Your Highness in the Xindu area."

He must have believed that with the natural defenses of Mianzhu Pass, the grain supplies would be secure.

This is precisely the opportunity we can seize!

He raised his head and looked intently at Gu Rubing.

"I have a plan that may sever Cao Cao's foundation! I request Your Highness to personally lead the main force and make a great show of force outside the new capital, setting up a battle formation to firmly attract the attention of Cao Cao and all his generals!"
Yu, however, is willing to join Boyan in leading these five thousand troops of the main force, lightly armed and unprepared, to bypass the main battlefield and secretly raid Mianzhu Pass. Taking advantage of its weakened defenses, they will burn down its supply depot in one fell swoop!

"Five thousand men, launching a surprise attack on Mianzhu Pass?" Lu Su, standing to the side, couldn't help but exclaim, his face filled with doubt.

"Gongjin, Mianzhu Pass is a formidable and dangerous pass. Even if Cao Cao's main force is not present, the defending army is by no means something that a mere five thousand men can easily breach! Isn't this plan too risky?"

Zhou Yu smiled confidently and pointed to some small paths and forests around Mianzhu Pass on the map.

“Brother Su is absolutely right. Five thousand men are certainly not enough for a direct assault.”

However, the essence of warfare lies in surprise. Although Mianzhu Pass is treacherous, its flanks are not without weaknesses. Our army can lie in wait by day and move out at night, avoiding the main roads and taking treacherous mountain paths to bypass the main pass and launch a surprise attack on its weakest point.

As long as the action is swift, the supplies are burned and the retreat is initiated, avoiding prolonged engagement with the defending forces, the chances of success are at least 50%!

Gu Rubing tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table, lost in thought and silent.

He quickly calculated in his mind.

Zhou Yu's plan was indeed bold, but it was not without the possibility of success.

The key point is that Cao Cao has now lost the support of Penglai, and he can no longer use either the strange fog or the extraordinary combat power of Tong Fei.

In a purely military confrontation, Gu Rubing was confident that he was no less capable than Cao Cao. If he could successfully cut off Cao Cao's supply lines, Cao Cao's army of hundreds of thousands would immediately become like a tree without roots, collapsing without a fight!

"it is good!"

Gu Rubing slammed his hand on the table, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Let's follow Gongjin's plan! I'll stay here to distract Cao Mengde, and I'll entrust the important task of burning the grain supplies to Gongjin and Boyan!"

He paused, looked at Zhou Yu, and added in a solemn tone.

"However, Gongjin, you must be cautious. If things cannot be accomplished, you should prioritize your own safety."

Five thousand soldiers, their lives are also at stake.

Zhou Yu respectfully bowed.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

After finishing their business, Zhou Yu seemed to remember something else and casually brought it up.

"By the way, Your Highness, when Yu and Boyan came from Liangzhou, they discovered that there have been many unidentified cavalry groups operating on the Liangzhou border recently. Their movements are mysterious and they are not like ordinary bandits or tribal cavalry."

Their equipment and formation are quite sophisticated. Your Highness has made arrangements in Liangzhou, but in this matter… it is best to proceed with caution.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing waved his hand dismissively, even revealing a slight smile on his face.

"Gongjin, you are overthinking it. I have already made arrangements for the matter in Liangzhou."

Those cavalrymen, if I'm not mistaken, should be warriors under the command of that Qiang princess. I had an agreement with her that she could use them as reinforcements if necessary.

The war in Yizhou is now critical; she must have sent someone to provide support, but she hasn't yet made contact with me.

He made no connection whatsoever with Penglai.

In his mind, Penglai had just suffered a great loss in Xindu, Tong Fei's fate was unknown, and Yu Ji was far away in Liangzhou making preparations. How could they possibly have the spare energy to make small moves on the border of Liangzhou?
Seeing Gu Rubing's certainty, Zhou Yu refrained from saying anything more and simply kept the matter in mind.

After seeing Zhou Yu and Lu Xun off to prepare for the raid, Gu Rubing's smile gradually faded.

He walked alone to the top of the city wall, gazing intently at the distant Cao army camp.

Sun Jian sent Zhou Yu and Lu Xun this time, along with crucial intelligence and a ruthless plan, showing his sincerity on the surface.

But Gu Rubing knew perfectly well that Sun Jian was a two-faced man and could not be a trusted ally.

He's helping me now only because he's afraid Cao Cao will become too powerful, or that Penglai will threaten his own safety.

If the situation changes, this fence-sitter could easily switch sides.

"To negotiate with a tiger for its skin is a dangerous proposition; one must be wary..."

Gu Rubing muttered to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He decided that while taking advantage of Zhou Yu's surprise attack, he must also make thorough preparations and not place all his hopes on Sun Jian's "sincerity".

He immediately summoned Lu Su and whispered instructions to him to send more capable men to not only closely monitor Cao Cao's movements, but also to secretly keep an eye on the true movements of Zhou Yu's five thousand troops, and... any possible disturbances in the Liangzhou direction.

Sun Jian is a fence-sitter; he needs to use him, but he also needs to be wary of him.

The afterglow of the setting sun, like spilled blood, stained every charred brick and stone and the bloodstains that had not yet been cleaned from the city walls of the new capital.

Although the smoke had gradually dissipated, the air, mixed with the smells of blood, burnt food, and gunpowder, still heavily pressed against everyone's nostrils.

Gu Rubing stood alone at the gap in the city wall that Tong Fei had blasted down and was now temporarily blocked with sandbags and wooden fences, his gaze slowly sweeping across the city below.

The soldiers were like busy ants. Some bandaged their wounds with the help of their comrades, letting out suppressed groans; others, under the command of their officers, silently carried the bodies of their fallen comrades aside and arranged them neatly; and many more were clearing away broken weapons and rolling logs and stones, trying to restore a semblance of order to this ravaged land.

Everyone's face was etched with exhaustion, numbness, and a hint of bewilderment at surviving a catastrophe.

His gaze finally settled on the Anro Empire soldiers who were wearing armor slightly different from the standard armor of the Lie Army and were assisting in treating the wounded.

The five thousand men that Zhou Yu brought were indeed not many, and in the fierce battle just now, their combat mission was not the most critical.

But Gu Rubing knew in his heart that their value was far more than those few thousand swords and spears.

The moment they appeared, the fluttering Wu King's banner acted like a stabilizing force, firmly restoring the morale of the Lie army, which was already teetering on the brink of collapse!

It was this psychological support of "reinforcements have arrived" that gave Jiang Wei and Guo Huai that precious respite and morale boost needed to carry out their flanking attack.

“Zhou Yu…Sun Wentai…”

Gu Rubing silently recited the two names in his heart, a barely perceptible shadow flashing deep in his eyes.

This act of assistance, seemingly a timely help, also left him with a considerable debt of gratitude and made him unconsciously dependent on Sun Jian's power.

This feeling made him extremely uncomfortable. Dealing with an ally like Sun Jian, who was accustomed to waiting for the best price and wavering between sides, was like walking on the edge of a cliff, where he could be devoured at any moment. (End of Chapter)