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

With their vision obstructed and only the howling wind and the clanging of weapons in their ears, it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe!

Although the soldiers' bravery and the timely reactions of generals such as Zhang Fei and Ma Chao ultimately repelled and killed most of the attacking enemy, the Chinese side also suffered hundreds of casualties, and a considerable amount of supplies and packhorses were lost in the chaos.

However, even in the face of such difficulties and dangers, and even at the cost of bloodshed, Gu Rubing’s determination to eliminate the hidden dangers in the west did not waver in the slightest!

He knew better than anyone that only by completely and cleanly eliminating this group of Penglai remnants who were entrenched in the northwest, familiar with the terrain, and used cunning methods could he truly ensure the stability of the rear and avoid the potential threat of being attacked from both sides when confronting Cao Cao in the future!

Only then could he return eastward with peace of mind and without any worries to deal with the greatest threat!

Therefore, he personally supervised the march, refused any special treatment, and, like ordinary soldiers, endured the scorching sun and sandstorms, drank rationed, muddy water with a sandy taste, and ate dry, hard rations.

His figure was always present where the team needed morale boosting the most, and although his voice was hoarse from thirst, it was still full of undeniable power.

This spirit of sharing weal and woe with the soldiers and leading by example greatly inspired and stabilized morale, allowing this exhausted army to maintain high morale and cohesion.

After more than ten days of arduous tracking and continuous small-scale battles against the elements, the vanguard scouts returned exhausted but excited, and all the soldiers who had persevered to this point were invigorated!
In the distance, on the horizon distorted by the heatwave, a vast, desolate, and ancient outline finally appeared faintly in everyone's view!
It was an incredibly vast group of dark red rocks, riddled with holes and bizarrely shaped by millions of years of wind and sand erosion!
They stand silently in the boundless sea of ​​sand, like the cold and ferocious skeletons left on this land after the fall of some ancient behemoth, exuding an aura of vicissitude, death, and danger.

Based on all intelligence and analysis, the enemy's last stronghold is hidden in this desolate place known as "Black Sand Pass"!

The final battle to wipe them out is about to unfold in this forbidden zone of life, on this forgotten ancient ruin!

Gu Rubing ordered the entire army to set up a strong camp in a relatively sheltered place about five miles away from the Black Sand Pass Rock Group, where there was a small amount of poor-quality water.

He was not blinded by the impending decisive battle, nor did he rush to launch an attack.

He first personally led generals such as Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao to climb a high sand dune to carefully observe the terrain of the Black Sand Pass. Looking around, he saw that this wind-eroded rock formation covered a vast area, with strangely shaped rocks inside, resembling a maze.

Countless enormous rock pillars, each tens of feet high and of various shapes, rise from the ground, with bottomless, winding ravines and fissures between them.

What's more troublesome is that those rock walls are covered with large and small, dark and deep natural caves, like holes in a giant beast, providing the enemy with countless hiding places and natural fortifications.

The terrain here is extremely complex and treacherous! Large armies are difficult to deploy, and cavalry are practically useless. Completely encircling this area and preventing the enemy from escaping is even more difficult.

"Brother, this place is like a hornet's nest!"

Zhang Fei grinned as he looked at the densely packed caves, feeling a headache coming on.

Zhao Yun's expression was solemn.

"My lord, this place is easy to defend but difficult to attack. A direct assault is definitely not the best strategy."

Ma Chao also frowned.

"Our cavalry will find it difficult to exert their full strength here. If the enemy holds their ground in the caves or escapes through other hidden paths, we may not be able to achieve complete success."

Gu Rubing nodded silently. He knew that the key to this battle lay in "trapping" and "forcing", rather than simply "attacking".

He ordered in a deep voice.

"Yun Chang, Yi De, each of you will lead an army to occupy the highest rocky hills on the east and west sides respectively, establish lookout posts and crossbow positions, and firmly guard the high ground!"

"Zilong, Mengqi, you two will lead the mobile forces to patrol the outer perimeter of Black Sand Pass, find and block all possible larger passages and canyon entrances that could lead to the outside world! Set up more antlers and traps, and send troops to patrol day and night. We must not let even a rat escape!"

"Immediately dispatch all the most astute scouts, divided into several teams, to infiltrate the edge of the rock formations at any cost, and carefully reconnoiter their internal terrain, the approximate distribution of enemy forces, and especially their potential water sources and food storage locations! I need to know exactly how long they can hold out!"

The command was executed swiftly.

The army, like a sophisticated war machine, began to operate around the Black Sand Pass, this land of death.

Simple yet sturdy fortifications were erected on the high ground, and ballistae were pushed atop the rocks, controlling a wide field of fire. Patrols of cavalry and infantry constantly moved around the perimeter, like a taut noose.

The most dangerous reconnaissance missions were undertaken by the army's most elite scouts, who, like geckos, silently crept into the dangerous rocky labyrinth, using the shadows of the rocks and the cover of the ravines.

Several days later, at the cost of more than ten excellent scouts being killed or wounded, a series of reconnaissance intelligence reports stained with blood and dust were compiled on Gu Rubing's desk.

The outcome is not optimistic.

The remaining forces of Penglai are more numerous than expected, numbering approximately five to six thousand.

This included a considerable number of elite guards in well-equipped dark gold armor, as well as no fewer than a hundred sorcerers of various ranks!
They were clearly well-prepared, occupying some of the most fortified and complex core areas within the rock formations, and constructing sophisticated fortifications using both natural caves and man-made excavations, while also stockpiling a considerable amount of food and precious fresh water.

They've made up their minds to hold this place for good and resist to the bitter end!
If a direct assault is chosen, the army will inevitably have to venture deep into the labyrinthine rocky ravines and caves, engaging in a brutal struggle for every inch against an enemy familiar with the terrain.

Even if they ultimately win, they will inevitably pay an extremely heavy price in casualties.

Moreover, the enemy could very well use the extensive and still largely unexplored network of caves to break up into smaller groups and slip away through unexpected gaps, rendering this large-scale encirclement and suppression operation a failure.

Faced with this situation, Gu Rubing, along with core generals such as Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao, after repeated discussions and deductions, finally decided to abandon the costly offensive plan and instead adopt a more prudent, but also more patience-testing, long-term strategy that combines trapping and harassing the enemy!

The main force of the army continued to maintain a tight strategic encirclement of Heisha Pass, patrolling day and night, reinforcing the blockade line, and not giving the enemy any opportunity to break out or obtain external supplies.

At the same time, elite soldiers who were most skilled in mountain and cave warfare were selected from various armies to form several small assault teams, led by experienced captains, to take turns to go out.

These commandos were not seeking a decisive battle with the enemy's main force; their mission was...

They continuously launch probing, high-frequency attacks and harassment against the enemy's outer outposts, water collection points, and relatively weakly defended areas!

Like a mosquito bite, though not fatal, it keeps the enemy on edge, constantly draining their energy, arrows, and mana. More importantly, through continuous contact and friction, one can uncover the patterns and potential weaknesses in the enemy's defensive system, accumulating valuable intelligence for a potentially decisive attack.

Gu Rubing's siege strategy was like a constantly tightening net, firmly binding the remaining enemy inside the Black Sand Pass.

On this net, Huang Zhong and his sharpshooters are the sharpest and most deadly barbs!

They were meticulously positioned on the occupied high ground surrounding the rock formations, ruthlessly carrying out their sniping missions with their unobstructed views and unparalleled archery skills.

Any enemy sentry who dares to peek out from the edge of the rock formation and try to observe the outside world; any unlucky soul who sneaks out of the cave under the cover of night or sandstorm to try to get water from the few remaining seepage points that are not completely dry.
Even those patrols that slightly exposed themselves in the shadows of the ravines... once they entered the effective range of the sharpshooters, the next moment, often one or even several arrows from the Grim Reaper, with a shrill whistling sound, would accurately take their lives!

This silent yet ever-present threat of death exerted immense psychological pressure on the besieged enemy, making them extremely cautious even in the most basic activities, seeing threats everywhere.

At the same time, Gu Rubing also adopted the suggestions of the artisans who accompanied the army.

The army used local materials, including dead poplar trees and tough camel thorns from the desert, along with a small number of key components they carried, to quickly produce dozens of relatively simple but practical catapults.

These catapults were deployed behind the blockade line, intermittently and continuously hurling ignited fireballs and heavy stones into the Black Sandstone formations day and night.

Due to limitations in distance and accuracy, these attacks did not actually cause too many casualties, but the terrifying roar of the boulders crashing against the rock face was still a significant factor.

The fireballs, after landing, ignited scattered bushes, creating flames and thick smoke that constantly tormented the already tense nerves of the defenders within the rock formation.

They didn't know where the next boulder would fall, or which area the next fire attack would ignite. This continuous and unpredictable bombardment brought immense psychological pressure and fear, greatly exacerbating their mental exhaustion.

The siege lasted for several days in a suffocating atmosphere of tension.

The enemies within the rock formation began to visibly grow restless. Although they still had ample food and fresh water reserves, the looming threat of running out of supplies tormented everyone like a leech.

What's even more desperate is that they see no hope of any reinforcements arriving—Guzang has fallen, the central command has been destroyed, and the remaining forces are too busy to help themselves. Who would come to their rescue in this desperate situation?
Gu Rubingjun's relentless, persistent harassment made it impossible for them to get any real rest.

During the day, be wary of arrows that may come from nowhere and the occasional flying boulders and fireballs; at night, guard against sudden attacks by small elite forces and the mentally torturous war drums and shouts.

Everyone's mind was constantly on high alert, and fatigue accumulated like a tide.

During this period, the cornered enemy also organized several large-scale nighttime breakout operations.

They attempted to use their familiarity with the complex terrain to target the defenders' weak points and concentrate their forces to fight their way out.

However, Gu Rubing's army, which was already on high alert, was like an impregnable fortress, crushing their breakout attempts time and time again!

After suffering heavy casualties and failing to break through the encirclement even slightly, the morale of the remaining enemy forces was devastated, and their desire and ability to break out were greatly reduced.

Gu Rubing calmly observed everything. Through the scouts' reports, the analysis of the enemy's movements, and the corroboration of the prisoners' confessions, he astutely judged that the enemy's morale within the rocky outcrops had already plummeted to the brink of collapse due to the prolonged siege, harassment, and despair!
The time is ripe!
It's time to launch the final offensive and eradicate this cancer completely!

On the eve of the final offensive, Gu Rubing's central command tent was brightly lit, with a solemn and tense atmosphere.

He summoned all his key generals and made a final, extremely detailed battle plan.

He pointed to the rough, black sand dune terrain model, his eyes gleaming with a wise yet ruthless light.

"The terrain of Heisha Pass is complex, with interconnected caves that are conducive to hiding, which is an advantage for the enemy."

But the area is riddled with rocks, sparsely vegetated, and the caves are poorly ventilated—this is their Achilles' heel!

He decided to make full use of this characteristic and adopt a tactic of using fire attacks as the main method and elite assault teams to break through key points, so as to destroy the enemy's resistance in one fell swoop!

"Order!"

Gu Rubing's voice was resolute.

"All units, take immediate action! Collect all available firewood and dry grass! Concentrate our use of the kerosene we have on hand!"

In addition, send people to collect the poisonous herb called 'Ghost Cry Grass' that grows in this area, the more the better!
This herb produces a large amount of dense, pungent smoke when burned, which is also slightly toxic!

His gaze swept over Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao, three fierce generals poised to attack.

"Yide, Zilong, Mengqi! Once the general offensive begins, each of you will lead five hundred of the most elite and skilled soldiers in the army, who are best at mountain climbing and close combat in caves, to form three assault spearheads!"

They rushed into the rock formation from the east, west, and south directions as soon as the fire started and thick smoke filled the air!
Your mission is to penetrate deep into the enemy's likely core hiding area, eliminate their leader, disrupt their command, and drive the remaining enemy forces towards the pre-arranged ambush area to the north!

"The last general takes command!"

Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"All other units, hold the outer defense line firmly. Archers and crossbowmen, prepare to kill any enemy who tries to escape! Catapult units, on my command, launch a comprehensive fire attack!"

All preparations were completed in the tense yet orderly night.

As the first glimmer of light appeared on the eastern horizon, the strategist who had been observing the celestial phenomena came to report.

"My lord, the east wind is rising!"

A glint flashed in Gu Rubing's eyes. He abruptly drew his long sword, pointing it directly towards Black Sand Pass, and issued the earth-shattering order for a general offensive. (End of Chapter)