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

The Xiongnu envoy spoke somewhat halting Chinese, but his meaning was clear.

“Patriarch Gongsun, Patriarch Tian. Chen is indeed tough, but as you can see, he is already at his last gasp. This afternoon we were just careless for a moment, which allowed him to take advantage of the situation. Our Great Chanyu has mobilized more warriors and will launch a general offensive no later than the day after tomorrow. Yangle City will definitely not be able to hold out until then.”

He paused for a moment, his grey-blue eyes sweeping over the two of them.

"When the city falls, according to the rules of the grasslands... do you two think your fortified village can withstand tens of thousands of warriors who are blinded by rage? What will become of your wealth, granaries, and people?"

Tian Chou's face paled slightly, and his fingers stopped tapping. Gongsun Han's eyes also sharpened.

Upon seeing this, the Xiongnu envoy softened his tone and added a hint of enticement.

"But if you two are willing to do me a favor... you don't need to do it yourself. Just quietly open the side gate of the west gate at midnight tomorrow night, and our warriors will naturally enter the city silently, take the county government and the military camp, and take control of Chen Dao."

After the deed is done, Liaoxi Commandery will naturally be under the protection of our Great Xiongnu. In return, not only Yangle, but the entire Liaoxi Commandery, and even the three commanderies of Liaodong, Xuantu, and Lelang that may be captured in the future, will enjoy control over all trade, land management, and tax collection in Han territories…

Both can be entrusted to your families for management. The warriors of the grasslands are skilled in herding and warfare, not in governing cities. We need collaborators, and you two are undoubtedly the most suitable candidates.

This is the territory of four prefectures, far larger than the area you are currently confined to in Liaoxi!

The commercial and administrative rights to the four commanderies! The temptation was simply too great. Tian Chou and Gongsun Han's breathing quickened slightly.

They originally only wanted to preserve their family in the chaos of war, and perhaps even seize some benefits.

But surrendering to the Xiongnu is too risky, and would completely ruin one's reputation. However, now that Yangle is doomed and Chendao is on the verge of destruction, rather than follow them to their doom, it would be better to... "abandon the darkness and embrace the light" in advance, which could bring immense benefits!
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the greed and determination in each other's eyes.

After a long silence, Gongsun Han slowly spoke, his voice hoarse.

"...We need more specific guarantees. How can we ensure that the Xiongnu army entering the city will not harass our fortified villages and properties? After the deed is done, how will the power be divided? We need a written agreement, using your Great Chanyu's golden seal!"

Tian Chou added.

"Also, the exact time and signal for opening the city gates must be kept absolutely secret and only the three of us should know it. Chen's crossbowmen have a very keen sense of smell."

The Xiongnu envoy smiled, knowing that the matter was mostly settled.

“These details can certainly be discussed in detail. I have brought the tokens of authorization from the Great Chanyu for negotiations and a blank parchment scroll, which we can agree on one clause at a time…”

Inside the secret room, the hushed sounds of bargaining resumed, creating an eerie and dangerous contrast with the silent night outside and the scattered torches and weary patrolling soldiers on the distant city walls.

Chen Dao knew nothing about this.

He hastily bandaged his wound, then forced himself to inspect the city walls, arranged nighttime sentry posts and patrols, and instructed all units to take advantage of the time to rest in preparation for a possible attack before dawn.

It wasn't until late at night that he dragged his body, which felt like it was filled with lead, back to his temporary lodgings, and he fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as he collapsed onto the simple bed.

However, this sleep did not last long.

A sudden burst of noise, unlike the usual clamor of sieges, jolted Chen Dao awake from his deep exhaustion.

The sound came from inside the city; it seemed to be shouting, running, and... the sound of weapons clashing? And it didn't seem to be far away!
His heart sank, and an ominous premonition gripped his soul. Chen Yi sat up abruptly, ignoring his wounds, grabbed the long knife leaning against the bed, rushed to the door, and flung it open.

A cold night wind swept in, bringing with it a clearer, more chaotic sound. Flames flickered faintly in the distant streets and alleys.

He saw his deputy general, who had reported the critical military situation to him that afternoon, now rushing in from the gate with a look of panic on his face. His helmet was askew from running so fast. When he saw Chen Dao standing at the gate, he seemed to see a savior and shouted hoarsely.

"General! Something terrible has happened! Ximen... Ximen over there..."

"...The west gate...the city gate has been opened! It was done by the Gongsun and Tian families! They...they colluded with them from within and without, letting the Xiongnu into the city!"

The lieutenant's voice was distorted by extreme fear and anger, almost cracking.

Chen Dao felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his vision even went black for a moment.

The thing he feared most, the thing he could least tolerate, had actually happened! And it happened in the dead of night, when the garrison was most exhausted and the city was on the verge of collapse! The Gongsun family!

The Tian family! These two powerful families, who have amassed wealth by exploiting the people, hoarding goods and extorting money at critical moments, have become so depraved as to betray their country and collude with the enemy!
"What's the situation now? Where are the garrison troops at the west gate?"

Chen Dao grabbed the deputy general's shoulder with such force that the man winced in pain.

"The West Gate... The West Gate garrison was caught off guard and overwhelmed by the surging Hu cavalry! The private soldiers and guards of the Gongsun and Tian families also rushed out from the streets with weapons to help the Hu barbarians clear the road!"

The barbarian cavalry has now stormed into the city and is advancing along the main street towards the county government and military camp! There are also shouts of battle coming from the south and east gates; I'm afraid… I'm afraid they've also sent men to seize the gates!

The lieutenant spoke very quickly, his voice trembling.

With the city gates breached, the advantage of the city walls vanished. The enemy stormed into the city, and what followed was brutal street fighting. And they, including all those who could still move, numbered less than five thousand.

Even if the Xiongnu allied forces suffered a setback in the afternoon, their strength would still be several times greater, not to mention they had inside agents familiar with the terrain leading the way and even participating in the attack. Without the support of the city walls and with such a disparity in troop strength, how...can they possibly win this battle?
"General! The west gate has fallen, and the main force of the barbarians has entered the city. The situation is hopeless!"

Seeing Chen Dao's ashen face, the deputy general gritted his teeth and advised him.

"While the barbarians haven't fully taken control of the gates, let's... let's protect you and break through through the north gate! As long as we're alive..."

"You bastard!" *Slap!*

A resounding slap landed heavily on the lieutenant's face, interrupting his words. Chen Dao's eyes were bloodshot, and because of the excessive force, the wound on his shoulder blade was tearing with excruciating pain, but he didn't care. He just stared intently at the dazed lieutenant, his voice sounding as if squeezed out from the coldest depths of hell.

"Liaoxi Commandery is the gateway to Youzhou and the throat of Liaodong! If Yangle is lost, the four commanderies will be isolated, the barbarians will have a stable nest, and Youzhou will never have peace again! I, Chen Dao, have been entrusted by my lord to defend this city. The city is my life, and the city will perish!"
"To speak of retreat now is no different from deserting in the face of battle! Anyone who dares to suggest retreat or disrupt morale again—" He drew his long sword with a whoosh, the blade gleaming coldly in the dim light.

"Execute him immediately without pardon! His head will be displayed on the flagpole!"

The slap and the murderous words silenced the officers and guards who had rushed over, forcibly suppressing any initial panic or hesitation they might have felt.

Chen Dao took a deep breath, suppressing the excruciating pain from his wound and the raging fire in his heart, and quickly assessed the situation. The west gate had fallen, but the barbarians had just entered the city and were not yet firmly established. Moreover, the nighttime street fighting would limit their cavalry advantage. Although his side was outnumbered, they were all veterans who had survived countless battles and were more familiar with the city's streets and alleys.

"Send me the military order!"

Chen Dao's voice was hoarse but incredibly clear.

"Abandon the city walls! All those who can move, immediately assemble at the three core locations: the county government office, the granary, and the armory! Use the streets and houses as a base to set up defenses layer by layer and resist step by step! Archers and crossbowmen on the rooftops, swordsmen and shieldmen at the alley entrances, and spearmen in formation!"
We will turn every street and every house into a graveyard for the barbarians! Tell our brothers, we have no way back; our homes and elders are behind us! Killing one is enough, killing two is a bonus! Even if we die, we will break a few of the barbarians' teeth!

"promise!"

With bloodshot eyes, the officers clasped their hands in obeisance and accepted the order, quickly dispersing to organize resistance.

Chen Dao personally led a team of the most elite White Feather Soldiers towards the main street where the shouts of battle were the most intense.

Just around the corner, torches blazed as dozens of Xiongnu cavalrymen, led by several Gongsun family private soldiers dressed in brocade and wielding sharp blades, charged down the wide street. The sound of their hooves pounding the bluestone pavement was chilling.

Further away, more torches and figures were moving about.

"Fire arrows!"

At Chen Dao's command, the archers who had been positioned on the rooftops and at the alley entrances fired a sparse but accurate barrage of arrows, and several Xiongnu cavalrymen who were charging ahead fell from their horses.

"Block the street intersection! Rush forward with spears!"

Chen Dao directed the swordsmen and spearmen to quickly construct makeshift barricades using tables, chairs, doors, and even corpses, with spears protruding from the gaps like a forest.

"boom!"

The Xiongnu cavalry crashed into the makeshift barricades, creating chaos with shouts and neighing horses. The narrow streets limited the cavalry's momentum, while the defenders' fearless resistance inflicted heavy losses on the Xiongnu cavalry.

However, there were simply too many Xiongnu people, and infantrymen continued to pour in.

They dismounted and fought on foot, wielding curved swords and spiked clubs, and launched a fierce attack from multiple directions under the leadership of Gongsun and Tian's private soldiers.

The battle quickly spread from the main street to every alley and courtyard. Flames rose everywhere, thick smoke billowed, and the sounds of clashing weapons, roars, screams, and collapsing buildings mingled together, turning Yangle City into a bloody hell.

Chen Dao led from the front, rushing to the most dangerous places. His long sword was already worn dull from all the cutting, so he had to replace it. He had several more wounds on his body, his armor was shattered, and his battle robe was stained with blood, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, still roaring and slashing with his sword.

However, the disparity in strength was brutal. The number of defenders was rapidly decreasing.

One after another, familiar subordinates fell beside him, and the hastily constructed defenses were breached one after another.

They were forced to retreat continuously, their space for maneuver becoming increasingly cramped. The number of Chen Dao's personal guards and White Feather soldiers around him also dwindled.

A Xiongnu centurion, leading a dozen or so fierce soldiers, suddenly emerged from a side alley, guided by a guard from the Tian family, and charged straight at Chen Dao. Chen Dao fought valiantly, killing two of them, but a third man's curved blade slashed a deep gash in his ribs, exposing the bone, and blood gushed out.

He staggered backward, leaning against a charred, broken wall, panting heavily, his vision blurring from blood loss and exhaustion. Looking around, he saw that fewer than a hundred of his men remained standing, surrounded by enemies several times their number. In the distance, even more Huns were closing in.

The lieutenant's face was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply at his sides. He held a knife in his remaining right hand to protect Chen Dao's flank, his voice filled with sobs and despair.

"General...we can't hold on...we..."

Looking at the faces around him, some young, some old, all equally etched with weariness and a death wish, Chen Dao felt an overwhelming sense of resentment and desolation. So much waiting, so much blood shed, so much sacrifice made, and in the end…

Is it going to be lost? Liaoxi… my lord… He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white. So be it. To die on the battlefield is the final resting place of a true man! But I have failed my lord's trust!
He took a deep breath, straightened his almost broken spine, raised the tattered longsword, and roared with his last bit of strength.

"Brothers! Follow me..."

"kill--!!!"

Just as Chen Dao was about to launch his final suicidal charge, a powerful, familiar yet clearly weak and hoarse roar suddenly erupted from the end of the long street behind them, like a thunderclap!

That sound… Chen Dao turned around abruptly, almost unable to believe his ears and eyes!
At the end of the long street, the light of torches suddenly shone, illuminating a tattered yet still fluttering banner with the character "Gu" on it! Beneath the banner, a specially made open carriage pulled by strong horses sped towards them, carrying a man clad in black armor, his face as pale as paper.

The bandage on his left shoulder was faintly bleeding, and he was even swaying slightly, needing to hold tightly to the carriage railing to keep his balance. But his eyes shone like burning stars, frighteningly bright! Who else could it be but Gu Rubing, who was still recovering from serious injuries and should have been on his way home?!
On both sides and behind the carriage, several figures swept in like tigers unleashed, carrying overwhelming killing intent! The one on the left had a face as red as a jujube, a long beard covered in dust, and phoenix eyes wide open in anger. In his hand was a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which, although cracked, shone with a faint blue and red light. It was Guan Yu!
On the right is a man with a leopard's head and piercing eyes, his beard and hair bristling, wielding his eighteen-foot spear like a black whirlwind—it is Zhang Fei! Beside him are Zhao Yun, riding a white horse and wielding a silver spear, his face stern; Ma Chao, wielding a tiger-headed golden spear that gleams with a cold light; and Huang Zhong, his beard and hair bristling, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow!

Although the five men were all pale and their breathing was unsteady, clearly still recovering from their injuries and far from their peak combat strength, the terrifying aura of legendary generals and the murderous aura accumulated from hundreds of battles on the battlefield crashed onto the battlefield like a tangible tidal wave!
Gu Rubing! Guan Yu! Zhang Fei! Zhao Yun! Ma Chao! Huang Zhong!

Any one of these six names would be enough to terrify the nomadic barbarians beyond the Great Wall, let alone all six of them appearing together! Although they looked to be in extremely poor condition, their distinctive weapons, their battle-hardened demeanor, and the fear that seemed to be branded deep in the barbarians' memories were unmistakable!
The Xiongnu allied forces, who had been howling and preparing for their final encirclement, were suddenly frozen in place, as if doused with a bucket of ice water. The Xiongnu centurions at the forefront and the guard from the Tian family were terrified, their狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) expressions instantly replaced by boundless fear. (End of Chapter)