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

If this trend is not stopped, even if our army has 100,000 men, it will be nothing more than a disorganized mess. How can we compete with the world's strongest armies?

He walked back to the map and pointed heavily at Yuzhang County.

"Zhang He must be attacked! And the attack must be swift and fierce! Before he makes contact with Gu Rubing's main force and before he completely stabilizes the Nanchang defense line, we must annihilate or drive him out of Yuzhang with lightning speed!"

Only in this way can our flanks be secure, Kuaiji truly secure, and we can advance north to Wujun and Danyang, or even west to Jingzhou, without any worries about our rear!
This is a foolproof strategy, risky but worth the gamble! If we hesitate because we fear Gu Rubing's main force might return to reinforce, thus missing the opportunity, we would truly be penny-wise and pound-foolish, trapping ourselves in a deadly situation!

Zhou Yu's analysis was clear and logical, and his decisive action, coupled with the intimidating effect of his earlier display of authority, silenced all those in the hall who dared to openly oppose him. Even Huang Gai silently nodded, acknowledging Zhou Yu's judgment. Although his methods were ruthless, Zhou Yu's strategic vision and decisiveness were indeed superior.

Sun Quan was terrified by the bloody scene just now and was completely at a loss. Looking at Zhou Yu's unquestionable posture, he knew that it would be useless to say anything more, and it might even bring trouble upon himself.

His lips trembled, and he finally lowered his head and whispered.

"One... everything is up to the Governor's decision."

Zhou Yu glanced at him and shook his head inwardly.

This young master, having suffered a defeat before, has lost his courage. Staying in the army would not only be of no benefit, but might even be a hindrance.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Huang Gai.

"General Huang, the young master has been frightened today, and a great battle is about to take place here, fraught with danger. I implore you to arrange reliable men to escort the young master back to the South China Sea to meet with our lord and explain the situation and our army's next strategy."

"I also ask the young master to convey to the lord that the Battle of Yuzhang is crucial to the overall situation and is imperative. Please do not worry, lord, and await good news."

This was both a way to give Sun Quan a way out and a way to remove him from the core of decision-making, thus avoiding interference. Upon hearing this, Sun Quan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Alright, alright, I'll go back and report to my father right away."

Huang Gai understood and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Rest assured, Commander, I will arrange it personally."

After Huang Gai led the distraught Sun Quan away, Zhou Yu faced his generals again, his face devoid of any gentleness, only displaying a cold and decisive nature.

"Pass on the order!"

Zhou Yu's clear and melodious voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Han Dang's troops will leave 5,000 men to garrison key passes in Kuaiji, clear out the remaining enemy forces, pacify the local area, and ensure the smooth flow of supplies. The rest of the troops will immediately move towards Nanchang and join the main force at the Yuzhang border!"

"General Huang Gai's vanguard will rest for a day and set off at dawn tomorrow to lead the main army straight towards Nanchang!"

"The rest of the units, immediately take stock of your troops and equipment, and carry five days' worth of rations and the necessary supplies for the siege. The day after tomorrow at dawn, the entire army will set off for Nanchang City in Yuzhang County! This battle must be swift and decisive. Before Gu Rubing can react, we must capture Zhang He and pacify Yuzhang!"

"promise!"

The generals below the hall had no further objections and responded in unison, their voices carrying a forced fighting spirit and a hint of awe.

Zhou Yu watched the departing general receive his orders, then turned his gaze westward once more.

Nanhai Commandery, the prefectural governor's office.

Sun Quan was escorted all the way back to his father, Sun Jian, at almost breakneck speed. Upon seeing him, he immediately knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face before he could speak, his expression a mixture of shock, grievance, and resentment.

"Father! Father, you must stand up for your child!"

Sun Quan's voice was choked with sobs as he embellished and vividly described his "experiences" in the Kuaiji army.

He emphasized how Zhou Yu acted arbitrarily in front of his generals, and how he ruthlessly killed "more than ten" generals who held different opinions because of a disagreement, causing blood to splatter in the command hall and terrifying him to the point of losing his soul.

It deliberately obscures Zhou Yu's strategic analysis, instead highlighting Zhou Yu's "complaints" about failing to intercept Zhang He's reinforcements.

“Gongjin… Commander Zhou, in front of all the generals, said something like, ‘If General Han Dang hadn’t failed in his duty, allowing Zhang He to escape, why would we have to change our strategy today and increase the risks?’ This… this is clearly a complaint against you, Father, for your poor personnel management and mishandling!”

As Sun Quan spoke, he secretly observed Sun Jian's expression.

"He also said that the original plan was no longer applicable, and that we must immediately launch a strong attack on Yuzhang to annihilate Zhang He, otherwise our army would be in danger of collapse. Your son... Your son felt this proposal was too risky, and after offering some advice, he..."

He then threatened him with military law and forcibly sent the child back! Father, Zhou Yu now holds considerable military power and is arrogant and self-willed. Does he still respect you? If this continues, he may become too powerful to control!

Sun Jian sat upright in the main seat, his face calm, his fingers tapping the armrest of the chair idly.

As he listened to his son's sobbing, especially when he heard about Zhou Yu's killing of generals, complaints about the ineffectiveness of the vanguard, and the forced change of the established strategy, a clear hint of displeasure and coldness flashed deep in his sharp, hawk-like eyes.

Zhou Yu was someone he relied on heavily, and could even be considered his greatest asset in returning to Jiangdong and pursuing his grand ambitions. This man was young and promising, skilled in strategy, and proficient in both naval and land warfare; he was truly an unparalleled military genius.

But precisely because of this, his high aspirations and decisive actions sometimes made him somewhat difficult for Sun Jian to control. Sun Jian's original intention for this southward expedition was to quickly seize the rich lands of Jiangdong, establish a foothold, and avoid engaging in an early and costly battle with Gu Rubing's remaining main force.

Zhou Yu made a last-minute decision to launch a strong attack on Kuaiji. Although he supported this, he also believed that they should stop while they were ahead and take advantage of the situation to expand northward. Now, however, Zhou Yu wants to turn west and tackle the tough nut of Zhang He... This is indeed somewhat different from his original intention.

What displeased Sun Jian even more was Zhou Yu's attitude towards Sun Quan and the generals in the army. Executing dissenters might establish authority, but it could also easily demoralize the soldiers and make Sun Jian appear incompetent in managing his subordinates.

Sending Sun Quan back "politely" was ostensibly for protection, but wasn't it also a disguised form of "expulsion" and "warning"?
"Alright, Zhongmou, get up."

Sun Jian finally spoke, but his voice betrayed little emotion.

"On the battlefield, the commander-in-chief has the right to make decisions on the spot. Gongjin's use of troops has always been reasonable. The execution of generals... may be inappropriate, but it must have been for the purpose of maintaining military discipline."

As for changing strategy, he must have had his reasons for making the decision. You are still young and inexperienced in major battles; some fear is understandable. It's good that you've returned; you can learn and observe more by your father's side.”

These words, seemingly meant to appease Sun Quan and exonerate Zhou Yu, subtly conveyed a hint of dissatisfaction and reservations about Zhou Yu's unauthorized alteration of the grand strategy. Sun Quan understood perfectly. His father hadn't harshly reprimanded Zhou Yu, but clearly, resentment had taken root in his heart. Sun Quan dared not say another word, meekly rising and retreating to the side, a sly glint of triumph flashing in his lowered eyes.

Sun Jian waved his hand, signaling Sun Quan to go and rest.

He sat alone in the hall, gazing at the map of Jiangdong hanging on the wall, his eyes shifting between Kuaiji and Yuzhang. Zhou Yu… I hope your judgment is correct. If we can capture Zhang He before Gu Rubing's main force returns to reinforce, securing our flank, it will be a great achievement.

But if the siege drags on without success, or if the losses are too great… Sun Jian’s eyes flashed coldly, and he didn’t think any further. For now, he could only choose to trust Zhou Yu’s military talent, and at the same time, he needed to make some other preparations just in case.

Just as Sun Quan returned to the South China Sea to "complain" to Sun Jian, Zhou Yu's army had already been mobilized swiftly and decisively, leaving the Kuaiji Commandery, which they had just occupied and whose embers were still burning, and marching in a mighty procession into the territory of Yuzhang Commandery.

Banners fluttered, swords and spears stood like a forest, and tens of thousands of troops marched through the hills and waterways of Jiangnan. Although they tried to remain quiet, the heavy footsteps, the hoofbeats, and the sound of wheels rolling over the road still formed a heart-stopping torrent, startling birds and scaring away beasts.

The towns and villages along the way in Yuzhang Commandery were terrified at the mere mention of his name; some closed their gates to defend themselves, while others fled at the mere sight of him, none daring to challenge his might. Zhou Yu's army advanced almost at marching speed, reaching the walls of Nanchang without any hindrance.

The city walls of Nanchang.

Zhang He, clad in armor, pressed his hand against the crenellations of the city wall, his face grave as he gazed at the enemy camp outside the city, which stretched out like dark clouds and eventually surrounded Nanchang City on three sides.

Looking around, the camps stretched as far as the eye could see, their banners clearly visible. A rough estimate suggested that their forces were at least four or five times larger than his own! What weighed heavily on his mind was that the enemy's formation was disciplined, their morale was high, and they were clearly a victorious army, with their commander-in-chief giving decisive orders.

"Any news about reinforcements?"

Zhang He didn't turn around, but asked in a hoarse voice.

The deputy general standing behind him shook his head with a grim expression.

"General, I have dispatched three groups of fast horses to Nanjun, Guiyang, and even directly to the north in the direction our lord might pass through, to request reinforcements. But so far... there has been no response."

The roads to Nanjun and Guiyang seem to be tightly blocked by Sun Jian's army, making it difficult for our messengers to get through. The north... the journey is too long; even if the messengers could reach them, reinforcements would take time to arrive, I'm afraid..."

Zhang He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Even without the deputy general saying it, he already had a bad feeling. Ever since retreating to Nanchang, he had been trying to contact the rear, but all he got in response was silence.

He didn't know exactly what had happened, but the situation before him spoke volumes—he, Zhang He, and his exhausted army of less than ten thousand men had become a lone force deep behind enemy lines, an island surrounded by a vast ocean.

At this moment, Zhang Ren, who was stationed in Guiyang County, was also facing tremendous pressure and helplessness.

It wasn't that he didn't want to rescue Zhang He; Jiang Wei was overseeing the overall situation in Lingling, guarding against Liu Zhang, while he was stationed in Guiyang, facing the direct threat from Sun Jian's main force in Nanhai Commandery. Sun Jian was a shrewd strategist and had long anticipated that Zhang Ren might come to Zhang He's aid from the north.

He specially dispatched Lu Xun, a young but already promising general under his command, to lead 30,000 elite troops to garrison the northern part of Luling County, which was precisely located at the choke point of several essential routes from Guiyang County to Yuzhang County.

Lu Xun did not launch an offensive against Guiyang, but instead relied on the terrain to establish a strong fortified camp, deploy scouts extensively, and firmly guard key routes. Zhang Ren's forces were not particularly abundant to begin with.

He also had to divide his troops to guard various passes. Facing an opponent like Lu Xun who was steady and had the advantage of terrain, if he forced his way north to open up the road, not only would his chances of winning be low, but he might also suffer heavy losses and even leave Guiyang vulnerable, giving Sun Jian an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

He could only watch helplessly as flames of war rose in the direction of Yuzhang, constantly sending out small groups of troops to try to outflank or infiltrate, but with little success and no real support for Zhang He.

Beneath the walls of Nanchang, Zhou Yu's command flag was raised in front of the central army camp.

Instead of immediately ordering an attack on the city, he set up camp and completed the encirclement of Nanchang. Instead, he sent an envoy with a document to the city walls, requesting an audience with Zhang He.

After a moment's thought, Zhang He agreed to speak with the other side from the city wall.

Zhou Yu did not come in person; instead, a messenger dressed as a scholar arrived. He had a clear voice and called out to the city walls from across the moat.

"General Zhang He! My commander Zhou said that casualties are inevitable in battle, but you are a famous general from Hebei, whom my commander has always respected. I'm sure you understand the situation today."

With no reinforcements from outside and lacking provisions from within, how long can this isolated city, facing tens of thousands of victorious troops, hold out, even if the general is skilled in defense? It will only lead to the needless deaths of the soldiers and civilians within the city!

Zhang He's face remained ashen, and he did not reply.

The messenger continued.

"My commander-in-chief has come south on the orders of Lord Wu, with the aim of recovering lost territories and pacifying the people of Jiangdong. He originally did not wish to commit further bloodshed. The incident at Kuaiji was a last resort. Now, our army is approaching Yuzhang because your troops are stationed there, threatening our flank and rear. We have no choice but to do this."

The governor said that if the general was willing to consider the overall situation and care for the soldiers, and open the city gates to surrender the soldiers and civilians, the governor would treat him with courtesy, ensure that the general would not lose his post, that his subordinates would be safe, and that the people in the city would be spared the calamity of war.

Lord Wu is eager to find talented people. With your abilities, General, if you are willing to submit, you will surely be given an important position and we can work together to achieve great things. Wouldn't that be far better than being trapped here in this hopeless situation, where everything is destroyed?

As expected, Zhou Yu chose to persuade Zhou Yu to surrender first.

Upon hearing this, Zhang He's facial muscles twitched slightly, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. Zhou Yu's words struck a chord with reality. Their retreat was cut off, reinforcements were hopeless, and although the city still had some food reserves, how long could they sustain themselves by simply consuming them? A bloody battle to the bitter end seemed to offer only a predictable outcome.

Zhang He was not afraid of death, but what about his brothers who had followed him for thousands of miles and had just gone through a fierce battle? What about the innocent civilians in the city?

Surrender? Since joining Gu Rubing's service, Zhang He had been deeply trusted and entrusted with important responsibilities. Although his lord was currently in the north, he would surely travel day and night to reach him. If he were to open the city gates and surrender now, not only would his lifelong reputation be ruined, but he would also be ashamed of the lord's kindness and favor. How could he face the world afterward?

Seeing Zhang He remain silent, the envoy added fuel to the fire.

"General Zhang, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve. Gu Rubing has been seriously injured and fled north, his fierce generals have been lost, and his strength has been greatly weakened. It is still unknown whether he can make a comeback."

My lord, Lord Wu, commands a stronghold overseas, with well-trained troops and ample provisions. Now he has returned to Jiangdong, and the hearts of the people are with him; the tide has turned. General, you are a wise man. Why should you be sacrificed in this desolate city for the sake of a declining power? I urge you to reconsider!

On the city wall, apart from the sound of the wind and the faint clamor coming from the enemy camp in the distance, there was complete silence.

All the guards' eyes were fixed on Zhang He's retreating figure. The deputy general's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back and simply gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Zhang He's answer was not given through words, but through actions. (End of Chapter)