With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Cao Cao's goal was simply to win; he did not want to completely defeat Jiangdong in one battle, because if Sun Quan was defeated, then the unification of China would inevitably follow, and the world would be quickly pacified.

Cao Cao feared that he would become the next target to be eliminated after Sun Quan.

The tragedies of "when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away" are likely to be repeated in Cao Cao's life.

Even if he wouldn't lose his life, Cao Cao was worried that his power would be taken away, that he would be sidelined, and that he would no longer be able to get involved in anything.

Therefore, Cao Cao wisely kept a contingency plan. However, Cao Cao did not expect that Sun Quan would also come to the south bank.

Cao Cao's original intention was simply to have Huang Zu and Wen Ping launch a surprise attack, forcing Zhou Yu to retreat, thus achieving his goal. However, when they discovered that Sun Quan was also on the south bank, Huang Zu and Wen Ping became extremely excited, as if they had discovered a great treasure.

Because Sun Quan's temptations were simply too great!

After Wen Ping landed, he locked onto Sun Quan and pursued him relentlessly, while Huang Zu left only a small number of men to guard the ship.

When Lü Meng led his army back, they headed straight for Huang Zu and attacked. The Jiangdong navy surrounded them en masse.

Huang Zu then realized something was wrong. While fighting the enemy, he sent someone ashore to inform Wen Ping and urge him to evacuate quickly.

Lu Meng decisively divided his forces into two groups, sending Ding Feng and Xu Sheng to deal with Huang Zu, while he led Ling Cao ashore quickly, cutting off Wen Ping's retreat.

It's no wonder Wen Ping was eager to make a name for himself; anyone would be tempted by a big fish like Sun Quan.

Wen Ping relentlessly pursued Sun Quan, and although Lu Su was a civil official, his performance at crucial moments was no less impressive.

Lu Su remained remarkably calm, not only organizing his troops to protect Sun Quan but also willingly covering Sun Quan's retreat and blocking Wen Ping's pursuit.

When Wen Ping discovered that Lü Meng had led his troops ashore, he realized something was wrong and hastily turned back. Unfortunately, Lü Meng's forces far outnumbered Wen Ping's.

Lu Meng was seething with anger. Everyone thought they were about to win a great victory, but Cao Cao had outmaneuvered them. He had nowhere to vent his rage, so he decided to take it out on Wen Ping.

Lu Meng gritted his teeth, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and immediately ordered, "Kill them! Don't let Wen Ping escape!"

Ling Cao charged forward with his spear, followed closely by the Jiangdong soldiers like a tidal wave, quickly surrounding Wen Ping and his men.

Wen Ping desperately tried to break through the encirclement, but the Jiangdong troops surrounded him layer by layer, making it impossible to get through.

Huang Zu's side was also unable to withstand the attack, and the situation was critical. The Jiangdong army's strength far exceeded theirs. Cao Cao only sent a few thousand men for the surprise attack, while Lü Meng's retreating troops numbered no less than 30,000.

Seeing that the fleet was about to be completely trapped, Huang She hurriedly reminded Huang Zu, "Father, let's retreat quickly, or we won't be able to leave."

Huang Zu was also extremely anxious. He quickly glanced at the river and saw Ding Feng and Xu Sheng on the left and right, respectively, about to complete the encirclement. However, he couldn't even see Wen Ping's shadow.

The sounds of battle echoed from the south bank as Jiangdong soldiers landed one after another to reinforce Wen Ping, cutting off his retreat.

Huang Zu was caught in a dilemma. He now had only two choices: either continue to wait for Wen Ping, which would most likely result in the annihilation of the entire army, leaving no one able to escape.

The second option is to decisively abandon Wenpin and leave on your own.

Cao Cao had originally sent them to launch a surprise attack on the south bank; as long as they forced Zhou Yu to retreat, the mission would be successfully completed.

However, Cao Cao did not expect Sun Quan to be on the south bank, nor did he expect Zhou Yu to withdraw his troops so decisively.

"Father, give the order quickly."

Huang She urged again, when suddenly a cold arrow came from the opposite side. Before Huang She could react, it pierced his back with a thud.

"She'er..."

Huang Zu felt a pang of heartache and rushed forward to hug Huang She. Many soldiers also raised their shields to protect the two of them.

It was Xu Sheng from Jiangdong who made the move!

Xu Sheng's expression was stern. He glanced in their direction and then urged, "Charge them! Make sure none of them escape!"

"Kill!"

The Jiangdong soldiers shouted in unison, some rowing boats, others shooting arrows, and they drew closer once more.

Blood trickled from the corner of Huang She's mouth. Lying in Huang Zu's arms, he said weakly, "Father, hurry up and go, or we won't be able to leave."

Huang Zu suddenly turned around and glanced in the direction where Wen Ping was trapped, but still couldn't see Wen Ping's shadow. In the end, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and order, "Withdraw the troops!"

Despite this, Huang Zu paid a heavy price when he led his fleet to break through the encirclement. Huang She did not last long before he died, and less than 20% of the thousands of soldiers he brought with him remained.

After Ding Feng and Xu Sheng defeated Huang Zu, they immediately received new orders from Lü Meng, instructing them to return immediately to meet Zhou Yu.

Because Zhou Yu was the soul of Jiangdong's army, he stayed alone on the north bank to save Jiang Qin. Now that the danger on the south bank has been eliminated, Lü Meng immediately thought of Zhou Yu and was determined not to let anything happen to him.

After Huang Zu left, Wen Ping's group continued to break through. Lü Meng laughed heartily and simply waved his hand, "Make way for them!"

With a whoosh, the Jiangdong soldiers moved swiftly to the left and right like parting waves, making way for Wen Ping.

After a fierce battle, Wen Ping had less than a thousand men left.

Wenping hurriedly led his men over, but when they arrived at the riverbank, they discovered that Huang Zu had already left with his men.

Ling Cao glanced at Lü Meng and couldn't help but praise, "Lü Meng, your move was indeed brilliant."

While it may seem like they're lifting the restrictions, the real purpose is to make Wenpin and his ilk utterly despair.

Lu Meng led his men to flank from behind, and even on the river, many warships from Jiangdong were approaching. The soldiers on the ships drew their bowstrings and aimed at Wen Ping.

Wen Ping looked around and saw that the soldiers all had empty and blank eyes. Some were sighing and some couldn't even hold their weapons and dropped them to the ground.

At this moment, a feeling of despair, like a plague, has enveloped everyone's heart.

They had nowhere to run and truly understood what it meant to be utterly helpless. Lü Meng led his men to approach again, coldly eyeing Wen Ping. Lü Meng laughed loudly, "Wen Ping, you didn't expect this, did you? We will settle the score with Cao Cao sooner or later for the grudge from the Battle of Red Cliffs, and you are a generous gift we are giving to Cao Cao."

After saying that, Lü Meng waved his hand and coldly gave the order, "Kill them all!"

The Jiangdong soldiers roared and charged forward, and Wen Ping and his men were quickly swallowed up by the giant wave. The Cao soldiers, who had no will to fight, quickly became victims of the blades. Wen Ping was no exception; his body was pierced by several spears, leaving him looking like a bloody gourd.

While both Zhou Yu and Liu Bei were pursued by Cao Cao's army, their treatment was vastly different, with Cao Cao focusing his attention on Zhou Yu.

Yu Jin, Yue Jin, Cao Ren, and Xiahou Dun all led their men to besiege Zhou Yu, almost driving him to his death.

This is a wide-open space, some distance from the shore.

Surrounded by a group of civil and military officials, Cao Cao ascended a high slope, from which they looked down upon the battlefield.

Zhou Yu was left with only a little over two thousand men, surrounded by tens of thousands of Cao Cao's troops. Cao Cao's army formed a huge circle, blocking Zhou Yu's path and giving him no chance whatsoever.

But Zhou Yu remained calm and composed in the face of danger. He organized his troops together, dividing them into groups for cooperation. The swordsmen and shieldmen, holding shields, guarded the outermost perimeter, while the spearmen and archers were inside.

The Jiangdong soldiers were tightly packed together, like a giant iron hedgehog. Every time Cao Cao's army approached and attacked, they encountered their tenacious counterattack.

Mao Jie asked Cao Cao, "Prime Minister, you showed great leniency towards Liu Bei, only allowing Lu Zhao and Zhu Ling to lead a small force to pursue him, but you spared no effort to surround Zhou Yu with a large army. Zhou Yu is exceptionally talented and a genius of our time. Does the Prime Minister not want to spare his life and take the opportunity to subdue him?"

Everyone looked at Cao Cao, knowing that he always valued talent and regarded it as the most important thing.

However, Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Zhou Yu is a man of extraordinary talent. I know that his abilities are no less than yours. However, Fengxiao said that this man will never be of use to me, so he must not be kept."

Cao Cao's objective in this battle was to defeat Sun Quan, severely damage Jiangdong, and ensure that Jiangdong would never recover. Zhou Yu was Sun Quan's right-hand man, and it was clear that he could not be allowed to live.

Cao Cao suddenly became interested and said with great pride, "I heard that there are two Qiaos in Jiangdong, both of whom are extremely beautiful. Da Qiao married Sun Ce and Xiao Qiao married Zhou Yu. Tell Zhou Yu that soon, both Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao will be mine. Tell him not to worry, I will treat his beautiful wives well for him."

Mao Jie, Xu Yi, and others frowned, but many more burst into laughter, and some even rushed to flatter Cao Cao.

Zhao Da, the school official, said with a fawning expression, "The two Qiao sisters of Jiangdong are such unparalleled beauties that only the Prime Minister is worthy to enjoy them."

Cao Cao laughed even more triumphantly, while Xiahou En rode his horse down the slope to deliver a message to Zhou Yu. When he got close, Xiahou En shouted at the top of his lungs to Zhou Yu.

"Zhou Yu, listen carefully! The Prime Minister has spoken. After you die, he will take good care of Xiao Qiao for you, and he will also take Da Qiao into his household. Both Qiao sisters of Jiangdong will belong to the Prime Minister!"

Cao Jun's soldiers burst into laughter. Just thinking about being able to have two stunning beauties by his side at the same time and enjoy the bliss of having two wives made some of them drool.

Zhou Yu was so angry that his face turned ashen and his teeth were clenched. But as angry as he was, he was in a desperate situation and could not afford to be distracted.

"Kill!"

Cao Ren launched the first attack, and Yu Jin and Yue Jin followed suit. Cao's army swarmed forward and launched a fierce siege.

Countless swords and spears flashed in the air, and the shouts of Cao Cao's army shook the heavens and the earth. Soldiers charged forward one after another, and even if those in front were killed by Jiangdong soldiers, they could not stop their fierce offensive.

Cao Cao's army was simply too numerous, blotting out the sky, their numbers as vast as a raging flood.

Zhou Yu commanded calmly, launching counterattacks while searching for an opportunity to break through the encirclement. He would not give up hope until the very last moment.

Zhou Tai stood right beside Zhou Yu, never leaving his side, like a loyal guard. His body was already covered in wounds and blood.

From the start of the rescue of Jiang Qin until now, Zhou Yu and his men have been engaged in fierce battles, constantly entangled by Cao Cao's army.

Several waves of attacks were blocked by the Jiangdong soldiers. The Jiangdong soldiers were gathered together, and their defensive power was really too strong.

After thinking for a moment, Cao Ren decisively transferred the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry over, and now the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry is under the command of Cao Zhen.

Cao Ren instructed Cao Zhen: "Make sure you break through their lines and scatter the Jiangdong troops' formation."

Cao Zhen nodded vigorously, "Leave it to me, nephew."

At Cao Zhen's command, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry quickly assembled. Each Tiger and Leopard Cavalryman was a heavily armored cavalryman, their armor gleaming, and they carried long spears. They were all carefully selected, and could be described as the elite of the elite.

Under Cao Zhen's command, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry suddenly unleashed their power, charging towards the Jiangdong troops like a pack of mad tigers.

In an instant, warhorses neighed and spears flashed. Cao Zhen took the lead, his eyes fixed on the approaching enemy formation. He secretly vowed to completely break through and scatter the Jiangdong troops.

Once Zhou Yu's troops are scattered, they will become lambs to the slaughter.

Cao Cao, standing on high ground, watched the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry go into battle and was filled with anticipation.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was Cao Cao's most valued elite force. Although it was small in number, totaling only two thousand men, each Tiger and Leopard Cavalryman was a precious treasure.

Cao Cao selected the best horses for them, dressed them in the best armor, and their weapons were also made with great expense. Every piece of equipment cost a lot of money and was very valuable.

That's not the most important thing. If you randomly pick one of them and put him in another team, he could at least be a centurion. They are all elite soldiers.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry charged forward with terrifying momentum, their hooves thundering and their spears gleaming.

Yu Jin quickly cleared the way so that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry could launch their charge.

When Zhou Yu saw that a group of heavily armored cavalry was approaching, he realized that something was wrong and hurriedly ordered, "Move the shields to the east and block them."

Chen Wu hurriedly grabbed a shield and led his men to rush eastward, as the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were attacking from the east.

Standing on high ground, Cao Cao could clearly see that Zhou Yu responded promptly and decisively. The shields of the Jiangdong soldiers continued to converge eastward. Then, a loud booming sound reached his ears, and even though it was far away, Cao Cao could feel the huge impact.

Countless shields gathered together, but the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were simply too powerful. It was like a giant iron hammer smashing down. The shield bearers in front screamed in pain, and many Jiangdong soldiers were knocked away by their warhorses.

The warhorses of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry fell to the ground one after another, neighing in pain. But the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry behind them continued to charge forward, crashing into the ground repeatedly. The Jiangdong soldiers suffered heavy casualties; some were knocked away, while others were mercilessly trampled by the huge hooves of the horses.

Chen Wu, shield in hand, blocked three warhorses in succession. The immense force of the impact was unbearable; it felt as if his internal organs were about to shatter. He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood. (End of Chapter)