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

Meanwhile, Liu Bei gradually gained the upper hand. After all, Zhou Yu still had an arrow wound on his left arm. Liu Bei seized the opportunity and knocked Zhou Yu's weapon away. He wanted to grab Zhou Yu, but a figure quickly arrived from behind.

By the time Liu Bei realized it was Guan Yu, it was too late to stop him!
With boundless rage, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade mercilessly cleaved Zhou Yu's neck. This talented and valiant Zhou Yu of Jiangdong died at the hands of Guan Yu, carrying many regrets in his life!

Guan Yu was also helping Liu Bei, because he was worried that Liu Bei was not decisive enough!
Having killed Zhou Tai and Zhou Yu in succession, Guan Yu arrogantly surveyed the entire scene, his terrifying aura chilling to the bone. The Jiangdong troops, already depleted from prolonged fighting, saw that Zhou Yu was dead, and their morale collapsed completely.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Liu Xun and Zhang Ren launched a fierce attack, and less than half an hour later, the battle was completely over.

When Liu Bei arrived in front of Liu Xun, he saw that Liu Xun was covered in blood and looked like a blood-soaked man. He felt a great sense of shame and realized that he had lived such a long life in vain and was not even as good as a young junior.

After Liu Xun managed to exchange greetings, his body could no longer support him, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Eldest son."

"General."

The Xichuan soldiers around him were thrown into chaos, all of them were extremely worried. Liu Xun's performance in this battle earned him the respect of every Xichuan soldier.

Zhang Ren hurriedly sought medical help. Fortunately, no vital organs were injured, but the injuries were too severe. Liu Xun was immediately sent to Chengdu, and the task of defending the city was temporarily handed over to Zhang Ren.

Guan Yu suggested, "Since we've already killed Zhou Yu, and Sun Quan doesn't know the news yet, let's send someone to Sun Quan to tell him to continue sending reinforcements to Xichuan."

Guan Yu's method was effective, but it overlooked Sun Quan's attitude.

When Sun Quan received the news of the reinforcements, he was furious. He thought to himself, "Zhou Yu, how dare you! I have repeatedly lowered my stance and tried to persuade you to withdraw your troops, but you insist on not listening. This is outrageous!"

In the end, Sun Quan only symbolically sent two thousand men to meet Zhou Yu and urged him to return quickly.

Jiangdong already lacked sufficient troops and simply couldn't afford to waste time.

Lu Su also understood that as long as Zhou Yu knew that Sun Quan had sent two thousand men, he would definitely give up.

But no sooner had the reinforcements been sent to Xichuan than Cao Cao’s massive army suddenly appeared outside Jiangling City that very night. The army was so large that it blotted out the sky, numbering in the tens of thousands, as if it had appeared out of nowhere from the ground.

"Oh no! Cao Cao's army is here! A lot of them are here!"

The messenger rushed to Lu Su in a panic, as if he had seen something horrifying; his face turned pale with fright.

Lu Su hurriedly climbed the city wall. Torches had already been lit outside the city. After just one glance, Lu Su could no longer remain calm.

Panic and disbelief instantly overwhelmed Lu Su.

"How could that be? Wasn't Cao Cao in a standoff with the imperial court?"

Overnight, the area outside the city was teeming with people!
The dark, imposing army stretched as far as the eye could see, like a dark cloud pressing down. Banners fluttered in the wind, and swords, spears, and halberds gleamed with a cold, sharp light.

Lu Su's expression turned solemn, and he couldn't help but gasp. The densely packed Cao army camp resembled a boundless, dark ocean, filled with a suffocating sense of oppression.

His gaze swept over Cao Cao's well-organized ranks and superior equipment, and his heart was filled with worry. Cao Cao's army was overwhelming, like a heavy mountain, making it hard to breathe.

Soon, Lu Su spotted Cao Cao in the crowd. Not only did he see Cao Cao, but there was also another person riding alongside him.

The procession outside the city split to the left and right, and the two men continued to move forward. The closer they got, the clearer Lu Su could see them.

That handsome face and aloof demeanor—who else could it be but the Emperor of Han?

When Cao Cao and the emperor appeared at the same time, even if Lu Su was slow to understand, he immediately figured out what was going on.

Cao Cao glanced at the city wall and asked in a deep voice, "Is that Lu Su, Lu Zijing from Jiangdong, on the city wall?"

"Exactly."

Lu Su nodded, pondering a solution.

"You don't need to think about anything anymore. I have already divided my troops into two groups. One group is heading to Yiling to intercept the troops you just sent to Xichuan, while the other group is attacking Jiangling. However, I am very disappointed. Sun Quan is too stingy. He only sent two thousand troops to Xichuan."

It seems Cao Cao was very disappointed. If Sun Quan had sent 20,000 men, it would have been even better; he could have wiped them out in one fell swoop, ensuring they never returned.

Lu Su's heart sank. He was unaware that Zhou Yu had been killed by Guan Yu.

Liu Xie spoke up, "General Lu Su, the situation is now settled. Jiangling is heavily surrounded. Fighting like a cornered beast will only increase casualties. I consider you a loyal and righteous man. If you are willing to surrender, I will forgive your past transgressions and treat you with great courtesy, so that we can work together to bring peace to the world."

Soon, someone ran up to report, "Something bad has happened! Many enemy warships have also been spotted at the ferry crossing on the other side of Jiangling."

Liu Xie said, "That's right. I have already ordered people to go down the Han River and circle around to the other side, blocking your retreat."

There are only two routes in and out of Jiangling. The land route is now surrounded by Cao Cao's army, and the other side is the Yangtze River waterway. Since the Yangtze River and the Han River are connected, Cao Cao's army secretly bypassed them by taking warships, blocking Lu Su's retreat route.

Lu Su stood atop the city wall, overlooking the army outside the city, his face grave. His hand, gripping his sword, trembled slightly as his mind raced with thoughts.

But his eyes still revealed determination and resolve as he replied, "Your Majesty, a loyal minister does not serve two masters. I have received the favor of Lord Wu, and I will defend Jiangling to the death. I will never surrender!"

Liu Xie sighed slightly and advised again, "General, why be so stubborn? The people yearn for peace. The longer Sun Quan occupies his territory, the longer there will be war. If we continue to resist, the flames of war will rage and the people will suffer. Can you bear to see such a tragedy? Surrender to me, and you will bring happiness to the people. It is also a righteous act."

However, Lu Su remained unmoved, straightened his back, and said loudly, "My mind is made up, Your Majesty need not say more!"

Cao Cao laughed dismissively, "Your Majesty, why waste words with him? He wants to be a loyal minister and live and die with Jiangling, so I will grant his wish."

Cao Cao immediately asked Liu Xie for instructions, "Your Majesty, just give the order. Within a day, Jiangling will surely fall into the hands of the court." Cao Cao spoke with unwavering determination and confidence.

Liu Xie was somewhat puzzled, and Lu Su on the city wall also felt that he was being underestimated. "You think you can take the city in just one day? Cao Cao, your tone is a bit too arrogant."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly, "If you don't believe me, do you dare to make a bet with me? If I can take the city in a day, you will surrender to His Majesty. Is that alright?"

"This?" Lu Su was troubled, and frowned deeply.

Guo Jia, who was standing nearby, joked, "Since Mr. Lu Su is so confident in defending Jiangling, how come you can't even hold out for a day? Is it that the Prime Minister is just boasting, or do you lack confidence?"

Liu Xie spoke again, "I am willing to be a witness."

This put Lu Su in a dilemma. With so many soldiers watching him, Lu Su could not show weakness.

If he doesn't even have the confidence to hold out for a day, then there's no point in fighting at all.

Lu Su hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll take the bet! If I hold out for a day, what will you say?"

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Then I will withdraw my troops immediately. I mean no joke!"

The more this happened, the less certain Lu Su became. He hurriedly ordered a full-scale alert, sending all the soldiers in the city to the city walls.

Everyone on Lu Su's side was on edge, bows were strung, swords were drawn, and logs and stones were being continuously hauled onto the city wall. Lu Su gave the order that no one could relax, and even if someone needed to relieve themselves, they were not allowed to leave the city wall.

Everyone must be on high alert and cannot be careless in the slightest.

However, while Lu Su had prepared to defend the city, Cao Cao did not order an attack. Not only did he not attack, but Cao Cao also took the emperor away with a smile.

Cao Jun remained inactive, leaving Lu Su puzzled and bewildered.

"What exactly is Cao Cao trying to do? Is he deliberately playing a joke on me, making fun of me?"

However, since Cao Cao's army did not attack, Lu Su dared not be careless, and this situation continued as time went on.

Lu Su waited on the city wall all night, and the soldiers dared not doze off; none of them slept a wink.

But the Cao army outside the city wasn't so tense. They ate when they needed to eat, rested when they needed to rest, and could even sit on the ground when they got tired of standing.

The next day, Cao's army still showed no signs of attacking the city, which made Lu Su even more puzzled.

However, Jiangling was still under siege, and Lu Su dared not relax his vigilance, especially since he had a bet with Cao Cao.

Lu Su had no choice but to persevere. He only took a short break at noon and ate something.

As the sun began to set, the time agreed upon with Cao Cao was almost up. Although he knew Cao Cao was always cunning, Lu Su still felt a little hopeful.

Anyway, Cao Cao didn't attack the city, so we managed to defend it for the day.

As the appointed time approached, Lu Su saw Cao Cao once again.

As soon as Cao Cao appeared, the army outside the city immediately became serious. Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun were fully armed and followed Cao Cao closely.

Looking at Lu Su, Cao Cao smiled, "Lu Su, it's been a day. How have you been?"

Lu Su thought to himself: What's so good about it? I haven't rested for a whole day and night.

Lu Su hurriedly asked, "Cao Cao, does our agreement from yesterday still stand?" This was what he was most concerned about.

Cao Cao stretched out his arms. "Excuse me, I just woke up and didn't hear you clearly. Could you please repeat it?"

Lu Su felt that Cao Cao was playing a trick on him. He hadn't rested for a day and a night, but Cao Cao had just woken up.

So Lu Su patiently repeated, "Last night you made a promise with me that as long as I could hold Jiangling for one more day, you would withdraw your troops. Do you really mean that?"

Cao Cao nodded. "As the current Prime Minister, I am of the law. How long until the agreed time?"

Lu Su said, "There is still one hour left!"

Cao Cao laughed and said, "Then don't be too anxious. I will order an attack on the city right away."

Lu Su's face turned ashen, and he immediately questioned, "Could it be that the Prime Minister is playing a trick on me?"

Cao Cao shook his head seriously, "How can this be considered a game? When to attack the city within one day is entirely up to me."

Cao Cao's statement was not wrong, and Lu Su naturally could not refute it.

"Cao Ren, where is Xiahou Dun?"

"Here!" the two responded loudly.

Cao Cao's previously playful and leisurely expression vanished, replaced by an icy coldness. "I order you to attack the city with all your might, without fail!"

"Here!"

With only one hour left, the 50,000-strong army suddenly launched a fierce attack. Lu Su's feelings were very complicated, and he thought to himself: What can be accomplished in one hour?

It would take a long time just to advance the siege ladders to the city walls.

Despite the circumstances, Lu Su dared not be careless and had to brace himself and fight with all his might.

Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun led an army of 50,000 men that surged in like a tidal wave.

The military flags fluttered in the wind, creating a chilling melody. The soldiers' shouts shook the heavens, as if trying to tear the sky apart.

The sound of horses' hooves rolled in like thunder, raising clouds of dust that seemed to change the very color of the sky and earth.

On the city wall, the Jiangdong soldiers looked solemn as they watched the rapidly approaching Han army. Yes, it was the Han army!

From this moment on, there will be no more Cao army in the world!
Cao Ren led the charge, his warhorse neighing as he brandished his long sword and shouted commands to direct his soldiers to charge.

Xiahou Dun, with one eye wide open, led a team of elite troops straight towards the city gate with great courage and fearlessness.

Ladders were erected one after another, and Han soldiers climbed up like ants, rushing towards the city wall with no regard for anything else. The 50,000-strong army blotted out the sky and stretched as far as the eye could see. So many people surged forward like a vast ocean, making people feel despair.

The Jiangdong troops numbered only a few thousand, and their morale and spirit were completely at a disadvantage because they had not slept for a day and a night.

The archers and catapults outside the city also unleashed their power, raining down arrows that blotted out the sky and quickly suppressed the arrows of the Jiangdong soldiers defending the city. The trebuchets, which had been improved by Liu Ye, also unleashed massive stones that roared and crashed down on the city walls and bombarded the enemy.

The catapults launched huge stones, some of which landed on the city wall with a dull thud, causing bricks and stones on the wall to crack and debris to fly everywhere.

The aim of this thing is indeed difficult to control, but it has the advantage of having enough of them, so it can hit the target from time to time. Once it lands in a crowd, blood splatters everywhere and screams fill the air.

Under Lu Su's command, the Jiangdong soldiers launched a continuous counterattack, raining down arrows and throwing rolling logs and stones down to the city walls.

But Lu Su never dreamed that, under the cover of night and the siege, a group of people suddenly appeared in the city. There were only two hundred of them.

Nobody knew where these people came from. The Jiangdong soldiers were almost all engaged in fierce fighting on the city walls, and even though there were some guards at the city gates, their numbers were not many.

In ancient siege warfare, the inner side of the city gates had heavy gates, unlike what is shown on TV where there are only two large doors that can be easily broken open.

Siege warfare is basically fought on the city walls; trying to break down the city gates is as difficult as climbing to heaven.

Furthermore, Cao Cao did not ram the city gates when attacking the city; instead, he used siege ladders to launch attacks on the city walls.

As a result, Lu Su naturally committed all his troops to the city walls.

After these two hundred men appeared, they did not hesitate at all. Like a pack of mad wolves with bloodthirsty fangs, they charged straight toward the city gate.

The leader, with a fierce look on his face, filled with murderous intent, was none other than General Cao Zhen! (End of Chapter)