The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Time flies, and the winter of Guanghe 6 passed in repression and turmoil, ushering in the spring of Guanghe 7.

Spring should be a season of renewal and hope. But this spring, the air was devoid of any sign of life, only the bloody stench of impending storm.

In February, Zhang Jiao, a native of Julu in Jizhou, officially launched an uprising with the slogan "The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise; in the year of Jiazi, great fortune will come to the world."

Within a month, thirty-six regions across eight provinces—Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, and Yu—simultaneously responded. The Yellow Turban Rebellion spread like wildfire, engulfing most of the Eastern Han territory. Wrapped in yellow turbans, they shouted slogans, captured cities, burned government offices, and slaughtered officials.

The world was shaken!

When the news reached Yingchuan, the entire city was thrown into panic.

Yingchuan is located in the heart of Yuzhou, which was one of the hardest-hit areas during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Meanwhile, the Xun residence was a scene of orderly and busy activity.

All of Xun Hao's arrangements over the past year came in handy at this moment.

Those of the Xun family's caravan that could return to Yingchuan did so, while those that could not took a detour or temporarily camped outside the pass. At least the grain, salt, medicine, cloth, ironware, books, and other supplies were already stored in the secret room.

The city wall, repaired through a "work-for-relief" program, is three feet higher and one foot thicker than before.

The moat, which had been silted up for many years, was dredged and widened, and the water was icy cold.

This is all the effort the Xun family could make for Yingchuan.

On this day, Xun Hao and Guo Jia once again ascended that pavilion.

The gentle spring breeze dispelled the winter chill. But in their hearts, there was no warmth whatsoever.

"They've arrived," Guo Jia said softly, carrying a wine jug and gazing at the northern horizon.

Xun Hao followed his gaze and saw a dark mass of "ants" appearing on the distant official road.

It was an army of countless people, with banners waving and dust flying, slowly moving towards Yingchuan.

Even from more than ten miles away, Xun Hao seemed to be able to hear the deafening shouts of battle and smell the pungent stench of blood.

Bo Cai was the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

He finally came.

"Judging from this force, there are at least 50,000 men." Guo Jia's tone was unreadable.

Xun Hao's heart sank little by little.

Fifty thousand people.

Inside Yingchuan City, there were not many guards, only a few thousand at most.

This is a war in which there is no chance of victory.

"Scared?" Guo Jia turned his head, looked at him, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

Xun Hao shook his head.

Is he afraid?

Of course he was afraid.

But unlike the sense of powerlessness he felt back in Jinan Prefecture, this time, although he was afraid, he felt a sense of confidence.

"With Brother Fengxiao here, what do I have to fear?" Xun Hao looked at Guo Jia and said earnestly.

Historically, Guo Jia was able to escape unscathed during this siege, and his brothers all lived well. There's no reason why they shouldn't be able to do so this time.

Guo Jia was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "You little rascal, you know how to talk. Fine, for that, I'll show you in the very first battle today."

He drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp, then smashed the bowl heavily on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"Let's go! Let's meet this General Bo Cai!"

In Guo Jia's eyes, there was no fear, only the excitement and fervor of displaying his talents.

Xun Hao followed behind him, looking at his slightly thin yet incredibly dashing back, and suddenly felt at ease.

Yeah, with this guy around, what's there to be afraid of?

When the two arrived at the city wall, Prefect Guo Xun was leading a group of officials, pacing anxiously on the city tower.

Guo Xun was a typical official of the late Eastern Han Dynasty: greedy, incompetent, and cowardly. Looking at the massive, dark army outside the city, he was so frightened that his legs went weak and he could barely speak.

"What...what should we do? The enemy army is too strong, should we...should we just open the city gates and surrender?"

"My lord, you mustn't!" Xun Yu cried out urgently from the side. "The Yellow Turban rebels have burned, killed, looted, and committed countless atrocities wherever they go. If we open the city gates, all the people will become prey! At that time, we will all be sinners for all eternity!"

"But...but if we don't open the city gates, how can we hold out with so few men?" Guo Xun was almost in tears.

Just then, Guo Jia and Xun Hao came up.

"Who says it can't be held?"

"Guo Fengxiao, why did you bring Ahao here?" Xun Yu began by rebuking him, but before he could introduce him, Guo Xun frowned and said, "Who are you? How dare you spout such nonsense here!"

"My name is Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao." Guo Jia casually cupped his hands in greeting. "Just an unknown nobody. However, I'm quite confident I can deal with this rabble outside the city."

"You?" Guo Xun looked him up and down, his eyes full of suspicion and disdain.

"My lord," Xun Yu spoke up at the opportune moment, "Master Fengxiao is a close friend of mine, a renowned genius in Yingchuan. You might want to listen to what he has to say."

With Xun Yu acting as guarantor, Guo Xun's attitude softened somewhat.

"Alright, then... what brilliant idea do you have?"

Guo Jia didn't waste any words. He walked to the city wall, pointed to the Yellow Turban army that had begun to set up camp outside the city, and said, "My lord, please look. Although the rebel army numbers 50,000, their formation is scattered, and their camp setup is completely disorganized. They have traveled a long distance, and their men and horses are exhausted, and their morale is low. This is one reason."

"Secondly, the rebel army is nominally 50,000, but only 10,000 to 20,000 of them are actually able-bodied men. The rest are the elderly, women, and children, and are refugees who have been coerced into coming here. They are not worth worrying about."

"Thirdly, and most importantly," Guo Jia said with a confident smile, "they underestimated us."

He pointed to Bo Cai's central command tent: "Look, Bo Cai has set up his camp directly within the range of our ballistae. This shows that in his eyes, the small city of Yingchuan is utterly vulnerable, and he wants to take it all in one fell swoop."

"Since he wants a quick victory, it must be because he doesn't have much food. Dragging it out will be disadvantageous for him. We can make a show of force and delay for a few days until the imperial reinforcements arrive." If Guo Jia said he would annihilate the enemy, Guo Xun would naturally not believe it, but he was more willing to listen to the suggestion of delaying until reinforcements arrived.

"Then how do we bluff?"

"It's very simple. Your Excellency can order all the garrison troops in the city to immediately climb the city walls and beat the drums to cheer them on! Remember, the louder the better! Let the Yellow Turban rebels outside the city see just how 'numerous' our Yingchuan soldiers are!"

"Beat the drums to cheer them on?" Guo Xun was taken aback. "It's...it's that simple?"

"Yes, it's that simple."

Despite his doubts, Guo Xun still issued the order.

Soon, the not-so-high city walls of Yingchuan were filled with a sparse number of garrison soldiers.

"Thump! Thump! Thump thump thump!"

The sound of war drums rose into the sky.

Although the number of people was small, the drumbeats were deafening and filled with a chilling atmosphere.