Three Kingdoms: Zhang Fei was sent flying by a single spear thrust, leaving Liu Bei stunned.

On the official road from Shouchun to Runan, the 50,000-strong army stretched out like a long dragon.

In the center of the army, Ji Ling rode a magnificent warhorse, full of pride and satisfaction.

His personal guards were reporting the military situation at the front: "General, General Sun Ce's vanguard has scouted the area and found that Shangcai is only thirty li ahead. No trace of Cao Cao's army has been found along the way."

"Hmm." Ji Ling responded casually, a hint of disdain on her face.

"What Cao army? They're nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs," he said to his adjutant. "Zhang Xun is a complete waste; a mere detachment has scared him like this. When I get there, watch how I annihilate them in one battle!"

The lieutenant quickly flattered, "General, your bravery is unparalleled! How could Cao Cao's mere troops possibly be a match for you!"

Ji Ling laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the flattery.

In his view, this expedition was nothing more than a leisurely armed parade. Cao Cao's main force was locked in a fierce battle with the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou; what elite troops could he possibly send to Runan? At most, ten thousand men would die.

With an army of 50,000 under his command, he could crush them wherever his troops pointed.

His only worry right now is that kid named Sun Ce.

Along the way, this kid always contradicted him.

He ordered a rapid march, but Sun Ce said that the army was exhausted and should proceed steadily, and be wary of any traps.

He told his soldiers to relax a bit when setting up camp, but Sun Ce also said that they should remain vigilant at all times within the war zone.

"What does a mere brat know about warfare!" Ji Ling complained to his deputy. "If it weren't for his father Sun Jian's influence, I would have dismissed him long ago! He really thinks he's someone important."

The lieutenant chimed in, "General, you are right. That Sun Ce is merely relying on brute strength; he knows nothing of military strategy or tactics. Our lord has already been too kind by appointing him as the vanguard."

Ji Ling sneered, "Vanguard? They're just cannon fodder for scouting. Once the fighting starts, I'll see what use their few thousand remnants can be."

Just as Ji Ling and his deputy were chatting and laughing, Sun Ce, at the forefront of the army, had a furrowed brow.

He reined in his horse and stopped, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily.

"What's wrong, young master?" Huang Gai, who was riding up beside him, asked.

Sun Ce pointed ahead and said in a deep voice, "Uncle Huang, look at this terrain."

Huang Gai looked in the direction he pointed and saw a narrow valley ahead, through which the official road passed, with rolling hills and dense forests on both sides.

"This terrain...is indeed quite treacherous." Huang Gai, a seasoned veteran of many battles, immediately saw the problem. "If someone has laid an ambush here, our army is in grave danger."

"That's right." Sun Ce nodded, his expression growing increasingly grave. "I have a feeling something's not right. This journey has been too smooth; we haven't even encountered a single scout from Cao Cao's army. This isn't normal."

"If Cao Cao's commander isn't a fool, he must have prepared a 'big gift' for us here."

Han Dang urged his horse forward and said urgently, "Then what are we waiting for? Quickly send someone to inform General Ji Ling to be on guard, or to take a detour!"

Sun Ce gave a wry smile and shook his head: "It's no use."

"Do you think I didn't warn him?" Sun Ce's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Ever since we entered Runan, I've sent people every day to tell him to be careful of ambushes. But did he listen? He just thought I was exaggerating and being a coward."

"If I tell him now that there's an ambush here, he'll just think I'm deliberately causing trouble again, and he might even accuse me of undermining morale."

"Then...what do we do?" Cheng Pu asked anxiously. "Are we just going to watch our army walk right into their trap?"

Sun Ce remained silent for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"We can't control Ji Ling, but we can control ourselves."

He lowered his voice and instructed the veteran generals beside him: "Pass on my order to have our men slow down and distance themselves from the central army. Everyone, weapons in hand, bows strung, ready for battle at any moment."

"If anything changes ahead, don't even think about rescuing the central army. Immediately break through to the slopes on either side; preserving our strength is the most important thing!"

"Young Master!" Huang Gai and the others exclaimed in shock, "This...this is desertion in the face of battle! If word gets out, your reputation will be ruined!"

"Reputation?" Sun Ce sneered. "What's the use of reputation when you're about to lose your life? My life, Sun Bofu's life, is far more precious than that fool Ji Ling's."

"Besides, we're not fleeing, we're making a strategic retreat." Sun Ce's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "Even if Ji Ling's 50,000 troops fall into an ambush, they can't be completely annihilated in a short time. Cao Cao's main force will inevitably be tied down. That will be the best opportunity for us to counterattack from the outside!"

"Whether it's saving lives or... sharing the credit, that depends on our own abilities."

After listening to Sun Ce's analysis, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Cheng Pu exchanged glances, all seeing shock and admiration in each other's eyes.

They did not expect that, in such a critical situation, their young master would not only remain calm, but would also be able to devise such a bold and meticulous countermeasure in an instant.

This mindset and decisiveness far surpass those of ordinary people!

"We will obey the young lord's orders!" The three veteran generals clasped their fists together, their voices filled with conviction.

Sun Ce's orders were quietly passed down among his several thousand Jiangdong soldiers.

The speed of this team gradually slowed down, and they gradually created a considerable distance between themselves and Ji Ling's central army.

Ji Ling, however, was completely unaware of this.

He was urging his army to hurry into the valley ahead. In his view, once they crossed this valley, they would see the walls of Shangcai.

He had even begun to imagine how grateful Zhang Xun would be when he led his army to the city walls, and how terrified Cao Cao's army would be when he arrived.

He was only one step away from the glory he had imagined.

But what he didn't know was that he was only one step away from hell.

The vanguard of the army had entered the valley entrance, and the narrow terrain made the marching column longer and more cumbersome.

Ji Ling rode on his horse, humming a little tune, in a pleasant mood.

In the mountains and forests, Xun You stood on a high slope, quietly watching the army below writhing like a long snake.

The messenger beside him had already gripped the command flag tightly, waiting for his order.

"That's about it." Xun You said calmly as he watched Ji Ling's central army banner enter the center of the ambush zone.

"Give the order: Move out!"