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

The battle in the valley is now completely over.

Of Yuan Shu's 50,000 troops, apart from the hundred or so who escaped with Sun Ce, the rest either died, surrendered, or were captured.

The entire valley has been transformed into a massive hell on earth.

Blood flowed like rivers, and corpses piled up like mountains.

The soldiers of the Flying Bear Army were cleaning up the battlefield, gathering prisoners, and counting the spoils of war.

The joy of victory was evident on everyone's face.

They won this battle too easily and too decisively.

Zhang Ziqian rode his horse and slowly surveyed the battlefield.

Hua Xiong and Cao Ang followed behind him.

Hua Xiong was overjoyed. In this battle, he burned the enemy's supplies and beheaded many people, adding another thick entry to his record of merits.

Cao Ang's face turned pale, and his expression was complicated.

Although he killed several enemies and made contributions, the bloody and cruel scenes on the battlefield still had a huge impact on him.

For the first time, he truly felt that war was not a game.

"How are you? Scared?" Zhang Ziqian glanced at Cao Ang and asked casually.

Cao Ang took a deep breath and shook his head: "No. It's just... a little uncomfortable."

"You'll get used to it eventually," Zhang Ziqian said. "If you want to be a general, if you want to achieve great things, this is what you have to go through. In the future, there will be many more brutal scenes than this."

Cao Ang nodded heavily: "I understand."

As he watched Zhang Ziqian's retreating figure, a newfound sense of awe and respect appeared in his eyes.

This man not only possesses unparalleled martial prowess, but also a heart of steel.

Only by following such people can one survive in chaotic times, and even thrive.

"General!" Xun You rode over, a smile on his face. "A great victory! Our army has won a resounding triumph! We have killed over 10,000 enemies, captured over 30,000, and seized countless weapons, armor, and provisions. Ji Ling has been captured, and Sun Ce has fled with serious injuries. Our casualties are less than 500."

At the cost of 500 lives, they annihilated 50,000 enemy troops.

This is absolutely a glorious victory that will go down in history!

"Well done." Zhang Ziqian nodded, somewhat satisfied with the result.

His only regret was that Sun Ce escaped.

However, there's plenty of time in the future.

"What should we do with the prisoners?" Zhang Ziqian asked.

Xun You said, "I have already sent people to interrogate them. Most of these soldiers are farmers who were forcibly conscripted, not die-hard loyalists of Yuan Shu. We only need to execute the stubborn ones, and select the strong and capable ones to supplement our army. The rest can be sent home, given some food, and let them spread the name of benevolence and righteousness for our army."

"Do as you say." Zhang Qian wasn't interested in these matters; he always just killed without caring about the burial. With Xun You as his chief steward, he was much less worried.

He raised his head and looked in the direction of Shangcai City.

"Now, let's go see what expression General Zhang Xun in the city has."

……

The city walls of Shangcai.

Zhang Xun has been standing here for a day and a night.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the eastern horizon.

Starting yesterday afternoon, Cao Cao's army outside the city launched a frenzied attack.

The sound of drums and shouts of battle echoed through the sky.

Although there were no actual siege weapons, their imposing presence still terrified him.

He could only urge his soldiers to maintain a strict guard and not dare to relax their vigilance in the slightest.

He pinned all his hopes on Ji Ling's reinforcements.

He calculated the time; Ji Ling's army should have arrived today, no matter what.

Once reinforcements arrive, he can open the city gates and, together with Ji Ling, completely annihilate the Cao army outside the city.

Finally, around noon today, he heard it.

He heard the thunderous sound of horses' hooves coming from the east.

He saw it: Cao Cao's army banners covering the mountains and plains, closing in on the valley.

He knew that reinforcements had arrived.

The battle has begun.

Zhang Xun's heart was in his throat.

He stared intently at the distant valley. Although he couldn't see the specifics of the battle, he could hear the earth-shattering shouts and see the thick smoke rising into the sky.

The battle must be extremely fierce.

His deputy also looked tense and expectant.

"General, General Ji Ling will surely defeat Cao Cao's army! Should we... prepare to leave the city?"

Zhang Xun shook his head: "No, let's wait a bit longer. Let's wait until the situation becomes clearer."

Although he longed for reinforcements, he was also an extremely cautious person.

He wanted to wait until Ji Ling completely defeated Cao Cao's army before going out of the city to pursue them; that would be the safest course of action.

However, he waited and waited.

I waited from noon until dusk.

The shouts of battle in the valley gradually subsided.

The thick smoke gradually dissipated.

Everything returned to calm.

It was as if nothing had happened.

What happened?

Are you done playing?

Who's winning?

Zhang Xun's heart was filled with doubt and unease.

None of the spies he sent out returned.

The entire city of Shangcai was like an isolated island, completely cut off from the outside world.

Just as he was becoming extremely anxious, he saw an army appear on the western horizon.

It's Cao Cao's army!

They're back!

Zhang Xun's heart sank suddenly.

He saw that the returning Cao army was in good formation, with bright flags, and showed no signs of defeat.

Moreover, their ranks also included a large number of prisoners.

The prisoners were all dejected, their armor and helmets discarded, and they were wearing the uniforms of Yuan Shu's army!

Zhang Xun's mind went blank with a "buzz".

Lost?

General Ji Ling's 50,000-strong army... just like that, was defeated?

He couldn't believe his eyes.

He rubbed his eyes hard and looked again.

That's right.

Those were indeed prisoners of Yuan Shu's army.

He also saw a prison cart in front of Cao Cao's army.

Inside the prison van was a man covered in blood, his hair disheveled.

Although his face was not clearly visible, Zhang Xun recognized him at a glance from his iconic armor.

That's... Ji Ling!

"Thump!"

Zhang Xun's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

His last hope was completely shattered.

The soldiers guarding the city wall also witnessed this scene.

Everyone was stunned.

The reinforcements are gone.

The general has been captured.

How can we fight this battle?

An atmosphere of despair spread throughout the entire city.

The soldiers looked at the dark mass of Cao Cao's army below the city, and at the large "Zhang" banner fluttering in the wind, their eyes filled with fear.

Just then, a rider flew out from Cao Cao's army formation below the city.

The man on horseback was Cao Ren, who had just arrived and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath.

Looking at the dejected scene on the city wall, he felt a surge of pleasure.

He reined in his horse, faced the city wall, and shouted loudly, "Listen up, Yuan Shu's army on the city wall!"

"Your reinforcements have been completely annihilated by our army! Their commander, Ji Ling, has been captured alive!"

"Those who know what's good for them will quickly open the city gates and surrender! Otherwise, when the city falls, not a single one of them will be spared!"

Cao Ren's voice, like a heavy hammer, struck the hearts of every garrison soldier.

On the city wall, there was utter silence.

Zhang Xun collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, unable to utter a single word.

His psychological defenses have completely collapsed.