Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

In early April,

Lu Yong dispatched Jiang Qin, under the pretext that Zhuge Jin had requested the rescue of Zhuge Xuan, to lead 5,000 troops to Nanchang.

The fleet sailed upstream along the Yangtze River.

After passing through Poyang Lake in Chaisang, the lake turns into the Ganjiang River waterway to the southwest.

Then, heading south along the Gan River, they reached Nanchang.

They traveled entirely by water, without needing to land.

Five thousand soldiers can conserve their strength as much as possible on the ship so they can immediately engage in battle upon arrival.

Lu Yong had already explained everything in his secret letter to him.

On the surface, they were going to rescue Zhuge Xuan, but in reality, they were there to help Liu Bei capture and control Nanchang, the capital of Yuzhang.

Zhuge Xuan was merely appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhang by Yuan Shu, and did not have the endorsement of the imperial court.

In addition, he did not have his own retinue, and after arriving in Yuzhang, he was not really recognized by any local aristocratic families.

Zhu Hao, appointed by the imperial court,

Not only was there a formal appointment, but there was also the support of local prominent families in Yuzhang.

Although he had no soldiers.

However, the number of guards and protectors cobbled together from those aristocratic families was four or five thousand.

Standing at the bow of the ship, Jiang Qin watched as Pengli Lake drew ever closer and gave the order:

"Pass down the order: upon entering Poyang Lake, the entire army shall be on high alert. All ships shall maintain distance, and if encountering the enemy, do not panic!"

A major war is now inevitable.

…………

Danyang Prefecture, outside Moling City.

Sun Ce reined in his horse and stood on a hillside, gazing at the city walls of Moling in the distance.

Moling City is not a large city, but Liu Yao's remnants have retreated there and are holding out for five days.

Zhou Yu rode up and said, "Bo Fu, the city's food supplies are running low and morale is low. We can launch a general offensive tomorrow."

Sun Ce nodded, then turned and said, "Send the order down: rest well tonight, and launch the general offensive first thing tomorrow morning!"

The next day at dawn, Sun Ce led five thousand soldiers to form ranks below the city.

He was clad in black iron armor, with an ancient sword hanging at his waist and a long spear made of wrought iron in his hand. He rode a yellow warhorse, displaying a heroic and striking appearance.

Cheng Pu walked up to him and reported, "Young Master, this humble general has led the troops to break through the city!"

Sun Ce shook his head and said, "I will lead the charge!"

finished,

Sun Ce raised his spear and spurred his horse, charging to within a hundred paces of the city walls.

Five thousand soldiers behind him shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the fields.

When the defenders on the city wall saw Sun Ce personally taking to the battlefield, their morale plummeted.

Without wasting words, Sun Ce pointed his spear forward and roared, "Attack the city!"

The soldiers set up ladders and surged toward the city wall.

Sun Ce was the first to climb the city wall, and in less than half an hour, the city wall was successfully breached.

Sun Ce led his army into the city, and Liu Yao's remaining troops knelt down and surrendered.

Riding my horse along the streets of Moling, I saw soldiers kneeling in surrender and terrified civilians on both sides of the road.

Sun Ce reined in his horse and said to Han Dang beside him, "Pass down the message: do not disturb the people. Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos will be killed without mercy!"

"I accept the order!" Han Dang accepted the order and left.

Zhou Yu caught up from behind and said, "Bo Fu, Moling has fallen, the next step is Qu'a. Once Qu'a is taken, Wu Commandery will have no more protection!"

Sun Ce laughed and said, "Once I take Qu'a and incorporate Liu Yao's remnants, I can march west to Danyang and compete with Liu Bei."

Before he finished speaking, a scout rode up on horseback.

The scout dismounted and knelt on one knee: "General, urgent report from Danyang."

Sun Ce took the silk scroll and unfolded it. His gaze swept over it, and the smile on his face gradually froze.

Zhou Yu sensed something was wrong and leaned closer to ask, "What's wrong?"

Sun Ce handed him the silk scroll, his voice slightly stiff as he said, "Zu Lang has surrendered. Lu Yong pacified the four southern counties of Danyang in just one month."

Zhou Yu took the silk scroll and read it quickly, skimming through it.

After reading it, Zhou Yu's face showed an unusual solemnity.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "I never expected that my plan would be foiled before I could even put it into action."

Sun Ce looked at Zhou Yu, reached out and patted him on the shoulder, but did not say anything.

My brother is a rare strategist, and he is skilled in both literature and martial arts.

Unfortunately, Liu Bei also had a similar figure, who had surpassed them step by step.

Zhou Yu looked up and gazed in the direction of Danyang County in the northwest.

His voice was very soft, as if he were muttering to himself: "Since Zhou Yu was born, why was Yong also born..."

Sun Ce gazed intently at Zhou Yu, then couldn't help but offer words of comfort: "Gongjin, one or two defeats are nothing. We still have a chance."

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, his expression returning to its usual calm and confident state.

He put away the silk scroll and said to Sun Ce, "Bo Fu, we need to speed things up. Now that Lu Yong has pacified southern Danyang, he will definitely target us next."

After saying that, he suddenly gave a bitter laugh and said:

"Lu Yong has been secretly plotted against by me several times, and he probably hates me to the bone by now."

He definitely won't let us off easily. Are you ready?

Sun Ce was silent for a moment, then said, "Even if there are a thousand difficulties and ten thousand dangers, I, Sun Ce, will have no fear!"

……

Dangtu County.

Zhao Yun was followed by Zhao Yu and Zhao Ping, who were patrolling the city defenses on the city wall.

Dangtu was Liu Bei's northernmost bridgehead in Danyang County, and also the place closest to Niuzhuji.

Liu Bei's order has been delivered, commanding him to lead his troops to Niuzhuji and cut off Sun Ce's retreat route north.

Behind Zhao Yu were several female soldiers.

They wore identical, custom-made leather armor and had short knives hanging from their waists.

Although they were not as well-equipped and sophisticated as regular soldiers, they were full of spirit and determined.

"Brother, the city defenses are all arranged." Zhao Yu said softly to Zhao Yun, "I will assist Uncle Zhao Ping in defending Dangtu City."

Zhao Ping is an elderly man in Zhao Family Village, around forty years old, experienced and composed.

After joining Liu Bei with Zhao Yun, he served as Zhao Yun's deputy general.

As for Zhao Yu

She had previously received special permission from Liu Bei to recruit strong women to form a female army.

Afterwards, Zhao Yu recruited three hundred female soldiers. After their daily training, they assisted Zhao Yun in maintaining order and helping women and children.

Zhao Yun looked at Zhao Ping and said, "Uncle Zhao, after I leave, I'll entrust Dangtu to you."

Zhao Ping clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "General, rest assured, the city stands as long as we stand!"

Zhao Yun nodded, then turned to Zhao Yu: "Never let your guard down, nor should you act recklessly. If there is any enemy activity, send someone to report to me immediately!"

Zhao Yu patted the short sword at her waist and said, "Brother, you underestimate us. These three hundred sisters may not be as good as the male soldiers, but they are more than capable of defending the city."

Zhao Yun reached out and rubbed Zhao Yu's head, then turned and walked down the city wall without saying anything more.

Below the city, a thousand cavalry and a thousand infantrymen had already lined up in formation.

Zhao Yun mounted his horse, and the white horse neighed and reared up.

He reined in the horses and glanced at the soldiers behind him.

These men were all veterans given to him by Liu Bei; they were seasoned soldiers with extensive experience in battle.

I recall the strategist Lu Yong, who used 5,000 new soldiers to defeat Zu Lang's 30,000-strong army and pacify the four southern counties of Danyang.

Zhao Yun couldn't help but think to himself, "I, Zhao Zilong, must never disgrace my lord and strategist!"

Raising his gleaming silver spear, Zhao Yun's tip traced an arc in the sunlight as he roared, "Soldiers, follow me into battle!"

Dangtu City Wall

Zhao Yu watched silently as Zhao Yun's troops departed into the distance.

Standing beside Zhao Yu, Zhao Ping said softly, "Don't worry, Zilong will surely achieve great things on this journey!"

"Brother, you definitely will!"

……