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

Liyang, the main hall of the government office.

Liu Wu knelt below the hall, head bowed, not daring to speak.

Lu Yong put down the bamboo slips in his hand, glanced at him, and asked, "How many people were killed?"

"More than 600 were killed and more than 800 were wounded." Liu Wu's voice was a little hoarse and dry: "This humble general led the troops without authorization and fell into Zhou Yu's ambush. I beg the military advisor to punish me."

After a moment's consideration, Lu Yong said, "I'll deduct half a year's salary, demote you to the rank of military officer, temporarily assume your original post, and give you another fifty strokes of the cane. If you commit another offense, all offenses will be punished together."

Liu Wu kowtowed and said, "Thank you, strategist!"

"Go down."

Liu Wu stood up and left.

After Liu Wu left the hall, Shen Yi said, "That Zhou Yu is indeed cunning; only you, strategist, can subdue him."

Lu Yong shook his head slightly, "I only succeeded because of caution and luck."

Shen Yi took Lu Yong's words as mere modesty and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "General Guan, what do you think of your request to attack Jurong?"

"Taking Jurong wouldn't be of much use, and Zhou Yu wouldn't hold it to the death."

After a pause, Lu Yong continued, "Send a letter to General Guan, instructing him to leave a feint and detour to Qu'a. Once Sun Ce and Liu Yao have decided their battle, General Guan can directly attack Qu'a!"

"What about us?" Zhang Fei was getting impatient.

Lu Yong smiled mysteriously and said, "In one hour, we'll travel light and head straight for Wu County!"

"Attack Wu County directly?!" Shen Yi was startled and asked, "Wu County is in the heart of Wu Commandery. Wouldn't that be too risky?"

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but lick his lips.

Lu Yong explained, "Liu Yao is far away in Qu'a, and Wu County is poorly defended. Our army, with 15,000 men, can launch a surprise attack on Wu County in five days with light equipment, catching them off guard and taking it in one battle!"

"Gongxu, send another letter to Wen Xiang, who is stationed at Guzhang, and tell him to send troops to attack Wucheng in seven days."

After speaking, Lu Yong looked at Zhang Fei and said, "Third General, you should go and prepare the troops now. Each person should take ten days' worth of dry rations. We will depart in two hours!"

"Alright! I'll go prepare right now!" Zhang Fei muttered excitedly, "Fighting alongside Huai'an is so exciting!"

……

Outside Qu'a City, at Liu Yao's camp.

then,

After bidding farewell to Liu Bei, Taishi Ci detoured to Beihai to say goodbye to Kong Rong before rushing back to his hometown to visit his elderly mother.

Seeing that his mother was in good health, he traveled day and night to Qu'a to seek refuge with his fellow villager Liu Yao.

Taishi Ci came with high expectations.

However, Liu Yao used the excuse that Taishi Ci was "too young to be a general. He should serve under me for now, and be promoted later if he makes a contribution" to only give Taishi Ci the position of squad leader, making him a scout.

In reality, it was because Taishi Ci had committed a crime in his early years and fled to Liaodong, carrying the stain of being a fugitive.

I'm afraid that if I use Taishi Ci, I'll be ridiculed by people in my circle.

Taishi Ci came from afar to join us, not seeking a high position, but at least he should be given a chance to lead troops.

Liu Yao's words clearly indicated that he did not intend to give him an important position.

To say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie.

Taishi Ci did not argue, but simply clasped his hands in response and retreated outside the tent.

this day,

Taishi Ci led ten riders to patrol the Shenting Ridge area.

A scout reported that Sun Ce, with a dozen or so riders, had crossed Shenting Ridge and was heading towards Liu Yao's camp.

Taishi Ci then led his men to the mountain ridge to look out.

Sure enough, in the distance, more than ten riders were slowly descending the mountain path.

The man in the lead was none other than Sun Ce.

Taishi Ci's heart stirred, and he thought to himself, "Sun Ce only brought a dozen or so men. If we rush up now, we might be able to capture him alive."

He turned to his soldiers behind him and shouted, "Sun Ce is just ahead! Those who have the courage, follow me!"

The crowd looked at each other, but no one moved.

Liu Yao's soldiers had been terrified of Sun Ce in the recent battles.

Upon seeing this, Taishi Ci shook his head and turned to go alone.

But just then, a boy suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

This person looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old, but was already half a head taller than the average person.

He wore an ill-fitting set of scout leather armor, with a long sword at his waist, and his face was slightly purplish-red.

He walked up to Taishi Ci's horse, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Taishi is truly a valiant general; I am willing to assist him!"

Taishi Ci looked down at him: "What's your name? Where are you from?"

The young man looked up and said calmly, "This subordinate is He Chong from Wu County."

"Good lad!" Taishi Ci praised with a smile, then added, "This journey is dangerous, it could be your life. Have you thought it through?"

He Chong nodded: "This subordinate is willing to accompany the Marquis into battle!"

Taishi Ci nodded slightly.

He picked up his spear, spurred his horse, and headed straight for Shenting Ridge.

He Chong also spurred his horse to catch up, closely following behind Taishi Ci.

As the others watched the two figures disappear into the distance, some shook their heads, while others scoffed.

"Taishi Ci and that kid are just going to their deaths!"

"Even General Fan Neng couldn't withstand three rounds from Sun Ce, let alone the two of them? Tsk tsk!"

"A mere scout dares to step forward? He's utterly ignorant of his own limitations..."

"Go back and report to the magistrate. Send more people to collect their bodies. After all, we were colleagues."

Everyone burst into laughter and turned to leave.

On Shenting Ridge, Sun Ce reined in his horse and looked around.

He was followed by three generals, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, as well as ten personal guards on horseback.

The purpose of crossing Shenting Ridge this time was to personally investigate the strength and weaknesses of Liu Yao's camp.

However, what he didn't expect was...

Just as he descended the mountain ridge, he was surprised to see two riders charging towards him!

Cheng Pu was completely dumbfounded.

After pondering for a while, he went to Sun Ce's side and whispered, "Young Master, the enemy only sent two people. Could it be a trap?"

Han Dang then asked, "What if they come to surrender?"

Sun Ce did not speak, but simply gazed at the two men from afar.

The first general was seven feet seven inches tall, with a beautiful beard, and wielded a long spear; his imposing presence was not to be underestimated.

A young man followed behind, carrying a sword and riding a horse, appearing quite composed.

Two riders charged forward and reined in their horses. Taishi Ci pointed at Sun Ce and shouted, "Sun Ce! Taishi Ci of Donglai has come to capture you!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He hung the ancient sword on his saddle, picked up his long iron spear, and said, "Both of you, come at me together!"

Taishi Ci sneered, "Even if you send all your men, I will not be afraid!"

Without further ado, the two spurred their horses and charged straight at each other with their spears.

The warhorses galloped past each other.

The two guns clashed, and sparks flew everywhere.

Seeing that Taishi Ci could fight Sun Ce to a standstill, Cheng Pu and the others couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise.

Sun Ce's spear technique was fierce and powerful.

Taishi Ci was able to withstand each spear thrust without dodging or dodging.

The two fought for more than thirty rounds, and it was impossible to tell who was stronger.

"How come Liu Yao has such a fierce general under his command? Why have I never seen him before?" Cheng Pu finally couldn't help but voice his doubts.

"Yes! If he had been the one to guard Niuzhu Camp, it probably wouldn't have been so easy for the young master to break through Niuzhu Camp." Huang Gai couldn't help but feel a little scared.

"Judging from his attire, he seems to be just an ordinary scout?" Han Dang observed carefully and pointed out Taishi Ci's current predicament.

"Ha! To have such a general yet be unable to use him, Liu Yao's defeat is no injustice!"

Taishi Ci glanced at Cheng Pu and the others, pondering in his heart.

Even if he could defeat Sun Ce, he would probably have a hard time escaping if those twelve riders charged at him together.

It would be better to lure Sun Ce away from the main force and then find an opportunity to capture him alive.

Taishi Ci then feigned an attack with his spear, turned his horse, and fled.

Sun Ce spurred his horse and gave chase. The two of them turned around the mountain pass one after the other and disappeared from everyone's sight.

Just as Cheng Pu was about to order a pursuit, He Chong drew his sword and blocked their way.

"Gentlemen, please wait!"