Three Kingdoms: Conquer Wu from Maicheng with Cavalry and Swords, Don't Fall Behind

The sounds of battle surged like a tidal wave across Maicheng, leaving the city eerily silent. Every household held their breath, doors shut tight, and an old woman trembled as she clutched her child.

Guan Yinping was ordered to patrol, and in her heart she cursed her brother a thousand times. She had always wanted to go to the battlefield and fight to her heart's content, but she had never been able to fulfill her wish.

An old man stretched out his age-spotted hand and knocked on his neighbor's door: "Fellow villagers, come with me to the city wall and help our lord fight the enemy. Fear no more, step forward boldly!"

A young man's angry voice came from inside the gate: "Spreading heresy and misleading the public! It's just a matter of changing the officials; who sits in court doesn't matter. Why bother going to your death?"

The old man coughed, cleared his throat, and raised his voice:

"I risked my life to catch this wild boar. If I don't kill it, eat it, and enjoy its meat, do you expect me to feed and care for it? You must remember, in war, the people of the losing side are no different from pigs and sheep!"

"When Dong Zhuo was in power, he sent Xu Rong and Li Meng to plunder everywhere. Our army suffered a great defeat, and only a few dozen horsemen managed to break through the encirclement and escape. Li Min, the prefect of Yingchuan, was boiled alive by Xu Rong! What does 'boiled alive' mean? It means putting a person in a pot and boiling them to death, understand?"

"Soldiers live each day with their lives hanging by a thread, constantly fearing for their lives. Their food is mediocre, and without good food to provide pleasure, they can only resort to debauchery. Think about yourself—what ability do you have to protect your mother, wife, and daughters amidst the chaos of war!"

The young man, carrying a plow and hoe, burst through the door: "Old man, I heard you were a soldier, and you did this too, right?"

The old man laughed heartily: "We are the exception; we have our own beliefs."

The young man asked in surprise, "What is faith?"

Guan Yinping stepped forward, her bright eyes clear:

"If the world is at peace, we are willing to fish, woodcut, farm, and study, wandering the rivers and lakes; if the prosperous age is about to collapse and the abyss is at our side, we will be willing to die ten thousand times for it."

"I have a bright and glorious tomorrow, and naturally, there will be those who are willing to die for it. Though I know death is inevitable, I am willing to die. In the four hundred years of my great Han Dynasty, have we ever truly surrendered to such lowly creatures?"

"Whether in power or out of office, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, we can yield, but we cannot back down; we can be humble, but not subservient. Those cowards who dare to seize Jingzhou from our Han dynasty, come at me!"

"This is the faith of the Han people!"

The young man didn't think that much; he just wanted to defend Maicheng and protect his mother and sister.

The remaining neighbors, mostly women and children, came out of their homes and brought spears made from rakes and hoes, halberds made from sickles, and shields made from winnowing baskets.

"You're the most promising young man in our neighborhood, you'd better make a name for yourself and make everyone proud!"

Once a man's sense of honor is ignited, he can never back down.

As he was about to leave, his mother tugged at his clothes, whispering words of comfort. She didn't ask for his fame or recognition, only that he be well-fed, warm, and safe. Finally, she said only one thing:

"If the Jiangdong soldiers are too strong, or if the battlefield is too dangerous, come home. Your mother is waiting for you. Suffering a little grievance is nothing."

Shao Suiweng and several dozen others hurried to the city wall.

The mother stood in the wind, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared at the end of the long street. She raised her sleeve to wipe her eyes, unsure if it was sand or something else.

Guan Yinping felt terrible. The common people were going to the battlefield, what was she waiting for? If Maicheng fell, military orders would become nothing but a piece of waste paper.

Just as she was about to act, a warhorse, its body entirely fiery red, came roaring and neighing, followed by pursuing riders.

Yi Ji spurred his horse: "Stop Red Hare! Stop it!"

Guan Yinping abruptly reined in her horse, tightening her grip on her jade wrist. Red Hare raised its head and neighed, its iron hooves coming to a halt.

"Red Hare, why are you back? Where is my father?"

Red Hare snorted and gave Guan Yinping a fierce look, then desperately tilted its head three times.

"You want me to mount my horse and go find my father? Has something happened to him?"

Red Hare pawed restlessly, urging Guan Yinping to hurry up.

Yi Ji blurted out, forgetting all his eloquence: "Red Hare suddenly appeared outside the South Gate. I ordered it to be let in, but it became so frantic that I couldn't catch up. I don't know what happened, and I haven't seen you, my lord."

There were so many people in the city, yet Guan Yinping's figure was locked onto by Red Hare almost as soon as she came into view; something must have happened.

"Father, your son has arrived!"

Guan Yinping leaped onto Red Hare, flicked the reins, and the warhorse neighed loudly before galloping away.

The atmosphere of war within the city was imposing and solemn.

Guan Yinping left the city and glanced ahead. As if sensing her gaze, Red Hare stopped its horse and turned its head to look over as well.

The two, one woman and one horse, locked eyes. Guan Yinping cried out urgently, "Red Hare, what exactly do you want to say? Take me to my father! The divine steed has a spirit; please help me this once!"

Suddenly, a magnificent banner appeared in the distance. A fully armed force marched towards Maicheng. Judging from their formation, they couldn't possibly be reinforcements for Maicheng.

"A thief attack?!"

Guan Yinping's heart pounded violently. There were only thirty-odd soldiers guarding the south gate. The enemy was swarming in; it was absolutely impossible to hold it.

"Father is alright, right? He sent you back as a warning?"

Red Hare sprayed foam and raised its mane, its iron hooves pawing the ground, and nodded affirmatively.

"Okay, okay, I understand. I will defend Maicheng well and never let Father down."

Guan Yinping turned her warhorse around and galloped towards Maicheng. What a magnificent steed, its speed was truly astounding. Just as she entered the city gate, she called out in a clear voice:

"Close the city gates! The enemy is coming!"

The city gates slammed shut with a clang. The alarm bells rang loudly, their clanging echoing across the sky above Maicheng.

Guan Yinping spurred his horse back to the county government office and shouted, "The enemy is attacking from the south gate! Give me the last reserves, quick!"

Hearing the alarm bell, Wang Fu recognized it as the South Gate. Just as he was feeling utterly lost, his savior appeared. His expression was frantic, and he shouted:

"Zhou Cang took more than two hundred men with him, leaving less than two hundred in the reserve force!"

"Surrounded on all sides, how can we hold out?" Guan Yinping replied resolutely, "Two hundred men are enough!"

Wang Fu feigned indifference: "No, the East Gate front has requested reinforcements again. I can only give the South Gate one hundred!"

Guan Yinping was furious: "The enemy at the South Gate is densely packed, numbering at least five thousand. Wang Guoshan, are you trying to bargain with me at the market?"

Wang Fuqiang drew his sword: "I'm taking the rest of them to the east gate. The city is empty; the people and soldiers are all going to perish. So what if the south gate falls? We can all enjoy the spoils together!"

Guan Yinping said in a clear and resonant voice, "One hundred it is. If you say anything more discouraging, I'll send you on your way."

Wang Fu was taken aback for a moment, his thoughts racing: "We must fight the war and enjoy the blessings; we can't let either go unresolved."

Guan Yinping's jade-like face was cold and clear: "Live on." After saying that, she did not wait for Wang Fu's reply and led a hundred men straight to the battlefield.

Outside the south city, soldiers lined up, mostly wearing black armor and double-layered armor, all in uniform style.

Guan Yinping climbed the city wall, her bright eyes wide with shock: "Cao Cao's army?!"

Eastern Wu mostly wore leather armor and lamellar armor, so their equipment couldn't possibly be this sophisticated.

A general stepped forward with his head held high, dignified and composed, his beard and hair white, his eyes holding a secret:

"Guan Yu killed Jiang Qin, Han Dang, Ma Zhong, and Han Cong, which enabled me, someone who was not even as good as a surrendered general, to regain important positions."

"It's fate!"

"Back then, Goujian might not have been as tolerant as I am."