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

That night, a light snow fell. Wu Sheng, Wang Fu, and Zhao Lei sat facing each other by the window, slowly sipping their wine and chatting over candlelight.

Wang Fu touched his nose and pondered:

"My lord, the surrendered troops number five thousand, which is dozens of times the size of our elite forces. If not handled properly, it could easily lead to another mutiny within the camp."

"Setting up camp outside the city was ill-considered; there are too many variables."

Zhao Lei paused for a moment, then said, "Why not reorganize the surrendered troops and select trusted confidants from the Lord's side to serve as captains?"

The Martial Saint smirked: "Good."

Promoting a tall man from among the city's junior officers to the rank of captain might not convince the surrendered soldiers. The three initially agreed that Guan Yinping, Guan Ping, and Yu Jin would each lead a battalion.

Each battalion consisted of 1,500 men.

Zhou Cang selected 500 elites from 5,000 men and incorporated them into Guan Yu's personal guard, making a force of 800.

Wang Fu and Zhao Lei were considered Guan Yu's confidants and were quite easy to use. However, the surrendered troops might not be convinced, as Guan Ping and Guan Yinping were Guan Yu's biological children. This relationship could deter the villains.

The two worked through the night to compile the documents, and at the crack of dawn, they informed the entire army. The flags for each battalion were also completed in a rush.

Woo-woo-woo—the long-absent bugle call for drills rang out in Maicheng.

The soldiers, dragging their weary bodies, assembled. Their lips were pale, their faces haggard, clearly indicating they hadn't slept well.

History carries a bitter, salty taste; it is stained with blood, sweat, and tears. Only after enduring countless hardships have we arrived at the peaceful and prosperous world we enjoy today.

Qi Ye was reluctant to disturb the soldiers so soon, but time was tight and the task was heavy. Firewood was the most important of all necessities, especially in winter. If they didn't eat for a day or two, they could chew on wild vegetables or even tree bark to fill their stomachs. Without firewood, they would freeze solid overnight.

There is no concept of cotton quilts now. The rich rely on silk floss or animal skins, while the poor fill their bedding with reeds and straw. Those who have no means simply lay some thatch on their beds.

Firewood was an important energy source in ancient times, much like gasoline and electricity are today. Every day, firewood was an essential necessity. Cooking, boiling water, heating, brewing medicine, blacksmithing, pottery making, and salt production all required firewood.

Qi Ye remembers a story his grandmother told him when he was a child. It was said that when it snowed in the village, someone ran out of firewood and burned his ladder. He was laughed at for decades, and it is still a legend.

Before long, a huge crowd filled the streets and alleys.

"When I reached the rank of general, I realized how comfortable it was to lead only four or five hundred soldiers," Qi Ye couldn't help but sigh.

Building a mature logistics system is incredibly difficult. He needs territory, lots and lots of territory. Sometimes I can't help but wonder, how high does one have to go to be considered a truly powerful official?

Guan Ping, looking radiant, stepped forward and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "General, why not mix the troops attacking Zhu Ran into the woodcutting teams leaving the city, and hide them outside the city step by step?"

The Martial Saint nodded calmly: "Good."

The generals leading armies are all incredibly shrewd. Sun Tzu was very particular about his strategies: he wouldn't fight during busy farming seasons, when fleeing, or during weddings or funerals.

Before a fight, a date must be agreed upon, and the reason for the fight must be explained. The winner must also heal the losing soldiers. This led to the emergence of the "Grandson Era," which completely changed the world.

Crossing the river in white robes was a desperate measure.

The three armies marched out of the city in a grand procession. The Martial Saint, leading dozens of archer cavalry, hunted down enemy sentries and scouts. They galloped across the battlefield, invincible in their path.

……

Jiangdong Camp.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the vast wilderness. Soldiers patrolling back and forth all kept their heads down, afraid of making eye contact with the general and incurring bad luck.

A man, clad in a bearskin, dressed in black robes and red skirts, wields a spear and shield. He beats a drum, sprinkles water, leaps and shouts, his words sharp and absurd.

Ding Feng shouted loudly, "Continue playing the music, continue dancing! Jia makes a morsel of food, Ji eats tigers, and Xiongbo eats demons!"

If you're sick, perform a ritual; if you're unlucky, perform a ritual; if you're possessed by a ghost, perform a ritual; if you suffer repeated defeats, perform a ritual. Good days will eventually come.

Rumors have been spreading throughout the Jiangdong camp lately, shaking the morale of the troops. They've encountered all sorts of absurd events, and their defeats have led them to question the meaning of life.

Ding Feng believed that it was likely a scheme orchestrated by fate, and that he had deliberately staged a Nuo dance to exorcise evil spirits.

Lu Meng hurried along, his face turning ashen: "They've all retreated, they've all retreated."

Ding Feng looked aggrieved: "Grand Commander, we can't retreat! It's easy to encounter misfortune. A quarter of an hour, at most a quarter of an hour, and I'll be done."

Lu Meng lifted his cloak and entered the command tent. Yu Fan, Zhuge Jin, Zhou Tai, Zhu Huan, Xu Sheng, and others sat upright, clearly not stopping Ding Feng's farce.

After a series of defeats, the Jiangdong troops were completely demoralized. A little commotion would at least bring some life back to the camp. Otherwise, the eerie atmosphere was rather frightening.

Xu Sheng clasped his hands and reported, "Reporting to the Grand Commander, I have just received news. Guan Yu has led his troops out of the city, presumably to gather firewood. Should we send troops to stop them?"

Zhu Huan, still proud, said, "Yu Jin's troops have suffered defeat after defeat, surrendering time and again, like slaves who have served three masters. They have no fighting power whatsoever. Our army will surely defeat them in one fell swoop."

When Yu Jin was mentioned, Lü Meng was heartbroken and his breathing became rapid, as if he had been betrayed.

Yu Jin suffered a defeat in Xiangfan and was imprisoned, his life reduced to a state of utter despair. Lü Meng captured Jiangling, rescued him, and then recommended him to the emperor, appointing him as a general.

Such a great favor, and Yu Jin just abandons it like that? How can there be such a shameless person in the world?!

"The soldiers are exhausted and lack the will to fight. Braving the wind and snow to fight may not guarantee a complete victory. Let's lower our flags, rest for a while, and then make further plans."

Guan Yu and his few riders made a swift raid, returning to the city much faster than the others. Lü Meng, with his large army, had just arrived at the camp and settled down to sleep. To go into battle now, in the freezing cold, would be too exhausting for the soldiers.

Zhu Huan was unwilling to give up: "If we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll have to wait again?"

Yu Fan abruptly questioned, "Is it really a good opportunity?"

Zhu Huan's expression froze, and he was speechless. He forced himself to calm down and felt that remaining inactive was the best option. Without a way to restrain Guan Yu, rashly going into battle would be irresponsible to his own life.

Lu Meng's mind raced as he analyzed the situation:

"Yu Jin could defect to Guan Yu, but he could also betray Guan Yu again. Maicheng is a small city; it's impossible for it to support five thousand soldiers. In the dead of winter, the men and horses would be left to eat and die, which could be a huge burden on Guan Yu."

"Pass down the order: each battalion shall hold its ground and await His Majesty's reinforcements."

Everyone bowed in unison, reluctantly agreeing. Jiang Qin, Han Dang, Sun Jiao, Ling Tong, Gan Ning, and others fell in battle one after another. The report was finally completed, and they managed to gloss over the situation.

Now that Yu Jin has surrendered to Guan Yu with 5,000 men, it is a huge blow to the morale of the Jiangdong army.

Yu Fan coldly asked, "How will you report Yu Jin's betrayal to the Supreme Being?"

Jiangdong Manchu troops always act this way: when faced with a difficult question, they simply remain silent.

Lu Meng closed his eyes in anguish to rest, and only opened them after a long while to answer:

"Since I recommended Yu Jin to His Majesty, I should take on the responsibility. Once His Majesty arrives, I will resign from my position as Grand Commander and leave it to His Majesty's discretion."

"At that time, the heavy responsibility of conquering Maicheng will be handed over to you all. I will trouble you to do your best. Please be sure to conquer Maicheng and take over the entire territory of Jingzhou."

Outside the tent, Ding Feng stared wide-eyed, his face filled with shock. Could one really avoid Guan Yu like that?

He stormed in, his voice filled with righteous indignation: "The Grand Commander has treated me with great care and shown me great favor. I am willing to sign my name on the battle reports and stand with the Grand Commander through thick and thin!"

Yu Fan raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "How come I never noticed Ding Feng's loyalty before?"