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

North of Maicheng, in Jiangdongying, lies an ancient, sheep-shaped incense burner, resting quietly on a short sacrificial altar, emitting a warm, soft glow.

Zhu Ran, wearing a crimson headscarf, played the zither and burned incense. Historical records usually describe military generals as being seven feet tall, men of seven feet. He was less than seven feet tall, but he had a magnanimous spirit and noble character.

He is always meticulous in his actions, thoughtful, and rarely acts impulsively. He always seeks the greatest benefit within the rules and is an heir who has matured under the pressure of family responsibilities.

It possesses both the sharpness of a renowned general and the complex character unique to the Jiangdong Group.

In the fifth year of Jian'an (200 AD), Sun Ce was assassinated, causing shockwaves throughout the Jiangnan region. Zhu Ran, only nineteen years old, was summoned privately by Sun Quan and appointed as the magistrate of Yuyao.

With the mountain bandits still at large and the new administration unstable, Zhu Ran, upon assuming office, did not rush to suppress the bandits. Instead, he first asked veteran officials to draw maps of the mountains and rivers, organize household registers, and strengthen city defenses.

Six months later, while other officials who took office at the same time were still locked in a fierce struggle with powerful local tyrants, Zhu Ran had already incorporated the hidden Yue people into the civilian register through a "pacification" strategy.

The Eastern Wu repeatedly attacked the Yue tribes, capturing their people to serve as soldiers, and employing all sorts of supernatural abilities.

Zhu Ran's strategy was to seize farmland and destroy crops, leaving the Yue people hungry and cold, and unable to bear the harassment, they gradually left the mountains and forests to join Wu, paying taxes and performing military service in order to survive.

Apart from the military equipment and weapons needed for combat, the rest of their belongings were very simple.

Since being ordered to block the key roads, Zhu Ran has been in a state of constant vigilance, as if he were always on the battlefield. In emergencies, he displays extraordinary courage and composure, surpassing even ordinary people.

Even when the camp was peaceful, they would still sound the alarm every morning and evening.

When it comes to the generals of the Han, Wei, and Wu dynasties who were most capable of defending cities, Huo Jun, Cao Ren, and Zhu Ran are undoubtedly the three.

Captain Cui Yu hurried along, his voice hoarse, "Reporting to the General, a force of about one or two thousand men from Maicheng is fiercely attacking our camp."

Zhu Ran calmly replied, "Ever since the Grand Commander sent word that Yu Jin had surrendered to Guan Yu, I've had a bad feeling and ordered the reinforcement of sentries and camp defenses. Their attack was expected; what is there to fear?"

Cui Yu forced a bitter smile: "Recently, the legends surrounding Guan Yu have become increasingly bizarre, with terrifying battle records. Jiang Qin, Han Dang, Gan Ning, Ling Tong, Sun Jiao, and others, each a capable general on their own, all fell to Guan Yu's blade, their heads severed."

Zhu Ran chuckled lightly: "It's alright. Guan Yu's willingness to leave the city to fight and attack the fortress is actually advantageous to our army. Send messengers to the Grand Commander and Pan Zhang for reinforcements to attack Guan Yu from both sides. Let them arrive later, and once the enemy's strength is exhausted, we can achieve complete victory in one battle."

Cui Yu gradually regained his courage, clasped his hands in a fist and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, sir."

Zhu Ran changed out of his clothes and put on his armor. Before leaving the tent, he bowed again to the sheep-shaped incense burner: "I humbly pray for the blessings of the sages of Jiangdong, and that our military fortunes will be everlasting."

He strolled out of the military tent, and his personal guards, fully armed and in good gear, greeted him, calling out "General!" "General!" The voices gradually spread, growing more and more reverent, until they reached the front camp.

The Jiangbei camp was strategically located, nestled against mountains and beside water, backed by formidable natural defenses and facing an open area. Its perimeter was fortified with barbed wire and palisades. Had the terrain not been so rigid, Zhu Ran would have ordered his soldiers to dig trenches.

The interior of the camp was even more fortified, with arrow towers and sentry towers at the four corners, providing a commanding view. The camp gates were equipped with chevaux-de-frise and deer antlers to prevent enemy charges.

The area was divided into zones for storing grain and water, and supplies were placed under the strict protection of the central army.

The roads were crisscrossed to facilitate reinforcements, and alarm bells hung in the arrow towers. There were sentries, both visible and hidden, who would blow horns and ring bells to signal the enemy's presence and launch a series of attacks.

Zhu Ran had just set up camp when his men advised him against the effort. The weather was freezing, and the soldiers needed rest. Maicheng only had a few hundred men; a frontal breakout was impossible.

He defied public opinion and built the camp to the highest standards, making its defensive capabilities superior to the main force's. The soldiers knew their general's character, so they could only suppress their grievances.

Now all the preparations have come in handy, and the meaning of hard work has become tangible at this moment.

Step, step, step, Zhu Ran slowly ascended the arrow tower, unfurling his cloak: "Beat the drums, ring the bells!"

The drums thundered and the bells tolled, their sound echoing throughout the camp. The men of Jiangdong were all roused, gripping their weapons tightly, determined to safeguard their sense of security.

My heart pounded, carrying the fresh blood that coursed through my body. A subtle fear crept up my pale lips, accompanied by trembling hands and feet.

Zhu Ran stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes clear and upright:

"When I was young, I studied with the Emperor. The cicadas chirped noisily outside the window, and we made a pact to leave the study and travel to Jiangnan. That was the best of times. With the late General holding up the sky, he never allowed us to go into battle."

"We were boating in Zhenze when we ran into a gang of river bandits. They robbed the merchants and then divided the loot on the shore. When the merchants and travelers saw this, they were all terrified and dared not move. No boat that passed by dared to sail forward."

"I was terrified at the time, but I'm an educated person, so I'm good at pretending. I tilted my head back and pretended not to be afraid at all. Looking back now, I realize I was really faking it."

The Jiangdong youths below the arrow tower exchanged a slight chuckle, barely suppressing a smile. Their tense muscles gradually relaxed.

Zhu Ran glanced around thoughtfully, then chuckled softly.

"I wanted to make a good impression on His Majesty, so I said to him: 'These petty thieves are nothing to fear. They can be captured in one fell swoop. Please allow me to go.'"

The Emperor shook his head and said, "This is not something you can do alone." After saying this, he personally led several servants and strong men, bravely charged forward, and finally repelled the group of river bandits.

The young men from Jiangdong burst into laughter, a slight smile playing on their lips.

"I want to tell you all that the fastest way to grow is to grit your teeth and go for it. All of life's opportunities are hidden in your fears. Even if your hands and feet are trembling, you have to go for it."

"You can set off even if you're afraid, because true courage is not being fearless, but moving forward despite your fear."

"In Jiangdong, you all have the opportunity to be ennobled and appointed generals. Pay any price to be the first to scale the walls, slay enemy generals, seize flags, and charge into battle. The Supreme Ruler will grant you all the honors you desire!"

The north wind swept in, causing Zhu Ran's cloak to flutter wildly. The Jiangdong youths erupted in cheers, shouting "Fight! Fight! Fight! Kill! Kill!" their morale soaring.

In the distance, a large banner bearing the character "关" (Guan) flutters in the wind, its majestic presence sweeping across the sky and the earth.

Guan Ping's eyes were resolute: "Form ranks!"

The 1,500 men slowly adjusted their pace, gradually becoming more even and displaying their imposing presence.

Guan Ping immediately brandished his sword and shouted fiercely, "Zhu Ran, you traitor, dare to leave the camp and fight to the death!"

Zhu Ran brandished his sword and shouted, "You little thief, do you dare attack my camp?"

After a short rest, Guan Ping led his men to attack the camp. Arrows rained down from the camp, and the soldiers raised their shields to cover themselves, unable to advance.

The two armies shouted and clashed, locked in a fierce battle.

To the west, Yu Jin led his troops to attack the western camp, and the sounds of battle rose from the ground. He spurred his horse forward, ordered the archers to hold the line, and personally led his elite cavalry in a charge. The ambushers on both sides rose up at the same time, and arrows flew like locusts, forcing them to retreat again.

The Han troops from the west and south charged fiercely, determined to break through the enemy camp. The enemy held firm and refused to come out, and the Han army could not conquer them.

Yu Jin, realizing what was happening, exclaimed in shock, "The number of bandits in the camp is far more than three thousand; there are at least five thousand!"

Despite such a poor performance, Zhu Ran insisted on not leaving the camp; his cunning was truly remarkable.