Chapter 1058

A few days later, the secret envoys returned to Jiangdong like swallows returning to their nests, bringing news from the north. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu waited anxiously in the camp, and as soon as they saw the figures of the envoys, the two rushed forward impatiently.

"My lord, Viceroy, the situation in the north has been clarified." An envoy bowed and presented a secret letter with both hands.

Sun Ce snatched the secret letter and exchanged a glance with Zhou Yu; both of their eyes shone with anticipation. Unfolding the letter, Sun Ce scanned it quickly, then laughed heartily and handed it to Zhou Yu. "Gongjin, look at this good news!"

Zhou Yu took the letter, read it carefully, and his brows gradually relaxed, a look of joy appearing in his eyes. "Yuan Shao’s son, Yuan Shang, and Gongsun Zan of Youzhou are both willing to form an alliance with us to fight against the Cao clan together. This is truly heaven helping us!"

"Indeed." Sun Ce nodded, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit. "Yuan Shang and Gongsun Zan are both prominent figures in the north; if they are willing to send troops to help, our chances of winning have increased by quite a bit."

"There is no time to lose; we must quickly dispatch envoys to Jizhou and Youzhou to sign the alliance treaty and agree on the date and plan for sending troops," Zhou Yu proposed.

Sun Ce nodded in agreement. "Leave this matter to Gongjin. I trust you to handle it."

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, bowed, and accepted the order. "As you command, my lord. I will go and arrange it now."

The envoys were soon sent to the north, and the Jiangdong camp also began to bustle with activity. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu discussed strategy together every day, preparing for the upcoming great battle.

This day, Sun Ce was inspecting the army at the drill ground when Zhou Yu walked over hurriedly, a look of joy on his face. "My lord, the envoys have returned. Yuan Shang and Gongsun Zan have both agreed to form an alliance with us and are willing to send one hundred thousand troops to crusade against the Cao clan together."

"Good!" Sun Ce was overjoyed and punched the wooden post beside him, causing it to tremble. "With these two reinforcements, our chances of winning are even greater."

"However..." Zhou Yu changed the subject, his expression becoming serious. "Although the north is willing to send troops, they have also put forward conditions."

"What conditions?" Sun Ce asked.

"They hope that after the war, we can divide some territory for them as compensation for their military aid," Zhou Yu explained.

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce was silent for a moment, then laughed heartily. "This is only right. They are sending troops to help, so naturally we cannot treat them unfairly. As long as we can defeat the Cao clan, what does it matter if we divide some territory?"

"My lord is wise." Zhou Yu bowed and praised.

With the alliance between Jiangdong and the northern warlords, the situation in the north began to surge. Although the Cao clan’s power was vast, under the joint strikes of Jiangdong and the northern warlords, they began to feel overwhelmed. Especially after the news of Cao Pi’s capture spread, the Cao army’s morale was low, and hearts were filled with panic.

This day, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were discussing strategy in the camp when a soldier suddenly came to report, "My lord, Viceroy, the Cao army has sent envoys requesting peace talks with us."

"Peace talks?" Sun Ce and Zhou Yu exchanged a glance, both revealing a cold sneer.

"Bring them in," Sun Ce ordered.

Soon, the Cao army envoys were brought in. He bowed and said in a trembling voice, "My lord is willing to hold peace talks with Jiangdong, hoping that both sides can cease hostilities and speak of peace, and together plot for the world."

"Together plot for the world?" Sun Ce sneered. "Your Cao clan has bullied Jiangdong for years; now you know to sue for peace? It’s too late!"

Zhou Yu also said coldly, "Tell your lord, if you want peace talks, release Cao Pi first. Otherwise, there is nothing to talk about!"

Upon hearing this, the envoy’s face changed drastically, and he hurriedly kowtowed to beg for mercy. "My lords, my lord was also forced by circumstances. I beg the two lords to show mercy and spare our lives."

"Get out!" Sun Ce shouted angrily. "Go back and tell your lord, if you want peace talks, show some sincerity. Otherwise, our Jiangdong army will surely trample Xu Chang to the ground!"

The envoy was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he hurriedly kowtowed and withdrew.

Watching the envoy’s departing back, Sun Ce sneered repeatedly. "The Cao clan is at the end of their rope, which is why they want to sue for peace. We must not fall for their trick."

"Indeed." Zhou Yu nodded in agreement. "Now is the time for us to show our skills. My lord, let us lead the Jiangdong men to conquer that world that belongs to us!"

"Good!" Sun Ce waved his arms with great passion. "Men, follow me to war! Let us use our flesh and blood to carve out a world for Jiangdong!"

The Jiangdong army pressed toward the border, and the flames of war ignited across the northern land. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu divided their forces into two routes, each leading elite troops like two sharp swords thrusting directly into the heart of the Cao clan’s power.

Sun Ce’s route was unstoppable, with cities along the way surrendering one after another. He rode on a tall warhorse, his gaze like a torch as he looked ahead. "Men, our Jiangdong sons never fear battle! Today, let us use the blades and spears in our hands to fight for the glory of Jiangdong!"

The soldiers behind him shouted in unison, "We swear to follow our lord to the death! Long live Jiangdong!"

Sun Ce led his army to capture one city after another; every time he captured a city, he personally pacified the people and restored production. His fame gradually spread in the north, and many people were grateful to him.

At the same time, Zhou Yu’s route also progressed rapidly. He was wise and brave, winning against superior numbers and repeatedly neutralizing the Cao army’s sieges. In a fierce battle, Zhou Yu even personally took to the field and beheaded the Cao army’s commander, causing the Cao army’s morale to suffer a major blow.

This day, Zhou Yu was discussing strategy with his deputy generals in the camp when a soldier suddenly came to report, "Viceroy, a large force of the Cao army has been discovered ahead, and they are rushing toward us."

"Oh?" Zhou Yu raised his brows slightly. "They come just in time. Pass the order to prepare for battle."

The deputy generals accepted the order and left, while Zhou Yu stood in front of the camp, looking at the rolling dust in the distance, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Cao army, you have finally come. This time, I will make sure you never return!"

Soon after, the Cao army arrived. Both sides set up their formations, preparing for a decisive battle. Zhou Yu rode on his warhorse, holding a long spear, pointing at the Cao army opposite, and shouted loudly, "Cao thieves, you have bullied Jiangdong for years; today is your day of death! Jiangdong sons, follow me to kill the enemy!"

After speaking, Zhou Yu took the lead and charged into the Cao army’s formation. The Jiangdong soldiers followed closely behind, fighting bravely. Both sides were engaged in a fierce battle, and the sounds of killing shook the heavens.

Zhou Yu charged back and forth in the formation as if entering an empty land. The long spear in his hand was like lightning, and wherever he went, the Cao soldiers fell dead. His heroism inspired the Jiangdong soldiers’ fighting spirit; they fought more bravely as the battle went on and gradually gained the upper hand.

Seeing this, the Cao army’s commander was terrified. He hurriedly ordered the army to retreat, but it was already too late. Zhou Yu led the Jiangdong soldiers in relentless pursuit, slaughtering the Cao army until they were in total disarray.

In this battle, Jiangdong won a complete victory. Zhou Yu looked at the smoke-filled battlefield, his heart filled with mixed emotions. "In this battle, we of Jiangdong have finally held our heads high. However, the battle is far from over. The real challenge is still ahead."

At this time, Sun Ce had also captured many cities and joined forces with Zhou Yu. When the two met, they looked at each other and smiled; there was no need for many words to understand each other’s intentions. Next, their target was the Cao clan’s capital—Xu Chang.