Chapter 1711

Yuan Shu stood at the entrance of the camp, looking at the busy soldiers outside, and a surge of inexplicable tragedy rose in his heart. He knew this might be the last time he commanded a battle. But he was unwilling, unwilling to fail like this, unwilling to let Liu Bei, this former ally, trample on his dignity.

"My lord, everything is ready," Ji Ling walked to Yuan Shu's side and said in a low voice. His eyes also revealed a trace of determination, obviously having prepared to fight to the death with the enemy.

Yuan Shu nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke slowly: "Ji Ling, you have followed me for many years and experienced countless battles. Today, perhaps it is the last time we fight side by side."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ling's eyes turned red, but he shook his head firmly: "My lord, do not say such things. As long as we have a breath left, we must never give up. We will definitely be able to defeat Liu Bei and regroup!"

Yuan Shu looked at Ji Ling's firm eyes, and a warm current surged in his heart. He patted Ji Ling on the shoulder and said in a low voice: "Good! With your words, even if I, Yuan Shu, die, it is worth it! Let us leave the city and meet Liu Bei!"

After speaking, Yuan Shu turned and strode out of the camp, with Ji Ling following closely behind. The two led the remaining troops and marched grandly out of the city to meet the enemy.

Outside the city, Liu Bei's army had already approached. Yuan Shu looked into the distance and saw banners fluttering and troops magnificent, and he could not help but sigh. He knew this battle would be exceptionally difficult.

"My lord, Liu Bei's army is unstoppable; how should we respond?" Ji Ling asked anxiously from the side.

Yuan Shu pondered for a moment and spoke slowly: "Liu Bei, although brave and skilled in battle, has a fatal weakness, which is that he is overly benevolent. We can utilize this point, set up an ambush, lure him deep, and then launch a sudden attack to catch him off guard."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ling's eyes lit up: "This plan is excellent! My lord, I will go and make arrangements."

After speaking, Ji Ling turned and left to begin setting up the ambush. Yuan Shu led the main force, pretending to be defeated and retreating, luring Liu Bei deep into the trap.

Liu Bei fell for the trick. Seeing Yuan Shu retreating in defeat, he was overjoyed, thinking victory was in his grasp. Thus, he led his army in pursuit, not knowing he had already fallen into Yuan Shu's ambush.

When Liu Bei's army entered the ambush circle, Yuan Shu suddenly gave the order, and the ambushing troops rushed out, immediately throwing Liu Bei's army into disarray. Liu Bei was terrified and hurriedly commanded his troops to counterattack, but it was already too late.

After a fierce battle, Liu Bei's army suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat. Yuan Shu took this opportunity to recover some lost territory, and his morale soared.

However, this victory did not make Yuan Shu happy for long. He knew deeply that his influence was no longer what it used to be, and wanting to regroup was easier said than done. Moreover, after this battle, the hatred between him and Liu Bei had deepened, and there would surely be an even more intense battle awaiting them in the future.

Night fell, and Yuan Shu sat alone in the camp, his heart filled with endless worry. He did not know what his future would be, nor did he know if he could gain a foothold in this chaotic world.

"My lord, what are you thinking about?" Ji Ling walked into the camp and asked softly.

Yuan Shu looked at Ji Ling and smiled bitterly: "I am thinking about how we should walk the road ahead."

Ji Ling remained silent for a moment and spoke slowly: "My lord, no matter what the future holds, I will always follow you. As long as you do not give up, we will definitely have hope."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu felt moved. He patted Ji Ling on the shoulder and said in a low voice: "Good! With your words, I, Yuan Shu, will never give up. We will definitely be able to carve out a piece of the world and let everyone in the world know that I, Yuan Shu, am definitely not a person to be contained in a small pond!"

However, the cruelty of reality far exceeded Yuan Shu and Ji Ling's expectations. Although they temporarily repelled Liu Bei by relying on wisdom and courage, the consumption of war made the already fragile Yuan Shu forces even worse. Insufficient grain and fodder, exhausted soldiers, and the loss of popular support due to continuous warfare left Yuan Shu facing unprecedented difficulties.

"My lord, if this continues, we will probably be unable to sustain ourselves," Ji Ling said with worry, his face filled with exhaustion and concern. "The soldiers have not had a full meal for several days; if this continues, morale will be completely gone."

Yuan Shu frowned deeply, his gaze profound as he looked into the distance, as if searching for some answer. "I know, but we cannot just sit and wait for death. We must find a way to solve the grain problem while boosting morale," he responded in a low voice, his tone revealing unquestionable firmness.

"But now, all sides are enemy territory; where can we obtain grain and fodder?" Ji Ling asked, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Go seek help, seek help from those warlords who have not yet clearly stated their position." A trace of determination flashed in Yuan Shu's eyes. "Even if it means being humble, I must win a glimmer of hope for my soldiers and the people on this land."

Thus, Yuan Shu personally wrote a letter for help, with sincere words, expressing his willingness to exchange territory just to resolve the urgent need. The letters were sent to the various warlords by fast horse, but the response was like a stone sinking into the sea, with only silence.

"My lord, they... they are unwilling to help us." Ji Ling held several letters that had been returned, his voice trembling.

Yuan Shu took the letters, read them one by one, and felt mixed emotions. He understood that in this chaotic world, kindness and sympathy were luxuries, and everyone only cared about their own interests. But he did not give up; he decided to go out himself to the nearest warlord, even if it meant trading his own dignity for a glimmer of hope.

"Ji Ling, prepare; I want to go see Zhang Lu." Yuan Shu's words carried unquestionable decisiveness.

"Zhang Lu? But he..." Ji Ling stopped mid-sentence; he knew Zhang Lu and Yuan Shu had always been at odds, and this trip was undoubtedly fraught with danger.

"There are no 'buts'; this is the only way." Yuan Shu interrupted Ji Ling, his eyes flashing with unprecedented firmness. "For the sake of our soldiers and the people on this land, I must go."

A few days later, Yuan Shu led a small number of followers and embarked on the road to Zhang Lu's territory. Along the way, they slept in the open and endured countless hardships, finally arriving before Zhang Lu's mansion.

"Yuan Gonglu, you actually still have the face to come see me?" Upon seeing Yuan Shu, Zhang Lu sneered, his tone filled with mockery.

Yuan Shu endured the anger in his heart, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly: "Lord Zhang, I came here this time not for personal grudges, but for the soldiers under my command and the innocent people. They are suffering from the double torture of hunger and war; I implore you to extend a helping hand for the sake of the world's people."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu's expression softened slightly, but he still carried a hint of disdain: "Yuan Gonglu, you were so arrogant in the past, but now you come to beg me? You should know that there is no free lunch in this world; if you want something, you have to pay for it."