Chapter 1722: Captured in the chaotic army

This battle was not only a test of the Jiangdong army's strength and wisdom but also an extreme challenge to the will and belief of Zhou Yu and Sun Ce. When the dawn of victory pierced through the smoke of the battlefield and shone on the faces of the tired but excited Jiangdong soldiers, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce looked at each other and smiled; that smile held both relief and infinite expectations for the future.

"Gongjin, today's victory was truly not easy. Your wisdom, plus the bravery of the soldiers, allowed us to find a path to survival from a desperate situation." Sun Ce's voice, although slightly hoarse due to the long battle, couldn't hide the excitement and pride within.

Zhou Yu shook his head gently, his gaze full of emotion: "My lord is too kind. This is the result of Jiangdong's unity and joint efforts. If it weren't for you personally putting on armor and taking the lead, how could you have inspired such tenacious fighting spirit in the soldiers?"

The two talked as they walked toward the temporarily built camp tent. Around them were soldiers cheering and celebrating, but their conversation was unusually calm, as if that life-and-death struggle just now was just a part of daily life.

"However, although we have achieved temporary victory, the road ahead is still long." Zhou Yu changed the subject, his expression becoming serious. "Although Cao Cao has been captured, the northern forces are massive and cannot be underestimated. We must stabilize Jiangdong as soon as possible, develop the economy, and strengthen our military to prevent possible counterattacks in the future."

Sun Ce nodded in agreement, a flash of worry in his eyes: "Indeed, we cannot have the slightest relaxation. Moreover, this war has also caused Jiangdong to suffer heavy losses; the people need comfort, the fields need to be restored, and everything needs us to start from scratch."

Just as the two were discussing subsequent plans, a messenger soldier ran over hurriedly, interrupting their conversation: "Report! It was discovered that several important generals under Cao Cao did not perish with the army but took advantage of the chaos to escape."

This news made Zhou Yu and Sun Ce furrow their brows at the same time. Zhou Yu pondered for a moment and slowly said: "These generals are all Cao Cao's capable assistants. If they are allowed to escape back to the north, they will surely reorganize and pose a threat to our Jiangdong. We must pursue them as soon as possible and cut the weeds and dig up the roots."

Sun Ce nodded in agreement, but immediately raised a question: "But our massive army has just experienced a great battle and is in urgent need of rest. Moreover, the matter of pursuit needs careful deployment and cannot be done blindly."

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, a flash of cunning in his eyes: "My lord's words are very true. We might as well adopt the strategy of 'besieging Wei to save Zhao'; on one hand, send elite troops to pursue, and on the other hand, increase harassment of the northern border, forcing them to be unable to rest in peace, and at the same time buying time for us to restore our vitality."

After listening, Sun Ce's eyes lit up, and he slapped the table in admiration: "Excellent! This plan can both consume the enemy and be used by us; it is truly killing two birds with one stone."

Thus, the Jiangdong massive army, after a brief celebration, quickly threw itself into new tasks. Zhou Yu personally led a force of elite troops to secretly track those fleeing Cao generals, while Sun Ce remained in Jiangdong to preside over the overall situation, while organizing small-scale raids on the north to ensure Cao Cao's forces could not make a comeback in a short time.

Several months later, Zhou Yu returned in triumph, not only successfully capturing several key Cao generals but also winning the hearts of the people along the way and expanding Jiangdong's influence. Jiangdong was in a state of jubilation, and Sun Ce personally went out of the city to welcome them. The two hugged tightly outside the city gate, their eyes shining with infinite longing for the future.

"Gongjin, with you here, why should I worry about Jiangdong not flourishing?" Sun Ce's voice carried a bit of excitement and a bit of gratitude.

Zhou Yu patted Sun Ce on the back gently and laughed: "My lord, it is every soldier and every person in Jiangdong who has cast today's brilliance together. We just did what we should have done."

Just as Jiangdong was immersed in a state of harmony and the joy of reconstruction, the sky in the north was once again covered with dark clouds. Although Cao Cao was captured, his son Cao Pi rose rapidly in the north, uniting various warlords, reorganizing the army, and preparing for war, intending to move south and wash away his shame.

"My lord, there is a change in the north." Zhou Yu, holding a secret letter, furrowed his brows and walked into Sun Ce's study.

Sun Ce took the letter and read it at a glance, his face gradually becoming solemn: "Cao Pi has actually integrated the northern forces this quickly; it seems the peaceful days of our Jiangdong are not long."

Zhou Yu nodded, his gaze shining with firmness: "Yes, we must make preparations to welcome the coming battle. This time, we must not only guard Jiangdong but also take the initiative to attack and break the threat the north poses to us."

The two began to prepare for the war in full swing. Zhou Yu was responsible for military deployment; he knew deeply that a head-on clash was not the best strategy and that they needed to find opportunities to win through surprise. Sun Ce was responsible for mobilizing the whole population, strengthening defenses, and at the same time raising grain and fodder to ensure logistics were worry-free.

Several months later, Cao Pi's massive army pressed toward the border, and the border of Jiangdong was engulfed in flames. Zhou Yu and Sun Ce led their army to meet the enemy, and the two sides launched a thrilling battle on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

At dawn, the river was covered by a layer of thin mist, and the sound of war drums came from far to near, shaking the sky and earth. The Jiangdong army and the northern army confronted each other across the river, the atmosphere tense to the extreme.

"My lord, the enemy army is numerous, but we have the advantage of terrain and high morale." Zhou Yu stood on the bow of the ship, his gaze like a torch, and said to Sun Ce beside him.

Sun Ce gripped his long spear tightly, his gaze firm: "We Jiangdong men never fear challenges. Today, let us use our strength to prove that Jiangdong is not a lamb to be slaughtered!"

Following an order, the Jiangdong army's warships were like arrows leaving the string, cutting through the river surface and launching a fierce charge toward the northern army. Arrows were like rain, cannons roared, and the river surface instantly became a Shura field.

Zhou Yu personally commanded a force of elite navy, using flexible tactics to constantly harass the flanks of the northern army and cut off their supply lines. Sun Ce led the infantry to hold the position, waiting for the best counterattack opportunity at ease.

The battle lasted for several days, and both sides had casualties, but the Jiangdong army, relying on their familiarity with the terrain and Zhou Yu's clever command, always maintained the advantage. However, Cao Pi was no ordinary person; he quickly adjusted his tactics and sent a force of elite cavalry to bypass the Jiangdong army's main line and strike directly at Jiangdong's hinterland, intending to cut off Jiangdong's retreat.

"My lord, the situation is critical!" A scout, covered in wounds, hurried over to report: "The northern cavalry has broken through our defense line and is marching toward the rear!"

Hearing this, Sun Ce furrowed his brows but quickly regained his calm: "Where is Zhou Yu?"

"General Zhou Yu is commanding on the front line and cannot get away." The scout replied.

Sun Ce took a deep breath, his gaze firm: "Pass the order down: I will personally lead the army to meet the enemy and must drag down the northern cavalry to buy time for Zhou Yu."

After speaking, Sun Ce leaped onto his horse and led a force of elite cavalry, charging toward the northern cavalry like a whirlwind. When the two armies met, dust flew, blades flashed, and the war situation was unusually tragic.

Sun Ce took the lead, and wherever his long spear pointed, no one could stop him. His bravery inspired the Jiangdong soldiers; they fought regardless of their lives, engaging in a life-and-death struggle with the northern cavalry. However, the northern cavalry was numerous, after all, and well-equipped, and the Jiangdong army gradually fell into a disadvantage.