Chapter 1723: Surrounded on all sides

Just at this critical moment, Zhou Yu led a surprise force and suddenly killed their way out from the side and rear of the northern cavalry, like divine soldiers descending from heaven, instantly disrupting the formation of the northern cavalry. It turned out that Zhou Yu had long predicted that Cao Pi might adopt such tactics and had reserved a force of ambushers in advance, waiting only for the right moment to deal the enemy a fatal blow.

"My lord, hold on! I am here!" Zhou Yu's voice rang out on the battlefield like a bugle, inspiring the heart of every Jiangdong soldier.

Hearing this, Sun Ce felt settled in his heart, and his combat strength was even greater than before. He and Zhou Yu joined forces, attacking from front and back, and the northern cavalry instantly fell into a bitter struggle, with countless deaths and injuries. Seeing this, Cao Pi hurriedly mobilized his main force to support, but he didn't expect this was exactly what Zhou Yu had been waiting for.

"My lord, you lead your troops to continue to contain the enemy, and I will lead the main force to attack Cao Pi's central command!" Zhou Yu made a decision quickly, with a clear division of labor with Sun Ce.

Sun Ce nodded, his eyes full of trust: "Gongjin, be careful in everything!"

Zhou Yu led the main force like a sharp blade, stabbing directly into Cao Pi's central command. Although Cao Pi was brave, under Zhou Yu's exquisite layout, he gradually felt the strain. The Jiangdong army's morale was like a rainbow, one fighting ten, and the situation on the battlefield turned sharply.

However, just when victory was about to be in hand, a sudden sandstorm swept across the entire battlefield. The wind roared, yellow sand filled the sky, vision was blocked, and the battle had to be temporarily stopped. When the sandstorm dissipated, the battlefield was already a mess, both sides had many casualties, and their formations were chaotic.

"My lord, Cao Pi took advantage of the chaos and fled." A soldier came to report, his face full of regret.

Zhou Yu furrowed his brows, looking at the direction Cao Pi fled, his heart full of both unwillingness and helplessness. But he quickly collected his mood and turned to focus on the casualties of the Jiangdong army: "Immediately organize the rescue of the wounded, clean up the battlefield; although we failed to annihilate the enemy army, we also dealt them a heavy blow, which counts as a great victory."

Sun Ce rushed over upon hearing the news, stood side by side with Zhou Yu, looking at the devastated battlefield, his eyes shining with complex emotions: "Gongjin, although we won this battle, we also paid a heavy price. We must be more cautious and cannot let Jiangdong suffer such losses again."

Zhou Yu nodded, his expression solemn: "My lord's words are very true. In the days to come, we must strengthen our defenses, while at the same time looking for opportunities to gradually weaken the north's strength until the threat is completely eliminated."

The two looked at each other and smiled; although the road ahead was still difficult, their hearts were full of confidence. Under their leadership, the Jiangdong army gradually recovered from the trauma of war, morale was high, and they were ready to meet new challenges.

However, fate didn't seem to intend to give Jiangdong too much breathing space. Not long after, a rebellion suddenly broke out within Jiangdong, and several aristocratic families dissatisfied with Sun Ce's rule united to attempt to overthrow the Jiangdong regime.

"My lord, this matter must be quelled quickly, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable." Upon learning the news, Zhou Yu found Sun Ce for the first time.

A flash of cold light appeared in Sun Ce's eyes: "These petty thieves actually dare to rob while the house is on fire. Gongjin, you are responsible for quelling the rebellion, and I will personally go to comfort the people to ensure Jiangdong is not in chaos."

Zhou Yu received the order and quickly mobilized elite troops to launch a thunderous blow against the rebels. He knew deeply that this rebellion not only concerned the stability of Jiangdong but also concerned their years of hard work and future hopes. Therefore, he showed no mercy, and wherever he went, the rebels were captured one after another.

Under Zhou Yu's iron fist, the rebellion was quickly quelled, and Jiangdong returned to peace again. However, this rebellion also made Sun Ce and Zhou Yu realize the problems existing within Jiangdong. They began to set about reforming, strengthening central power, weakening the power of aristocratic families, and at the same time paying attention to people's livelihood and improving the living standards of the people.

After a series of efforts, the political situation in Jiangdong gradually stabilized, and the economy also developed rapidly. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's prestige reached an unprecedented height, and they became heroes and guardians in the hearts of the Jiangdong people.

However, the threat from the north did not disappear because of this. After fleeing back to the north, Cao Pi quickly reorganized his military equipment and prepared to move south again. This time, he learned from his previous lessons and was more cautious and cunning.

"My lord, Cao Pi is coming to commit a crime again; we must make full preparations." Zhou Yu stood in front of Sun Ce, saying with a solemn expression.

Sun Ce nodded, firm light shining in his eyes: "Gongjin, this time, we must make Cao Pi have no return and completely end this north-south dispute."

As the news of Cao Pi's massive army pressing toward the border spread throughout Jiangdong, the entire region was once again shrouded in the shadow of war. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were in the study, facing the spread-out map, furrowing their brows and falling into deep thought.

"Gongjin, Cao Pi is coming aggressively this time; how should we respond?" Sun Ce asked softly, his tone revealing a trace of worry that was not easily detected.

Zhou Yu's gaze was like a torch, his finger sliding gently across the map: "My lord, Cao Pi must have made perfect preparations this time; we cannot be passively engaged in battle like last time. We must take the initiative to attack and disrupt his deployment."

Hearing this, a flash of light appeared in Sun Ce's eyes: "Take the initiative to attack? You mean..."

"Right, we can use the advantage of our navy to first send a small squad to pretend to be the main force to attract Cao Pi's attention, and then the main force will raid his rear from another direction to cut off his grain and fodder and disrupt his army's morale." Zhou Yu's words were full of confidence.

Sun Ce pondered for a moment and nodded: "Although this plan is risky, if it can succeed, it will surely deal a heavy blow to Cao Pi. However, the task of the feinting force is arduous and requires a wise and brave general to lead it."

Zhou Yu smiled slightly and looked at Sun Ce: "Does my lord have a candidate in mind?"

Sun Ce was silent for a moment and slowly spoke: "Old General Huang Gai; he is experienced and loyal to Jiangdong, so he is the most suitable candidate."

"General Huang Gai is indeed a good choice." Zhou Yu agreed, "However, to ensure the plan is foolproof, we also need to formulate detailed retreat routes and emergency plans, just in case."

Everything was ready. On a dark and windy night, the Jiangdong navy set sail quietly, heading toward Cao Pi's massive army.

The feinting force led by Huang Gai first made contact with the Cao army. They deliberately exposed flaws, luring the Cao army to pursue. Seeing this, Cao Pi thought the Jiangdong army was vulnerable, and he was overjoyed, ordering the entire army to pursue, intending to annihilate the Jiangdong navy in one stroke.

However, just as he was complacent, Zhou Yu led the main force and suddenly killed their way out from the side and rear, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable. The Cao army was caught off guard and instantly fell into chaos.

"General Huang Gai, how is the situation on your side?" Zhou Yu, on the command ship, communicated with Huang Gai through flag signals.

Huang Gai replied: "Everything is proceeding according to plan; the Cao army has taken the bait and is pursuing with all its strength."