Chapter 120: Sun Ce Rejoices, Liu Bei Sighs

May, the third year of the Jian'an era!

Cao Cao mobilized his troops from Xuchang. Upon receiving the news, Chu Feng immediately led his army back to provide reinforcements, leaving Liang Gang and three thousand soldiers to hold Piling.

————

In Wuxi, within the General’s Mansion.

Sun Ce listened to the scouts' report in the hall. Overjoyed, he slapped the table and laughed aloud, "Ha! Chu Feng, oh Chu Feng, do you finally know the feeling of having your home attacked?"

Back when his own Wu Commandery was attacked, he had returned to reinforce it immediately.

"My Lord, Chu Feng has withdrawn over ten thousand troops. The opportunity for battle has arrived. Liang Gang is but a good-for-nothing. I request to lead the vanguard to capture Piling, behead their generals, seize their banners, and reclaim our lost territory," Cheng Pu said, cupping his hands and speaking loudly.

"My Lord, with the thief Chu withdrawing, we should seize the momentum to recover Wu Commandery, drive his forces out, and then reclaim Danyang and the surrounding areas to prevent Chu Feng from crossing the river again," Han Dang also suggested.

"Ha! Good. Order the three armies to spread the word that Cao Cao and our forces are jointly attacking Shouchun. Light the fires at the third watch tomorrow and set out at the fifth. Follow me to reclaim all of Wu Commandery in one stroke and protect our borders and people," Sun Ce declared with a booming laugh.

These days, he had been hearing nothing but reports of territory slipping from his control. Finally, he had received good news—Cao Cao was indeed reliable after all. Clearly, Cao Cao was worried about Chu Feng growing too powerful.

Beside him, Zhou Yu frowned slightly and spoke up, "My Lord, Chu Feng is cunning and treacherous; he is by no means a man of good intent. We must exercise caution!"

"Commander Zhou, have you been frightened out of your wits by Chu Feng?" Cheng Pu said with dissatisfaction, noting that since Chu Feng had already withdrawn, such concern was unnecessary.

"Heh, the world says Chu Feng is cunning, but in my view, while he is indeed cunning, it is mostly that he makes the world fear him. People have elevated him to be more god-like in his foresight than he truly is!" Han Dang added with a cold sneer.

Zhou Yu frowned. Seeing this, Sun Ce hurriedly smoothed things over, saying, "Gongjin’s concerns are not without merit, but this time he has already returned to reinforce Shouchun."

"Chu Feng has already left. If our army still fears him like a tiger and dares not advance, would the world not mock me, Sun Ce? It would be a disservice to such a golden opportunity."

"But..."

"Enough, my mind is made up. We break camp at the fifth watch tomorrow. The three armies will follow me to take Piling. We shall capture Piling by the fifteenth and take Dantu within thirty days to fully secure Wu Commandery," Sun Ce proclaimed with grand ambition.

"That is all. You may all go and prepare!" Sun Ce waved his hand.

"Understood!" the generals responded in unison.

Each of them was eager for action. By taking these cities, they would have the chance to be the first to scale the walls, slay enemy generals, and earn glory. Mostly, they were simply tired of being beaten by Chu Feng. It was high time they enjoyed a victory.

————

Late May, the third year of the Jian'an era.

Cao Cao divided his forces to surround Lu Su’s naval base and crossed the Huai River heading south. Within days, Shouchun was tightly besieged. With no other choice, Lu Su brought his personal guards out of the naval base and into Shouchun to take command of the overall situation.

Sun Ce advanced on Piling, beginning the construction of siege engines to prepare for an assault. Unbeknownst to them, however, a unit wearing the armor of Sun’s army was traveling by night and hiding by day, rapidly closing in on Wu County.

————

Meanwhile, inside the General’s Mansion in Shouchun.

Lu Su paced back and forth, exhausted by the past few days. He asked anxiously, "Where is General Ji Ling?"

"Reporting to the General, General Ji Ling has sent word that he has passed Hefei and estimates he will arrive in five days," a guard replied.

"Five days? No, that is too long. In five days, Cao Cao will have already surrounded Shouchun."

"Go! Tell Ji Ling to abandon all baggage and force-march his entire army. They must reach Shouchun within three days," Lu Su commanded with a frown, issuing a strict order.

Lu Su knew that once the Cao army laid siege to the city, Ji Ling’s isolated force outside would be in grave danger. Rather than risk that, it was better to abandon the supplies and return at top speed.

"Understood!" The guard acknowledged and withdrew.

"Is there any news from my Lord?" Lu Su couldn't help but ask.

"Reporting to the General, none yet!" another guard replied.

However, before he could finish his sentence, a messenger came rushing in from outside the mansion, shouting, "General! An urgent dispatch from my Lord!"

Lu Su’s expression grew grave. He stepped forward and took the envelope, scanning the contents. His pupils constricted sharply. Chu Feng had sent people to feign a return while he intended to take Wu Commandery himself?

Although the letter detailed the situation thoroughly and even analyzed the pros and cons, Shouchun only had a meager five thousand troops. If Ji Ling failed to return in time, Shouchun might fall!

"Alas!" Lu Su sighed.

Since Chu Feng had made his decision, there was nothing he could do. He immediately ordered, "Pass the word down: my Lord has already led his troops to reinforce us and will arrive shortly. The three armies must hold the city at all costs."

Afterward, he decided to pay another visit to the Qiao residence. Whether they could hold Shouchun this time would depend on Qiao Rui. He had a good relationship with the prominent families in the city, and if it came to the worst, he might need their assistance to defend the walls.

————

A few days later, the Cao army reached the city walls.

Ji Ling’s army was a step too late and could only set up camp fifty miles south of the city to guard Shouchun’s safety.

Under the walls, Cao Cao led his generals on an inspection.

Looking at the expanded city of Shouchun, Cao Cao remarked with emotion, "A year ago, Shouchun was still destitute. I never expected such great changes in a mere year."

Guo Jia and Xun You both nodded.

After crossing the Huai, they saw continuous fields and irrigation canals everywhere. The official roads were also well-maintained and clean, a far cry from the plight under Yuan Shu's rule.

"Lord Cao, I imagine Chu Feng is already on his way back. Time is of the essence. We should order the construction of siege engines to attack the city. I am willing to be the first to scale the walls," Liu Bei said, cupping his hands.

His two wives were still inside the city. He had no idea what had become of them!

"Heh, indeed, that should be the case!" Cao Cao chuckled, giving a perfunctory reply.

Although Shouchun did not have many defenders, it had been heightened by Yuan Shu and was a formidable fortress. A standard siege would inevitably result in countless casualties. Moreover, his purpose in coming here was merely to force Chu Feng to retreat. Whether he actually attacked the city was of little importance.

After the inspection, the various units departed.

Guan Yu followed behind Liu Bei, hesitating for a long time before speaking, "Eldest Brother, it is clear that Cao Cao has no intention of attacking the city. He likely only wants to force Chu Feng to return."

Liu Bei’s eyes were deep; he knew this well enough in his heart.

"Hmph! Let him attack or not—as long as that old brat Chu Feng comes back, I'll see to it that I poke ten thousand holes in him!" Zhang Fei growled, his eyes fierce.

"Third Brother, you must not underestimate the heroes of the world!" Liu Bei chided with a frown. Zhang Fei was good at everything, but he was far too reckless.

"Eldest Brother, if you ask me, you are just too cautious!" Zhang Fei retorted. In his view, Liu Bei’s way of conducting himself in the world was far too timid.

Back in Xuchang, Liu Bei hadn't even dared to breathe loudly, spending his days farming, which had driven Zhang Fei to the point of frustration.

"Third Brother, be respectful!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and rebuked him. However, he was even more arrogant than Zhang Fei. He had never held the likes of Chu Feng in any regard, viewing him as little more than a chicken or a dog to be slaughtered.

Since this man had taken his sisters-in-law, in Guan Yu’s eyes, Chu Feng was already a dead man; he just hadn't had the chance to slay him yet!

Liu Bei sighed. While both of his brothers were incredibly brave, each had their own character flaws: Zhang Fei was reckless and treated soldiers poorly while being overly familiar with scholars, while Guan Yu was arrogant and distanced himself from the gentry and his own troops.

When would he ever be able to restore the Han Dynasty? When would he ever stop living under the shadow of others?