Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 125 The Hunt in Juancheng
Zhang Miao has been launching a fierce attack on Juancheng for seven days now.

The city walls were piled high with corpses, yet they were never able to breach the walls.

Lu Bu stood at the front of the battle line, looking at the Cao army's battle flags fluttering on the city wall, feeling anxious.

In his eyes, Juancheng was like a lone boat tossed about in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment, yet strangely, it was as stable as a rock, making him grit his teeth in frustration.

On the eighth day, Lü Bu finally could not restrain himself and personally donned his armor and led his army to attack the city. However, his strongest heavy infantry unit, the Trapped Camp, did not participate in the siege for the time being, but instead stayed behind to protect his family.

With Lü Bu's arrival, the defense of Juancheng became increasingly strained.

The defenders on the city wall suffered heavy casualties, and breaches kept appearing.

The problem is that no matter how strong the wind or how rough the waves, it still looks like it's about to collapse, but it just won't.

On the eleventh day, Lü Bu and his men were once again driven off the city walls.

Chen Gong stood outside the central command tent, gazing at the Cao army's battle flags fluttering on the city wall, and a sense of unease gradually rose in his heart.

He noted that despite Zhang Miao and Lü Bu's relentless attacks on Juancheng, the defenders on the city walls maintained a steady defensive rhythm.

Whenever a breach appeared in the city wall and it was about to be breached, a reserve force would always be there to fill the gap, as if the defenders had an inexhaustible supply of troops.

The equipment and morale of these reserve teams did not seem to be hastily assembled.

"Strategist, this is today's battle damage report." A guard presented a bamboo scroll.

Chen Gong took a look and his brows furrowed even more.

During this period, Zhang Miao's army had lost nearly 15,000 men, and Lü Bu's army had also lost several thousand elite troops, but the defense of Juancheng had not weakened in the slightest.

What's even stranger is that the number of soldiers guarding the city walls doesn't seem to have decreased much!
"Impossible!" Chen Gong thought to himself, "Zhang Miao and Fengxian have attacked the city walls countless times, how could the defenders of Juancheng have suffered such minor losses... Could it be..."

Chen Gong turned around abruptly and ordered his personal guards, "Quickly summon the scout captain!"

A moment later, the scout captain rushed over. "What are your orders, strategist?"

Chen Gong said in a deep voice, "Immediately send people to find out news about Puyang and Dongwuyang. In particular, find out the movements of the Li family in Dongwuyang thoroughly."

The scout captain accepted the order and left.

Chen Gong paced back and forth in the tent, his premonition growing stronger.

The city's defenses were bizarre; the Li family surrendered far too easily…

He suspected that Cao Yan and others' true purpose might not be to defend Juancheng to the death, but to draw away the main force of Lü Bu and Zhang Miao, and then let Cao Cao and Li Dian bypass and blockade them from behind.

Just then, the scout captain, who had only set off a short time ago, turned back, his face full of panic: "Strategist, something terrible has happened! We had only been traveling for a short time when we encountered messengers sent by the gentry."

They said that Cao Cao had already captured Chenliu, Yongqiu, and Changyuan, and was leading his army toward Puyang.

Li Dian also crossed the river south from Baima Ferry, presumably intending to join Cao Cao in Puyang!

Chen Gong suddenly felt dizzy; his worst fears had come true.

Cao Yan and his men's plan was indeed a feint, using Juancheng to draw their attention and then taking the opportunity to seize their rear base.

"Quickly, invite General Lü and Prefect Zhang to the tent for a meeting!" Chen Gong said urgently.

A moment later, Lü Bu and Zhang Miao entered the tent.

Zhang Miao, Lü Bu, and others were preparing for the next siege when Chen Gong suddenly called them back, their faces showing displeasure.

Zhang Miao's face was full of anger, yet he couldn't hide his exhaustion.

Lu Bu, also looking displeased, asked in an unfriendly tone, "Strategist, what important matter do you have that you summoned us here for?"

Chen Gong took a deep breath and truthfully relayed the scout's report.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Miao's face turned deathly pale. Lü Bu was even more horrified: "Puyang is our base. If Cao Cao takes it, we will have nowhere to go!"

Zhang Miao was panicked and asked anxiously, "What should we do?"

Lu Bu was also getting anxious, but he still tried to remain calm: "Strategist, do you have a plan to defeat the enemy?"

Chen Gong pondered for a moment and said, "Now there are only two paths: one is to immediately return to rescue Puyang, and the other is to continue attacking Juancheng, hoping to break through the city before Cao Cao captures Puyang."

Lu Bu hesitated and said, "Puyang is the foundation of our army. We cannot lose it. We must rescue it."

Zhang Miao, however, had already calmed down.

He had sent his entire clan to Jingzhou long before the war started. So what if Chenliu was lost? He had nothing to lose now.

Upon hearing Lü Bu's words, Zhang Miao couldn't help but sneer, "Return to rescue? What if the garrison of Juancheng chases after us? When you return, Marquis Wen, you might be attacked from both sides."

Before Lü Bu and Zhang Miao could finish their argument, a soldier rushed into the tent and shouted, "Report! Marquis Wen!! Cao Cao's army has arrived outside Juancheng!"

Lu Bu and Zhang Miao were stunned for a moment, speechless.

Chen Gong sighed and said, "I underestimated Cao Cao's determination and speed... They have completed the encirclement, and we are surrounded."

Enraged, Lü Bu drew his sword and roared, "Then let's fight Cao Cao to the death!"

Chen Gong stopped him: "General, we must not act rashly at this time. We must calm down and think of a way to break through the encirclement."

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the tent.

Zhang Liao rode up on horseback, shouting, "Strategist, Cao Cao requests your presence at the front lines!"

Chen Gong glanced at Lü Bu and Zhang Miao and said, "I'll be right back."

Upon arriving at the front lines, Chen Gong saw Cao Cao on horseback, followed by several thousand elite cavalry led by Xiahou Dun and others.

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Gongtai, how have you been?"

Chen Gong said coldly, "Mengde, we are already enemies, what else is there to say?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao sighed: "Gongtai, you and I were once close friends, but you abandoned me and instead joined Lü Bu. Today's predicament is entirely your own fault."

Chen Gong remained silent for a moment, then said, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together; further discussion is pointless."

Seeing that Chen Gong was determined, Cao Cao said nothing more.

Although it's a pity, Chen Gong is right: those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

Chen Gong turned and left, feeling unwilling but having no choice but to accept it.

This battle was already destined to fail, but he still wanted to fight for one last chance for Lü Bu and Zhang Miao.

Back in his tent, Chen Gong said to Lü Bu, "My lord, we must now break through the encirclement."

"Breakout...where to break out? Puyang and Chenliu are gone, where can we go?" Lu Bu said dejectedly.

Zhang Miao remained silent, lost in thought.

Chen Gong pointed to the map hanging in the tent and said, "We can go to Lu State via Rencheng State and seek refuge with Tao Qian in Xuzhou. Now that Tao Qian and Cao Cao are mortal enemies, he will surely accept us if we go to him."

Then, Chen Gong looked at Zhang Miao and said, "Meng Zhuo, you can stay in Xuzhou for the time being, or go south to serve Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu is a chivalrous man, and you should repay his kindness. He will surely give you an important position."

Zhang Miao knew that the situation was hopeless and that revenge was impossible; he was lucky to have survived.

Therefore, he nodded and agreed with Chen Gong's idea.

Seeing that Zhang Miao agreed, Lü Bu also said, "Alright, let's do as you say, strategist."

(End of this chapter)