My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Yangzhou, outside Shouchun City.

In the summer, the Jianghuai region is sweltering and filled with the incessant chirping of cicadas.

The combined forces of Sun Quan, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao, numbering 80,000, completely besieged Shouchun City.

Banners blotted out the sun, camps stretched endlessly, and a murderous aura soared to the heavens.

On the city wall, Yuan Shu's banner still fluttered in the wind, but the faces of the defending soldiers showed little fighting spirit.

Beneath the city walls, the morale of the allied forces rose steadily. From Lujiang to Shouchun, they swept through the enemy with unstoppable force. The once invincible Yuan Shu army crumbled like paper under the combined attack of the three armies of Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao.

But they were ultimately stopped at the gates of Shouchun City.

This largest city in Huainan was well-fortified with high walls and deep moats, and had ample supplies.

Although Yuan Shu was arrogant, he was not entirely unprepared.

He concentrated all his elite troops in Shouchun, adopting a defensive posture.

In the city of Shouchun, at Yuan Shu's residence.

Yuan Shu sat on the dragon throne, his face grim.

Below the hall, strategists such as Yang Hong and Yan Xiang sat on either side, while generals such as Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui stood with their hands on their swords.

Since ascending the throne and declaring himself emperor, Yuan Shu has never worn his old robes again. Every day, he wears a ceremonial crown and looks every bit the emperor.

"His Majesty."

Yang Hong bowed and said, "Although the allied forces of Sun, Liu and Cao are numerous, they have come from afar and their supplies will surely run out. Our army only needs to hold firm and not come out. When their food runs out, they will surely collapse without a fight."

Yuan Shu nodded, his expression softening slightly: "Dezhi's words make sense. I have the fortified city of Shouchun, with ample supplies. What do we have to fear? Issue the order to close the city gates tightly, and forbid anyone from going out to fight! Let those traitors wait it out beneath the city walls, and see who can outlast whom!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.

Outside the city, at the Allied Forces' camp.

Unlike Yuan Shu's composure, the atmosphere in the allied forces' camp grew increasingly tense.

Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao sat side by side in the main seat.

Under the tent, Sun Ce, Xu Chu, Xu Sheng, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren and other generals lined up on both sides.

Everyone's face was serious, and you could hear a pin drop in the tent.

The supply officer knelt on the ground, his voice trembling: "My lords, the military rations... the military rations are almost gone."

Sun Jian frowned: "How many more days can we sustain this?"

The supply officer lowered his head: "At most... three days."

Upon hearing this, the tent fell into a deathly silence.

Three days.

We only have enough food for three days.

Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao exchanged glances, all seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Yuan Shu's stubborn refusal to engage in battle clearly indicates his intention to wear the enemy down.

But they can't afford to wait.

With an army of 80,000, the daily consumption of food and provisions was astronomical.

If Shouchun cannot be captured within three days, the army will collapse without a fight, and Yuan Shu will then pursue them out of the city, with unimaginable consequences.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then suddenly leaned close to Sun Jian's ear and whispered a few words.

After listening, Sun Jian frowned and said in a low voice, "Mengde, is this plan truly feasible?"

Cao Cao smiled bitterly: "Brother Wentai, this is all we can do now. We'll try anything, even if it's a dead horse. We can't conjure up any more grain right now."

Liu Bei, who was standing nearby, also heard Cao Cao's words. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded and said, "Brother Wentai, Mengde is right. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

Sun Jian took a deep breath and looked at the supply officer: "I don't care what method you use, you must maintain this for another ten days."

The supply officer was deathly pale: "My lord! We only have enough rations for three days, how can we possibly last ten?"

Sun Jian stared at him and said, word by word, "Change to using small measures for distribution."

The supply officer trembled, his voice shaking, "My lord, what if the soldiers don't have enough to eat and cause trouble?"

Sun Jian waved his hand: "I have my own plan, just follow it."

The grain officer opened his mouth, as if to say something, but seeing Sun Jian's piercing gaze, he swallowed his words and could only kowtow, saying, "Yes..."

The next day, at the Allied Forces camp.

The once plentiful meals were reduced overnight to wild vegetables and thin porridge.

The soldiers held their bowls, staring at the thin, watery porridge, and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"What is this? Pig feed?"

"I'm risking my life on the front lines, and this is what I get to eat?"

"Where is the grain officer? Where is he? Did he embezzle the grain?"

Complaints were rampant, and discontent spread like a plague throughout the camp.

Although the battalion commanders tried their best to suppress the situation, it was to no avail.

With the soldiers starving, how could they possibly be in the mood to fight?

Sun Jian stood on a high point in the camp, looking down at the soldiers below who were filled with resentment, his face solemn.

Cao Cao walked to his side and whispered, "Brother Wentai, that's about enough."

Sun Jian nodded, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolute determination.

"Someone, summon the grain officer."

Central command tent.

The grain officer was brought into the tent and made to kneel on the ground, feeling uneasy.

Sun Jian looked at him, remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke: "I need to borrow something from you."

The grain officer asked in a trembling voice, "What does my lord need to borrow?"

Sun Jian closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were icy cold: "I'll borrow your head."

The grain officer was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground and weeping uncontrollably: "My lord! My lord! I am innocent! I have always been diligent and conscientious, never daring to embezzle a single penny! I have been wronged!"

Sun Jian looked at him, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

He stepped forward, personally helped the grain officer to his feet, and whispered, "I know you are innocent."

The grain officer, tears streaming down his face, cried out, "Then why, my lord...?"

Sun Jian gripped his shoulders and said, word by word, "But if we don't kill you, the morale of the army will be thrown into chaos, and the army will surely collapse. At that time, Yuan Shu will come out of the city to pursue us. Of the 80,000 soldiers, how many will be able to return alive?"

The grain officer trembled all over and could not speak.

Sun Jian continued, "Rest assured, after your death, I will take care of your wife, children, and elderly parents for the rest of your life. I will treat your sons even better than my own. I swear here and now that if I break this promise, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

The grain officer knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, he raised his head and looked at Sun Jian. There was no longer any fear in his eyes, only a calm acceptance of his fate.

"My lord, I... understand."

He kowtowed deeply, then stood up, straightened his clothes, and strode out of the tent.

Outside the tent, the entire army assembled.

The supply officer was escorted to a high platform, bound hand and foot, and made to kneel before the soldiers.

Cao Ren stood aside and announced sternly, "The grain officer has embezzled military rations and lined his own pockets; his crime is unforgivable! According to military law, he shall be executed!"

A flash of light!

Heads rolled!

Blood gushed out and splattered on the high platform, a horrifying sight.

The soldiers below the stage were all dumbfounded and speechless.

No wonder Cao Ren is destined to become a celestial general; he's got a knack for boosting morale.

Cao Ren pointed at the bloodied head and shouted, "This scoundrel has been executed! All the grain and fodder found in his home have been distributed to the various camps! Today, the entire army will have a hearty meal!"

He drew his long sword, pointed it at Shouchun City, and roared, "If Shouchun is not captured within three days, everyone starting with me will be executed!"

The words "all beheaded" resounded like thunder throughout the camp!

The soldiers were stunned for a moment, then erupted in a roar as loud as a tsunami.

"Capture Shouchun! Capture Yuan Shu alive!"

"Capture Shouchun! Capture Yuan Shu alive!"

The sound was deafening, and could be clearly heard even from the distant city wall of Shouchun.

Yuan Shu stood on the city wall, listening to the deafening roar, and his expression changed drastically.

"What happened?"

He shouted sternly, "Aren't those traitors suffering from a food shortage? How do they still have the strength to attack the city?"

Yang Hong's expression was grave as he said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid... they're going to gamble with their last remaining supplies and fight to the death."

Yuan Shu's face was ashen, and he hissed, "Defend! Defend to the death! They won't last much longer! Once their food supply is cut off, they will surely collapse!"

"Yes, sir!" the generals shouted in unison.

But they all knew it in their hearts.

This battle will likely cost countless lives.

That night, at the Allied camp.

The soldiers had a hearty meal and went to bed early.

Tomorrow will be the battle to the death.

In the central command tent, Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao sat facing each other.

Cao Cao, holding his wine cup, said softly, "Brother Wentai, although this plan has succeeded, what about the grain official..."

Sun Jian shook his head, interrupting him: "No need to say more. I will definitely do what I promised him."

Liu Bei sighed, "Brother Wentai, your righteousness is truly admirable."

Sun Jian smiled bitterly: "Righteousness? I am nothing more than a murderer."

Cao Cao put down his wine cup and said solemnly, "Brother Wentai, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. The death of that grain officer was worth the lives of 80,000 soldiers."

Sun Jian did not speak, but gazed out of the tent with a distant look in his eyes.

Outside the tent, the night wind howled.

In the distance, the outline of Shouchun City was faintly visible in the night.

Tomorrow will be the decisive battle.