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

In the autumn of the fourth year of Jian'an (199 AD), in Changyi, Yanzhou.

The cicadas chirped incessantly, and the summer heat was intense.

Cao Cao stood atop the city wall, gazing silently towards Shuntian in the north. Behind him, Cao Ang and Cao Pi knelt on the ground, their faces calm, yet beneath that calm lay unfathomable complexity.

"Father," Cao Ang said, his voice steady, "I am going to Shuntian, and I don't know when I will be able to return. I hope you will take care of yourself and not worry about me."

Cao Cao turned around and looked at his two sons. Cao Ang was already twenty, handsome and composed, showing much of his father's bearing. Cao Pi was only twelve, with delicate features and exceptional intelligence. These were his flesh and blood, his bloodline. But today, he was going to send them to Shuntian, to Ji Xuanyuan, as hostages.

"Ang'er, Pi'er," he said, his voice hoarse, "I'm sorry, Father."

Cao Ang shook his head: "Father, there's no need for that. I know you're doing this for Yanzhou and for the Cao family. I will act with utmost care and not bring shame upon our family."

Cao Pi also said, "Father, rest assured, I will listen to my elder brother."

Cao Cao stepped forward, helped the two men up, patted them on the shoulder, and his eyes were slightly red.

"Go. When you get to Shuntian, listen to Lord Yan's words and don't cause trouble. Your father... will come to see you."

Cao Ang and Cao Pi bowed deeply and turned to leave. Cao Cao stood on the city wall, watching the departing carriage, motionless for a long time.

Behind him, Xi Zhicai said softly, "My lord, let's go back."

Cao Cao didn't move, but muttered, "Zhicai, tell me, have I been too cowardly?"

Xi Zhicai remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "My lord is not weak, but rather patient. He endures this moment's anger to plan for future opportunities."

Cao Cao smiled bitterly: "An opportunity in the future? Is there even a future?"

Without waiting for Xi Zhicai's reply, he turned and walked down the city wall. The setting sun cast a long shadow over him.

Yanzhou, Sun Ce's camp.

Sun Ce sat in his tent, his face ashen, before him lay the news that Cao Cao had sent his son to Shuntian.

"Cao Mengde!" He slammed his fist on the table, shattering it with a crash. "He actually sent his son there! Is he trying to bow down to Ji Xuanyuan?!"

The lieutenant urgently said, "General, please calm down. Cao Cao had no choice..."

"Unavoidable?"

Sun Ce sneered, "He has two sons, and my father died at the hands of Ji Xuanyuan! What right does he have to say he had no choice?!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the tent, his chest heaving violently.

"I cannot sit idly by and wait for my death. Cao Cao is unreliable; I must find another way out."

The lieutenant was taken aback: "General, you mean...?"

Sun Ce stopped, his gaze sweeping over the past: "Go to Jiaozhou. Seek refuge with Liu Bei."

The lieutenant was shocked: "General! Liu Bei betrayed us back then..."

Sun Ce waved his hand, interrupting him: "I know. But right now, Liu Bei is the only one who dares to oppose Ji Xuanyuan. I share a common enemy with him; everything else is unimportant."

He turned to his deputy, his gaze resolute: "Pass down the order: pack your bags tonight, and the entire army will march south first thing tomorrow morning."

"promise!"

That night, at Sun Ce's camp.

Three thousand men, fully armed and ready to depart. Sun Ce, mounted on his horse, glanced back towards Yanzhou. There, Cao Cao's city was brightly lit. That was the place he had once thought would be where he could rise again. But now, he was leaving.

"Father," he murmured, "I will not let you die in vain."

He spurred his horse and galloped away.

Several days later, Jiaozhou, Jiaozhi.

Liu Bei was discussing military affairs with Jian Yong when a personal guard suddenly reported: "My lord! A group of men has arrived from the north, carrying banners bearing the name Sun, claiming to be General Sun Ce, and they wish to join you!"

Liu Bei abruptly stood up, his expression changing drastically: "Sun Ce? Isn't he with Cao Cao?"

Jian Yong's expression also changed: "My lord, Sun Ce's arrival is likely not well-intentioned..."

Liu Bei waved his hand, interrupting him: "No. He didn't come with ill intentions; he's just desperate."

He straightened his clothes and strode out of the mansion.

Outside the city, Sun Ce led three thousand men, arrayed in battle formation. He sat astride his horse, gazing calmly at the large banner bearing the character "Liu" atop the city wall. Liu Bei emerged from the city, spurred his horse forward, and reined it in before the enemy lines.

"Bo Fu," he said gently, "how have you been?"

Sun Ce looked at him, his gaze complex. This man had once betrayed his father. But now, he had no other choice.

"Lord Liu," he said, clasping his hands in greeting, "I have nowhere else to go and have come to seek refuge. I hope you will take me in."

Liu Bei smiled slightly, stepped forward and grasped his hand: "Bo Fu, what are you saying? We're family, why be so formal? Come, come, let's go into the city and talk!"

Sun Ce was taken aback, then dismounted and entered the city hand in hand with Liu Bei. Behind them, three thousand men filed in.

That night, at the governor's residence in Jiaozhi.

Liu Bei hosted a banquet to welcome Sun Ce. After several rounds of drinks, Liu Bei put down his wine cup and said seriously, "Bo Fu, your arrival is timely. Although Jiaozhou is remote, it is the front line against Ji. Zhou Yu is eyeing us covetously in Yangzhou, and Xiang Yu is preparing his troops in Jiangdong. I am short of manpower, and your arrival is like adding wings to a tiger."

Sun Ce nodded: "I am willing to serve you, my lord, with utmost loyalty. I only ask that you help me avenge myself someday!"

Liu Bei grasped his hand, his gaze sincere: "Bo Fu, rest assured. Ji Xuanyuan is our common enemy. If I do not avenge you, I am unworthy to be the Governor of Jiaozhou!"

A look of gratitude flashed in Sun Ce's eyes as he raised his cup and said, "I will forever remember your great kindness, my lord!"

The two drank together, each with their own thoughts.

Six months later, in the spring of the fifth year of Jian'an (200 AD), in Jiaozhou.

With Sun Ce's assistance, Liu Bei was like a tiger with wings. Within half a year, he successively pacified Jiuzhen and Rinan, incorporated Shi Xie's former troops, and occupied the entire Jiaozhou. Jiaozhou at that time bordered Jingzhou to the north, the sea to the south, Yangzhou to the east, and Yizhou to the west. Although it was located in a remote corner, it was still a major threat to the imperial court.

But Liu Bei felt no pride whatsoever.

He knew that Zhou Yu had already amassed an army of 50,000 in Yangzhou, and Xiang Yu was preparing for war in Jiangdong. An imperial punitive expedition could come at any moment.

"My lord," Jian Yong rushed in, his face grave, "Zhou Yu has sent people to Jiaozhou again to spread rumors."

Liu Bei frowned: "What news?"

Jian Yong said, "Zhou Yu said that the imperial army will soon march south, those who surrender will be pardoned, and those who resist will have their entire families executed. He also said... he also said that the gentry and former subordinates of Jiaozhou, as long as they submit to the imperial court, will have everything restored as before."

Liu Bei's face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table: "That Zhou Yu, he's utterly vicious!"

Jian Yong said, "My lord, this news is spreading like wildfire in Jiaozhou, and the gentry are filled with anxiety. Those former subordinates of Shi Xie, who were already wavering, are now even more uncertain. If we don't appease them as soon as possible, I'm afraid..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Liu Bei understood. He feared that internal chaos would erupt before the main army even arrived.

Liu Bei stood up, walked to the window, looked south, and remained silent for a long time.

"Xianhe," he began, his voice low, "tell me, have I done something wrong?"

Jian Yong was taken aback: "Why do you say that, my lord?"

Liu Bei smiled bitterly: "Back then, I left Sun Jian and went south to Jiaozhou, thinking I could start anew and contend with Ji Xuanyuan. But now, although Jiaozhou is pacified, we are surrounded by enemies. Zhou Yu and Xiang Yu are eyeing us covetously, and the people within our ranks are filled with anxiety. Can I... hold on?"

Jian Yong remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "My lord, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Liu Bang fought repeatedly despite numerous defeats, and eventually won the empire. As long as you do not give up, there is always hope."

Liu Bei turned around, looked at him, and his gaze gradually hardened: "You're right. I cannot give up."

He returned to his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote down several orders: "Issue the order that all counties strengthen their defenses. Send someone to Yangzhou to secretly contact the generals in Zhou Yu's army to see if they can be persuaded to defect. Send someone to Yizhou to contact Liu Zhang to see if an alliance can be formed."

Jian Yong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Shuntian, the Yan Mansion.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in his study, a secret report from Jiaozhou spread out before him. After reading it, he smiled slightly and handed the report to Guo Jia.

"Fengxiao, look. Liu Bei has indeed established a firm foothold in Jiaozhou."

Guo Jia took the document, skimmed it quickly, and his peach-blossom eyes curved into a smile: "With Sun Ce's assistance, Liu Bei is like a tiger with wings. However, the gentry of Jiaozhou are filled with anxiety, and the internal situation is unstable. As soon as Zhou Yu's army arrives, Liu Bei will surely be defeated."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Then let Zhou Yu make the move."

He stood up, walked to the map, and traced the location of Jiaozhou with his finger: "Send an order to Zhou Yu to proceed according to plan. First, spread the word to undermine the Jiaozhou gentry. Then, advance by land and water to launch a combined attack on Jiaozhi."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan gazed out the window, his eyes fixed on the distance. Outside, spring was in full bloom, and all things were coming back to life. The time for the southern expedition had arrived.

Yangzhou, Wu County.

Zhou Yu stood atop the city wall, gazing south, silent. Behind him, Yuwen Chengdu stood with his hand on his sword.

"Grand Commander," Yuwen Chengdu said, "everything is ready. Fifty thousand troops, with ample provisions, await your command."

Zhou Yu nodded, his gaze deep and far-reaching: "Pass down the order: three days from now, send troops to Jiaozhou."

Yuwen Chengdu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Zhou Yu turned around, looked towards the north in the direction of Shuntian, and murmured, "My lord, I will not let you down."

Jiaozhou, Jiaozhi.

Liu Bei stood atop the city wall, gazing northwards with a grave expression. He knew that Zhou Yu's army would arrive soon.

"Father," a young boy approached him; it was Liu Feng, Liu Bei's adopted son, "Your son is willing to lead the army to meet the enemy!"

Liu Bei looked at him with a complex expression. Liu Feng was only sixteen years old, brave and skilled in battle, showing much of his father's prowess. But he knew that no matter how brave Liu Feng was, he was no match for Zhou Yu.

"No rush," he said softly. "Defend the city first. They'll retreat when they run out of food and reinforcements."

Liu Feng clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"