Three Kingdoms: Conquer Wu from Maicheng with Cavalry and Swords, Don't Fall Behind

Clop, clack. The horses' hooves moved lightly and crisply, as if strolling leisurely, completely devoid of the anxious atmosphere of war.

Pan Zhang's dark face revealed a composed confidence, and the large gold lock around his neck swayed precariously.

"That bandit is incredibly skilled; he could probably fight a tiger bare-handed. Despite being surrounded, we couldn't stop him. Fortunately, you were a brilliant strategist who sent an elite force to launch a surprise attack on Maicheng."

"In terms of personal martial arts, I am no match for Guan Yu. But when it comes to using my brain, I am in no way inferior to him. With your help, sir, we will be like a tiger with wings. When we take Maicheng and capture and kill Guan Yu, you will deserve the greatest credit, and I will be second in rank."

Pan Zhang was already fully armored and mounted on his horse at that time. If it weren't for Zhuge Jin stopping him, he would probably have followed in the footsteps of Jiang Qin and Han Dang, his fine head becoming part of Guan Yu's iron-blooded military achievements.

Honestly, even when Xiang Yu was the same age as Guan Yu, he wasn't as good as him. He was truly a ruthless old scoundrel.

Zhuge Jin's sleeves fluttered, and a faint smile appeared on his elongated face:

"At the beginning of the chaotic era, battle formations consisted of no more than a hundred men, at most a little over a thousand. The courage of a common man could determine victory or defeat, hence the rise and fall of generals. Lü Bu, with only a few hundred elite cavalry, was able to establish a foothold and gain influence."

"Now that you command over ten thousand troops, how can you fight using the old methods? Grand Commander Lü Meng listened to advice and learned from others, making a hundredfold improvement. I once paid him a visit; his knowledge is profound and he is no longer the ignorant Lü Meng of old. You should emulate him."

Pan Zhang was taken aback. Should he emulate the Grand Commander?

When he was a few years old, his family was poor, and he herded cattle for a local tyrant. One day, he drove the cattle home, but they wouldn't listen to him and went in the opposite direction. He couldn't pull them back, so he cried and followed the cattle, and eventually they arrived home.

Pan Erniu is more reliable at studying than him!

He achieved his current status and position through ruthless fighting and brawling. Even in his youth, he was naturally dissolute and loved to buy alcohol on credit. Creditors were terrified when they came to collect debts.

Without that ruthless drive, Pan Zhang didn't think he could make a good living. One mustn't forget one's roots; go to hell with studying!

Zhuge Jinrong earnestly declined the offer, but explained the principles of learning and sincerely imparted them to him.

Pan Zhang, clutching the large gold lock, readily agreed, his face beaming with joy as if he had found a treasure. He seemed eager to immediately set off to buy a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals, but in reality, he did nothing. It wasn't until a large-scale panic broke out ahead that he was finally rescued.

He drew his sword and seized a fleeing soldier, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Without my orders, who dares to retreat! And Ma Zhong? If he doesn't answer within three steps, I'll chop off his testicles!"

The routed soldiers sobbed and cried, "General Ma Zhong... he was killed by the traitor Guan!"

Zhuge Jin felt a chill run down his spine and nearly lost his balance, falling off his horse: "I warned you a thousand times, but Ma Zhong just wouldn't listen! He's showing off his personal bravery and ruining His Majesty's important affairs!"

Enraged, Pan Zhang swiftly beheaded the deserter, shouting, "You'll take the blame for Ma Zhong! Go enjoy your good fortune! Bah!"

He led a dozen or so riders, gazing into the distance at Maicheng, braving the wind and snow.

The rammed earth city wall is only about ten feet long, and the parapet shows signs of weathering and erosion, making it look old and crumbling.

The Ju River is clear and cold, winding its way through the snow-covered valleys. Its murmuring sound is like the playing of a zither, never ceasing day and night.

"If Pan cannot defeat the enemy at Maicheng, his efforts will be like the Ju River flowing away, never to return!"

……

Nanjun, Jiangling.

Located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, bordered by the Han River to the north and controlling the Xiang and Yuan Rivers to the south, it was a vital hub for trade and grain transport between the north and south. The city was fortified, standing along the river, guarding the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

It was a place of great cultural heritage, with a rich accumulation of Chu culture, thriving commerce, and a people who valued both martial arts and literature.

The prison was dark and damp, with frost forming on the ventilation windows. The prisoners were dressed in thin clothes, their feet bound by chains, their skin broken, bleeding, and scabbed over. Each day, they were rationed only half a liter of coarse bran and millet, and half a bowl of water, leaving them dazed and weak from hunger.

Pan Jun, dressed in an elegant brocade robe with disheveled hair, had a table laden with delicious dishes, including his favorite Chu-style roasted fish. Freshly caught Yangtze River carp, slowly roasted over lychee charcoal, dipped in the spicy aroma of ginger and orange, was said to bring one to immortality with just one bite.

There's also fish sashimi, finely sliced ​​with a sharp knife and coated in a sour plum sauce to enhance its flavor. Water shield picked from Yunmengze is stewed with soft-shelled turtle, resulting in a refreshing and nourishing dish.

The pot contained not fine wine, but sugarcane juice, a rare treat in winter, which evoked memories of the ancient Chu dynasty.

Pan Jun didn't taste a bite, gazing up at the bookshelf with a blank look in his eyes. The shelves were sparsely spaced, not overflowing. Most of the scrolls on the shelves were made of bamboo slips, silk, or coarse paper, wrapped in blue cloth.

"Guan Yu, I told you not to launch a northern expedition, not to launch a northern expedition. Now Fu Shiren has surrendered, Mi Fang has surrendered, they've all surrendered, are you satisfied now?"

"I am willing to die facing west, like Shen Pei."

A single tear fell onto Pan Jun's clothes, threatening to burst forth like a dam breaking.

"With fine cuisine and classic texts leading to a bright future, why does the gentleman weep, his heart filled with sorrow for his orphaned child?"

The newcomer was of extraordinary appearance, unlike any other. He had a square face and a large mouth, with a long, flowing purple beard that hung down his back. He immediately appeared imposing, like a mountain, displaying the majesty of a ruler.

"Waaah—" Pan Jun wept uncontrollably, lying on the brocade quilt, his shoulders and back trembling, his voice like a lone goose in the vast sky.

Sun Quan resolutely drew his sword, aimed it at Pan Jun's back, and shouted:

"Ding's father was a captive of Ruo, whom King Wu appointed as his military advisor; Peng Zhongshuang was a captive of Shen, whom King Wen promoted to prime minister. A man's grief should be for the suffering of the common people and the devastation of the state, not for personal feelings, causing him to weep like a child."

Pan Jun was utterly devastated, his eyes wide with fury and his teeth chattering, but he uttered not a word.

Sun Quan sheathed his sword with a clang, sighed, and left, as if he had given up hope.

Pan Jun lowered his head, concealing his thoughts, when light footsteps sounded outside the prison gate. He glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, then froze, lost in thought.

The newcomer wore a pure white dress with flowing clouds reminiscent of the first snow, its wide sleeves fluttering lightly with each graceful step, exuding a faint, ethereal aura.

The skirt was made of extremely soft Wu silk, and when she moved, it seemed to shimmer with the light of moonlight.

The woman knelt gently, her slender hands lightly plucking the strings of her zither. The opening melody was like the mountains just awakening, the deep bass like the earth's veins trembling. With a flick of her jade fingers, a clear and melodious sound burst forth, transforming into the first waterfall cascading through the cracks of the craggy rocks, crashing against the bluestone and scattering into mist.

Pan Jun stood there blankly, no longer crying or making a fuss.

The woman gently stepped forward and used her embroidered handkerchief to wipe away his tears: "His Majesty said that wealth cannot sway your heart, rank and emolument cannot change your will, and life and death cannot stop you. He has no other choice. I want to help His Majesty end this chaotic world, and I also want to save people like you."

She raised the wine jug, took a sip, and leaned towards Pan Jun. The crimson deer blood wine slid between her lips and teeth.

Pan Jun took a deep breath, then another, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

The man approached and hugged her, but the woman quickly pushed him away with both hands.

That evening, a light drizzle mixed with snow fell, and as the night drew to a close, the clouds suddenly parted and the moon appeared.

"Gongyan is well. The fall of Jingzhou is due to General Guan's harshness, which alienated the soldiers and caused the city's defenses to collapse. Now we are surrounded by swords and axes. If we surrender, we will be taken prisoner; if we resist, our entire families will be stained with blood."

"My heart is breaking. To save the lives of my soldiers and the people of Jingzhou, I have no choice but to submit to the enemy. I humbly beg you to take care, take care!"

After writing his letter to his cousin Jiang Wan, Pan Jun knelt down to express his gratitude and then told Sun Quan in detail about the military deployment in Jingzhou. He was then appointed as the Assistant General of the Army and given command of troops.

He cleverly inquired and learned that the woman came from the prominent Bu family of Huaiyin and was a favorite concubine of the Marquis of Wu.

At that time, Xi Zhen, the Northern Commandant of Lingling, and Fan Zhou, an official of Wuling, respected the Han Dynasty and jointly raised an army to rebel against Eastern Wu. They also lured the Wuling barbarians to plot the restoration of Wuling Commandery and offer it to the King of Hanzhong.

Someone advised Sun Quan that it would take at least 50,000 troops to quell the rebellion. Sun Quan did not agree and summoned Pan Jun, a man from Wuling, that night to ask for his advice.

Pan Jun sneered disdainfully, "Five thousand soldiers are more than enough to capture you. I'm willing to sign a military pledge!"

Sun Quan laughed and accepted the advice, and immediately dispatched Pan Jun with 5,000 men to Wuling.