Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

After distributing a large amount of silver, Yuan Shu’s army exhibited an astonishing level of combat prowess. With both sides’ generals’ advantages neutralized, the fight now became a pure contest of strength. The soldiers, driven by the lure of wealth, finally gave Yuan Shu a glimpse of the possibility of conquering Jiangling within ten days.

”Kill! Kill! Kill!” Ji Ling roared as he led his elite troops into battle, wielding his double-edged spear. His unwavering loyalty to Yuan Shu drove him to fight bravely on the front lines, despite nearly being killed by Huang Zhong earlier. But now, with Yuan Shu’s orders, Ji Ling fearlessly charged at the city walls, leading his men as if he were not the army’s commander but just another soldier.

With Ji Ling, the army’s general, leading the charge, Yuan Shu’s troops were galvanized. They carried ladders and repeatedly assaulted Jiangling’s walls. The sounds of battle, neighing horses, and dying cries intertwined along the banks of the Yangtze River.

After nine days of relentless fighting, the supposedly impregnable walls of Jiangling had sustained significant damage. The once-pristine stone walls were now stained with blood, and the moat, nearly twenty meters wide, had been filled with corpses and debris.

Kuai Yue sat atop the city wall, his once-genteel demeanor now tainted by blood. The once-proud Kuai Yue had abandoned all pretense of nobility, fighting alongside the soldiers to defend the city. He knew that while others could surrender, he and Liu Biao could not. For them, defeat meant certain death.

Defeat equaled death, so Kuai Yue no longer cared about appearances or dragging others down with him in these final moments. He wasn’t the head of his family; even if he went too far, Kuai Liang could just disown him, so Kuai Yue had let go of all reservations. His mind was clear, unaffected by others’ opinions.

After nine days of brutal slaughter, Kuai Yue had shed his scholarly airs, defending the walls alongside the troops. He had an inexplicable feeling that he was no longer controlling his own body but watching himself from a distance. In that moment, his thoughts became exceptionally clear. All the details fell into place, and he gained a comprehensive understanding of the world’s situation, seeing through Yuan Shu’s facade of strength.

”So that’s how it is,” Kuai Yue thought, a smile forming on his face as his mental clarity grew. ”Yuan Shu likely can’t hold out much longer. Victory is mine.” He could see the probability of Yuan Shu retreating and even predicted the possibility of an ambush in the valley—perhaps involving five hundred to eight hundred men. He knew it wouldn’t be Ji Ling or Lu Bu covering the retreat.

”No, wait. On the Yangtze River, Sun Ce might heed Zhou Yu’s advice and ambush there. The Sun family and the Yuan family are not the same. Zhou Yu is a wise man; if he left Yuan Shu to join Sun Ce, then he might seize this opportunity to give Sun Ce a reason to command his own troops.” Information continued to flow through Kuai Yue’s mind, and in this moment, he seemed to stand outside the chessboard, observing the game.

”If it’s Sun Ce, then...” Kuai Yue’s expression turned cold as he planned how to utterly defeat Yuan Shu’s forces.Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through Kuai Yue’s head, shattering the serene state he had entered, where he had calmly observed the unfolding events as if they were a game of chess. He screamed in agony and collapsed, unconscious.

Kuai Yue had unknowingly awakened his mental abilities at that moment. Under the influence of this power, he could visualize the world’s situation as a chessboard and consider all possible moves coldly and rationally. As the one holding the pieces, he wouldn’t concern himself with the fate of the pawns.

Kuai Yue was carried down from the city wall, his mind still reeling in pain. But upon seeing Liu Biao, he forced himself to recall the crucial matters at hand.

”Master, quickly make an announcement: Yuan Shu will retreat within five days, and remember, Cao Mengde cannot be trusted. There is a ninety percent chance that all of this is Cao Mengde’s design—he is gambling with the world’s fate!” Kuai Yue struggled to convey his analysis to Liu Biao, though the pain in his head twisted his expression.

”What? Yuan Shu will retreat in five days?” Liu Biao was stunned but then burst into joy. After all, during these past ten days, Yuan Shu’s relentless attacks had left Jiangling’s defenses exhausted and on the verge of collapse. Yuan Shu had already spread word that those who surrendered would be spared, causing panic within Jiangling. If not for the city’s high walls and Liu Biao’s residual influence, Yuan Shu might have already taken Jiangling.

”Within five days, he will retreat!” Kuai Yue repeated with difficulty. ”Master, please prepare yourself. When that happens, we can restore Nanjun and Jiangxia in one fell swoop.”

”Kuai Yue, tell me more,” Liu Biao urged. After enduring so much, he was desperate for good news.

Kuai Yue hesitated briefly as the pain in his head intensified, but he managed to recall the critical information he had analyzed earlier.

”Master, remember this: As soon as Yuan Shu ceases his assault, have General Huang challenge him to a duel. If no one responds, immediately order a pursuit. Yuan Shu might forget this, but Zhou Gongjin will not forget to set up an ambush to secure glory for Sun Ce!” Kuai Yue struggled to articulate, beads of sweat streaming down his face. ”As for the matter of breaching the Yangtze, please forgive me for my previous rashness; it is no longer a possibility.”

”If there’s an ambush, why pursue? Shouldn’t we focus on reclaiming lost territories from Yuan Shu instead?” Liu Biao asked, puzzled.

”Use one enemy to kill another! This is a scheme to sow discord!” Kuai Yue closed his eyes in pain, struggling to speak as sweat continued to pour down his face.

”A brilliant plan!” Liu Biao exclaimed, then quickly realized the brilliance of the strategy. By using Yuan Shu’s forces to eliminate potential traitors within his ranks and handing the credit to Sun Ce, he would incite Sun Ce’s ambition to establish his own rule.

”All others should focus on reclaiming the lost territories in Jingbei. As for Xiangyang, Master, you must give it up. Firstly, we lack the strength; even if we take Xiangyang, it would be a pyrrhic victory. Secondly, if we do take Xiangyang, we open the gateway to Nanyang, and then we’ll have to face Cao Mengde, that hungry wolf! If Yuan Shu is defeated at Jiangling, Cao Mengde will surely seize Wancheng!” Kuai Yue’s eyes were bloodshot, revealing the immense strain he was under.

”Kuai Yue, you need to rest. Leave the rest to me!” Liu Biao, seeing the pain on Kuai Yue’s face, couldn’t bear to push him any further.

Reassured by Kuai Yue’s analysis, Liu Biao was finally able to relax. He then summoned all his civil and military officials.

As he surveyed his officials’ reactions—ranging from disdain and confusion to sneers—Liu Biao smiled. Indeed, another round of restructuring was necessary; Kuai Yue’s suggestion of using one enemy to kill another was the perfect approach.

”Everyone, please be at ease. I have an important announcement,” Liu Biao said, his eyes cold as he looked at the gathered officials, half of whom, he thought, deserved death.

A murmur spread through the crowd. At this point, with Jiangling on the brink of collapse, Liu Biao’s authority had significantly diminished. The noble families weren’t too concerned about the city’s fall—they saw it as merely a change in leadership, as long as their own positions remained secure.

”Bang!” Liu Biao slammed the table, silencing the room, then laughed heartily. ”Within five days, Yuan Shu will retreat!”