Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Huang Zhong's tiger eyes first swept over Liang Gang, who was shouting insults below the city, and then looked towards the movements of Yuan Shu's army in the distance.

Since Yuan Shu intended to forcefully capture Xinye, he didn't bother with any concealment.

From the dense ranks of Yuan Shu's army, Huang Zhong easily discerned the Yuan army's next move and spoke to Liu Pan.

"General, judging by the Yuan army's movements, they intend to attack the city directly without rest, preparing siege equipment to breach the walls. Furthermore, they've sent a general to challenge us, intending to demoralize our troops to facilitate the siege. We must quickly prepare for battle and defend the city."

"Hangsheng is right."

Realizing the situation, Liu Pan immediately issued orders.

Yuan Shu's arrival was expected, so Xinye had already prepared a large quantity of supplies needed for defense.

Rolling logs, arrows, and oil were quickly moved to the city walls with the help of newly recruited young men from the city, and pots were set up to boil golden汁(soup made of human feces).

This caused an indescribable odor to permeate the tense atmosphere on the city walls.

After arranging the defensive measures, Liu Pan turned to Huang Zhong for advice. "Hangsheng, do you see any omissions?"

Huang Zhong shook his head, unable to find any fault.

Defending a city seems simple, but it's the ultimate test of a general's all-around command ability.

Huang Zhong wasn't particularly skilled in city defense either, and Xinye had been preparing for a long time, so he didn't have any good suggestions at the moment.

However, as Huang Zhong's tiger eyes scanned the scene, he noticed Liang Gang still shouting insults below the city.

This gave Huang Zhong an idea, and he said to Liu Pan.

"General, how about I go out and fight the enemy general below the city? If I'm lucky enough to take his head, it will surely boost our army's morale."

Liu Pan pondered for a moment, feeling hesitant.

Previously, after Sun Jian's death, to further control the Jingnan region, Liu Biao had promoted Liu Pan to the position of Prefect of Changsha.

After arriving in Changsha, Liu Pan encountered Huang Zhong, who was desperate and came to the Prefect's mansion seeking medicine for his beloved son…

Liu Pan, being kind to the people, didn't scold Huang Zhong. Instead, he felt sympathy for Huang Zhong's lifelong effort to heal his son and sent someone to find medicine for him.

Unfortunately, Huang Zhong's son's illness was beyond cure, and the medicine Liu Pan sent for was ineffective.

Huang Zhong was grateful for Liu Pan's help. After taking care of his son's funeral, he voluntarily offered to repay Liu Pan's kindness with his courage and strength.

At first, Liu Pan didn't take Huang Zhong's offer seriously.

However, after an accidental sparring match, Huang Zhong easily defeated all of Liu Pan's subordinates, and since then, he had gained Liu Pan's attention.

It was true that Huang Zhong was the strongest warrior under Liu Pan, but Huang Zhong had never served before, and the number of times he had fought with others besides sparring with Liu Pan's generals was very few.

Therefore, not only was Liu Pan unclear about Huang Zhong's true level, but even Huang Zhong himself wasn't very clear about his own strength.

Now, Huang Zhong was one of the few assets Liu Pan had, and if Huang Zhong were killed in battle, it would be a severe blow to the morale of the defenders.

"This…"

Liu Pan hesitated for a long time before asking, "Hangsheng, are you confident?"

Huang Zhong frowned and pondered, carefully observing Liang Gang's weapon, physique, and posture. Almost instantly, he saw eight or nine flaws, which gave him more confidence.

"I dare not speak rashly before a real battle, but I am still somewhat confident."

"Very well, since Hangsheng has volunteered, please be careful. If you are losing, retreat back to the city quickly," Liu Pan reminded him.

Although Huang Zhong felt that Liu Pan's abilities were somewhat lacking, he was deeply moved by Liu Pan's care and concern, which was why Huang Zhong was willing to serve under Liu Pan.

"Rest assured, General."

Immediately, Huang Zhong went down the city wall, mounted a somewhat old yellow horse, carried the Kirin Treasure Bow on his back, held a Nine Phoenix Sunrise Blade, and led three hundred soldiers towards the outside of the city.

"Squeak ~ ~ ~"

Liang Gang, who had been shouting challenges outside the city for a long time and was feeling a bit parched but reluctant to give up this opportunity to perform in front of his lord, was quite surprised that someone actually dared to accept the challenge.

Immediately, Liang Gang's spirits lifted. While remaining vigilant, he stared intently at Huang Zhong, who was riding an old horse out of the city gate, and was immediately overjoyed, shouting loudly.

"Who comes? I, Liang Gang, do not kill nameless people under my spear."

This was Huang Zhong's first battle since serving under Liu Pan, and it was also Huang Zhong's first battle after silently honing his martial skills for half his life.

Huang Zhong looked up at Liang Gang and replied in a deep voice.

"Huang Zhong from Nanyang."

Liang Gang raised his spear at Huang Zhong and laughed loudly.

"Indeed, you are a nobody. Seeing that your hair is gradually turning white, you must be nearing your twilight years. You should go back and enjoy your grandchildren, why bother riding such an old horse on the battlefield to throw away your life?"

Immediately, the hundreds of soldiers lined up behind Liang Gang also began to laugh.

In an era when the average life expectancy was just over thirty, Huang Zhong, who was nearly fifty years old, could be considered an old man, which naturally made Liang Gang look down on him and mock him.

However, these words instantly darkened Huang Zhong's face.

Even if he had once encountered that rude young man by the Yangtze River who had impudently cursed him as an old geezer, Huang Zhong's cultivation would not have allowed him to argue with a junior, he would have just taught him a lesson.

But the words "enjoying grandchildren" undoubtedly deeply touched Huang Zhong's heart, who had lost his beloved son less than a year ago.

If he had a choice, how could Huang Zhong not want to "enjoy his grandchildren"?

"What if I can't enjoy my grandchildren? I will send you, this rude child, to the Yellow Springs to serve my son."

Huang Zhong shouted angrily and kicked his horse. The old yellow horse, which had been with Huang Zhong for many years, almost instantly darted out, bursting forth with a speed that was completely different from its old body.

Seeing this, Liang Gang was slightly startled and spurred his horse forward with his spear to meet Huang Zhong, saying.

"You old horse and old general dare to speak wildly, watch me, Liang Gang, send you on your way."

For a time, under the gaze of countless soldiers on both sides, the distance between the two was rapidly closing, awaiting the unfolding of a fierce battle.

Compared to Huang Zhong's Nine Phoenix Sunrise Blade, which was a short-handled, thick-backed saber, Liang Gang's spear undoubtedly had an advantage in length.

Liang Gang, being a battle-hardened warrior, accurately estimated the distance between them and thrust his spear towards Huang Zhong's chest.

"Old general, prepare to die!"

However, Liang Gang's confident thrust, as Huang Zhong raised the back of his blade and knocked it upwards and to the side, a huge force surged, causing the spearhead to pierce the air beside Huang Zhong uncontrollably.

Before Liang Gang, whose central defense was wide open, could react, a cold gleam went straight for his neck.

(End of this chapter)