475. Sun Clan Asked For Help

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As Sun Ce was carried to the rear of the army, the physicians did their best to treat his wound. But the poison was strong, and despite their efforts, they couldn't detoxify, couldn't find out the kind of poison that was used, and only managed to suppress the poison from working but it was clear that Sun Ce was still in danger.

Zhou Tai was a man who had seen many battles and faced countless enemies, but nothing could have prepared him for the sight of his lord, Sun Ce, lying helpless and poisoned. The battlefield had never frightened him, but this, watching the man who had saved him, who had given him a purpose, suffer from a wound that could not be easily treated—filled him with a rage he could barely contain.

The physicians were doing their best, but it was clear to Zhou Tai that they were out of their depth. They fumbled with their tools and muttered to each other in desperate tones, their faces pale with fear and frustration. The sight of their incompetence made Zhou Tai's blood boil.

"Why are you just standing there?!" Zhou Tai bellowed, his voice echoing across the makeshift medical tent. "Do something! Save Our Lord, or I'll—"

Before he could finish his threat, his hand moved toward his sword. Wei Yan and Dong Xi, who had been standing nearby, immediately stepped forward to restrain him. Wei Yan grabbed Zhou Tai's arm, his grip firm but understanding. "General Zhou Tai, this isn't helping," he said calmly, though his own heart was heavy with worry.

Dong Xi, always the peacemaker, added, "They're doing all they can. We need to trust them, for now. Our anger won't heal Lord Sun Ce."

Zhou Tai struggled for a moment, his breath coming in harsh, uneven bursts. But the weight of Wei Yan's hand on his arm, and the calm reasoning in Dong Xi's voice, eventually brought him back to his senses. He released his grip on his sword, but the anger in his eyes did not diminish.

"I'm sorry," Zhou Tai muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He looked at Sun Ce, lying pale and still, and felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness wash over him. "I just can't bear to see Lord Sun Ce like this."

Wei Yan and Dong Xi nodded in silent agreement. The three of them stood vigil over Sun Ce, each grappling with their own fears and doubts.

Zhou Yu arrived shortly after, having just received the grim news. His heart sank when he saw Sun Ce's condition. As one of the most talented strategists of his time, Zhou Yu had always prided himself on his ability to remain calm and collected, even in the most dire of situations.

But this was different. Sun Ce was more than just a leader to him; he was a friend, a brother in arms, and a brother he never had from his family. The sight of him brought Zhou Yu to the edge of despair.

But Zhou Yu knew that now was not the time for despair. He forced himself to think clearly, to push past the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. The battle was still raging outside, and Sun Ce's life hung in the balance. If they didn't act quickly, everything they had fought for could be lost.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Yu turned to the physicians, who were huddled together, their expressions grim. "What is the status of the poison? Can it be neutralized?"

One of the physicians, an older man with a stooped back and shaking hands, stepped forward. "We've tried everything we know, Master Zhou, but this poison… it's unlike anything we've seen before. It's working fast, and without knowing its exact nature, we can't create an antidote. We've managed to slow its progress, but… we're running out of time."

Zhou Yu's mind raced. The situation was worse than he had feared. If the poison couldn't be neutralized, then Sun Ce's life was in grave danger. But Zhou Yu was not a man to give up easily. He quickly formulated a plan in his mind, one that would both secure their current position and give them a chance to save Sun Ce.

"Zhou Tai, Wei Yan, Dong Xi," Zhou Yu said, turning to the three warriors. "Return to the frontlines. Our men need you there. We must finish this battle quickly and retreat to our capital. We can't afford to lose any more time."

Zhou Tai looked as though he wanted to protest, but Zhou Yu's steely gaze brooked no argument. "General Zhu Ran will stay here to protect Lord Sun Ce. I need you three to hold the line and ensure our victory. Once we've pushed the enemy back, we'll retreat and get Sun Ce to better medical care."

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the three generals nodded in unison. They knew Zhou Yu was right; the battle had to be won before they could think of retreating. Without another word, they turned and headed back to the frontlines, their resolve hardened by the sight of their fallen lord.

As the three generals left, Zhou Yu turned his attention back to the battlefield. He could see that the Sun Clan's forces were holding their ground, but the situation was precarious. The men were tired, and the news of Sun Ce's injury had shaken their morale. Zhou Yu knew he had to act quickly to turn the tide in their favor.

Climbing onto a nearby platform, Zhou Yu raised his voice to address the troops. "Men of the Sun Clan! Our lord, Sun Ce, is wounded, but he still fights with us in spirit! We will not let this setback defeat us. Today, we fight not just for victory, but for the honor of our clan and for the safety of our people! For Lord Sun Ce! For our families! Forward, to victory!"

His words rang out across the battlefield, and the effect was immediate. The soldiers, inspired by Zhou Yu's resolve, rallied and pressed forward with renewed vigor. They pushed back against the Cai Clan's forces with a ferocity born of desperation and determination.

Meanwhile, in the Cai Clan's command tent, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were celebrating their perceived victory. News had reached them that Sun Ce had been struck by the poisoned arrow, and the Sun Clan's forces were in disarray. Cai Mao, ever the opportunist, was quick to order a full-scale assault on the Sun Clan's army.

"Press the attack!" Cai Mao shouted, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "They're on the brink of collapse! We can finish them here and now!"

Zhang Yun, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "With Sun Ce out of the way, the Sun Clan will fall apart. Their men will lose heart, and we can drive them back across the border."

But as the Cai Clan's forces surged forward, they encountered a resistance they had not anticipated. Under Zhou Yu's masterful direction, the Sun Clan's army quickly recovered its composure and fought back with incredible tenacity. The Cai Clan's soldiers, expecting an easy victory, were taken aback by the sudden shift in momentum.

Zhou Yu's strategy was simple yet effective. He ordered his troops to form a defensive line, absorbing the initial shock of the Cai Clan's assault.

Then, at the right moment, he signaled for a counterattack, directing his men to exploit the enemy's overextension. The Sun Clan's soldiers, spurred on by their desire to protect their wounded lord, charged forward with a ferocity that caught the Cai Clan's forces off guard.

Cai Mao, watching the battle from his command tent, cursed loudly as he saw his men being pushed back. "What's happening?! They should be in disarray!"

Zhang Yun, trying to calm his commander, said, "Perhaps we underestimated Zhou Yu's resolve. But remember, General Cai Mao, we still have the upper hand in this war even though we lost this battle. Sun Ce is injured, possibly dying. Even if they push us back now, they won't be able to hold out for long."

Cai Mao nodded, though his frustration was evident. "You're right. We've dealt them a serious blow, and they'll have to retreat eventually. But I won't forget this humiliation. We'll regroup and crush them once and for all."

As the Cai Clan's forces began to retreat, Zhou Yu quickly issued orders for the Sun Clan's army to do the same. They had won the battle, but the cost had been high, and he knew they couldn't afford to stay on the battlefield any longer. With Sun Ce's life hanging in the balance, their priority was to return to the capital as quickly as possible.

As the Sun Clan's army made its way back to their capital, Zhou Yu sent letters ahead, informing the court of Sun Ce's condition and urging them to prepare for their arrival. The news spread quickly through the Sun Clan's domain, and by the time they reached the capital, the entire court was in chaos.

Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Huan Jie, three of the most senior officials in the Sun Clan's administration, were among the first to receive the letters. The moment they read the news, they knew that the situation was dire. They immediately called for all the physicians in the Sun Clan's domain to come to the capital in a desperate attempt to save Sun Ce's life.

When Sun Jian, Sun Ce's father, heard the news, he was struck by a deep, almost paralyzing fear. The thought of losing his eldest son, the one who had fought so bravely to secure their family's future, was almost too much to bear.

Sun Jian had always been a strong and resolute leader, but this… this was different. The physicians in their army were the best they could find, and if they couldn't cure Sun Ce, then what hope did they have?

In the midst of the panic and confusion, Sun Jian's wife, Lady Wu, stepped forward with a suggestion that gave Sun Jian a glimmer of hope. "Husband," she said gently, "there may be one more chance. Doesn't Lord Lie Fan have two miracle doctors under his command, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing? We could ask for his help."

Hearing that, Sun Jian immediately remembered. They are renowned throughout the land for their skill in medicine and both of them served Lie Fan, who supported their ideas in medical treatment and even made a place called a hospital where people who were sick could get treatment there.

Both of them had also trained numerous physicians and even a new profession called nurses, which greatly helped Lie Fan in both domestic and military matters.

Sun Jian, filled with anxiety and hope, quickly penned the letter to Lie Fan, detailing Sun Ce's grave condition and the urgent need for Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing's medical expertise. His hands trembled as he sealed the letter, praying that it would reach Lie Fan in time. Sun Jian handed the letter to his most trusted courier, who immediately set off with the fastest horse available, racing against time to save Sun Ce.

A week later, as Sun Ce's army arrived back at their capital, exhausted and demoralized, the long-awaited letter reached Xiapi. Lie Fan, who was in the midst of discussing military logistics with his advisors, was interrupted by the arrival of the urgent missive. He glanced at the seal and recognized the emblem of the Sun Clan.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 31 (198 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0