Capítulo 493: 474. Sun Ce Poisoned
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As the armies faced off, the tension was palpable. The Sun Clan's forces, led by Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, were well-trained and battle-hardened. They had fought many campaigns in the South and were not to be underestimated. On the other side, the Cai Clan's forces were determined to force the Sun Clan out of their domain, knowing that defeat could mean the loss of everything they held dear.
On the Sun Clan's side, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu weren't surprised that they would finally face off against Liu Biao's forces, now controlled by the Cai Clan. Over the past few days, Sun Ce and his army had wreaked havoc along the border of Jiaozhi Province, systematically dismantling every defense post, outpost, and garrison they encountered.
They had even managed to take down several small towns and numerous villages, seizing supplies and replenishing their own stores. The land they marched through bore the scars of their campaign—burnt-out buildings, empty granaries, and fields trampled under the boots of marching soldiers.
Riding beside Zhou Yu, Sun Ce observed the terrain ahead with a critical eye. The strategic hills where they would soon make their stand were visible in the distance, their slopes offering both a challenge and an opportunity.
Sun Ce, known for his boldness and audacity in battle, was ready to face whatever Liu Biao or the Cai Clan right now could throw at him. "How many do you think they have, Gongjin?" he asked Zhou Yu, not taking his eyes off the hills.
Zhou Yu had already made his calculations before Suj Ce even questioned him and responded, "I estimate they have around 100,000 men, give or take. It's less than what we have which is 150,000 strong, but we should not underestimate them. They will fight with the desperation of those who know their survival is at stake."
Sun Ce nodded, his expression unreadable. He respected Zhou Yu's insight but was also confident in his own strength and the capability of his generals and men. "Gongjin, I want you to oversee the tactics and movement of the army," Sun Ce said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll lead from the front with Zhou Tai, Wei Yan, Zhu Ran, and Dong Xi."
Zhou Yu frowned, sensing the danger in Sun Ce's plan. "But Bofu, it would be wiser for you to stay back and direct the battle from a safer position than leading from the front. If something were to happen to you—"
Sun Ce cut him off with a raised hand, a gesture that was both commanding and final. "I've made my decision, Gongjin. Our men need to see their leader in the thick of the fight. It will inspire them, give them courage. Besides, I'm not so easy to kill," he added with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.
Zhou Yu could only sigh, recognizing the futility of arguing further. He accepted Sun Ce's decision and took the command seal with a firm nod, his mind already working on the best way to deploy their forces.
Zhou Yu quickly reorganized the Sun Clan's army into a flexible formation, designed to adapt swiftly between offensive and defensive postures.
The plan was simple, they would hold their ground against the Cai Clan's initial assault, absorb the brunt of their attack, and then counter with a devastating offensive when the enemy had exhausted themselves. Sun Ce, meanwhile, took his place at the front of the formation, his generals accompanied by his side, each ready to charge into the fray when the moment was right.
The sound of war drums echoed across the battlefield, a low, rhythmic thrum that set the soldiers' hearts pounding. From their position on the hills, the Sun Clan's forces could see the enemy advancing.
The Cai Clan's army was moving forward in tight, disciplined ranks, their banners fluttering in the wind, and their weapons gleaming under the early morning sun. The sight was both impressive and intimidating, but Sun Ce's men held their ground, trusting in their leaders and their battle hardened comrades.
Zhou Yu watched as the Cai Clan's army approached, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. He quickly issued orders to shift their formation into a defensive stance, anticipating the coming clash.
Sun Ce, Zhou Tai, Wei Yan, Zhu Ran, and Dong Xi stood at the forefront, weapons at the ready, their expressions resolute. They knew the battle would be fierce, but they were confident in their ability to lead their men to victory.
The two armies met with a thunderous crash, the sound of steel against steel ringing out across the battlefield. The front lines collided in a brutal melee, soldiers on both sides struggling for every inch of ground.
Sun Ce fought with his usual ferocity, cutting down any enemy who came within reach of his spear. His commanders fought alongside him, each one a formidable warrior in his own right, inspiring their troops with their bravery and skill.
Despite the intensity of the battle, Zhou Yu kept a close eye on the overall situation, adjusting their strategy as needed. He was acutely aware that the outcome of this battle would hinge not just on the strength of their arms, but on their ability to outmaneuver the enemy and seize any opportunity that presented itself.
What neither Sun Ce nor Zhou Yu realized was that an insidious plot was being hatched within the Cai Clan's command tent. Cai Mao had been informed that Sun Ce was personally leading the Sun Clan's Army at the front.
This information had been passed on by one of his scouts, and Cai Mao had immediately seen an opportunity to turn the tide of the battle in their favor or even the course of the Cai Clan's expansion.
As the battle raged on, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun huddled over a map of the battlefield, discussing their next move. "If we can take out Sun Ce, the Sun Clan's army will be thrown into disarray and will be forced to retreat," Cai Mao said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Without their leader, their morale will crumble, and we can push them back across the border."
Zhang Yun nodded, his expression grim. "But how do we reach him, General? He's surrounded by his best men, and they won't let him fall easily let alone approach Sun Ce."
Cai Mao smiled, a cold, calculating look in his eyes. "We don't need to reach him directly. A well-placed arrow, coated with a rare poison without ant antidote, will do the job just as effectively. I've already arranged for one of our best archers to take the shot. All we need to do is wait for the right moment."
The two men continued to discuss their plan, refining the details to ensure its success. They knew that this was a risky move because if it failed, the consequences could be disastrous.
But if it succeeded, it would deal a crippling blow to the Sun Clan's forces and potentially turn the tide of the entire campaign.
Back on the battlefield, the fighting had reached a fever pitch. Sun Ce's forces had managed to hold their ground against the Cai Clan's initial assault, but the enemy was relentless, throwing wave after wave of soldiers at them in an attempt to break their lines.
Zhou Yu, overseeing the battle from a slightly elevated position, could see that the enemy was trying to wear them down, hoping that their sheer numbers would eventually overwhelm the Sun Clan's troops.
Despite the fierce resistance, Sun Ce was undeterred. He fought with the energy and determination of a man who knew that victory was within his grasp. His presence on the front lines had indeed inspired his men, giving them the strength to push back against the Cai Clan's relentless attacks. But as the battle wore on, fatigue began to set in, and the Sun Clan's soldiers were starting to show signs of strain.
It was at this moment that Cai Mao decided to put his plan into action. From a hidden vantage point on the hills overlooking the battlefield, his archer waited patiently, his eyes locked on Sun Ce as he fought at the front of his army.
The archer was a master of his craft, known for his deadly accuracy and steady hand in his unit. He had been carefully positioned to have a clear shot at Sun Ce, and now, as the battle raged below, he drew his bowstring back, his fingers steady despite the chaos around him.
Sun Ce, unaware of the danger that loomed over him, was focused entirely on the battle at hand. He had just cut down another enemy soldier when a sudden sharp pain exploded in his shoulder.
He staggered back, his vision blurring as he reached up to touch the shaft of the arrow that was now embedded in his flesh. The poison worked quickly, spreading through his veins like fire, and within moments, Sun Ce felt his strength begin to drain away.
Zhou Tai, who was fighting nearby, saw Sun Ce falter and immediately rushed to his side. "My lord!" he shouted, catching Sun Ce as he slumped forward. The other generals quickly gathered around, their faces filled with concern and anger as they realized what had happened.
"We need to get him out of here," Zhou Tai said urgently, motioning for Wei Yan and Dong Xi to help him lift Sun Ce. "This arrow had been coated with poison. We need to bring our lord to a physician, fast!"
Zhou Yu, who had been directing the battle from a distance, saw the commotion and knew something was wrong. He quickly made his way to the front lines riding his horse at the tastes speed, his heart sinking as he saw Sun Ce being carried away.
The sight of their lord being wounded sent a ripple of panic through the Sun Clan's ranks, and for a moment, it seemed as though the entire army might falter.
But Zhou Yu knew that they could not afford to lose focus, not now. "Hold your positions!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise of battle. "Lord Sun Ce is still with us! Keep fighting, for him and for our people!"
His words helped to steady the men, and they redoubled their efforts, fighting with renewed ferocity. But even as they continued to push back against the Cai Clan's forces, Zhou Yu knew that they were in a precarious situation. Sun Ce's injury had thrown their plans into disarray, and without him leading the charge, their chances of victory were slipping away.
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.
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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
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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