Shuhan

Late at night, with the moon hanging high in the sky and the stars twinkling, in the forests of Zhangbaling, there is an unknown surge hidden in the silence.

In the deep night, an army of a thousand people quietly gathered. They were wearing tight light armor, and the armor shone coldly under the faint moonlight. There were no bright flags, only the firm light in everyone's eyes, showing their determination to go on this journey.

The army moved silently through the dense forest paths, walking softly so as not to alarm the creatures in the forest or the people living nearby.

Their target was the Wei army's granary on the other side of the Huai River.

However, in the dark, pairs of vigilant eyes had already caught this unusual movement.

The scouts of the Wei army, like ghosts in the night, lurking in imperceptible corners, witnessed the actions of this mysterious army with their own eyes. They were horrified and quickly took out a special carrier pigeon, tied this urgent information to the pigeon's leg, and gently released it.

The carrier pigeon flapped its wings and flew high, cutting through the night sky and heading straight towards Baguan Mountain.

In Bagua Mountain, Wei army general Hu Zun was deep in thought in his tent when he suddenly heard the flapping of a carrier pigeon's wings. He hurriedly took out the secret letter tied to the pigeon's leg.

After reading it, the hesitation in his eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by determination and courage.

After lying dormant for many days, it is time to realize the results.

Although this might be a test by the Han army, he could not let the granary be burned down no matter what.

This was by no means an ordinary small-scale harassment, but a major threat to the logistical lifeline of the Wei army.

This is something that absolutely cannot be compromised.

He immediately stood up, and his deep voice rang out in the silent tent: "Pass the order, the whole army will assemble immediately, we must intercept and kill this Han army before they reach the granary!"

As the order was issued, the Wei army camp in Bagua Mountain suddenly became active. The soldiers hurriedly put on their armor and sorted out their weapons. The sound of horse hooves and the collision of armor intertwined, breaking the tranquility of the night.

Hu Zun was wearing a thick battle robe embroidered with majestic beast patterns, which set off his resolute and unyielding face.

He looked around, his eyes revealing an unquestionable determination, and said to the deputy general beside him: "We must be cautious on this trip. Not only must we make sure that the granary is safe, but we must also completely eliminate this enemy to serve as a warning to others and boost the morale of the Wei army!"

The Wei army had suffered defeats for so long, and it was time for a resounding victory to boost morale.

Upon hearing this, the deputy general took the order seriously and immediately led a group of elite cavalry to set off first. They galloped along the secret paths between the mountains, trying to intercept the Han army that was preparing to attack the granary as quickly as possible.

Inside the Wei army camp, lights were dim and figures were everywhere. Teams of soldiers were ready to go, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

At this critical moment, a spy from the secret army, dressed in night clothes and with his face hidden in the night, shuttled around the edge of the camp like a ghost.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle. After catching the signal of the Wei army's dispatch, he turned around without any hesitation and disappeared into the night.

This spy is agile and extremely fast.

He knew that the message he carried was related to the success or failure of a battle, and even more so to the safety of countless lives.

He also found a tied warhorse in the mountains and forests, rode it, and quickly shuttled between the mountains and forests. Using the cover of the terrain, he conveyed the news of the Wei army's dispatch to the Han army that was lurking in the dark and preparing to raid the granary in the shortest time.

The Han army that was preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Wei army's granary was led by a young general named Li Muyun, the son of a local tyrant in Jiujiang County.

He was only twenty years old, handsome, with an extraordinary heroic spirit between his brows. He wore a tight-fitting battle robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, and a long sword on his waist. The scabbard was inlaid with several bright gems, which sparkled brightly in the faint moonlight.

When Li Muyun received the news from the spy, his heart sank.

This means that their plan has been exposed, and the night attack on the Wei army’s granary will face unprecedented challenges.

He looked around at the soldiers who were also wearing battle uniforms, their eyes full of expectation.

They were all descendants of the Han noble families in Jiujiang County, as well as their family soldiers. In order to achieve success and gain wealth, they pieced together this team of a thousand people.

Although their equipment was not sophisticated, everyone's eyes were burning with the desire for victory and the vision for the future.

"Retreat when the wind is strong!" Li Muyun's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to hit the soldiers' hearts.

The retreat at this moment is to preserve strength and for greater victory in the future.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers evacuated quietly and immediately according to the pre-arranged route without any hesitation.

The army began to march. The team of thousands of people was like a black dragon in the night, winding and twisting through the mountains and forests.

They remained highly vigilant, and every step they took was full of caution and alertness.

The sound of the wind and the chirping of insects in the forest seemed to be covering their retreat, but Li Muyun's heart was in turmoil.

He was thinking about how to explain the failure of this operation to his fellow villagers. He had just made a big promise in front of Yu Jin, but in the end he failed to complete the first mission.

It's really pathetic!

Li Muyun rode on a tall warhorse, with an upright figure and sharp eyes. His battle robe fluttered in the night wind, and his long sword swung gently at his waist, making a crisp sound.

Although his heart was filled with resentment and regret, his face remained calm and determined.

As he marched, he looked back from time to time in the direction of the Wei army's granary. The fire there gradually faded away, but the unwillingness and determination in his heart became stronger and stronger.

This retreat is only temporary, the real battle has just begun.

He wanted to lead these young men from the Jiujiang County aristocracy to prove to the world that even the most inconspicuous stars could shine the brightest in the night sky.

Wealth and honor, and great achievements!
We can take it ourselves!

The cold wind made the battle flags flutter, and the soldiers' breathing and footsteps intertwined to form a unique marching melody.

Hu Zun was riding on a horse, his brows furrowed, his eyes sharp, and he looked up at the sky from time to time, as if looking for some clues.

Half an hour later, they had quietly arrived at the outskirts of the granary. However, except for the whistling sound of the wind, there was silence all around, and there was no trace of the Han army.

"General, is it true that there are Han troops coming to attack the stronghold at night?" The deputy general couldn't help but step forward and asked in a low voice.

There was a hint of uneasiness in his voice. After all, waiting for an unknown enemy in this cold night was a test for anyone.

Hu Zun snorted coldly, with a complicated smile on his lips.

"It seems that today is a test from Jianjunsi for me."

There was a hint of helplessness and self-mockery in his words.

"The night raid on the village was fake. Of course, it wasn't necessarily fake. If I hadn't sent troops, he would have really burned the granary. Alas, this is an open conspiracy!"

His eyes were deep, as if they could penetrate the night and see directly into the conspiracy behind it.

It turned out that Hu Zun had planned a false surrender, intending to lure the Han army into the depths and then give it a fatal blow. However, the Han army seemed to have noticed it in advance and used a false night attack plan, which not only forced Hu Zun to divide his troops for defense, but also cleverly resolved his false surrender plot.

This move made Hu Zun admire the opponent's wisdom.

"What should we do now?" There was a hint of anxiety in the deputy general's voice. Obviously, this situation made him feel difficult.

Hu Zun pondered for a moment, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Immediately ask the general to eliminate the few spies from the secret service that we already have in Shouchun City."

This contest is no longer limited to the swordplay on the battlefield, but also a contest of intelligence and wisdom.

Only by eliminating internal troubles can we face external troubles with peace of mind.

The order was quickly passed down, and Hu Zun's troops began to move. Some of them continued to closely monitor the area around the granary just in case; the other part quietly returned to prepare to carry out that cruel but necessary task.

Hu Zun himself stayed where he was, staring at the night sky, feeling mixed emotions.

After a while, feeling unwilling, he returned to Shouchun City. He wanted to ask those spies from the secret service personally.

Otherwise, he would not be able to relieve the anger in his heart.

The order was quickly passed down, and Hu Zun sent a team of elite soldiers to quietly go to Shouchun City, targeting the residences of the spies of the secret service who had been captured.

However, when the Wei soldiers broke into the houses, they were surprised to find that the residences were empty, with only a few letters left on the tables, as if mocking their futility.

After hearing the news, Hu Zun rushed to the scene immediately.

He picked up one of the letters, tore open the envelope with trembling fingers, and pulled out the letter inside.

The contents of the letter are as follows:

Hu Zunru's plan of feigning surrender is really a move that does not know good from bad. You did not seize the good opportunity given to you in the past, and you will have no choice but to die in the future. As for my spies in Shouchun City, you do not have to search in vain. Even if you search all over the world, it is difficult to find them. Even if you are lucky enough to find one, there are still the second and third waiting.

Now I will give you a chance to survive. If you can send your own troops and burn the granary to show your sincerity, I will pretend that what happened tonight never happened. Otherwise, when Shouchun City is captured, you, Hu Zun, will die, and it will be too late to regret.

I hope you will think carefully and not make any more mistakes, so as to avoid unexpected disasters. That’s all I have to say, take care of yourself.”

After reading the letter, Hu Zun's face suddenly turned red, he gnashed his teeth, and was furious. He never expected that his carefully planned plan of false surrender would be easily seen through by the other party, and even turned the tables, putting him in such an embarrassing situation.

"These damn spies are so cunning!" Hu Zun was furious. He felt as if he was being controlled by an invisible hand and every step he took fell into the opponent's calculations.

However, he also understood that this was not the time to be angry.

He must calm down, reanalyze the situation, and find the opponent's weaknesses in order to reverse the defeat in this battle.

"Send your own troops to burn down the granary?"

"Hmph, am I, Hu Zun, the kind of person who is afraid of death?" he thought to himself.

"I would rather die on the battlefield than suffer such humiliation!"

However, he also knew that his life did not belong only to himself, but also to the Wei army and the Great Wei.

He cannot ignore the overall situation because of momentary impulse.

"Forget it, forget it." Hu Zun finally sighed and made a decision.

"I will hold my anger for now, and when I have the chance, I will settle accounts with these spies!"

The next morning, near Jianye City, the river was surging, as if beating against the shore with endless power.

At the dock, three huge ships had been built. They stood there, dwarfed by ordinary ships, like giants. Even the largest warships looked like children in front of them.

Liu Chan personally visited the site where the sea vessels were being built today.

He was wearing a dragon robe and walking steadily on the dock, his sharp eyes scanning everything in front of him.

When he saw the craftsmen who were responsible for building the ships, they shouted "Long live the king" one after another, and their voices resounded through the sky.

Liu Chan smiled and waved his hand, indicating that they didn't need to be so polite.

He approached an old shipwright. The old shipwright had a weathered face and his hands were covered with traces of time, but his eyes revealed a firmness and persistence.

"So many days have passed, and only three ships have been built?" There was a hint of displeasure in Liu Chan's voice.

"Can you complete the construction task within the deadline?"

Upon hearing this, the old boatman showed hesitation on his face.

He looked up at Liu Chan, then lowered his head and said slowly: "Twenty ships may be difficult. The main reason is that it is difficult to find wood for the keel! If you don't have the best wood for the keel when sailing in the sea, a few big waves will make the ship fall apart."

The smile on Liu Chan's face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a solemn look.

He knew how difficult it was to build a ship, and he understood the importance of the keel to a ship. Without a good keel, a ship is like a body without a soul, unable to withstand the turbulence of the sea.

He was silent for a moment, then looked deeply at the old shipwright and said, "I understand your difficulties, but my country needs these ships. You must try your best to find suitable wood and complete the construction task. Time is running out and there can be no more delay."

"If that doesn't work, then we can modify the river boat a bit and see if it can go to the sea?"

"this."

The old boat builder was stunned for a moment and said, "Even if the river boat is modified, it is very likely to be destroyed and people will die if it is sailing in the sea."

"Dragon bones are hard to find. I have asked officials in each county to look for usable wood. If anyone finds a dragon bone, they will be rewarded with a million yuan. A huge reward will surely bring courage. I don't believe it. Can't you build only 20 sea vessels?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of determination flashed in the old shipwright's eyes.

He nodded and said, "Your Majesty attaches so much importance to this matter. We will do our best to build the best sea ship for Your Majesty!"

According to the news from the Luoyang Military Department, Cao Pi's health is getting worse day by day.

Perhaps when Cao Pi died, it was time to start the war.

While you are sick, I will kill you.

In a war to destroy a nation, there is no need to talk about morality. (End of this chapter)