Shuhan

Changsha County, Linxiang City.

At the break of dawn, a hint of paleness appeared in the sky. The hustle and bustle of the city had not yet fully awakened, but in a military camp in the city, the lights were already on, the sound of war drums could be heard faintly, and there was an unusually tense atmosphere.

In the core of this military camp, in a spacious meeting hall, Lu Xun was wearing a light armor that shone with a cold luster under the dim candlelight. He had an upright figure, and his brows revealed a heroic spirit that should not be underestimated. His deep eyes flashed with wisdom and determination, as if he could see through every subtle change on the battlefield.

Lu Xun stood in front of a huge sand table. This sand table was carefully made, and the topography of the three counties of Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang were carved on it, as well as mountains, rivers, cities and villages. It was as if the entire land of southern Jing was shrunk here.

The sand table is covered with chess pieces of various colors, mostly red, representing the Han army. They are as majestic as dragons and snakes. The black chess pieces are scattered, hiding among the mountains and forests. They are the traces of the rebels. They are like cunning foxes, taking advantage of the terrain to deal with the Han army.

In this chaotic situation, only Wuling County, under the strong leadership of Shamoke, was like an isolated island, unaffected by the rebellion and firmly rooted in a corner of the sandbox.

Lu Xun's fingers gently stroked the mountains and rivers on the sand table. Every time he passed a place, his eyes became more determined.

The suppression of this rebellion not only concerns the stability of the Han Dynasty, but is also a crucial battle for Lu Xun to restore the prestige of the Lu family and prove his ability.

Although he felt unwilling since the fall of the Wu Kingdom, he also understood that the changes in the situation could not be reversed by human power.

Liu Chan's letters were full of sincerity, and Pang Tong's three personal visits showed his sincerity and trust, which made him finally decide to come out and help the Han Kingdom.

His joining also resulted in the absorption of a number of Wu's surrendered soldiers, allowing them to be used by the Han State.

"General, the rebels' whereabouts are secretive. Although our army has the advantage in manpower, it is difficult to capture their main force." Deputy General Li Yi stepped forward, with a hint of worry in his voice.

He was of sturdy build, with a resolute face, and an indomitable fighting spirit revealed between his brows, but facing these rebels who were as cunning as foxes, he couldn't help but feel a headache.

This Li Yi was from the Military Academy and was a native of Changsha County.

Lu Xun nodded slightly, his eyes shifted from the sand table to Li Yi, and he said in a deep voice: "The reason why the rebels chose the mountains and forests as their base is that they took advantage of the terrain. We need to divide our troops into multiple routes and go deep into the mountains and forests in small teams. At the same time, the main force will set up a trap outside and wait for the rebels to run away, and then encircle and suppress them in one fell swoop."

After saying that, Lu Xun tapped his finger lightly on the sand table, indicating several key locations where there were dense forests and mountains, which were where the rebels might be hiding.

His every word and every movement revealed a calm confidence that convinced the generals present.

"But, General, most of our troops are surrendered generals from the Wu State. Their morale is unstable and I may find it difficult to form a joint force." Another general, Zhu Ran, raised the question. He was thin and had a handsome face, but there was a firm light in his eyes.

Hearing this, Lu Xun smiled faintly. He turned to face everyone and said in a firm and warm voice: "Everyone, although we served different masters in the past, we are brothers today as we are fighting together. I, Lu Xun, swear here that as long as we work together to put down the rebellion, I will ensure that you have a worry-free future, and I, Lu Xun, will also share the glory with you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the generals looked at each other, then clasped their fists and responded in unison.

Lu Xun's words were not only a promise to them, but also a recognition of their identities, making them feel a long-lost sense of belonging.

In the following days, Lu Xun personally led the army, divided the troops into several routes according to the established strategy, and went deep into the mountains and forests.

He wore armor and carried a sharp weapon every day, ate and lived with the soldiers, set an example himself, and greatly boosted morale.

Whenever night fell, he would light a candle in the tent, study the map, and make a battle plan for the next day. His concentration and perseverance made everyone admire him.

Ten days later.

In the large tent of the Chinese army.

Holding bamboo slips, Lu Xun analyzed the situation on every battlefield in detail. Although his voice was not loud, every word he spoke was sharp and hit the nail on the head.

"Tomorrow, I will personally lead the army to attack Lingling. General Li Yi, you will lead the troops to attack Guiyang. General Zhu Ran, you will be responsible for the support and make sure to cut off the connection between the rebels. Remember, this battle does not seek a quick victory, but a steady and cautious approach to gradually erode the strength of the rebels."

Zhu Ran took a few steps forward and said, "The rebels in the four counties of southern Jing are, after all, just ordinary people who were oppressed by harsh government. If it weren't for the heavy taxes and levies, why would they rise up in rebellion? If the general can show magnanimity and forgive their sins, I believe they will be grateful and surrender with courtesy. Isn't this a happy ending for everyone?"

After hearing this, Lu Xun shook his head slightly. His face was calm and steady, and his eyes revealed unquestionable determination.

He spoke slowly, his voice was not loud, but every word was powerful: "Although the taxes are heavy, they are not without reason. The country needs money to support the army and protect the people. As for saying that they are all innocent people, this is wrong. Among the rebels, there are many powerful families, and some are secretly funded by the State of Wei. How can we let these people go easily?
If we forgive them easily this time, they will probably come back again when the royal army withdraws, and then the people will suffer. How can we completely quell the rebellion in the four counties of southern Jing without letting them see the tragic consequences of rebellion with their own eyes?"

Lu Xun's words, like the cold wind in winter, penetrated everyone's heart and made everyone present shudder.

After hearing this, Zhu Ran had a complicated expression. He opened his mouth but ultimately could not utter any words of rebuttal. He just nodded silently, with a hint of helplessness and approval in his eyes.

Seeing this, Lu Xun knew that his words had worked. He took a deep breath and looked around. Wherever he looked, he saw the generals of the Han army. Their faces showed either confusion or determination, but more of them were uncertainty about the future.

Lu Xun raised his voice, his voice firm and powerful: "Now, you and I are both Han officials. No matter what grudges or thoughts we have in the past, we must put them all aside. Our common goal is to quell the rebellion and bring peace to the four counties of southern Jing. If anyone has second thoughts, it will only harm you and those innocent people."

After saying that, Lu Xun turned around and strode towards the sand table. His movements were neat and tidy, and every step seemed so steady and confident. He gently ran his fingers across the mountains and rivers on the sand table, his eyes as sharp as a torch, as if he had already seen the upcoming victory.

"Our mission now is to wipe out these rebels hiding in the mountains and forests." Lu Xun's words were filled with unquestionable authority.

"I will personally lead the elite troops to attack from the front and attract the main force of the rebels. General Li Yi, you will lead your troops to encircle them from the left wing and cut off their retreat. General Zhu Ran, you will lead a special force to attack from the right wing and disrupt their formation. The rest of the generals, each lead your troops and coordinate the actions. Make sure the front and rear are coordinated and leave no blind spots."

Following Lu Xun's arrangements, the generals took orders one after another. The confusion and hesitation on their faces were no longer there, but instead were replaced by firm determination and confidence in victory.

Lu Xun looked at this scene and nodded secretly in his heart. He knew that they had already won half of the battle.

The next morning, as the horn sounded, the Han army poured out of the camp like a tide and marched deep into the mountains and forests.

Lu Xun led the charge, his figure standing out in the morning light, like an insurmountable mountain.

Under his leadership, the soldiers were in high spirits and marched forward courageously.

Although the rebels were numerous in the mountains and forests, they were soon put on the defensive due to the Han army's sophisticated layout and fierce offensive.

Li Yi outflanked the rebels from the left wing and successfully cut off their retreat, while Zhu Ran attacked from the right wing and disrupted their formation. Lu Xun personally led the elite troops and fought a desperate battle with the main force of the rebels.

The battle was extremely fierce. Amidst the flashing of swords and shadows, Lu Xun's figure was like a ghost, invincible.

Finally, after an arduous battle, the Han army successfully wiped out the rebels in the area.

We are one step closer to completely suppressing the rebellion in the four counties of southern Jing.

And thousands of miles away.

In Luoyang city, Wei's emperor Cao Rui sat upright in the magnificent court, with an expression of lingering worry between his brows.

Outside the window, the spring sunshine was bright, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere in the palace. The desk was piled with urgent reports from the border, and each one was like a heavy stone, pressing on Cao Rui's heart.

In particular, the news that the three counties of Hedong, Taiyuan and Shangdang were repeatedly invaded by the Han cavalry made him so angry that he could hardly control himself.

"Hedong, Taiyuan and Shangdang, the three counties, have become a paradise for the Han cavalry to act recklessly!" Cao Rui's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, revealing an anger that could not be concealed.

He slammed the desk hard, causing the pens and ink on the table to jump. It seemed that even the dust in the air was disturbed by his anger and fluttered around.

The chief eunuch, Bixie, was standing nearby, his body trembled slightly, but he remained calm.

He was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe, and his eyes revealed a bit of alertness and cunning.

Facing the emperor's anger, Bixie replied calmly: "Your Majesty, calm down. Guan Ping's troops move quickly, like a whirlwind, and are indeed difficult to catch. In addition, there are many people in the three counties who secretly rely on the Han Kingdom, providing many conveniences for the Han Kingdom's cavalry, so the situation is so tricky."

Cao Rui sneered upon hearing this, his laughter was filled with helplessness and reluctance: "Just watch them rob the people and cut off their food supply? If this continues, won't the people of the three counties be scattered? How can we defend Yubi City, an important place for the Wei State?"

His eyes were as sharp as torches as he scanned the empty hall, as if looking for an answer that could solve the dilemma.

Seeing this, Bixie's eyes flashed with a cunning light, and he said softly: "Your Majesty, I have a plan that may help us get out of this siege. I heard that there is an epidemic in Hedong County recently. If we can stop the epidemic..."

He deliberately paused and observed Cao Rui's reaction.

When Cao Rui heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, but then dimmed again.

What the army fears most is epidemics. Countless battles in history were often not defeated by the enemy, but destroyed by epidemics.

However, although this plan is brilliant, it is too cruel. If it gets out of control, the consequences will be disastrous.

"This plan is too risky," Cao Rui shook his head, frowning.

"If Guan Xing's troops are infected with the disease, won't the people of Hedong County also suffer?"

Bixie smiled slightly, as if he had anticipated Cao Rui's concerns, and continued: "Your Majesty, you worry too much. In Hedong County, there is a family that has connections with the Han Kingdom, but is loyal to our Great Wei. As long as we use them properly, we can use them for our own benefit. All they need to do is secretly mix some corpse fragments with the disease into the food and grass provided to Guan Xing's troops, and the disease will spread rapidly among the Han army. As for the rest of the places, I will immediately order the officials in each place to prepare for anti-epidemic measures to ensure that the epidemic does not spread."

After hearing this, Cao Rui remained silent for a long time.

His eyes moved back and forth across the evil-doer's face, as if he was weighing the pros and cons of this plan.

Finally, he sighed, his voice full of helplessness and determination: "If you want to deal with Guan Xing without sending troops, it seems that this is indeed a way..."

Even after the decision was made, Cao Rui did not feel relieved.

He stood up and slowly walked to the window, gazing at the bustling and tranquil scene outside, but his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

While this decision may temporarily ease pressure on the border, it may also bring unforeseen consequences.

As the king of a country, he must bear this weight, no matter what the outcome.

When Bixie saw this, he was secretly proud.

Although the strategy I proposed is risky, it is also the most likely method to work at present.

So he bowed and saluted, with a barely perceptible hint of flattery in his voice: "Your Majesty is wise, if this plan succeeds, Guan Xing's troops will surely retreat, and the border of our Wei State will be temporarily peaceful."

Cao Rui did not look back, but simply instructed: "This matter is left to you. Be sure to act cautiously and do not let the news leak out. As for the anti-epidemic matter, it must be implemented as soon as possible, and the people of my Wei State must be protected."

Bixie took the order and left, leaving Cao Rui alone standing in the empty hall for a long time.

Being an enemy of the Han Dynasty, Cao Rui really felt the pressure.

This pressure almost made him unable to breathe.

At this moment, his gaze was fixed on Hedong County thousands of miles away.

On the vast plains of Hedong, the 3,000 elite troops led by Guan Xing were like an iron stream that could not be underestimated, advancing slowly and steadily.

The sunlight shone on their armor, reflecting a dazzling light.

Although the Nuer Army was said to have tens of thousands of troops, such a large army naturally could not act in a concentrated manner. It was like a scattered torrent, rushing towards Shangdang County, Taiyuan County and other places.

Guan Xing divided his 10,000-man army into several small teams, which maneuvered flexibly throughout Hedong and launched a series of harassment campaigns, making it difficult for the enemy to cope.

At this moment, Guan Xing was riding on a tall horse, his eyes sharp as torches, examining the valley ahead that seemed peaceful but was actually filled with murderous intent.

His face was resolute, and his brows revealed an unquestionable heroic spirit. He was dressed in silver armor that sparkled in the sun, and he had a long sword on his waist. The hilt was inlaid with gems, flashing a mysterious light.

He gently tightened the reins, and the horse stopped immediately. The soldiers around him also stopped, waiting quietly for the general's instructions.

"Where is this place?" Guan Xing's voice was low and powerful, as if it could penetrate all the fog and reach people's hearts.

The guide beside him, a thin, dark-faced middle-aged man, immediately stepped forward upon hearing this and replied respectfully, "General, this place is Guanjuejin, also known as Queshu Valley by the locals. The terrain here is complex, rugged and steep, and only small animals such as sparrows and mice can move freely in it."

Upon hearing this, Guan Xing nodded slightly and looked back and forth across the valley, as if he was evaluating every inch of land here.

Gaobiling, Queshu Valley, and Fenshui Pass are all dangerous places in Fenxi area. They are easy to defend but difficult to attack. If you are not careful, you may fall into an irretrievable situation.

Therefore, he did not dare to be careless at all.

"Don't enter this place lightly." Guan Xing said in a deep voice, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

He turned and headed towards Pingyang, which was an important supply point for their operation and also where Wei's internal support was located.

There, they can rest, replenish food and supplies, repair weapons and equipment, and make full preparations for the next battle.

After all, attacking Hedong, Taiyuan, and Shangdang counties is not something that can be accomplished in a short period of time. (End of this chapter)