Shuhan

"My men, follow me and charge out. We cannot let the flag of the Wei army fall here!"

Qian Zhao's voice resounded through the night sky, and his figure shuttled across the battlefield like an unstoppable black lightning.

However, no matter how hard he tried, the encirclement seemed to be getting tighter and tighter, and every charge was repelled by the slave army with even more fierce attacks.

Guan Ping stood on a high place, observing all this coldly, his face calm and composed, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

Although Qian Zhao was brave, in the face of absolute superiority in military strength, his personal bravery could not change the overall situation.

He gave orders softly, adjusted the formation, strengthened the suppression of the traction unit, and ensured that every exit of the pocket formation was firmly blocked.

The fighting continued from night to day.

Although Qian Zhao's troops had repelled ten attacks by the Nuer Army, their physical strength and morale were gradually being depleted.

Every time he tried to find a breakthrough, he was met with even more violent rain of arrows and swords and guns.

His armor was covered with marks of arrows and blades, and blood stained his battle robe red, but his eyes remained firm and he was unwilling to give up easily.

However, the reality is cruel.

As time went on, Qian Zhao's troops suffered heavy casualties and their morale dropped. Even the most determined soldiers began to show looks of despair.

Qian Zhao knew in his heart that no matter how brave he was, he could not change the outcome of the battle.

On this battlefield shrouded in death, he seemed to see the end of his fate, but he still stood straight, used up his last bit of strength, waved the spear in his hand, and vowed to fight the enemy to the end.

Under the fierce attack of the Han Nuer Army, the Wei army's defense line was like a broken ship in the wind and rain, shaking precariously. The soldiers were terrified, their formation began to become disorganized, and their morale was at its lowest.

Guan Ping stood on a high place, watching all this coldly, but he did not feel relieved at all.

He waved his hand, and a messenger beside him immediately rode out on his horse and galloped towards the Wei army's position.

The messenger held a white flag and shouted loudly: "Listen, soldiers of the Wei army, my general Guan Ping has ordered that if you are willing to surrender, your lives will be safe and you will be treated well!"

The sound echoed over the battlefield and was clearly heard by every Wei soldier.

However, what responded to him was an even more intense rain of arrows from the Wei army's position.

The messenger had to retreat in a hurry, his face pale, obviously frightened by the sudden attack.

Guan Ping frowned. There must be some tough guys in the Wei army, and Qian Zhao was undoubtedly the toughest one among them.

At this time, Qian Zhao was standing in front of the Wei army, his figure looking particularly tall in the smoke and fire.

His armor was already tattered and bloodstained, but his eyes were still as firm as ever. He raised his spear high and shouted: "Wei army soldiers, behind us are our homes, our loved ones, and the dignity of our country! We would rather die in battle than surrender to the enemy!"

His voice was passionate and powerful, as if it could penetrate the noise of the battlefield and reach the depths of the hearts of every soldier.

When the Wei army soldiers heard Qian Zhao's words, they seemed to be injected with new strength.

They all straightened their chests, gripped their weapons tightly, and prepared for the upcoming battle.

Even when faced with enemies that were several times their size, they did not retreat at all.

Seeing this, Guan Ping couldn't help but admire in his heart.

Qian Zhao was not only a brave general, but also a leader who could inspire the fighting spirit of his soldiers.

However, admiration is admiration, fighting is fighting. He must try every means to break through the Wei army's defense line as soon as possible.

He waved the command flag again, and the Nuer soldiers responded immediately, rushing towards the Wei army's position like a tide.

The battle broke out again, and both sides were engaged in a desperate struggle.

As time went on, the Wei army suffered more and more casualties, and the defense line was getting closer and closer to the brink of collapse.

Despite this, Qian Zhao still did not give up.

Finally, when the first ray of morning light penetrated the clouds and illuminated the battlefield, Qian Zhao's resistance completely collapsed.

In the chaos and despair, he was captured by the slave army, and his troops left the last tragic trace on this land.

Guan Ping stood in front of the battle array, holding a spear, looking majestic. His eyes, like torches, penetrated the hustle and bustle of the battlefield and fell on Qian Zhao, who was tied up.

Although Qian Zhao is now imprisoned, he still remains unyielding and his eyes sparkle with an unyielding light.

"General, why are you so stubborn?" Guan Ping raised his lips to reveal a faint smile, his voice containing a hint of persuasion.

"If you surrendered earlier, you would still have wealth and honor. Now that you've been captured, life and death are uncertain!"

His words showed both appreciation for Qian Zhao's talent and a calm analysis of the current situation.

"If you help me take the jade disc now, you will still be honored as a marquis!"

However, Qian Zhao was dismissive of this. He suddenly spat, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he snorted, his voice low and firm: "Why are you saying this? If you have the guts, just kill me with a knife!"

Guan Ping's face suddenly turned cold, like ice in winter. He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take Qian Zhao away.

Guan Ping then counted the soldiers and prepared for the next deployment.

His eyes moved among the crowd and finally locked onto a general of the Wei reinforcements.

The general looked a little panicked and his eyes revealed a bit of fear, which formed a sharp contrast with Qian Zhao's determination.

Guan Ping walked towards him slowly, and every step he took seemed so steady and powerful, as if every step was stepping on the other person's heartstrings.

"Are you willing to surrender?" Guan Ping's voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable majesty.

When the general heard this, his body trembled involuntarily, but soon, the desire to survive made him make a choice.

He quickly said: "I am willing to surrender!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Ping curled up a satisfied smile. He patted the general on the shoulder and signaled the soldiers to untie him.

The general felt relieved, with a look of relief on his face, having survived the disaster.

However, Guan Ping's next words made him feel relieved again.

"Wait a moment, my Nuer Army soldiers will change into Wei Army robes, and you can trick the city of Yubi into opening up. If you can capture Yubi City, you will have made a great contribution!"

There was an irresistible force in Guan Ping's words, and his gaze was like a sword, staring straight into the general's eyes.

The general's heart trembled when he heard this. He knew the danger of this trip, but he had to agree in order to save his life.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner panic, and then said firmly: "I am willing to serve the general."

Guan Ping nodded and signaled the soldiers to begin action.

The soldiers of the Nuer Army quickly changed into the robes of the Wei Army. Their movements were skillful and quick, as if they were conducting a silent drill.

The general was waiting nervously on the side, his eyes moving from Guan Ping to the soldiers who were changing their uniforms, feeling both expectant and nervous.

Finally, everything was ready. The general was put on horseback, and he held the reins tightly, with beads of sweat oozing out of his palms.

He looked at Guan Ping deeply, then gritted his teeth and galloped towards Yubi City.

At dusk, the army arrived at the foot of Yubi City.

Upon seeing this, the defenders of Yubi City immediately became alert.

They held weapons in their hands, stood ready for battle, and their eyes revealed vigilance and hostility.

Although the plague was rampant in the city, there were still thousands of Wei soldiers who were not sick at all.

However, when the general shouted the Wei army's slogan loudly and displayed the Wei army's token, the defenders couldn't help but waver.

They looked at each other, their hearts full of doubts.

At this moment, the general took the opportunity to shout: "Open the city gate quickly! We have urgent military information to report! Regarding General Qian Zhao, he is surrounded by the Han army. If we don't open the city gate and go out of the city to rescue him, General Qian Zhao's life will be in danger!" There was some urgency and anxiety in his voice, as if something important was really going to happen.

The defenders hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to believe it. They slowly opened the city gate and let the general and his "Wei army" enter the city.

However, they did not know that once this gate was opened, it could never be closed again.

After the army entered the city, they immediately blocked the city gate.

And in the back.

Guan Ping led the slave army and followed closely behind, pouring into Yubi City like a tide.

They were armed with weapons and agile, like a group of cheetahs, and they quickly launched an attack in the city.

The defenders were caught off guard and were defeated.

Yubi City, the once indestructible fortress, was now as fragile as paper and was easily breached by Guan Ping.

A strong fortress can never be broken from the outside.

Sometimes a little trick can help you succeed.

Pei Qian stood on a high building in Yubi City, looking through the broken city wall at the land in the distance that had been occupied by the enemy, and an indescribable sadness surged in his heart.

The setting sun was as red as blood, dyeing the sky crimson, as if foreshadowing the end of the dynasty.

He let out a long sigh, and the sound echoed in the empty mansion, sounding particularly heavy.

All around him were scattered weapons and battle flags, the air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and death, and everything told him that this once impregnable city had fallen.

Pei Qian turned slowly and glanced at the servants and guards who had followed him for many years.

Their faces were filled with fear and anxiety, but they still forced themselves to stand straight, as if expressing their loyalty to their master in this way.

Pei Qian felt a surge of sadness in his heart. He knew that his next decision would change the fate of all of them.

"Let's all go." Pei Qian's voice was low and firm, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

The servants and guards looked at each other, as if they couldn't believe their ears.

Pei Qian waved his hand, signaling them to leave, with a hint of reluctance flashing across his eyes, but more of it was determination.

"Find a way to survive and don't stay here any longer."

Everyone hesitated for a moment, but finally dispersed reluctantly, leaving Pei Qian alone standing in the empty hall.

He slowly walked to the desk, sat down, his eyes fell on the unfinished document on the table, but his thoughts had already drifted away.

The power of the Han Dynasty has long been an indisputable fact.

Pei Qian knew clearly that the Wenxi Pei clan, to which he belonged, also had relatives in the Han State. As long as he was willing to surrender, he could not only save his life but might even gain wealth and glory.

But every time this thought came to his mind, his heart ached like a knife.

He closed his eyes, and the faces of his family and clansmen far away in Luoyang appeared in his mind. They were his blood ties that he could not give up, and the most important part of his life.

"If I try to survive, the Pei family in Luoyang will surely suffer a devastating disaster." Pei Qian murmured to himself. Although his voice was small, it revealed an unquestionable firmness.

The situation in the world is now completely controlled by the Han Kingdom. Even if the current emperor works hard to govern the country, I am afraid he will be powerless to reverse the situation.

Thinking of this, Pei Qian felt a sense of powerlessness in his heart. It was a kind of helplessness towards fate and despair towards the future.

With trembling hands, he took out an exquisite box from his sleeve. The box was small and exquisite, and was carved with intricate patterns, making it look particularly quaint.

Pei Qian gently opened the box, and inside were several pieces of glittering gold, which now became the tool to end his life.

Next to the gold, there was a bright red pill, which was the poison pill he had prepared long ago.

Pei Qian knew that dying from swallowing gold would be a painful and long process, and he didn't want to let himself suffer that, so he decided to add this poison pill to ensure that there would be no mistakes.

He took a deep breath, as if making final preparations.

As my fingers gently stroked the gold, an inexplicable emotion surged in my heart.

This gold, once the symbol of his identity and the source of his power, has now become the medium to his death.

Pei Qian closed his eyes, hardened his heart, put the two gold nuggets into his mouth, and swallowed them with difficulty. The cold metal texture made him feel nauseous, but he forced himself not to spit them out.

Then he picked up the red pill and stared at it for a moment, as if he was bidding his final farewell to the world.

Then, he resolutely swallowed the red pill, closed his eyes, and quietly waited for the arrival of death.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and Pei Qian could only hear his own heartbeat and breathing.

He felt a strong burning sensation spreading from his chest, which was the effect of the poison pill. His face began to turn pale, and beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead, but his expression was unusually calm, as if he was accepting the arrangement of fate.

Everything around him was becoming blurry, and Pei Qian's thoughts began to drift.

He seemed to see himself as a young man, when he was full of vigor and determined to bring glory to his family; he also seemed to see his family and clansmen in Luoyang, their smiles were so warm and familiar.

He knew that he was about to leave this world, but he had no regrets in his heart, because he had used his life to protect the honor and dignity of his family.

As his consciousness gradually faded, Pei Qian felt his body becoming lighter and lighter, as if he was floating into another world.

A faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, which was a calm acceptance of death and an infinite longing for the future.

At the last moment, his heart was filled with peace and tranquility, as if he was telling the world: I, Pei Qian, am worthy of heaven and earth, and worthy of my family.

And not long after.

Guan Ping stepped into the government office of Yubi City.

There was deathly silence in the mansion, with only the occasional sound of wind blowing through the hall, which seemed particularly desolate.

His eyes swept across the empty hall, finally stopping on the quietly lying corpse.

Pei Qian has now turned into a cold shell.

Guan Ping slowly approached, squatted down, and looked at Pei Qian's face carefully.

Although that face has lost its vitality, one can still glimpse its former majesty and wisdom.

He sighed softly, feeling mixed emotions.

Turning around, he looked at Pei Jun who was following behind him, only to see that the other person had tears in his eyes, but he was trying hard not to let the tears fall. The corners of his mouth curled up into a bitter smile, which showed a sense of helplessness, but also a sense of relief.

Guan Ping reached out his hand and gently patted Pei Jun's shoulder, his voice low and full of comfort: "Mr. Pei, please accept my condolences."

These few simple words seemed to carry thousands of words, trying to soothe the pain in Pei Jun's heart.

Pei Jun tilted his head slightly and looked at Guan Ping, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.

"For my brother, this may be the best destination."

Pei Qian was extremely intelligent throughout his life, but he also worried about the future of his family.

Now, even though he is dead, at least he no longer has to face the catastrophic disaster that his family might suffer due to investments on both sides.

"Wenxi Pei, two parties have invested. Now it seems that the Han State, which I invested in, will win in the end."

He looked around. Yubi City had been destroyed, and there was almost no place to defend in Hedong. In the north, only the Queshu Valley and other dangerous places could slightly stop the iron hoof of the Han army. Taiyuan County and Shangdang County, these two key places, would sooner or later fall into the hands of the Han State.

"The Yubi City has been destroyed, and Hedong has been conquered. The world will be transformed dramatically."

Once the three counties fell into the hands of the Han Kingdom, the Han army only needed to cross the Zhongtiao Mountains to march straight to Luoyang. By then, the situation in the world would have really changed!
The day of unifying the world is not far away.

ps:
I was so tired after taking a day off. I went home yesterday and fell asleep as soon as I lay down. I have never been so tired before. (End of this chapter)