Shuhan

The Han army broke through Han Xinling with a thunderous force. The sound of war drums and shouts intertwined, shaking the sky. With the collapse of the last line of defense, the enemy troops threw down their weapons and surrendered, and the army was completely defeated.

After this fierce battle, a shocking piece of news spread like wildfire - the Han army was marching towards the Jinyang Basin in a mighty manner.

This news spread quickly throughout the Jinyang Basin like an unstoppable torrent, along with the panicked and fleeing soldiers.

Whether in bustling towns or remote villages, people are all talking about it, their hearts filled with speculation and anxiety about the impending changes.

Some hurriedly packed up their belongings and prepared to flee what was about to become a battlefield; others closed their doors and prayed silently to survive.

The entire Jinyang Basin seemed to be shrouded in an invisible atmosphere of tension, and every corner was filled with the scent of impending war.

The footsteps of the Han army, like heavy drumbeats, are approaching step by step, heralding the arrival of a new era.

At this moment, the night in Fenyang City is as dark as ink, and the moonlight is sprinkled thinly on the ancient city wall, covering this important border town with a layer of mysterious silver gauze.

Inside the city, the residence of Liu Bao, the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu, was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Liu Bao, the legitimate son of Yufuluo, the Chanyu of Southern Xiongnu, has now been appointed as the Left Commander of Xiongnu by the State of Wei, and his status is extremely noble.

His uncle Huochuxuan inherited the throne of Chanyu after Yufuluo's death, and he naturally became the Left Wise King. Now he has taken over the real power of the entire left wing of the Xiongnu.

In the hall of the mansion, a huge sandalwood table was filled with all kinds of delicacies, and the wine was flowing like springs, with fragrance everywhere.

Liu Bao sat in the main seat, wearing a gorgeous brocade robe and a golden crown on his head, with an aura of majesty revealed between his brows.

His face was resolute, his eyes were deep, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. It was obvious that he was in a very good mood.

Beside him, a group of Han singing girls and dancers were dancing to the melodious music. They were dressed in light gauze and had graceful figures, like elves in the night, adding a touch of tenderness and elegance to the banquet.

Liu Bao raised the wine glass in his hand and took a sip. The mellow aroma of the wine instantly spread in his mouth, making him laugh out loud and seem particularly refreshed.

He thought, in this troubled time, isn't it a blessing to have such a peaceful place, enjoy fine wine and delicious food, and watch singing and dancing?
There is actually nothing wrong with not fighting for power and being a rich man.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Outside the door, a steward in black hurried in. He walked with steady steps and a serious look, and it was obvious that he had something urgent to report.

The steward came to Liu Bao, bowed respectfully, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the Sima of the Left Army wants to see you."

When Liu Bao heard this, his brows slightly frowned, and a trace of doubt arose in his heart.

The Sima of the Left is an important position in charge of the military affairs of the Left. He asked for an audience so late at night, there must be something important.

He was stunned for a moment, but he had to wave his hand to signal the singing and dancing to stop, and said to everyone: "You guys drink, I will be back soon."

After saying this, Liu Bao stood up and left the table, following the steward to the outer hall.

In the outer hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated the figure of a middle-aged man in Sima robes.

The man was of sturdy build, with a resolute face and a heroic look between his brows.

There was an anxious look on his face, and it was obvious that he had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Liu Bao coming out, he hurriedly came forward, bowed, and said in a somewhat hurried voice: "My king, something has happened!"

Liu Bao frowned upon hearing this, and his drunkenness instantly dissipated. He stood up abruptly, staring at the left Sima with a sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Sima, what happened? Why are you so panicked?"

Zuobu Sima took a deep breath and tried to calm his inner panic, but his voice was still full of tension that was difficult to conceal:
"Your Majesty, the Han army... after they broke through Yubi City, they did not cross Zhongtiao Mountain as we expected, but instead passed through Queshu Valley and headed towards Taiyuan! Your Majesty, you should immediately summon the soldiers of the left wing of the Xiongnu to resist the Han army!"

When Liu Bao heard this, his body shook and the drunken look on his face instantly faded away, replaced by disbelief and shock.

He stood there in a daze, as if the news had hit him hard, and was speechless for a moment.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice low and powerful: "Say it again, the Han army is heading towards Taiyuan?"

The Sima of the Left Army nodded heavily, with a flash of despair in his eyes: "Yes, my king, the defeated soldiers of Han Xinling have informed us of the news. The Han army is approaching with a thunderous force. The situation is critical!"

Liu Bao was indescribably flustered when he heard this, but he quickly calmed down and began to pace back and forth in the outer hall, each step seemed unusually heavy. His eyes sometimes swept into the distance, sometimes fell on the left Sima, as if looking for a solution.

"With the left wing of the Xiongnu, we only have a few thousand soldiers. How can we resist the Han army?" Liu Bao's voice was filled with helplessness and anxiety. He knew the strength of his tribe very well. Compared with the powerful Han army, it was undoubtedly like an egg hitting a rock.

Upon hearing this, the left general's eyes flashed with determination: "Your Majesty, although we are outnumbered, we cannot just sit there and wait for death. Please give an order immediately to summon all the soldiers who can fight. At the same time, please allow your Majesty to send someone to Jinyang to request the General of the Central Army to send troops to join the five tribes of the Xiongnu to resist the Han army together!"

Liu Bao stopped and stared at the Sima of the left wing, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

This may be the only chance.

So he said in a deep voice: "Okay! Sima, you go to Jinyang immediately and convince the General of the Household to send troops to help."

Sima Zuobu really wanted to go to Jinyang.

But before he left, he had to ask Liu Bao to make him a promise.

He said to Liu Bao: "My king, you have to buy me some time. You have to hold the Han army in Fenyang for at least ten days, otherwise the reinforcements from Jinyang will never arrive."

"Ten days?" Liu Bao's face changed slightly when he heard this. He knew that this was an almost impossible task, but looking at the determined eyes of Zuobu Sima, he could only nod.
"I can only do my best."

Liu Bao looked at the departing figure of Sima Zuo, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

This battle not only concerns the survival of the left wing of the Xiongnu, but also the future of the entire Xiongnu tribe.

He took a deep breath, turned around and loudly ordered the attendant beside him: "Pass the order down, immediately gather all the soldiers and prepare to fight the Han army! At the same time, send people to various tribes to request support!"

Following Liu Bao's order, the Zuoxian Palace in Fenyang City suddenly became busy, with attendants running around, conveying urgent military orders.

As for the so-called banquet, it was naturally cancelled.

The news that the Han army was approaching was like a cold wind, penetrating the solid walls of Fenyang City and reaching the depths of Prince Zuo Xian's mansion.

It was late at night and the lights in the mansion were dim, but the depressing atmosphere could not be concealed.

Liu Bao, the Left Wise King, sat alone at a large banquet table with several empty wine jugs in front of him. The wine glass in his hand kept shaking, and the wine created ripples in the glass, as if reflecting his inner turmoil.

He raised the wine glass to his lips again and again, trying to use the anesthesia of alcohol to drive away the worries in his heart, but the heaviness followed him like a shadow and could not be shaken off.

Liu Bao's face looked particularly tired under the dim light, with complex emotions flashing in his deep eyes - fear of an unknown fate, as well as helplessness and responsibility as the commander of the left wing of the Xiongnu.

His beard was a little messy, and a few strands of hair were scattered on his forehead due to frequent scratching. His usual majestic image was replaced by an indescribable fragility. At this moment, a soft sound of footsteps broke the silence in the room. Princess Zuo Xian walked forward slowly. Her figure was elongated in the candlelight, appearing particularly gentle.

The princess was wearing gorgeous Hanfu with exquisite patterns embroidered on the lapels, which sparkled in the candlelight.

She walked to Liu Bao's side, her eyes gentle but firm, and asked softly: "Why is the king so sad?"

Liu Bao looked up at the princess, a hint of surprise flashed across his tired eyes, then turned into deep helplessness.

He sighed, his voice low and hoarse: "The Han army is coming. I only have a few thousand soldiers in my left wing, and it is difficult to gather them in a short time. How can I resist the Han army for ten days?"

After saying this, he sighed heavily again, as if he wanted to pour out all his distress.

The princess frowned slightly when she heard this, but then her brows relaxed, and her eyes revealed an inexplicable determination.

She knew that her identity was special - as a Han Chinese princess sent by Cao Wei to control the five Xiongnu tribes, she not only carried the blood of two tribes, but also shouldered a complex political mission.

However, at this moment, all she had in mind was concern for her husband.

"The Han emperor's surname is Liu, and yours truly is also Liu. We are one family." The princess's words were gentle but powerful, like a spring breeze blowing through his heart, leaving Liu Bao stunned.

He had never thought about the problem from this perspective. For a moment, it seemed as if something in his heart was touched and everything became clear.

"Yes!" Liu Bao murmured to himself, with a gleam of light in his eyes.

"I was originally given a Han surname and was originally a Han official. Now that the Han army is coming, what should I be afraid of? Instead, it is those Wei people who should be afraid!"

Once this thought arose, it spread like wildfire and quickly occupied his heart.

He suddenly felt the world was vast, and the haze in his heart was swept away.

Liu Bao stood up suddenly and hugged the princess tightly, with such force that it seemed as if he wanted to merge her into his bones and blood.

His laughter echoed in the night sky, hearty and heroic, it was a long-lost sense of relief and confidence.

The princess also laughed. Her laughter was clear and sweet, like a silver bell. The two laughters intertwined together, adding a bit of vitality and hope to this dull night.

At this moment, Liu Bao seemed to have returned to his younger self, the fearless Hun warrior who galloped across the grassland.

He held the princess's hand tightly, with a determined light in his eyes: "The Xiongnu and the Han have been separated for too long. Now is the time to reconnect!"

Liu Bao's thoughts flickered in the night like a candle flame swayed by the wind.

He was just about to order an envoy to be sent to the Han army camp to show his loyalty when the princess' voice rang out at the right moment, like a breeze in spring, penetrating the dullness of the room.

"Even if the left wing of the Xiongnu surrenders, it may not be able to overturn the situation in Taiyuan." The princess's voice was not loud, but every word was precious and touched Liu Bao's heart.

She raised her eyes slightly, her eyes flashing with a deep light, as if she could see through everything. "Why don't you send someone to persuade my brother-in-law to lead the right wing of the Xiongnu to surrender to the Han Dynasty with your Majesty? The left wing of the Xiongnu is in Fenyang, and the right wing of the Xiongnu is in Qi County, which is only a few dozen miles apart. Moreover, Liu Qubei, the commander of the right wing of the Xiongnu, is your Majesty's younger brother. It shouldn't be difficult to persuade him."

When Liu Bao heard this, his mind suddenly became clear, as if a ray of light had penetrated the fog.

He stared at the princess, with a glimmer of admiration and gratitude in his eyes.

The princess's proposal undoubtedly opened a new door for him and allowed him to see a broader world.

He stood up, walked to the princess, held her hand, and said in a firm and powerful voice: "This is a great plan! I will immediately send an envoy to Qi County to persuade Qu Bei."

Liu Bao turned and walked to the desk, picked up the pen, and quickly wrote on the parchment. His movements were decisive and powerful, and every stroke revealed his determination and confidence.

After finishing writing, he rolled up the parchment, tied it with a red string, then looked out the door and shouted, "Someone come!"

A guard dressed in Xiongnu clothing came in and knelt before Liu Bao. Liu Bao handed him the parchment and said in a deep voice: "Send this letter to Qi County immediately and give it to the right commander Liu Qubei. Be sure to persuade him to surrender to the Han Dynasty with me."

The guard took the parchment, bowed, then turned and left, disappearing into the night.

Liu Bao looked at the guard's departing back and felt an inexplicable excitement in his heart.

He knew that once he took this step, there would be no turning back.

But he also understood that this was for the future of the Huns and for his people to live a peaceful life.

He turned to look at the princess, his eyes sparkling with gratitude and love.

The princess looked at him with a smile, as if she could read his inner thoughts.

She said softly: "Don't worry, my king, my people will be able to live and work in peace and contentment on this land."

Liu Bao nodded, then walked to the window and stared at the night sky outside.

His heart was filled with anticipation and longing, as if he had already seen the beautiful future.

At the same time, Liu Bao also began to recruit soldiers to prepare to meet the upcoming Han army.

He knew very well that without sufficient military force, he would not be able to protect his status and wealth.

Therefore, he ordered the leaders of each tribe to gather all the soldiers as soon as possible in case of emergency.

A few days later, the messenger returned from Qi County and brought Liu Qubei's reply.

Liu Bao opened the envelope and read the contents of the letter carefully.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face. Obviously, his younger brother Liu Qubei had been persuaded and was willing to surrender to the Han Dynasty with him.

Liu Bao felt relieved, he knew that his plan had been half successful.

The next step was to communicate with the Han army to ensure that his wealth and prosperity would not be disturbed.

He once again sent envoys to the Han army camp to express his wishes and determination to the Han generals.

Not long after entering the Jinyang Basin, Guan Ping, who was resting in Jiexiu City, met the messenger sent by Liu Bao.

Taiyuan.

It seems to be within easy reach! (End of this chapter)