Shuhan

Xiujie City is now shrouded in panic and anxiety due to the approach of the Han army.

The people in the city, some with their families and some alone, carried their simple luggage and fled along the winding paths to the unknown distance in order to avoid the impending war.

On the street, only a few houses had their doors closed, and the occasional barking of dogs added to the loneliness and desolation.

In this almost deserted city, the lobby of the government office presented a completely different scene.

At noon, the sunlight shines through the mottled window frames and onto the blue brick ground, forming patches of light.

In the center of the lobby, a sumptuous lunch was placed on a carved wooden table, steaming hot and fragrant.

Guan Ping, wearing iron armor and a battle robe on his shoulders, was sitting at the table. His face was firm and his eyes revealed unquestionable majesty.

He held a golden chicken leg in his hand and chewed it with big mouthfuls. Oil occasionally overflowed from the corners of his mouth, but it did not diminish his heroic spirit at all.

At one side, a pot of fine wine was being warmed by the fire, emitting an enticing aroma. Guan Ping would pick up the wine glass from time to time, take a sip, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

At this time, an envoy dressed in foreign costumes stood in front of the table, looking nervous but respectful.

He was thin, with slightly dark skin, and there was a gleam of anxiety in his eyes, and he was obviously worried about the current situation.

The messenger clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles turning white due to tension. His eyes kept moving between Guan Ping and the delicacies on the table, as if he was looking for some answer.

"Does King Zuo Xian really want to submit to the Han Dynasty?" Guan Ping's voice was low and powerful. His words carried unquestionable majesty, but also revealed a hint of curiosity.

He stopped eating, stared at the messenger with sharp eyes, waiting for his answer.

Upon hearing this, the envoy nodded hastily, with a hint of urgency in his voice: "My king's surname is Liu, and the emperor of the Han Dynasty's surname is also Liu. We are originally one family, and one family should not do two different things. When my king heard that the general was coming, he had already united with the right wing of the Xiongnu and decided to submit to the Han Dynasty and seek peace together."

Hearing this, Guan Ping's lips curled up into an imperceptible smile. He swallowed the chicken leg in his hand in one gulp, his Adam's apple rolling up and down, and then asked with burning eyes: "How many soldiers are there in the left and right parts of the Xiongnu who can fight?"

The messenger swallowed, obviously intimidated by Guan Ping's momentum, but he still tried his best to remain calm and replied: "Together, there are about 6,000 people."

Guan Ping nodded, a hint of thought flashing in his eyes.

Although more than 6,000 people are not a large number, they are a force that cannot be underestimated under the current circumstances.

He put down the wine glass in his hand, leaned forward, and said with unquestionable determination: "More than 6,000 people are not a small number. But since you are surrendering, you must be sincere. If your two tribes can capture Daling, I will believe in your sincerity."

The messenger was stunned when he heard this, obviously not expecting Guan Ping to make such a request.

There was a flash of panic in his eyes, his hands were clenched even tighter, and beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

After hesitating for a moment, the messenger finally mustered up the courage to say, "I will go back and report to my king."

Guan Ping laughed at this, his laughter was both majestic and playful: "After three days, if the Xiongnu left and right armies do not attack Daling, it means they are not sincere. At that time, my Han army will go straight to Fenyang and Qixian, and you will bear the consequences yourself."

After saying this, Guan Ping picked up the wine glass again, raised it lightly, and signaled to the messenger, as if he was engaging in a silent contest.

Upon seeing this, the messenger, although unwilling and helpless, could only force a bitter smile, bowed, and turned around to leave.

After the envoy of Zuo Xian Wang Liu Bao hurriedly left, Pei Jun frowned and his worry was evident on his face.

He turned to face Guan Ping, his tone somewhat uneasy: "General, if Liu Bao and Liu Qubei originally wanted to surrender, but after your probing, they are unwilling to surrender, then how should we deal with them? Isn't this adding unnecessary enemies?"

Guan Ping's face was stern and his eyes were firm, as if he could see through all illusions.

He snorted coldly, his voice low and powerful: "If they are not of my race, their hearts must be different. Who can guarantee that this is not a conspiracy they have carefully arranged? If I don't let them attack Daling, how can I confirm their sincerity? This is the letter of surrender they must submit."

When Pei Jun heard this, he had a thousand words in his mind, but he didn't know where to start.

He looked at Guan Ping's determined back, feeling mixed emotions.

Although Guan Ping's words were cruel, in these troubled times, weren't they also a necessary form of caution and wisdom?
Pei Jun sighed, and finally could only nod silently to show his understanding.

Seeing this, Guan Ping softened his tone a little: "No matter what, in three days, I will lead the army to capture Fenyang and Qixian. This is our established strategy and cannot be changed."

In Fenyang City, Liu Bao was anxiously waiting for the envoy's return.

When he learned that Guan Ping asked him and Liu Qubei to lead an army to attack Daling, he couldn't help feeling angry and uneasy.

He paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists, as if looking for a breakthrough.

"This Guan Ping is really going too far!" Liu Bao said gritting his teeth, with anger flashing in his eyes.

However, in addition to being angry, he also clearly realized that he had no way out.

Either do as Guan Ping asks, or face being trampled upon by the Han army.

Liu Bao took a deep breath and tried to calm his emotions.

He closed his eyes and ran through the possible consequences in his mind.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind: "Gather the army and use the excuse of being summoned by the Xiongnu Lieutenant General to pass through Daling!"

This decision was not an easy one, but Liu Bao knew that it was the only feasible option at the moment.

He opened his eyes, which were full of determination and resolve. He immediately summoned his generals, informed them of the plan, and ordered them to prepare quickly.

Under the command of Liu Bao, the Hun army quickly assembled.

The soldiers were wearing iron armor, holding spears, and waiting for orders with solemn expressions.

Liu Bao stood on the high platform, looking at the dark army below, with a surge of heroic spirit in his heart.

This battle not only concerns the life and death of the Huns, but also his personal honor and dignity.

"Let's go!" Liu Bao gave an order, and the army marched towards Daling in a mighty manner.

They moved along the winding mountain road, the dust flying and the sound of horses' hooves deafening.

Liu Bao rode on his warhorse, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, always alert to possible crises.

However, during the march, Liu Bao's heart could not calm down.

Daling is the central Xiongnu garrison, and its strength should not be underestimated.

But compared to the Han army, the central Xiongnu was undoubtedly an easier opponent to deal with.

What's more, he can also use sneak attacks to win and catch the opponent off guard.

Thinking of this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Liu Bao's eyes.

He had no other choice but to give it a try.

He gripped the sword tightly in his hand, as if he wanted to concentrate all his anger and determination on the sword.

. . .

At this moment, Daling City.

The current commander of the central Xiongnu is named Liu Xuan. He is the son of Chanyu Qiangqu, the younger brother of Chanyu Yufuluo, and the uncle of Liu Bao.

He was tall and strong, with a resolute face, and his brows revealed an aura of majesty without even being angry.

of course
Although he is tall and strong, he dresses like a Han Chinese.

Liu Xuan was a simple and taciturn person, but he was studious and well-educated. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, he yearned for Han culture very much. He once studied under the famous scholar Sun Yan and was one of Sun's most outstanding disciples.

Sun once compared this beloved disciple to Jin Midi during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty.

Liu Xuan was well-read in "The Book of Songs" and "The Book of History", studied hard, was proficient in Chinese classics, history, and music, and had great ambitions.

Whenever I read the biographies of Xiao He and Deng Yu in the Book of Han, I say with emotion: "When a hero meets a wise ruler like Emperor Gaozu of Han or Emperor Guangwu, he must surpass Xiao He and Deng Yu to be considered to have made a difference."

At this moment, Liu Xuan was standing on the city wall, looking into the distance, feeling an inexplicable sense of uneasiness in his heart.

At the foot of the city, Liu Bao and Liu Qubei were riding on tall horses, with soldiers behind them ready to go. There was determination but also a hint of barely perceptible tension in their eyes.

Liu Bao was muscular and had a heroic look between his eyebrows, while Liu Qubei was slightly thin but had sharp eyes. Both of them were outstanding among the Xiongnu. They looked up at Liu Xuan on the tower and shouted loudly: "Uncle, we are summoned by the General of the Central Army who protects the Xiongnu and are going to Jinyang. Please let us pass through and get some supplies."

Liu Xuan frowned slightly when he heard this, but then relaxed his brows. He believed in his nephew, and he believed even more in the unity within the Huns.

So he ordered the defenders to open the city gates without hesitation.

The city gate slowly opened with a heavy creaking sound, as if the wheel of history was slowly turning.

Liu Xuan stood on the city wall, his eyes gradually becoming solemn as the city gate opened.

However, just when he thought everything was normal, Liu Bao and Liu Qubei suddenly led their troops into Daliang City, like a tiger descending from the mountain, unstoppable.

The defenders in the city were caught off guard and were scattered in an instant, and they laid down their weapons and surrendered one after another.

Liu Xuan was horrified when he saw this. He hurriedly tried to organize a resistance, but found himself surrounded by several soldiers and forcibly taken to the top of the city wall.

Liu Xuan was forced to kneel on the ground, his face full of astonishment and confusion. He looked up at Liu Bao and Liu Qubei, his eyes full of disappointment and anger, and asked in a trembling voice: "My two nephews, why are you doing this? We are blood relatives!"

Liu Bao said softly, but his tone was firm and unquestionable: "Uncle, we have already surrendered to the Han Dynasty. We have no choice but to do this. The Han Dynasty is strong and the Xiongnu is weak. For the future of our people, we have no choice but to make this choice."

Liu Xuan's face turned pale when he heard this. He asked bitterly, "You are so rebellious. How can your father survive in Luoyang?"

His voice was full of helplessness and sadness. He knew that if he rebelled, Yu Fuluo's situation in Luoyang would become extremely dangerous.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bao and Liu Qubei were speechless for a moment.

Aren’t there struggles and pain in their hearts?

Their father, the Xiongnu Khan Yufuluo, was currently serving as a hostage in Luoyang. Their actions undoubtedly pushed their father to the brink of death.

However, for the future of the Huns and the survival of their people, they had to make this choice.

Seeing this, Liu Xuan felt a strong surge of grief and indignation in his heart. He struggled to stand up but was held down by the soldiers.

He looked at Liu Bao and Liu Qubei, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, including disappointment, anger, and helplessness.

He sighed deeply and said, "You have caused me so much trouble. But now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to let the central Xiongnu submit to the Han Dynasty."

When Liu Bao heard this, a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He knew that his choice had brought great pain to his uncle, but he also understood that it was for the future of the Huns.

He walked to Liu Xuan, squatted down, and said softly: "Uncle, we know that this is unfair to you, but please believe that we are doing this for the future of the Xiongnu. The Han Dynasty is strong, and if we do not surrender, I am afraid that the Xiongnu will have no place to stand."

Liu Xuan looked at Liu Bao with tears in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions.

Now that things have come to this, no matter how much he struggles, it is futile. He slowly closed his eyes, as if accepting his fate.

As night fell, Daliang City fell into silence.

Liu Xuan was sent to the Han camp, and the central part of the Xiongnu officially surrendered to the Han Dynasty.

This sudden change caused great turmoil within the Xiongnu.

In Taiyuan, the power relationship between the Han Dynasty and the Wei State also underwent subtle changes.

But in terms of military strength, the Han army was far superior to the Wei army in Taiyuan.

In just ten days, three of the five Xiongnu tribes had surrendered to the Han Dynasty. This series of events was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing waves.

Tian Yu, the General of the Central Army who was protecting the Xiongnu in Jinyang, was facing unprecedented pressure at this moment.

He was in Qingzhou years ago, and was recommended by Sima Yi to return to Bingzhou and serve as the General of the Central Army to protect the Xiongnu.

But the current situation.
too difficult.

Tian Yu's brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed anxiety and fatigue that were difficult to conceal.

Outsiders may only see his majesty as a General of the Central Army, but have no idea of ​​his inner torment. Wei's reinforcements were slow to arrive, and he was almost fighting alone in Taiyuan, which shows how difficult it was.

On the city wall of Jinyang, the wind swept away the remaining clouds, and the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the ancient bricks, as if adding a bit of tragic color to this historic city.

Tian Yu stood on the top of the city wall, looking into the distance, feeling mixed emotions.

He knew how heavy the burden on his shoulders was, and he also knew that if he lost, the consequences would be disastrous.

When Tian Yu returned to the government hall, he hadn't even sat down yet.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps outside the hall broke the silence.

A steward dressed in black hurried in. His face was solemn and it was obvious that he had something important to report.

He walked up to Tian Yu, bowed, and whispered, "General, there is an envoy from the Han Kingdom outside who wants to see you."

Han envoy?
Tian Yu frowned even more tightly.

He wondered in his heart, what was the purpose of the Han envoy coming here at this time?

Is it to persuade surrender or to demonstrate?

He pondered for a moment, and finally decided to let the messenger in.

After all, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to winning every battle. Understanding the other party's intentions is also the key to formulating a response strategy.

Not long after, a Han envoy dressed in gorgeous clothes slowly walked into the hall.

He is tall, handsome, and his demeanor reveals a calm and unhurried temperament.

He saluted Tian Yu and said in a loud voice: "General, now that things have come to this, why not open the city and surrender. You are an old subordinate of the late emperor, and Your Majesty is also yearning for you. Why do you want to die?"

When Tian Yu heard this, his face darkened.

If you show the slightest sign of hesitation at this moment, the other party will take advantage of you.

So he straightened his back and said in a firm voice: "Jinyang is the old capital of Zhao State, and it is extremely strong. The envoy does not need to say more, just fight if you want to. Besides, our reinforcements will arrive soon, and it is still unknown who will win or lose!"

Upon hearing this, the messenger curled up a faint smile.

He did not seem to be in a hurry to persuade Tian Yu, but took out a handwritten letter from the Emperor of the Han Dynasty from his arms and slowly handed it to Tian Yu.

He said: "Everyone serves his master. My prince admires the general very much. In this case, let's see who wins on the battlefield!"

Tian Yu took the letter with mixed feelings.

He opened the envelope and saw that the handwriting on the letter was vigorous and powerful, obviously written by the Emperor of Han.

The letter was written with earnest words, expressing both appreciation for Tian Yu and hinting that if he did not submit to the Han Kingdom, the consequences would be disastrous.

After reading the letter, Tian Yu was silent for a long time.

The decision I make at this moment will affect the life and death of countless people.

He looked up at the messenger, his eyes revealing determination and resoluteness.

"Please go back, envoy. I have made up my mind. As long as Jinyang City survives, I will be here. Even if Jinyang City is destroyed, I will not live alone!"

The messenger was surprised when he heard this. He didn't expect Tian Yu to refuse to surrender so resolutely.

However, he quickly regained his composure, bowed to Tian Yu, and said, "Since the general has made up his mind, the envoy will take his leave. I wish the general victory on the battlefield and take care of his health."

Tian Yu looked at the messenger's back with suspicion in his eyes.

Are you really here just to persuade them to surrender? (End of this chapter)