Shuhan

The envoys from the Han State were like an unexpected cold wind that quietly swept through Jinyang City. The impact they brought was like a spark in the dark night, quickly igniting every corner of the city.

Rumors spread like headless flies, running around the market. In front of every stall, in every teahouse, and even in the women's casual chats, there was panic and speculation about the approaching Han army.

The people looked at each other with fear and anxiety in their eyes. Many families began to pack up their belongings and drag their families with them, fleeing hurriedly under the cover of night from this ancient city that was about to become the eye of the storm, leaving behind only a series of hurried footsteps and the occasional crying of children echoing in the empty streets.

Tian Yu stood on the city wall of Jinyang City, looking at the gradually thinning crowd below, his brows furrowed, his face full of wrinkles, looking particularly gloomy.

His gaze penetrated through the layers of fog, as if trying to penetrate the barriers of time and foresee the impending fate.

All these turmoil were manipulated by the invisible hand of the Han State's military commander. That power was so huge and mysterious that it made him feel unprecedented pressure and powerlessness.

Tian Yu clenched his hands into fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms. The pain allowed him to temporarily escape from the feeling of powerlessness, and an indomitable fighting spirit surged in his heart.

As night falls, the lights in Jinyang City are sparse, making it seem particularly deserted.

Tian Yu's mansion was brightly lit.

The commanders of the two Hun tribes all arrived at the mansion. One was tall and strong, with a rough face and a flicker of anxiety in his eyes; the other was a little thin, but his eyes were sharp, revealing a determination that should not be underestimated.

The two sat opposite Tian Yu. The atmosphere was solemn and the air seemed to be frozen.

"Two Marshals." Tian Yu spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful.

"Han's intentions are clear, and Jinyang City is in danger. I know you two have concerns in your hearts, but at this moment, we can only unite to overcome the difficulties."

The burly Xiongnu leader gulped down a mouthful of wine, which slid down the corner of his mouth and dripped onto his clothes. He didn't care and just said in a rough voice: "General Tian, ​​although we are willing to help Wei, our subordinates are in a panic, and it is not easy to mobilize soldiers."

The frail general took over the conversation in a calm voice: "Let's not talk about people's hearts. We have also experienced the methods of the Han army. I'm afraid..."

Tian Yu raised his glass and gently touched the two people's glasses, signaling them to be quiet.

"I understand your difficulties, but at this moment, we have no choice. I have made up my mind. The ceremony will be held tomorrow. You two can enjoy yourselves in the mansion. I will personally lead the two armies and mix them with the Wei army to jointly guard Jinyang."

Tian Yu wants their military power!
The two Hun generals looked at each other, and finally nodded in agreement.

Tian Yu's decision was undoubtedly a huge weakening of their power, but at a time of life and death, personal honor and disgrace seemed to have become less important.

I'm afraid that if any of them disagree, Tian Yu will dare to kill them.

The next day, a simple and solemn ceremony was held in Jinyang City.

Tian Yu was wearing armor and holding a long sword, standing on a high platform. The sunlight shone through the clouds onto his body, adding a bit of majesty to him.

The two Hun generals each held a wine glass and slowly walked towards Tian Yu. The three of them looked at each other. There was no need to say more, as everything was self-explanatory.

When the wine goes down the throat, it is not only a transfer of power, but also a vow of life and death.

After the ceremony, Tian Yu immediately set about reorganizing the army.

He broke up the Hun army and the Wei army and reorganized them, ensuring that there were both Wei and Hun soldiers in each team, in order to enhance the team's cohesion and combat effectiveness.

Although this move is time-consuming and laborious, Tian Yu knows that it is the only thing that can be done at present and must be done.

The defensive fortifications of Jinyang City were further strengthened under the command of Tian Yu.

The city walls were reinforced, arrow towers and watchtowers were built, and soldiers were busy shuttling between them, in a tense and orderly manner.

Tian Yu personally inspected every line of defense. Wherever his figure appeared, the morale of the people there was boosted.

However, even though Tian Yu tried his best, the situation outside Jinyang City was still not optimistic.

In other places in Taiyuan, the situation was almost out of control due to the dispersion of troops, the spread of rumors, and the demoralization of the people.

Tian Yu stood on the city wall, looking at the blurry horizon in the distance, feeling mixed emotions.

He had tried his best, but he was really powerless to save the rest of Taiyuan. He could only hope that reinforcements from Wei would arrive as soon as possible.

Day after day, Jinyang City spent its time in tension and waiting.

The traces of time on Tian Yu's face became more obvious, but his eyes became more determined.

He often walked alone on the city wall in the dead of night, looking at the starry sky, and silently said in his heart: "No matter what the outcome, I, Tian Yu, will defend Jinyang to the death until the last moment."

The iron hooves of the Han army were like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. They crossed the Queshu Valley and entered the territory of Taiyuan with great momentum. What followed was the news of the surrender of the three Xiongnu tribes, which quickly spread to every corner like a cold wind.

This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples that eventually gathered in the city of Hongnong County and landed on Sima Yi's heart.

Sima Yi was sitting in his study at this moment. Outside the window were dense dark clouds, which seemed to foreshadow an impending storm.

He had a calm face and deep eyes, as if he could see through the essence of everything in the world.

When he learned about the changes in Taiyuan, he did not seem panicked, but instead looked as if he had expected it.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table, and each tap seemed to be calculating something. It was a prediction of the future and a grasp of the current situation.

"Father, the Han army has entered Taiyuan, and the three Xiongnu tribes have also surrendered to the Han Kingdom."

Sima Shi's voice broke the silence in the room. He walked steadily to Sima Yi, clasped his hands together and saluted.

His face is somewhat similar to Sima Yi, but younger, and there is a heroic spirit between his brows.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi just nodded slightly, his eyes still staring into the distance outside the window, as if he was thinking about something.

"It's only a matter of time." He finally spoke, his voice low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable firmness.

"But, father, if Taiyuan is lost, it will be a huge threat to our Great Wei."

There was a hint of anxiety in Sima Shi's voice. He knew very well the importance of Taiyuan. If it fell into the hands of the Han army, the consequences would be disastrous.

Sima Yi turned around and looked at Sima Shi with a deep look that contained both kindness and severity.

"Don't I know? But the emperor's intention is not something you can just ask about."

There was a hint of helplessness in his tone, and it was obvious that he had his own opinions on the emperor's decision.

Sima Shi was stunned when he heard this. He certainly understood the meaning of his father's words.

The emperor insisted on sending troops to guard Hongnong and Chenguan, but ignored the defense of Taiyuan, which was undoubtedly a major mistake.

But how could they just ask about the emperor's intention?

"Although most of the Han army was stationed in Hongnong County, they had no intention of sending troops to attack. Instead, they cultivated land on the spot."

Sima Shi tried to find a glimmer of hope, and there was a hint of expectation in his words, as if he hoped that his father would change his mind and send troops to support Taiyuan.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi looked out the window again. There was the Han army's camp, which was pitch black, like a dark cloud looming.

"Just because the Han army does not attack now does not mean they will not attack in the future." His voice was low and powerful, revealing a prediction of the future.

"After the division of our forces, if Hongnong County is breached, our Great Wei will be in a passive position."

He paused and continued, "Send this message to Luoyang and let your majesty make a decision. I will also write a letter to your majesty. Once the situation in Youzhou is settled, perhaps Gongsun Yuan and Yan Rou can support Taiyuan from Youzhou."

His implication was very clear. It was difficult to mobilize the army on the front line, so he could only hope that the emperor would understand the interests involved and make the right decision.

Sima Shi couldn't help but feel a little hesitant when he heard this.

Gongsun Yuan, this name was not unfamiliar to him.

Although this man was a minister of the State of Wei, he always had ulterior motives and was not obedient.

If we count on him to come to support us, we will probably end up with nothing. "Father, Gongsun Yuan is not obedient. Will he really help the Wei Dynasty?"

Sima Shi couldn't help but ask the doubts in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi curled up the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, which contained both helplessness and confidence.

"Although Gongsun Yuan is disobedient, how can he sit idly by if the Wei Dynasty is in danger? Moreover, if the matter of Youzhou is settled, he will understand the interests involved."

Upon hearing this, Sima Shi felt relieved.

He believed in his father's judgment and believed that Gongsun Yuan would make the right choice.

So he bowed again, turned around and left, preparing to send the news to Luoyang and wait for the emperor's judgment.

. . .

And behind Hongnong.

Luoyang has been shrouded in a cloud of gloom and misery in recent days.

Emperor Cao Rui of Wei, a monarch who should have been feared and awe-inspiring, was now haunted by nightmares and unable to sleep every night.

Inside his bedroom, the flickering candlelight illuminated a haggard face. His two panda eyes were particularly conspicuous, as if telling of his inner fear and anxiety.

The news of the Wei army's defeat was like a bolt from the blue, which made him uneasy.

The nightmare of the Han army's capture of Luoyang followed him like a shadow. Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, it would quietly sneak into his dreams and wake him up from his deep sleep.

The flashing swords and rivers of blood in his dream made him terrified, as if the next moment, Luoyang City would be flattened by the iron hooves of the Han army.

In order to relieve the pressure in his heart, Cao Rui began to indulge in wine and sex.

He constantly selected beautiful women from the people and put them into his harem, trying to soothe his inner fears with the tenderness and companionship of the beauties.

However, this approach was like drinking poison to quench thirst. Not only did it fail to relieve his stress, but it made his body increasingly depleted.

Visiting beautiful women day and night took a toll on his body.

Even precious deer blood, century-old ginseng and other nourishing things could not restore his vitality.

Sometimes, he even felt that he was powerless to change the situation, and it was difficult to regain the glory he once had.

There were many beautiful women in Cao Rui's bedroom, but no one could relieve the sorrow in his heart.

He sat alone on the dragon throne, looking ahead with empty eyes, as if he was looking at an unattainable dream.

His heart was filled with helplessness and despair. He knew that he could not just sit there and wait for death, but he could not find a way to break the dilemma.

At this time, the eunuch Bixie hurried into the bedroom with an urgent letter in his hand.

Cao Rui suddenly came to his senses and a glimmer of hope surged in his heart.

He took the letter and unfolded it hurriedly, only to see that it contained news from Sima Yi about the battle situation in Taiyuan and a request for support.

Cao Rui frowned. He knew the importance of Taiyuan and understood Sima Yi's predicament.

However, the fear and anxiety in his heart made him hesitant.

He was afraid that once he sent troops to support Taiyuan, Luoyang's defense would become weak. If the Han army took the opportunity to attack, the consequences would be disastrous.

Cao Rui sat on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, his eyes as sharp as torches, piercing through the gloom in the hall and falling directly on the eunuch Bixie standing below.

His fingers gently stroked the carved dragon on the armrest. The dragon seemed to be aroused by its master's worries and wanted to fly into the sky, but was tightly bound by invisible chains.

"Gongsun Yuan was disobedient in Youzhou. I want him to go to Bingzhou for support. Will he be willing?" Cao Rui's voice was low and powerful. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, revealing his helplessness and anxiety about the current situation.

Upon hearing this, Bixie bowed slightly, with a barely perceptible hint of worry in his eyes.

"Gongsun Yuan is an ambitious man who has been disobeying the imperial court for a long time. If Your Majesty orders him to go to Bingzhou for support, he will not obey sincerely. Even if he agrees reluctantly, I'm afraid he is just perfunctory on the surface, and secretly has other plans."

After hearing this, Cao Rui frowned even more tightly, as if he could pinch a fly to death.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner restlessness, but the lingering worry was like a leech attached to his bones, making it difficult for him to find peace.

He sighed, his voice full of fatigue: "How is the war in Qingzhou going? Is there any new war report?"

Bixie shook his head, his expression solemn: "General Cao Zhen wrote to say that the battle in Qingzhou is at a stalemate, the enemy and us are evenly matched, and it is difficult to determine the winner in a short period of time. He will need at least half a year to pacify Youzhou."

Half a year!

Cao Rui's heart tightened, as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He looked at Sima Yi's handwritten letter in his hand. The letter paper had turned a little yellow, but the handwriting was still clearly legible.

In the letter, Sima Yi analyzed the current situation and proposed a response strategy, but Cao Rui did not fully accept it at first.

Thinking about it now, I really regret it.

He closed his eyes, and Sima Yi's deep and wise eyes appeared in his mind, as if he could see through everything.

He thought to himself: "I didn't believe Sima Yi before, which led to the current situation. This time, I will believe him for once."

Thinking of this, Cao Rui opened his eyes and looked at Pixie firmly: "Send a messenger to Youzhou, order Gongsun Yuan to be the vanguard, lead 20,000 soldiers, and go to Taiyuan for support within one month. Yan Rou will be the commander-in-chief, sit in the central army, lead 30,000 troops, and support Taiyuan within two months. Yan Wang Cao Yu will sit in Youzhou and make sure the rear is stable."

Bixie took the order and was about to turn around and leave, but was stopped by Cao Rui: "Wait, tell Gongsun Yuan that if he can do his best this time, I will not treat him unfairly. When the war is over, I will reward him according to his merits. If he dares to have other intentions, even if we use the whole country's strength, we will destroy him first."

Bixie nodded in agreement, then turned around and walked away quickly. His figure gradually disappeared in the hall, leaving only a series of hurried footsteps echoing in the empty hall.

Cao Rui looked at Bixie's departing back, feeling mixed emotions.

This war concerns the future of Wei and the country of his Cao family. He cannot afford any mistakes, and he cannot let ambitious people like Gongsun Yuan take advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos.

He stood up, walked to the window and looked at the gray sky outside.

A gust of wind blew, rolling up the fallen leaves on the ground, as if telling the vicissitudes and changes of the world.

He prayed in his heart: "May God bless the Great Wei, and may my Cao family survive this disaster."

At this moment, the sound of hurried footsteps outside the hall interrupted Cao Rui's thoughts.

He turned around and saw a messenger hurried into the hall with an urgent letter in his hand.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from Bingzhou!" There was a hint of panting in the messenger's voice, and it was obvious that he had come all the way at full speed.

Cao Rui's heart tightened, and he quickly took the letter. He opened the envelope and saw that it said: "General Tian Yu is defending Jinyang. The enemy's attack is fierce. We are running out of food and grass. Please support us."

After reading the letter, Cao Rui's expression became even more solemn.

He looked out the window, as if he could see the distant battlefield of Bingzhou, and saw General Tian Yu leading his soldiers in a bloody battle.

"Can Tian Yu hold Jinyang for half a year?" he thought to himself.

He knew there was no answer to this question.

Because the situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, any small accident may change the entire outcome of the battle.

hiss~
Cao Rui took a deep breath and said to the messenger: "Quickly inform Pixie to send more people to ensure that the food and grass are delivered to Bingzhou in time. At the same time, convey my order that the whole country should work together to face the national crisis!" (End of this chapter)