Shuhan

Ji County.

Gongsun Yuan stood on the towering city wall, his eyes as sharp as torches, scanning the warriors below who were about to fight for him.

For half a month, he worked almost non-stop, personally supervising the recruitment of troops, and finally gathered an elite force of 20,000 in this vast land.

These soldiers, all wearing heavy armor and holding spears, had determination and fearlessness in their eyes, as if they were ready to go through fire and water for Gongsun Yuan's hegemony.

The sunlight shone on the armor, reflecting a dazzling light, which contrasted with the sweat on the soldiers' faces.

An indescribable sense of pride welled up in Gongsun Yuan's heart. This was the result of his years of hard work and the foundation for him to gain a foothold in these troubled times.

Only by possessing enough power can one occupy a place in this era of fierce competition and even strive to dominate the world.

Behind the army, 30,000 civilians were busy carrying food and supplies, with fatigue on their faces.

No one is happy to be conscripted as a laborer.

Not only is there no money to be made, but there is also a risk to one's life.

On the high platform, Gongsun Yuan straightened his back and immediately made a pre-war mobilization. His voice was so loud that it seemed to penetrate the sky:
"Comrades, we bear the honor and disgrace of Youzhou and the expectations of the people! For Youzhou, for our homeland!"

As soon as the words fell, thunderous applause and cheers rang out from the audience. The morale of the soldiers was completely ignited. They raised their weapons high and shouted in unison: "For Youzhou, for our homeland!"

The sound was so loud that the city walls seemed to tremble.

Gongsun Yuan nodded with satisfaction, then turned around and his eyes fell on Yang Zuo who was standing not far away.

Yang Zuo had recently become his brother-in-law and was now one of his own.

At this moment, he was wearing silver armor, looking heroic, with a calm air between his brows.

A warm feeling surged in Gongsun Yuan's heart. He trusted Yang Zuo, not only because he was his relative, but also because of the outstanding talents and loyalty that Yang Zuo had demonstrated in many battles.

"Yang Zuo," Gongsun Yuan said earnestly, "After I leave, the safety of Ji County and even the entire Youzhou will be handed over to you. Remember, focus on defense and don't act rashly. If Wei invades, you must not open the city gates no matter what."

Yang Zuo looked determined, clasped his hands together, and said loudly: "Don't worry, my lord. Youzhou still has more than 10,000 soldiers, plus the local braves, the total number can reach 20,000 to 30,000. Although it is not enough to attack, it is more than enough to defend the city. I, Yang Zuo, swear to defend Ji County to the death and wait for my lord's triumphant return!"

Gongsun Yuan smiled slightly and patted Yang Zuo's shoulder, his eyes showing both trust and expectation.

He knew that Yang Zuo would not let him down.

Then he slowly walked towards the warhorse that had been prepared. The horse was tall and strong, with shiny fur, and it was obviously carefully selected.

Gongsun Yuan jumped lightly and sat steadily on the horse's back. He looked around and took a last deep look at the city he was about to leave temporarily, feeling both reluctant and resolute in his heart.

"set off!"

At Gongsun Yuan's command, 20,000 troops responded immediately. They marched in neat steps, left Ji County in a mighty manner, and headed towards Dai County.

The sound of horse hooves, the friction of armor, and the whispers of soldiers intertwined together, forming an unstoppable force, advancing towards the unknown front.

Yang Zuo stood on the top of Ji County City, watching the army led by Gongsun Yuan move farther and farther away until it turned into a wisp of dust on the distant horizon.

His eyes flickered in the morning light, as if he was experiencing a fierce battle in his heart.

As Gongsun Yuan's confidant and general, he should have been the one who stood firmly by his lord.

However, in these troubled times, the words loyalty and righteousness seem to have become particularly heavy and cheap.

Yang Zuo was wearing iron armor and a battle robe on his shoulders. In the sunlight, the sheen on the armor formed a sharp contrast with the gloom in his eyes.

His tall and straight body stood still in the breeze, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner struggle.

The outcome of Gongsun Yuan's trip to Dai County is unpredictable.

If he wins, Youzhou can be saved and he, Yang Zuo, can continue to find a place in this chaotic world; if he loses, everything will come to nothing, including his future.

"In troubled times, people are like floating duckweed. The words loyalty and righteousness are not worth mentioning."

Yang Zuo pondered secretly in his heart, a bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He looked around and saw the soldiers guarding the city wall either standing or sitting, their faces filled with fatigue and confusion.

Many of these soldiers may not even know why they are fighting, but just blindly follow Gongsun Yuan's footsteps towards an unknown battlefield.

Yang Zuo's gaze fell on the mountains in the distance, which was the direction of the Wei State.

An indescribable impulse surged in his heart.

If Gongsun Yuan cannot win the battle in Dai County, should he consider finding a new way out for himself?
In troubled times, relying on the strong seems to be the only rule of survival.

The Wei State was a powerful country. If one could work for it, perhaps one could gain more wealth and glory, or even a lifetime of peace.

However, as soon as this thought came to Yang Zuo's heart, an indescribable guilt surged in his heart.

He thought of Gongsun Yuan's trust and importance in him, and the days when they fought side by side, and felt mixed emotions.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart.

"But... people always have to look forward." Yang Zuo said to himself silently in his heart.

He opened his eyes and his gaze became firm.

He couldn't keep dwelling on the loyalty and emotions of the past; he had to plan for his future.

If Gongsun Yuan really cannot survive in this chaotic world, he must find a new way of life for himself and his family.

"Maybe... I can wait and see for a while." Yang Zuo thought to himself.

He decided to remain neutral for the time being, neither betraying Gongsun Yuan nor rushing to defect to the State of Wei.

He wants to see the outcome of this battle before making a final decision.

Gongsun Yuan's army marched hard in the severe winter cold. The snow was falling like goose feathers. The wind was raging, rolling up layers of snow waves, and the sky and the earth were covered in a desolate state.

The snow was so dense that the vision became blurred. The military flags fluttered in the wind, but their colors were difficult to distinguish.

The soldiers' figures were looming in the thick snow, like a group of ghosts struggling in the wind and snow.

Gongsun Yuan was wearing a thick fox fur coat, a fur hat, and a furry scarf around his face, revealing only two eyes that sparkled with cunning light.

He rode on a tall horse, staring at the unknown covered by snow ahead, but his heart was calm and resolute.

The army had been marching at a snail's pace for fifteen days in this bad weather, and every step was like trudging through a quagmire, but Gongsun Yuan's heart was not shaken at all. He had his own calculations about the one-month deadline set by the Emperor of Wei - that deadline, of course, was counted from the time he set out.

What's more, with such bad weather, the delay is understandable.

What's more, when has Gongsun Yuan ever been truly afraid of anything?
A sneer appeared on his lips, and he thought to himself: He had no intention of supporting Taiyuan, it was just a cover for the Emperor of Wei.

His real purpose was to seize Dai County of Wei State! This idea had been lingering in his mind for a long time. Now that he finally had the opportunity to realize it, how could he not seize it?

"Where is this place?" Gongsun Yuan's voice sounded particularly low in the cold wind. He turned to look at the guide beside him, his eyes revealing an unquestionable majesty.

The guide was a thin, weathered old man. He tightened his cotton coat and answered respectfully, "We just passed Juyong Pass three days ago, and now we have just arrived at Dangcheng. It's still a day's journey to Dai County."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yuan nodded silently, but ripples appeared in his heart.

According to the agreement between him and the Xianbei people, the Xianbei people should have moved south and launched an attack on Dai County by now.

But why is there still no news in Dai County now?

Did the Xianbei people regret it?

Or are they in some trouble?
He pondered in his heart, but his eyes became sharper. If he occupied Dai County but did not annihilate Yan Rou, who was guarding the Wuhuan Commandery, he would not be able to take Dai County.

Yan Rou was a loyal minister of Wei and the defender of Dai County. His existence was a huge threat to Gongsun Yuan.

Gongsun Yuan's eyes rolled and he already had a plan in mind.

He immediately ordered: "Rest where you are."

The army immediately stopped, and the soldiers looked for places to shelter from the wind and rest. Some even lay directly on the snow. Although the biting cold penetrated through their clothes and penetrated to their bones, they no longer cared.

Gongsun Yuan summoned his trusted messenger, a man with a burly build and a resolute face.

He whispered to the messenger, "Go north and see the situation of the Xianbei people. Remember, you must be careful."

The messenger nodded to show that he understood. He turned around and tried to leave, but was stopped by Gongsun Yuan.

"One more thing." Gongsun Yuan's voice became even deeper. "If the Xianbei have already moved south, you should secretly observe their actions. If not, you should find a way to contact them and find out what is going on."

The messenger nodded again, then turned and left, disappearing into the vast snowfield.

Gongsun Yuan watched the messenger go away, but his heart was unsettled.

He was taking a big gamble with this move, but if it succeeded, he would be able to obtain the fertile land of Dai County, thereby greatly enhancing his own strength.

He looked up at the sky. The snowflakes were still falling, as if to bury the whole world in this endless white.

But Gongsun Yuan's heart was burning with the fire of ambition. He believed that no matter how bad the weather was, no matter how difficult the road ahead was, he could always find a way of his own.

Three days later.

Gongsun Yuan's envoy, wearing a heavy cloak and walking on the snow, hurriedly crossed the vast snowfield and arrived in the northern part of Dai County.

The cold wind cut across his cheeks like a knife, but he had no time to care. He had only one thought in his mind: to complete his lord's task and convey the message to Gongsun Yuan as soon as possible.

When the messenger arrived outside the city of the Protector of Wuhuan Commandery, he was already exhausted, but the scene before him lifted his spirits.

The Xianbei people have already surrounded the headquarters of the Protector of Wuhuan.

When he entered the Xianbei king's tent, he saw the Xianbei Khan Tuoba Shoutian and the wise general Jiang Wei standing side by side, looking particularly majestic.

Tuoba Shoutian was a man of great stature, with a rough face, and his eyes revealed a power that should not be underestimated; while Jiang Wei was thin, with a stern face, and his eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts.

The messenger stepped forward, saluted, and informed Gongsun Yuan of his intentions one by one.

Upon hearing this, Tufa Shoutian frowned slightly, as if he was surprised by this sudden task.

Jiang Wei's expression was calm, but there was a hint of barely perceptible worry in his eyes.

They all knew that attacking a city was not an easy task, let alone a fortified city guarded by Yan Rou's troops.

Jiang Wei immediately said: "I will help you to distract the other Wei troops in Dai County, but Yan Rou is a tough nut to crack, and Gongsun Yuan must come to attack. You go back immediately and ask Gongsun Yuan to come here quickly. In ten days, I have other things to do."

Upon seeing this, the messenger rushed back to the city without stopping.

Along the way, he was uneasy, worried that Gongsun Yuan would be dissatisfied with this task.

When he stepped into Gongsun Yuan's tent, he unexpectedly found that Gongsun Yuan was not furious.

Gongsun Yuan sat at the desk with a calm expression, but a hint of displeasure was revealed in his eyes.

After listening to the envoy's report, he was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Since you want us to attack the city by ourselves, then let's do it. However, the Xianbei people need to provide some food and supplies."

Since they wanted to take over Dai County, it was impossible to do nothing. It was normal for the Xianbei people not to attack.

As long as logistical support can be provided, he can continue to fight.

Immediately, Gongsun Yuan sent a group of men to Dai County.

This team is composed of elite soldiers who are in good physical condition and have high morale.

Gongsun Yuan personally led a large force north to join the Xianbei army to deal with Yan Rou in the Protector of Wuhuan Commandery.

During the march, Gongsun Yuan's mood was extremely complicated.

He was fully aware of the danger of this action, but as a local lord, he had to shoulder the responsibility.

He looked at the vast grassland ahead, and a surge of ambition and passion surged in his heart.

He secretly made up his mind that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, he would lead his army to carve out a new world for himself.

Three days later, he led his troops to the outskirts of the city of the Protector of Wuhuan Commandery.

Gongsun Yuan stood outside the city of Daijun, looking at the towering city walls and fluttering flags. The fire of hope that had been burning in his heart was instantly extinguished by the news from the messenger sent by Jiang Wei.

He originally thought that the Xianbei people would fight alongside him to jointly conquer the fortified city guarded by Yan Rou, or at the very least provide logistical support.

But I didn't expect Jiang Wei to make such a decision:
The Xianbei will send 20,000 elite cavalry to support the Han Dynasty's Taiyuan, while the rest of the troops will stay in Dai County to seek local support. Although this can help him to distract other troops in Dai County, the tough bone of Yan Rou will need to be solved by Gongsun Yuan himself.

Moreover, the most critical logistics need to be handled by him.

Gongsun Yuan's expression instantly darkened, anger burning in his chest.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with anger, as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction and helplessness.

However, the reality forced him to endure it.

He has already betrayed the State of Wei. If he were to become an enemy of the State of Han again, he would undoubtedly be seeking his own death.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger, and turned to the messenger and asked coldly: "What is Jiang Wei's intention in doing this?"

The messenger remained calm and replied respectfully, "The Khan hopes that General Gongsun can conquer Dai County on his own to demonstrate your prestige and strength. Although the Xianbei army will not directly participate in the siege, they will certainly help you by distracting other enemy forces."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yuan sneered and cursed in his heart.

He knew that Jiang Wei's move was both to preserve the strength of the Xianbei and to test his determination and strength.

At the same time, it consumes his strength.

If he suffers too much loss in this battle, I'm afraid he won't be able to take Youzhou at all. The Han State has been eyeing Youzhou for a long time!

However, things had come to this point, and he had no choice but to bite the bullet and attack the city himself.

With an order, Gongsun Yuan's army rushed towards the city wall of Dai County like a tide.

The soldiers shouted, waved their weapons, and tried to climb up the towering city wall.

However, Yan Rou's defense was like an iron wall, causing Gongsun Yuan's army to suffer repeated setbacks.

After the siege, Gongsun Yuan failed to make any substantial progress except for losing a large number of soldiers.

Looking at the city wall that still stood, Gongsun Yuan's heart was filled with helplessness and anger.

Continuing the attack would only put his army into deeper trouble.

So he had to change his strategy and adopt the siege method.

Gongsun Yuan ordered his troops to surround Dai County and cut off the city's food supply.

The hope was that a prolonged siege would exhaust the food supply in the city and force Yan Rou to surrender.

Next, all we have to do is wait. (End of this chapter)