Shuhan

In Liaodong, the cold wind is as sharp as a knife, whistling across the boundless Liaoze Lake, freezing thousands of miles of fertile land into a silver-covered snow surface, hard enough to support the galloping hooves of horses.

In this vast expanse covered with ice and snow, a group of people and horses marched slowly, their figures appearing exceptionally small and tenacious in the vast sky and earth.

Zhao Yun was riding on a tall warhorse, with a thick beard like a pine branch covered with frost and snow in winter, with a few strands of silver quietly mixed in, which were the silent traces of time.

His life was a portrayal of iron horses, icy rivers, swords and sabers. He charged into battle countless times and witnessed the rise and fall of countless heroes.

At this moment, despite the biting cold wind, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle, revealing his unyielding will and desire for victory.

Zhao Yun secretly sighed in his heart that although he did not achieve his wish in the battle of Qingzhou, the indomitable spirit had been deeply imprinted in the hearts of every soldier.

Wen Pin and Hao Zhao followed closely beside him, both walking steadily with serious expressions.

Wen Pin had a resolute face and an unquestionable determination between his brows. He was wearing heavy armor and holding a spear in his hand, as if he was ready to deal with a sudden battle at any time.

Hao Zhaoze was a little younger, with a handsome face, his eyes sparkling with longing and determination for the future. He followed Zhao Yun closely, glancing sideways at the veteran from time to time, his eyes full of admiration and learning.

"Since Qingzhou has failed, Your Majesty must now obtain Youzhou!" Zhao Yun's voice was low and powerful.

Although the defeat in Qingzhou is heartbreaking, it is by no means the end, but the starting point of a new journey.

Although their efforts failed to rewrite history in Qingzhou, they also made Wei pay a heavy price. One hundred thousand Wei troops were tied down, and Qingzhou was seriously damaged. It would take at least ten years to restore its former prosperity. This achievement is enough to be remembered by future generations.

Wen Pin nodded and said in a deep voice, "We have received news from Tufa Shoutian. He invited us to go south and join forces with Gongsun Yuan to deal with Cao Zhen of Wei."

There was a hint of caution in his tone, and he clearly had reservations about Tuoba Shoutian's invitation.

Zhao Yun frowned slightly when he heard this, and a meaningful sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "If this Tufa Shoutian could be content to be a puppet Khan and enjoy wealth and glory, it would be a good way to survive. But he is restless and always wants to stir up trouble. However, for us, this may be an opportunity."

There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, as if he had seen through everything.

Zhao Yun knew very well that although Tufa Shoutian thought he was in control of the Tufa tribe, in fact, countless Han spies and warriors had already infiltrated the tribe, lurking in the dark, waiting for the opportunity.

Tufa Shoutian's plan to lure and kill them in Yuyang was undoubtedly a dead end.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yun couldn't help but sneer, and secretly thought about how to use this opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the State of Wei.

"He thinks too much." Zhao Yun snorted contemptuously, his eyes passing through the vast snowfield, as if he had already seen the future victory.

He turned to Wen Pin and Hao Zhao and said, "We must not only deal with Tuoba Shoutian's conspiracy, but also take this opportunity to seize Youzhou for Your Majesty and lay the foundation for the revival of the Han Dynasty."

At the side, Hao Zhao frowned, his eyes revealing some doubts. He asked softly: "Since we know that Tufa Shoutian and Gongsun Yuan's invitation is a trap, why do we still resolutely go south?"

Although there was confusion in his tone, he could not hide his trust in Zhao Yun's decision.

Zhao Yun's face was firm when he heard this. He nodded immediately, his eyes flashing with wisdom. He said in a deep voice: "This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is also a key battle to determine the ownership of Youzhou. In Youzhou, Yang Zuo has two minds. If our army can quickly defeat Gongsun Yuan on the front battlefield, we will be able to control Youzhou in a short time. By then, with the help of the Xianbei cavalry, although it will not be enough to defeat the Wei army led by Cao Zhen head-on, it should be no problem to hold Youzhou."

Having said this, Zhao Yun's gaze became deep, as if he could penetrate the wind and snow in front of him and see a more distant future.

"Once the war in Bingzhou subsides, we in Youzhou will be able to switch from passive defense to active attack. By then, the great cause of unifying the world will surely fall into the hands of our Han Dynasty!"

After saying this, Zhao Yun exuded an unquestionable firmness. He immediately ordered: "Immediately recruit local people to serve as laborers, prepare three months of food and grass, and prepare to march south. This time, we must not only defeat the enemy, but also win the hearts of the people!"

Zhao Yun turned around, looking at Wen Pin beside him with a sharp gaze, and said in a steady and powerful voice: "I will personally lead an army of 10,000 to Yuyang, disguising civilians as troops along the way to confuse the enemy. And you, General Wen Pin, need to lead 10,000 elite cavalry, hiding during the day and moving at night, circling behind the enemy, launching a surprise attack, and deciding the outcome in one battle! Hao Zhao, you hold on to Liaodong and recruit troops."

When Wen Pin heard this, his expression changed, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes. He quickly said, "General, as the commander of the entire army, how can you personally take risks and do such a bait? Such dangerous things should be left to me, the generals, to carry out."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun laughed out loud, and his laughter contained both heroism and concern for his subordinates.

"If I don't act as bait myself, how can Tuoba Shoutian and Gongsun Yuan believe that I have really fallen for their trick? Don't worry, I, Zhao Yun, have fought on the battlefield all my life, and have seen all kinds of storms. This time, I am just adding another legend. No need to say more, I will obey your command!"

Zhao Yun's words were full of unquestionable power. After hearing this, Wen Pin still had some concerns in his heart, but he could only respond respectfully: "Yes, General! I will live up to your trust and complete the mission at my death."

As the order was issued, the military camp immediately became busy, and the soldiers acted quickly to prepare for the journey south.

Zhao Yun stood on a high place, looking at the busy soldiers and civilians, with an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

He knew that this battle not only concerned his personal honor and disgrace, but also the future of the Han Dynasty.

He must win and must come back alive, because he still has too much to do and too many responsibilities to bear.

As night fell, the cold wind became even colder. Zhao Yun put on a heavy battle robe and walked out of the tent.

In the moonlight, his figure looked exceptionally tall, and the white frost on his beard added a sense of vicissitudes and majesty under the moonlight.

He looked up at the starry sky and prayed silently in his heart, hoping that the journey would be smooth and that the flag of the Han Dynasty would be planted all over this land as soon as possible.

The next morning, the army was ready to go.

Zhao Yun stood in front of the team, looking at each soldier one by one. There was both severity and tenderness in his eyes.

Each of these soldiers is a citizen of the Han Dynasty, and each of them shoulders the expectations of his family and the responsibility of the country.

He shouted loudly: "Brothers, although this journey is dangerous, as long as we unite as one, we will surely win! For the sake of the Han people and our families, let's go!"

Following Zhao Yun's order, the army set out on the journey southward in a mighty manner.

Zhao Yun rode on a warhorse and walked at the front of the team. His back was firm and resolute, like an unshakable mountain.

Wen Pin led the elite cavalry and quietly left the main camp, heading towards the predetermined route. Their figures gradually faded away in the morning light, leaving only a series of firm footprints.

Yuyang County, Lu County, at dusk, the last ray of sunset in the sky poured down like molten gold, dyeing this ancient land with a light golden color.

Outside the city, a large sweat tent stood in the wilderness, surrounded by densely packed tents. The twinkling lights of fire illuminated the determined and nervous faces of the people.

In the center of the camp, Tuoba Shoutian, the leader of the Xianbei tribe, was sitting on a simple throne made of animal skins. In front of him was a golden, greasy leg of lamb. However, his expression formed a sharp contrast with the tempting food. He seemed extremely serious and even a little solemn.

Tufa Shoutian was a burly man with muscular build. His messy hair was like dead grass, casually draped over his shoulders. His brows revealed a domineering aura that should not be underestimated.

He was wearing heavy leather armor and had a jewel-studded sword hanging from his waist, which was a symbol of his battles on the battlefield.

At this moment, although he was holding the leg of lamb, he just took a symbolic bite and frowned, as if the roasted leg of lamb had become tasteless in his mouth.

He chewed it a few times and swallowed it hastily, then stood up and walked towards the map hanging on the wall of the tent. His big, calloused hands gently stroked the mountains and rivers on the map, and his eyes flashed with complex light.

"Where is Zhao Yun?" Tuoba Shoutian's voice was low and powerful, with a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

He turned around and glanced at the guards standing in the tent with a sharp gaze.

Upon seeing this, the guards straightened their backs involuntarily. One of them stepped forward and replied respectfully: "My lord, according to the spies, the Han army led by Zhao Yun is still three days away from Lu County." Upon hearing this, Tuoba Shoutian nodded slightly, but then waved his hand, signaling the guards to retreat.

This was the nth time he had asked the same question today.

The uneasy feeling in his heart grew stronger, as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

He paced to the sand table again, carefully examining every arrangement and not missing any detail.

On the sand table, mountains, rivers, and cities are presented with fine wood carvings, and the possible routes of the Han army are marked with stones of different colors, showing Tufa Shoutian's attention and caution to this battle.

"Have Gongsun Yuan and his men arrived?" Tuoba Shoutian asked again, with a hint of urgency in his tone.

The guard nodded quickly and replied, "Don't worry, sir. Gongsun Yuan's troops have already followed the plan and are all lying in ambush in the mountains and forests outside the city. They will launch a surprise attack as soon as the Han army arrives."

After receiving a positive answer, Tuoba Shoutian breathed a sigh of relief, but the anxiety in his heart did not completely dissipate.

He then asked a few more questions about food, weapons, logistics, etc. to ensure that everything was ready and foolproof.

Only after all his questions were answered satisfactorily did he slowly sit back in his original seat. However, his eyes were still bright and kept scanning the tent, as if he was looking for something.

Tuoba Liwei, who was observing silently at the side, couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

He is thin, with a handsome face, and his eyes reveal a calmness and composure beyond his age.

Seeing Tuoba Shoutian's distracted look, Tuoba Liwei thought to himself: How can someone who doesn't even have this much patience want to deal with the powerful Han Kingdom? How ridiculous.

In order to make the Xianbei strong, they could not rely on impatience and blind self-confidence, but needed to think carefully and formulate a long-term strategy.

Tuoba Liwei's lips curled up into an imperceptible smile, and he was secretly thinking about his own plan in his heart.

This confrontation with the Han army was not only a military contest, but also a major test of the future destiny of the Xianbei.

If Tuoba Shoutian failed, the Xianbei might fall into deeper trouble.
And he, Tuoba Liwei, will have the opportunity to stand up and lead the Xianbei to a new glory.

As night fell, the candlelight in the tent flickered, stretching everyone's shadows long.

Tufa Shoutian finally closed his eyes, as if he was resting, but his furrowed brows and trembling eyelids revealed the turmoil in his heart.

Tuoba Liwei sat quietly aside, seemingly calm on the surface, but in his mind he was constantly deducing various possible situations and countermeasures.

Time passed in silence. As the night grew deeper, the sound of the wind outside the tent mixed with the occasional neighing of horses added a sense of uneasiness to this quiet night.

Tuoba Shoutian suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes were like torches, as if he had made an important decision. He stood up, strode to Tuoba Liwei, and said in a deep voice: "Liwei, tomorrow you send a team of elite soldiers to secretly monitor Gongsun Yuan's troops to ensure that they will not flee in the face of the enemy. In this battle, we must not only win, but also win beautifully, so that the Han Kingdom knows that the Xianbei people are not easy to mess with! The grassland is the grassland of the Xianbei people, and we Xianbei people are not slaves of the Han people!"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Liwei nodded, with a barely perceptible light flashing in his eyes.

He stood up, bowed respectfully, then turned and left, disappearing into the night.

Three days passed quickly like flowing water, and the early morning light had not yet completely dispelled the darkness of the night. In a Xianbei camp outside Lu County, Yuyang Commandery, inside a luxurious tent, it was warm as spring, forming a sharp contrast with the severe cold outside.

Tufa Shoutian was lying on the soft bed, holding tightly in his arms a beautiful woman with skin whiter than snow and a dreamy look in her eyes.

Outside the tent, the cold wind whistled like a knife, but in this warm bed, all the cold was isolated, leaving only endless tenderness and comfort.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Suddenly, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the tent, and then the voice of a personal soldier penetrated the cold wind and reached Tufa Shoutian's ears clearly: "Your Majesty, the Han army is thirty miles outside Lu County!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all the happiness in Tufa Shoutian's heart.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp look flashed in his eyes, and then he quickly sat up from the bed with swift and powerful movements.

The beauty screamed and quickly covered her naked body with the quilt, her eyes full of panic and confusion.

Tuoba Shoutian had no time to pay attention to her. He just hurriedly put on a heavy fur coat, casually tied a belt around his waist, and strode towards the tent door.

As he walked, he took out the long sword that had been with him for many years from the weapon rack beside him, his movements were skillful and natural.

Walking out of the royal tent, Tuoba Shoutian took a deep breath of the cold air, as if to expel all the sleepiness and confusion from his body.

He looked into the distance, where the morning light was just beginning to appear, but there was an ominous smell in the air.

He turned around, staring at the guard who came to report, and asked in a deep voice, "How many people are there?"

The guards were impressed by his aura and involuntarily straightened their backs and replied, "The army stretches for miles with many flags. It must be the main force of the Han army."

Tufa Shoutian sneered when he heard this. He clapped his hands hard, making a crisp sound of "pa", and laughed, "Good! You've come just in time! Quickly notify Gongsun Yuan and invite him to annihilate Zhao Yun's Han army together, so that they will know how powerful our Xianbei cavalry is!"

Tuoba Liwei, who was standing aside, had a thin figure and a delicate face, but his eyes revealed a depth and wisdom that did not match his age.

He stood quietly aside, looking at Tufa Shoutian's confident look, but couldn't help sneering in his heart.

Although Tufa Shoutian was brave, he was too arrogant. Facing the main force of the Han army this time, he was likely to be in great danger.

Thinking of this, he said, "I will go to the front of the army tent and take orders. I will be ready to fight at any time."

Having said that, Tuoba Liwei already had another plan in mind.

He thought to himself, "Tufa Shoutian, today...I'm afraid it's the day you die! I, Tuoba Liwei, will never let the future of Xianbei be ruined in your hands."

Tuoba Shoutian did not notice anything unusual about Tuoba Liwei. At this moment, he was full of anticipation for the upcoming battle.

He waved his hand, signaling his guards to convey the order, while he stood in front of the tent, staring into the distance.

His heart was filled with lofty ambitions, as if he had already seen himself leading the Xianbei cavalry to defeat the main force of the Han army, thus establishing great military exploits on this land.

However, reality is often very different from imagination.

As time went by, the Han army gradually appeared on the horizon. The army stretched for miles, with flags flying, looked magnificent.

A trace of solemnity flashed across Tuoba Shoutian's eyes, but he quickly regained his confidence.

The Xianbei cavalry under his command are no pushovers either.

Besides, he still wants to launch a sneak attack! (End of this chapter)