Shuhan

Jiang Wei stood on the city wall of Dingxiang County. Although the cold wind was no longer biting, the afterglow of winter still lingered in the air, bringing with it a subtle chill.

He was wearing a heavy armor, the copper plates on the armor shone coldly in the sun, and he had a dark blue cloak draped over his shoulders, swaying gently in the wind, as if it was an outward expression of his calm heart.

In the distance, the mountains are looming in the mist, like sleeping giants, quietly watching over this land that is about to undergo changes.

The news passed through Jiang Wei's heart silently like a spring breeze - Tian Yu surrendered, and Taiyuan County had completely fallen into the hands of the Han army. What made him even more excited was that Guan Ping was leading a large army, rushing to support him like a tiger descending from the mountains.

This news was like a shot in the arm, bringing back determination and confidence to Jiang Wei's face, which had originally looked a little tired from long-term battles.

His eyes pierced through the layers of clouds and mist, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Jiang Wei turned around and glanced at the soldiers behind him. Most of them were Xianbei people. These sons and daughters of the grassland were tall and strong, with rough faces, and their eyes revealed wildness and unruliness.

However, when they looked at Jiang Wei, their eyes were full of awe and admiration.

In their hearts, Jiang Wei is not only the general who led them to fight in many battles and achieved many remarkable feats, but also the legendary figure who can find survival opportunities in desperate situations and turn the impossible into possible.

"General, when will we march into Yunzhong?" A tall Xianbei general stepped forward and asked in a loud voice. There were several scars on his face, which were traces of battle and also symbols of his glory.

Jiang Wei smiled and said, "Don't worry. The enemy in the clouds may seem strong, but they are weak inside. What we need to do is to gain the greatest victory at the lowest cost."

As he spoke, he slowly walked down the city wall and entered the government office of Shanwu City.

Inside the government office, the fire was burning brightly, and the warm breath dispelled the chill all around.

Jiang Wei sat in the main seat and looked around. Most of the officials and attendants here were Xianbei people, but they treated Jiang Wei more respectfully than they treated their own people.

This is because, since Jiang Wei brought them from the grassland to Bingzhou, they have been invincible and victorious along the way. They not only obtained abundant wealth, but more importantly, they felt unprecedented respect and honor.

"Although the Khan is gone, our path is not cut off."

Jiang Wei's voice was not loud, but every word was sonorous and powerful. His words seemed to have a kind of magic that made everyone present hold their breath and concentrate.

"We are now part of the Han army and the people of the Han Dynasty. As long as we continue to follow the Han Dynasty and follow me, the future will only be better than the present."

The Xianbei people exchanged glances and read determination and trust in each other's eyes.

They knew that Jiang Wei's words were not empty talk. Along the way, they witnessed the strength of the Han army with their own eyes and experienced the benefits of following Jiang Wei.

Even when they learned that the former Xianbei Khan Tuoba Shoutian had been killed by the Han army, they were still upset, but they were more looking forward to the future and trusting Jiang Wei.

The hearts of the people on the grassland follow the benefits. Since they can get more here, why should they miss the bygone era?
Seeing this, Jiang Wei nodded secretly in his heart.

To conquer a land, you must first conquer people's hearts.

And these Xianbei people are the sharpest sword in his hands. As long as they are used properly, they will be invincible.

In the following days, Jiang Wei began to make intensive preparations for the plan to march into Yunzhong.

He sent out scouts to investigate the enemy's situation and mobilized food and fodder to ensure logistics. At the same time, he also personally trained soldiers to improve their combat effectiveness.

Under his leadership, the entire military camp was filled with a tense and exciting atmosphere. Everyone knew that a great war was about to come, and they would gain the merit of being awarded titles for their wives and children, or loot enough wealth in this war.

a few days later.

Inside the lobby of Shanwu City, the flickering candlelight illuminated Jiang Wei's calm and resolute face.

He was wearing a dark blue mink coat, with a sword at his waist, and was buried in a mountain of documents.

All around were busy officials and clerks, some writing quickly, some discussing in low voices. The entire hall was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere.

Outside the window, the spring sunshine shines through the sparse clouds and onto this land that has experienced war, bringing a touch of warmth to the busy government affairs.

Jiang Wei's eyes quickly shuttled between reports, from the governance plans for Yanmen County and Dingxiang County, to the appeasement measures for the local people, to the reconciliation of relations between the gentry, and the problem of bandits hiding in the mountains and fields who were transformed from rebellious soldiers. Every matter required his careful consideration and proper arrangements.

His brows were sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, showing his deep insight and calm judgment of the situation.

Thanks to his studies at the Military Academy, he was able to quickly unravel complex issues and assign specific matters to the people who were best at handling them according to established procedures. He himself would stand at a higher perspective, coordinate the overall situation, and ensure that every decision was accurate and in place.

Just as Jiang Wei was immersed in the heavy government affairs, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, breaking the silence in the room.

A personal guard in iron armor hurried in, with steady steps and a firm look in his eyes. He was obviously an elite soldier who had undergone rigorous training.

He walked to Jiang Wei, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and reported in a loud voice: "General, there is a man outside the door claiming to be the envoy of Liang Xi who wants to see you."

Hearing this, Jiang Wei paused for a moment, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, and then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Bring him in." He ordered softly, his tone revealing unquestionable majesty.

Soon, a messenger dressed in gorgeous clothes was led in. He had a gaunt face, elegant manners, and a hint of anxiety and expectation in his eyes.

Seeing Jiang Wei, he saluted hastily, his voice trembling: "My master cares about the people of Bingzhou and does not want to see war again, so he is willing to surrender, but there are a few conditions...

My master cares about the people of Bingzhou and does not want to start another war in Bingzhou. He is willing to surrender, but there are conditions. The troops of each county will still be controlled by their own chiefs. Each county will submit population lists and pay taxes on time. The appointment of officials will be decided by the local people. "

Hearing this, Jiang Wei frowned slightly and his eyes became sharp.

He smiled coldly, with a hint of disdain and sarcasm in his voice: "Since you want to surrender, you should surrender unconditionally. Why so many conditions? Go back and tell Liang Xi that my army will arrive soon. If he really cares about the people of Bingzhou, he should understand that the merit of offering Bingzhou is not something he can bargain for. If he doesn't know the current situation, I will take it myself. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Upon hearing this, the messenger's face turned pale and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. It was obvious that he was shocked by Jiang Wei's momentum.

He forced himself to remain calm, saluted again, and said in a trembling voice: "Yes, yes, I will convey the general's intention to my master."

Jiang Wei looked at the envoy's departing back. This negotiation was just the beginning, and the real battle was yet to come.

Finally, the time has come.

The soldiers have had enough rest and the occupied land has been almost digested.

Today, the weather is fine and Jiang Wei leads his army, marching towards Yunzhong in a mighty manner.

Along the way, they encountered small groups of enemy forces blocking their way, but with Jiang Wei's clever planning and the fierce charge of the Xianbei warriors, these obstacles were cleared one by one.

Every time a battle was over, Jiang Wei would personally visit the wounded and reward those who had made contributions. His actions greatly boosted morale and made the Xianbei people, who had originally been skeptical about the Han army, more determined to follow him.

And not far away.

Yunzhong County. Deep inside the government office of Yunzhong County, Liang Xi was alone in his slightly crowded but bookish study.

Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun slanted in, casting a faint golden glow on this quaint space, but also reflecting the gloom on the faces of the people inside.

Liang Xi, the governor of Bingzhou appointed by the Wei State, was standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, staring at the vague shadows of the mountains in the distance, with mixed feelings in his heart.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the study, and a messenger hurried in. His face was haggard, with dark circles under his eyes. It was obvious that he had traveled a long distance and was heavy on his mind.

As soon as the messenger entered the room, he knelt on one knee and presented a secret letter with both hands. His voice was trembling a little: "Sir, this is the reply letter from General Jiang Wei."

Liang Xi took the secret letter, stroked the envelope gently with his fingers, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart.

He slowly unfolded the letter, and Jiang Wei's strong and powerful handwriting came into his sight. The determination and unquestionableness revealed between the lines made Liang Xi's face turn pale in an instant.

He clenched the letter tightly, his knuckles turning white with anger. After a moment, a heavy sigh echoed in the study. It was helplessness, but also a struggle before compromise.

Liang Xi knew very well that the conditions he proposed were indeed excessive, but this was also the common wish of representatives from all counties and prefectures in Bingzhou.

As the governor of Bingzhou, although he was in charge of the area in name, he was actually walking on thin ice.

In the past, when the State of Wei was strong, he could still rely on the power of the imperial court to intimidate those local tyrants. But now, the State of Wei has suffered a series of defeats and its territory has shrunk. The former majesty has become like a candle in the wind and is difficult to maintain.

He originally wanted to offer Bingzhou as a gift in exchange for great achievements in the Han Kingdom, but he never expected that these powerful leaders under his command would be so difficult to control.

Seeing this, the envoy spoke cautiously: "Your Excellency, perhaps we can change our strategy. Why not pretend to fight with the Han Kingdom, take this opportunity to gather those powerful tribes who are unwilling to surrender, and then surrender to the Han Kingdom at the critical moment. In this way, you can not only preserve your reputation, but also help the Han Dynasty to successfully capture Bingzhou. Wouldn't such an achievement be more prominent?"

When Liang Xi heard this, a light flashed in his eyes, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkness.

He turned around and looked at the messenger with a deep gaze, weighing the pros and cons of this strategy in his mind.

After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "Although this plan is risky, it may be worth a try. You should go to Shanwu immediately and personally meet General Jiang Wei, tell him the plan in detail, and be sure to gain his trust and cooperation."

The envoy received the order, his body shook, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes. He knew that this trip was related to the future of Bingzhou, as well as the fate of his benefactor Liang Xi and himself.

He bowed respectfully and turned to leave, but was stopped by Liang Xi.

"Remember, you must be cautious on this trip and never leak the news, otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous." Liang Xi's voice was low and powerful, and every word struck the messenger's heart.

The messenger nodded heavily, saluted again, and quickly left the study.

As the door closed gently, the study returned to calm, but beneath this calm, undercurrents were surging, indicating that a storm was about to come.

As night fell, the lights in Yunzhong City gradually lit up, but Liang Xi's study was still brightly lit.

He sat alone at his desk, holding the reply letter in his hand, thinking it over again and again.

Outside the window, the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps could be heard, reminding him that this city and this land were in a precarious situation.

Liang Xi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his inner turmoil.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and shone on the City in the Clouds, the messenger was already ready to go. Carrying Liang Xi's trust and hope, he embarked on the journey to Shanwu.

Liang Xi stayed in Yunzhong City and began intensive preparations. A big drama was about to begin, and he would be one of the most critical characters in this drama.

Jiang Wei's army was like an unstoppable torrent, and arrived at the heart of Yunzhong County - Chengle City.

The spring sunshine shines on the ancient city walls, but it seems unable to penetrate the heavy dust of history, bringing a glimmer of vitality to this city that is about to welcome a new master.

Faced with Jiang Wei's rising military power, the defenders in the city chose to surrender without much resistance.

Jiang Wei stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the endless mountains and rivers in the distance, with complex emotions surging in his heart.

The victory of this war was not only a military conquest, but also the winning of people's hearts.

Just as he was about to continue his march northward to capture the rest of the county towns in Yunzhong County in one fell swoop, a personal guard hurried over and broke this brief tranquility.

"General, Liang Xi's envoy is here again."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei curled up the corners of his mouth into a faint smile, a smile that showed both his thorough understanding of the situation and his subtle anticipation for the upcoming "surprise".

He turned and walked into the central military tent, where Liang Xi's envoy had been waiting for a long time.

The envoy was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and although he looked a little dishevelled, he still maintained the dignity of a scholar.

When he saw Jiang Wei, he saluted immediately, his voice full of sincerity and urgency: "My master is willing to surrender unconditionally, but the tyrants in other counties of Bingzhou are not willing. Therefore, my master plans to pretend to fight with the general, but in fact he wants to turn against the general at the critical moment, give the general a great victory, and help the general seize Bingzhou!"

After hearing this, Jiang Wei's eyes flickered, showing his keen ability to capture unknown information and his profound insight into the complex emotions deep within human nature.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "How do I know this is not Liang Xi's plan? Deliberately pretending to surrender to trick my army?"

The envoy looked even more anxious when he heard this. He quickly explained, "My master is sincere in his desire to return to Han. This is definitely not a trick. He knows very well that Wei is on the decline. Only by joining the Han can he protect the people of Bingzhou and himself."

Jiang Wei looked at the messenger and thought for a moment.

Behind this war are the destinies and choices of countless people, and every decision may change the course of history.

He waved his hand, his tone was firm and unquestionable: "No need to do that. Tell Liang Xi that he has contributed the Yunzhong County, which is also a great achievement. As for the other counties, wherever the Han army goes, the people will surely welcome it wholeheartedly. Wherever the Han army goes, no one dares to be an enemy. There is no need for you, Liang Xi, to do this."

The envoy had a complicated expression when he heard this. Jiang Wei's words were both a response to Liang Xi and a reflection of his confidence in the Han army's strength.

indeed.

Nowadays, there are many powerful people in the counties and prefectures of Bingzhou, and the total number of troops is tens of thousands.

But with their disunity and weak fighting power, how could they be a match for the Han Dynasty?
He bowed respectfully, turned and left, but he couldn't help feeling a little worried about Liang Xi's future.

When the messenger returned to Yunzhong City and relayed Jiang Wei's words to Liang Xi, Liang Xi's expression also looked a little gloomy.

Jiang Wei's caution made him lose an opportunity that could have changed his destiny.

But on second thought, although the contribution of Xian County was not as prominent as that of Xianzhou, it could still accumulate a lot of capital for his survival in the Han Dynasty.

Vote now!
Instead of worrying about your life all day, being a rich man might be a good ending. (End of this chapter)