Shuhan

In April of the ninth year of Tianming, the sun shone gently like silk threads on the vast land of northern Ji and Youzhou. The sky was blue without a trace of clouds, as if it was the purest gift from nature to the world.

The spring breeze blows, bringing with it the fragrance of the soil and the vitality of new buds. The busy spring plowing has quietly ended, replaced by green fields.

The wheat stands tall as swords, the corn hangs its head, and the rice sways gently in the breeze like green waves, heralding that another harvest season is approaching.

In this peaceful and hopeful moment, a makeshift palace in Beixin City stands out.

Although the palace is simple, it is solemn, with red walls and green tiles shining brightly in the sun.

Inside the lobby, Liu Chan sat on a high platform, wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head, with an aura of majesty revealed between his brows.

His eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. At this moment, he was staring down, waiting for the answer from Shaofu Dong Yun.

Dong Yun, a thin, gaunt middle-aged man, wore a dark blue official robe embroidered with intricate cloud and water patterns, appearing both elegant and authoritative.

Holding a tablet in hand, he walked steadily to the center of the hall, and said in a clear and firm voice: "Your Majesty, the farming project is progressing smoothly. People from all over the country have responded positively, and the amount of land reclaimed has more than doubled compared to last year. I have ordered people to record it in detail to ensure that every inch of land can be put to good use."

When Liu Chan heard this, the corners of his mouth rose slightly and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, but then he became serious again. He knew very well the efforts and sacrifices behind this.

"Is there anything unusual about the family?" Liu Chan's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to strike Dong Yun's heart.

Most of this extra land for military farms was acquired from aristocratic families, and the resistance involved was self-evident.

Dong Yun's heart tightened, but he remained calm. He answered respectfully: "Your Majesty, rest assured. Although the noble families are dissatisfied, they dare not do anything unusual under the strict orders and policies of the court. I have communicated with the noble families to ensure that the military farming will proceed smoothly without major conflicts."

There was a hint of barely perceptible fatigue in Dong Yun's words, but more of it was his control over the situation.

Liu Chan nodded and turned his gaze to Fei Yi on the other side. Fei Yi was tall and strong, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle, as if he could see through the enemy's situation thousands of miles away.

"Have the Wei troops in southern Hebei made any moves?" There was a hint of urgency in Liu Chan's voice.

Fei Yi stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the Wei army is currently stationed on the border, but has no intention of attacking. Since the beginning of the year, they have also been actively cultivating land and seem to be intent on accumulating strength." There was a hint of worry in Fei Yi's words.

Liu Chan frowned slightly. He knew very well that the strength of Wei State should not be underestimated, especially the developments in Luoyang, which concerned him more.

"What about Luoyang?" Liu Chan's voice became even deeper.

Fei Yi thought for a moment and replied, "The pseudo-Wei Emperor Cao Rui fully supports General Cao Zhen and is said to have mobilized the entire nation to fight against the Han. Cao Zhen is a man of great courage but lacks wisdom. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much."

Fei Yi's analysis was clear and logical, which eased Liu Chan's worries a little.

However, Liu Chan was not completely relieved. He continued to ask: "Where is Sima Yi? He is cunning and wise. We must be on guard against him."

A complicated expression flashed across Fei Yi's face. He knew very well how powerful Sima Yi was, but at this moment he could only answer truthfully: "Sima Yi is still in prison. According to spies, although he is imprisoned, he is not depressed. Instead, he studies and practices calligraphy every day, as if he is waiting for the right opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chan was silent for a moment, with a hint of deep thought in his eyes.

He knew very well that once this man escaped, he would become a serious threat to the Han Dynasty.

But at this moment, what he needs more is to stabilize domestic affairs, strengthen national strength, and wait for the opportunity.

The lobby fell into silence for a moment, with only the occasional bird song outside the window breaking the tranquility.

Liu Chan slowly stood up, his eyes swept over every minister present, and his voice was firm and powerful: "My dear ministers, the state affairs are difficult, but as long as we unite as one and work hard, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and realize the revival of the Han Dynasty. The matter of military farming is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, so we must go all out; we must be vigilant at all times when it comes to border defense, and we must not relax at all."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers stood up, bowed, and responded in unison.

The afterglow of the setting sun slanted across the glazed tiles of the palace, and the golden glow formed a sharp contrast with the secret conversation that was about to unfold.

As dusk fell, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Liu Chan and Zhao Yun, their shadows stretched out in the long corridor.

Liu Chan raised his hand slightly, signaling his attendants to leave, and then he and Zhao Yun walked into a quiet room together.

This quiet room is located in a remote part of the palace. Few people come here on weekdays. The furnishings inside are simple, with only a desk, two wooden chairs, and a few volumes of military books scattered randomly in the corner.

The door closed gently, and the noise from the outside world seemed to be isolated in another world, leaving only the steady breathing of the two people in the room.

Liu Chan stared at Zhao Yun in front of him with mixed feelings.

Zhao Yun, the brave general who had fought with his father in many battles and made countless contributions, is now haggard.

His temples have turned gray, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes are like traces of time, telling of his past glory and hardships.

Although his figure was still upright, the fatigue and old age radiating from inside out could not be ignored.

Liu Chan sighed softly, with a barely perceptible sadness in his eyes: "Uncle Zilong is getting old too."

Zhao Yun smiled faintly when he heard this. He gently stroked his short, slightly graying beard and said in a calm but firm voice, "Your Majesty, no one can stay young forever, and this general is no exception. Time is unforgiving, but loyalty never fades."

After saying this, there was an unyielding light in his eyes, which was a remembrance of the past years and an endless expectation for the future.

After some emotion, Liu Chan calmed down. He knew that Zhao Yun came today to discuss important matters.

So he slowly spoke in a low and serious voice: "You came here this time, saying that you have a secret letter to report. I wonder what kind of important matter it is that requires you to be so cautious?"

Zhao Yun's expression instantly became solemn. He took out a sealed letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, since you took over Jibei at lightning speed, the situation in the world has quietly changed. The might of the Han Dynasty has shocked all quarters, and everyone has seen that our Han Dynasty is unstoppable.

In northern Hebei, although you imposed some restrictions on the aristocratic families, you did not take extreme measures, which was deeply popular.

Now, seeing the decline of Wei and its repeated defeats, coupled with the constant conscription of food and people by Wei, the noble families in southern Hebei have begun to have dissenting thoughts and want to submit to the Han in order to seek protection. "

Liu Chan took the secret letter, frowned, and read it carefully. The letter was sincere and revealed the Ji'nan families' yearning for and submission to the Han Dynasty. Some families had even secretly sent Ji'nan's defense map to show their sincerity.

Liu Chan's heart was in turmoil. He knew very well that this was not only a major military breakthrough, but also a profound shake to the heartland of Wei.

He looked up at Zhao Yun, his eyes flashing with complex light: "Is this credible?"

Zhao Yun nodded firmly, his tone unquestionable: "Absolutely credible. I have personally verified that these noble families are indeed tired of it and do not want to be buried with the Wei Kingdom. In addition, the Wei Kingdom is full of internal conflicts. Although Cao Rui wants to revive it, he is unable to do so. This is a golden opportunity for our Han Dynasty."

When Liu Chan heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Back in the day, when the State of Wei was strong, these noble families flocked to it. But now that the State of Wei showed signs of weakness, they have turned to other countries one after another. This is the true meaning of the fickleness of the world.

His eyes were deep, as if he had penetrated time and space, staring directly at the capital of Wei in the distance: "Cao Rui, oh Cao Rui, even if you have a thousand plans, how can you defeat the change in people's hearts? The revival of the Han Dynasty is just around the corner!"

Seeing this, Zhao Yun was also very excited.

He knew very well that this moment was not only Liu Chan's determination, but also a turning point in the fate of the Han Dynasty.

He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I am willing to lead the troops south to help Your Majesty unify the world and restore the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Chan reached out his hand to help Zhao Yun up, his eyes full of trust and expectation: "Uncle Zilong, you are the pillar of our Han Dynasty. You must be careful on this trip. When you return triumphantly, I will definitely reward you according to your merits and make up for your hard work."

As the night deepened, outside the quiet room, the moonlight was like water, quietly sprinkling on the stone road, adding a bit of mystery and solemnity to the secret conversation between the monarch and his subject.

Zhao Yun bid farewell to Liu Chan and embarked on a journey to southern Hebei, while Liu Chan stood in front of the quiet room, watching his back gradually disappear into the distance, with both longing for the future and worries about unknown challenges in his heart.

But no matter what, the road to the revival of the Han Dynasty has quietly begun, and the wheel of history is rolling forward. The night in Yecheng is deep and silent, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers breaking the oppressive tranquility.

In an important place in the Wei State, Cao Zhen stood alone in a spacious study, his eyes as sharp as torches, staring at the huge map of Jizhou on the wall.

The map is densely marked with the distribution of the Han and Wei armies, and the red and blue flags are intertwined, symbolizing the rise and fall of the two sides' forces.

In terms of military strength, although the Han army claimed to have an army of 500,000, it actually had about 200,000 soldiers. Although the Wei army also claimed to have 500,000 soldiers, it actually had only 100,000 usable soldiers.

This huge contrast made Cao Zhen frown and feel heavy in his heart.

He paced slowly, his fingers lightly running over every mark on the map, calculating the pros and cons of both sides in his mind.

Logistics and supplies are the lifeblood of war.

The State of Wei had been at war for many years, the treasury was empty, the people were living in poverty, and logistical supplies had long been stretched to the limit.

In contrast, the Han army had sufficient food and supplies and was well-equipped due to Liu Chan's hard work. As a result, the disadvantage of the Wei State became increasingly obvious.

Not to mention weapons and equipment, the Han army's iron armor and sharp swords were all carefully crafted, far exceeding what the Wei army could achieve.

But what worries Cao Zhen most is the loss of people's hearts.

Today, the general trend of the world seems to have quietly shifted towards the Han Kingdom.

The aristocratic families and powerful people, who should be the cornerstone of the country, are now secretly disobeying the orders of the court.

When it came to conscripting laborers and requisitioning food and fodder, they either delayed or were perfunctory. What's worse, some of them secretly colluded with the Han state in an attempt to find new backers in the chaotic times.

All the intelligence intercepted by the school government recently confirms this point.

Many of the noble families in southern Hebei have been secretly communicating with the Han Kingdom, preparing to turn against it at the critical moment.

Cao Zhen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his inner restlessness.

He understood that if he took action against the aristocratic families at this time, it would be tantamount to pushing the already shaky Wei State into the abyss.

Although those aristocratic families surrendered to Wei on the surface, they actually had their own ulterior motives. Once they were pushed into a corner, they would most likely defect directly to the Han State. By then, the Wei State's defense line would completely collapse.

This is also why, when Emperor Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to be executed, he stepped forward and wrote a letter to plead for mercy.

Although Sima Yi was not a perfect man, under the current situation, his wisdom and prestige were at least indispensable for stabilizing the Wei State.

Cao Zhen opened his eyes and looked at the map again, his heart filled with helplessness and sadness.

Today's Wei State is in a precarious situation, and no matter who comes, it is difficult to turn the tide.

The world situation was no longer on Wei's side. All he could do was to do his best, leave it to fate, and try to delay the Han army's attack to buy a glimmer of hope for Wei.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door, interrupting Cao Zhen's thoughts.

He straightened his clothes and said in a deep voice, "Come in."

The door slowly opened, and a general in armor walked in, holding a secret letter in his hand.

Cao Zhen took the secret letter, opened it and read it, his face suddenly turned ashen.

The letter contained evidence that a certain noble family in southern Hebei was secretly in contact with the Han Kingdom. Between the lines, it revealed betrayal and disdain for the Wei Kingdom.

Cao Zhen held the letter tightly, his fingers turning white from the force.

He took a deep breath, slowly tore the letter into pieces, and then threw it into the air, letting it drift away with the wind.

He understood that such evidence, even if placed before the emperor, would not change anything.

The betrayal of the noble families was an established fact, and he could only endure this humiliation and powerlessness in silence.

In May of the ninth year of Tianming, the early summer sun was already somewhat scorching, but under the sky of southern Hebei, there was a sense of depression and uneasiness.

The Han army's flags stood like a forest along the border, their iron armor was formidable, their war horses were neighing, it was like a black torrent, ready to swallow everything at any time.

Cao Zhen stood on the city wall of Yecheng, his eyes piercing through the layers of beacon fires, gazing at the land that was about to be baptized by war.

His heart was as heavy and depressed as the gloomy air.

Southern Hebei, this fertile land that once belonged to the Wei State, has now become the focus of contention between the two sides.

Cao Zhen knew very well that the Han army's gathering of troops was not a bluff, but a real intention to capture southern Ji in one fell swoop, and then threaten Yecheng and even the safety of the entire Wei State.

He closed his eyes and seemed to hear the sound of war drums coming from afar. It was the battle song of the Han army and also the death knell of the Wei State.

However, what made Cao Zhen even more disheartened was the attitude of the aristocratic families in southern Hebei.

These families, who were once loyal to the State of Wei, were now like fence-sitters, swaying with the wind. They secretly colluded with the State of Han, provided intelligence, and even prepared to open the city gates at a critical moment to welcome the Han army into the city.

Cao Zhen knew in his heart that the reason these aristocratic families did this was simply because they saw the decline of the Wei State and wanted to find a new backer for themselves.

But their betrayal made Wei's already fragile defense even worse.

"General, the Han army has begun to move." A scout hurried over and interrupted Cao Zhen's thoughts.

He opened his eyes, staring at the scout with a sharp gaze: "Tell me, what are their movements?"

The scout swallowed his saliva and said in a trembling voice: "The Han army is crossing the Zhang River in batches. It seems that they are planning to attack southern Hebei from multiple directions at the same time. Moreover, they have sent spies to sneak into various cities and try to incite the defenders and the noble families to revolt."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen’s face turned pale.

This move by the Han army was undoubtedly aimed at cutting off Wei's retreat.

Once southern Hebei is lost, Yecheng will be directly exposed to the Han army. By then, the Wei Kingdom may really be powerless to recover.

"Pass the order down, close the city gates tightly and strengthen the guard." Cao Zhen said in a deep voice: "At the same time, send envoys to the various noble families to warn them that if they dare to act rashly, they will be severely punished!"

However, Cao Zhen knew in his heart that such a warning would probably not have much effect.

Since the noble families have already chosen to betray, how could they change their minds just because of a few threats?

But even so, he couldn't just do nothing.

At least, he wanted to let the aristocratic families know that Wei State had not given up and was still trying.

Do you still want your families in Yecheng and Luoyang?

Without a chance of change, how can the Wei Dynasty survive? (End of this chapter)