Shuhan

The news that Sima Yi was captured alive spread like wildfire across the battlefield and flew to the city of Chaoge.

The city of Chaoge looks even more solemn in the afterglow of the setting sun, and the mottled marks on the city walls record its past glory and vicissitudes.

Liu Chan, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, was now sitting in the hall of the palace, his brows revealing an extraordinary heroic spirit.

When he heard the news, he stood up suddenly, his eyes were sharp, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Escort him to Chaoge City!"

Immediately, Liu Chan turned his gaze to Dong Yun beside him.

"Where are his sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao?" Liu Chan's voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained a thousand pounds of weight.

Dong Yun bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "They have all been captured and are being taken to Chaoge along with Sima Yi."

A complicated look flashed in Liu Chan's eyes.

In the original course of history, how did the three Sima family, father and son, usurp the throne of Cao Wei step by step and eventually establish the Western Jin Dynasty, but plunge the Han people into the tragic situation of the Five Barbarians' Invasion?

Such people must not be allowed to stay!
However, before making the decision to kill, Liu Chan also wanted to see with his own eyes what these "traitors" in history looked like.

"Bring them to see me in three days." Liu Chan's order was concise and powerful. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with irresistible majesty.

Three days passed in a flash. The prison in Chaoge was dark and damp. The clinking of iron chains and the wailing of prisoners intertwined to form a desolate picture.

Sima Yi, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, father and son, were imprisoned in different cells, but they all faced unprecedented desperate situations.

Their clothes were ragged, their faces were haggard, and their former majesty was long gone.

Especially Sima Yi, the former important official of the Wei State, who was now disheveled, but with an unyielding light in his eyes.

He knew very well that his life might come to an end in this dark prison, but his desire for survival was like a lamp in the dark night, which never went out.

Finally, the prison door creaked open, and Liu Chan's figure appeared in Sima Yi's sight.

Liu Chan was dressed in a dragon robe, walking steadily, and his brows revealed the aura of a king.

He slowly walked up to Sima Yi, his eyes as sharp as a knife, examining his former rival.

When Sima Yi saw Liu Chan, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart, that was the hope of survival.

He immediately knelt down, his hands trembling, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling undisguisedly: "I, the guilty minister Sima Yi, pay my respects to the Emperor of the Han Dynasty!"

This bow was both a submission to Liu Chan and a desire for life.

Liu Chan looked at Sima Yi coldly, with mixed feelings in his heart. He had thought of countless scenarios when facing Sima Yi, but he never expected that when he really met him, such complicated emotions would surge in his heart.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and magnetic: "Sima Yi, have you ever thought that this day would come?"

Sima Yi shuddered all over. He raised his head, his eyes full of sincerity and regret: "I...I am indeed guilty, but please give me a chance to reform myself for my loyalty to Wei."

Liu Chan heard this and sneered, "Reform yourself? Do you know how many Han soldiers have died because of your actions? What's the point of keeping a person like you?"

Sima Yi's face turned pale when he heard this. He knew that his defense seemed so pale and powerless in front of Liu Chan.

But he was still unwilling to give up, and used up his last bit of strength to shout: "Your Majesty, I am willing to use the rest of my life to help the Han Dynasty pacify the world. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy!"

Liu Chan looked at Sima Yi's desperate yet longing eyes, and a ripple appeared in his heart.

However, he knew very well that the lessons of history must not be forgotten and the same mistakes must not be allowed to happen again.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly: "Sima Yi, your fate has already been determined. However, before I kill you, it would not hurt to let you see your son."

After saying this, Liu Chan turned and left, leaving Sima Yi alone in the dark prison, savoring the cruelty and impermanence of fate.

Sima Shi and Sima Zhao were also brought to Liu Chan one by one. Their eyes were also filled with fear and uncertainty about the future.

In this dark prison, the Sima family, father and son, are about to face the final judgment of their fate.

The three of them hugged each other in pain, and Liu Chan turned around and wanted to leave.

Seeing Liu Chan turning around and about to leave, Sima Yi's heart tightened, he knew that this might be his last chance of survival.

He raised his head suddenly, his eyes flashing with determination and wisdom, and his voice was full of unquestionable firmness: "Your Majesty, please stay! I have a plan that I would like to offer to Your Majesty. This plan can help Your Majesty capture Luoyang and unify the world!"

Liu Chan paused slightly, turned around, and a playful smile appeared on his face, as if he was examining an interesting toy.

"I can take Luoyang without your strategy!" Liu Chan's words were full of confidence and domineering, but there was a hint of curiosity hidden deep in his eyes.

Seeing this, Sima Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, for he knew that his chance had come.

He knelt on the ground, leaning forward slightly, clasping his hands, his eyes flashing with sincerity and eagerness: "Your Majesty is indeed wise and brave, and it is not difficult to capture Luoyang. However, the cruelty of war cannot be described in words. If Your Majesty wants to attack Luoyang, it will inevitably consume a lot of manpower and material resources. The blood of the soldiers will dye the earth red, and the people will fall into endless suffering. I have a plan that can allow Your Majesty to not lose a single soldier, and within three years, Luoyang will be firmly captured!"

When Liu Chan heard this, his eyebrows slightly raised and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He slowly walked up to Sima Yi, looked down at him, and said in a teasing voice: "Oh? Do you really have such a brilliant plan? Tell me about it. If it is really a brilliant plan, I may consider sparing your life."

Sima Yi was delighted, knowing that his life was temporarily saved.

He took a deep breath and began to tell the story: "Within the eight passes of Luoyang, there are a large population, with more than 600,000 civilians and 200,000 soldiers and civilians. With so many people, the daily consumption of food and grass is a huge expense. The food and grass reserves in Luoyang City cannot meet such a huge consumption. Therefore, most of Luoyang's food and grass rely on the transportation from Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Yanzhou. As long as Your Majesty can cut off these food routes, Luoyang will be like an isolated city without food and grass, and it will fall without attack!"

At this point, Sima Yi's eyes flashed with pride and confidence, as if he had already seen the chaos that had fallen on Luoyang City after the food and grass were cut off.

After hearing this, Liu Chan's eyes flashed with deep thought.

He had to admit that Sima Yi's strategy was indeed brilliant. It not only avoided direct military conflict, but also achieved the goal of capturing Luoyang.

He looked at Sima Yi deeply, and secretly admired in his heart: Although the Sima family is corrupt to the point of being filthy, their intelligence and talent are truly unmatched.

Otherwise, in the original history, it would have been impossible to unify the world from the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu.

Liu Chan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Although this plan is brilliant, how can we ensure that the food supply route can be completely cut off? Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Yanzhou are all heavily guarded. How can our army succeed so easily?"

Sima Yi was well prepared. He smiled and continued, "Your Majesty, don't worry. I am willing to lead the troops myself and cut off your majesty's food supply."

Still want to lead the troops?

Liu Chan sneered and said, "Just stay in prison!"

Sima Yi had the eyes of an eagle and the back of a wolf, and Liu Chan originally wanted to kill him.

But now I have begun to appreciate other talents.

If I can use his talent to deal with the noble families, perhaps I can make the Great Han Sword.

just
This person still needs to be sharpened, and the sword must be sharpened before it can be used.

the other side.

The wind was cold and the news of Hanoi's defeat spread quickly inside and outside Luoyang City like a thunderclap in winter.

The news spread so quickly that it seemed as if every gust of wind carried fragments of the news into the ears of every Luoyang resident.

For a time, people in Luoyang were in panic, and there was a lot of discussion on the streets. Everyone's face was filled with worry and anxiety.

The people looked at the long queue in front of the rice shop and shook their heads with sad faces.

The price of rice soared more than three times in just a few days. Even so, there was still an endless stream of people coming to buy rice, fearing that they would not be able to buy it if they were a little late.

Although the government repeatedly issued notices claiming that there was sufficient food and fodder and there was no need to panic, the people had long lost their former trust.

They began to secretly stockpile food and fodder in preparation for emergencies.

Seeing this, the government had to take emergency measures to regulate the sale of grain to prevent grain prices from soaring further.

However, although this measure temporarily suppressed the rising trend of grain prices, it could not calm the panic in the hearts of the people. More and more people began to consider migrating out of Luoyang to avoid the impending war.

However, at this moment, a cold imperial edict came from the palace.

The edict clearly stipulated that all those who wanted to leave Luoyang must return to their hometown immediately, and escape was absolutely not allowed.

This order was like an invisible shackle, binding those who wanted to escape firmly within the city of Luoyang.

now.

Imperial City.

The Luoyang Imperial Palace is covered in snow in winter.

Snowflakes fluttered down, making the entire palace look like a fairyland covered in silver.

However, beneath this beautiful appearance lies the cold and desperate heart of Emperor Cao Rui of Wei.

He sat on the dragon chair, staring blankly at the snow scene outside the window, but his heart was filled with surging waves.

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Sima Yi was defeated, and this news was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.

Hanoi is an important barrier for Luoyang. Once it is lost, Luoyang will be in danger.

Cao Rui knew that he could only delay time as much as possible and wait for a miracle to happen.

But what is the difference between such procrastination and waiting to die?

The Yellow River was frozen, and the Han army could cross it at any time and march straight to Luoyang.

Cao Rui closed his eyes, as if he could already see the spectacular sight of thousands of troops galloping towards him.

It's messed up, everything is messed up.

Hey~
He sighed deeply, his heart filled with helplessness and despair.

At this time, an eunuch hurried into the hall, holding an urgent battle report in his hand.

Cao Rui waved his hand weakly, signaling him to present it. He opened the battle report with trembling hands, took a glance, and then closed his eyes weakly.

Every word in the battle report was like a sharp blade, piercing into his heart.

"Your Majesty, Hanoi has been lost, Sima Yi has been captured by the Han army..." The eunuch's voice echoed in the empty hall, but it seemed to be swallowed up by endless chill.

Cao Rui didn't say anything, but stood up silently and walked to the window.

He looked at the heavy snow outside the window, but his mind was blank.

He knew that he had to cheer up and consider the country and people of the Great Wei.

But at this moment, he seemed to have lost all his strength and direction.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, blowing up the snowflakes on the ground.

Cao Rui seemed to see the soldiers who had fought bravely for the Wei Dynasty, their figures looming in the wind and snow.

Their eyes were full of determination and courage, as if telling him: Your Majesty, don't give up! We still have hope!

He seemed to see the cries of the ancestors of the Cao and Xiahou families in the wind and snow.

An inexplicable power suddenly surged in Cao Rui's heart.

He clenched his fists tightly and looked into the distance with a determined gaze.

He knew that he couldn't just give up.

He must fight for the last glimmer of hope for the people and soldiers of the Wei Dynasty, and for the stability and prosperity of the country.

The cold wind was still raging in Luoyang City, and the palace was also solemn.

At this moment, the door of the hall was gently pushed open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, bringing a hint of chill.

The chief eunuch Pixie walked into the hall with steady steps. His voice was particularly loud in the empty hall: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has arrived."

When Cao Rui heard this, he was slightly shocked.

He looked up and saw Empress Dowager Guo, wearing her usual attire and a sable fur coat on her shoulders, walking slowly towards him.

She was only in her thirties, with a stunning appearance and a plump figure, but she did not have the majesty and solemnity of an ordinary empress dowager. Instead, she was gentle and soft.

Her appearance seemed to bring a glimmer of life to this dull hall.

Behind Empress Dowager Guo, there was a group of concubines from the harem. Some of them were dignified, some were beautiful, but at this moment they all had worried looks on their faces, and it was obvious that they were also worried about the situation in the country.

Empress Dowager Guo walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and looked at Cao Rui gently.

She said softly, "Your Majesty, this is a time of national crisis. I know the difficulties on the front lines from the harem. Although we cannot fight the enemy, we cannot sit idly by. Therefore, I have collected some money from the harem for military expenses. Although it is not much, it is also our token of appreciation."

As she spoke, the palace maids behind her came forward, holding two heavy baskets in their hands.

The basket was filled with gold, silver and jewels, sparkling with dazzling light.

Empress Dowager Guo gave a gentle signal, and the palace maids placed the basket in the center of the hall.

Cao Rui looked at the two baskets of gold, silver and jewelry and felt moved.

This amount of money is just a drop in the bucket compared to the huge military expenditure.

But this kindness made him feel the support and encouragement from the harem.

He looked up at Queen Mother Guo, his eyes sparkling with gratitude: "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. Although the two baskets of gold, silver and jewels are not much, they can show our attitude. Great Wei has not admitted defeat, and Great Wei still has hope of winning!"

Queen Mother Guo smiled slightly when she heard this. Her smile was gentle and firm, as if it could dispel the haze in people's hearts.

She said softly: "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a country. Your attitude determines the morale of the entire country. As long as you remain confident, our Great Wei will be able to overcome this difficulty."

As she spoke, she walked forward and gently held Cao Rui's hand.

Her hands were warm and soft, as if they could give people strength.

Cao Rui felt the warmth and a surge of strength in his heart.

He held Empress Dowager Guo's hand tightly, with a determined light in his eyes: "Don't worry, Empress Dowager, I will never let you down. I will definitely protect the country of Wei!"

The atmosphere in the hall became solemn and dignified at this moment.

All the concubines and palace maids stood there quietly, looking at Cao Rui and Empress Dowager Guo with firm eyes.

The unity and determination at this moment will determine the future of the Wei Dynasty.

Empress Dowager Guo gently patted the back of Cao Rui's hand, then slowly let go.

She turned to the people in the hall and said, "Now that the country is in crisis, each of us must do our part. Whether it is the bloody battles of the soldiers on the front line or the silent support of the harem, they are all contributions to the Wei Dynasty. I hope that everyone can work together to overcome this difficulty."

Although her voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable firmness.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall knelt on the ground and shouted loudly: "Long live the Queen Mother! Long live the Great Wei!"

No matter what, the State of Wei will never admit defeat until the very last moment! (End of this chapter)