Shuhan

Twenty miles outside Yongxian City was once a vast pasture where the Huyan tribe of the Xiongnu thrived.

However, the grassland at this moment is very different from the scene in the past.

Looking around, this pasture where cattle and sheep used to be, now looks desolate and deserted.

Although the pasture is still lush and green, it cannot conceal the loneliness and depression within it.

The cattle and sheep were so sparse that it was almost impossible to find them. Only the occasional low bleating of cows or sheep echoed in the open pasture, adding to the desolation.

Horses are even rarer to see, and the scenes of galloping horses and flying dust no longer exist.

The entire pasture seemed to have lost its former vitality and vitality, leaving only silence and desolation.

The people of the Huyan tribe were not busy or gathering outside the tent as usual at this moment.

They hid in the strong fortress, only showing their wary eyes, watching what was going on outside.

The Wubao was surrounded by high earth walls and solid wooden fences, which acted like a barrier, isolating them from the outside world.

Cao Zhen led his cavalry under the Huyan tribe's fort, holding a riding whip and shouting: "Huyan Rong, open the fort gate quickly and offer your horses and food!"

On the wall of Wubao, Hu Yanrong looked at the hundreds of cavalry led by Cao Zhen and said immediately: "General, there is no food and grass. All of it has been given to the Han Dynasty."

"There are no war horses either?"

Cao Zhen frowned.

"I heard the sound of horses neighing, Hu Yanrong, do you want to disobey me?"

Hu Yanrong felt bitter in his heart.

When the Han people came, they robbed him of an unknown number of horses and athletes, but not one of them has returned, not even a single horse has returned.

Later, Cao Zhen wreaked havoc in Guanzhong, and Huyan Rong donated hundreds of horses to ensure peace. By now, the number of horses in the Huyan tribe has become very small, and there are not many cattle and sheep left. If it weren't for the fact that there was still some corn in the Wubao warehouse , I’m afraid this winter will be difficult.

Facing Cao Zhen coming to ask for horses and food again, Huyanrong could only smile bitterly and said: "General, the Huyan tribe really can't give you even a horse, it's gone."

"Humph!"

Cao Zhen sneered and looked at the Huyan tribe's Wubao. Although this Wubao was not as strong as the ordinary gentry Wubao, it was obviously not an easy task to capture it.

The losses will not be small.

"Hu Yanrong, I'll give you three days to think about it. After three days, if you don't send thousands of horses and ten thousand sheep, I will capture your fort and get the horses, cattle and sheep for myself!"

After saying that, he immediately walked away.

Three days is time for Hu Yanrong and also for Wei Jun.

After all, it was impossible for Cao Zhen to send elite troops to attack the city.

He wanted to collect the nearby people and the soldiers of the Han army, and let them feed the arrows first, so that the Wei army could capture Huyan's Wubao at the minimum cost!
When he heard that a thousand horses and ten thousand sheep were to be sacrificed, Hu Yanrong's face showed anger.

I, Huyanbu, can hardly afford to support myself. If you do this, you might as well kill me!
But when Huyanrong heard that the Wei army would attack his Huyan tribe's Wubao in three days.

Hu Yanrong's face turned pale instantly, and his eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.

His figure was already tall and burly, but at this moment he seemed to have lost all his strength. His trembling hands were clenched together, unable to hide the panic in his heart.

The servant saw his appearance and hurriedly stepped forward to remind him: "Chief, we must find a way as soon as possible. We cannot sit still and wait for death."

Hu Yanrong took a deep breath and tried to calm down his emotions.

There's no point in worrying now.

Han people!

More greedy and vicious than the jackals on the grassland!

If these thousand horses were sent to the Wei army, the men of the Huyan tribe would have no horses to ride on.

At that time, if you don’t have a war horse, you won’t be bullied by others?

Hu Yanrong's eyes gradually became firmer, and an unyielding light shone under his frown.

He stood up slowly and straightened his back, as if he had regained his former dignity.

Hu Yanrong looked at the Han servants and said in a deep voice: "You are right, we cannot just surrender. I decided to ask Zhang Bao of Han for help and ask them to send troops to help."

At present, the only traces of the Han Dynasty in Yong County are Zhang Bao's cavalry.

Now, they are the only force that can save them.

I gave you so many horses and cavalry from the Han Dynasty, and the protection fee has been paid. Is it time for you to protect me?

After saying that, he strode down the wall, walked into the lobby, went to the desk, spread out a map, and began to study the strategy carefully. His fingers moved quickly on the map, drawing out possible marching routes.

At the same time, he was mumbling to himself, as if simulating the future battle. "is it here?"

"Still here?"

"Maybe it's possible here too."

The servants saw his change and couldn't help but admire him secretly.

The Xiongnu nobles are indeed of noble blood, but it’s just different!
Although Hu Yanrong was frightened and confused at first, he quickly found his courage and wisdom.

Under his leadership, Huyanbu will surely be able to overcome this difficulty.

Hu Yanrong quickly wrote a letter asking for help, with sincere words and firm attitude.

"Send the capable Xiongnu to deliver the letter to the Han army."

Afterwards, he began to urgently convene his troops to discuss countermeasures and prepare for the upcoming battle.

The Xiongnu are now lonely and have become vassals of the Han people, but if they are pushed into a hurry, they will also go crazy.

Rabbits bite people when they are anxious, not to mention they are humans!
He is even more of a noble Huns race!

Changan.

Outside Weiyang Palace.

Wei Zhou looked curiously at the palace servants and subordinates coming and going inside and outside the palace.

Since the war in the west was unfavorable, Chang'an, which was originally peaceful, suddenly became busy.

No one can be an exception.

At this moment, what Wei Zhou was thinking about was, why did Liu Bei summon him?

Although he was born in Jingzhao's Wei family, His Majesty obviously valued Du You, who was from Jingzhao's Du family, more.

When Wei Zhou was in confusion, the internal official who came out of the palace called Wei Zhou gently.

"Your Majesty, please stop!"

In Weiyang Palace, the palace lanterns are swaying, and the long corridor seems to lead to another time and space.

Under the guidance of the palace servants, Wei Zhou walked in a hurry, and every bluestone brick on the corridor seemed to be extremely heavy.

The sound of his heartbeat echoed in this empty and deep passage, intertwined with the faint palace music in the distance.

In front of the main hall of Weiyang Palace, an exquisite carved wooden door was tightly closed, but the tense and solemn atmosphere inside was vaguely revealed.

Wei Zhou was about to push the door open, but he saw a thrilling scene through the crack in the door.

Emperor Liu Bei of the Han Dynasty, the wise monarch who once shocked the world, now looked pale, with a wisp of blood slowly dripping from the corner of his mouth.

His body swayed on the throne, and finally fell forward weakly, unconscious.

Wei Zhou felt a chill coming from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his heart sank suddenly.

His eyes were fixed on the scene inside the crack of the door, and the thrilling scene was reflected in his pupils, as if he wanted to etch this scene deeply into his mind.

At this moment, the door slowly opened with a "squeak", and Wei Zhou shuddered and suddenly came back to his senses.

He looked up and saw Zhuge Liang and Fazheng standing inside the door, with solemn and worried faces.

"Wei Zhou, have you seen everything?" Zhuge Liang's voice was low and powerful, revealing an indescribable majesty.

Wei Zhou nodded, as if something was blocked in his throat. It took him a long time to spit out a sentence with difficulty: "Your Majesty, what's wrong with him?"

Fazheng sighed softly, with a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "The emperor has been working hard day and night on state affairs, and his body has been overwhelmed. Now..."

He shook his head and said no more.

Zhuge Liang narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "For the sake of the overall situation in Guanzhong, this matter must not be leaked. I immediately sent a secret message that the prince will return to stabilize the overall situation. Before the prince comes back, I also ask the prince to stay in the palace temporarily."

Secret edict to the prince?

Wei Zhou's expression changed, and he immediately took a breath of air.

If the emperor dies, the situation in Guanzhong will definitely be even more chaotic now.

His eyes flickered, and finally he had to bow to Zhuge Liang and Fazheng.

"Your Majesty is so blessed that everything will be fine. The Crown Prince is rising like the sun. When he arrives, he will surely be able to calm the situation."

After saying that, Wei Zhou immediately headed towards the guest hall in the palace under the leadership of the palace servants.

Zhuge Liang and Fazheng looked at Wei Zhou's leaving figure with deep eyes. (End of chapter)