Shuhan

On a cold winter day, the sky was gray and it seemed as if even the sunlight was frozen by the biting cold.

Outside Lu County, on a vast plain, the flags of the Han army fluttered in the wind, forming a sharp contrast with the silent and tense atmosphere.

Zhao Yun was wearing heavy iron armor, holding a spear, tightening the reins, and slowly moving forward.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle. He looked through the cold wind at the endless Xianbei tents not far away, secretly planning the upcoming battle in his heart.

"Form a defensive formation and rest for a while. After three hours, be ready to charge!" Zhao Yun's voice was steady and powerful, as if every word contained endless majesty.

Upon hearing this, the flag bearer immediately accepted the order, shook his body, and quickly walked to the platform.

The five-colored flag in his hand waved in the wind, and every command was accurately transmitted to the army below.

The five-colored flags were as gorgeous as a rainbow, but seemed particularly cold in the cold wind. They drew graceful arcs in the air, leading the Han army to quickly and orderly form a defensive formation.

Zhao Yun's eyes shuttled through the formation, examining the condition of each soldier.

This battle is not only about victory or defeat, but also about the safety of countless lives.

Therefore, he cannot afford to make mistakes in any detail.

At this moment, a group of five people slowly walked out of the Xianbei commander's tent, led by Murong Zhuang, a noble Xianbei.

He was wearing gorgeous leather armor and a helmet inlaid with jewels, and he rode his horse slowly towards Zhao Yun.

There was a smug smile on Murong Zhuang's face and a cunning light flashing in his eyes, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"General, my Great Khan Tuoba Shoutian has been waiting in the marshal's tent to welcome you. Please come into the tent as soon as possible for the banquet!" There was some respect in Murong Zhuang's voice, but more of it was unquestionable confidence.

Zhao Yun laughed out loud, his voice as loud as a bell, echoing in the cold air.

"How can you attend the banquet wearing iron armor and smelling of sweat? Go and tell Tufa Shoutian, I will arrange for the soldiers to set up camp and we will leave after changing clothes." Zhao Yun's words revealed a calm demeanor, as if everything was under his control.

When Murong Zhuang heard this, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

He originally thought that with this carefully prepared banquet, he could easily lure Zhao Yun into the tent and capture or kill him in one fell swoop.

However, Zhao Yun's caution made his plan fail.

However, Murong Zhuang was not discouraged by this. He knew very well that as long as Zhao Yun didn't know that they were preparing an ambush, they still had a chance.

However, this requires more planning and planning.

"Then I'll be waiting for the General's arrival!" Murong Zhuang suppressed his dissatisfaction and nodded.

After saying this, he immediately turned his horse around and galloped away.

Murong Zhuang rode his horse at full speed, passing through the layers of curtains in the Xianbei camp.

Returning to the king's tent, he dismounted and strode towards the bald Shoutian who was sitting on a tiger-skin chair. His face, which was a little weathered by years of fighting, was now filled with solemnity.

"Khan, Zhao Yun is extremely cunning. Not only did he not fall for the bait, but he seemed to be aware of it." There was a hint of frustration in Murong Zhuang's tone, but he could not hide his admiration for Zhao Yun's wisdom.

He described in detail the deployment of the Han camp and Zhao Yun's seemingly casual but sharp words, without missing a single detail.

After hearing this, Tufa Shoutian frowned, and a cold light flashed in his deep eyes.

"It seems that it is not that easy to lure Zhao Yun here to die." He pondered for a moment, then decisively ordered: "Quickly send someone to notify the various troops, and at the same time send someone to inform Gongsun Yuan that at midnight tonight, we will catch the Han army by surprise!"

Following Tufa Shoutian's order, the guards in the king's tent immediately took action. They were agile and shuttled between the tents like cheetahs, delivering urgent military orders.

Tufa Shoutian stood up and stared in the direction of the Han camp in the distance, with complex emotions surging in his heart - anticipation for the upcoming battle and worry about unknown variables.

Night fell quietly, the wind was cold and the moonlight was like mercury falling on the vast plain.

In the Xianbei camp, soldiers were either sitting around the campfire to keep warm or talking in low voices. It seemed calm, but undercurrents were surging.

However, they did not realize that a storm was quietly approaching.

At the same time, in the Han camp, Zhao Yun did not set up camp peacefully as the Xianbei people had expected.

He stood on the high platform, looking at the soldiers ready to go with a sharp gaze. After a short rest, the defensive formation that was originally in full swing was quickly and orderly transformed into an offensive formation under Zhao Yun's command.

The soldiers were all in high spirits, holding spears and wearing iron armor, like a group of swords about to be unsheathed.

"Brothers, tonight, we must let the Xianbei know that the bravery of the Han army is not something they can underestimate!" Zhao Yun's voice penetrated the cold wind and resounded throughout the military camp. He was dressed in silver armor, shining in the moonlight, and his resolute eyes burned with an unyielding flame.

With the command given, thousands of horses galloped, dust flew, and tens of thousands of troops poured out of the Han camp like a tide and rushed towards the Xianbei camp.

The heart-shaking sound of horse hooves, like the sound of war drums, announced the outbreak of war.

The Xianbei people were completely unprepared; they were immersed in the fantasy of launching a surprise attack on the Han army, but they did not expect that the Han army would strike first.

For a moment, the camp was in chaos and the soldiers fled in panic.

A few people barely raised their weapons to fight back, but they were ruthlessly killed under the Han army's overwhelming attack.

Even more people threw away their weapons and armor, and fled in a panic, trying to escape this horrific place of death.

Inside the king's tent, Tufa Shoutian was discussing war with several generals. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the noise outside.

His face changed drastically, he stood up suddenly, and said sternly: "Oh no, the Han army is well prepared, he knows I am going to ambush him!"

At this moment, Tufa Shoutian finally realized the seriousness of the matter.

He quickly calmed down and ordered, "Let the cavalry from both camps come closer. We only need to surround Zhao Yun's troops and wait for Gongsun Yuan to lead his troops over, then we can swallow them all up!"

Following Tufa Shoutian's order, the Xianbei cavalry began to gather, trying to form an encirclement and trap the Han army inside.

However, Zhao Yun had already anticipated this. He commanded his soldiers to respond flexibly and continuously attack the Xianbei people's defense line, making it impossible for the enemy's encirclement to be formed.

On the battlefield, swords flashed, blood and flesh flew everywhere. Soldiers from both sides fought for life and death. Every charge and every swing of the sword was a matter of life and death.

This was a battle that would determine the ownership of Youzhou and the fate of the Xianbei people. Every participant was fully aware of its importance.

Tufa Shoutian stood on the high platform, looking at the chaotic battlefield, with endless anger and unwillingness surging in his heart.

This battle not only concerns the glory and survival of the Xianbei people, but also his personal destiny and dignity.

He clenched his fists and swore secretly that no matter what, he must defeat the Han army and defend the glory of the Xianbei people!

The incident happened right at hand, like a bolt from the blue, shocking everyone to their core.

In Tufa Shoutian's camp, the Han army's offensive was like a violent storm, coming unexpectedly and catching him off guard.

Gongsun Yuan, who should have been an important part of this drama, has not made any movement for a long time, as if he was tightly bound by invisible ropes and unable to move.

Tufa Shoutian was on the battlefield at this moment, trying to catch some information from the battlefield in the distance.

His face was tense, with a barely perceptible bitter smile hanging on the corner of his mouth. He secretly prayed that Gongsun Yuan would be able to discover the abnormality here in time and quickly send troops to support him.

If it weren't for Gongsun Yuan's reinforcements, it would have been difficult to withstand the Han army's overwhelming offensive with only the troops at his disposal.

At this moment, he seemed to be standing on the edge of a cliff. If he was not careful, he would fall into the abyss.

Tufa Shoutian held the hilt of the sword tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his eyes kept scanning the surroundings, fearing that he would miss any possible opportunity. However, time seemed to freeze at this moment, and except for the faint shouting and killing sounds coming from afar, everything seemed so dead silent.

At the same time, Gongsun Yuan was lying in ambush in the mountains thirty miles away from Lu County.

In the mountains and forests, the cold wind rustled the leaves, and seemed to be telling of the upcoming brutal battle.

Gongsun Yuan was wearing a dark battle robe and had a stern expression on his face.

Around him were soldiers who were also on high alert, their faces filled with tension.

Gongsun Yuan could hear the shouts and cries of killing coming from the distant county town from time to time. The sound was like the beat of a death drum, beating on his heart.

"My lord, the Han army has arrived in Lu County. It seems that Tufa Shoutian's plan has been discovered in advance." A scout hurried over, knelt in front of Gongsun Yuan, and reported breathlessly.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yuan frowned and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

He spat and said harshly, "This Tufa Shoutian is really good at causing trouble instead of helping others! An ambush? Now it has turned into a head-on confrontation."

At this time, the staff member beside Gongsun Yuan stepped forward and asked softly, "My lord, should we send troops immediately?"

There was a hint of hesitation in his tone, and he was obviously caught off guard by this sudden change.

Gongsun Yuan shook his head when he heard this. His eyes were deep, as if he could penetrate the thick fog and see the future battle situation.

"When two tigers fight, one will be injured, or even both will be injured. Only when the Xianbei and Han armies are weakened can we seek the greatest benefit. Besides, the time agreed by Tufa Shoutian is midnight, which is still several hours away!"

His voice was low and powerful, revealing an unquestionable determination.

Upon hearing this, the staff had no choice but to nod. Although they had doubts in their hearts, they did not dare to say anything more.

Gongsun Yuan's decisions are always made after careful consideration and cannot be questioned by others.

However, at this moment, a scout suddenly ran back in a hurry, his face full of anxiety and panic.

"My lord, a Han cavalry suddenly appeared on the west side of the Lu River, intending to head towards our grain storage!" His voice trembled, and he was obviously frightened by this sudden news.

Gongsun Yuan was shocked when he heard this. His face turned pale in an instant and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.

When two armies are at war, food and grass are the most important. If the food storage area is burned, what will they eat and wear in the cold winter?
The army's morale will be disrupted and the war will be lost.

This thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Without any hesitation, Gongsun Yuan stood up suddenly and shouted loudly: "All troops, listen up, return to the grain storage area immediately! No matter what Tufa Shoutian does, our grain and grass must not be lost!"

"Send someone to inform Tufa Shoutian to retreat to Lu County."

And this moment.

Outside Lu County, this thrilling offensive and defensive battle had lasted for three hours.

The night was as dark as ink, and the midnight bell had already sounded in the distant temple, but the smoke and flames on the battlefield had never subsided.

At this moment, the sky gradually turned pale, indicating that a new day was approaching. However, in this land shrouded in the shadow of war, dawn did not seem to bring any hope.

In the center of the battlefield, Tufa Shoutian was wearing heavy armor, and the red tassel on his helmet swayed in the wind, making him particularly eye-catching.

His face was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip out of it. His brows were furrowed, his eyes kept searching around, and his heart was filled with anxiety and uneasiness.

Gongsun Yuan, the ally who had vowed to lead troops to support at this moment, seemed to have evaporated without a trace.

Tufa Shoutian couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition in his heart. He knew that things were bad, everything was bad.

On the opposite side, the Han army led by Zhao Yun had a neat lineup and high morale, and it was obvious that they were well prepared.

Zhao Yun himself was wearing silver armor, holding a spear, standing in front of the formation, like an inviolable god of war.

Tufa Shoutian was secretly planning to annihilate all of Zhao Yun's troops here, but now it seems that it is an impossible task.

Retreat became the only option. At least one could keep himself useful and wait for a comeback in the future.

Having made up his mind, Tuoba Shoutian immediately summoned Tuoba Liwei.

Tuoba Liwei, a general with a high reputation among the Xianbei people, wears tight leather armor, has eyes as sharp as an eagle, and has a nimble body. Although he is not very old, one can tell at a glance that he is a veteran of many battles.

Upon receiving the summons, he quickly came before Tuoba Shoutian, bowed, and waited for orders.

Tufa Shoutian said straight to the point without any hesitation: "Tuoba Liwei, you will lead your troops to intercept the Han army immediately and buy time for me to retreat. I will lead my troops to attack the rear of the Han army and disrupt their formation."

When Tuoba Liwei heard this, his expression changed slightly, and an indescribable anger surged in his heart.

He could see that Tufa Shoutian's so-called "sneak attack from behind" was actually an attempt to take the opportunity to escape, putting himself and his subordinates in danger.

However, as a subject, what could he do? Tuoba Liwei suppressed his anger, forced out a trace of respect, and replied: "Yes, Khan."

Tuoba Shoutian looked at Tuoba Liwei's back as he turned and left, a sneer appearing on the corner of his mouth.

He secretly calculated in his mind that Tuoba Liwei had a high reputation among the Xianbei, and this was a good opportunity to consume his strength and weaken his influence in the tribe.

However, Tuoba Shoutian never expected that Tuoba Liwei already had other plans in mind.

After returning to his tribe's camp, Tuoba Liwei immediately summoned his confidants for secret discussions.

His eyes were firm and his tone was resolute: "Tufa Shoutian is obviously going to abandon us this time. If the Xianbei follow him, they will be destroyed sooner or later. We can't just sit there and wait for death. I have decided to surrender to the Han!"

Upon hearing this, the close associates looked at each other in bewilderment, but then expressed their support.

They knew that although Tuoba Liwei's move was bold, it was the only way to preserve the entire tribe and perhaps even gain more benefits for the Xianbei in the future.

Therefore, Tuoba Liwei immediately sent someone to contact the Han army and expressed his willingness to surrender. The messenger passed through the smoke of the battlefield, carefully approached the Han army camp, and finally successfully conveyed Tuoba Liwei's wishes to Zhao Yun.

When Zhao Yun heard Tuoba Liwei's intention to surrender, his eyebrows raised slightly and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

But he soon regained his composure, and after thinking for a moment, he said to the messenger: "Go back and tell Tuoba Liwei that as long as he sincerely surrenders, our Han army will treat him with courtesy."

The messenger took the order and left, and soon brought Zhao Yun's words back to Tuoba Liwei's camp.

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Liwei felt relieved, and at the same time he secretly admired Zhao Yun's broad-mindedness and magnanimity.

This step I took was the right one.

At this time, Tufa Shoutian was leading his defeated troops and retreating in a panic.

Although he felt some regret in his heart, he was more uncertain and fearful about the future.

He didn't know whether his decision would lead the entire Xianbei tribe into an abyss of no return.

On the battlefield, the confrontation between the Han army and the Xianbei army continued, but the situation had quietly changed.

Tuoba Liwei's surrender undoubtedly added a powerful force to the Han army, while Tuoba Shoutian's retreat caused the morale of the Xianbei army to plummet to the bottom.

On the battlefield, the winner has been decided! (End of this chapter)