Shuhan

In the hot summer, the sun is as hot as fire, baking the earth hot.

The official road in Dai County was dusty, with occasional breezes blowing by, but they also brought a hot atmosphere.

In such scorching hot weather, the nobles and elders of Dai County were summoned to the county magistrate's office.

Liu Chan, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, was dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe, wearing a jade crown, and sitting upright in the hall.

Although his face was a little childish, his brows revealed an unquestionable majesty. His eyes swept over everyone present, with both scrutiny and expectation in them, as if he could see into the deepest secrets of people's hearts.

"Everyone." Liu Chan spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful.

"Dai County is a newly acquired territory of the Han Dynasty, and there is a lot of work to be done. I have come here in person today to discuss major plans with you to calm the people and stabilize the situation."

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of discussion arose from below.

These nobles and powerful families were all well-dressed and had arrogant looks. Although they surrendered on the surface, they were unwilling in their hearts.

Liu Chan knew this very well, so he had already prepared a strategy.

"I have decided." Liu Chan continued, his voice rising a few degrees.

"I will set up a military academy in Dai County to train military talents and defend the territory. At the same time, I will appoint a group of officials from the military academy to serve as officials at all levels in Dai County to ensure that government orders are smooth and the people are at peace."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a burst of discussion in the audience.

Since people from the Military Academy are employed in management at all levels, doesn't that mean that all the power in Dai County has been divided?

The nobles and powerful families looked at each other in dismay. Although they were dissatisfied, due to the emperor's majesty, no one dared to openly oppose it.

after all
Just now, the emperor conferred titles on them and sent the children of each family to the Military Academy.

Once you have received benefits from others, you will feel embarrassed to object.

Seeing this, Liu Chan curled up the corners of his mouth into a barely perceptible smile.

It would be difficult to convince the people with just an imperial edict, but now that he had come to Dai County in person and offered official positions and titles in exchange, the resistance naturally decreased greatly.

In the following days, Liu Chan frequently appeared at the appointment ceremonies of officials at all levels. Each appearance was like a carefully choreographed ceremony, demonstrating the dignity and majesty of a king.

The sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds and shone onto the courtyard of the County Governor's Mansion, adding a sacred atmosphere to this solemn scene.

Liu Chan was wearing a dragon robe with fluttering sleeves.

His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could see into the depths of everyone's soul.

When he stood on the high platform and personally handed the heavy official seals to each official, those hands not only conveyed power and responsibility, but also conveyed trust and expectation.

"You are all the pillars of our Han Dynasty, shouldering the important task of protecting the country and the people." Liu Chan's voice was deep and magnetic, and every word struck clearly in everyone's heart.

"I hope you will perform your duties conscientiously, be honest and dedicated, and take it as your responsibility to benefit the people."

His words not only expressed his high expectations for officials, but also implied his zero tolerance for corruption.

Liu Chan knew very well that the prosperity of a country was inseparable from the integrity, diligence and love for the people of its officials.

Therefore, after each appointment, he would have an in-depth conversation with each new official individually.

In these private exchanges, Liu Chan showed a side that was completely different from that in the court.

He became more approachable, and even occasionally smiled gently, making people feel friendly and warm.

He would listen patiently to officials' thoughts and confusions and give them valuable advice and encouragement.

"When you are an official, you should benefit the people. You should put the people first, and be concerned about their urgent needs and worries." Liu Chan's words were full of affection and kindness.

"Only in this way can we win the support and respect of the people."

Whenever this happened, the officials would feel a great sense of responsibility and would be moved by Liu Chan's sincerity and wisdom.

They all expressed that they would live up to their mission and do their utmost to contribute to the prosperity and stability of the Han Dynasty.

The Liu family has a natural ability to collect people's hearts, so we can't lose it.

With Liu Chan's personal participation and promotion, government offices at all levels in Dai County soon regained new vitality.

Officials performed their duties and worked diligently, ensuring that government affairs were handled in an orderly manner.

At the same time, they also actively responded to Liu Chan's call, went deep into the people, understood their sufferings, and solved their problems.

During the ten days in Dai County, Liu Chan was not only busy with government affairs, but also often made private visits in disguise to understand the people's sentiments.

He wore ordinary people's clothes, walked on the country roads, talked with farmers and asked about their harvest; at the market, he bargained with vendors and experienced folk life.

These actions established his image as a benevolent monarch in the hearts of the people.

of course
The so-called incognito visits are only carried out under conditions that safety is guaranteed.

Ten days later, the northern tour army was ready to set off towards Shanggu County, the heart of Dai County.

In Shanggu County, Liu Chan also adopted a strategy of combining kindness and severity. On the one hand, he appointed local prestigious nobles as officials, and on the other hand, he strengthened the training of the army to prevent accidents.

During the ten days in Shanggu County, Liu Chan personally supervised several cases and severely punished the bullies who oppressed the people, which greatly improved the public security in Shanggu County.

Afterwards, through the propaganda of the Jianjunsi, the image of the holy emperor of the Han Dynasty was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Finally, the army marched towards Guangyang County.

The geographical location of Guangyang County is very important. It connects the Han Dynasty with the northern counties and is a place that military strategists must fight for.

However, in Ji County, Guangyang County, there was a person who gave Liu Chan a headache - Gongsun Yuan.

Gongsun Yuan was originally the son of Gongsun Du, the governor of Liaodong. After inheriting his father's business, he was ambitious and attempted to establish his own regime.

However, under the attack from both the Han Dynasty and Cao Wei, his power gradually declined.

Now, he is hiding in Ji County, barely surviving, but he is still unwilling to surrender.

When Liu Chan's army arrived at the city of Ji County, Gongsun Yuan sent envoys to seek peace.

The messenger was an old man in his fifties. He was dressed in gorgeous clothes, holding a staff, and had a respectful look with a hint of arrogance.

"Lord Gongsun is willing to submit to the emperor, but requests to retain some troops for self-defense." said the envoy.

Liu Chan frowned slightly when he heard this.

He knew that Gongsun Yuan was testing his bottom line.

Liu Chan then said in a deep voice: "If Gongsun Yuan truly wants to surrender, he should lead all the soldiers and civilians in the city to surrender, and not retain a single soldier. Otherwise, it would be disobedience, and I will personally lead the army to attack the city!"

When the messenger heard this, his expression changed drastically. He did not expect Liu Chan to be so tough.

In the end, he could only shake his head helplessly and turn away.

Gongsun Yuan was unwilling to surrender, so the Han army did not wait any longer and began to attack the city immediately!

The Han army came like a tide and surrounded Ji County.

On the city wall, mottled marks record the brutal fighting in recent days, and the tattered flags flutter weakly in the wind, as if it is the last struggle of this isolated city.

The soldiers defending the city were dressed in rags, their eyes filled with fatigue and despair.

They hadn't slept for many days, and hunger and sleepiness tortured their bodies and minds, but even so, they still had to hold on to the crumbling city wall.

Gongsun Yuan stood at a corner of the city wall, gazing into the distance with deep eyes.

Although his face was calm, the anxiety in his heart was surging like the tide.

The Wei State had already retreated, the Han army was at its peak, and even the Han Emperor Liu Chan was personally supervising the battle. It seemed that Gongsun Yuan really had no chance of turning the tables.

However, as the lord of a city, he could not show the slightest weakness.

He had to cheer up and boost morale, even if it was just a last-ditch effort. He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound firm and powerful: "Defend the city!"

After hearing this order, although the soldiers were reluctant, they had no choice but to grit their teeth, pick up their weapons again, and prepare for a new round of siege.

The Han army's offensive was as fierce as a storm, and the sound of war drums and shouts were deafening.

Catapults hurled huge stones at the city walls, which shook with each impact.

The soldiers tried their best and used their flesh and blood to resist the attack of the Han army.

Their arrows fell like raindrops, trying to stop the Han army's progress.

However, the Han army's offensive became more and more fierce.

They used ladders and siege vehicles to climb up the city walls.

Although the soldiers fought bravely, they were ultimately unable to withstand the Han army's massive offensive.

The Emperor of the Han Dynasty is here in person, and the chance to turn things around may be right before their eyes. Every soldier in the Han army is like a chicken with its blood pumped up, fearless and courageous!

A section of the city wall was breached and the Han army poured into the city like a tide.

When Gongsun Yuan saw this, he couldn't help but feel a surge of tragic emotion in his heart.

This moment finally arrived. He drew his sword and rushed towards the Han army, shouting, as if he was going to defend the last dignity of this isolated city with his own life.

The soldiers were also moved by his courage and took up their weapons, engaging in a desperate battle with the Han army.

However, despite their best efforts, they were ultimately unable to change the outcome.

The Han army had too many people, and their offensive was like a tide that could not be stopped.

In the end, Gongsun Yuan was captured by the Han army, and Ji County fell completely into the hands of the Han army.

On the way to the Han camp, Gongsun Yuan looked back at the ruined city wall, his heart filled with endless emotion.

It's all over now.

His dreams, his glory, everything he had, all vanished with the fall of this lonely city.

However, even so, he never regretted his choice.

How could Gongsun Yuan be a slave?
The days that Gongsun Yuan occupied Youzhou were like thin ice in winter, short and precarious.

His rule was like a candle in the dark night, flickering but eventually extinguished.

Liu Chan did not show any hesitation or mercy.

He ordered that Gongsun Yuan be immediately imprisoned and sent to the East Market to be beheaded, in order to make it known to the world that rebels would not have a good end.

At the execution ground in East Market, the wind was cold and the crowd was silent. All that could be heard was Gongsun Yuan's heavy breathing and the sharp sound of the blade being unsheathed.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze, until the flash of the knife, Gongsun Yuan's life withered like a fallen leaf, and his story was buried in the dust of history.

With the death of Gongsun Yuan, the land of Youzhou finally returned to the embrace of the Han army, ending the brief division and turmoil.

Liu Chan knew very well that to truly stabilize Youzhou, relying on military force alone was far from enough, and he also needed to win the hearts of the people.

He personally led civil and military officials into Ji County and began his journey of appeasement.

In Ji County, people lined the streets to greet them. Their faces showed both hope for the future and fear of past wars.

In order to alleviate the people's suffering from hunger, Liu Chan ordered the granaries to be opened and grain to be released. For a time, the granaries in Ji County were crowded with people, and grain poured into thousands of households like water, warming countless trembling hearts.

At the same time, Liu Chan also specially met with local nobles and powerful people, treated them with courtesy, listened to their opinions and suggestions, and demonstrated the breadth of mind and magnanimity that a wise ruler should have.

To stabilize Youzhou, we must unite all forces that can be united and build this land together.

After all, in a year or two, when we go south to destroy Wei, we will still need to rely on Youzhou's logistics.

After the situation in Guangyang County gradually stabilized, Liu Chan decided to continue south to Zhuo County.

Zhuo County, a place of extraordinary significance to the Han Dynasty, is the birthplace of the late Emperor Liu Bei.

The day we arrived in Zhuo County, the sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly.

Liu Chan held a grand meeting in the hall of Zhuo County and invited people from the Liu family of Zhuo County to attend.

In the lobby, the candlelight was brilliant and the atmosphere was solemn and warm.

Liu Chan sat upright on a high hall, his eyes sweeping over everyone present. His look was both majestic and friendly.

He began to speak, his voice deep and infectious: "Zhuo County is the birthplace of our Han Dynasty. The former emperor came from here. Today, I stand here not only to remember the past, but also to look forward to the future. I want to make Youzhou a solid backing for our Han Dynasty. Next year, we will destroy Wei from Youzhou. You are all descendants of the Han Dynasty Emperor Liu. Are you willing to lend me a hand?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall responded. Some were so excited that their eyes were filled with tears, while others knelt on the ground, expressing their willingness to serve the Han Dynasty.

Liu Chan was greatly relieved when he saw this.

Next, Liu Chan began to select talented people, whether they were civil officials or military generals, as long as they had real talents and knowledge, he would generously grant them official positions and titles, in order to encourage more people to contribute their strength to the revival of the Han Dynasty.

At the same time, he also recruited a large number of students to the Military Academy to cultivate future military talents, both to strengthen national defense and to stabilize the people's hearts, so that people can see hope and believe in the future.

Different from the bustling Youzhou.

Luoyang, thousands of miles away.

It is already autumn.

In September of the sixth year of Tianming, the cool autumn wind blew up the fallen leaves in Luoyang City. They floated among the empty palaces like rootless duckweed.

Gongsun Yuan's defeat was as irreversible as the change of seasons. The news that Liu Chan, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, had personally led his army to Zhuo County spread like a bird with wings, quickly flying to every corner of the Wei State, and finally landed in the deep Taiji Hall of the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

Inside the Taiji Hall, Wei Emperor Cao Rui sat on the dragon throne, his face looking particularly solemn in the dim candlelight.

Outside the window, the autumn wind is bleak and the fallen leaves are flying, as if foreshadowing the coming severe winter and an unknown fate.

Cao Rui's eyes were flickering, a complex emotion mixed with fear and panic.

His fingers unconsciously tapped on the armrest, making a "dong dong" sound, which was particularly harsh in this silent hall.

However, as the king of a country, Cao Rui quickly calmed down and regained his usual composure.

There is no point in panicking at this moment. Only through calm analysis can we find a solution to the situation.

Liu Chan's arrival undoubtedly brought tremendous pressure to the State of Wei.

Jizhou has no mountains or rivers to rely on, so the Han army can undoubtedly move south from here faster than by attacking Luoyang from Hongnong County.

What's more, the Han Dynasty now possessed a powerful cavalry whose mobility and combat effectiveness were terrifying.

Cao Rui looked through the window lattice into the distance, his heart full of worry.

The next battle may very well be a decisive battle for the survival of the Wei State.

If Wei succeeds, its national destiny will still be preserved; if it fails, Wei will be doomed to failure.

Such pressure made Cao Rui feel unprecedentedly heavy.

"Exorcise evil spirits." Cao Rui's voice rang out in the empty hall.

Upon hearing the voice, Bixie immediately walked in from outside the hall, his steps were steady and his expression was solemn.

As a favorite of the emperor, Bixie knew how critical the situation was at the moment.

"Go to Hongnong quickly and summon General Sima Yi." Cao Rui's speech was not fast, but every word revealed his firmness and determination.

Sima Yi was currently the most outstanding general of the Wei State and the only one who could fight against the Han army.

As for his idea of ​​using his own people, there is naturally no need to fight for power at a time when the country is facing a crisis.

First ensure the survival of the Wei State, then seize power!

Bixie obeyed the order and turned to leave, but was stopped by Cao Rui: "Wait, tell Sima Yi to come quickly."

Bixie nodded, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

With the departure of the evil spirit, the Taiji Hall fell into silence again.

Cao Rui's eyes became deeper. He seemed to see the future battlefield and the desperate fight between the Wei army and the Han army.

In his heart there is both a desire for victory and a fear of failure.

But no matter what, he must face it and take on the responsibility as a king.

Ten days later.

Sima Yi in Hongnong also received an urgent summons from Cao Rui.

He knew very well that this must be related to the current situation.

There was a hint of worry in Sima Yi's eyes, but more of it was determination.

As a general of the Wei State, he must stand up and fight for the survival of the country.

At this moment, he had no other choice.

Sima Yi quickly reorganized the army, arranged the affairs of Hongnong County, and led a part of the army to Luoyang.

On the way to Luoyang, Sima Yi's thoughts were in a state of confusion.

He recalled his many battles with the Han army, each of which was a thrilling contest.

The strength of the Han army lies not only in its military strength, but also in its outstanding generals and tactics, and even more in its strong national strength and weapons and equipment.

This time, he must find a way to crack the Han army's tactics in order to ensure the safety of Wei.

Lost again
The State of Wei had no further chance of being defeated.

The country’s destruction is imminent.

Once upon a time, the current situation of Wei State is the same as Liu Bei's situation back then.

But why, in less than ten years, the situation completely reversed?
Liu Chan!

If you don't die, how can the Wei Dynasty survive? (End of this chapter)