Shuhan

Time flies like a white horse, and it is gone in a flash. A year passed quietly in the confrontation between Han and Wei.

During this year, every inch of land on the border between the two countries seemed to be shrouded in the shadow of war, but it was also pregnant with vitality in the undercurrent.

The Han and Wei states are now on the verge of a war, and each is intensively preparing for the upcoming decisive battle within its vast territory.

In northern Hebei, the autumn breeze brings a cool breeze, and the golden rice fields shine brightly in the sun.

Since Sima Yi took over northern Ji last year, he has used his extraordinary ability to govern the country to manage this land in an orderly manner.

He was well versed in farming. He not only improved farm tools but also introduced new irrigation techniques, allowing farmland in northern Hebei to maintain a good harvest even in the dry season.

Now, it is the autumn of the eighth year of Tianming. In the fields of northern Hebei, the heavy rice hangs its head as if announcing to the world the bumper harvest of this year.

Under Sima Yi's careful planning, the gentry in southern Hebei also moved northward. They brought advanced farming techniques and rich management experience. After stationing troops among the people in northern Hebei, they created the miracle of this season.

In the warehouses of the fortress, food was piled up like mountains, and each warehouse was full, enough to support a year's food supply.

The people's faces were filled with satisfied smiles. They knew that these grains were not only the result of their hard work, but also a solid backing for future wars.

In Youzhou, the Han army's farming operations also achieved remarkable results.

For a year, officials from various counties in Youzhou fought side by side with soldiers to reclaim wasteland, build water conservancy projects, and plant crops.

They worked under the scorching sun, braved the wind and rain, and used their sweat to water the green fields.

Now, Youzhou's granaries were gradually filling up, providing the material basis for the Han army to move south.

On the border between Han and Wei, the army was densely packed and battle flags were fluttering.

In the Han army's tent, the generals sat in a circle, discussing the strategy of marching south.

The main general Zhao Yun had a resolute expression and his eyes revealed his determination to win.

He slowly stood up, looked around at the generals, and said in a low and powerful voice: "Everyone, we have waited for this day for too long. The harvest in Bingzhou and the farming in Youzhou are all our preparations for this war. Now, it's time to show the people of Wei our strength!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals stood up and responded in unison, their morale high.

They knew that this war not only concerned the honor and disgrace of the country, but also the fate of each and every one of them.

Under the leadership of Zhao Yun, the Han army began to strengthen training, sharpen their swords and spears, and prepare for the upcoming war.

On the border of Wei, Sima Yi also felt the Han army's preparations.

He stood on the city wall, looking at the Han army camp in the distance with a frown on his face.

Sima Yi knew very well that after a year of preparation, the Han army's strength was no longer what it used to be.

He had to take action to consolidate the border defenses while finding a way to defeat the enemy.

Sima Yi summoned his advisers and generals to discuss countermeasures.

During the meeting, Sima Yi's adviser proposed a bold plan: "Your Majesty, we can use the route that the Han army must take to the south to set up an ambush, wait for them to tire themselves out, and defeat the Han army in one fell swoop."

Sima Yi shook his head and said, "We can hold the fortress and wait until the Han army is exhausted. Then I will go out of the city to attack. If we set up an ambush, I am afraid we will fall into the Han army's trap."

As tensions on the border between Han and Wei continued to escalate, the smell of war became increasingly strong in the land of China.

The people of Youzhou and Jizhou also felt the urgency of the front line.

They prayed that the war would end soon and that peace and tranquility would return to this land.

However, once the wheels of war start, they are difficult to stop.

The soldiers of the Han and Wei dynasties, with their respective missions and beliefs, embarked on this journey full of unknowns and dangers.

They knew that this war was not only for the benefit of the country, but also for their own future and ideals.

Whether he can ennoble his wife and provide benefits for his son depends on this battle.

In fact, the two sides have already started an open contest.

In order to weaken the strength of Wei, the Han State decided to take the initiative.

They knew very well that as an important granary of the Wei State, the success or failure of the autumn harvest in northern Hebei was directly related to the Wei State's war potential.

Therefore, the Han Emperor Liu Bei resolutely decided to send the Xianbei army to northern Hebei, attempting to disrupt Wei's autumn harvest process through force.

The Xianbei army was famous for its bravery in battle and its superb riding skills.

They rode on tall horses, wielding sharp sabers, sweeping over like an unstoppable gust of wind.

However, when they set foot in northern Hebei, they encountered unprecedented challenges.

The aristocratic fortresses in northern Hebei are scattered across the vast fields like stars in a maze.

These forts are not only extremely strong, but also complement each other to form an insurmountable line of defense.

Although the Xianbei army was brave, they were like being stuck in a quagmire in front of these densely packed forts, unable to display their strength.

Whenever the Xianbei cavalry tried to advance into the fields and destroy the crops, the Wei forts would respond quickly.

They sent out elite soldiers, using familiar terrain and the cover of forts to divide and encircle the Xianbei army.

Although the Xianbei army was brave, they seemed unable to cope with the tactic of being divided and surrounded.

After several battles, the Xianbei army suffered heavy losses and had to retreat to the border of the Han Dynasty.

Their failure not only disappointed the Han emperor, but also made the Han soldiers realize that Wei's fortress defense line was not easy to break.

At the same time, the State of Wei did not sit idly by.

They knew very well that the Han Dynasty's autumn harvest in Youzhou was equally important.

In order to disrupt the autumn harvest process of the Han State, the Wei State also tried to send cavalry to Youzhou to harass.

However, compared with the Han State, the Wei State's cavalry strength was obviously insufficient.

Not only were they outnumbered, but they also found it difficult to compete with the Han cavalry in terms of riding skills and combat effectiveness.

After several attempts, Wei State helplessly discovered that their cavalry could not gain a foothold on the border of Han State.

Whenever they tried to approach the Han farmlands, they were met with fierce counterattacks from the Han cavalry.

Under such circumstances, Wei had to abandon its plan to interfere with Han's autumn harvest by force.

However, the State of Wei did not give up.

They know very well that war is not just a contest of military strength, but also a game of wisdom and strategy.

As a result, the Wei State's School Affairs Office began to take secret actions. They sent spies to infiltrate the Han State, attempting to disrupt the internal stability of the Han State through conspiracy and assassination.

These spies were agile and meticulous. They lurked in every corner of the Han State, looking for opportunities to strike.

However, the Han Dynasty was not defenseless.

Their intelligence agencies were equally powerful and had long been aware of Wei's conspiracy.

Therefore, whenever Wei's spies tried to take action, they would be severely cracked down by Han's intelligence agencies.

In this open contest, both Han and Wei made tremendous efforts.

But the only way to determine the real victory or defeat is through battle!
September of the eighth year of Tianming of the Han Dynasty.

Under the city of Zhuo County, a huge army that stretched as far as the eye could see gathered, and the black crowd surged like a tide.

The elite Han troops stood side by side with the newly recruited Youzhou soldiers, their armor shining coldly in the sun.

What is even more striking is that among this army, there are many Xianbei people. They come from the northern grasslands and have unique wildness and ferocity.

The army had a total of 100,000 people. If the civilians responsible for logistics were included, the number might have exceeded 200,000. With flags flying and huge crowds of people, the scene was magnificent.

Among these numerous Xianbei people, two figures are particularly eye-catching.

Tuoba Liwei and Kebi Neng, the two leaders who originally had deep conflicts within the Xianbei, were now summoned by Liu Chan.

They were intimidated by the power of the Han Dynasty and dared not lead their troops in person. They each led the warriors of their tribe to join the upcoming war.

Liu Chan stood on a high platform under the city of Zhuojun, looking at the spectacular scene before him, with infinite pride surging in his heart.

He was wearing armor, holding a long sword, and looked heroic. Behind him were the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty, who were either solemn or excited, witnessing this historical moment together.

The pre-war oath-taking ceremony began. As the drums sounded, the army knelt on the ground in unison.

Liu Chan raised his sword and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, we gather here today to defend our homeland and to defend the dignity of the Han Dynasty!"

His voice was loud and powerful, penetrating the crowd and reaching everyone's heart.

"The enemy in front of us is powerful and brutal, but we are fearless!"

Liu Chan continued: "Because we have an unyielding will and a belief in victory! We must let the enemy know that the men of the Han Dynasty will never be conquered!"

"Restore the Han Dynasty and return the old capital!"

"Long live His Majesty! May the Han army win!"

As Liu Chan finished speaking, the army burst into thunderous cheers.

"Long live His Majesty! May the Han army win!"

"Long live His Majesty! May the Han army win!"

"Long live His Majesty! May the Han army win!"

They waved their weapons, shouted slogans, and their morale was extremely high.

At this moment, both the Han army and the Xianbei people forgot the barriers and contradictions between them. They had only one common goal in their hearts - to defeat the Wei army and take over northern Ji!
Liu Chan looked at the excited crowd in front of him and nodded with satisfaction.

The victory of this war depends not only on the number and equipment of the army, but also on the morale and determination of the soldiers.

And at this moment, he has seen the hope of victory.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Liu Chan waved his hand and ordered the army to set off.

Amid the deafening sound of drums and trumpets, an army of two hundred thousand strong rolled towards the front line like a giant dragon.

They have only one goal - to defeat the Wei army and defend the territory and people of the Han Kingdom!
now.

The land of northern Hebei is vast and has thousands of miles of fertile soil. However, this land has borne too much war and vicissitudes.

Although Wei usurped the Han Dynasty and brought decades of relative peace, most of the young nobles had never experienced real war and chaos, let alone witnessed the spectacular scene of hundreds of thousands of troops stationed on the border.

Li Ding of the Pingji Li clan was one of these young aristocrats.

He came to northern Hebei late and was assigned to the place closest to the front line. Although the land here is fertile, due to its special geographical location, few people are willing to occupy it.

When Li Ding first arrived, he was secretly glad in his heart, thinking that as long as he relied on the reputation of the Great Wei and stayed in the fortress, he would be safe.

However, when the Han army's massive troops really appeared before his eyes, Li Ding was instantly filled with fear.

The dark army came like a tide, countless flags fluttering in the wind, the neighing of war horses and the shouts of soldiers intertwined together to form a heart-stirring war song.

And those siege weapons made him even more frightened.

The huge figures of catapults stood in the distance, like giant beasts, ready to throw huge rocks at the fort at any time.

Li Ding was standing on the city wall of the fort, looking at the Han army outside, his heart filled with worry.

The troops he had were far inferior to those of the Han army, and the defensive facilities of the fort were not indestructible.

He began to doubt whether he could really stop the Han army's attack.

This worry was like a huge rock pressing on his heart, making him unable to sleep at night and lose his appetite.

For Li Ding, the three days seemed like three centuries.

He kept pacing back and forth on the city wall, sometimes looking up into the distance, sometimes looking down in deep thought.

His heart was full of contradictions and struggles. He wanted to surrender to save his life, but he was worried about being laughed at by his clansmen and even more afraid of being blamed by the State of Wei.

Just when Li Ding was deeply entangled, the Han army sent an envoy.

The messenger rode a tall warhorse, dressed in gorgeous armor, and holding a banner, and slowly came to the foot of the fort.

He shouted loudly: "General Li Ding, my emperor has ordered that as long as you are willing to surrender, your family will be safe and sound, and you will enjoy endless wealth and glory!"

After hearing this, Li Ding's heart moved.

He wanted to agree immediately, but then he changed his mind and felt that he could not surrender so easily, otherwise the Han army would look down on him.
So, he pretended to be tough and said: "I am a minister of the Great Wei. How can I surrender to you rebels so easily? You'd better give up this idea!"

After hearing this, the envoy smiled and said, "General Li, why are you so stubborn? The world will eventually unite after a long period of division. The fate of Wei is over. Why don't you obey the will of heaven and submit to your Majesty? This is the best policy!"

Li Ding felt even more conflicted after hearing this.

He knew that what the messenger said made sense, but the loyalty and pride in his heart made it difficult for him to make a decision.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "This matter is of great importance, I need time to think about it."

After hearing this, the messenger nodded and said, "Okay, I'll give you a day to think about it. I hope General Li can make a wise choice."

After saying this, the messenger turned his horse around and slowly left.

Li Ding looked at the envoy's departing back, feeling mixed emotions.

He knew that he had to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise he would have no chance of winning once the Han army launched a fierce attack.

So he went back into the house and began to think hard, while at the same time sending people to ask for help, asking the Wei army to come to support as soon as possible.

However, just as Li Ding was hesitating, the Han army suddenly launched a fierce attack.

The catapult came roaring, and huge stones fell on the fort like raindrops, instantly blasting the city wall into pieces.

Then, the Han army swarmed in and poured towards the fort like a tide.

Li Ding was shocked when he saw this.

He originally wanted to hold out for a few more days and then surrender so that he could be sold for a good price and be worthy of his clansmen in his homeland.

But at this moment, he knew he had no choice.

He immediately ordered his soldiers to fight to the death, but the Han army was large in number and their attack was fierce, and the gunpowder soon blew open the gate of the fort.

Li Ding looked at the surging Han army and his heart was filled with despair.

He knew that he had no way out.

hiss~
He took a deep breath, drew his sword, and shouted, "Brothers, follow me! Fight the Han army to the death!"

However, his soldiers had already lost their fighting spirit.

They looked at the surging Han army, their hearts filled with fear and despair.

They dropped their weapons and knelt in surrender.

Seeing this, Li Ding felt even more desperate.

He looked at his subordinates Zhuang Wei who had once fought alongside him, but were now kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy from the enemy. His heart was filled with grief, indignation and helplessness.

Just then, a Han army general walked up to Li Ding.

He looked at Li Ding, smiled and said: "General Li, why are you so persistent? Now that the situation is hopeless, why don't you surrender to my master? This is the best strategy!"

Li Ding looked at the general, his heart filled with bitterness.

He knew that he had no choice.

He sighed, dropped his sword, and knelt in surrender.

The Han generals laughed when they saw this.

He ordered his men to escort Li Ding away, preparing to bring him back to the camp to ask for credit and reward from the emperor.

This war was undoubtedly a nightmare for Li Ding.

Li Ding thought to himself: If I had known this earlier, I would not have gotten involved in this mess.

The Han army's offensive was unstoppable, and the defeat of the Pingji Li clan was only the beginning! (End of this chapter)