Shuhan

Since the intention was to destroy Wei, there would naturally be a manifesto to destroy Wei.

Small facing up.

Liu Chan sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes as sharp as torches, scanning the ministers below the steps, his heart surging with the ambition to restore the Han Dynasty.

He spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "The Wei thief Cao Rui usurped the Han Dynasty and established himself as king. He oppressed the people and caused complaints throughout the country. I want to attack him to rectify the world and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty. However, I have a legitimate reason to do so and need an article to announce it to the world. Who is willing to write this article for me to declare the destruction of Wei Cao Rui?"

After he finished speaking, a scholar stepped out from the stairs. His name was Qiao Zhou. He was extremely talented, and there was a sense of righteousness in his writing.

Seeing this, Liu Chan nodded slightly and motioned him to come forward.

Qiao Zhou took the order, spread out the paper and ground the ink, picked up the brush and dipped it in the rich ink, pondered for a moment, then splashed the ink and finished it in one go.

Its text says:
"I have heard that the Emperor has no relatives, only virtue is his support; the people's hearts are fickle, only kindness is his concern. In the past, our great Han Dynasty, Gaozu Long rose, Guangwu Zhongxing, 400 years of foundation, benefiting the people.

However, ever since the Wei thief Cao Rui usurped the throne, the order of heaven has been weakened, the kingly way has been lost, the people have suffered, and the whole world is in turmoil.

Cao Rui is a man of wicked heart and bad behavior. He stole the sacred artifacts and presumptuously claimed to be the supreme ruler. His policies were harsh and strict, and the taxes were heavy, making the people's lives miserable. His army was violent and harassed the four borders, and wars were raging all over the country. If this thief is not eliminated, the Han Dynasty will be difficult to revive, and there will be no peace in the world!
I, Liu Chan, have inherited the teachings of my ancestors and have been blessed by Heaven to ascend the throne as emperor. I vow to wipe out all evil and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty.

Today, I personally lead a large army to march north to the Central Plains, vowing to fight a decisive battle with the Wei bandits.

My generals and soldiers are all loyal and brave men. They swear to cut off Cao Rui's head to offer sacrifice to the spirits of heaven, earth and ancestors.

Moreover, the Wei traitor Cao Rui's behavior was so despicable that it could not be tolerated by heaven and earth.

His father, Cao Cao, oppressed the Han Dynasty and abused power to rule the country, which was already a heinous crime; Cao Rui succeeded him and went even further, usurping the Han Dynasty and establishing himself as the emperor, which was truly a heinous crime.

I attacked it not for my own selfish reasons, but for the sake of the people of the world and the continuation of the Han Dynasty.

I write this manifesto to announce it to the world.

I hope that people with lofty ideals will rise up and join in this righteous cause.

The flag of the Great Han will be hoisted all over the Central Plains; the might of the Great Han will shock the nations around the world.

If the Wei thief Cao Rui knew the current situation, he would surrender quickly to avoid a catastrophic disaster.

Otherwise, once my army arrives, we will all be destroyed together, and it will be too late to regret!"

Qiao Zhou put down his pen, and Liu Chan read it. He found that his writing was sharp and powerful. Every word and sentence was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, pointing directly at the heart of the Wei thief Cao Rui.

Liu Chan couldn't help but clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Great! This article is enough to shock the enemy and boost morale. Pass the order down, immediately copy many copies and spread them throughout the world, so that everyone knows my determination to attack Wei!"

Thus, this manifesto of the Han Dynasty to destroy Cao Rui of Wei spread quickly throughout the Central Plains like a sudden thunder in spring.

When the people heard it, they were all excited and responded to Liu Chan's call; when the soldiers read it, their blood boiled and they vowed to follow Your Majesty to the north to conquer the Central Plains and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty.

For a time, the entire Han Dynasty was united in their hatred of the enemy.

As the warm spring sun gradually dispels the severe cold of winter, on the land of Jizhou and Youzhou, patches of tender green wheat seedlings sway gently in the breeze, heralding another year's harvest is in sight.

However, beneath this vibrant scene, the dark cloud of war that concerns the fate of the country is quietly looming.

In Yecheng, this ancient and majestic city, is experiencing unprecedented hustle and bustle.

Outside the city gate, there was an endless stream of horse-drawn carriages loaded with grain, cloth, and weapons. They came from all over Jizhou and Youzhou, like small streams, eventually converging into an unstoppable torrent and pouring into Yecheng.

These supplies are the guarantee of life for the soldiers who are about to go to war, and are also an important support for them to defeat the enemy.

On the top of Yecheng City, a general in armor was gazing at the busy scene below. His eyes showed both desire for victory and worry about war.

The general's name was Zhao Yun, also known as Zilong. He was famous for his bravery, fighting skills, loyalty and fearlessness.

At this moment, his eyes passed through the overlapping crowds and piles of supplies, as if he had already seen the flashing of swords and shadows on the future battlefield, and heard the neighing of war horses and the shouts of soldiers.

"General Zilong, look at this scene, it's really spectacular!" a young deputy general exclaimed on the side.

His name was Ma Su. Although young, he was talented and a younger generation whom Zhao Yun admired very much.

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "Yes, this war is related to the rise and fall of our Han Dynasty. We must go all out. However, war is cruel. I hope we can win at the lowest cost."

As they were talking, teams of conscripted laborers poured in from the city gate. Some of them carried supplies on their shoulders or in their hands, while others pushed carts and pulled horses to transport batches of supplies to designated warehouses.

Among these laborers, there are elderly men and young children. Their faces are filled with fatigue and helplessness, but their eyes sparkle with love for their homeland and hope for the future.

Zhao Yun looked at these civilians and couldn't help feeling a complicated emotion in his heart.

He knew that for the sake of national peace, these ordinary people had to put down their farm tools, leave their familiar land and join this brutal war.

As time went on, the supplies and manpower in Yecheng increased, and soon reached an astonishing number - 80,000 combat soldiers and 100,000 civilians, known as an army of 300,000.

These soldiers and civilians come from all corners of the country. They have different backgrounds and experiences, but at this moment they are gathered together to fight for the same goal.

In the military camp of Yecheng, the soldiers were conducting intensive pre-war training.

They were either wielding spears and swords, or practicing archery and horsemanship, and every movement revealed their firm determination and tenacious fighting spirit.

Zhao Yun shuttled around in the military camp, giving encouragement and guidance to the soldiers from time to time. His figure became the most beautiful scenery in the military camp.

At the same time, in Qinghe County, another Han army was also making intensive preparations.

This army was led by Wei Yan, and also gathered 50,000 combat soldiers and 80,000 civilians, claiming to be an army of 200,000.

Their target was Yanzhou, a place thrown into chaos by a civil uprising.

Wei Yan was a man of generous, brave and fearless character. He was well aware of the importance of capturing Yanzhou - this would not only weaken the enemy's strength, but also prevent the armies of Qing, Xu and Yu states from rushing to Luoyang, thereby reducing the pressure in the direction of Yecheng.

As for why Zhao Yun was in Qinghe before but was now transferred to Yecheng, and Wei Yan was in Yecheng but was now transferred to Qinghe, it was naturally the emperor's mind.

In the military camp of Qinghe County, Wei Yan was discussing the battle plan with his generals.

His voice was as loud as a bell, full of confidence and strength: "The Yanzhou uprising is our great opportunity! We must take advantage of the chaos and seize Yanzhou in one fell swoop! Let those people know who is the real master of this land!"

The generals nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation.

Wei Yan's words seemed to inject them with an invisible force, making them full of confidence in the upcoming battle.

However, war is always full of variables.

Just as the Han army was making intensive preparations, enemy spies had quietly sneaked into Yecheng and Qinghe County.

They carefully collected intelligence, trying to find out the details and movements of the Han army.

Although the Han army also noticed something, it was difficult for them to catch the enemy spies in one fell swoop due to their cunning and secretive nature.

As the clouds of war grew thicker, the people of Yecheng and Qinghe County also began to feel the threat of war.

They closed their doors and windows, stored food and water, and prepared for the possible war. At the same time, some good family members volunteered to join the Han army to win a future for themselves.

No matter what, the war is gradually approaching.

The dark clouds of war were like the rolling dark clouds in autumn, weighing heavily on the Central Plains. Every inch of land seemed to be able to feel the coming storm.

The frequent movements of the Han army in Jizhou were like a beacon fire in the dark night. Although there was no open fighting, it had already caused panic among the people of Wei State.

This uneasy atmosphere, accompanied by the sound of horse hooves of Wei's secret agents, traveled across thousands of mountains and rivers and reached the heart of the Luoyang Palace City.

Luoyang, this ancient and glorious capital, appears both majestic and fragile in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Deep in the imperial palace, in the warm room of the Taiji Hall's side hall, the flickering candlelight illuminates a charming scene.

Cao Rui, the young emperor of Wei, was immersed in the joy of having a romantic relationship with a beautiful woman.

His face was flushed with passion and his eyes were blurred, as if the whole world was left with only this moment of tenderness.

In the warm room, obscene sounds were heard constantly, forming a sharp contrast with the tense atmosphere of preparation for war outside. It was like the calm before the storm, both eerie and suffocating.

With a low and powerful roar, Cao Rui reached the peak of joy, and then everything returned to calm.

He lay on the exquisite bed, looking at the carved and painted beams above with empty eyes, his heart filled with endless emptiness and confusion.

The joy just now was like a dream, fleeting, leaving behind only physical fatigue and spiritual emptiness.

At this moment, the high-pitched voice of the great eunuch Bixie came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, urgent news from Jizhou!"

This voice was like a thunder, breaking the silence in the warm room and gradually bringing some life back to Cao Rui's empty eyes.

He suddenly realized that as the king of a country, how could he indulge in personal desires at a time when the country was in danger?

Cao Rui quickly tidied his clothes and covered his body. The beauties who had just been sitting on his knees also tactfully left, leaving only a faint fragrance and lingering warmth in the room.

Bixie walked quickly into the warm room, holding a sealed document tightly in his hand, his face full of anxiety.

The urgency of this intelligence is enough to shock the entire country.

Cao Rui took the document, opened it with trembling fingers, and read through it quickly.

As he read further, his face turned from red to white, as if all the blood had been drained away.

Not only did the Han army gather on a large scale in Jizhou, but it had also begun to march towards Henei and Yanzhou. Its intention was self-evident - it was heading straight for the heartland of Wei.

At this moment, Cao Rui felt unprecedented fear and pressure.

He originally thought that the Han army's attack would give him more time to prepare, but he did not expect them to be so quick and decisive.

Fear was like ice, corroding his heart bit by bit, but he knew that as an emperor, he could not show the slightest weakness.

So Cao Rui took a deep breath, suppressed the panic in his heart, and his eyes became determined.

"Bixie, pass on my order to summon all the ministers to the Taiji Hall immediately. I want to discuss state affairs with you and find a strategy to defeat the enemy!" Although Cao Rui's voice was still trembling, his tone revealed an unquestionable determination.

Bixie took the order and left in a hurry, as if he also felt the heavy responsibility.

Soon, the Taiji Hall was brightly lit and the ministers hurried in, their faces filled with worry and anxiety.

Cao Rui sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head, his majesty revealing a barely perceptible anxiety.

He looked around, his eyes lingering on the faces of every minister, trying to find the answer from their eyes, looking for the power that could lead Wei through the difficulties.

"My dear ministers, the Han army is approaching and the situation is critical. I would like to hear your advice and work together to find a way to defeat the enemy."

Cao Rui's voice echoed in the empty Taiji Hall, with a barely perceptible tremor, but more of firmness and determination.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the flickering candlelight lengthened the figures of the ministers and projected them onto the mottled walls.

Cao Rui sat upright on the dragon throne, the gold thread on his dragon robe gleaming in the candlelight. His face was serious and focused, and his eyes revealed a calmness and decisiveness that transcended his age.

Inside the hall, the ministers were either standing or sitting, expressing their opinions one after another, with their voices rising and falling, creating a tense and heated atmosphere.

The first person to speak was an old minister named Zheng Cheng with white hair and beard. He had an upright figure, and although the years had carved deep wrinkles on his face, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle, flashing with an unyielding light.

"Your Majesty, I think the best strategy is to hold our ground and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. Our Wei army is strong and well-equipped with food and fodder. We only need to close the city gates. The Han army has come from afar and is short of food and fodder, so they will not be able to last long. When their morale is low, our army can take advantage of the opportunity to attack and win in one battle."

Cao Rui nodded slightly and turned his gaze to another young general. He was wearing iron armor, with a sword at his waist, looking heroic, and his eyes were full of desire for battle.

It was Xiahou Xuan, a member of the royal family.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that we take the initiative to attack and disrupt the deployment of the Han army. Our Wei soldiers are brave and good at fighting. If we can give the Han army a head-on blow when it is not yet firmly established, we will surely be able to dampen its spirit and lay the foundation for victory in subsequent battles."

At this time, a civil official stood up. He was dressed in Confucian clothes, holding a feather fan, with a gentle face and a gleam of wisdom in his eyes. Who else could it be but Chen Qun?

"Your Majesty, I think the best strategy is to unite with other forces to fight the enemy together. The Han army is powerful, and although our Wei State is strong, it cannot stand alone. If we can unite with the Xianbei, Wuhuan and other tribes in the north to form an alliance and fight against the Han army together, our chances of winning will greatly increase." Chen Qun's words were clear and logical, which made people unable to help but believe him.

Cao Rui listened quietly, and every strategy caused ripples in his heart.

This war not only concerns the territorial integrity of Wei, but also the rise and fall of Wei's national destiny, and its survival.

His eyes swept across the faces of his ministers, trying to read more information from their expressions.

Some of the ministers looked anxious, some seemed confident, and others looked determined and unyielding.

Cao Rui began to weigh the pros and cons in his mind, each strategy has its pros and cons.

Holding out could preserve strength, but it might also give the Han army more time to adjust its deployment and might even cause internal turmoil; taking the initiative to attack could dampen the morale of the Han army, but the risk was extremely high and the consequences would be disastrous if it failed; joining forces with other forces could increase the chances of winning, but it would also require tremendous diplomatic efforts and the stability of the alliance could not be guaranteed.

Cao Rui's brows were furrowed, and his fingers tapped lightly on the armrests of the dragon throne, making rhythmic sounds.

His heart was full of contradictions and struggles, and every decision he made might affect the future of the State of Wei.

Suddenly, his eyes became firm, as if he had made some decision.

"My dear ministers, each of your strategies has its own merits, but I believe that the way of war is to be flexible and not to stick to one strategy."

Cao Rui's voice echoed in the Taiji Hall, clear and powerful.

"I have decided to adopt the strategy of 'defending while attacking, attacking while defending'. On the one hand, we will strengthen the city defenses, hold our ground and wait for the enemy to tire out; on the other hand, we will send out elite troops to attack at the right time, harass the Han army and disrupt its deployment. At the same time, I will write a letter in person and send envoys to the grasslands to seek an alliance to fight the enemy together."

Although the Han State was strong, the Wei State was not a dead body in a tomb. In the end, it still had to struggle.

However, now that the grand plan has been decided, who should be chosen as the commander? (End of this chapter)