Shuhan

Gong County looks even more desolate in the cold winter wind.

The first snowflakes fell, lightly covering the bluestone road and giving the small town a layer of silver.

Inside the city, in a simple yet solemn mansion, Sima Yi sat upright, his brows revealing a bit of solemnity and expectation.

On the desk, a letter lay quietly. It was Zhen Xiang's echo, and the words revealed determination and hope.

"I wish to restore order and return to the Han Kingdom. My old subordinates have stationed at the south gate of Chaoge. I hope you can send troops there as soon as possible."

These few short words were like a fire in winter, instantly igniting the passion in Sima Yi's heart.

He stroked the letter paper repeatedly, with a gleam in his eyes, as if he had already seen the glory of the future.

"finally."

He whispered to himself.

"The Han Emperor is seriously injured and the world is about to fall into chaos. This is a godsend opportunity!"

Sima Yi stood up, walked to the window, looked at the heavy snow outside, but his heart was burning.

Ever since the Han emperor was seriously injured, the Han army has been in a state of panic both inside and outside, and various aristocratic families are ready to make moves, intending to take advantage of the chaos.

Zhen Xiang's surrender was undoubtedly a great gift to him, an excellent opportunity to gain a foothold and make achievements in troubled times.

He knew very well that such an opportunity was rare and if he missed it, he might never be able to recover.

"Someone come here!" Sima Yi called out in a deep voice. Although his voice was not loud, it revealed unquestionable majesty.

Outside the door, several personal soldiers came in, all wearing iron armor and looking solemn.

"Call the troops immediately and follow me to Chaoge!"

The preparations were carried out quickly and orderly. The neighing of horses and the clash of weapons intertwined together, breaking the tranquility of the winter.

Sima Yi put on a heavy suit of armor inlaid with gleaming scales, which set off his calm and resolute face.

He held a long sword, the sword reflecting the snow light, like a ray of cold light, pointing straight ahead.

Before setting off, Sima Yi stood at the front of the team, his eyes scanning every soldier, whose faces were either nervous or full of anticipation.

"Everyone, this trip is not only to welcome General Zhen Xiang's surrender, but also to eliminate the treacherous officials for the Wei Dynasty and revive the government!"

His voice was sonorous and powerful, penetrating the cold wind and reaching people's hearts.

"I know this journey will be difficult, but as long as we unite as one, we will not be afraid of the wind and snow, nor will we be afraid of powerful enemies!"

Following Sima Yi's order, the army marched out of the gate of Gong County and set out on the journey to Chaoge.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the sky and the earth looked bleak, but the marching pace did not slow down.

The soldiers walked on the snow, leaving behind a series of firm footprints. Their figures looked particularly tragic in the wind and snow.

The night was as dark as ink and the wind was as cold as a knife. Sima Yi led his army and galloped along the road to Chaoge.

The snow fell silently, dressing the earth in a world of silver, but also adding a bit of solemnity to the late night march.

Although they were still ten miles away from the south gate of Chaoge, there was dead silence all around. Even the sounds of scouts and patrols that were supposed to be heard on a daily basis had disappeared without a trace.

Sima Yi frowned, thinking to himself: "Has the Han army's chaos reached this point?"

He made a quick decision and called his brave general Dai Ling, ordering him to lead 500 vanguard soldiers to go ahead and find out the truth.

"Dai Ling, you must act with caution and strive for a quick victory." Sima Yi's voice was low and firm, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.

Dai Ling accepted the order, bowed, then turned around and led five hundred elite soldiers, silently blending into the night.

The wind and snow were blowing, and the night was getting darker.

Led by Dai Ling, five hundred assassins shuttled through the snow like ghosts. The only sounds that could be heard were the whistling wind and the occasional sound of snow being trampled.

They pressed close to the city wall, approaching the south gate step by step.

Dai Ling took a deep breath and imitated the call of a cuckoo. The sound was clear and long, and it seemed particularly abrupt in the silent night sky.

Soon, a response was heard from the old crow inside the city wall, low and hoarse. This was a secret signal agreed upon in advance by the Wei army and the Zhongshan Zhen family in the city.

With a creaking sound, the south gate slowly opened, like a sigh in winter.

Dai Ling waved his hand, and five hundred assassins poured into the city like a tide, quickly taking control of the South Gate and its surrounding areas.

They were swift and well-trained, and had stabilized their position before the defenders in the city could react.

Dai Ling immediately sent a messenger to report the situation to Sima Yi in the wind and snow.

Sima Yi felt relieved when he received the news, but he did not slack off at all.

He led a large army and followed closely behind, rushing into the south gate of Chaoge.

However, the moment he stepped into the city gate, Sima Yi felt something strange he had never felt before.

Chaoge City, the once prosperous capital, is now as silent as death.

On both sides of the street, the houses were closed, the lights were dim, and there was not even a trace of human voice.

Sima Yi had an ominous premonition in his heart. He pulled the reins and looked around with a sharp gaze.

In the wind and snow, his face looked particularly cold, his brows were furrowed, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, revealing his inner worries.

"It's too quiet, this is not normal." He whispered to himself, his voice was particularly clear in the cold wind.

He quickly summoned his generals, briefly analyzed the situation, and decided to divide the troops into two routes. One route would be led by him personally to investigate deep into the city; the other route would be led by his deputy general to guard the south gate to prevent any accidents.

After the order was given, the Wei army acted quickly, like ghosts in the night, silently moving through the streets of Chaoge.

Sima Yi led a group of people and moved forward slowly.

In the darkness of the night, their figures appeared exceptionally agile, and every step they took was firm and powerful.

Sima Yi's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and he was always alert to the movements around him.

The seemingly peaceful Chaoge City is actually undercurrent and full of dangers.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and a scout came running over and reported nervously: "General, ambushes have been found in many places in the city, and they are approaching our army!"

Sima Yi's expression did not change when he heard this, but he already had a plan in his mind.

He quickly adjusted his deployment and ordered his troops to shrink their defense lines and concentrate their forces to deal with the upcoming battle.

The battle was about to break out, and the ambush troops of the Wei army and the Han army launched a fierce confrontation in the streets of Chaoge.

There were flashes of swords and the blood-stained snow, and shouts and wails intertwined together.

Sima Yi led the charge, sword in hand. His figure looked particularly heroic in the firelight.

Every time he swung his sword, it was accompanied by a gust of cold wind, as if to kill the enemy together.

However, as the battle progressed, Sima Yi discovered an even more shocking fact.

These ambushing troops were not the main force of the Han army, but some surrendered troops from the Wei State.

Sima Yi was now in an unprecedented desperate situation.

His heart seemed to be weighed down by a huge rock, so heavy that he could hardly breathe.

By the time he realized he had been ambushed, it was too late.

Outside the city, shouts and screams surged like a tide, making people feel uneasy.

Sima Yi's pupils shrank suddenly, and he looked in the direction where the voice came from, with a trace of disbelief in his eyes. "Damn Liu Gongsi, is this also your trick?" He cursed in a low voice, with endless hatred and unwillingness in his voice.

However, the regret at this moment could not save the situation. He could only quickly adjust his mentality and prepare to deal with this sudden change.

Sima Yi took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He turned to look at the soldiers around him. Their faces were filled with panic and fear, but Sima Yi knew that as the commander-in-chief, he could not show the slightest weakness.

"The Han army is just bluffing. Follow me and charge out!" He shouted, his voice piercing the night sky with unquestionable determination.

After saying that, Sima Yi took the lead, holding a long sword, and rushed towards the enemy formation like a flash of lightning.

His figure appeared particularly agile in the night, and every time he swung his sword, it was accompanied by a gust of cold wind, as if he wanted to kill all the enemies in front of him one by one.

Seeing this, the soldiers cheered up, hid their panic, followed Sima Yi's footsteps, and charged forward.

However, could the tight net laid by Liu Chan be easily broken?

The Han army came from all directions like ghosts. They were well-trained and coordinated well, and surrounded Sima Yi and his party.

Amid the flashing of swords and the shadow of sabers, the snow was dyed red with blood, and the casualties of the Wei army continued to increase.

Sima Yi was extremely anxious. He knew that if this continued, everyone would probably die here.

He tried his best, rushing left and right, trying to find a breakthrough.

However, the Han army's defense line was as strong as a wall of iron and steel, and it was indestructible.

Sima Yi's armor was covered in blood, and his face was blurred by sweat and blood, but his eyes remained firm, with no intention of retreating.

After a desperate fight, Sima Yi finally rushed out of Chaoge City with the remaining soldiers.

However, when they thought they could finally breathe a sigh of relief, they discovered that the situation outside the city was even worse.

The Han army, lined up in neat rows, were quietly waiting for them, and the cavalry was on high alert, ready to charge at any time.

Sima Yi looked at the scene before him and felt despair in his heart.

He knew very well that there was really no hope this time.

He weakly lowered the sword in his hand, and a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.

But at this moment, he seemed to have thought of something, and the fire of hope rekindled in his eyes.

"No, I can't give up like this!" he swore secretly in his heart.

"What if there's a miracle? It's late at night now, maybe I still have a chance to escape!"

Thinking of this, Sima Yi regained his spirits.

He straightened his back and shouted loudly: "Charge!"

This roar seemed to contain endless power, inspiring the remaining soldiers to rise up again.

They followed Sima Yi's footsteps and rushed towards the Han army's position like moths to a flame.

In the darkness of night, the battle broke out again.

Sima Yi fought desperately with his soldiers, their figures flickered in the firelight, and every swing of the sword was accompanied by the disappearance of life.

However, despite their best efforts, the Han army's defense line remained as solid as a rock.

Sima Yi's heart was filled with helplessness and despair.

There is really no escape this time.

However, at this moment, an unexpected opportunity arose.

Suddenly, there was a flaw in the Han army's formation. Sima Yi's eyes lit up. He quickly seized the opportunity and led the remaining soldiers to rush forward.

They ran wildly like wild horses and finally broke through the Han army's defense line.

Sima Yi looked back at the bloody battlefield, his heart filled with emotion.

It was a stroke of luck that he was able to escape this time, but no matter what, he survived.

The night gradually faded away and the sky turned pale.

Sima Yi continued to move forward with the remaining soldiers. Their figures looked particularly tired but determined in the morning light.

The cold wind was like a knife, cutting every inch of exposed skin. Although the smoke of the battlefield had gradually dissipated, the air was still filled with a strong smell of blood, which intertwined with the frosty cold of the winter morning to form a tragic picture.

Sima Yi was wearing a tattered battle robe, and the bloodstains on his armor told of the fierce fighting and escape that had taken place overnight.

There was fatigue but also an unyielding light in his eyes, as if he was looking for a glimmer of hope in this endless despair.

"Where is this place?" Sima Yi's voice was a little hoarse, but it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

He looked around and saw a desolate scene ravaged by war. Dead trees and branches swayed in the cold wind, as if they were also lamenting this endless war.

Dai Ling, the brave warrior who had followed Sima Yi in bloody battles, had his face covered in dust and blood. The clothes under his armor had long been soaked with sweat and frozen into ice armor by the cold wind.

He panted, his voice filled with fatigue and sadness that were difficult to conceal: "This is Fanting, sir."

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi looked into the distance. The gurgling Qi River was sparkling, and it looked particularly cool in the morning light.

He sighed softly, "Where the Qi River flows out, there is Fanting. We have already passed Gong County. The Han army will not pursue us, will they?"

This sentence is not only said to the people around me, but also to comfort my own unresolved heart.

However, a bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and that smile hid too much helplessness and bitterness.

"How many people are left in our army?" Sima Yi's voice was low and almost drowned by the wind.

He actually didn't want to ask this question, because he already had a hunch about the answer, but he just didn't want to face the cruel reality.

Dai Ling's eyes were red, and his voice was choked with sobs: "There are less than a thousand people..."

These few simple words hit Sima Yi's heart like a heavy hammer, causing him to sway.

Out of an army of tens of thousands, there are only a few thousand left. How could he bear this tragedy?

Liu Gongsi, that name was like a poisonous snake in his heart, cunning and deadly.

Sima Yi cursed in his heart that Liu Gongsi was so treacherous, using the advantages of terrain and military strength to force them into a desperate situation step by step.

Although he managed to escape this time, the journey home is long. What fate awaits him in the Luoyang Palace?
Just as Sima Yi was immersed in deep worry, suddenly, the earth began to tremble slightly, and on the distant horizon, an ominous black color gradually approached.

Those were the Han army's cavalry, like a black torrent, particularly eye-catching against the snow-white sky and earth; the sound of their horses' hooves was like thunder, terrifying everyone.

Sima Yi's heart suddenly shrank, as if it was tightly grasped by an invisible hand. He widened his eyes and looked at the black line that was getting closer and closer in disbelief.

"This...how is this possible?" he muttered to himself, his face turning pale in an instant.

Fear, an emotion that had never been experienced on the battlefield, now surged into my heart like a tide.

He quickly tightened the reins, and the warhorse felt the pain, neighed loudly, and galloped away into the distance with all four hooves flying.

The wind whistled past his ears, Sima Yi's robe rustled in the wind, and his eyes were filled with fear and unwillingness.

Looking back, some of the soldiers who had followed him for many years were already exhausted, but still gritted their teeth and tried to keep up with his pace; others had despair on their faces, but still persisted, because they knew that once they stopped, it would mean death.

Sima Yi had mixed feelings. He hated himself for not being able to protect these loyal soldiers, hated himself for not being able to foresee Liu Gongsi's cunning, and even more hated why he had to bear such a heavy burden in this chaotic world.

However, at this critical moment of life and death, he had no time to indulge in regret and could only keep urging his horse forward, forward again.

How could Sima Yi die here? (End of this chapter)