Shuhan

It is deep winter, and the sky seems to be swallowed up by endless paleness. The heavy snow is like torn cotton wool, fluttering and falling endlessly from the gray sky.

This year's snow was more magnificent and violent than in the past. In just half a month, the earth was covered with a layer of white snow half a meter thick. The snow was so heavy that it seemed to crush all life, covering the whole world in silver, but it also brought unprecedented challenges.

Marching became extremely difficult on this vast snowfield.

The war horses trudged through the snow with difficulty, and every step seemed to exhaust all their strength. Their hooves sank into the deep snow, making a "crunching" sound that intertwined with the low hum of the wind and snow.

The soldiers were wearing thick cotton coats, their faces were covered with frost, and their eyes revealed fatigue and tenacity.

Their breath turned into white mist in the cold wind and was then swallowed up by the wind and snow, as if even time was frozen by this boundless cold.

For logistics and transportation, this heavy snow is undoubtedly a more severe test.

The river that was once unobstructed is now blocked by a thick layer of ice. It has lost its former gurgling flow and is now only a silent white.

This means that all material transportation can only be carried out by land, but the land routes have become narrow and difficult to travel due to the obstruction of heavy snow, greatly reducing transportation efficiency.

In this inclement weather, food, weapons and other necessities were moving as slowly as a snail, and every minute and every second was particularly precious.

Liu Chan stood outside the tent, looking at the falling snow, his brows furrowed and his eyes flashing with complex expressions.

He was wearing a thick fox fur coat and a snow-white cloak on his shoulders. The snowflakes fell gently on his hair and shoulders, but seemed unable to invade his burning heart.

He originally planned to take advantage of the severe winter cold to attack Luoyang in one fell swoop, end the protracted war, and restore peace to the world.

However, reality dealt him a heavy blow.

At this moment, Fei Yi slowly walked into the tent. His steps were steady, his face was calm, and his eyes revealed deep wisdom.

He said softly, "Your Highness, this snow is both a help and a hindrance. Luoyang City has high walls and abundant food and grass. If we attack it forcefully, we will only suffer heavy casualties. It would be more trouble than gain. Why don't we change our strategy and focus on siege, and wait until spring comes before making our move."

When Liu Chan heard this, his eyes flashed, as if he had found a new direction in Fei Yi's words.

He pondered for a moment, nodded slowly, and said, "Wen Wei's words make sense, and they coincide with Sima Zhongda's plan. The heavy snow has indeed greatly affected our march and logistics. If we use our troops forcefully, we will probably be in a passive position. Besieging Luoyang can not only preserve our strength, but also allow the enemy to consume itself in difficult situations. When the time is right, we can attack them in one fell swoop."

Fei Yi smiled slightly, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He knew very well that although Liu Chan was young, he had extraordinary insight and decisiveness.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

As Liu Chan's order was issued, the Han army began to adjust its strategy. It was no longer in a hurry to attack, but instead cut off the food supply and surrounded Luoyang.

The soldiers were busy in the snow. Some were cutting down trees to build camps, some were digging snow trenches to set traps, and some were laying ambushes in the snow, ready to respond to enemy attacks at any time.

Despite the harsh environment, their faces were filled with firm belief and determination to win.

Liu Chan stood on a high place, looking at the battlefield covered with snow, feeling mixed emotions.

Although the heavy snow temporarily hindered his journey, it also brought him new opportunities.

That night.

The heavy snow continued to fall, and snowflakes fluttered like feathers falling from the sky, covering every inch of the land and covering this temporary palace with a layer of white gauze.

The cold wind howled, bringing up waves of snow, but in a corner of the palace, it was protected by warmth.

Liu Chan walked on the thick snow, leaving deep footprints with every step. He passed through the winding corridors and headed towards the courtyard where Zhen Mi was.

The plum blossoms in the courtyard bloom proudly in the wind and snow, emitting a faint fragrance, as if it were a touch of tenderness from nature on this cold winter day.

Liu Chan stopped, looked up at the tightly closed wooden door, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

When I opened the door, a warm current rushed towards me, forming a sharp contrast with the bitter cold outside.

Inside the room, a brazier was burning brightly, the flames reflected on the walls, casting mottled shadows, and the air was filled with the warm scent of burning charcoal.

Zhen Mi was sitting by the window, holding an ancient book in her hand, reading attentively. Her beautiful face looked even more gentle under the firelight, but there was a hint of imperceptible sadness between her brows.

Hearing the door open, Zhen Mi raised her head and her eyes met Liu Chan's. She quickly put down the book in her hand, stood up and saluted, with a tremor in her voice: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Although her voice was soft, it revealed endless respect and tenderness.

Liu Chan stepped forward quickly and gently supported Zhen Mi with both hands, preventing her from moving at all.

He noticed that Zhen Mi was wearing a velvet palace dress today. The gorgeous clothing complemented her stunning appearance and made her temperament even more extraordinary.

Her face was ruddy and her eyes were shining. She seemed to have gradually walked out of the shadow of the demise of the Zhongshan Zhen family and regained the color of life.

Liu Chan held Zhen Mi's soft and cold little hand, and with a wave of pity in his heart, he asked softly, "Where is Ji'er?"

Ji'er was the son of Zhen Mi and Liu Chan. Liu Chan doted on him and would ask about his situation every time he came.

Zhen Mi smiled and replied, "I played for a while and now I am tired. I am going to rest with my nurse."

Her tone was calm and her eyes revealed a maternal glow that warmed people's hearts.

Liu Chan nodded, his eyes lingered on Zhen Mi's face for a moment, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

Although he dealt with Zhongshan Zhen's family out of consideration for the overall interests of the country, it undoubtedly brought great pain to Zhen Mi.

He said with some distress: "The only one I feel sorry for regarding the treatment of Zhongshan Zhen's family is you."

When Zhen Mi heard this, a barely perceptible sadness flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She raised her slender white hand and gently pressed Liu Chan's lips to stop him from speaking.

"Zhen family of Zhongshan is plotting treason. How can I let Your Majesty violate the law?" Her voice was firm and gentle, and her eyes were full of understanding and tolerance.

"Your Majesty, you don't need to feel guilty about this matter."

Liu Chan looked at Zhen Mi's determined eyes and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

He hugged Zhen Mi tightly, feeling the warmth of her body, as if he wanted to put all his guilt and gratitude into this hug.

"I am glad that you think so."

Zhen Mi snuggled in Liu Chan's arms, feeling his heartbeat and breathing, and her heart was filled with a sense of security.

Women still rely on men.

No matter how the outside world changes, Liu Chan will always be her most solid support.

She closed her eyes gently, enjoying this rare tranquility and happiness.

The brazier in the room continued to burn, making crackling sounds.

The snow outside the window was still raging, but in this small space, it was full of warmth and hope. Liu Chan and Zhen Mi smiled at each other, as if all their troubles had disappeared at this moment.

That night, Liu Chan stayed in Zhen Mi's courtyard. The winter wind outside was howling like a wild beast, hitting the window frames and making bursts of noise, as if it was going to tear apart the quiet night.

In the warm house in the courtyard, above the bed, the flickering red candles reflect a charming picture.

Liu Chan and Zhen Mi hugged each other tightly, and layers of red waves surged between the bedding, like flowers blooming in spring, warm and lingering.

Liu Chan's eyes were full of affection and guilt, as if he wanted to transform all the apologies in his heart into tenderness at this moment.

His hands gently stroked Zhen Mi's skin, and every touch seemed to heal the scars in her heart.

He whispered, his voice trembling: "Mi'er, I'm sorry for making you suffer these days."

As he spoke, his kisses fell like drizzle on Zhen Mi's forehead, eyelids, and finally on her soft lips, as if he wanted to melt all his guilt into this affectionate kiss.

Zhen Mi closed her eyes and immersed herself in this tenderness.

She hugged Liu Chan tightly with her arms, as if she was afraid that the warmth would suddenly disappear.

There was a blush on her face and a faint smile on her lips, which was a manifestation of happiness and satisfaction.

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However, at this happy moment, two lines of tears quietly slid down the corners of her eyes, winding down her cheeks and finally sinking into the pillow.

Those tears seemed to be moved by Liu Chan's deep affection, and also seemed to be expressing the unspeakable complex emotions in her heart.

Zhen Mi had mixed feelings. She knew where Liu Chan's guilt came from, and she also understood his tenderness and love at the moment.

She was grateful for his understanding, but also felt sorry for his helplessness. She wanted to say something, but was afraid of destroying this rare peace and harmony.

So, she chose to turn this emotion into silent tears, letting them flow in her heart, intertwined with Liu Chan's tenderness, and becoming the deepest secret between them.

Outside the window, the winter wind is still howling, but inside this small house, it is full of warmth and love.

It’s just that the love of the imperial family, I don’t know how much of it is true and how much of it is false.

The next day.

outside the window.

The heavy snow fell like goose feathers, like endless cotton wool scattered from the sky, dressing the earth into a world of silver, and ruthlessly hindering the Han army's further offensive against the Wei State in the direction of Hanoi.

The wind was cold and snowflakes were flying. The soldiers' armor was covered with a thick layer of white snow. Even the war horses were snorting from time to time due to the cold, as if even these iron-boned horses were afraid of the bad weather.

However, beneath this seemingly quiet and peaceful snow scene, a more intense contest is quietly taking place.

Liu Chan knew very well that the conquest of Wei could not be achieved by military force alone.

In his heart, he has a more far-reaching plan - the battle for people's hearts and minds.

He sat in the warm lobby, wearing a luxurious brocade robe, his brows revealing a calmness and wisdom beyond his age.

Liu Chan tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and each tap seemed to be calculating every future move in the game of chess.

"The heavy snow has blocked the road, and God is not on my side, but man can conquer nature." Liu Chan muttered to himself, his eyes passing through the thick curtains and gazing into the vast white distance, as if he could see through the wind and snow and see the outline of Luoyang, the capital of Wei State.

"The Wei army has suffered a series of defeats and its morale is low. This is the time for us to use our scheming."

At this time, a spy from the secret service, dressed in black and with a stern face, quietly walked into the tent. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, his body was agile, and every step he took seemed so cautious and powerful.

He respectfully presented a secret report and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Wei Kingdom is already experiencing internal turmoil, and our army's efforts to incite rebellion have begun to bear fruit. Many Wei generals have harbored dissenting ideas, and rumors are spreading in Luoyang City, causing instability among the people."

Liu Chan took the secret report, read it carefully, and a satisfied smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He looked up at the spy, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Good! You keep working hard and make sure that Wei collapses from within. Remember, the battle for people's hearts is often more cruel and effective than the battle of swords."

The spy took the order and left, his figure quickly disappearing in the wind and snow.

Liu Chan continued to ponder, his thoughts seemed to drift towards the distant Luoyang along with the snowflakes flying in the sky.

This war is not just a battle on the battlefield, but also a game of wisdom and an insight into and utilization of the deepest aspects of human nature.

In Luoyang city, the atmosphere in the Wei court was equally tense and depressing.

The successive defeats made the ministers look worried and the people panic.

People were talking about the rumors on the streets. Prices soared due to the rumors, and daily necessities such as food and cloth became hard to come by.

The people had sad faces, and their eyes were filled with uncertainty and fear about the future.

"Have you heard? The Han army is about to attack. I'm afraid we can't defend Luoyang City." A ragged old man whispered to the young man beside him, his voice full of helplessness and sadness.

The young man frowned, with a trace of worry in his eyes: "It's snowing so heavily, the Han army shouldn't be able to get through, right? But these rumors seem to be colder than the snow, and they go straight into people's hearts."

Liu Chan's strategy took advantage of people's anxiety and fear.

On the scales of war, sometimes, the weight of a rumor is enough to be worth thousands of troops.

As a result, the Han army's spy officers secretly operated in Luoyang city. They either disguised themselves and blended into the market, or took advantage of the internal conflicts in Wei and fanned the flames, causing the Wei court and the people to fall into unprecedented chaos.

And in this war without the smoke of gunpowder, Liu Chan himself was not idle.

He often summoned his advisers to discuss major plans, personally taking care of every detail and striving to ensure that nothing went wrong.

"Your Majesty, the battle for people's hearts and minds requires persistence, not quick success."

Liu Chan nodded in agreement, his eyes more determined: "I understand, this battle, we must not only win on the battlefield, but also win the hearts of the people. Although Wei is strong, if the people's hearts are scattered, it will be like a chicken and a dog, vulnerable to a single blow."

As Liu Chan's deployment gradually deepened, the rifts within Wei became larger and larger.

Some generals who were originally loyal to the Wei State began to waver under the instigation of the Han army's military commanders, and some even surrendered secretly and provided valuable intelligence to the Han army.

In Luoyang City, rumors and panic spread like a plague, greatly reducing Wei's defensive capabilities.

The heavy snow continued to fall, but Liu Chan's heart was full of hope.

He has already won most of the battle for people's hearts.

Even though heavy snow blocked the roads and made direct attack impossible, through these seemingly insignificant means, he was able to push the State of Wei to the brink of collapse step by step.

"Although the snow is heavy, the battle will not be a big deal." Liu Chan whispered to himself, with a gleam of victory in his eyes.

"But the battle for people's hearts and minds has plunged the State of Wei into an endless winter."

Under his planning, a winter that seemed calm but was actually full of undercurrents was quietly changing the fate of the two countries. (End of this chapter)