Shuhan

After the tragic defeat last time, although the Han army was lucky enough not to be chased and driven north by the Wei army and fled all the way, the heavy casualties were like ice piercing the bones and chilling.

The setting sun was as blood-red, illuminating the defeated Han army. They dragged their exhausted bodies and slowly retreated to the north bank, forming a confrontation with the Wei army across the river.

The frozen river, like a giant silver dragon, stretched between the two banks, coldly separating the two armies.

Above the river, the cold wind blew, making the flags flutter, as if telling of the cruelty of the war.

The Han army camp was located on a wilderness on the north bank, with dense tents everywhere, like a small city.

However, at this time in the military camp, there was a depressing atmosphere. The soldiers all had solemn faces, and their hearts were filled with humiliation and unwillingness of defeat.

Among the numerous tents, there is a particularly conspicuous dragon tent. It is towering into the clouds and magnificent. It is the residence of Liu Chan, the commander-in-chief of the Han army.

At this moment, inside the dragon tent, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the faces of everyone in the tent.

The Han generals Yang Ben and E Huan, two generals who were usually brave and good at fighting, were now shirtless, carrying brambles on their backs, kneeling in the center of the dragon tent, with solemn expressions and faces full of guilt.

Yang Ben was a tall and strong man with bulging muscles. However, at this moment, he seemed as if his spine had been removed. He lowered his head and did not dare to look directly at Liu Chan above him.

On his back, the brambles were deeply embedded in his flesh, and blood flowed down his spine, dyeing the ground beneath him red.

The same is true for E Huan. He is thin, but his eyes reveal an unyielding pride.

At this moment, he was also kneeling on the ground, with a whip on his back, and his voice of apology was low and firm.

Liu Chan sat upright on the dragon throne, dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing a crown, exuding a majestic aura.

However, no emotion could be seen on his face. He just stared quietly at the two generals below, his eyes deep and complex.

In his heart, he felt both anger and disappointment at the defeat, as well as pity and helplessness towards his soldiers.

Fei Yi, the military commander, stood below Liu Chan and said in a cold voice, "You have been arrogant in your use of the army, which has led to a great defeat and heavy losses. According to military regulations, you should be executed!"

His tone was firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

The other generals in the tent were all shocked when they heard this, and they all came forward to plead for mercy for the two of them.

"Your Majesty, although Generals Yang Ben and E Huan were defeated in the battle, they were brave and good at fighting in their daily lives and made great contributions. The defeat this time was due to unfavorable weather and terrain, not the fault of war. I hope that the lord will forgive them this time and let them make up for their crimes!" An elderly veteran knelt on the ground and said in a trembling voice.

The other generals also echoed, and in a moment, most of the generals were kneeling on the ground.

They knew very well that Yang Ben and E Huan were the best in the Han army. If they were beheaded because of a defeat, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the morale of the Han army.

Liu Chan looked at the generals below and sighed in his heart.

He knew very well that although there were reasons for the defeat, Yang Ben and E Huan, as generals, did have an unshirkable responsibility.

However, he also understood that if he severely punished them at this time, it might cause dissatisfaction and unrest in the army.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Chan finally spoke.

He waved his hand, signaling the generals to stand up, and then slowly said: "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Although this defeat is not the fault of the war, you as generals have indeed made mistakes. However, considering your outstanding merits in the past, this time will be a lesson. You two will resign from your military positions and become ordinary sergeants as punishment. I hope you can learn from your mistakes, learn from your mistakes, and make up for your mistakes in the future!"

As soon as Liu Chan finished speaking, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly relaxed.

When Yang Ben and E Huan heard this, although they felt unwilling, they also knew that this was Liu Chan's forgiveness to them.

They kowtowed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness! We will definitely make amends for our past mistakes and make amends for our crimes!"

Fei Yi watched this scene and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Chan's decision not only maintained the stability of the army, but also gave Yang Ben and E Huan an opportunity to reform themselves.

At this time, the cold wind outside the tent was still biting, but the atmosphere inside the tent had become much warmer.

The soldiers stood up one after another, with gratified smiles on their faces. They knew that although they had suffered huge losses in this defeat, as long as they united as one and overcame the difficulties together, they would surely be able to make a comeback and restore the glory of the Han army.

After Yang Ben and E Huan were relieved of their military posts, they became ordinary soldiers.

They will then have to eat and live with the soldiers every day, share the joys and sorrows with them, so as to win their respect and trust.

After Yang Ben and E Huan left, the military camp suddenly seemed much emptier, but the tense atmosphere before the war did not diminish in the slightest.

The cold wind made the canvas of the tent rustle, as if cheering for the upcoming decisive battle.

Inside the tent, the candlelight flickered, casting the figures of the generals on the tent wall, making them look particularly majestic and solemn.

At this time, the generals in the tent took a step forward, their steps were firm and powerful, and their eyes were shining with desire for victory.

The leading general, wearing iron armor and holding a spear, the tip of the spear flashed coldly under the candlelight. It was Liao Hua.

He bowed and asked Liu Chan for permission, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead my troops across the frozen river again, strike directly at the heart of the Wei army, capture Luoyang in one fell swoop, destroy the Wei Kingdom, and boost the prestige of the Han Dynasty!"

His voice was loud, full of passion and enthusiasm for fighting.

The rest of the generals echoed the sentiment, some holding swords, some with bows and arrows on their waists, all of them looked heroic and imposing.

Their eyes were filled with a firm belief in victory, as if they had already seen the moment when they would break through the gates of Luoyang.

However, Liu Chan just sat quietly in his commander's seat, looking at them without saying much.

His face was calm and composed, and his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything.

His hands were gently folded on his knees, and his fingertips tapped lightly, revealing his inner thoughts and considerations.

The atmosphere in the tent became solemn for a moment, and the noise of the generals gradually subsided, leaving only the crackling sound of the burning candles and the whistling of the cold wind outside.

Everyone was waiting for Liu Chan's decision. They knew that although this young emperor was young, he possessed extraordinary wisdom and courage.

Finally, after they were completely quiet, Liu Chan slowly spoke: "Although Wei is weak, there are still 100,000 Wei troops in Luoyang. These 100,000 Wei troops are all elite troops. Forcing them to fight will only increase losses. Our army has come from afar and has limited food and grass. If we just force the attack, I am afraid that our army will run out of food and aid before we can capture Luoyang."

Although his voice was calm, it carried an undeniable dignity.

He raised his head and glanced at the generals. His eyes were firm as well as caring and compassionate for the soldiers.

He continued, "We will besiege Luoyang and wait for its food to run out. Then we can take Luoyang without a fight. This is the best strategy, which can reduce our casualties and ensure victory."

When the generals heard this, they were all shocked and then nodded in approval.

They knew very well that what Liu Chan said was true. Attacking the city by force was indeed extremely risky, but besieging Luoyang and waiting for the enemy to run out of food was a sure-fire strategy to win.

One of the veterans, with white hair and beard, but extremely sharp eyes, was Chen Dao. He stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I am willing to take your orders to guard the Luoyang Pass and ensure that not a single grain of food is allowed to flow into Luoyang!"

Although his voice sounded a little old, it was full of firmness and determination.

Liu Chan smiled and nodded. He looked at the veteran general with a hint of admiration in his eyes. He knew that the veteran general was experienced, wise and brave, and would be able to guard the Luoyang Pass without any mistakes.

So Liu Chan ordered: "All the troops, listen up! You must immediately divide your troops to guard the various passes in Luoyang. You must defend them tightly and not slack off at all. At the same time, you must send scouts everywhere to ensure that you can grasp the dynamics of the Wei army in time. In addition, the transportation of grain in Luoyang City must be closely monitored, and not a single grain of grain can be allowed to flow into the city!"

All the generals responded in unison. Their voices echoed throughout the tent, filled with resolute execution of orders and firm belief in victory.

They turned and walked out of the tent, each leading their troops to their own posts.

At this time, only Liu Chan and a few trusted generals were left in the tent.

Liu Chan looked at them, a trace of fatigue flashed in his eyes, but was then replaced by determination.

This war was of great significance to the Han Dynasty. It was not only a major blow to the Wei State, but also an important opportunity to restore the Han Dynasty.

He took a deep breath and said slowly: "My dear ministers, this battle is related to the rise and fall of our Han Dynasty. You must go all out. I will fight shoulder to shoulder with you!"

Although his voice was not loud, it was full of strength and determination, making every general present feel his firmness and courage.

When the generals heard this, they all felt warm in their hearts. They looked at Liu Chan with admiration and loyalty in their eyes.

They knew that this young Majesty not only possessed extraordinary wisdom and courage, but also had a pure heart for the country and the people.

So they responded in unison and vowed to fight alongside Liu Chan and face the national crisis together.

Their voices echoed throughout the tent, filled with desire for victory and loyalty to the Han Dynasty.

As the night deepened, the wind became more chilly.

But in this cold land, the Han soldiers were full of passion. They stayed at their posts and guarded this land and their beliefs with their lives and blood.

They believed that under the leadership of Liu Chan, they would be able to defeat the Wei army, capture Luoyang, and let the flag of the Han Dynasty fly over this land.

At this moment, in Luoyang city, it was almost dusk. The afterglow of the setting sun slanted on the bricks and tiles of the Taiji Hall of the imperial palace, shining with golden light.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall, the candlelight was just beginning to burn, contrasting with the dim sky outside the hall, creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and slightly mysterious.

The door of the hall was tightly closed, but it could not conceal the tense and solemn atmosphere, as if the entire hall was holding its breath, waiting for some decisive news.

Suddenly, a quick and powerful shout came from outside the door, breaking the silence in the hall: "Good news, the Han army has retreated!"

The voice was filled with a bit of urgency and joy, like a spring breeze blowing through the ice in winter, which made people's hearts lift.

Before he finished speaking, a palace guard in armor and with a sword hanging from his waist walked quickly into the hall. His face was filled with excitement that was hard to conceal, and his eyes were shining with victory.

He immediately handed the military report in his hand to the Shangshu Ling Chen Qun beside him, with a bit of respect and expectation in his action.

Chen Qun, an old man over fifty years old, has white hair and beard, a gaunt face, but unusually sharp eyes.

He was not in a hurry to check the contents of the military report, but held the report in both hands and slowly walked towards Emperor Cao Rui of Wei who was sitting on the dragon throne.

Cao Rui, although young, already showed extraordinary imperial aura. He wore a dragon robe, a pearl crown on his head, had a handsome face, and his eyes were deep and firm.

Cao Rui took the military report with his hands trembling slightly. He knew very well the importance of this military report, which might determine the survival of Luoyang and even the fate of the Wei State.

He slowly unfolded the military newspaper, quickly scanned the text on it, and a look of relief appeared on his face, as if a huge rock had fallen from his heart.

However, this relief did not last long. His brows soon frowned again, and his face did not show the ecstasy that one might have imagined.

Upon seeing this, ministers such as Chen Qun and Zheng Cheng came forward and gathered around Cao Rui. Some of them lowered their heads to read the military newspaper, while others exchanged glances with a hint of confusion and uneasiness on their faces.

After Zheng Cheng finished reporting the military report, he took the lead and stepped forward, clasping his hands and congratulating him: "Your Majesty, thanks to your majesty's divine power, the Han army has retreated! This is a blessing for our Great Wei!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui just nodded slightly without saying anything.

Although the retreat of the Han army temporarily eased the crisis in Luoyang, the hidden worries behind it were far from resolved.

He took a deep breath and asked slowly, "How long will the food and grass in Luoyang last?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence and everyone's eyes were focused on Chen Qun.

Chen Qun's face changed slightly when he heard this. He hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "I'm afraid it will only be enough for a few months."

Although his voice was low, it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer, casting a shadow on everyone's heart.

Zheng Cheng also realized the seriousness of the matter. His brows were furrowed and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

Food and fodder are the lifeblood of war. If there is a shortage of food, how will the soldiers and civilians in Luoyang City survive?

What's more, although the Han army retreated, it could make a comeback at any time. If the city of Luoyang fell into chaos due to lack of food, the consequences would be disastrous.

Thinking of this, Zheng Cheng stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, even if the Han army does not attack us, we cannot just sit there and wait for death. I think we must break out, attack the Han army, and open up the food supply route! Only in this way can we ensure the safety of Luoyang and boost the morale of our army."

After hearing what Zheng Cheng said, Cao Rui's eyes flashed with approval.

He knew very well that what Zheng Cheng said was true. Breaking out, attacking the Han army and opening up the food supply route was the only feasible solution at the moment.

However, the risks involved are also considerable. Once failed, Luoyang City will fall into an even more critical situation.

Cao Rui pondered for a moment, then slowly stood up. He swept his eyes over the ministers in the hall, his eyes revealing firmness and determination.

He said, "General Zheng Cheng is right. We cannot sit and wait for death. We must take the initiative to attack. However, this battle concerns the survival of Luoyang and the fate of our Great Wei, so we must act with caution. I have made up my mind. I will summon all the generals tomorrow to discuss the strategy of opening up the grain route."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed their hands in agreement, with determination and conviction flashing in their eyes.

This war was of great significance to the State of Wei. It was not only a major counterattack against the Han army, but also a crucial battle for the survival of the State of Wei.

At this time, the sky outside the hall had completely darkened, but the Tai Chi Hall was brightly lit with flickering candlelight.

Cao Rui stood in front of the dragon throne, gazing at the ministers in the hall, his eyes full of determination and expectation.

He knew that this war would be a major test of his path to becoming an emperor, but he also believed that as long as the military and civilians of Wei were united and fought together, they would be able to overcome all difficulties.

Wei is unwilling to perish!

Cao Rui didn't want to be a king who lost his country! (End of this chapter)