Shuhan

In front of Hangu Pass, the autumn wind was bleak and yellow sand filled the sky, as if a dull and depressing atmosphere permeated the world.

The lieutenant of the Han army stood in front of the formation, wearing iron armor and holding a spear. The tip of the spear flashed coldly in the sunlight, just like the determined light in his eyes, unshakable.

He shouted loudly, and his voice pierced through the autumn wind and echoed in every inch of land in front of Hangu Pass.

"The fate of Wei is over. Look at you, you actually let innocent people come to die! As a general, Qin Lang should defend his country and protect the peace of the area, but he watched the emperor harm the people. This is an unforgivable crime! Now, if you open the gate and surrender, you can still save millions of innocent lives. What to do next, I hope you will think twice!"

The lieutenant's words were sonorous and powerful, and every word was like a hammer, striking the hearts of the Wei army soldiers.

On the city wall of Hangu Pass, Qin Lang's face was gloomy, like the dark clouds before a storm, solemn and depressed.

He was wearing armor, the copper plates on the armor gleamed coldly in the sun, but it couldn't hide the sadness between his brows.

He gripped the railing tightly with both hands, his knuckles turned white from the force, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions including anger, helplessness, and deep pain.

Beside Qin Lang, the morale of the Wei army soldiers was also low, and they were dejected, as if they had lost the will to fight.

They were either standing or sitting, staring into the distance with empty eyes. Their once firm gazes had now become confused and desperate.

The summer breeze blew by, bringing up gusts of dust and endless sorrow in their hearts.

Of the tens of thousands of civilians conscripted from Luoyang, most had already died in front of Hangu Pass.

Those once vibrant lives have now become dry bones on the battlefield, lying in a mess on the land in front of the pass. The blood has dyed the yellow sand red, and the air is filled with the pungent smell of blood.

The civilians who had not yet died were also captured by the Han army and escorted to the Han army's camp.

Those who were still in Hangu Pass were being driven to do hard labor. Their terrified and desperate faces seemed to be telling of endless suffering.

Qin Lang looked at all this and felt a pain in his heart as if it was being cut by a knife.

Although he completed the task assigned by the Emperor of Wei and prevented none of these laborers from returning to Luoyang, his heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.

He knew that these civilians were also innocent. They should have been living and working in peace at home, but because of the cruelty of war they were forced to go to the battlefield and became victims.

The Wei army soldiers guarding Hangu Pass are also kind-hearted.

How could they not feel pain when they saw tens of thousands of people dying in front of them?
Although they are soldiers and their duty is to obey orders, how could their morale not be low when faced with such a tragic scene?
Their eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment, as if they were asking themselves: What are we fighting for?

Is it to defend the homeland, or to become the emperor's killing tool?
Qin Lang also felt mixed emotions.

He was well aware of the heavy responsibility he had. As the defender of Hangu Pass, he had to hold his position and not let the Han army advance a single step.

But faced with the tragic scene before him, he felt extremely powerless.

He didn't know what to choose: should he continue to hold on and let more innocent lives die here, or should he open the switch and surrender to save the people who were still alive?
"General, what should we do?" A Wei army soldier walked up to Qin Lang and asked in a trembling voice.

His eyes were filled with fear and anxiety, as if he was confused about the future.

Qin Lang did not answer. He just looked at the battlefield in front of the pass silently, with a thousand thoughts in his mind.

He knew that this decision concerned the life and death of countless people, and he could not make a choice lightly.

"General, the Han army is too powerful. We may not be able to hold on." Another soldier came over. His voice was low and depressed, as if he had already seen the end of failure.

Qin Lang still didn't answer. He just held the railing tightly, his fingers turning white from the force.

He was struggling and hesitating in his heart, and he didn't know how to make a decision.

At this time, the lieutenant of the Han army shouted again: "Qin Lang, as a general, are you going to watch these innocent people die? Can you bear it? Where is your conscience?"

Qin Lang's heart trembled when he heard this.

He knew that every word the lieutenant said was true and he could not refute it.

He looked at the battlefield in front of the pass and the dead civilians, his heart filled with pain and guilt.

"General, let's surrender! Save the living people!" a Wei army soldier suddenly shouted.

His voice was full of determination and firmness, as if he had already made his choice.

Qin Lang was shocked when he heard this.

He looked at the soldier, his eyes flashing with complicated light.

This decision is not easy to make, but it concerns the life and death of countless people.

Just as Qin Lang was hesitating, the battlefield in front of Hangu Pass was silent, with only the autumn wind whistling through the pass, raising gusts of dust.

The sky was gray, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

At this moment, a burst of hurried horse hooves broke the silence, and a fast horse galloped out from the Han army formation. Sitting on the horse was a Han envoy. He was holding a staff and wearing gorgeous clothes. Although he was covered in dust, his young and handsome face could not be concealed.

Qin Lang stood on the city wall, staring at the approaching messenger with sharp eyes.

He had mixed feelings. He knew the visitor had ill intentions, but he also vaguely felt that this might be a turning point.

When the envoy approached the pass, Qin Lang ordered his men to lower the hanging basket. The envoy stepped into it without hesitation. As the basket slowly rose, his eyes remained firm, without the slightest fear.

The basket finally rose to the city wall. As soon as the messenger stepped out of the basket, he saluted Qin Lang with standard and solemn movements.

He raised his head, looked directly at Qin Lang, and said, "General, you have occupied Hangu Pass, which is as solid as a rock, but what's the use of it now? Luoyang City has been short of food for a long time, and the people are starving. In the end, countless people will starve to death. If the general can surrender the pass and let the people of Luoyang escape from Hangu Pass, it will be a great merit, and the Han Kingdom will definitely remember the general's kindness. If the general resists stubbornly, not only will the lives of his soldiers be put in danger, but also the people of Luoyang will be in dire straits. Such a big cause and effect, can the general really bear it?"

The messenger's words were powerful and every word struck Qin Lang's heart.

He looked at the young and determined face of the messenger, and a trace of hesitation surged in his heart.

However, his years of loyalty and mission made it difficult for him to make an easy decision.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he felt no pain at all, only confusion in his heart.

Seeing this, the envoy continued to persuade: "General, you are the elite of Wei State. You should defend your country. However, Luoyang is in danger now. Why don't you obey the will of heaven and submit to Han State? Han State will definitely treat you well and let you continue to display your talents."

Qin Lang became furious when he heard this.

He widened his eyes and glared at the messenger, as if he wanted to eat the messenger alive.

He suddenly drew the sword from his waist, the sword light flashed and the cold air was overwhelming.

When the messenger saw this, a trace of astonishment flashed across his face. He did not expect Qin Lang to be so resolute.

"Humph! When two armies are at war, envoys should not be killed. This is an ancient rule. However, you, the envoys of the Han State, are speaking wildly and trying to shake the will of our army. How can I, Qin Lang, tolerate you!"

Qin Lang roared, and swung the sword in his hand violently, piercing the messenger's chest.

There was a flash of disbelief in the messenger's eyes. He didn't expect Qin Lang would actually kill him.

Blood spurted out, staining Qin Lang's clothes and the walls of Hangu Pass red.

The messenger's body swayed, and he fell to the ground, his eyes wide open, dying with his eyes open.

Qin Lang was covered in blood, standing on the tower like a god of war. He looked at the soldiers inside the pass, his eyes flashing with determination.

He shouted loudly: "We are the elite troops of Wei State. How can we surrender now? The situation in the world is still undecided. You must believe in Wei State and His Majesty! We swear to defend Hangu Pass to the death and never let the Han army take a single step!"

His voice penetrated the summer breeze and echoed in every corner of Hangu Pass.

When the soldiers heard this, their blood boiled. They straightened their chests, gripped their weapons tightly, and vowed to live and die with Hangu Pass.

However, Qin Lang knew in his heart that although his words were inspiring, he had no idea how much effect they would have.

It is an indisputable fact that Luoyang is short of food and the people are suffering from hunger.

The Han army was powerful and the Wei army was in a difficult situation, which was a reality that could not be ignored.

As the defender of Hangu Pass, Qin Lang has completely cut off his retreat.

He looked at the Han army positions outside the pass, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

In this battle, you either win or die on the battlefield.

He, Qin Lang, had already prepared for the worst.

"My fellow soldiers, follow me and defend Hangu Pass to the death!" Qin Lang shouted again, raising the sword in his hand high. The sword light flashed, illuminating the entire Hangu Pass.

All the soldiers responded, shouting loudly and vowing to defend Hangu Pass with Qin Lang until death.

At that moment, Hangu Pass was filled with passionate fighting spirit and firm determination.

However, everyone knows in their hearts that this battle will be the toughest battle in their lives and also the last battle in their lives.

Qin Lang stood on the city wall, looking at the determined eyes and passionate fighting spirit of the soldiers inside the pass, and an inexplicable feeling of emotion surged in his heart.

These soldiers are the elite of Wei State and they are all his brothers.

They were willing to defend Hangu Pass with him to the death, which was the greatest trust and support for him.

but.
How many of them can survive?
. . .

Around Luoyang, conscripted laborers surged like a tide. Some of them staggered, some supported each other, their eyes full of fatigue and helplessness.

This conscription order was like a cruel imperial edict, involving the old, the young, the sick and the disabled.

The strong and healthy young men were incorporated into the military farming army. Holding hoes, they worked hard in the fields, sweating profusely, cultivating hope and providing food and fodder for the Wei front line.

The old, weak, sick and disabled were like abandoned children by fate. They were sent to the three dangerous passes of Hangu Pass, Guangcheng Pass and Chenggao Pass, where they were silently consumed.

The summer sun is as hot as fire, baking the earth and making people anxious.

Around Luoyang City, fields are glowing green in the sun. They are the grains sown in the spring, and are now growing lush and vibrant.

As the breeze blows, the rice ears sway gently, as if telling the joy of the harvest.

However, behind this joy lies endless bitterness and tears.

In front of Hangu Pass, a group of old, weak, sick and disabled laborers were carrying heavy stones. Their figures looked so small and weak under the scorching sun.

Most of them are old and frail, and some even have hunched backs and walk with difficulty. But their eyes reveal a kind of perseverance and indomitable spirit, which is the helplessness of life and the struggle against fate.

An old man with gray hair and wrinkled face picked up a stone with difficulty and walked tremblingly towards the construction site of the pass.

The veins on his hands bulged and sweat ran down his cheeks, dripping onto the ground beneath his feet.

He was panting, and every step he took seemed extremely difficult, but his eyes were extremely firm, as if he was using his life to interpret what responsibility and commitment are.

At Guangcheng Pass, a group of ragged women were carrying sand, their figures looming in the dust.

Their hands were covered with calluses, and their faces were full of vicissitudes and fatigue. But they did not complain or cry, but worked silently, contributing to the defense of Wei with their own hands.

of course
It’s okay not to contribute.

When you become a corpse on the ground, you will no longer have to contribute, otherwise, the supervisor's whip will fall on you.

In the court of Wei, Cao Rui sat on the dragon throne with a stern and determined expression.

He knew very well that although this policy of conscripting civilians was vicious, it greatly reduced the food shortage problem in the Luoyang Plain.

He looked at the ministers of the palace and said slowly: "Although this plan is cruel, it is also for the survival of Wei. As long as it can help Wei get through this difficult time, I don't care about the bad reputation."

His voice was deep and powerful, full of unquestionable firmness.

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed their heads and remained silent. They knew in their hearts that although this was a helpless move, it cost countless innocent people their lives.

However, what can they say when it comes to the survival of the country?

Cao Rui's gaze swept across the ministers and finally stopped on Zheng Cheng.

Zheng Cheng bowed and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, although this plan can solve the immediate problem, the cost is too high. The lives of hundreds of thousands of old and weak people have been sacrificed. I am worried that this move will cause low morale and resentment among the people."

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui frowned slightly, but then relaxed his brows.

He said in a deep voice: "I know this plan is evil, but I have no choice at this time of national survival. As for the low morale and resentment of the people, I have my own way to resolve it. As long as the State of Wei survives, I don't care about these insults at all!"

His voice was full of determination and firmness, as if he was ready to bear all the consequences.

When all the ministers heard this, they were all shocked. They knew that the young emperor had made up his mind to lead the State of Wei forward no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead.

As time goes by, the scorching sun in midsummer becomes hotter and hotter.

In the farmlands around Luoyang City, grains are thriving under the sunshine and will be ready for harvest in two or three months.

By then, Luoyang's food and grass problems would be solved, and the Han army's siege strategy would collapse.

However, behind this seeming hope lies endless sorrow and pain.

The lives of those civilians who were conscripted to the Three Passes were gradually consumed in silence.

Their families, in the endless waiting and anticipation, can only shed tears and pray silently.

Cao Rui stood on the city wall, looking at the lush farmland in the distance, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

Behind the joy of this harvest are the lives and tears of countless innocent people.

But for the survival of the Wei State, he had to harden his heart and endure all the infamy and pain.

As a king and father, he failed to protect his subjects.

But he wants to change the order of heaven and earth and find a way out for Wei! (End of this chapter)