Shuhan

The fire, which had been raging for a full half month, was like an angry fire dragon, roaming wantonly in the vast land around Gu County.

This fire is the war fire of the Han army, the flame that destroys the hope of the Wei army.

Gu County, a place where people once worked hard to farm and where rice was fragrant, has now become a scorched earth.

The farmlands, those green oceans that carried the Wei army's hope for food and fodder, were basically burned to ashes by the Han army.

The once vibrant farmlands are now nothing but black ashes that blow in the wind and emit a pungent smell of smoke.

The Han army did not give up. They sent out their elite cavalry and marched eastward in several routes.

These cavalrymen, clad in iron armor and holding spears, had firmness and coldness in their eyes.

They set fire along the way, and wherever they went, flames rose into the sky and engulfed everything combustible.

The tiny flames seemed to come to life under the blowing of the autumn wind, leaping and spreading, and seemed to be getting more and more intense.

The autumn wind, which should have brought coolness and harvest, now became an accomplice, pushing the fire to an uncontrollable situation.

The soldiers of the Wei army stood on a high place, looking at the blazing fire, their hearts filled with despair and helplessness.

They knew that these food supplies were the lifeline of the Wei army's stalemate with the Han Kingdom in Luoyang.

If the food and grass cannot be protected, how will the Wei army continue to hold on?
How to contend with the powerful Han army?

For a time, a depressing atmosphere permeated the army, and the morale of many people had fallen to the bottom.

Among the Wei army, there was a general named Wang Shuang. He was tall and strong, with a resolute face, but at this moment his face was full of worry.

His eyes were bloodshot, obviously the result of not sleeping for many days.

He stood at the gate of the military camp, looking at the fire in the distance, feeling mixed emotions.

He knew very well that as a general, he had to remain calm and lead his soldiers out of trouble.

But the scene before him made him feel unprecedentedly powerless.

"General, what should we do?" A soldier walked up to Wang Shuang and asked in a trembling voice.

His face was covered in smoke and dust, and his clothes were torn by the fire, making him look extremely disheveled.

Wang Shuang took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He turned around and looked at the soldier, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "Don't be afraid, our Wei army is not so easy to be defeated. As long as we have a breath left, we must defend Luoyang!"

However, at this time, the Han Dynasty's spies began to take action.

They quietly sneaked into the Wei army and spread rumors everywhere. They said with certainty that as long as the Wei army surrendered, the Han army would not kill a single person and would also keep their money and wealth.

These rumors were like poisonous arrows, shooting into the hearts of the Wei army soldiers.

"Have you heard? The Han army said they would not kill us if we surrendered, and would give us money to spend!" A soldier whispered to his comrades beside him. His eyes flickered with hesitation, and he had obviously been shaken by these rumors.

Another soldier couldn't help but whispered, "Really? Then...then we might as well surrender. We can't fight this war anymore."

These words, like an evil wind, spread rapidly among the Wei army.

For a time, people's hearts were in turmoil and morale was at its lowest point.

Many soldiers began to discuss among themselves, and some even started to pack their bags and prepare to escape.

Wang Shuang was shocked when he learned of this. He knew that if no action was taken, the Wei army would be defeated without a fight. He immediately summoned all the generals for an emergency meeting.

"Everyone, the current situation is very serious." Wang Shuang said in a deep voice, his eyes revealing firmness and determination.

"The Han army is using rumors to undermine our morale. We must find a way to stabilize the army's morale."

An old general stood up. His hair and beard were all white, but his eyes were extremely sharp. "The general is right. We cannot let the Han army's trick succeed. We must tell the soldiers that the glory of Wei cannot be lost. Our families are still waiting for us to return!"

Wang Shuang nodded in agreement. He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Yes! We must tell the soldiers that the Wei army is brave and fearless, and we are not afraid of death! We must fight for the Wei Kingdom and for our families! If anyone dares to spread rumors and shake the morale of the army again, I will never forgive them!"

After saying that, Wang Shuang slammed the table hard, making a loud "bang".

His eyes flashed with anger and determination, which shocked all the generals present.

However, despite Wang Shuang and the generals' efforts to stabilize the morale of the army, the power of rumors was still difficult to estimate.

Some soldiers have begun to secretly flee the barracks, and the remaining soldiers are in panic and find it difficult to fight with peace of mind.

In this chaos, Wang Shuang walked alone in the military camp.

He looked at the empty tents, his heart filled with helplessness and sadness.

He knew that this war was not only a military contest, but also a psychological and will contest. The Wei army was facing an unprecedented test.

As night fell, the fire was still burning in the distance, lighting up half the sky red.

Wang Shuang stood at the gate of the military camp, looking at the blazing fire and praying silently in his heart.

He prayed that the Wei army could overcome this difficulty, and prayed that they could defeat the Han army and defend Luoyang.

The Wei Emperor, Cao Rui, sat in the imperial palace in Luoyang City, with a barely perceptible worry revealed between his brows.

Outside the palace, the autumn wind was bleak and the fallen leaves were flying, which seemed to be telling the turmoil and unrest in the country.

Inside the hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated Cao Rui's slightly tired face.

He naturally felt the low morale in the army. It was an invisible oppression that hung over the Wei army like a dark cloud.

Cao Rui knew very well that morale is the soul of the army. If the morale is low, how can we defeat a strong enemy?
However, he had no choice.

The Han army led by Zhang Bao on the opposite side seemed to see through the Wei army's intentions and did not engage in a decisive battle with them.

Zhang Bao, the young and brave Han general, was like a cunning fox. He always avoided the edge of the Wei army and left it with no place to attack.

Attack the stronghold?

Cao Rui had also thought of this method, but the Han army's fortress was extremely strong and had the advantage of gunpowder.

The wall of the village was so high that it reached the sky and was so thick that the siege equipment of the Wei army seemed so small in front of it.

The Han army's gunpowder weapons made the Wei army terrified.

Every time they attacked the city, the Wei army suffered heavy casualties, but was unable to shake the Han army's stronghold in the slightest.

Cao Rui closed his eyes, and the tragic scenes of sieges emerged in his mind.

The Wei soldiers shouted and rushed towards the city, but were knocked down one after another by the Han army's rain of arrows and gunpowder weapons.

The bloody scene made Cao Rui's heart ache as if it was being cut by a knife.

As a last resort, he had to return to Luoyang to stabilize the situation in the court.

He knew that if this continued, the Wei army would be exhausted and Luoyang might not be able to be defended.

We must find a way to break the impasse!

Cao Rui made up his mind secretly.

He suddenly opened his eyes, and a hint of determination flashed in them.

Immediately, he summoned Shangshu Ling Chen Qun, imperial tutor Zheng Cheng, Shizhong Liu Ye, and Taiwei Hua Xin to discuss how to reverse the situation.

The attendants took the order and left. After a while, four important ministers hurried over.

They walked into the hall and saw Cao Rui sitting on the dragon throne, his face serious and his eyes revealing an unquestionable firmness. Chen Qun, as the Shangshu Ling, was old but energetic.

He was dressed in an official uniform and a black gauze hat, and walked steadily to the center of the hall.

His face was full of traces of time, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle.

The State of Wei was in danger at this moment. As an important official, he had to step forward and share the emperor's worries.

Zheng Cheng, the emperor's teacher, had white hair and beard, but an elegant temperament.

Holding a jade ruyi in his hand, he slowly walked into the hall. His eyes revealed a deep wisdom, as if he could see through all the troubles in the world.

Liu Ye and Hua Xin walked into the hall with steady steps.

After the four important officials stood still, Cao Rui slowly spoke: "My dear ministers, now that the Han army is approaching, our army's morale is low. We can't attack the stronghold, and we can't fight. If this continues, Luoyang may be difficult to hold. I summoned you to discuss a strategy to break the impasse."

Chen Qun frowned when he heard this, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, the Han army's fortress is strong, and they have the advantage of gunpowder. It is difficult for our army to win by force. It is better to retreat for the time being, reorganize the troops and horses, and then look for a good opportunity."

Zheng Cheng shook his head and said softly: "Retreat can ensure temporary safety, but it is not a long-term solution. If our army retreats, the Han army will surely pursue us, and our army will be even more passive at that time."

Liu Ye's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said in a cold voice: "I think our army should send an elite division to attack the Han army's stronghold at night. Although the Han army has the advantage of gunpowder, their vision is blocked at night. Our army can take this opportunity to break the stronghold in one fell swoop."

Hua Xin nodded his head in agreement and said, "What the Minister said makes sense. But our army must be cautious in a night attack. We need to select elite troops and make a careful plan to ensure victory."

Cao Rui listened to the discussions of the four important ministers and pondered in his heart.

He knew very well that every suggestion from an important official had its merits, but also its risks.

A night attack on the Han army's stronghold could certainly catch the enemy by surprise, but if it failed, the consequences would be disastrous.

Suddenly, Cao Rui's eyes lit up and he had an idea in mind.

He slowly said, "What you said makes sense. But I think our army should take two approaches. On the one hand, we should reorganize the army and horses, strengthen the defense, and ensure that Luoyang is not lost; on the other hand, we should send elite troops to attack the Han army's fortress at night and disrupt its deployment. Only in this way can we reverse the situation."

The four important officials nodded in agreement after hearing this. They knew that Cao Rui's plan was both steady and decisive, taking both defense and offense into consideration, and was indeed a strategy to break the deadlock.

now.

Gu County looks particularly quiet in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The city walls are mottled, having witnessed countless vicissitudes of life, but at this moment they seem to feel the waves that are about to arise in the city.

Wang Shuang, the general guarding Gu County, was a man of sturdy stature, with a face as red as a date, and a look of heroic spirit that revealed his majesty without even being angry.

He was wearing armor and holding a sword, standing on the city wall, staring into the distance, with complex emotions surging in his heart.

Beside him, a deputy general whispered earnestly.

He is thin and handsome, and his eyes are shining with expectations and anxiety about the future.

While explaining the generous treatment that the Han army would give to the surrendered generals, the deputy general tried to test Wang Shuang's intentions: "General, the Han army is powerful, and our army is isolated and difficult to defend. If you surrender to the Han army, you can not only save your life, but also enjoy wealth and glory. Why don't you consider it?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuang frowned and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

He turned around suddenly, swung his sword, pointed the tip of the sword directly at the deputy general's heart, and said sternly: "I am a general of Wei, how can I surrender? If you say such treasonous words again, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword!"

The deputy general turned pale with fear, and quickly stepped back, bowed and clasped his fists, saying: "General, calm down. I am only thinking about your future, and I have no intention of treason."

Wang Shuang snorted coldly and retracted his sword, but the anger in his heart was difficult to calm down.

He paced on the city wall with his hands behind his back, with a thousand thoughts in his mind.

Although Gu County is small, it is the throat of Wei State. Once it is lost, the consequences will be disastrous.

However, the Han army was strong and had been besieging the city for a long time. The food and grass in the city were running out, and morale was low. If this continued, he would die on the day the city fell.

As night fell, moonlight filled the city wall, and Wang Shuang's figure looked particularly lonely in the moonlight.

He stopped and looked at the Han army camp in the distance, with an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

Is it fear?

No, when has Wang Shuang ever been afraid of death?
Is it helpless?

Maybe a little, but more of it is worry about the situation and confusion about the future.

Suddenly, a cool breeze blew by, and Wang Shuang shivered, as if awakened from confusion.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let his thoughts gradually calm down.

When he opened his eyes again, the anger and confusion in his eyes were gone, replaced by a firmness and determination.

Wang Shuang turned around and looked at the deputy general, his tone much calmer: "What you just said is not entirely unreasonable. The situation is critical now, and our Gu County is isolated and difficult to defend. Perhaps it is really time for a change."

Upon hearing this, the deputy general's eyes flashed with surprise, and he stepped forward quickly: "General, you are wise! If you surrender to the Han army, you will be able to save your life and enjoy wealth and glory."

Wang Shuang waved his hand and interrupted the deputy general: "Glory and wealth? How can I, Wang Shuang, be greedy? What I care about is the people of Gu County and the safety of Luoyang. If you really care about me, go and bring the Han envoy. I want to discuss surrender with him in person."

The deputy general took the order and left. After a while, he returned to the city tower with a Han envoy.

The messenger was dressed in gorgeous clothes, had a pretty face, and a cunning gleam in his eyes.

When he saw Wang Shuang, he quickly saluted and said, "Greetings, General Wang. I am an envoy from the Han Kingdom, and I have come to discuss surrender with you."

Wang Shuang glanced at the messenger coldly and said, "Just follow me."

After saying this, he turned and walked down the tower towards the secret room in the city. The deputy general and the messenger followed closely behind him, each with their own thoughts in mind.

In the secret room, the flickering candlelight illuminated Wang Shuang's serious face.

He sat in the main seat, motioned the envoy to sit down, and then said straight to the point: "I, Wang Shuang, am willing to surrender to the Han army, but there are two conditions."

The envoy was delighted when he heard this and asked quickly, "General, please tell me. As long as the conditions are reasonable, our Han army will agree."

Wang Shuang said in a deep voice: "First, after I surrender, you must keep my power and position, you must not reduce my military power, and you must not humiliate my reputation."

The messenger nodded and said, "General, rest assured. Our Han army is eager to recruit talented people. We will definitely make use of you and ensure that your power and status will not be reduced."

Wang Shuang continued, "Secondly, the people of Gu County are innocent. After the Han army enters the city, they must not kill innocent people or plunder their property. They must protect the safety of the people of Luoyang."

The envoy thought for a moment and nodded: "General, you are kind and righteous. Our Han army will abide by military discipline, protect the safety of the people, and not disturb their property."

Wang Shuang felt relieved after hearing this.

He stood up and held out his hand: "In this case, let's shake hands and swear to keep this agreement together."

The messenger also stood up, stretched out his hand and clapped hands with the king three times.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze in the secret room, and the fate of the two people was closely linked.

After the high-five, Wang Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at the messenger, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "From now on, I, Wang Shuang, will be a Han general. I hope that the Han army can keep its promise, protect my power and position, and protect the safety of the people of Luoyang."

The messenger smiled and nodded: "General, rest assured, our Han army will keep its word. General, just wait for good news."

After saying this, the messenger said goodbye and left.

Wang Shuang stood in the secret room, looking at the messenger's departing back, feeling mixed emotions.

Those who know the current affairs are handsome.

Even if you surrender, you still need to give a token of surrender. (End of this chapter)