Shuhan

Zhang Bao's death in battle was undoubtedly a huge blow to the Han army.

He was not only a brave general in the Han army, but also the soul of the army.

His death in battle was like a bolt from the blue, filling the hearts of the Han soldiers with grief and anger.

In Gu County, those Han soldiers who had not broken out were still defending this isolated city.

Gu County, this once prosperous town, has now been devastated by war.

The city walls were damaged in many places, and the flags on the city walls were already in tatters.

However, the will of the Han army soldiers was as tenacious as the city wall.

The streets in the city are full of busy figures.

The soldiers ran back and forth, carrying supplies and repairing the city walls.

However, the Wei army's offensive was as fierce as a storm.

They took advantage of the news of Zhang Bao's death and launched an even more frenzied attack on Gu County.

Xiahou Xian, a general of the Wei army, personally led the elite troops to launch a series of attacks on Gu County. He was wearing heavy armor, holding a long spear, and riding on a tall warhorse, looking majestic. His eyes revealed a kind of cruelty and determination, as if he wanted to trample Gu County to the ground.

Just as the Han soldiers were fighting desperately, a shocking news spread to every corner of Gu County.

Wei army general Xiahou Xian actually appeared outside Gu County with Zhang Bao's head!
This news came like a bolt from the blue, filling the hearts of the Han soldiers in the city with shock and grief.

On the city wall, a Han army general looked at the head held high outside the city, and his eyes turned red in an instant.

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

His heart was filled with anger and unwillingness. Zhang Bao's death in battle had already made them heartbroken, and now the Wei army even displayed his head to the public, which was undoubtedly a great insult to the Han army soldiers.

The morale of the Han army in the city plummeted in an instant, and a hint of panic and uneasiness was revealed in their originally determined eyes.

Zhang Bao's death in battle meant that the Han army lost an important general, while the morale of the Wei army was greatly boosted.

Now, the Wei army came to attack the city with Zhang Bao's head, which was undoubtedly a huge blow to their psychological defenses.

Seeing this, Xiahou Xian curled up the corner of his mouth into a sneer.

This is the best time to attack the city.

He raised his spear high and shouted, "Han army soldiers, look who this is! This is the head of your beloved General Zhang Bao! He has died in the battle. What's the point of you still defending this isolated city? It's better to surrender early, so as not to sacrifice your lives in vain!"

His voice was like thunder, echoing over Gu County.

The Han army soldiers in the city listened to his words, their hearts filled with anger and unwillingness.

However, they also knew that the situation at this time was indeed not optimistic.

Zhang Bao’s death in battle caused their morale to plummet, and the Wei army’s offensive was so fierce, could they really defend this isolated city?

Seeing that the Han army soldiers were hesitant, Xiahou Xian immediately ordered his men to attack Gu County fiercely.

The Wei army soldiers rushed towards the city wall of Gu County like crazy.

Some of them climbed the city walls, some used ladders to attack the city, and some used catapults to throw huge stones into the city.

The entire Gu County was suddenly plunged into chaos.

Although the Han soldiers in the city were filled with fear and anxiety, they did not give up resistance.

However, the Wei army's offensive was too fierce, and the Han army soldiers gradually fell into a bitter battle.

At this time, Gu County had become precarious.

The city walls were damaged in many places, and the flags on the city walls had long been shot down by arrows from the Wei army.

The streets in the city were filled with smoke and flames of war.

Although the Han soldiers fought with all their might, their physical strength was gradually exhausted.

However, the Wei army continued to surge in like a tide, making them feel overwhelmed.

They knew that they might not be able to defend this isolated city.

When Gu County was in danger, the sky became increasingly gloomy, with dark clouds hanging heavily on the city walls, as if an endless downpour would pour down at any time.

The atmosphere in the city was extremely tense. Every pair of eyes was filled with anxiety and fear, and every heart was stretched to the limit.

The Wei army's offensive was like a violent storm, wave after wave, violently impacting Gu County's defense line.

At this critical moment of life and death, middle-level military generals who graduated from the Military Academy stepped forward. They knew that morale was more important than any weapon at this time.

These generals all had tall postures and firm eyes. They wore armor that was covered in dust and blood, but it still couldn't conceal their heroic spirit.

They shuttled through the city, looking for soldiers who were sitting or standing with confused expressions, and began to do ideological work.

One of the generals was named Li Bao. He was tall and strong, with a resolute face and an unyielding pride between his brows.

He walked up to a group of soldiers sitting at the foot of the city wall, squatted down, and looked at each of them with a determined gaze.

His voice was deep and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fear in people's hearts: "Brothers, our families are still in Han. They are looking forward to our triumphant return. How can we surrender so easily?"

As he spoke, he stood up and patted the shoulder of a young soldier next to him.

The soldier's face was pale, and his eyes were full of anxiety. Li Bao looked at him and said more firmly, "You have many privileges in Han. Your family members enjoy the protection and preferential treatment of the government because you are soldiers of Han. If you surrender to the enemy, will these privileges still be there? How will the Wei army view us, their former enemies? How will our families be treated?"

After hearing this, the young soldier's eyes reddened slightly. He clenched his teeth and clenched his fists, as if he had made up his mind.

Li Bao felt relieved when he saw this, and he continued to encourage, "Besides, we are not at the end of our rope yet. Look, our city walls are still strong, and our soldiers are still brave. Victory may be just one step away! As long as we hold on a little longer and work harder, reinforcements may arrive, and victory may belong to us!"

At this time, another general, Zhao Gang, also came over.

He is thin, but his eyes are extremely sharp, as if he can see into people's hearts.

He continued Li Bao's words and said, "As soldiers of the Han State, we shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending our country. Our honor and dignity are all tied to this Gu County. How can we surrender? How can we let the Wei army trample on our land and bully our families?"

Zhao Gang's words, like a warm current, flowed into the hearts of the soldiers.

They all raised their heads, their eyes gleaming with determination. An older soldier stood up and said in a trembling voice: "The generals are right! We cannot surrender! For our families, for our honor, and for the Han country, we must hold on to the end!"

Led by him, other soldiers also stood up, waving their weapons and shouting: "Hold on to the end! Never surrender!"

Their voices, like thunder, echoed over Gu County, shaking everyone's heart.

Under the ideological work of generals such as Li Bao and Zhao Gang, the soldiers of Gu County seemed to be injected with new strength.

They picked themselves up again, held their ground, and resisted the Wei army's offensive with their flesh and blood.

The attacks on the city walls became more fierce, but the morale of the soldiers became higher.

They encouraged and supported each other and jointly guarded this city in danger.

However, the people in the city also understood that this high-spirited state could only last for a while.

If reinforcements do not arrive for a long time, the fall of Gu County is only a matter of time.

As night falls, the lights in the city become sparse and dim, as if foreshadowing uncertainty and confusion in the future.

The soldiers sat around the fire, their eyes flashing with worry and anxiety about the future.

Li Bao, Zhao Gang and other generals were also not idle. They continued to move around the city, comforting the soldiers and encouraging them.

They knew that they were the spiritual pillars of the soldiers at this moment and must remain firm and optimistic.

They conveyed faith and strength through their actions and words, making the soldiers believe that as long as they persisted, there was hope.

In this way, under the leadership of the generals and the perseverance of the soldiers, Gu County miraculously held out for another day.

However, everyone knew that this was only a temporary respite.

At this moment, on the battlefield of Mengjin Ferry, dust was flying, war drums were thundering, and shouts of killing were deafening.

E Huan, wearing iron armor and holding a spear, stood in front of the formation. His eyes were like torches, scanning every corner of the battlefield firmly.

The troops he led were like a rock, holding back the fierce offensive of tens of thousands of Wei troops.

The Wei army came in wave after wave like a tide, but E Huan's troops remained unmoved. With their indomitable will and extraordinary bravery, they repelled the enemy's attacks time and time again.

The sun shone brightly on the battlefield, making the armor sparkle and the faces of the soldiers covered with sweat. The neighing of horses and the clash of weapons intertwined together, forming a thrilling picture of war.

E Huan's heart was filled with lofty ambitions. He was fully aware of the heavy responsibility he shouldered and vowed to defend this land and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

However, at this critical moment, a scout riding a fast horse came galloping like an arrow.

He was covered in dust, his face was filled with fatigue and anxiety, but his eyes were filled with determination.

As soon as the scout arrived in front of E Huan, he suddenly pulled the reins of the horse. The horse neighed loudly and raised its front hooves high.

The scout didn't even have time to catch his breath and hurriedly reported: "General, something terrible has happened! General Zhang Bao was defeated and died!"

When E Huan heard this, his heart trembled violently, as if he was hit by a heavy hammer.

His eyes froze instantly, the muscles on his face twitched slightly, and the spear in his hand subconsciously tightened a little.

Is Zhang Bao dead?

How can this be?

He came here this time to rescue Zhang Bao. Now that Zhang Bao is dead, who is he going to save?
E Huan's heart was filled with confusion and astonishment. He felt as if he was in a sudden storm and had lost his direction.

He was stunned for a moment, then suddenly came to his senses and asked hurriedly: "Is Gu County still there?"

His voice was slightly hoarse, but it revealed an unquestionable firmness.

Seeing this, the scout quickly replied: "Gu County is still there, but I'm afraid it won't be long before it falls."

There was a hint of helplessness and worry in the scout's words, and his eyes flickered with uncertainty about the future.

Upon hearing this, E Huan felt a little relieved.

As long as Gu County is still there, that means they still have hope.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

He knew that he could not panic at this moment. As a general, he had to keep a clear head and lead his troops to continue fighting.

E Huan glanced across the battlefield again and saw that the Wei army was still attacking frantically, but their morale seemed to have dropped.

E Huan thought to himself that this might be a good opportunity for them to fight back.

So, he continued to command his troops to engage the Wei army according to the original tactics.

However, E Huan's heart was full of doubts.

The news of Zhang Bao's death made him feel unprecedented pressure, and he didn't know what to do next.

This war is no longer a simple rescue operation, but is about the outcome of the entire situation.

He must proceed with caution and not make any mistakes.

After thinking for a moment, E Huan decided to send someone to ask the prince of Wude County what to do next.

He turned to the messenger behind him and said, "Ride your horse to Wude County immediately, report the battle situation here to the prince, and ask for the next action plan."

After receiving the order, the messenger immediately mounted his horse and galloped away.

As E Huan looked at the messenger's receding back, an inexplicable melancholy welled up in his heart.

He didn't know if what he was doing was right, but he knew that he had to follow the prince's instructions. It was his duty.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil.

At this time, the situation on the battlefield remained stalemate.

Although E Huan's troops put up a tenacious resistance, they gradually showed signs of fatigue.

The Wei army's offensive became more and more fierce. They seemed to smell the scent of victory and began to attack more frantically.

E Huan's heart was filled with anxiety. He constantly encouraged the soldiers to maintain their morale and continue fighting.

E Huan looked particularly majestic at this moment. His armor was covered with dust and blood, but his eyes were still as firm as ever.

His face looked a little haggard due to the long battle, but his lips were tightly pursed, revealing an indomitable spirit.

His figure on the battlefield was like a towering mountain, standing tall and unshakable.

As time went by, the situation on the battlefield became more and more severe. E Huan's heart was full of pressure, but he did not dare to slack off.

He constantly commanded his troops, adjusted tactics, and tried to find a breakthrough.

Various tactics and strategies kept flashing through his mind as he tried to find a way to turn the tide of the battle.

Finally, under E Huan's tenacious resistance, the Wei army's offensive gradually eased.

They seemed to be shocked by E Huan's tenacity and began to re-examine the war.

E Huan took the opportunity to reorganize his troops and prepare for the next round of attack.

. . .

In Wude County, the sky was gloomy with low-hanging dark clouds, as if even the sky was covered with a layer of sad haze because of Zhang Bao's sudden death.

Crown Prince Liu Si sat in the lobby of the county government office with a solemn expression and eyes that revealed shock and grief that were difficult to conceal.

Beside him, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was dressed in plain clothes, with a frown on his face, gently waving a feather fan in his hand, but he could not hide the heaviness in his heart.

The news of Zhang Bao's death was like a bolt from the blue, shocking both of them.

Zhang Bao actually fell at the critical moment, which undoubtedly added some variables to the already complicated battle situation.

"Prime Minister, the death of General Zhang is undoubtedly a huge loss for us." Crown Prince Liu Si's voice was low and hoarse, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the bottom of his heart.

"The logistical baggage piled up at Hangu Pass was originally our trump card for besieging Luoyang, but now it has become the life-saving straw for the Wei army."

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly, slowly waving the feather fan in his hand, but his eyes were unusually firm.

"Your Highness is right. Zhang Bao's baggage is enough to support the Wei army in Luoyang for a year, or even longer. In this year, things are unpredictable. The Wei army may find a way to break the impasse, or other forces may intervene, and the situation will become more complicated."

The lobby fell into silence, with only the occasional sound of wind outside the window seeming to tell of endless sorrow.

Crown Prince Liu Si stood up and paced in the hall. His steps seemed a little heavy, as if every step was taken with his heart.

His eyes kept sweeping over the map hanging on the wall, which marked Luoyang's geographical location and surrounding strategic points. Each mark was like a difficult problem placed in front of him.

"Withdrawing Luoyang and continuing with the siege strategy may preserve our strength, but the Wei army will be even more powerful with the baggage and supplies, and our previous efforts may be wasted." There was some helplessness in the voice of Crown Prince Liu Si.

"But if we don't withdraw, Luoyang City is well-fortified, and the Wei army has Zhang Bao's baggage support, so it will be difficult for us to capture it. If this continues, our morale will be affected."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang sighed softly. A trace of worry flashed across his eyes, but was quickly replaced by determination.

"Your Highness, this situation is indeed tricky. But there is no perfect plan for war. We can only make the most favorable decision based on the current situation."

Crown Prince Liu Si stopped and turned to look at Zhuge Liang, his eyes full of expectation and trust.

"Prime Minister, you are the brain trust of our army, do you have any good plan?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head and waved his feather fan gently, as if he was thinking about something.

"Your Highness, this matter concerns the overall situation and is of great importance. I think we should consider all factors and weigh the pros and cons. But the final decision still needs to be made by Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Liu Si pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "Prime Minister, I have made up my mind. This matter is of great importance, and I cannot make the decision alone. I have decided to leave the decision-making power to my father."

When Zhuge Liang heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then it turned into approval.

"Your Highness, this is a wise move. His Majesty is wise and powerful, and he will definitely make the most correct decision."

After saying this, Crown Prince Liu Si immediately summoned the messenger, wrote a memorial in detail about Zhang Bao's death and the current war situation, handed it to the messenger, and ordered him to rush to Yecheng to report to Emperor Liu Chan.

The messenger took the memorial, knelt down to receive the order, then turned and walked out of the hall, mounted his horse, and rode away.

His figure quickly disappeared in the dust in the distance, leaving only a series of crisp horse hooves sounds echoing in the silent air.

Crown Prince Liu Si watched the messenger go away, his heart filled with anticipation and anxiety.

The lobby fell into silence again, with only the sound of the wind outside the window seeming to tell of the endless unknown. (End of this chapter)