Shuhan

When the news reached Luoyang, there was an uproar in the Wei imperial palace.

Cao Rui was sitting upright on the dragon throne with a solemn expression.

He was wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head, and his brows revealed an extraordinary demeanor, but at this moment, his eyes were full of shock and anger.

When the attendants hurried into the hall and knelt down to report the tragic news of the loss of Chenggao Pass, the attack on Mengjin, and the fall of Lianping County, Cao Rui stood up suddenly, clenched his hands into fists, with the blue veins on his fists bulging, showing his extreme indignation.

"How is this possible? Chenggao Pass is a natural barrier and Mengjin is heavily guarded. How could it be lost so easily?" Cao Rui's voice trembled slightly with anger. His eyes were like torches, scanning the ministers in the hall, as if he wanted to pour out his anger on them.

However, after his anger, Cao Rui quickly calmed down.

He knew very well that as the king of a country, this was not the time to indulge in emotions. He slowly sat back on the dragon chair, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down.

His eyes gradually became deep, as if he was thinking about some important decision.

"When the Han Kingdom broke through Hangu Pass before, I also faced a desperate situation, but I was able to turn danger into safety in the end." Cao Rui muttered to himself, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. It was an affirmation of his own abilities and confidence in the future.

"Pass the order down and summon Shangshu Ling Chen Qun, Imperial Tutor Zheng Cheng and others to discuss the matter." Cao Rui's voice was firm and powerful, and his eyes flashed with determination.

After a while, Chen Qun, Zheng Cheng and others hurried over. They all looked worried, and it was obvious that they had learned the news of defeat at the front.

Chen Qun bowed and saluted, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, the Han army is coming with great force this time, and Zhao Yun is extremely brave. Our army has suffered a series of defeats and morale is low. The most urgent task is to stabilize the morale of the army and then make plans for the future."

Zheng Cheng, the emperor's teacher, was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a dignified face.

He stroked his long beard and said after a moment's silence: "Your Majesty, although Zhao Yun is brave, the Han army has come from afar and must be short of food and supplies. Our army can hold its ground and wear down their spirit, then look for an opportunity to counterattack."

Cao Rui listened to the advice of his ministers and had something in mind.

He stood up and looked into the distance with a firm gaze, as if he could penetrate the thick fog and see the smoke of the battlefield.

"I have made up my mind. While the Han army is still unstable, our army should take the initiative to attack and defeat the Han army once again."

Cao Rui's voice was sonorous and powerful, full of desire for victory.

Afterwards, Cao Rui deployed a detailed battle plan and ordered Chen Qun to be responsible for raising food and fodder, while Zheng Cheng assisted in mobilizing troops.

Inside the hall, all the ministers received their orders and prepared for the upcoming war.

Cao Rui stood alone in the hall, looking at the night outside the window, with an inexplicable sense of pride welling up in his heart.

He knew that this war would determine the fate of the State of Wei and would also test his ability to govern the country.

But he believed that as long as the Wei army was united and worked together, they would be able to defeat the Han army and defend the territory of Wei.

Just at this time.

Xiahou Xian stepped forward; each step seemed so steady and powerful. His armor made slight sounds with each step, like the prelude to a war drum, foreshadowing the upcoming decisive battle.

He walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply to Emperor Cao Rui, and spoke in a loud voice, resounding throughout the hall: "Your Majesty, I, Xiahou Xian, am willing to lead the troops to dampen Zhao Yun's spirit and bring glory to the State of Wei!"

When Cao Rui heard this, a hint of surprise and approval flashed in his eyes.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes as sharp as torches, staring at Xiahou Xian, as if he wanted to see through the general's eyes and see his burning loyalty.

Cao Rui's voice was filled with excitement and a desire for victory: "Zhang Bao died at your hands, and now Zhao Yun should also be killed by you! I believe in you, Xiahou Xian, you will live up to my expectations and make great military achievements for the State of Wei!"

As he spoke, Cao Rui stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the hall. His figure was elongated in the candlelight, making him look particularly majestic.

He continued to command: "Xiahou Xian, I will immediately order you to lead the army to attack Zhao Yun and E Huan. You must remember that this battle concerns the honor and survival of our Wei State. You can only win, not lose!"

When Xiahou Xian heard this, an indescribable feeling of pride and ambition surged in his heart.

He held his head high with his chest out, his eyes determined, as if he had already seen himself leading the army and fighting fiercely with Zhao Yun on the battlefield.

He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I obey your order! I will go all out and swear to destroy Zhao Yun and live up to your majesty's high expectations!"

Seeing this, Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction.

He walked up to Xiahou Xianshen, helped him up, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly: "Xiahou Xian, you are my capable general, and I have full confidence in you. You must be careful and cautious in this battle. You must be brave and good at strategy. I will wait for your triumphant return in Luoyang to celebrate your success!"

Xiahou Xian felt the emperor's trust and expectations, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

He held Cao Rui's hand tightly, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will fulfill my mission and defend the territory of Wei until my death!"

At this time, all the ministers in the hall came forward to offer their condolences to Xiahou.

They patted Xiahou Xian on the shoulder or held his hand, expressing their support and encouragement. The whole hall was filled with an excited atmosphere, as if they had been infected by Xiahou Xian's heroic spirit.

Xiahou Xian turned and walked towards the entrance of the hall, his steps becoming more firm and powerful.

He looked back at Emperor Cao Rui and his ministers, and silently swore in his heart: "I, Xiahou Xian, will shed my last drop of blood for the State of Wei and defend the glory of the State of Wei to the death!"

With Xiahou Xian's departure, the hall gradually returned to peace.

Cao Rui sat back on the dragon throne and looked into the distance with deep eyes.

In his heart, he had trust and expectations for Xiahou Xian, but also worries and uneasiness about the war.

But he knew that as the king of a country, he must remain firm in his beliefs and lead Wei to victory.

After Xiahou Xian walked out of the hall, he immediately summoned his generals and soldiers.

He stood on a high platform, wearing armor and holding a sword, his eyes scanning the soldiers below the platform with a sharp gaze.

His voice was loud and powerful, inspiring everyone like a war drum: "Soldiers, we are about to embark on a journey to conquer those enemies who dare to invade our Wei State. I, Xiahou Xian, will fight alongside you to defend the glory of Wei State!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers raised their arms and shouted, shaking the sky.

Three days later.

Yanshi.

Xiahou Xian has always been known for his cautious approach to military operations.

On the battlefield, there is no room for underestimation of the enemy, especially when facing the two fierce generals of the Han Dynasty - Zhao Yun and E Huan.

These two men were both outstanding in the Han army. They were highly skilled in martial arts, intelligent and brave. They were definitely not ordinary people.

Therefore, when formulating strategies, Xiahou Xian always regarded the two of them as a major concern and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

At this time, the battle between the Wei army and the Han army had reached a fever pitch, and both sides were fighting with all their might to gain territory.

Xiahou Xian stood on the top of the Yanshi City, gazing at the distant sky, thinking about the next move in the chess game in his mind.

His face was calm and resolute, and his eyes revealed a deep wisdom, as if he could see through every corner of the battlefield. "Zhao Yun and E Huan, these two are not ordinary people, they should not be underestimated." Xiahou Xian whispered to himself, his fingers gently tapping the stone bricks on the top of the city, making a crisp sound, as if accompanying his words.

To win this war, we must have sufficient understanding and respect for the enemy.

In order to deal with the powerful attack of the Han army, Xiahou Xian carefully deployed his troops.

He stationed the main force of the army in Yanshi City, which was a stronghold for the Wei army as it was easy to defend but difficult to attack.

He stationed a detachment of troops in the city of Gongxian as a force to support and contain the Han army.

The main force in Yanshi City was strong and well-equipped with high morale.

They trained all day long, sharpening their swords, waiting for Xiahou Xian's order, and then they would rush towards the enemy like tigers descending from the mountains.

Although the detachment in Gongxian City had relatively few troops, each of them was a strong and elite force. They were tasked with severing the connection between the Han State and Chenggao Pass, and at the same time, they had to attract the Han army from Mengjin and Pingxian to attack and create opportunities for the main army.

Xiahou Xian stood in the command room of Yanshi City. A huge map hung on the wall. He carefully examined every detail and silently calculated in his mind. His fingers moved across the map, as if depicting an upcoming war.

He turned to look at the generals around him and said in a firm tone: "Our main army is waiting here to seize the opportunity and take Pingxian and Mengjin. The detachment in Gongxian is our surprise force. They must cut off the connection between Han and Chenggao Pass, attract the attention of the Han army, and create opportunities for our main force."

Upon hearing this, the generals nodded in agreement.

They were well aware of Xiahou Xian's military tactics and had full confidence in his strategies.

However, Xiahou Xian knew in his heart that although this strategy was clever, it was also full of risks.

"What if the detachment can't hold out in Gong County? What if Zhao Yun doesn't fall into the trap? Then this plan will fail." Xiahou Xian thought to himself, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

The battlefield is ever-changing, and any unexpected situation may lead to the failure of the entire plan.

However, at this point, he had no way out and could only give it a try.

Xiahou Xian took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He looked at the generals around him and said firmly: "Soldiers, this battle is related to the honor and survival of our Wei State. We must go all out. The task of the detachment in Gong County is arduous, but they are the pride of our Wei Army. I believe they will be able to hold on to the end. The main army must always remain vigilant and be ready to attack at any time."

Upon hearing this, the generals raised their arms and shouted loudly, shaking the house.

There was a determination gleam in their eyes, as if they had seen the dawn of victory.

Xiahou Xian looked at these brave soldiers and his heart was filled with confidence and strength.

At the same time, in Gongxian City, the commander of the detachment was leading his soldiers in intensive preparations for war.

They knew their task was arduous, but they were not afraid. The generals stood on the top of the city, looking at the distant sky, silently reciting Xiahou Xian's strategy.

His face was firm and resolute, and his eyes revealed a fearless courage.

"Soldiers, we are a detachment of the Wei army, but our responsibility is equally great. We must cut off the connection between the Han Kingdom and Chenggao Pass, attract the attention of the Han army, and create opportunities for the main army."

The general shouted loudly, his voice full of passion and power.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers cheered up and gripped their weapons tightly.

This is a decisive battle that concerns the fate of the Wei State. They must go all out to win victory for the Wei State.

Every subtle movement of the Wei army was like a firefly in the dark night, and could not escape the sharp eyes of the Han army's secret agents.

These spies, like ghosts, shuttled between the enemy and us, continuously reporting the movements of the Wei army back to the Han army camp.

At this moment, Zhao Yun was sitting upright in the tent, his brows furrowed, his eyes flashing with contemplation.

His face was firm, with strong lines, as if carved with a knife, revealing an indomitable heroism.

There was a map spread out on the table, and Zhao Yun's fingers gently ran across it, as if looking for a good strategy to defeat the enemy.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence in the tent.

A spy from the Military Affairs Department walked in quickly, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said in a deep and powerful voice: "General, the Wei army is moving! They have blocked Gong County and cut off our connection with Chenggao Pass."

When Zhao Yun heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, then gloomy again.

Once Gong County was blocked, the Han army's food supply line would be seriously threatened, and the encirclement plan of Luoyang might also be frustrated. He pondered for a moment, then stood up and ordered loudly: "Call E Huan and others to discuss this matter!"

Soon, E Huan and other generals came to the camp one after another. They were either burly or resolute, and they were all the best in the Han army. As soon as E Huan entered the tent, he saw Zhao Yun's solemn expression, and his heart tightened.

"Everyone, the Wei army has blocked our way in Gong County and cut off our retreat." Zhao Yun went straight to the point and explained the situation directly.

His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Upon hearing this, E Huan raised his eyebrows and a hint of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.

His voice was loud and clear, resounding through the tent like thunder: "Since the Wei army is blocking Gong County and cutting off our connection with Chenggao Pass, then we must take Gong County! I, E Huan, am willing to lead the troops there and swear to take back Gong County at all costs!"

E Huan's words were like lighting a fuse, and the tent suddenly exploded.

A general echoed: "General E Huan is right! Gong County is a place that our Han army must fight for. We must not let it fall into the hands of the Wei army!"

Some generals disagreed: "If the connection is cut off, then it is cut off. Our food and fodder can be transported by boat through the river. It is not a big deal. We just need to wait for the troops to maneuver to the designated positions and then we can encircle Luoyang. There is no need to take risks."

Zhao Yun listened to the generals' argument and thought to himself.

The gains and losses of Gong County are related to the direction of the entire war.

If Gong County can be captured, the Han army's food supply line will be guaranteed and the encirclement of Luoyang will be more stable.

But if we take the risk of attacking and fail, the consequences will be disastrous.

He looked around and saw the generals' expressions, some excited and some calm, and gradually made a decision in his heart.

He took a deep breath and said slowly: "Everyone, Gong County is indeed related to the life and death of our Han army. But a rash attack is also risky. I think you can order E Huan to join some Han troops at Chenggao Pass to try to take Gong County. If it is a tough challenge, we will not fight, but retreat to Chenggao Pass and seek other strategies."

Zhao Yun's words, like a magic needle that stabilizes the sea, immediately calmed the debate in the tent.

The generals nodded in agreement. They knew that Zhao Yun's decisions were always well thought out, prudent and decisive.

When E Huan heard this, although he felt unwilling, he also understood that Zhao Yun's decision was made based on the overall situation.

He clasped his hands and said, "I obey your command! I will try my best to capture Gong County. If it is impossible, we will retreat to Chenggao Pass and look for another opportunity."

Zhao Yun looked at E Huan's determined expression and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

He patted E Huan on the shoulder and said in a heavy tone: "General E Huan, this battle concerns the honor and survival of our Han army. You must be careful and cautious, and must not underestimate the enemy and advance rashly. I will wait for your good news here." (End of this chapter)