Shuhan

Outside Guangcheng Pass, it is still chilly in early spring.

Above the pass, flags were fluttering and the soldiers guarding the pass all had solemn expressions and sharp eyes, staring intently at the winding path outside the pass, afraid to miss any slight movement.

However, this tranquility did not last long as it was broken by the sound of hurried horse hooves.

In the distance, dust was flying and a ragged, panic-stricken army was coming like a tide. They were the defeated soldiers who had fled from Dagu Pass.

Each of these defeated soldiers had a terrified look on their faces, with fatigue and despair in their eyes. Their arrival undoubtedly brought very bad news.

"Dagau Pass...Dagau Pass has been breached by the Han army!" a defeated soldier shouted breathlessly, his voice trembling, full of fear and helplessness.

This statement was like a bolt from the blue, causing the defenders at Guangcheng Pass to fall into an uproar.

For Guangcheng Pass, the loss of Dagu Pass was undoubtedly a fatal blow.

Once the Han army broke through Dagu Pass, they could appear openly on the side and rear of Guangcheng Pass, forming a pincer attack.

As a result, the defenders of Guangcheng Pass will be caught in a desperate situation of being attacked from both sides.

Guo Huai, the defender of Guangcheng Pass, was standing at the highest point of the pass, staring at the rolling dust and the defeated soldiers in the distance.

He is of sturdy build, with a resolute face, and an indomitable heroic spirit between his brows.

However, at this moment, a trace of worry and heaviness flashed in his eyes.

He knew very well that the fall of Dagu Pass meant that Guangcheng Pass had fallen into an extremely dangerous situation.

No wonder the Han army did not attack Guangcheng Pass in the past few days, Guo Huai thought to himself.

He thought that the Han army had retreated and was going to rest and reorganize their troops, but he didn't expect that they were actually going to launch a surprise attack on Dagu Pass.

This tactic of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west really caught him off guard.

"General, why don't we retreat to Xuanyuan Pass?" A deputy general beside him said with a grim expression.

He was thin, haggard, and his eyes were filled with anxiety.

Although his voice was low, it revealed a sense of determination and helplessness.

"If you stay in Guangcheng Pass any longer, you will die."

Hearing this, Guo Huai couldn't help but hesitate.

He knew very well that what his deputy general said was true. Guangcheng Pass was now in a desperate situation. If they continued to hold on, they would probably be wiped out.

However, as a loyal general, how could he easily give up his responsibility to defend the territory?
He looked into the distance and saw the flag of the Han army vaguely visible. The bright red flag fluttered in the wind, as if provoking him.

An inexplicable anger and unwillingness surged in his heart. He was unwilling to watch Guangcheng Pass fall into the hands of the Han army.

"How can we retreat without His Majesty's order?" Guo Huai pondered for a moment and finally spoke.

His voice was firm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable determination.

As a general, you must obey military orders and not act on your own.

Even when facing a desperate situation, he will hold on until his last moment.

Upon hearing this, the deputy general stamped his feet in anxiety.

He knew Guo Huai's stubbornness and loyalty, but he also understood that the situation at the moment was urgent.

"General, you are not subject to the orders of the king when you are away from home!" He shouted anxiously, "It's already late, why are you still paying attention to so many rules? If you don't withdraw your troops now, it will be too late!"

Guo Huai couldn't help but feel shaken when he heard this.

Didn't he understand the deputy general's painstaking efforts?
However, as a loyal general, there is always a bottom line in his heart that cannot be crossed.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

"No, I can't just give up Guangcheng Pass like this." Guo Huai shook his head firmly and said, "As the defender, I must hold on until the last moment. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will not hesitate!"

There was a firm light in his eyes, which showed his persistence in belief and adherence to duty.

The deputy general couldn't help but feel emotional when he saw this.

Guo Huai's determination could no longer be shaken, he could only stand by silently and accompany him to face the impending crisis together.

At this moment, the atmosphere at Guangcheng Pass was extremely tense.

The defenders all had solemn expressions, holding their weapons tightly, preparing for the upcoming battle.

This battle may be a crucial battle for their survival.

Guo Huai stood at the highest point of the pass, gazing at the Han army rolling in from the distance.

An inexplicable sense of ambition surged in his heart, a desire for victory and a challenge to fate.

He knew very well that he had no way out and could only fight to the end with all his might.

"Soldiers, prepare for battle!" Guo Huai shouted loudly, his voice piercing the clouds and echoing over Guangcheng Pass.

Upon hearing this, the defenders cheered up, grasped their weapons tightly, and prepared for the upcoming battle.

The Han army was getting closer and closer, and their flags were clearly visible.

Guo Huai took a deep breath, clenched the sword in his hand, and prepared for the upcoming decisive battle.

An inexplicable feeling of tragedy welled up in his heart, but he knew that he had to hold on until the last moment. He was willing to pay any price for the peace of the country and the happiness of the people.

The deputy general stood beside Guo Huai, also holding his weapon tightly.

The wind blew harder and harder, making the flags flutter.

The defenders at Guangcheng Pass all looked determined and showed no fear.

The Han army finally arrived at Guangcheng Pass. Their morale was high and their shouts of killing were deafening.

However, the defenders at Guangcheng Pass showed no fear. They held their weapons tightly, fought bravely, and engaged in a desperate battle with the Han army.

The battle was extremely fierce, with both sides fighting back and forth and neither side giving in.

Guo Huai led the charge, wielding a sword and charging into the enemy formation, slashing left and right as if he was in an empty space.

His heroic performance greatly boosted the morale of the defenders, and they fought bravely and fought a desperate battle with the Han army.

The deputy general was not to be outdone. He rushed forward with his weapon tightly in hand and engaged in a fierce battle with the Han army.

His figure moved freely on the battlefield, as fast as a flash of lightning.

His heroic performance also won the respect and admiration of the defenders.

However, although the defenders of Guangcheng Pass fought bravely, the number of Han troops was too large and they gradually fell into a bitter battle.

Guo Huai watched the soldiers around him fall one by one, and an inexplicable grief and anger surged in his heart.

Brandishing his sword, he rushed into the enemy camp again and engaged in a more intense battle with the Han army.

His figure on the battlefield was as swift as a whirlwind, making the Han army terrified.

However, despite his bravery, he was ultimately unable to withstand the fierce offensive of the Han army.

As time went on, the defenders of Guangcheng Pass gradually became overwhelmed and began to lose ground.

Guo Huai looked at the situation before him, feeling an inexplicable despair and helplessness in his heart.

I have tried my best, but in the end I cannot change the current defeat.

At this moment, he truly felt four words: powerless.

Guo Huai had been at Guangcheng Pass for ten days. Every moment of these ten days was like torture. The food and grass in Guanzhong had been almost consumed, and the soldiers' rations were getting less and less every day. The first few meals were barely enough to fill their stomachs, but later on, they could only survive on porridge and wild vegetables.

The cold wind in early spring was biting, and the worn-out cotton clothes could not withstand the chilly spring weather at all. The soldiers were shivering with cold, but they could not even change into a new cotton coat.

On the city wall of Guangcheng Pass, the Wei army soldiers stood sparsely together and their morale was extremely low.

Their eyes were filled with fatigue and despair; their once determined gazes now became wandering, as if they would collapse at any moment.

The Han army launched a fierce offensive to persuade the Wei army to surrender. The rebels from the Yingchuan gentry shouted loudly at the gate of the pass, using all kinds of sweet words to try to shake the morale of the Wei army.

"Brothers, stop working for Cao Wei! Look at your current situation, you are starving and cold, and your life and death are uncertain. Why not surrender to the Han army and ask for a way to live?" A rebel shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the pass, making the Wei army soldiers even more shaken.

In recent days, countless people have secretly surrendered.

Some soldiers quietly slipped out of the pass in the dead of night and defected to the Han army.

Guo Huai was heartbroken by their betrayal, but he was powerless to stop it.

He knew that the Wei army was now on the brink of collapse, and any slight disturbance could lead to a total rout.

Guo Huai stood on the city wall, staring at the Han army camp outside the pass.

His eyes were deep and complex, showing both helplessness about the current situation and worry about the future.

His face was haggard and his beard was unkempt, and it was obvious that he had not had a good rest for many days.

He was wearing a tattered armor covered with traces of battle, which made him look particularly weathered.

At this time, the deputy general came over, his expression was also solemn. He looked at Guo Huai, and then whispered: "General, I sent people to investigate the direction of Xuanyuan Pass. Although there are Han troops blocking them, they are not many. It is still possible for us to break through."

Guo Huai was slightly startled when he heard this.

He turned to look at the deputy general, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

But then, the light dimmed again.

He sighed and said, "There is no reinforcement from Luoyang, what can I do? I have been waiting for the imperial edict and military order from Luoyang, but there has been no military order for ten days. It is possible that the military report has not been delivered to Luoyang, which proves that the Han army has already controlled the surrounding areas of Luoyang. We are now isolated and helpless."

After hearing what Guo Huai said, the deputy general felt helpless.

He was well aware of Guo Huai's loyalty and persistence, but he also understood that the current situation was not optimistic.

He looked at Guo Huai and said, "General, we can't wait any longer. If we are a few more days late, I'm afraid it will be too late to save the situation. We must make a decision as soon as possible, whether to fight, surrender, or break out."

Guo Huai was silent for a while, then slowly said: "I know the current situation is critical, but as a general of Wei, I cannot give up my duties easily. I must be responsible for these soldiers and for the country of Wei. But what can I do now?"

His eyes were full of confusion and helplessness, as if he had lost his direction.

My current situation is like a bird trapped in a cage, unable to break free.

The deputy general looked at Guo Huai and felt a surge of admiration in his heart.

Guo Huai is a true hero who sticks to his beliefs and duties even when facing desperate situations.

He stepped forward, patted Guo Huai on the shoulder, and said, "General, I understand your difficulties. But now we have no way out. We must break out as soon as possible, otherwise we can only sit and wait for death."

After hearing what the deputy general said, Guo Huai felt a surge of determination in his heart.

The deputy general was right, they couldn't wait any longer.

He took a deep breath and said firmly, "Okay! We will break out tonight! Send the order immediately and let the soldiers get ready."

The deputy general was delighted when he heard this.

He immediately responded and began to convey Guo Huai's orders.

The entire Guangcheng Pass immediately became busy, and the soldiers packed their luggage and prepared to break out.

As night fell, Guangcheng Pass fell into deathly silence.

The moonlight was thin, like a layer of silver gauze, but it could not illuminate the heaviness and depression in this pass.

The soldiers stood quietly at their positions, waiting for the order that would decide their life or death.

There was fear of the unknown and a desire for freedom in their eyes. Everyone held the weapon tightly in his hand, as if it was their only support at the moment.

Guo Huai stood on the city wall, his figure as straight as a pine tree, staring into the deep darkness in the distance.

His heart was like surging waves, full of nervousness and anticipation.

This night will be a critical moment for their survival. Whether they can successfully break through or be annihilated depends on this one move.

His fingers gently stroked the hilt of the sword, and the cool touch seemed to bring him a sense of calmness and strength.

Finally, the bell rang at midnight, like a death spell and also like a horn of hope.

Guo Huai took a deep breath, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. He raised his sword high and shouted loudly: "Brothers, charge! For the Wei Kingdom, for our families, charge!"

Following his orders, the soldiers of the Wei army seemed to be injected with infinite power. They rushed out of the pass one after another and marched bravely towards Xuanyuan Pass.

Their steps were firm and powerful, as if they were going to crush all obstacles in front of them into dust.

Although the Han army managed to block their advance, they were quickly dispersed by the Wei army's fierce attack like a tide.

Their defenses were like paper, vulnerable to attack. Guo Huai led the charge, wielding a long sword and charging forward.

His sword flashed like lightning, and every time he swung it, he took the life of a Han soldier.

There was a determination gleam in his eyes, as if he had seen the dawn of victory ahead.

The deputy general followed closely behind him, also fighting bravely and without fear.

His weapon drew arcs in the air, and every time it intersected with the Han army's weapons, it made a crisp sound.

His figure was as agile as a swallow, moving among the Han army as if he was in an empty space.

However, the road to breakout is not smooth.

Although the Han army was small in number, they were extremely tenacious.

They launched attacks again and again, trying to prevent the Wei army from breaking out.

Their arrows rained down on the Wei army, each one carrying deadly murderous intent.

Guo Huai and his deputy general led the soldiers to fight bravely and engaged in a desperate battle with the Han army.

During the battle, Guo Huai was wounded in many places and his battle robe was stained with blood.

But his eyes were more determined and brave, as if he had forgotten the existence of the pain.

He gripped the sword tightly, and every swing was filled with endless power and determination.

The same was true for the deputy general, his body was also covered with scars, but he didn't care.

He held his weapon tightly and engaged in fierce battles with the Han army. Every battle made him more determined in his beliefs.

Time seemed to be extremely long, and every second seemed to be a century.

But the soldiers of the Wei army never retreated or showed fear. They paved a road to freedom with their lives and blood.

Finally, after a night of fierce fighting, the Wei army successfully broke through.

They broke through the Han army's defense line and rushed towards Xuanyuan Pass.

However, is there any hope for survival in Xuanyuan Pass? (End of this chapter)