Shuhan

The peace in Luoyang was short-lived and lasted only three days.

During these three days, Luoyang City seemed to be lightly shrouded in a layer of mist, making it both hazy and mysterious. However, beneath this rare calm, undercurrents were surging and the winds and clouds were rising.

At dawn, people were walking hurriedly but cautiously on the streets of Luoyang City.

Although the doors of the shops on the street were half-open, the eyes of the shop owners revealed uneasiness and anxiety.

On the city wall, Wei soldiers stood firm at their posts, but their eyes were filled with confusion and uneasiness.

They knew that this brief peace was only the calm before the storm, and their future fate was like a silk thread hanging in the air, which could break at any time.

During these three days, all the forces in Luoyang City had their own ulterior motives.

The loyal ministers of Wei State were wearing heavy armor and their eyes were firm and persistent.

Their hearts, like the bricks and stones on the city wall, firmly guard this land.

They gathered together and talked in low voices, their tone full of loyalty and determination to the Wei State.

"We swear to die with Wei and live and die with Luoyang!" An elderly veteran clenched his fists, his voice low but powerful.

His face was full of traces of time, but his eyes were like burning flames, full of indomitable spirit and determination.

However, not everyone is so loyal.

There are some people with ulterior motives, and greed and ambition flicker in their eyes.

They secretly colluded with the Han envoys and were ready to turn against the Han at any time to gain greater power for themselves.

These people were dressed in gorgeous clothes and looked no different from ordinary people on the surface, but their eyes revealed a kind of cunning and sinisterness.

In a luxurious mansion, an official in brocade robes was talking in a low voice with a secret envoy from the Han State.

He was also from a Yingchuan aristocratic family, but his family name was Yingchuan Yu.

There was a barely perceptible smile on his face, but there was a cunning gleam in his eyes.

He stroked his beard gently, with a hint of pride in his tone: "When the time is right, I will turn against you, and wealth and glory will be just around the corner."

More people just went with the flow. They had neither loyalty to Wei nor the ambition to betray.

They are just ordinary people and soldiers who just want to survive in this chaotic world.

Their eyes are filled with fear and helplessness, and they pray every day that peace can continue.

As night fell, Luoyang City fell into silence.

However, behind this silence, countless people are secretly planning their future destiny.

The wind whistled past the city wall, as if telling the vicissitudes and changes of this ancient city.

Finally, in the early morning of the fourth day, just as the sky was beginning to turn pale, the envoys of the Han Dynasty arrived outside the city of Luoyang.

He was dressed in gorgeous Hanfu, a tall crown on his head, and riding a tall horse, looking majestic.

There was a sneer on his face, but his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.

The messenger pulled the reins of his horse, held his head high, and shouted loudly: "If Wei surrenders, a county can be allocated from the Han Dynasty to support the king and ministers of Wei, and the rest of the people will not be implicated! If you are unwilling to surrender, the day the city is captured will be the day of reckoning!"

His voice echoed outside Luoyang City like thunder, shaking the bricks and stones on the city wall.

The Wei soldiers on the city wall were all in an uproar when they heard this.

Some people clenched their fists with anger flashing in their eyes; others looked frightened and their bodies trembled slightly.

The old veteran stared at the Han envoy closely, his eyes full of indomitable spirit and determination.

At this time, a minister from Wei State hurried over to the city.

He was wearing official uniform, a black gauze cap, and had an anxious look on his face.

He ran to the city wall, looked at the Han envoy, and shouted: "Don't be so arrogant! Wei is a great country in the world, how could it surrender so easily? We swear to live and die with Luoyang!"

The Han envoy sneered and said disdainfully: "Humph! Wei is already at the end of its strength, why bother to put up a meaningless resistance? Surrender to the Han Dynasty and you can still save your life and glory; if you insist on not changing your ways, when the city is broken, no one will be left alive!"

The Wei soldiers on the city wall became even more angry when they heard this.

They all clenched their weapons tightly, with a gleam of determination to fight to the death in their eyes.

The people in the city were also in a panic. Some hid in their houses to pray, while others gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

At this tense moment, Xiahou Xian stepped forward.

He was dressed in silver armor, holding a spear, and looked heroic.

He walked to the city wall, looked at the Han envoy, and shouted: "How can the men of Wei be cowards? If you want to attack the city, just come at me! We will defend Luoyang to the death!"

When the Han envoy saw this, a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

He snorted coldly, whipped his horse and rode away, leaving behind a cold remark: "Humph! You are a fool! When my great Han cavalry crushes Luoyang, it will be too late for you to regret it!"

With the departure of the Han envoys, Luoyang City once again fell into tension and anxiety.

The Wei soldiers on the city wall were on high alert, knowing that a great battle was about to begin.

The people in the city also began to prepare. Some were busy storing food and water, while others were busy reinforcing houses and defense facilities.

In that luxurious mansion, the official with ulterior motives was also feeling uneasy.

He sat in the hall, his brows furrowed, his eyes revealing anxiety and uneasiness.

He thought to himself: "What the Han envoy said is true. Wei is indeed at the end of its rope. If I don't turn my back on them now, I'm afraid I'll die when the city falls. But if I surrender to Han, how can I be willing to be someone else's slave?"

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

He was startled and quickly got up and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw a secret envoy from the Han Dynasty standing outside.

Seeing that he looked panicked, the envoy whispered, "Don't be alarmed, sir. I came here to help you. If you are willing to surrender to the Han Kingdom, I will ensure that you will be rich and prosperous."

The official was moved when he heard this, but then hesitated and said, "If I surrender to Han, wouldn't that be a betrayal to Wei?"

The emissary sneered and said, "My Lord, why are you so persistent? In this chaotic world, only the strong are respected. If you don't plan for yourself, do you want to wait until the city is broken and your head is torn apart?"

The official suddenly understood after hearing this.

He took a deep breath, nodded and said, "Okay! I am willing to surrender to the Han Kingdom!"

At the same time, on the city wall, the old veteran was encouraging the soldiers.

He shouted loudly: "My men! As soldiers of the Wei State, we are determined to defend this land! Although the Han State is strong, we are not the kind of people who will surrender easily. As long as we work together, we will be able to repel the enemy!"

The soldiers shouted in response upon hearing this, their eyes full of determination and courage, as if they were ready to fight to the death.

However, at this tense moment, there was a sudden commotion in the city.

It turned out that the official with ulterior motives had secretly opened the city gate and let the Han army enter the city.

The Wei soldiers were all horrified when they saw this. They turned around to fight, but it was too late.

The Han army poured into Luoyang City like a tide, holding weapons and full of murderous intent.

The people in the city fled in all directions, crying, shouting, and screaming.

The elderly veteran stepped forward and led the remaining soldiers to fight bravely.

However, they were outnumbered.

Although the Wei soldiers were brave and good at fighting, they were still defeated under the fierce attack of the Han army.

Eventually, they were forced into a corner by the Han army and fell into a desperate situation.

The old general looked at the enemy in front of him, with a trace of determination in his eyes. He shouted loudly: "My men! As soldiers of the Wei State, we swear to die and never surrender! Today is the day we sacrifice our lives for our country!"

When the soldiers heard this, they all shouted in response.

They held their weapons tightly, ready to fight the enemy to the death.

At this moment, an arrow suddenly shot out and hit the old general in the chest.

The veteran's body swayed and he fell to the ground.

But he still held the weapon tightly, with an unyielding light flashing in his eyes.

With the fall of the veteran general, the morale of the Wei soldiers became even lower.

The collapse of Wei army's morale was like a mountain torrent, unstoppable.

The Han army quickly climbed up the Luoyang city wall like a tiger descending from the mountain, and engaged in a desperate battle with the Wei army on the city.

On the city walls, the flashing of swords and the shouting of killing shook the earth.

The Han army's iron hooves trampled on the Wei army's defense line, and every attack made the Wei army's line shaky.

The news spread like a hurricane, sweeping across the entire Luoyang city and eventually reaching the palace.

Wei Emperor Cao Rui was discussing military intelligence with Shangshu Ling Chen Qun, Imperial Tutor Zheng Cheng and others in the palace. When they heard the bad news, they were all shocked.

Cao Rui's face turned pale in an instant, and his eyes widened as if he wanted to swallow up this sudden bad news.

He knew very well that the Luoyang city wall was the last line of defense for the Wei State. If even this line of defense was breached, they would really be dead without a burial place.

Zheng said that this old minister of Wei was extremely anxious at the moment.

His hair and beard were all standing on end, and his eyes were flashing with anxiety and anger. He immediately shouted, "Where is Xiahou Xian? Why hasn't he come to protect the emperor?"

His voice became hoarse with anger and anxiety, as if it was squeezed out from the depths of his heart.

Someone immediately replied tremblingly: "General Xiahou has been guarding Jianchun Gate for a long time, but... it's just that the enemy is too fierce, and General Xiahou is unable to deal with it."

As the man spoke, his voice trembled, and he was obviously frightened by the situation.

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui's expression became even gloomier.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the effort, and a determination he had never felt before surged in his heart.

He knew very well that if no one stood up to stabilize the morale of the army at this moment, Luoyang City would undoubtedly be broken.

He stood up suddenly, looked at Chen Qun and Zheng Cheng with a firm gaze, and said: "I want to go to the battlefield in person to boost morale! I want to fight side by side with the soldiers and face the national crisis together!"

When Chen Qun heard this, he was immediately shocked.

He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and advised: "Your Majesty, this must not be done! The battlefield is dangerous, and your Majesty's body is precious. How can you take risks easily? Please think twice before acting!" His tone was full of anxiety and earnestness, and it was obvious that he was deeply worried about Cao Rui's decision.

Zheng Cheng also quickly echoed, "Your Majesty, what Minister Chen said makes sense. On the battlefield, with the flashing of swords and the shadow of sabers, one could lose one's life if one is not careful. Your Majesty is worth a fortune, how can you take risks so easily? Please put the overall situation first and do not act rashly!"

However, Cao Rui remained unmoved.

As the king of a country, he must stand up at this moment, set an example for the soldiers, and fight for a glimmer of hope for the State of Wei.

He shook his head firmly and said, "I have made up my mind. No need to say more. I will put on my grandfather's armor and fight the enemy myself! I will live and die with the soldiers and face the national crisis together!"

After saying this, Cao Rui ignored the dissuasion of his ministers and resolutely walked towards the Imperial Clothing Storehouse.

His steps were firm and powerful, as if every step was stepping on the hearts of his ministers.

Chen Qun and Zheng Cheng looked at each other and saw helplessness and worry in each other's eyes.

They knew that it was impossible to stop Cao Rui's decision at this moment.

In the imperial clothing storehouse, Cao Rui personally took out the armor that his grandfather Cao Cao had worn.

Although the armor has gone through the vicissitudes of time, it still exudes a fierce murderous aura.

Every trace on the armor seems to tell the story of the glory and war of the past.

Cao Rui carefully put on his armor, as if he had instantly transformed into the Cao Cao of the past.

He took a deep breath, feeling the strength and courage brought by the armor.

Afterwards, Cao Rui, holding a long sword, strode towards the palace gate.

His figure appeared particularly firm and brave in the morning light, as if he was declaring to the world: As long as the Wei Kingdom is not destroyed, I will live and die with my soldiers!
His long hair fluttered in the wind and his eyes flashed with determination, as if it could penetrate all obstacles.

When the guards outside the palace gate saw the emperor going out to fight in person, they all knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor!"

Their eyes were filled with admiration and emotion, as if they saw the hope and future of the Wei State.

Cao Rui mounted his warhorse, holding a long sword, and gave the order: "Move out!"

Immediately, the sound of horse hooves rang out, and Cao Rui led a group of elite cavalry and rushed out of the palace like an arrow.

With the emperor personally leading the army, the morale of the Wei army guarding Luoyang instantly improved.

When they saw the emperor personally fighting in the battlefield, they were moved and admired.

The originally sluggish morale seemed to be ignited by an invisible force and instantly boiled over.

They shouted, waved their weapons, and launched a fierce counterattack against the Han army.

On the battlefield, Cao Rui led the troops and fought with the Han army wielding a sword.

His figure moved freely on the battlefield, and every swing of his sword took the life of a Han soldier.

Seeing the emperor so brave and fearless, the soldiers of the Wei army followed suit.

They fought bravely, without fear of life or death.

For a moment, the battlefield was filled with shouts of killing, and the Wei and Han armies engaged in a desperate fight.

Although the Han army was extremely fierce, it gradually showed signs of fatigue under the tenacious resistance of the Wei army.

They originally thought that they could easily capture Luoyang City, but they did not expect to encounter such stubborn resistance.

As time went on, the Han army's offensive gradually weakened, while the morale of the Wei army became increasingly high.

After a fierce battle, the Wei army actually successfully resisted the Han attack this time.

The battlefield was filled with smoke and corpses were everywhere, but the Wei army still held its ground.

They used their flesh and blood to build an indestructible line of defense to protect the peace of Luoyang City.

Cao Rui stood on the city wall, looking at the battlefield in front of him, his heart filled with emotion.

He knew that the war was far from over, but at least they had gained a glimmer of hope for the State of Wei.

He took a deep breath, smelling the smoke and blood on the battlefield.

There was a firm light in his eyes, as if it could penetrate all obstacles.

I, Cao Rui, am not an ordinary person.

I am a descendant of the royal family and a descendant of the emperor.

It is absolutely impossible for me to surrender!

Want my life?

See if you have what it takes!
This is Cao Rui's pride, and also the pride of the imperial family! (End of this chapter)