Shuhan

When Cao Ju heard this, he was so frightened that he trembled.

He waved his hands and said, "No, no, how dare I claim to be the Emperor of Wei? General Cao, please find someone else."

When Cao Zhen saw this, his heart sank.

He knew that Cao Ju was afraid of taking responsibility and becoming the target of public criticism.

However, he came here with a mission, so how could he give up easily?

He said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, it is your duty to continue the Wei Dynasty. Now with the help of the noble families, it is possible to revive the Wei Dynasty. If Your Majesty is willing to ascend the throne, I am willing to swear allegiance to you and work together for the great cause."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ju turned pale with fright.

He trembled and said, "General Cao, you are forcing me. I have been trapped in Xuzhou City for a long time and have lost my former vigor. How can I take on such an important task now?"

Seeing Cao Ju's evasion, Cao Zhen couldn't help feeling annoyed.

He stood up, walked in front of Cao Ju, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, do you know the current situation in Wei? The Han army is unstoppable, and the Wei army is retreating step by step. If we don't establish another Wei emperor and boost the morale of the army, Wei will probably perish. As the son of Emperor Wu of Wei, can you bear to watch Wei be destroyed like this?"

Cao Ju was speechless after hearing what Cao Zhen said.

He lowered his head and remained silent.

Cao Zhen saw this and knew that Cao Ju was already a little shaken, so he continued, "My king, I am not forcing you. But the situation is pressing now. If you are unwilling to ascend the throne, I will have to find someone else. But by then, I am afraid that your king will no longer have the opportunity to be loyal to the State of Wei."

As he spoke, Cao Zhen took out a dagger from his arms and placed it on the table in front of Cao Ju.

He said in a deep voice: "My king, if you don't agree, I will kill you and then commit suicide to thank the world. This way, I will be worthy of the spirit of Emperor Wu of Wei in heaven."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ju was so frightened that he trembled all over.

He looked up at Cao Zhen, and saw a firmness and determination in Cao Zhen's eyes.

He knew that Cao Zhen was not joking but really intended to do this.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of fear and helplessness in his heart.

He wanted to refuse, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say them.

Seeing this, Cao Zhen knew that Cao Ju was already tempted, so he continued, "Your Majesty, do you know the power of the noble families? They control the economic lifeline and military power of Wei. Now they are willing to help you and work together for the great cause. If you are willing to ascend the throne, you can use the power of the noble families to revive Wei. This is a godsend opportunity, how can you miss it?"

Cao Ju couldn't help but feel shaken when he heard what Cao Zhen said.

He was well aware of the power of the aristocratic families, and knew that if he could gain their support, he would indeed have a chance to revive the Wei Dynasty.

However, he still felt a little scared and worried.

He was afraid that he could not shoulder this heavy responsibility and that he would become the target of public criticism.

Seeing Cao Ju's hesitation, Cao Zhen continued, "Your Majesty, do you know how brave and wise Emperor Wu of Wei was? He fought many battles throughout his life and established the foundation of the Wei Kingdom. Now, as his son, don't you have any of his bravery and wisdom? If Your Majesty is willing to ascend the throne, it will be the best way to inherit and carry forward the legacy of Emperor Wu of Wei."

When Cao Ju heard this, his heart was filled with blood.

He looked up at Cao Zhen, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

As the son of Emperor Wu of Wei, he has an unshirkable responsibility and mission.

Now that Wei was in imminent danger, how could he sit back and do nothing? He took a deep breath and said to Cao Zhen: "General Cao, I am willing to ascend the throne and become the emperor, and work together for the great cause."

Cao Zhen was overjoyed when he heard this. He immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty is wise! I am willing to swear my loyalty to you until death and work together for your great cause!"

As he spoke, he picked up the dagger on the table and presented it to Cao Ju with both hands.

Cao Ju took the dagger and felt a sense of mission in his heart.

From this moment on, he was no longer the King of Pengcheng who had been trapped in Xuzhou City for a long time, but the Emperor of Wei, shouldering the heavy responsibility of saving Wei.

Since Cao Ju had agreed to become the Emperor of Wei, the entire city of Xuzhou seemed to be shrouded in a subtle atmosphere overnight.

Cao Zhen, a battle-hardened general, was now standing in the temporary meeting hall on the top of the city wall, his face firm and his eyes flashing with determination and wisdom.

His beard was a little messy, but his clenched fists revealed his inner determination and indomitable spirit.

"From now on, the entire army must prepare for the ascension to the throne!" Cao Zhen's voice was low and powerful, echoing in every corner of the conference room.

He was wearing armor, and the copper plates on the armor shone coldly in the dim candlelight, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

The next three days were extremely busy in Xuzhou City.

Although the north of the city had been besieged for many days and supplies were scarce, Cao Zhen ordered that a simple coronation ceremony must be held at all costs.

The soldiers were divided into several teams. Some were responsible for repairing the dilapidated palaces in the city, while others were searching for usable supplies. Even the simplest curtains and the most ordinary tables and chairs were regarded as treasures by them and arranged with great care.

The Han army camp outside the city was like a sleeping beast, quietly overlooking the busy city.

But inside the city, there was a scene of bustling activity.

The craftsmen worked overtime and used the remaining wood and cloth to make a simple dragon throne and ceremonial objects. Although they could not compare with the luxury in the imperial palace, they seemed unusually solemn in Xuzhou at that moment.

Cao Zhen personally supervised the work. He shuttled between various construction sites, stopping from time to time to carefully check every detail.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, not missing any possible mistakes.

Whenever soldiers came to report on progress, he always listened patiently and then gave brief and powerful instructions.

His figure was elongated in the candlelight, appearing exceptionally tall.

Finally, the day of the coronation ceremony arrived.

In the early morning, a ray of sunlight penetrated the thick clouds and sprinkled on the top of Xuzhou City.

Inside the city, the soldiers were already ready for battle. They were wearing armor, holding weapons, and standing straight like statues.

Although their faces were tired, their eyes were sparkling with anticipation and excitement.

After all, for them, Cao Ju's ascension to the throne meant a new beginning and a new hope.

Cao Zhen stood at one side of the city gate, looking at the team whose morale seemed a little low, thinking secretly in his heart.

A coronation ceremony and a few promotions in official positions are far from enough.

If you want to really boost the morale of the soldiers, you must let them see the hope of victory.

"Soldiers, today is the great day when our Emperor Wei ascends the throne!" Cao Zhen shouted loudly, his voice piercing through the tranquility of the early morning and echoing over the entire city of Xuzhou.

The soldiers turned to look at Cao Zhen, only to see that he was wearing a gorgeous battle robe and a golden helmet, looking very majestic.

His eyes were full of determination and inspiring power.

"You have followed me, Cao Zhen, for many years and have experienced the baptism of war without ever retreating. Today, I want to tell you that our battle has just begun!" Cao Zhen's words were sonorous and powerful, and every word seemed to hit the hearts of the soldiers.

As they listened to Cao Zhen's speech, the flames of fighting spirit gradually ignited in their eyes.

Subsequently, Cao Zhen announced a series of promotion orders.

When the soldiers heard their names being called, looks of surprise and excitement appeared on their faces.

They all knelt on one knee and bowed to Cao Zhen to express their gratitude.

Cao Zhen felt a warm feeling in his heart as he looked at these brothers who had once fought alongside him.

He knew that they were his strongest support.

The coronation ceremony was held in a simple and solemn atmosphere.

Cao Ju, wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head, slowly walked up to the dragon throne.

Although his face looked a little tired, his eyes sparkled with determination and wisdom.

He looked at the soldiers below the stage and felt a sense of responsibility in his heart.

What he shoulders is not only the glory of the Cao family, but also the future of the entire Wei State.

After the ceremony, the soldiers were arranged to attend banquets in various places in the city.

Although the dishes at the banquet were not rich, the soldiers ate with gusto.

They drank and laughed happily.

At this moment, they seemed to have forgotten the smoke of gunpowder and the issues of life and death on the battlefield, and were immersed in this moment of joy.

However, Cao Zhen did not join them. He stood alone on the top of the city wall, looking at the Han army camp in the distance, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

This coronation ceremony is only a temporary victory, the real battle is still to come.

In order to get Xuzhou out of trouble, we must take the initiative to attack and break the siege of the Han army.

Cao Zhen's eyes became profound, as if he saw the future battlefield and the fierce confrontation between the Wei and Han armies.

A strong desire to fight surged in his heart, a desire for victory and contempt for the enemy.

"We must start preparing for a surprise attack on the Han camp." Cao Zhen whispered to himself.

His voice was low but full of firmness and determination.

He knew that this was a risky action, but only in this way could Xuzhou see the dawn of hope.

Cao Zhen returned to the conference room and began to call his generals to discuss the sneak attack plan.

There was no trace of tiredness on his face, but instead it was full of fighting spirit and passion.

The generals sat around the table and listened to Cao Zhen's deployment.

"We have the Han army's defense map, which is our advantage." Cao Zhen said, pointing to the map on the table.

His fingers drew lines on the map, as if depicting the future battlefield.

As the generals listened to Cao Zhen's explanation, excitement gradually appeared in their eyes.

"In addition, we have a noble family insider." Cao Zhen continued, with a sly gleam in his eyes.

These aristocratic families hold a pivotal position in Xuzhou, and their support is crucial to this sneak attack.

The generals nodded in agreement.

They knew that although Cao Zhen's plan was risky, it was the only feasible solution at the moment.

They were willing to follow Cao Zhen and fight for the future of Wei.

"Letting Xuzhou riot won't be a big problem," Cao Zhen said finally.

There was confidence in his tone.

As long as the soldiers work together, nothing can stop them from moving forward.

As night fell, the city of Xuzhou was silent.

However, the lights were on in the meeting hall on the top of the city wall.

Cao Zhen and his generals were still discussing the details of the sneak attack.

Their faces were filled with seriousness and earnestness, as if they were engaged in a life-and-death game.

Cao Zhen stood in front of the map, pointing at every key location.

There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, as if he could see through the fog of the future.

The generals gathered around him, listening carefully to his every instruction.

They knew that the success of this sneak attack depended on Cao Zhen.

And at this time.

Luoyang City, this ancient and prosperous capital, appears more solemn and mysterious in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Inside the city, the mansions of the aristocratic families are scattered in an orderly manner, and within the high walls and gates, there is an interweaving of endless power and wealth.

Recently, these noble families have been moving around frequently and plotting, seemingly for some unknown purpose.

The information from Xuzhou came like a tide, one after another, galloping across thousands of mountains and rivers, and quickly reached the hands of Liu Chan, the last emperor of Shu Han.

At this moment, Liu Chan was sitting in a magnificent palace in Luoyang City. The flickering candlelight in the palace illuminated his slightly calm face.

He was dressed in a dragon robe and wore a crown on his head, and his majesty revealed an imperceptible depth.

Liu Chan was playing with a secret letter from Xuzhou in his hand. The handwriting on the note was vigorous and powerful, revealing a sense of urgency that could not be ignored.

However, his eyes were as calm as an ancient well, so peaceful that one could not detect any ripples.

He had anticipated these things long ago, and he was even silently pushing them forward behind the scenes.

If you want to destroy someone, you must first make him crazy. This was a game Liu Chan had already planned in his mind.

What he wanted to do was to drive these noble families crazy to the extreme. Now, he had already made this move firmly.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was heavy and depressing. Only the sound of Liu Chan's steady breathing and the crackling of the candlelight broke the silence.

Beside Liu Chan, a plump beauty in palace dress stood quietly. She was Zhou Che, one of Liu Chan's favorite concubines.

Zhou Che had a pretty face, eyebrows like distant mountains covered with smoke, eyes like clear autumn water, and a plump yet graceful figure, just like a blooming peony, delicate and charming.

Zhou Che raised his hand slightly and handed a note to Liu Chan.

Her movements were graceful and appropriate, and her eyes revealed a hint of respect and awe.

"Your Majesty, this is the specific action plan of the family given by Zhong Hui." Her voice was soft and crisp, like a clear mountain spring, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

Liu Chan took the note and read it carefully.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and every word could not escape his eyes.

After reading it, he nodded slightly, with a barely perceptible smile on his lips.

Zhong Hui, the general who appeared to be in league with the aristocratic families, was actually a spy planted by Liu Chan.

Every move of the aristocratic family was under Liu Chan's observation and nothing escaped his control.

Thinking back to the decision to send Zhong Hui to infiltrate the aristocratic families, Liu Chan couldn't help but feel secretly proud.

Zhong Hui was a man of both wisdom and courage, and was loyal to Liu Chan.

He was well aware of the ambitions and conspiracies of the aristocratic families, and also understood Liu Chan's intentions.

Therefore, he was like a fish in water among the aristocratic families. He was able to gain the trust of the aristocratic families and secretly pass messages to Liu Chan.

At this moment, the scene of the conspiracy of the aristocratic families emerged in Liu Chan's mind.

They might be sitting around a gorgeous round table, each with their own hidden agenda, but all pretending to be friendly. They might be discussing how to expand their power, how to control government affairs, or even how to usurp the throne.

However, they never imagined that all their plans were already under Liu Chan's control.

Liu Chan gently put down the note and looked up at Zhou Che.

There was a hint of admiration and trust in his eyes.

"Che'er, you did a great job. The news from Zhong Hui is very important and plays a crucial role in our next plan." His voice was steady and powerful, full of affirmation and encouragement to Zhou Che.

When Zhou Che heard this, he couldn't help but feel a warm feeling in his heart.

She knew that her position in Liu Chan's heart was not just that of a favorite concubine.

She was also Liu Chan's right-hand man and his strong support in the court struggle.

Therefore, she became more determined to serve Liu Chan wholeheartedly and help him solve his problems.

Inside the palace, the candlelight was still flickering, illuminating the figures of Liu Chan and Zhou Che.

They smiled at each other, their minds already connected.

Late at night, Liu Chan sat alone in the imperial study, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

He was playing with the note sent by Zhong Hui in his hand, thinking about the next plan in his mind.

He knew that the madness of the aristocratic families had reached its peak and the moment of their demise was approaching.

What he had to do was to seize this opportunity and destroy them completely in one fell swoop.

In this chess game, Liu Chan is the chess player! (End of this chapter)