Three Kingdoms, I'm really not a general!

Chapter 589: Military power falls into the hands of others, and the city surrenders

Cao Pi was lying on the sickbed, his face as pale as paper, cold sweat oozing from his forehead, and his breathing weak and rapid.

His eyes were sunken, and his brows revealed an exhaustion and worry that was difficult to conceal.

Ever since he learned that Zhuge Liang led his troops northward and approached Yecheng, his condition became more serious, as if he was fighting death every day.

The imperial doctors were helpless, and the ministers in the court were also worried, fearing that the young emperor would not survive this disaster.

However, just when he was almost in despair, an urgent message came rushing in.

Wu Zhi's plan succeeded!

Zhuge Liang's army suffered a heavy defeat outside Yecheng, and the Shu army was defeated and had to retreat dozens of miles.

Cao Pi took the battle report with trembling hands, and a long-lost light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

His breathing gradually became steady, and a faint blush appeared on his pale face, as if the heavy pain was swept away in an instant.

"Good! Good! Wu Zhi really lived up to my expectations!"

Although Cao Pi's voice was still weak, it was filled with excitement and relief that were difficult to conceal.

He barely propped himself up and looked outside the palace with a sharp gaze, as if he could see the battlefield below the city through the palace walls.

A long-lost strength surged in his heart, as if the news of victory was a good medicine that instantly dispelled the illness in his body.

"Decree!" Cao Pi's voice was low but full of unquestionable majesty. "Wu Zhi has made great contributions in this battle, and I am very pleased. From today on, Wu Zhi will be given full authority to command the troops in Yecheng. All military affairs will be decided by him. You must do your best to resist the enemy and not make any mistakes!"

The attendants hurriedly took the order and left, while Cao Pi slowly lay back on the couch and breathed a sigh of relief.

His eyes gradually softened, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a rare smile.

Wu Zhi was his most trusted minister and the only talented general he could rely on at the moment. After handing over the military power to Wu Zhi, he no longer had any worries.

"Liu Bei... Zhuge Liang..." Cao Pi murmured in a low voice, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, "Do you think you can take advantage of my serious illness? Little do you know that my kingdom cannot be easily shaken by you?"

The news of the great victory made Cao Pi in a good mood, but...

His decision completely destroyed his kingdom!

...

However, Wu Zhi was secretly delighted when he obtained the military power of Yecheng. He immediately ordered to strengthen the city defense and strictly control all important roads.

He ordered Zhong Yao, Gao Tanglong and Wei Feng to guard the city gates and patrol day and night to ensure that nothing in the city could escape his eyes and ears.

Soldiers patrolled the streets with orderly steps and sharp eyes. Common people did not dare to go out casually. The whole Yecheng was shrouded in a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

...

After arranging everything, Wu Zhi sat in the study.

He picked up the pen and dipped it in ink. His mind was filled with thoughts, and he finally put pen to paper. His handwriting was steady and powerful:
"Great General:"

"The situation has changed dramatically in recent days. The general trend has been established. Although Yecheng is strong, it is difficult to defend an isolated city, which only adds to the suffering of the people."

"I have thought about it again and again, and I think it is best to open the city and surrender at this time."

"I know that the world's general trend is irreversible. Rather than resisting stubbornly and destroying everything, it is better to go with the flow and save the lives of the soldiers and civilians in the city."

"I am writing this letter today in the hope that the general will promise to treat the people and soldiers in the city well after I surrender."

"The letter is short but its meaning is profound. I hope the general will understand."

"Wu Zhi bows his head."

After writing, Wu Zhi folded the letter carefully, called his confidant, and whispered, "This letter must be delivered to General Xing personally. There must be no mistakes."

The confidant took the order and left quietly. Wu Zhi looked out the window at night, feeling a little disappointed, but more concerned about the future.

He knew that there was no turning back from this move.

The world is settled, there will be no more surprises!
...

After receiving the letter, Xing Daorong went to discuss it with Zhuge Liang on the same day.

The two men discussed it overnight and decided to go to Yecheng the next night to avoid any further trouble.

The next night was dark and there were few lights on the walls of Yecheng. A cold wind blew by, bringing with it a somewhat solemn and murderous atmosphere.

Wu Zhi, wearing armor, stood on the city gate, looking calmly at the continuous tents outside the city. The dots of fire looked like stars falling to the ground.

He knew that they were Zhuge Liang's troops, which had already surrounded Ye City tightly.

Looking back, the soldiers in the city had complicated expressions. Some of them tightly grasped their weapons with unwillingness in their eyes; others lowered their heads, as if they had already accepted their fate.

Wu Zhi took a deep breath, turned around and whispered a few words to the deputy general beside him, then strode down the city wall and went to the city gate in person.

"Open the city!" Wu Zhi's voice was particularly clear in the silent night sky.

The heavy city gate slowly opened, making a low roar, as if telling the city's final struggle.

Wu Zhi was the first to walk out of the city gate, followed by a team of personal soldiers, holding up military tokens in their hands to show their intention of surrender.

His steps were steady and his expression was calm, but his heart was surging like the waves. He was worried about the future and felt helpless about the current situation.

Although I was mentally prepared, since I had surrendered outside the city today, it was natural that I would be described in history books.

I surrendered after being cheated of the military power, but I don’t know how future generations will view me!

But now that things have come to this, any resistance would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and would only result in more killings.

Outside the city, Zhuge Liang's troops had already lined up and were waiting.

In the light of the fire, Zhuge Liang sat on a four-wheeled carriage, gently waving a feather fan, his eyes as deep as the abyss.

Seeing Wu Zhi leaving the city to surrender, he nodded slightly, signaling his men not to act rashly.

Wu Zhi walked to the front of the battle, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands and said loudly: "Wu Zhi is incompetent, but I am willing to lead the soldiers and civilians of Yecheng to submit to the Han Dynasty. I hope the Prime Minister will forgive the people and soldiers in the city and save them from the disaster of war."

Zhuge Liang slowly stood up, walked to Wu Zhi, held out his hand to help him up, and said in a gentle voice: "General Wu is very righteous. It is a blessing for the people to avoid a war. I will treat the soldiers and civilians in the city well, so don't worry too much."

Wu Zhi looked up and saw that Zhuge Liang looked sincere, which made him feel relieved.

Then he looked at the general next to him, who was holding a big axe, looking very majestic, and was nodding at him.

Wu Zhi knew...this was the killer Xing Daorong.

After calming himself down, Wu Zhi stepped aside to make way, indicating that Yecheng was fully open.

Zhuge Ni led his troops slowly into the city with steady steps and strict discipline, and no one disturbed the people.

The people in the city peeked at this scene through the cracks in the windows. Although they were still afraid, they also felt a glimmer of hope.

After all...it's better than forcing yourself to go to the battlefield!

As the night faded, the sky in the east began to turn pale. On top of the city wall of Ye, the Han army's flag slowly rose and fluttered in the wind.

Wu Zhi stood at the foot of the city, looking at the flag, with mixed feelings in his heart.

He knew that the fate of this city and the fate of the Great Wei had completely changed that night.

And everyone... will also find their own foothold in this new situation.

(End of this chapter)