The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 425 Deng Ai continues Sima Qian's legacy of launching a northern expedition to the Central Plains; Lu Xun, Jiang Wei, and Guo Huai join forces to decisively defeat the Wei army.

In the sixteenth year of Zhangwu, in the height of summer.

Within the imperial city of Chengdu, bronze sparrows perch on the eaves, and cicadas chirp incessantly.

In the Wei King's palace, the cool air emanating from the ice chest could not dispel the oppressive atmosphere throughout the hall.

Cao Rui, dressed in a black royal robe, leaned against the table, his brows furrowed with deep worry.

Below the steps, General Deng Ai, the General Who Guards the West, stood bowing.

He raised the memorial high with both hands, his voice booming like a bell:

"Your humble servant Ai reports: Liu Bei is seriously ill, Li Yi has partially retired, and Chen Deng has died."

"The former Grand Commander of Yong and Liang, Zhuge Liang, has been transferred away from Guanzhong. With the situation in Qi so turbulent, this is a golden opportunity."

"Currently, Liu Bei has delegated power to Crown Prince Liu Shan to oversee the country. Liu Shan is weak and cowardly, and China is in danger."

"I have served in Hanzhong for many years, where the troops are well-trained and the provisions are plentiful."

"Your subject is willing to lead the royal army, raise troops for a northern expedition, and conquer the Central Plains."

"To uphold the rightful order, to repay the King's kindness, and to fulfill the Prime Minister's ambition!"

The eunuch received the memorial and presented it to Cao Rui.

Cao Rui unrolled the scroll and examined it carefully, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table without uttering a word.

At this moment, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Qiao Zhou, stepped forward and reported:

"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! Recently, General Cao Zhen and Chancellor Sima Yi have both died one after another, leaving no one to govern the country."

"Shi Zai should wait for the right time and not act rashly."

Deng Ai turned to face Qiao Zhou, his gaze piercing:
"No! Life is fleeting, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall, and time drags on like this."

When will we be able to recover the Central Plains?

"...Sun Tzu said: Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will win every battle."

Qiao Zhou stroked his beard and shook his head. "We are all far inferior to the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister cannot recover the Central Plains, how can we?"

"Doctor Qiao, you are mistaken!"

Deng Ai’s voice was impassioned: “I have followed the Prime Minister in battle for many years and am well-versed in military strategy.”

"Moreover, having lived in Longshang for a long time, he was well aware of the Qiang people's sentiments."

"If we now unite with the Qiang people for assistance, even if we fail to recover the Central Plains, we can cut off and take control of the westward route from Longxi."

The courtiers in the hall whispered among themselves, divided into two factions, and argued endlessly.

Cao Rui finally raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and slowly said:
"I am fully aware of your intentions."

"But..."

He paused for a moment, gazing into the distance beyond the hall.

"More than twenty years have passed since King Zhuang fled to Guanzhong after his defeat."

"We are living in a precarious place in Sichuan, but we yearn to return home day and night."

"The Central Plains are currently vulnerable, which is indeed a golden opportunity."

Qiao Zhou said urgently:

"Your Majesty! Although Zhuge Liang is away from Guanzhong, he has been managing the Central Plains for many years, with strict laws and regulations, and the people are loyal to him."

"Moreover, it is said that his son Jiang Boyue is exceptionally talented, and he also has Lu Boyan as his assistant."

"Pang Lingming is an even more valiant and skilled warrior."

"If war is started lightly, I fear..."

"The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is overthinking it!"

Deng Ai interrupted.

“Li Ziyu is old, and most of the veteran generals in the Central Plains, relying on their seniority, have ulterior motives and are not convinced by the central government.”

"According to our spies, many senior officials in the capital are living extravagant lives."

"Now that Liu Bei is seriously ill and Liu Shan is weak and incompetent, this is the time for our Great Wei to rise again!"

Cao Rui closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before finally speaking:
"Since you wish to launch a northern expedition, you should devote yourself wholeheartedly to it."

"Do not diminish our nation's spirit, lest we fail to live up to our destiny."

Cao Rui was calm, resolute, insightful, and decisive, and he was well-versed in the art of checks and balances.

He took control of the government shortly after ascending the throne, rendering the regents ineffective.

For example, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Sima Yi were repeatedly transferred to the border during the war.

Their stay in the capital was very limited.

In this way, the influence of the three on the central government was effectively reduced.

Sima Yi and Cao Zhen did indeed die one after another amidst the frequent military campaigns.

Of the four regents, only Zhao Yan remained in the capital.

However, he did not hold military power, and therefore had limited influence over Cao Rui's power.

Through these strategies, Cao Rui cleverly transferred the three most powerful of the four regents away from the central government.

Successfully seized power and gained control.

After the deaths of Sima Yi and Cao Zhen, Cao Rui firmly held the highest power in the Wei Kingdom.

Deng Ai was a young general of the Wei Kingdom.

Cao Rui wanted to cultivate him, but he didn't want him to accumulate too much power in Chengdu.

To threaten their own power.

Since Deng Ai volunteered to lead the Northern Expedition, Cao Rui had no reason not to agree.

Once the task is accomplished, it will be attributed to the monarch's discerning eye in recognizing talent and completing the great undertaking that the two kings had failed to accomplish.

In the event of failure, it could further weaken the military power of the generals in the country.

Deng Ai prostrated himself in gratitude:

"Your Majesty's grace will be repaid with my life!"

After the court session ended,

Qiao Zhou suddenly caught up with Deng Ai, grabbed his sleeve, and said:
"Shi Zai, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Regardless of whether the State of Qi is truly weak."

"Even if the Central Plains is truly illusory, a centipede, though dead, does not fall down."

"It is truly unwise for the weak Wei to attack the strong Qi."

Deng Ai sighed:

“Mr. Qiao, it’s not that I’m in a hurry, but time is of the essence.”

"Qi is dozens of times stronger than Wei. Every day we delay, Qi becomes stronger than us."

"If I continue to waste my life, and end up spending my remaining years in Shu, how will I face my late king in the afterlife?"

"However, war is a matter of great importance to the state..."

"How could I not know?"

Deng Ai pointed to the north and said, "But the current situation is like rowing against the current; if we don't advance, we will retreat."

"If we wait until Liu Bei dies and Li Yi returns power to the emperor, then we will never have another chance in this lifetime!"

Qiao Zhou remained silent for a long time before finally speaking:
"In that case, I hope the general will take care."

Three days later, Deng Ai received the imperial edict and left the court, heading directly to Hanzhong with Sima Zhao and a group of Shu generals.

Before his departure, Cao Rui personally bestowed upon him a precious sword and instructed him:
"I am bound to the Central Plains by national and personal vendettas."

"Your journey concerns the very survival of the nation; proceed with utmost care and caution."

Deng Ai bows again:

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your trust!"

……

The Hanzhong camp was ablaze with banners that blotted out the sun.

Deng Ai summoned his generals for a meeting, and a huge map was hung in the tent, marking the distribution of power between the Han and Wei sides.

General Zhang Yi, who led the expedition to the west, spoke first:

"General, although our army is elite, it numbers no more than fifty thousand."

"I've heard that the Central Plains alone has 100,000 troops stationed in Guanzhong. How can we possibly defeat them?"

Deng Ai smiled and said:

"...Otherwise, as far as I know."

"The Central Plains court has always advocated reducing military expenditures in Guanzhong, and the claim of 100,000 troops is probably untrue."

"Even if there were truly 100,000 people, their presence in various locations would make them difficult to manage."

"I have already made a plan."

Before he could finish speaking, a guard came to report:

"General, the Qiang envoy has arrived."

Deng Ai was overjoyed:

"Please!"

Before long, three envoys dressed in Qiang ethnic costumes entered the tent.

The leader bowed with his hand on his chest:
"General Deng, my family patriarch has sent me here to discuss important matters with you."

Deng Ai personally descended the steps to greet him:

"With the help of the Qiang warriors, this battle is promising!"

After the Qiang envoy withdrew, Deng Ai looked around at his generals:

"Now we have more than 10,000 Qiang soldiers, who can be used as a surprise force."

"My mind is made up; I will send troops in three routes."

"They marched out of Qishan and feigned an attack on Chang'an."

"We will march out of the Ziwu Valley and head straight for Tongguan."

"I will lead the main force out of Xiegu Valley and cut off the rear of the Central Plains army."

Protector Huang Chong said with concern:
"...This plan is ingenious, but it is extremely risky."

"If Lu Xun discovers our plan and returns to rescue us, our army will be in grave danger."

Deng Ai nodded:

"...Huang Hujun's concerns are very valid."

"Therefore, I have already sent spies to the Central Plains to spread rumors that the Xianbei people are going to attack Youzhou."

"Zhuge Liang will surely divide his troops to defend against this, thus leaving Guanzhong vulnerable."

Upon hearing this, all the generals showed joy.

Deng Ai stood before the military tent, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains with piercing eyes.

"Ju An and Li Xin, listen to my command!"

Deng Ai turned around, his voice firm and resolute.

Two generals stepped forward in response:

"The general is here!"

"I now order you two to lead 15,000 soldiers to build two cities in front of Qushan."

"Ju An guarded the eastern city, and Li Xin guarded the western city."

"These two cities are like daggers, pointing straight at the heart of Yongzhou."

"This is crucial to our army's Northern Expedition plan; it cannot be allowed to fail!"

Ju An and Li Xin said in unison:

"This humble general will certainly live up to the general's trust!"

The army set off the following day.

Banners fluttered, and swords and spears stood like a forest.

Fifteen thousand elite troops marched in a mighty procession toward Qushan.

Within a few days, the army arrived at Qushan.

Two mountain peaks stand facing each other, with a vital passage connecting Yongliang in between, making it a strategically important location for military strategists.

Li Xin rode his horse around and looked around, then replied with a couplet:
“This place is strategically important; if a city were built on it, it could control the throat of Yongzhou.”

"However, we are very close to the enemy and may be surrounded and attacked."

Ju An laughed and said:

"...General, you are overthinking it."

“Since Governor Deng has ordered the construction of the city, there must be reinforcements.”

"Moreover, I observe that the terrain here is easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Even if enemy troops invade, there is nothing to fear."

He then ordered his soldiers to quarry stones and cut down trees, working day and night to complete the task.

Within a month, the two cities had already taken shape.

The city walls were about three zhang high, forming a defensive perimeter, with beacon fires visible to each other.

at the same time,

Lu Xun, who had already been appointed governor of Yongzhou, also received an urgent report from the spies.

His appointment as Governor of Yongzhou was recommended by Zhuge Liang.

The imperial court was not in a hurry to reinstate a new Grand General of Yongliang.

Instead, he appointed Li Yan as the governor of Liangzhou and Lu Xun as the governor of Yongzhou.

Clearly, the imperial court hoped that the two would check and balance each other.

The reason is quite simple.
Although Li Yan was from Jingzhou, he was a Han general with impeccable revolutionary credentials.

However, after spending several years with him, Zhuge Liang realized that this man was power-hungry and extremely selfish.

If you really give him too much power, it's easy to make mistakes.

As for Lu Xun, he had no major flaws in ability or character.

But since he was a surrendered general from the Wu Kingdom, the imperial court would definitely hold him accountable for his political background check.

Moreover, he was originally from a prominent family in Jiangnan with considerable influence.

Therefore, it was decided to have the two check and balance each other in Yongliang.

As for Jiang Wei, he was still young.

In any case, we can't let him sit on equal footing with the two seniors.

Therefore, let him continue to work as an assistant to the two of them and gain experience.

"Deng Ai sent troops to build a city at Qushan?"

Lu Xun put down the military report, his brows furrowing slightly. "If this city is built, it will be like a fishbone stuck in my throat."

He immediately wrote a letter and sent it by fast horse to Luoyang.

He then summoned his generals for a meeting.

“Boyue,”

Lu Xun looked at Jiang Wei and said, "You have lived in Longshang for a long time and are familiar with the Qiang people."

"Now Deng Ai will surely be allied with the Qiang people. You should go to the Qiang king quickly, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and persuade him not to help the tyrant."

Jiang Wei cupped his hands and said:
“…We accept the order.”

"However, the Qiang people are fickle, and it is unlikely that they will be easily convinced."

Lu Xun nodded:
"Do your best and obey destiny."

"If the Qiang king does not agree, we should make him hesitate and buy time for our army."

Jiang Wei set off immediately, riding alone towards the Qiang tribe.

Lu Xun then summoned his deputy, Guo Huai:

"Boji, I order you to lead 30,000 troops to Qushan immediately."

"We must break through the city before it is secure!"

Guo Huai readily agreed:

"Huai will exert all his strength to capture these two cities!"

Outside Qushan City, dust and smoke billowed.

Guo Huai led an army of 30,000 to swarm in and completely besieged the east and west cities.

Ju An, seeing this from the eastern city wall, said to his deputy:
"...They really came."

"He then ordered all troops to strictly guard the city and await the arrival of the commander-in-chief's reinforcements."

No sooner had he finished speaking than war drums sounded outside the city.

Guo Huai ordered his soldiers to attack from all sides, with ladders and battering rams coming up at the same time, and arrows flying like locusts.

Ju Anqin stood atop the city wall, commanding with unwavering composure.
"Rolling logs and stones, get ready—fire!"

in an instant,
Rolling logs and stones rained down, smashing the heads of the attacking soldiers until they bled profusely.

Hot oil was poured out, flames rose everywhere, and screams of agony filled the air.

Li Xin of Xicheng also led his troops in a desperate battle, personally drawing his bow and shooting arrows, killing several enemy generals in succession.

After a day of fierce fighting, Guo Huai found the city fortified and difficult to capture.

They then changed their strategy, dividing their forces to cut off the enemy's supply lines and completely besieging the two cities.

Ten days later, Lu Xun personally led reinforcements to arrive.

He climbed to a high place to observe the terrain and saw that although the two cities were dangerous, they were located on high ground, which made him very happy.

Back in the stronghold, Lu Xun said to Guo Huai:
"This city is situated on high hills, so there must be little water."

"If the upstream is cut off, the Shu soldiers will all die of thirst like fish."

Guo Huai suddenly realized:

"Your Excellency's insight is brilliant! I will immediately order my soldiers to dig an earthen dam to block the upstream flow."

As Lu Xun had predicted, the city was indeed without water.

At first, there was still water available.

Several days later, the well dried up and the river ran dry, and the soldiers' lips were cracked and their throats were parched.

Seeing the critical situation, Li Xin said to his generals:

"Such a siege is tantamount to sitting and waiting for death."

"I will lead the troops out of the city to fetch water."

He then led five hundred elite soldiers to launch a surprise attack by opening the gate.

Unexpectedly, the Han army was prepared and surrounded them from all sides.

Li Xin charged left and right, his battle robe stained with blood.

They had just recovered a few buckets of water, but more than half of their soldiers had been lost.

Ju'an also faced the same predicament in Dongcheng. The two armies met together to discuss countermeasures.

"Governor Deng's troops have not yet arrived, and we do not know why."

Ju An looked worried. "The city's food supplies are running out, and there is no water either. The morale of the army is already in chaos."

Li Xin gritted her teeth and said:
"I will risk my life to fight my way out and seek help."

"General, you are guarding the city and awaiting reinforcements. If Ruo Xin does not return, there should be a message sent back."

That night,

Li Xin selected several dozen elite cavalrymen and, under the cover of darkness, quietly opened the west gate.

"Follow me!"

Li Xin gave a low shout and charged ahead of the enemy camp.

Initially, things went smoothly, and they broke through two encirclements in succession.

When they reached the third level, Guo Huai and Pang De led their troops to intercept them.

"Li Xin, don't run away!"

Pound roared and charged forward with his spear.

Li Xin didn't answer, but brandished his sword and charged forward.

The two generals fought for more than ten rounds, but Li Xin was exhausted and anxious.

He feinted with his sword, then spurred his horse and rode away.

Pang De pursued relentlessly, secretly drawing his bow and arrow, and shot Li Xin in the back.

Despite his pain, Li Xin continued to fight fiercely.

The accompanying cavalrymen all fell from their horses, and by dawn, only Li Xin remained.

He was already seriously injured in several places before he managed to break through the encirclement.

Looking back, all the soldiers who accompanied him had perished in the chaos of battle.

Meanwhile, the situation in the east and west cities became even more critical.

The soldiers were so hungry and thirsty that many were too weak to hold their weapons.

When Ju'an patrolled the city, he saw that the soldiers all looked desperate, and he felt saddened.

Just when I was at my wit's end, I suddenly felt a coolness on my face.

Looking up,

A strong north wind arose, dark clouds gathered, and snowflakes fell from the sky.

"It's snowing! It's snowing!"

The soldiers in the city cheered with joy.

Ju An, however, looked worried.

While snow can quench thirst, the freezing weather makes defending the city even more difficult.

That night, heavy snow blocked the mountains, turning the two cities of Qushan into a silvery-white world.

The Wei soldiers distributed their provisions and melted snow to eat, temporarily relieving their thirst.

However, with supplies running low and no external aid arriving, the future remains uncertain.

Ju An stood atop the city wall, gazing at the swirling snowflakes, and murmured to himself:
"General Li, I hope you have successfully broken through the encirclement and can get reinforcements soon..."

The wind and snow intensified, covering the bloodstains on the battlefield.

However, it could not conceal the atmosphere of despair that permeated the two cities.

At this time, Li Xin, wounded and braving the snow, was making a difficult journey south.

With each step, the arrow wound on his back sent piercing pain through him.

Fresh blood dripped onto the snow, its red color glaringly bright.

"We must not fall..."

Li Xin gritted his teeth and insisted, "The lives of the soldiers in both cities are in my hands..."

He glanced back towards Qushan, only to see endless mountains and the two cities nowhere to be seen.

Li Xin lay prone on his horse, the arrow wound on his back throbbing with each jolt of the horse's movements.

Blood had soaked through his battle robes, congealing into dark red scabs in the cold wind.

He gritted his teeth, gripped the reins tightly, and struggled forward along the path in the western mountains.

"We must not fall... Ju An and his more than 10,000 soldiers... are still waiting for reinforcements..." Li Xin murmured to himself, his consciousness beginning to fade.

For two days and two nights, he worked without sleep or rest, sustained entirely by sheer willpower.

The snow made travel difficult, and he fell off his horse several times, only to struggle to get back up each time.

Their rations were long gone, so they could only grab a handful of snow and stuff it into their mouths to temporarily quench their hunger and thirst.

On the third day at dawn,
Li Xin finally collapsed from exhaustion and rolled off his horse onto the snow.

In a daze, he heard the sound of horses' hooves and marching footsteps in the distance.

"It's...it's the banner of the Wei army..."

Li Xin struggled to open her eyes and saw a valley ahead.

A large army was marching in a winding path, with the character "Deng" prominently embroidered on its banner.

"Governor Deng..."

With her last breath, Li Xin shouted, "Governor Deng!"

The vanguard scouts came upon hearing the noise and saw a general lying in the snow, his battle robe stained with blood. They quickly dismounted to check on him.

"It's General Li Xin! Quickly report to the Commander-in-Chief!"

Before long, Deng Ai arrived at full speed, surrounded by his personal guards.

Seeing that Li Xin was on the verge of death, he hurriedly dismounted and helped her up.

"General Li! What's the situation at Qushan?"

Upon seeing Deng Ai, Li Xin burst into tears, prostrated himself on the ground, and sobbed:

"Commander! Both cities of Qushan are besieged by Lu Xun's heavy troops, and their waterways have been cut off."

"General Ju'an and I are holding out for reinforcements, and more than a hundred soldiers have died of thirst."

"Fortunately, heavy snow fell from the sky, and we were able to survive by melting the snow."

"However, our supplies are running out, and the situation is critical!"

Deng Ai, with a grave expression, helped Li Xin up.
“It is not that I am late, but that the Qiang soldiers have not yet arrived, which is why I am delayed.”

"General, you have suffered."

He then summoned the military medical officer:

"Send General Li to Sichuan immediately to recuperate and take good care of him."

Li Xin said urgently:

"This humble general is willing to follow the Commander-in-Chief back to Qushan!"

Deng Ai shook his head:

"The general is seriously wounded and cannot fight any longer."

"It's not too late for you to join me in battle after you've recovered from your injuries."

After seeing Li Xin off, Deng Ai summoned his generals for a meeting.

The young Sima Zhao stood beside Deng Ai, his gaze sharp.

Deng Ai was deeply worried:

"Before the Qiang troops arrived, Lu Xun besieged the city with great urgency."

"If we wait for the Qiang soldiers to arrive, the two cities of Qushan will probably have already fallen."

"What insightful opinion does the Second Young Master have?"

Sima Zhao pondered for a moment, then walked to the map:
"General, I predict that the troops from Yongzhou will all come to Qushan to attack, leaving Yongzhou vulnerable."

"General, you can lead your troops directly to Niutou Mountain and outflank Yongzhou from behind."

"Upon hearing the news, Lu Xun and Guo Huai will surely return to relieve Yongzhou, and the siege of Qushan will be lifted."

Upon hearing this, Deng Ai clapped his hands and laughed:
"Wonderful! This is the best plan!"

"Attack where they must defend; this is a strategy of relieving the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao!"

He immediately ordered the three armies to change their marching direction and head towards Niutou Mountain.

at the same time,

In the Han army camp outside Qushan City, Guo Huai learned that Li Xin had successfully broken through the siege and hurriedly came to see Lu Xun.

"My lord, Li Xin has broken through the siege for two days."

"If he sees Deng Ai, Deng Ai will know that my army is all in Qushan and will surely attack my rear from Niutoushan."

Lu Xun stroked his beard and pondered:
"What does Boji mean?"

Guo Huai pointed to the map:

"Your Excellency can lead an army to secretly seize the Tao River and cut off the Shu army's supply lines."

"I will divide my forces in half and head straight for Niutou Mountain to attack them."

"If they know that their supply lines have been cut off, they will surely flee on their own."

Lu Xun stared at the map for a long time, then suddenly laughed:

"Boji's plan is brilliant! If Deng Ai goes to Niutou Mountain, he will fall right into our trap!"

They immediately divided their forces:

Lu Xun personally led 10,000 elite troops to secretly seize the Tao River.

Guo Huai also led 10,000 soldiers straight to Niu Tou.

The remaining troops continued to besiege Qushan.

Before leaving, Lu Xun specifically instructed Guo Huai:
"Deng Ai was resourceful, and Sima Zhao was no ordinary man either."

"When the general goes to Niutou Mountain, he should set up many feints and make a show of force, and should not engage in battle easily."

Guo Huai cupped his hands in greeting:

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, Huai has a plan."

Let me talk about two things.

Deng Ai led his army deep into Niutou Mountain when he suddenly heard shouts from the vanguard and the chaotic sound of hooves.

A scout galloped in to report:
"Commander! Qi troops are blocking our path ahead!"

Deng Ai's expression hardened, and he spurred his horse to the front of the army.

At the narrow pass in the valley, Guo Huai led his troops in a state of high alert, ready for battle.

Banners blotted out the sun, and swords and spears formed a forest.

Upon seeing Deng Ai arrive, Guo Huai spurred his horse forward and laughed loudly:

"Deng Shizai! You intend to attack my Yongzhou, but little do you know that I have been waiting here for a long time!"

Deng Ai was furious and pointed his spear directly at Guo Huai:

"Guo Boji! You traitorous surrendered general, how dare you bark and howl here?"

"You only managed to see through my plan by luck, how dare you be so arrogant!"

Having said that, he brandished his spear, spurred his horse, and charged straight at Guo Huai.

The two horses clashed, spears and knives clashing.

After less than three exchanges, Guo Huai feinted with his sword and then fled in defeat.

Just as Deng Ai was about to pursue, Sima Zhao urgently called out:

"General, beware of a trap!"

Deng Aile observed that Guo Huai's army, though retreating, remained orderly, and sensing something amiss, ordered:
"The vanguard will pursue, the central force will provide support, and the rearguard will remain to defend the pass!"

The Wei army followed orders and pursued the enemy for about three miles.

Suddenly, Guo Huai's army split into two wings and occupied the hilltop.

In an instant, rolling logs and stones rained down like rain.

Deng Ai hastily ordered a retreat, having already lost over a thousand soldiers at the foot of Niutou Mountain.

They had no choice but to set up camp, dig trenches, and erect barricades to confront the Han army.

For the next few days, Deng Ai ordered his troops to challenge him to battle every day.

Guo Huai sometimes fought and sometimes defended, sometimes feigning defeat and sometimes holding firm.

The two armies traded victories and defeats, and the battle was at a stalemate.

That evening, Sima Zhao entered the tent to offer his advice:

"General, this is not a place to stay for long."

"After days of fighting, neither side has gained the upper hand. This is Guo Huai's scheme to lure his troops into a trap. He must have a ulterior motive."

"It would be better to retreat for now and devise a better plan later."

Deng Ai gazed at the terrain above and pondered:

"What the Second Young Master says is quite right, but if we retreat now, we may be pursued..."

Just then, a scout stumbled into the tent, covered in blood:

"General! Something terrible has happened! Guo Huai has divided his troops to take Taoshui, cutting off our supply lines!"

Deng Ai slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, his expression changing drastically:
"The supply line has been cut off! The entire army is in grave danger!"

Sima Zhao said urgently:

"General, execute this swiftly!"

Deng Ai made a decisive decision:

"Second Young Master, please retreat first; I will cover your retreat!"

"Order the entire army to withdraw overnight!"

The night was as dark as ink, and the Wei army quietly broke through the camp.

Before they had gone ten miles, they suddenly heard deafening battle cries from all sides, and torches lit up the sky like stars.

Guo Huai divided his troops into five routes, which attacked from all directions.

Deng Ai, spear in hand, stood alone at the crossroads of five routes, and shouted:

"I am here! Who dares to fight me!"

Seeing Deng Ai's imposing presence, the Han army dared not approach for a moment.

Deng Ai fought and retreated, protecting the army as it slowly withdrew.

At dawn, they retreated to the banks of the Tao River.

Just as Deng Ai was about to order the crossing of the river, he suddenly saw an army charge out from the opposite bank.

Beneath the banner, Lu Xun, clad in white robes and silver armor, proclaimed in a clear voice:
"Deng Shizai! You've fallen into my trap, why don't you surrender now!"

There were obstacles ahead and pursuers behind.

Deng Ai looked around and saw that the soldiers all looked fearful, so he raised his arms and shouted:

"All troops, listen to my command! Today, there is no chance of survival but to fight with all your might!"

Seeing their commander's attitude, the morale of the Wei army was restored.

Deng Ai personally led his elite troops in numerous battles.

The Han army surrounded them layer by layer, as dense as an iron barrel.

The fierce battle raged until noon, and Deng Ai was wounded multiple times, his battle robe stained with blood.

Most of the personal guards had been killed in battle, and the Wei army had suffered heavy losses.

At this critical moment, Deng Ai noticed that the Han army's formation was slightly weaker to the southwest.

They then mustered their remaining troops and charged forward with great effort.

They finally fought their way out and retreated towards Yangping Pass.

When they had traveled ten miles to the pass, they suddenly saw a cloud of dust rising ahead, and an army blocked their way.

The leading general, spear in hand, stood on horseback. He was handsome and imposing, and was none other than Jiang Wei, who had just returned from Liangzhou.

"Deng Ai! You are at your wit's end, why don't you dismount and surrender!"

Jiang Wei's voice was as loud as a bell.

Deng Ai was furious:
"Young Jiang Wei! How dare you block my way home!"

He spurred his horse forward, brandishing his spear, and thrust it straight at Jiang Wei.

Jiang Wei met him head-on with his spear.

The two generals clashed fiercely, their spears flashing and sparks flying.

After several rounds of fighting, Deng Ai, exhausted from the prolonged battle, gradually gave out.

Sima Zhao, seeing this from the pass, urgently ordered:

"Crossbowmen, prepare!"

Just as Deng Ai was in grave danger, the sound of gongs sounding from the gate was suddenly heard.

Deng Ai feinted with his spear, then turned his horse and rode away.

Just as Jiang Wei was about to give chase, he suddenly saw crossbow bolts being fired from the city walls.

This crossbow is extraordinary; it can fire ten arrows in one go.

It was made by Sima Yi during his lifetime, based on the repeating crossbow of the Han Dynasty.

Arrows rained down, and the Han army was thrown into chaos.

Jiang Wei hastily ordered a retreat, and after assessing the losses, he found that several hundred soldiers had been lost.

Gazing at the Wei banners fluttering above Yangping Pass, Jiang Wei sighed:
"I never imagined that Wei's military industry had reached this level."

"The repeating crossbow was originally a powerful weapon of our dynasty, but now it has been controlled by it."

Turning to his deputy, he said:

"After returning to the capital, I will submit a memorial to the court to strictly regulate artisans and prohibit them from privately passing on their skills."

The lieutenant sighed:

"...The general is absolutely right."

"But since the technology has already spread, it may be difficult to completely eradicate it."

Jiang Wei remained silent for a moment, then suddenly said:
"Order the entire army to retreat thirty li and set up camp."

We will devise a strategy to break through the barrier another day.

Meanwhile, at Yangping Pass, Deng Ai was already exhausted.

Sima Zhao personally bandaged Deng Ai's wounds, and seeing his injuries all over his body, he couldn't help but sigh:

"If it weren't for the repeating crossbows that my late father made, Yangping Pass would probably have been lost by now."

Deng Ai smiled bitterly:
"I am confident in my knowledge of military affairs, but today I almost fell victim to Lu Xun and Guo Huai's schemes."

"If it weren't for the Second Young Master's quick thinking, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Looking out over the Han army's continuous camps below the pass, Deng Ai's expression was solemn:
"Although we lost this battle, the struggle for supremacy is just beginning."

"Let's settle this with Jiang Wei another day!"

at the same time,

Qushan City has become a living hell.

Ju An dragged his weary body to patrol the city wall, where he saw only soldiers on the verge of death.

The city's food supplies had long been exhausted, and all the warhorses had been slaughtered.

Yesterday, another 137 soldiers never woke up in their sleep—not from swords, but from hunger and cold.

"General..."

A weak voice came from the corner of the wall.

Ju An approached and saw that it was a young soldier who was only sixteen or seventeen years old, with a face as pale as snow.

"When will reinforcements arrive?"

Ju An choked up, unable to answer.

He looked up at the gray sky, snowflakes falling on his face, icy cold.

Back in the military tent, all the generals gathered, their faces ashen.

Deputy General Wang Tao's voice was hoarse:

"General, there are fewer than three thousand soldiers left in the city who can stand."

"If we continue to hold out..."

Another general's interface:

"If Governor Deng were coming, he should have arrived long ago."

"I am afraid……"

Ju An slowly closed his eyes, and the words of Deng Ai before the expedition floated into his mind:
"The two cities of Qushan are crucial to the Northern Expedition. I hope the general will hold them to the death and await reinforcements."

Hold out for rescue... but where is the rescue?

That night, Ju An sat alone in his tent, a map spread out in front of him, but he couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

The guards brought over half a bowl of thin porridge, which was the last remaining food in the city.

"General, please have some porridge."

Ju An waved:

"Distribute to the wounded."

At midnight, Ju An finally made a decision.

He summoned his generals, his voice low and firm:
"Tomorrow...the city gates will be opened."

The generals remained silent.

The lieutenant wept and said:

"General! We are willing to live and die with this city!"

Ju An shook his head, tears welling in his eyes:
"I am also willing to die on the battlefield to uphold my loyalty and righteousness."

"But what have the thousands of soldiers in the city done to deserve this? How can they be allowed to perish here with us?"

The next morning, the gates of Qushan City slowly opened.

Ju An led his generals out of the city, removed their armor, and knelt on one knee facing the Han army camp.

Lu Xun and Guo Huai rode out side by side.

Seeing Ju An and the others so emaciated, I couldn't help but be moved.

Ju An presented the sword with both hands:

"A defeated general dares not boast of his bravery."

"I only hope that the general will treat the soldiers in the city well, and that Ju An will be dealt with as he sees fit."

Lu Xun dismounted and helped Ju An up.

"The general held out in the isolated city, but surrendered when his strength was exhausted. This was not a fault of his incompetence."

"I will certainly report this to the court and ensure that the general and his soldiers are treated well."

Same day,

Inside the Luoyang Imperial Palace, Crown Prince Liu Shan was having a banquet with his close ministers in a side hall.

Suddenly, a report came from outside the palace:

A rapid report from Yongzhou, delivered by express courier!

Liu Shan, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, waved his hand and said:

"Send it up!"

The eunuch unfolded the military report and read it aloud:
"Lu Xun, the governor of Yongzhou, submitted a memorial stating: Qushan has been captured, and Ju'an has led his people to surrender."

"Deng Ai was defeated and fled to Yangping, losing more than 10,000 soldiers..."

Liu Shan was overjoyed upon hearing this and raised his cup, saying:

"Excellent! Excellent! Our army has achieved repeated victories against the Wei army, establishing a powerful bloodline suppression!"

"It seems that conquering Shu... no, no, conquering Wei is not as difficult as we imagined!"

Liu Shan was also under tremendous pressure during this period.

Because his father entrusted him with the important task of conquering Shu.

This could very well be his father's final test for him.

At the same time, once the Wei Kingdom was destroyed, it would greatly enhance Liu Shan's personal prestige as a monarch.

During the banquet, the officials all echoed his sentiments, but Li Yi, sitting in the corner, had a furrowed brow.

The white-haired and bearded prime minister suddenly slammed his fist on the table, his voice echoing throughout the palace:
"Why does Your Highness say such a thing!"

The hall was completely silent.

Liu Shan nearly dropped his wine cup, and was mostly sober by then.

Li Yi strode into the hall, his hair and beard bristling:
"War is a matter of vital importance to the State; it is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected!"

"As the Crown Prince regent, how can he lightly speak of war?"

Liu Shan hurriedly got up:

"Father, please calm your anger..."

In Liu Shan's memory, his father, the regent, actually had a very good temper.

But he becomes very serious when the topic turns to military matters.

Li Yi's gaze was sharp as he surveyed the assembled officials in the hall:
"Do you know how many famous generals throughout history, commanding millions of troops, have been defeated in a single night?"

"Xiang Yu's victory at Julu ultimately led to his siege at Gaixia."

"Cao Cao's fire at the Battle of Red Cliffs left only the sigh of Huarong."

"Although we have won a small victory today, how dare we underestimate our enemy?"

He turned to Liu Shan and spoke earnestly:

"The south has just been pacified, but the western lands are not yet at peace."

"The Crown Prince should be diligent and cautious, as if walking on thin ice. How can he become complacent because of a momentary victory?"

Liu Shan blushed and bowed deeply.
"I will keep the teachings of my father in mind."

Li Yi's expression softened slightly, and he looked at Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang understood and stepped forward to report:

"Your Highness, Lu Xun, Guo Huai, and other generals fought valiantly and made this great contribution."

"The imperial court should quickly bestow rewards and honors, so that the three armies may feel grateful for the emperor's grace."

"This is what is meant by 'favor originating from above'."

Liu Shan nodded:

"Prime Minister Zhuge is absolutely right. How should we reward them?"

Zhuge Liang had already made his plans:
"Lu Xun can be promoted to General Who Guards the West, Guo Huai to General Who Conquers the Barbarians, and Jiang Wei to Commander of the Central Army."

Liu Shan took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"As Prime Minister Zhuge suggested, we shall reward the soldiers of Yongzhou handsomely."

"Another order was issued to all states to be on high alert and not to become arrogant because of the victory."

He walked to the palace gate, looked towards the western horizon, and said softly:

"The struggle for supremacy is indeed far from over."

The courtiers bowed and accepted the order, but Li Yi watched Liu Shan's retreating figure.

He nodded slightly, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

……

(End of this chapter)