My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

"The Chu army? Xiao He?"

Sima Jin looked completely bewildered and said blankly:
"Second brother, our Hanoi is the heartland of Wei. How could the Chu army possibly have reached here?"

"And what about Xiao He? How did you know, Second Brother, that he was the one who sent troops to destroy my Sima family?"

At this time, news of the Chu army's capture of Luoyang had not yet spread to Hanoi, and Sima Jin was naturally unaware that Hanoi had changed from the heart of Wei to the border between Chu and Wei.

"Hui Da, don't you know yet? The Chu army has already landed at Mengjin by the Yellow River, taking us by surprise..."

Sima Yi had no choice but to recount in detail the various dramatic events that occurred on the south bank of the Yellow River, including the Chu army's attack on Mengjin, their approach to Luoyang, and his escort of the emperor north with Cao Pi, which was intercepted by the Chu army.

Of course, Cao Pi couldn't tell Sima Jin the truth about his second regicide and subsequent eunuch treatment; he only said that the emperor had died under the swords of the Chu army.

"The Chu army has already besieged Luoyang? Even the emperor has died under the Chu army's blades?"

Sima Jin was terrified and was so shocked that he temporarily forgot the pain of his clan's extermination.

"The one who could come up with such a scheme must be that sorcerer Xiao He, and I believe that the one who commands the Chu army must also be him."

“Mengjin is separated from Henan by only a river, and our Wen County is not far from the north bank of the Yellow River. The Chu army is fully capable of landing in our Henan County.”

“Our Wei Kingdom does not have a Grand Commandant; only the Chu Kingdom has such an office, and it is Xiao He who holds it.”

"Furthermore, as far as I know, Xiao He has a disciple named Deng Ai, who suffers from a stutter."

"These clues, when pieced together, suggest that the one who destroyed my Sima clan was none other than the Chu army."

"Who else could be behind this but Xiao He?"

Sima Yi finally gritted his teeth and deduced the truth.

Sima Jin suddenly awoke, gasped, and froze in shock.

After a moment of distraction, he shouted angrily:

"Second brother, although you serve in the State of Wei and are enemies with Xiao He, how could he be so ruthless as to exterminate my entire Sima clan because of you alone?"

Sima Yi's grief and indignation were replaced by a brief moment of confusion.

The world was in chaos, with warlords vying for power and heroes from all directions serving their own masters. It was common for even brothers from the same clan to serve different lords.

If a feudal lord is defeated, and the victor wants to punish his subordinates, he will only punish that one person and not his family. This is a tacit understanding among the feudal lords.

I, Sima Yi, serve the Wei Kingdom and devise strategies for the Cao family. Even if you, Xiao He, want to kill me, killing me alone would be enough.

But why did you break the unspoken rules and act unpredictably, even wiping out my entire family?

Moreover, his current ranking among Cao Wei's strategists is far behind that of Cheng Yu and Jia Xu; he has only just begun to show his talent.

You, Xiao He, are the Grand Commandant of Chu and Liu Bei's chief strategist. Why would you use such ruthless methods against me?

Sima Yi couldn't understand it, and he racked his brains but still couldn't figure it out.

"I can't understand why that sorcerer would treat my Sima family like this, but none of that matters anymore."

Sima Yi took a deep breath, his face burning with boundless hatred, and gritted his teeth as he said:

"I, Sima Yi, swear by the Yellow River that if I cannot exterminate Xiao He's entire family and avenge my wife, children, father, and brothers, may I, Sima Yi, be struck down by heaven and earth and die a horrible death!"

Sima Yi, his expression filled with grief and indignation, pointed towards the Yellow River and swore a solemn oath.

The oath had barely been sworn when Cao Pi arrived.

Seeing the Sima family compound engulfed in flames, Cao Pi was filled with astonishment and hurriedly asked what had happened.

Sima Yi had no choice but to recount the whole story with resentment.

Cao Pi's expression suddenly changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise:
"Xiao He, that fiend, is so ruthless that he actually sent troops to wipe out your entire family, Zhongda?"

Sima Yi nodded emphatically and said bitterly:
“This traitor not only slaughtered my entire family, but I suspect that the one who led the army to attack Luoyang and sent troops to intercept and kill us must also be this traitor.”

"Young master, the reason why our Great Wei has fallen into such a disadvantageous situation, and why you and I have ended up in such a sorry state, is all thanks to this fiend!"

Cao Pi's body stiffened, and a surge of anger welled up inside him.

In other words, this surprise attack on Luoyang was not only orchestrated by Xiao He, but also personally executed by him.

If Xiao He hadn't led his army to seize Luoyang, he wouldn't have been forced to take the emperor hostage and flee hastily, and the emperor wouldn't have had the opportunity to deliver that fatal blow to him on the escape route...

By working backwards, the culprit behind his current miserable state is none other than Xiao He—

That sorcerer who was driven away by him like a madman outside the Xudu camp back then!

"Xiao He, you rustic country bumpkin, you sorcerer! If I, Cao Pi, do not kill you, I swear I will not be a man, I swear I will not be a man at all!"

Cao Pi clenched his fists, his expression one of frantic rage, and gritted his teeth as he swore a poisonous oath.

After a while.

In his anger, Cao Pi suddenly thought of something and asked:

"Zhongda, what about your wife's younger sister? Did she also fall victim to Xiao He?"

Sima Yi was taken aback, and glanced at Cao Pi with a subtle look.

After that knife wound, you're practically a cripple. You'll probably have to say goodbye to love and romance from now on. How could you possibly care about Guo Zhao's life or death?

Sima Yi had no choice but to look at Sima Jin.

Sima Jin thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead:
“I remember now. My sister-in-law was about to send that Guo family girl to Luoyang when the Chu army came to attack.”

According to the surviving servants, the Chu army did not kill Guo's daughter; they must have kidnapped her.

Sima Yi's expression changed slightly.

He actually hoped that the Chu army would kill Guo Zhao along with them.

Unexpectedly, the Chu army did not kill her, but instead abducted her.

Where can they be kidnapped?
Naturally, they were captured and taken to Luoyang to be presented to Xiao He.

That was the woman he was going to present to Cao Pi, but now she has been kidnapped and fallen into Xiao He's hands. How would Cao Pi feel?

Sima Yi swallowed hard, turned his head shakily, and looked at Cao Pi.

as predicted.

At this moment, Cao Pi's fists were clenched, his face was flushed, and his eyes were wide open as if about to burst.

Luoyang was attacked by Xiao He, and Cao Pi was crippled because of Xiao He. Now, even the woman he had his eye on had been kidnapped by Xiao He... Cao Pi was filled with hatred.

Hate so much it's like grinding your teeth, like your lungs are about to explode, like you're about to vomit blood...

"Second Young Master..."

Sima Yi wanted to offer comfort, but didn't know how to begin.

After a while.

Sima Yi finally calmed his emotions, took a deep breath, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Second Young Master, things have come to this point, and there is no way to undo it."

"The only course of action now is for me to first send the young master back to Ye City to treat his injuries, and then I will go south to Xingyang to meet with Your Majesty, explain the situation to Your Majesty, and help Your Majesty resolve the predicament in Luoyang."

Cao Pi let out a long breath, suppressing his anger and resentment.

"Zhongda, I'm entrusting everything to you. You must kill Xiao He, you absolutely must kill him!"

Cao Pi held Sima Yi's hand tightly, his eyes full of entrustment.

Sima Yi nodded emphatically and said with a sigh:
"Second Young Master, rest assured, Yi will risk his life to fight Xiao He to the death, to avenge you and the Sima family!"

Sima Yi immediately mobilized the troops of Wen County and ordered Sima Jin, along with his only remaining son Sima Zhao, to escort Cao Pi to Ye City for treatment.

Sima Yi then traveled day and night, heading straight for Xingyang.

...

Xingyang City.

Squads of Wei troops came from the east and hurriedly advanced to Xingyang.

Outside the South Gate, Cao Cao and his brother Cao Ren met.

"Why did Your Majesty suddenly lead your army to Xingyang instead of stopping the Chu army at Cangting?"

As Cao Ren served Cao Cao a bowl of soup and tea, he asked, puzzled.

Cao Cao swallowed it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said:
"There's no time to explain, Zixiao. Quickly gather all your troops stationed in Xingyang and follow me west into Hulao Pass to rescue Luoyang."

With that, Cao Cao got up and went down from the city.

Cao Ren was taken aback, and hurriedly followed them down the city wall, saying blankly:

"Liu Bei's main force is blocked south of the three passes. I have not received any urgent reports of the fall of the three passes or the danger to Luoyang. Why is Your Majesty in such a hurry to rescue Luoyang?"

Cao Cao mounted his horse and was about to explain when...

A rider galloped in, dismounting from the saddle.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from Hulao Pass: General Zhang Liao of Chu led 7,000 Chu troops in a surprise attack on the pass from the west this morning."

"Our defending troops were outnumbered and caught off guard; Hulao Pass has fallen!"

Cao Cao's expression changed drastically. He lashed out with his whip and cursed through gritted teeth:

"Damn it! I rushed as fast as I could, but I was still a step too late. That sorcerer's scheme succeeded!"

"Damn it, damn it all~~"

The generals who followed him were all stamping their feet and complaining bitterly, filled with all sorts of frustration.

Cao Ren was shocked and astonished, and hurriedly cried out:
"Your Majesty, what exactly is going on? How did that scoundrel Zhang Liao appear west of Hulao Pass and suddenly break through our Hulao Pass?"

Cao Cao let out a long, weak sigh and glanced at Jia Xu.

Jia Xu sighed bitterly and could only silently recount the whole story of what happened.

Cao Renfang suddenly realized what was happening and gasped in shock:
"That big-eared thief actually took the Yellow River waterway, traversed the heart of my 700-li Yanzhou region, and went directly to attack Luoyang?"

"This strategy is truly unprecedented throughout history, this, this—"

Cao Ren was also so shocked that he became incoherent.

Jia Xu's lips curled into a bitter smile as he sighed helplessly:
"This plan was indeed unprecedented, but Xiao He was also an unprecedented strategist. In the end, we were tricked by him again."

Cao Ren gasped, stunned.

At this moment, Jia Xu was the first to calm down, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:
"Your Majesty, now is not the time for regret. I believe we should quickly lead the army straight to Hulao Pass. Perhaps we can take advantage of Zhang Liao's unstable foothold and recapture Hulao Pass."

"Only in this way can we have a chance to lift the siege of Luoyang."

"Otherwise, if our army is blocked east of Hulao Pass, Luoyang will become an isolated city. Once it falls, the consequences will be unimaginable, and the situation of our Great Wei in the whole of Henan will collapse."

"The Second Prince and the Emperor are also in Luoyang. If they both fall into Liu Bei's hands..."

Before Jia Xu could finish speaking, Cao Cao shuddered in fright and cried out in alarm:

"Then what are we waiting for? All troops, heed my command! Advance westward immediately and retake Hulao Pass!"

Cao Cao dared not delay, so he joined forces with Cao Ren's troops, totaling nearly 60,000 men, and marched hastily to Hulao Pass.

Hulao Pass and Xingyang Pass are very close. The army marched through the night and by dawn the next day, they had reached the city walls.

At this moment, the seven thousand Chu soldiers on the city wall were already in full battle array, ready to meet the enemy.

Cao Cao dared not let his soldiers rest for even a moment, and immediately ordered the entire army to form ranks, ready to launch an attack on Hulao Pass at any time.

"Send the order to the entire army—"

"Report—Urgent report from Luoyang—"

Just as Cao Cao raised his whip, about to order an attack on the city, he was interrupted by a scream.

A rider dismounted, knelt down, and cried out:

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from Luoyang!"

"The Chu army attacked and captured Mengjin, killed General Cao Tai, and sent his head to Luoyang as a show of force."

"The second young master was escorting the emperor out of the city, intending to cross the Yellow River to the north and seek refuge in Henan, but they were intercepted by the Chu army halfway."

"The emperor has been murdered by the Chu army, and the fate of the second prince is currently unknown!"

Cao Cao's raised whip froze in mid-air. (End of Chapter)