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

Bingzhou, Jiexiu Pass.

The cannons roared, and the sky and earth seemed to collapse!
South of the pass, over a hundred divine thunder cannons were relentlessly bombarding Jiexiu Pass.

Although Xiahou Dun transferred some troops from various passes, his combined forces numbered only about 30,000.

Faced with an attack by 100,000 Han troops, he wouldn't dare to fight even if he had ten times the courage. He could only cower in Jiexiu Pass and hold out for his life, hoping that Cao Cao would come to his aid soon.

After Liu Bei's army arrived at the city, they forced the city to set up camp, creating an extremely oppressive situation.

Immediately afterwards, they built a large number of divine thunder cannons and bombarded the border gate day and night.

Within days, this not particularly fortified or sturdy fortress was bombed beyond recognition.

All Xiahou Dun could do, besides silently enduring the terrifying bombardment, was to mobilize his soldiers day and night to rebuild the ravaged city walls.

Even so, after six consecutive days of bombardment, Jiexiu Pass was on the verge of collapse.

As the setting sun dips westward.

As the last stone projectile struck, peace finally returned to the world.

After another round of bombardment by the Han army, tens of thousands of troops began to retreat slowly in preparation for the next round of bombardment of the city.

"Order the troops to immediately repair the city walls and seal the breaches, quickly!"

Xiahou Dun wiped the ash off his face, jumped up, and shouted orders at his soldiers.

After several days of relentless bombardment, he has now roughly figured out the patterns of the Han army's bombardment.

After each bombardment, there is a gap of nearly half an hour before the next bombardment.

He had to use this brief respite to carry soil and stones with all his might to repair the city wall.

The Wei soldiers, huddled beneath the city walls, had no time to catch their breath before their officers ordered them to go up the walls and repair the cracks and gaps.

Xiahou Dun also climbed the dilapidated city tower and looked towards the direction in which the Han army was retreating.

"Big Ear Thief~~"

Looking at the arrogant Han army, Xiahou Dun gritted his teeth, his hatred itching to the core.

However, amidst the anger, there was also a deep sense of helplessness.

"General, this passive defense is not a solution."

"Jiexiu Pass is not comparable to Tong Pass. If it is bombarded day and night by the Han army's divine thunder cannons, it will eventually collapse and may collapse in large sections one day."

"If the Han army swarms in, how can we possibly withstand them?"

Deputy General Wang Ling reminded him with concern.

A hint of helplessness flickered in Xiahou Dun's single eye as he sighed bitterly:

"How could I not know what you are saying?"

"But all we can do now is hold out to the death and wait for His Majesty's reinforcements to relieve the siege."

"Otherwise, could we simply abandon the pass and leave it undefended?"

"This Jiexiu Pass is the only pass south of Jinyang. Once this pass is abandoned, the 100,000 infantry and cavalry of the Big Ears bandit can drive straight into Taiyuan County. At that time, the plains will be wide open, how can we stop them?"

Wang Ling remained silent.

After a moment of silence, Wang Ling sighed helplessly:

"How could I not understand what the General is saying? But..."

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Ling said:
"However, Liu Bei's main force has already entered Hedong, and he has also dispatched 20,000 heavy troops to guard Pubanjin. Your Majesty's army is blocked on the west bank of the Yellow River and cannot enter Hedong. I'm afraid that reinforcements..."

Wang Ling didn't dare to continue.

Xiahou Dun understood the implication behind his words.

Wang Ling meant that Cao Cao had no hope of crossing the river and was unlikely to be able to save them.

There was no point in simply holding out at Jiexiu and waiting for Cao Cao's reinforcements.

"General, General Wang is absolutely right. We are unlikely to receive His Majesty's reinforcements. We must find a way to save ourselves."

Guo Huai nodded in agreement, pointing out Wang Ling's unspoken meaning.

Seeing the two so dejected, Xiahou Dun's face showed a hint of dissatisfaction.

After swallowing hard, Xiahou Dun still asked, "Then, in your opinion, how can we save ourselves?"

After hesitating for a moment, Guo Huai tentatively said:
"The various passes in Bingzhou have a total of about 80,000 troops. For our Great Wei, these 80,000 soldiers are invaluable."

"I believe that in the current situation, His Majesty cannot save us. We cannot withstand Liu Bei's hundreds of thousands of troops attacking from all sides with our own strength."

"I'm afraid we can't hold Bingzhou. In that case, why don't we settle for second best and choose to preserve our people..."

Guo Huai didn't dare utter the words "lost territory."

Xiahou Dun understood the implication in his words, and his expression suddenly changed.

Guo Huai, this means he's being asked to abandon Bingzhou and lead the entire Bingzhou army to flee to Guanzhong.

"Bastard!"

Xiahou Dun flew into a rage and rebuked him:
"I am here by order of the Emperor to guard Bingzhou. How can I be afraid of death and flee after losing territory?"

"Bingzhou is a matter of life and death for our Great Wei. Once it falls, Guanzhong will be lost, and Great Wei will surely perish!"

"Do you want me to be the culprit who caused the downfall of the Great Wei?"

Xiahou Dun, who was already hot-tempered, launched into a tirade of abuse at Guo Huai.

Guo Huai's forehead was covered in sweat, and he hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Xiahou Dun finished his tirade, a haughty glint appearing on his face, and said sternly:
"My mind is made up. As long as the Emperor does not order me to abandon Bingzhou, I, Xiahou Dun, swear to live and die with Bingzhou!"

"Anyone who dares to speak of abandoning Bingzhou and fleeing will be punished according to military law!"

Guo Huai felt a chill run down his spine, his body trembled, and he dared not utter another sound.

The generals around him, who originally wanted to side with Guo Huai, were now too intimidated by Xiahou Dun to speak.

Xiahou Dun suppressed his anger and was about to order his soldiers to speed up the construction of the city wall.

A rider arrived at breakneck speed, claiming that the imperial envoy Yang Fu had entered the border through the North Gate City with the emperor's edict to rest the pass.

A look of joy suddenly flashed across Xiahou Dun's stern face.

Cao Cao's edict has arrived.

Could it be that Bingzhou is saved?
"Quickly, quickly summon Yang Yishan to deliver the imperial edict."

Xiahou Dun urged him on, his face beaming with joy.

After a while.

With a solemn expression, Yang Fu held the imperial edict and ascended the southern gate of Jiexiu.

Xiahou Dun led his generals to receive the imperial decree.

Yang Fu then read out Cao Cao's edict, ordering Xiahou Dun to make all decisions on military and political matters in Bingzhou without having to submit further reports or requests for instructions.

The joy on Xiahou Dun's face vanished, replaced by bewilderment and confusion.

He already had the power to control all military and political affairs in Bingzhou, so why did Cao Cao need to issue such an extra edict?

Moreover, at the end of the edict, a sentence was specifically added: "There is no need to submit a further memorial or request instructions."

"Yang Yishan, what exactly is the purpose of His Majesty's edict?"

Xiahou Dun accepted the imperial edict, but had no choice but to inquire.

Yang Fu coughed a few times, without saying anything explicitly, but simply recounted the contents of the military meeting at Puban Pass that day, as instructed by Cao Cao.

"His Majesty also said that no matter what decision the General makes, no matter what methods or strategies the General uses, and no matter whether Bingzhou can be defended or not, His Majesty will not blame the General."

Yang Fu then added the most important sentence.

Guo Huai frowned, realizing Cao Cao's intention first.

Wang Ling, standing to the side, looked bewildered, still not grasping the mystery.

Xiahou Dun's eyes darted around a few times, and he suddenly understood the deeper meaning behind Cao Cao's actions, and fell silent.

"Mengde, Mengde, if you want your brother to bear the blame for you, just say so. Your brother will do his duty without hesitation. Why go through all this trouble?"

"The way you're doing this makes us brothers seem distant, sigh..."

Xiahou Dun shook his head and let out a bitter sigh. (End of Chapter)