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

On the west bank of the Yellow River, at Puban Pass.

Inside the imperial tent, the air was thick with the smell of wine, and the fire in the stove blazed brightly.

Cao Cao was also drinking around a stove with Sima Yi and a few others.

Cao Cao looked well and had a good appetite. After drinking several cups, his face was slightly flushed.

After repelling several attempts by the Han army to cross the river, the Han army on the opposite bank remained inactive for one or two months, and the two armies entered a stalemate.

In Cao Cao's view, this was Sima Yi's strategy working.

With 60,000 troops stationed here, strong river defenses, and the emperor himself personally leading the campaign, Puban Pass was as impregnable as a rock.

Even though the Han army numbered 250,000, what could they do?
"That big-eared scoundrel thinks that with the troops of ten provinces, he can easily sweep away my two provinces. Instead of coming in person, he sent a little brat. He really underestimates me."

After downing a cup of wine, Cao Cao's lips curled into a sarcastic smirk.

Sima Yi also showed disdain and sneered:

"The crown prince newly appointed by Liu Bei is a mediocre talent, lacking both ability and prestige, and is simply unable to win the hearts of the people."

"In this battle, Liu Bei appointed Liu Shan to command the army, but ordered Xiao He and Zhang Fei, among other traitors, to assist him. This was simply to protect his son, help him reap great rewards, and establish his prestige."

Upon hearing Sima Yi's words, Cao Cao's face also showed contempt, and he sneered:

"That big-eared scoundrel is nothing but a weaver of mats and a seller of shoes. How could his son compare to my son Huan in both literary and military prowess?"

"Don't say that the big-eared scoundrel can't destroy me. Even if he were to be lucky enough to destroy me and unify the world, his stupid son, who is as dumb as a dog or pig, would not be able to protect the foundation he has worked so hard to build. Sooner or later, it would be usurped by treacherous villains like Xiao He and Zhuge Liang."

Sima Yi echoed his sentiments, praising Cao Pi while harshly criticizing Liu Shan.

As the emperor and his minister were discussing the matter, the military tent suddenly began to shake, and the battle flags outside were rustling loudly.

The wind picked up, and the temperature inside the tent dropped considerably in no time.

Upon seeing this, Xu Chu quickly ordered his soldiers to add charcoal to the stove, warming the tent up again.

Slightly drunk, Cao Cao didn't think much of it and continued to drink and chat with Sima Yi.

Inside another military tent.

Jia Xu, who had caught a cold and was feeling unwell, was fast asleep on his couch.

A sudden gust of cold wind swept in, and snow began to fall heavily, but Jia Xu, fast asleep, did not notice it at first.

It wasn't until dusk, when the sound of his personal guards entering the tent to add charcoal, that Jia Xu groggily saw through the crack in the curtain that everything outside was already a white expanse.

His innate keenness suddenly made Jia Xu more alert, and he looked around warily.

The tent was swaying, the wind was howling outside, the temperature had dropped significantly, and snowflakes were occasionally drifting in through the gaps in the curtains.

"What's going on outside?"

Jia Xu forced himself to sit up and asked with a wary look in his eyes.

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, a snowstorm has started outside, and the weather has turned cold. I came in to add some charcoal to the fire, but I didn't mean to disturb your rest. Please forgive me, Grand Commandant."

The guard thought Jia Xu was scolding him for disturbing his sleep, so he quickly prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness.

Jia Xu's expression changed, and he hurriedly got off the bed, rushing out of the tent in three steps.

The tent flap was lifted, and the wind and snow rushed in.

Jia Xu had to raise his arm to shield his eyes from the flying snow and squint to see it clearly.

The world was a vast expanse of white, the wind was biting cold, and the snow had fallen above my ankles.

"Grand Commandant, it's too cold outside. Be careful not to catch a cold."

The guards rushed over and hurriedly draped a fox fur coat over Jia Xu.

Jia Xu pushed him away and shouted:
"Go and get me the kettle right now, quick!"

The guard was taken aback, his eyes were blank but he dared not disobey, and he hurriedly went back to the tent to fetch a pot of warm water.

Jia Xu smashed the pot and water to the ground.

Water splashed on the ground, after a puff of smoke, instantly froze into ice.

Jia Xu's expression changed drastically, and he turned around and shouted angrily at his personal guards:
"Since the world has changed, why didn't you wake me up sooner?"

The guards looked helpless. You were unwell, sleeping soundly in bed; who in their right mind would wake you up just because the weather has changed?

You didn't explain this beforehand.

Jia Xu, no longer able to reprimand his guards, wrapped his fox fur tightly around himself and shouted:

"Quickly prepare the horses, I must go to see the Emperor!"

"Something terrible is about to happen! Something terrible is about to happen!"

The guards hurriedly brought over a mount, and Jia Xu, supporting himself, mounted it and spurred it on towards the imperial tent.

A moment later, they arrived outside the imperial tent.

Jia Xu dismounted and, without waiting for the Tiger Guards to announce his arrival, barged directly into the imperial tent.

Inside the royal tent.

Cao Cao and Sima Yi were enjoying their drinks.

Jia Xu suddenly burst in, bringing with him a chilly wind and swirling snow, causing everyone to shiver.

Sima Yi's expression suddenly changed, as if he had just realized something.

Cao Cao, however, looked displeased and questioned:
"Wenhe, weren't you feeling unwell and resting in your tent? Why did you suddenly barge in without even announcing yourself?"

Jia Xu clasped his hands in a fist salute and stepped forward, calling out in a trembling voice:
"Your Majesty, it's freezing cold outside, the temperature has plummeted, and water freezes instantly. How can Your Majesty still be in the mood for drinking here?"

"In this freezing weather, the Yellow River must be frozen solid. The Han army on the other side will surely take advantage of the situation to cross the river on the ice. Your Majesty, please quickly dispatch troops to the riverbank to break through the ice!"

Cao Cao's expression suddenly changed drastically. He threw down his wine cup, stumbled out with his cane, and

The cold wind was like a knife, and the snow was blinding.

The wind, the snow, the biting cold—it's clear that winter has arrived.

"How come the weather suddenly turned this cold?"

"Zhongda, didn't you say this year would be another mild winter? What, what's going on?"

Cao Cao was utterly astonished and his gaze shot sharply towards Sima Yi.

Sima Yi's face was ashen, and he said with a bitter expression:

"I can't understand it either. We've had two consecutive mild winters, and the weather was as warm as spring just a few days ago. How could it suddenly...?"

Sima Yi didn't know how to explain.

Jia Xu bowed and said urgently:
"The weather is unpredictable, so this sudden drop in temperature is to be expected."

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to ask why. We must quickly send troops to break the ice. If we delay any longer, the Han army may cross the Yellow River!"

Cao Cao shuddered, suddenly waking up with a start, and cried out in a hoarse voice:

"Order Xu Huang and Li Tong to immediately mobilize troops and break through the ice for me!"

"Immediately, immediately!"

The imperial decree was issued.

Xu Huang, Li Tong, and other generals hurriedly mobilized their troops, carrying tools such as picks, and rushed to the shore to break the ice.

Cao Cao also mounted his horse and, surrounded by his Tiger Guards, headed towards the east gate tower of Puban Pass.

Looking out from the city tower, all that could be seen was a vast expanse of snow, and the Han army's camp on the opposite bank was no longer visible.

The view was obstructed by the wind and snow, and only about twenty steps along the shore could be seen.

Nearly five thousand Wei soldiers had arrived at the riverbank and were frantically chiseling away at the frozen surface of the river.

Cao Cao's heart was in his throat; he wished he could rush over himself and participate in the ice-breaking.

"Your Majesty, please do not be too hasty. The river has only recently frozen over, and we cannot yet determine how thick the ice is. The Han army may not dare to cross the river on the ice right now. We still have time."

Sima Yi, who was beside him, had regained his composure and immediately offered words of comfort.

Cao Cao calmed down slightly, gazed intently at the opposite bank, and gritted his teeth, saying:
"I hope, as you say, that Liu Shan, that dog and pig, doesn't have the guts to risk crossing the river now. It's not too late for me to break the ice now..." (End of Chapter)