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

Chapter 501 The State of Wei has lost completely! Betrayed by all, abandoned by all, and pushed around by everyone when the wall is falling – this is the fate of a gambler!
Weikou City.

On the west gate, Jia Xu, Sima Yi, and other Wei officials who remained behind were looking westward with solemn expressions.

The intelligence coming from the north bank was like a bombshell, sending shockwaves through everyone's hearts.

Liu Shan personally led 100,000 Han troops out of the camp and sped towards the pontoon bridge.

Clearly, the enemy had already learned of Zhang Fei's successful crossing of the river and was now eagerly leading their main force to join him.

Time was running out for Cao Cao.

Within half a day, Cao Cao had to use his meager 30,000 troops to defeat Zhang Fei's 10,000 Han soldiers, while also destroying the crucial pontoon bridge.

Once the pontoon bridge is destroyed, the main force of the Han army will be unable to cross the river smoothly, and the Wei army may still have a chance to survive.

Conversely, if the pontoon bridge remains intact, the main force of the Han army will join forces with Zhang Fei's troops, and the Wei army will be doomed.

The vast majority of Wei officials, including Jia Xu, could hardly see a glimmer of hope on their faces.

They knew Zhang Fei's strength all too well, and the fighting power of the Han army under his command was unstoppable.

Even if Cao Cao himself led the troops, with only 30,000 soldiers, the idea of ​​defeating Zhang Fei's forces within half a day was, in their eyes, undoubtedly a crazy and unrealistic undertaking.

Only Sima Yi stood in stark contrast to the despair of the others.

He clenched his fists tightly, stood on tiptoe, and leaned forward, as if this would bring him closer to the upcoming good news.

A glimmer of hope remained in his eyes, and he seemed to be praying for a miracle.

"Tattoo..."

A rapid sound of approaching hooves broke the deathly silence on the city wall.

At the end of the road, a rider galloped towards them like the wind.

Sima Yi's nerves immediately tightened, like a fully drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.

The surrounding officials all turned their gazes toward the messenger, their hearts filled with both anticipation and fear—anticipating good news, yet dreading the harsh reality that was about to unfold.

The messenger finally entered the city and climbed up the city wall, panting heavily.

"Our army's strong attack on the enemy camp failed, and the main force of the Han army arrived in time to reinforce the troops. The emperor has already led his army to retreat to Chang'an."

The messenger's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears.

"The Emperor has issued an edict ordering you all to immediately abandon the passes of Weikou, Tongguan, and Wuguan, and to travel day and night to Chang'an to regroup."

Upon hearing this news, Sima Yi felt a wave of dizziness, his body swayed and he staggered back half a step before freezing in place.

His face was filled with disbelief.

The last glimmer of hope burst instantly, like a bubble, leaving only endless despair.

Jia Xu and the other ministers could only let out a helpless sigh.

Apart from Sima Yi, this outcome was exactly what they expected.

Cao Cao's final, desperate struggle ultimately failed.

The fall of the Wei River defense line is a foregone conclusion, and the eastern passes such as Tongguan and Wuguan will also fall.

They were utterly defeated in this battle, a defeat so devastating and so complete.

"Sima Zhongda, if it weren't for your selfish desires to persuade His Majesty to destroy the pontoon bridge, how could we have suffered such a loss of troops and missed the precious opportunity to retreat westward to Chang'an?"

The fiercely loyal Yang Fu was now furious, his face flushed red, and he tore off all pretense of civility, pointing at Sima Yi and launching into a tirade of angry rebukes.

The ministers all glared angrily at Sima Yi, launching a collective attack and kicking him while he was down.

They all criticized Sima Yi for his miscalculation, believing that his stubbornness led to the current disastrous defeat.

Some criticized him for being selfish and prioritizing his own interests over the greater good; others criticized him for being arrogant and overestimating his abilities while underestimating the strength of the Han army…

In an instant, curses erupted from the city walls, and Sima Yi became the target of everyone's anger. Sima Yi clenched his fists, his heart filled with grief and indignation.

He wanted to refute, to defend himself, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

At this moment, nothing can be said to change the reality that has already happened, nor can it quell the anger of the crowd.

Sima Yi could only endure the scorn and insults of his colleagues, silently swallowing all his grievances.

"Gentlemen, things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more."

At this moment, Jia Xu spoke up, reminding the ministers:
"Instead of wasting time, let's retreat westward to Chang'an as soon as possible. If we delay any longer, we may not be able to leave."

The Han army could attack at any moment, so we must evacuate as quickly as possible, or we will face the danger of total annihilation.

Only then did everyone realize what was happening, and they no longer cared about blaming Sima Yi, so they hurriedly fled into the city.

Sima Yi stood there blankly, watching the departing figures of the crowd, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Zhongda, let's go too."

Jia Xu patted Sima Yi on the shoulder, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

"You'd better think carefully about how to face His Majesty along the way. Don't forget, you made a pledge."

Jia Xu offered a remark that was unclear whether it was sarcastic or a well-intentioned reminder, then sighed and left the city.

In the blink of an eye, the city walls were completely deserted, leaving only Sima Yi behind.

He stood alone on the city wall, surrounded by utter silence.

"Boom!"

Sima Yi collapsed to the ground, feeling utterly weak and powerless, as if his soul had been shattered.

"Heavens above, you are blind, truly blind."

Sima Yi began to look up at the sky and ask in sorrow, his voice filled with despair and resentment. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he could not hold them back and they finally spilled out, and in the blink of an eye, his face was covered in tears.

"I, Sima Yi, possess unparalleled talent and strategy, why have you reduced me to such a miserable state? Why, why?"

Amidst the mournful cries, the west gate swung open, and the drawbridge descended.

Countless Wei soldiers, like stray dogs, rushed out of the west gate and fled towards Chang'an.

Sima Yi finally came to his senses. He wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and stood up unsteadily.

His eyes, however, revealed a hint of determination.

It was as if they had unloaded some kind of burden and were preparing to move forward lightly.

"Go with them to Chang'an immediately and present this letter of mine to the Emperor."

Sima Yi took out a letter he had written long ago from his bosom and handed it to one of his close attendants.

The attendant looked bewildered but dared not disobey, so he had no choice but to carry the letter and flee the city with the fleeing soldiers.

He didn't know what was written in the letter and could only obey Sima Yi's orders.

Sima Yi's gaze shifted to the south, his eyes changing from grief and indignation to determination.

There seemed to be a flame burning in his eyes.

That was the flame of revenge.

"With the hatred of my clan's extermination yet unresolved, how can I, Sima Yi, die like this?"

"Liu Bei, Xiao He, the feud between us is not yet settled. I, Sima Yi, will never surrender!"

Sima Yi gritted his teeth, his gaze resolute as iron, and then waved his hand and shouted:
"Let's go, south, to the Ziwu Valley!"

(End of this chapter)