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

Zhang Xiong suddenly understood.

Fame and fortune were not what my father desired, nor did he wish for the position of one of the Three Dukes. What he sought was to preserve the Zhang family and ensure their peaceful end.

This was Zhang He's ultimate wish.

Now that the fate of the Wei Kingdom is sealed and the destruction of the Cao family is inevitable, the Han Grand Marshal's personal letter of invitation is truly a golden opportunity.

I don't ask for a high salary; all I need is a life of wealth and comfort for the rest of my days, which would suit me perfectly.

"I understand. It seems that surrendering to the Han is indeed our only option."

Zhang Xiong understood his father's predicament and naturally comprehended Zhang He's choice.

Changing the subject, Zhang Xiong took a deep breath and respectfully cupped his hands:
“Since Father has decided to return to Han, I should follow him and stand with him through thick and thin.”

“I will now deliver the letter to the Han envoy and show the Grand Marshal my father’s sincere intention to return to Han.”

Zhang He stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and looked pleased.

...

East of Chang'an, Han camp.

Inside the account.

Guan Yu has obtained Zhang He's handwritten letter.

"Bowen, just as you predicted, Zhang He, in order to protect himself, is indeed willing to return to the Han Dynasty!"

Guan Yu, beaming with joy, showed Xiao He Zhang He's handwritten letter.

The tent was seething.

After reading the letter, Xiao He smiled and looked at Guan Yu:

"Among the Wei army in Chang'an, Zhang He can directly mobilize at least three to five thousand troops. If used properly, they can cooperate with us to seize the city gates and enter the city without any problem."

"Father-in-law, to avoid any unforeseen complications, agree to Zhang He's request immediately and act according to his plan. Two days later, we will launch a coordinated attack from within and without to capture Chang'an!"

Guan Yu's heroic spirit was instantly ignited by Xiao He.

After a loud laugh, Guan Yu slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting:
"Following Bowen's plan, reply to Zhang He that we will join forces to capture Chang'an in two days!"

...

Two days later, in the afternoon.

In the Han camp, bugles sounded and the camp gates were opened.

One hundred thousand Han troops surged forth like a tidal wave, heading straight for the Wei camp west of Chang'an.

The Western Camp was garrisoned by General Xu Huang, who led 20,000 elite troops. It was tasked with forming a strategic pincer movement with Chang'an, controlling the Wei River ferry, and ensuring the smooth flow of grain supplies to Chang'an.

Seeing the Han army approaching, Xu Huang immediately sent someone to Chang'an to report the military situation to Cao Cao while maintaining strict defense of the camp.

Cao Cao immediately rushed to the western gate.

As he climbed the city wall and looked out into the distance, Cao Cao's brows furrowed.

The Wei officials behind him all paled, secretly sweating with relief.

Looking into the distance, the Han army stretched as far as the eye could see across the plains, surging towards the western camp like a tidal wave.

The sky above the camp was filled with a dense barrage of arrows, forming a net of light that seemed capable of obscuring the sun.

The deafening sounds of battle drums could be heard clearly even from the top of Chang'an city wall.

Even the city wall beneath our feet seemed to tremble.

"Your Majesty, Xiao He and Guan Yu's actions clearly indicate their intention to launch a strong attack on the western camp, seize our ferry crossing, and cut off our supply lines!"

"The situation is critical. Your Majesty, please order troops to be sent through the palisade to reinforce the General of Chariots and Cavalry."

Without hesitation, Yang Fu immediately asked Cao Cao for permission to take the order.

Although he strongly advocated that Cao Cao abandon Chang'an and retreat westward, Cao Cao insisted on defending it to the death, and he could only do his duty.

Chang'an was not far from the Wei River, and the western camp was also very close to Chang'an. To ensure the connection between the northern camp and Chang'an, Cao Cao built a palisade in advance to transport grain and fodder from the ferry.

If he wanted to reinforce the western camp, he could send troops to pass through the palisade unimpeded at any time without worrying about being intercepted by the Han army.

"The western camp is crucial for supplies; it cannot be left unattended. Issue my decree..." "Your Majesty, please wait!"

Jia Xu suddenly spoke up, interrupting Cao Cao's impending order.

Cao Cao turned around and looked at Jia Xu.

"Your Majesty, Xiao He's military tactics have always been cunning and deceitful. I fear that his purpose in this battle is not to cut off our army's supply lines at the ferry crossing. If this is a ploy to lure us away from our base, wouldn't we be falling into his trap if we send troops to reinforce the western camp?"

Cao Cao was jolted awake and instantly sobered up.

If Xiao He's attack on the Western Camp was a feint, intended to lure him into fully reinforcing the Northern Camp, thus drawing out his few reserve troops outside the city.

The Wei army had limited manpower; the western camp alone had 20,000 troops, and the troops left to guard Chang'an City numbered only about 40,000.

In addition to leaving more than 6,000 men in each gate, 15,000 men were also left as a reserve army.

Once all 15,000 troops are transferred to the western camp, Xiao He will take the opportunity to launch an attack on Chang'an City, leaving him with no spare troops to reinforce the various gates.

"Wenhe's words make sense. Xiao He is cunning and deceitful. It can't be that simple. It must be a feint to lure the tiger away from the mountain and then attack from the east while striking from the west!"

Once he realized his mistake, Cao Cao immediately suppressed the idea of ​​rescuing the western camp.

Yang Fu, however, looked worried and said:

"What Grand Commandant Jia said is not without reason. However, the Han army attacking the Western Camp has at least 100,000 troops, five times the size of our army!"

"Even if the Han army is feigning an attack, with such a disparity in troop strength, I fear the General of Chariots and Cavalry will find it difficult to withstand."

Cao Cao frowned again, his gaze fixed on the western camp.

"Our army has a reserve corps of 15,000 men; even if we rush to reinforce the western camp, we won't need all of our forces..."

Cao Cao's eyes flickered, and he immediately shouted:

"Xiahou Ba, heed my command!"

"I hereby order you to lead seven thousand elite troops immediately through the palisade to the western camp to assist Xu Gongming in resisting the Han army!"

Cao Cao made the decision to settle for second best.

The reserve corps was not fully deployed; only half of it was mobilized, while 7,000 troops were retained within the city to prevent Xiao He from luring them away.

Xiahou Ba accepted the order and immediately led seven thousand elite troops straight to the western camp.

East of Chang'an City.

Inside the main camp of the Han army, Guan Yu and Xiao He stood at the camp gate, gazing at the situation in Chang'an.

The sound of horses' hooves rang out, and scouts galloped in.

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal and the General, General Yide has reported that approximately seven thousand Wei troops are reinforcing the northern camp via the palisade!"

Guan Yu's eyes lit up, and he smiled at Xiao He:
"Bowen, as you predicted, Cao Cao did not send all his mobile forces to the western camp to reinforce Xu Huang; he only sent half of his troops."

Xiao He gave a cold laugh and pointed to the east gate of Chang'an:
"The Battle of Beiying is enough to draw out half of Wei's troops. We can then mobilize the rest of their mobile forces."

Guan Yu's smile vanished, replaced by a burning fighting spirit.

With the Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand, he pointed towards the East Gate:
"By my order, the entire army will follow me in a rapid attack on the east gate!"

The order was given, and the sound of war drums resounded throughout the heavens.

With the main camp gates wide open, nearly 100,000 Han soldiers surged out of the camp like a tidal wave, sweeping towards the east gate of Chang'an City.

Cao Cao, who was watching the battle from the north gate, heard an urgent report from the east gate and immediately spurred his horse to gallop along the city wall to the east gate.

Looking around, one could see that the Han army outside the city had already formed up in formation, with hundreds of military formations of all sizes stretching as far as the eye could see.

Nearly five hundred divine thunder cannons, like colossal beasts, were slowly pushed forward in front of the battle.

The character "关" (Guan) on the banner is clearly visible.

This formation clearly indicates that Guan Yu is personally leading the main force to launch a general offensive against the East Gate.

Cao Cao laughed, a mocking smile playing on his lips:
"Xiao He, I knew you were playing a trick to lure me away from my prey. Do you think I would fall for your schemes again after suffering so many losses over the years?"

"Attack me all you want! I'll stand right here and watch you leap and bound!" (End of Chapter)