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

Xu Zhi, however, did not take his leave along with the other officials.

He deliberately slowed his pace, and after everyone had dispersed, he slowly turned back into the hall.

Then, Xu Zhi took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said to Cao Pi:
"Your Majesty, Liang Xing and Jiang Xu are both from Liangzhou, and I am truly worried about them."

Xu Zhi's brief words clearly implied that he did not trust the figures in the Liangzhou faction.

The people of Liangzhou are inherently fickle.

As generals from Liangzhou, Liang Xing and Jiang Xu's loyalty inevitably aroused his suspicion.

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi merely smiled slightly and confidently replied:
"You're overthinking it. Although Liang Xing and Jiang Xu are from Liangzhou, they would never dare to rebel against our Great Wei."

Cao Pi's words were resounding and full of confidence.

Xu Zhi was taken aback, his mind filled with doubt.

Seeing this, Cao Pi asked in return:

"Have you forgotten how Ma Chao was defeated by Father?"

This question, like a bolt of lightning, instantly pierced through the fog in Xu Zhi's mind.

When Cao Cao killed the entire Ma clan and led his army to attack Ma Chao, it was thanks to the active support of Jiang Xu, Liang Xing, and others that Cao Cao was able to successfully defeat Ma Chao.

Now, Ma Chao has gained Liu Bei's deep trust and occupies an important position in the Shu Han camp.

With such a powerful threat as Ma Chao present, how could Liang Xing and Jiang Xu dare to easily betray Wei and surrender to Han?
Once they betray Wei, Ma Chao will surely seize the opportunity to take revenge, and they will be plunged into an abyss of no return.

Cao Pi was certain that they feared Ma Chao's revenge, which is why he dared to boldly appoint Jiang Xu, Liang Xing, and others, firmly believing that they would be loyal to the Wei Kingdom to the death.

After figuring all this out, Xu Zhi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"Your Majesty's skill in employing people is unparalleled; I have been overthinking it."

At this moment, his eyes were filled with admiration, and he admired Cao Pi's strategies and his ability to use people to the point of prostration.

Cao Pi looked out of the hall, a cold smile playing on his lips.

...

Three days later, Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu led 7,000 elite troops into Pingxiang City and successfully joined forces with 5,000 Wei troops led by Liang Xing.

After discussing the matter, the three men raised Cao Pi's banner and quickly set up several camps outside the city.

At the same time, they also raised many flags to create the illusion of a strong Wei army, pretending to be an army of 50,000.

This bluff was intended to mislead the Han army and prevent them from launching a rash attack.

Five days later, Xiao He personally led an army of 200,000 men from Jieting into Longyou, and soon arrived at the Pingxiang line.

At this time, the disparity in troop strength between the two sides was enormous, with the Han army having 200,000 troops against the Wei army having 50,000, seemingly giving them a fourfold advantage.

However, because the Wei army had established camps that were mutually supportive, forming a tight defensive system, the Han army, despite its large numbers, was not able to completely encircle the Wei army.

Xiao He did not underestimate the enemy, so he ordered his troops to set up a continuous camp north of Pingxiang City, creating a pressing situation and attempting to put psychological pressure on the Wei army.

Meanwhile, large quantities of grain and military supplies were transported northward from Sanguan Pass, continuously reaching the front lines to ensure that the Han army had sufficient supplies.

After the Han army had set up camp, Xiao He did not rush to launch an attack, but instead ordered the felling of trees to build the Divine Thunder Cannon.

...

It's dusk.

Xu Zhi, Jiang Xu, and Liang Xing stood on the city wall, gazing in the direction of the Han camp.

From this vantage point, one can clearly see that nearly a hundred divine thunder cannons in the Han camp are already taking shape.

"The Hanwei Cannon will be completed in a few days. That thing is really powerful."

Xu Zhi looked at the Han camp, his brows furrowed, his face full of anxiety.

"The current construction and thickening of the Pingxiang city wall is insufficient, and it certainly won't be able to withstand the pressure."

Liang Xing echoed, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Brother Jiang, you said you had a brilliant plan to defend Pingxiang City. Tell me quickly."

Xu Zhi was extremely anxious.

If Pingxiang City falls and the Han army discovers that their attack is a bluff and that Cao Pi's main force is not there, then Jiang Xu's plan to launch a surprise attack on Sanguan Pass will be exposed. At that point, everything will be over.

Jiang Xu remained calm and stroked his beard, saying:
"Now, please have your men order them to boil water."

Boil water?

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi and Liang Xing were immediately bewildered, their faces showing expressions of confusion.

What is the connection between boiling water and defending Pingxiang City?
"My plan is..."

Jiang Xu lowered his voice and slowly explained his plan.

It turned out that he planned to splash water on the city wall to form a thick layer of ice.

In this way, although the bombardment of the Divine Thunder Cannon is extremely powerful, the damage to the city wall will be greatly reduced by the buffering effect of the ice layer.

The two suddenly realized what was happening and were overjoyed.

Xu Zhi clapped his hands and praised:
"Your plan is truly a brilliant and imaginative one! Excellent! With this plan, what is there to fear from the Han army's divine thunder cannons!"

Faced with Xu Zhi's high praise, Jiang Xu smiled but remained silent.

Although he tried his best to suppress his inner joy, traces of pride could still be seen on his face.

Liang Xing, standing to the side, appeared more solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he said:
"Brother's plan is indeed ingenious, but Xiao He is the military genius of our time. I'm afraid he will be able to break through it."

Knowing Xiao He's prowess, Liang Xing couldn't help but worry about Jiang Xu's plan.

Jiang Xu, however, remained confident and sneered:
"Xiao He is indeed a brilliant strategist, but what use is it even if he breaks through in a few days? His Majesty has already succeeded in the surprise attack and burned the grain supplies. It's no use if he breaks through!"

Jiang Xu, however, was full of confidence in his plan.

He believed that even if Xiao He could see through and break the plan, it would be too late.

Because Cao Pi's surprise attack plan had succeeded, the Han army's supplies were burned, and their morale would inevitably suffer a severe blow.

Liang Xing remained silent for a moment, though he still had some doubts, he did not voice any further objections.

Seeing this, Xu Zhi decisively gave the order:

"Now, immediately issue the order: have the entire army boil water!"

...

Han camp.

The next morning.

Xiao He was fast asleep in bed.

Suddenly, a commotion outside the tent startled Xiao He from his sleep.

"Grand Marshal, something has happened!"

Zhou Cang burst in, shouting, his face full of anxiety.

"General Yide requests that the Grand Marshal go immediately."

Xiao He sensed that something was about to happen, and immediately lost all sleepiness. He put on his clothes and, braving the winter cold, hurriedly went to the southern camp wall.

At this moment, along the camp wall, Han soldiers were pointing at Pingxiang City, their faces filled with surprise.

Xiao He climbed up the well tower and saw Zhang Fei staring at Pingxiang City with a solemn expression.

"Yide, what happened?"

Xiao He stepped forward and asked, his gaze following the direction Zhang Fei pointed.

Zhang Fei helped Xiao He up and pointed to the enemy city, saying:
"Bowen, look for yourself, our Divine Thunder Cannon is probably useless..."

Xiao He looked up and gazed into the distance; Pingxiang City was already a blanket of white snow!
It's ice!

A thick layer of ice had somehow covered the walls of Pingxiang City.

Reflected by the morning light, this layer of solid ice appeared silvery-white from afar. (End of Chapter)