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

Xiao He nodded slightly, an approving expression on his face, his eyes full of recognition of Deng Ai's insights.

Deng Ai's calculations just now coincided with his own thoughts.

At this moment, everyone seemed to wake up from a dream. Their previously furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and their eyes flashed with a look of sudden realization.

"Indeed, Shi Zai's analysis is thorough and reasonable."

"For Cao Pi, only by achieving a surprise victory could he turn the tide and change the fate of the Wei Kingdom's demise!"

Ma Su nodded in agreement.

Everyone immediately started talking.

Zhang Fei's large, bell-like eyes darted around a few times. His previously relieved expression suddenly turned wary as he asked:

"Where exactly is the main force of the Wei army now, and what surprise attack do they plan to use?"

"This……"

Deng Ai was taken aback by this sudden question, and a look of shame appeared on his face.

After scratching his head, he said helplessly:
"I am of limited wisdom and could not figure out for a moment how Cao Pi intended to use such a cunning strategy."

After hearing this, Zhang Fei glanced at the other strategists.

Ma Su and his advisors all frowned deeply, and no one spoke.

Finally, Zhang Fei's gaze fell on Xiao He.

Xiao He's gaze slowly turned to Pingxiang City, his eyes thoughtful, and he muttered to himself:

"Ice wall, ice wall, ice, ice..."

Xiao He's voice grew louder and louder, and suddenly, as if he had realized something crucial, he shouted:
"Bring me a map of Longyou!"

Zhou Cang dared not delay in the slightest and hurriedly ordered his personal guards to bring the map as quickly as possible.

Xiao He stared at the map, a look of certainty gradually appearing in his eyes. He stretched out his finger and pressed it heavily on the map:
"San Guan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around, their eyes fixed on the location of Sanguan on the map.

Xiao He continued:

"Cao Pi will surely want to advance eastward along the Wei River with his main force and head straight for San Pass. San Pass contains most of our army's grain and fodder, which is our lifeline. If Cao Pi burns it, our army will have to retreat without a fight."

"This is Cao Pi's brilliant strategy; he wants to launch a surprise attack on my San Pass!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's expression changed instantly.

Deng Ai and others also hurriedly gathered around to take a closer look.

"A surprise attack on San Pass and burning our supplies is indeed the only chance to turn the tide."

"However, the terrain between Longyou and Sanguan is treacherous, and there is no road in between. How could Cao Pi launch a surprise attack?"

Ma Su lightly traced a line with his finger across the Longshan Mountains, then looked at Xiao He with eyes full of doubt.

Xiao He's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile:

“In the past, Cao Pi would have had no choice, but don’t forget, he can now take advantage of the opportune moment!”

Time.

A hint of confusion flashed in Ma Su's eyes, as if he had not yet grasped the connection between them.

"Meng Qi".

Xiao He's gaze shifted to Ma Chao:
"You are very familiar with the terrain and climate of Longyou, right? Do you know whether the Wei River is frozen over now?"

After hesitating for a moment, Ma Chao said:

"In Longyou, the winters are bitterly cold, and the Wei River freezes for at least three months. It must be frozen by now!"

Xiao He got the answer he wanted, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he looked at Ma Su.

Ma Su was suddenly jolted, as if a bolt of lightning had struck his mind, and he realized:
"There was originally no road between Longyou and Sanguan, but the Wei River is frozen over, which is equivalent to turning it into a road. Does the Grand Marshal mean that Cao Pi will lead a large army to take advantage of the frozen Wei River and launch a surprise attack on Sanguan?"

Xiao He smiled without saying a word, tacitly agreeing with what Ma Su had said.

Everyone was taken aback, as if struck by lightning, their faces showing disbelief.

Zhang Fei gasped, his eyes widening as he said:

"So Cao Pi wanted to emulate Grand Marshal Liyang's campaign, traversing the ice to launch a surprise attack on San Pass. It turns out there are some truly remarkable people in Wei!"

After the initial surprise, Zhang Fei said with relief:
"Fortunately, Bowen, you saw through Cao Pi's scheme. Otherwise, if Sanguan Pass had been lost, wouldn't my 200,000 troops have had no choice but to retreat?" Hearing Zhang Fei's words, everyone secretly rejoiced, and their tense nerves relaxed a little.

Xiao He, however, remained calm and composed, as if everything was within his expectations, and smiled:

"Cao Pi should have already set off by now, and he should arrive at Sanguan Pass in a day or two at most. Yide, we need to come up with a plan."

Zhang Fei's expression changed, and he said urgently:

"There are only three thousand soldiers at San Pass, while Cao Pi's main force is several times larger than ours. If we return to San Pass now, we won't have enough time!"

Upon hearing this, the generals immediately tensed up.

"Don't panic, Yide."

Xiao He remained calm and composed, and continued:

"Although San Pass only has four thousand soldiers, its garrison commander is Huo Jun. Have you forgotten his abilities, Yide?"

Xiao He continued:

"With Huo Jun here, even if Cao Pi succeeds in his surprise attack, he may not be able to capture Sanguan City in a short time. We still have eight thousand iron cavalry in Jieting. We can have the young master and the others return to Sanguan and catch Cao Pi off guard."

Hearing Xiao He's words, Zhang Fei's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Alright, as Bowen said. Someone, send a messenger on horseback to Huo Jun, instructing him to prepare and hold San Pass firmly. Also, order Zhang Bao and the others to lead their cavalry south and head straight for San Pass!"

……

West of San Pass.

An icy road winds eastward through the mountains, resembling a giant silver dragon lying across the valley.

The two sides are towering peaks, like two huge stone gates, tightly sandwiching this icy road in the middle.

There wasn't even a mountain path in sight, let alone a road.

Only this ice-built road allows the soldiers to pass.

On the ice, more than 40,000 Wei infantry and cavalry were moving swiftly.

The ice was slippery, but the Wei soldiers dared not slow down.

Cao Pi, wrapped in a thick coat, spurred his horse forward, enduring the biting cold wind.

"The Wei River has indeed frozen over, becoming a natural road. This Jiang Xu is truly a talented person."

Cao Pi felt relieved, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his lips.

The army marched swiftly against the cold wind, moving rapidly across the ice.

Two days later, the army finally emerged from the Longshan Mountains and entered Guanzhong.

Suddenly, a vast snowfield opened up before them.

Ahead, on the banks of the Wei River, a city can be vaguely seen.

As the sun rises, the outline of the city gradually becomes clear under the sunlight.

"arrive!"

Cao Pi was greatly encouraged. He drew his sword, pointed it at the city, and shouted:

"Soldiers of Wei, the survival of Wei depends on this battle!"

"The time has come to serve the country. Follow me and charge ashore, raze San Pass to the ground, and burn all the Han army's supplies!"

"Kill them for me—"

A solemn and heroic shout rang out.

The sound of horns pierced the silence of the snow-covered plains.

The exhausted and cold Wei soldiers were instantly energized, as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

At Cao Pi's command, 40,000 Wei soldiers surged forward like a tidal wave.

Everyone knows what this battle means.

If they win, the State of Wei will still have a slim chance of survival.

If they are defeated, the State of Wei will surely perish.

Today, they are fighting for their survival! (End of Chapter)