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

As the last rays of the setting sun gradually disappeared into the horizon, a brutal massacre finally came to an end.

At this time, the three generals Zhang Bao, Guan Suo, and Huo Jun met outside Sanguan City.

By the firelight, they looked around and saw nothing but the haphazardly laid bones of Wei soldiers, densely packed and stretching as far as the eye could see, like a wasteland paved with death.

Roughly estimated, the Wei army lost at least tens of thousands of lives in this battle.

"General Guan, you have done a great service today!"

Huo Jun looked at the Cao Pi sword tightly gripped in Guan Suo's hand, and the golden helmet that gleamed with a cold light, his eyes filled with envy, and he sincerely praised it.

Upon hearing this, Guan Suo couldn't help but smile smugly, but he quickly added with a self-deprecating laugh:

"Brother Zhongmiao, you flatter me. What merit is there in failing to kill the traitor Cao?"

He changed the subject, his eyes filled with admiration, and said to Huo Jun:
"But Brother Zhongmiao, you held San Pass firmly without retreating, preserving the grain supplies. This is a great achievement concerning the life and death of our Han Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Jun was also very pleased, and the two of them began to flatter each other.

"Alright, you two don't need to be so modest. With your achievements, you are both destined to be famous throughout the world and leave a lasting legacy!"

Zhang Bao was filled with emotion, then his gaze slowly turned westward, and his expression became solemn:
"Alright, we have finally accomplished our important mission in this battle. We must quickly send a messenger to report the victory to the Grand Marshal so that he can rest assured!"

……

Ji County.

Yan Xing and the other officials who remained behind were all anxiously awaiting news of Cao Pi's surprise attack on San Pass.

This battle was undoubtedly a battle of hope for them, a battle of life and death.

However, fate did not grant their wishes.

What they received was not news of victory, but news of Cao Pi and his defeated army.

When the defeated soldiers appeared in the view of Ji County, the entire county was greatly shocked.

The entire city's populace, soldiers, and dignitaries stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with shock and fear.

At this moment, people's hearts became even more uneasy.

Inside the imperial palace's sleeping quarters.

Cao Pi was enduring excruciating pain as he had the physician treat his broken arm.

Every touch felt like a sharp blade slicing through his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

Meanwhile, the surrounding officials whispered amongst themselves, their anxious and fearful expressions evident in their words.

"Remember Guan Suo. Next time you encounter him on the battlefield, you must capture him alive!"

Cao Pi suddenly shouted loudly at his ministers:

"I will personally behead him to vent my anger!"

The pain of a severed wrist is like being pierced by a thousand arrows.

The humiliation of having one's helmet taken away is like being burned alive by a raging fire.

The shame of defeat weighed heavily on his heart.

Throughout history, which emperor has ever suffered such humiliation?
And all this humiliation came from the hands of a mere young boy from Guan Yu's family.

This made him feel doubly humiliated and furious.

"I told you long ago that Jiang Xu underestimated Xiao He."

Seeing this, Cheng Gongying seized the opportunity to kick Jiang Xu while he was down, launching a fierce attack:

"Xiao He must have already seen through this plan, which is why he sent cavalry back to rescue San Pass in advance. His plan not only prevented His Majesty from launching a surprise attack, but also caused the loss of many soldiers' lives, bringing His Majesty such a great humiliation!"

"All of this is due to Jiang Xu's arrogance!"

When Jiang Xu was mentioned, Cao Pi felt dissatisfied and his brows furrowed.

Just then, Han De stepped forward and respectfully reminded him:
"Your Majesty, the surprise attack on San Pass has failed, and Pingxiang City is in danger. The situation is urgent; if we do not take immediate action, I fear Pingxiang City will be difficult to defend." Upon hearing this, Cao Pi's heart tightened, and he exclaimed:
"Quickly, quickly send orders to Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu to abandon Pingxiang and retreat to Jicheng!"

"Those precious seven thousand soldiers must be saved!"

"Go and relay the order immediately, without fail!"

The Wei army's small number of soldiers has always been their weakness.

The Battle of Sanguan resulted in the loss of nearly 10,000 men, which caused Cao Pi great distress, as if a piece of his own flesh had been torn out.

The seven thousand troops in Pingxiang City were now extremely valuable.

With the situation so critical, he couldn't afford to blame Jiang Xu. His first thought was how to protect the seven thousand men in Pingxiang to stabilize morale.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Xu—"

Seeing that Cao Pi did not blame Jiang Xu, Cheng Gongying was unwilling and wanted to continue to "slander".

"enough!"

Cao Pi impatiently waved his hand to interrupt, and asked in return:
"If we don't use this plan, what good strategy do you have to help me turn the tide? At this critical moment, you remained silent, while only Jiang Xu offered me a plan. He even personally led troops to guard Pingxiang. This loyalty and courage is something you should all emulate!"

Cao Pi praised Jiang Xu highly.

In fact, he did this out of necessity.

He had previously praised Jiang Xu for his exceptional wisdom and strategy; if he were to blame Jiang Xu now, wouldn't that be a slap in his own face?

Furthermore, how could he not know that Cheng Gongying's attack on Jiang Xu was out of fear and a desire to eliminate dissidents?

Therefore, he wanted to take this opportunity to put Cheng Gongying in a bad light.

Cheng Gongying naturally understood Cao Pi's intentions. Although she was dissatisfied, she dared not utter another word.

"Jiang Xu's plan is ingenious, and Xiao He could never have seen through it."

Cao Pi continued, attempting to find excuses for his decision:

"This plan failed because Huo Jun, the garrison commander of Sanguan City, was too capable of defending the city. If it weren't for him, I would have captured Sanguan in a single day. Even if the Han reinforcements had arrived, it would have been too late. This defeat is all Huo Jun's fault!"

Cao Pi placed all the blame on Huo Jun, as if this would cover up his own mistakes.

Having said all that, Cheng Gongying had no choice but to shut her mouth and dare not raise any further objections.

Despite the excruciating pain of his severed wrist, Cao Pi slowly sat up, a heroic gleam igniting on his face:
"The defeat at San Pass was an accident, not a failure of strategy. All of you must be alert and quickly lead your troops to break the ice on the Wei River. I will absolutely not allow the Han army to cross the Wei River and march on Ji County!"

"I reiterate my stance: I will never abandon Longyou, nor will I abandon Liangzhou. I will fight Xiao He to the death right here in Ji County!"

Upon hearing Cao Pi's words, the Wei officials present gradually calmed down from their initial fear.

Therefore, all the ministers knelt on one knee and responded with great passion:

"Your Majesty, we are willing to follow you and defend Ji County to the death!"

After the meeting concluded, all the officials took their leave.

After all the ministers had left, Cao Pi seemed to have lost all his strength and slumped onto the couch.

Apart from Xu Gai, there was no one else present, and Cao Pi finally revealed his weakness.

"Xu Gai, quickly draft a secret edict and send it to the Prince of Yan."

"He was ordered to set up camp between Liangbei and Longyou, and to prepare provisions in advance for the army's passage."

Cao Pi waved his hand slightly, conveying the imperial decree.

Xu Gai was taken aback, then suddenly realized what was happening.

Does this mean Cao Pi is planning to abandon Longyou?
But Cao Pi was just now passionately defending Longyou to the death!
what does this mean?

"Your Majesty, you..."

Xu Gai scratched his head, his eyes filled with confusion. (End of Chapter)