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

"Does the Emperor truly fail to see the situation in Longyou?"

Cao Pi's face was solemn, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a deep sense of helplessness.

"But now that the war has developed to this point, as the ruler of Wei, I have no choice but to plan ahead for the survival of my Cao family..."

Cao Pi sighed deeply and slowly uttered his true thoughts, each word carrying an immense weight.

Xu Gai, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment after hearing these words, and then suddenly realized what they meant.

Cao Pi was well aware that if he lost the Battle of Sanguan, Longyou would likely be difficult to defend.

If they continue to hold out in Longyou, all the remaining troops are very likely to be wiped out.

At that time, the Wei Kingdom will be in dire straits with no troops available, and Liangzhou will inevitably fall into enemy hands.

If Liangzhou were to fall, the Wei Kingdom would inevitably perish.

At that time, the Cao family will also be wiped out, completely eliminated by the Han Dynasty.

"I understand Your Majesty's good intentions and difficulties."

Xu Gai knelt on one knee, his expression one of intense indignation:
"Your Majesty, I wish I could immediately kill Liu Bei and personally kill Xiao He to avenge Your Majesty's hatred!"

Cao Pi shook his head helplessly, his eyes revealing a sense of powerlessness:
"You have done your best; this is the will of Heaven."

Xu Gai sighed bitterly.

Cao Pi struggled to his feet and, with Xu Gai's help, slowly walked to the door.

At this moment, the night was as dark as ink, heavily enveloping the earth, and a cold wind blew across the face, bringing a chilling sensation.

Cao Pi gazed silently northward, his eyes revealing a complex emotion that was difficult to describe.

He could almost see Xiao He and his men raising their glasses in celebration of the great victory at Sanguan in the Han camp in Pingxiang.

"Could this truly be the will of Heaven? Is my Cao family truly destined to be destroyed by a mere country bumpkin?"

"Ugh……"

A bitter sigh echoed through the night and in the biting cold wind.

...

The Han camp in Pingxiang was bustling with activity.

Inside the imperial tent, Zhang Fei was sitting around a warm stove with Xiao He and others, discussing philosophy over wine.

"Grand Marshal, General of Chariots and Cavalry, news of victory has arrived!"

Just then, the tent flap was suddenly lifted, and Zhou Cang rushed into the imperial tent in a flurry of activity.

Everyone turned their attention to Zhou Cang.

"Good news from San Pass! General Zhang and his men arrived just in time, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and annihilating more than 8,000 enemy soldiers."

"General Guan was incredibly brave, killing Han Ying and seizing Cao Pi's helmet in one fell swoop!"

"Sanguan City has been successfully defended!"

These words immediately caused an uproar inside the tent.

Zhang Fei put down his wine cup, took the report of victory, and read it carefully.

The details of the Battle of Sanguan are clearly described in the victory report.

"Bowen, you are indeed a prophet! Cao Pi did just as you predicted, launching a surprise attack on Sanguan City on the ice!"

After reading the victory report, Zhang Fei couldn't help but burst into laughter, and said sarcastically:

"That little scoundrel Cao Pi has really lost both his wife and his army this time, suffering heavy losses!"

As he spoke, Zhang Fei's eyes were full of admiration, and he clicked his tongue in praise:

"Guan Suo, that child, truly lives up to his reputation as the son of my second brother. This battle has made him famous overnight!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, praising Guan Suo highly.

It's important to understand that seizing the helmet of an enemy emperor is no easy feat; its significance is no less than beheading him.

But Guan Suo did it.

He became famous throughout the world in one battle, living up to his reputation as the son of Guan Yu. "After this defeat, Cao Pi could only be trapped in Ji County, like a caged bird with no wings to fly away, and could only wait for death."

Xiao He chuckled lightly, pointed outside the camp, and continued his analysis:
"In the Battle of Sanguan, the Wei army lost 10,000 men, which was undoubtedly a double blow to the already strained Wei forces. The 7,000 men in Pingxiang City were even more precious to Cao Pi, and were his last lifeline."

"If Cao Pi had any sense left, he would have ordered the soldiers of Pingxiang City to retreat south in order to preserve their strength and avoid total annihilation."

"Yide, now is the best time to besiege the city. Let's cut off another piece of Cao Pi's flesh, cut off his escape route to the north, and leave him nowhere to run."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but burst into laughter, slamming his hand on the table.
"Alright, as Bowen said, pass down the order to besiege the city immediately. I want to bury all the Wei soldiers in Pingxiang inside the city!"

Everyone laughed and accepted the order.

News of the great victory at San Pass spread throughout the entire army in no time, and the Han army was invigorated and its morale soared.

With Zhang Fei's command delivered, the Han army swiftly mobilized, surrounding Pingxiang City like an impregnable fortress...

Inside the government office in Pingxiang City, the main hall was filled with the aroma of wine.

Xu Zhi, Jiang Xu, and Liang Xing were sitting together, discussing strategies to defend against the enemy.

Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu frequently toasted each other, chatting and laughing, creating a seemingly relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Liang Xing, however, did not drink a drop of alcohol. He sat to the side, deep in thought, his brows furrowed, as if a thousand-pound burden was weighing on his heart.

"Brother Liang, this wine is so good, is it not to your liking?"

Seeing that Liang Xing had not been drinking, Xu Zhi jokingly said with a smile.

Liang Xing paused for a moment, then slowly replied:

"The wine is good, but..."

Liang Xing hesitated, a look of worry on his face.

"Are you perhaps worried that His Majesty will launch a surprise attack on San Pass?"

Jiang Xu smiled and revealed what was on his mind.

Liang Xing nodded awkwardly:

"To be honest, I am indeed worried. Xiao He is incredibly resourceful and cunning. I am concerned that your plan will be seen through by Xiao He, and then we will be put in a passive position."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu's smile gradually faded, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Brother Liang, you're overthinking it."

Xu Zhi, however, was full of confidence and began to analyze:

"If Xiao He had seen through our plan, he would surely know the true state of Pingxiang City. He should have surrounded the city from all sides and launched a full-scale attack. The fact that he hasn't surrounded the city from all sides, what does that mean?"

Xu Zhi paused deliberately, keeping everyone in suspense, before continuing:
"This shows that he still believes His Majesty and the main force are here, which is why he dares not easily besiege the city. Therefore, Xiao Heding has not seen through our plan. At this moment, the defenses of Sanguan City are weak. How could His Majesty not be able to take it?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Xing was speechless for a moment and remained silent. Although he still had doubts, he was somewhat swayed by Xu Zhi's analysis.

"Alright, Brother Liang, don't worry."

Xu Zhi smiled, raised his wine glass, and urged:
"Perhaps His Majesty has already burned all of the Han army's provisions, and the Han army is preparing to flee east. Let's just drink in peace. Come, drink this cup!"

Just then, a soldier rushed in from outside the hall to report that the emperor's messenger had arrived with urgent orders.

"Could it be that the Emperor's surprise attack was successful and he has come to report the good news?"

Xu Zhi looked at Jiang Xu with delight.

Jiang Xu also stood up excitedly.

Just as the two were filled with joy, the messenger hurriedly entered the hall.

"Generals, the plan to launch a surprise attack on San Pass has failed, resulting in the loss of 8,000 soldiers. His Majesty is injured and has now retreated to Ji County."

The messenger's expression was solemn, and his voice was low as he said:

"His Majesty has decreed that Pingxiang City be abandoned and the army be led south. His Majesty has said that these seven thousand soldiers must be preserved and must not be lost!"

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears.

Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu froze on the spot, their smiles vanishing instantly, replaced by disbelief.

The wine glass in Liang Xing's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," spilling wine all over the floor. (End of Chapter)