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

But Wei Kang ignored Cheng Gongying's meaningful glance.

His expression was firm, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination. He continued to speak eloquently, attempting to rescue the soldiers trapped in Pingxiang City.

He understood that the soldiers in Pingxiang City were in dire straits, and as a high-ranking official of the court, he had an obligation to fight for their survival.

Cao Pi sat on the dragon throne, listening quietly to Wei Kang's advice, nodding slightly from time to time with a look of approval on his face.

After Wei Kang finished speaking, Cao Pi slowly began to speak:
"Minister Wei, your selflessness and concern for the soldiers have greatly pleased me. I have witnessed your sense of responsibility."

Changing the subject abruptly, Cao Pi frowned deeply and sighed bitterly:
"But in my view, the strategies you have proposed are nothing more than throwing an egg against a rock."

"Our army is in a critical situation. If we rashly send troops for the sake of those seven thousand soldiers, we are very likely to lose even more soldiers."

"These seven thousand men are certainly important, but I cannot let more soldiers be driven to despair and put the Great Wei dynasty in danger because of a moment of impulsiveness."

Upon hearing this, Wei Kang felt a chill run down his spine, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and his whole body shivered.

He instantly understood Cao Pi's unspoken meaning.

Cao Pi was clearly indicating that he was abandoning Xu Zhi and the seven thousand soldiers.

This was also the first time Cao Pi had publicly stated this meaning.

Wei Kang sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with regret. He slowly raised his head and looked at Cao Pi pleadingly:

"Your Majesty, Xu Zhi is one of Your Majesty's most trusted ministers. He is extremely loyal to Your Majesty and has made countless contributions. Now that he is in trouble, if we give up now, we may discourage many soldiers!"

Cao Pi's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this.

He was well aware of Xu Zhi's achievements and loyalty, but faced with this situation, he had to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that was most beneficial to the State of Wei.

However, Wei Kang's words still displeased him, making him feel that Wei Kang did not understand his good intentions.

Wei Kang's words, spoken in front of everyone, were a scathing rebuke of his heartlessness and indifference in the face of death.

What would the others around think if they heard Wei Kang's blunt accusations?

Do they secretly wonder:

If Your Majesty doesn't even offer assistance to a loyal and brave general like Xu Zhi, then how can you be even more indifferent to us ordinary subjects?
Is such a heartless and ungrateful monarch really worthy of our utmost loyalty?

Such questions quietly arose in everyone's minds and lingered there.

Cao Pi was already quite annoyed, and Wei Kang's vehement words were like igniting a raging fire on dry tinder, instantly setting his anger ablaze.

Just then, a series of urgent and frantic shouts broke the tense atmosphere.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

A member of the Imperial Guard rushed into the main hall, his face flushed with excitement, and shouted:

General Xu has returned with his troops and is currently outside the city. He requests Your Majesty's assistance!

Upon hearing this, the previously oppressive atmosphere in the hall instantly erupted in commotion.

The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves, their faces showing surprise.

Upon hearing this news, Cao Pi's anger vanished instantly, replaced by overwhelming joy.

He seemed to wake suddenly from a nightmare, leaping up from his seat with excitement in his eyes:
"Xu Zhi, they successfully broke through?"

"Quickly, go and greet them! Don't delay!"

Cao Pi couldn't wait to rush out of the city, and couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh:

"Hahaha--"

Laughter echoed throughout the hall.

Xu Zhi's ability to lead his troops through the encirclement of 200,000 Han soldiers, fight his way out, and successfully retreat to Ji City was nothing short of an earth-shattering miracle.

This miracle will undoubtedly act as a shot in the arm, greatly boosting the morale of the Wei army.

Cao Pi was naturally overjoyed.

However, not everyone was happy about this. "They actually escaped..."

Cheng Gongying stood to the side, looking displeased with a furrowed brow.

Seeing Cao Pi hurriedly leave the city, the officials followed him, heading towards the Wei River to welcome Xu Zhi and the others.

At this time, in order to prevent the Han army from crossing the river on ice and launching a surprise attack on Ji City, Cao Pi had already ordered the ice to be broken.

The five thousand Wei soldiers on the opposite bank could only cross the river by boat to return.

Soon after, amidst everyone's eager anticipation, Xu Zhi finally appeared before them.

His face was exhausted, but his eyes glistened with tears of excitement. Upon seeing Cao Pi, he knelt down at Cao Pi's feet with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably:
"Your Majesty, I almost didn't get to see you again! I thought I was doomed this time..."

Upon seeing this, Cao Pi quickly stepped forward to help Xu Zhi up, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

"It's good that you're alive, and you even brought back so many troops. That's already a great achievement, and I will definitely reward you handsomely!"

Upon hearing Cao Pi's words, the generals on either side looked at Xu Zhi with admiration.

In their view, breaking through the encirclement of 200,000 Han troops was almost an impossible task.

Even General Xu Huang, facing such a powerful enemy army, did not have complete confidence in breaking through the encirclement.

But Xu Zhi did it.

He created a miracle.

I can’t accept it!
"Your Majesty, minister..."

Upon hearing Cao Pi's praise, Xu Zhi looked embarrassed, his face turning red, unsure how to respond.

Seeing this, Jiang Xu dared not conceal the truth and sighed deeply:
"Your Majesty, we did not successfully break through the siege, but rather..."

Upon hearing Jiang Xu's words, Cao Pi finally realized that something was amiss, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

"What exactly happened? How did you all return alive? Explain yourself to me at once!"

Jiang Xu sighed and had no choice but to report the truth:

"Your Majesty, General Xu and I originally planned to fight to the death to break through the encirclement and fight the Han army to the death. However, Liang Xing was afraid of death and surrendered to the false Han."

“Liang Xing was afraid that we would lead our troops to attack him, so he offered Xiao He a deal to let us withdraw from Pingxiang. General Xu and I knew that the fall of Pingxiang was a foregone conclusion and there was no way to reverse it, so we considered saving these five thousand soldiers for Your Majesty.”

"Therefore, we had no choice but to reluctantly withdraw from Pingxiang and bring these five thousand soldiers back to Your Majesty!"

Jiang Xu recounted the whole story in detail, and the truth was finally revealed to the world.

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi flew into a rage, his face instantly turning ashen, and he cursed:
"That Liang Xing! How dare he betray me! I trusted him so much and entrusted him with important responsibilities, yet he committed such a traitorous act for personal gain. His crime is unforgivable!"

He never imagined that Pingxiang City would fall in such a despicable way as Liang Xing's treason.

Cao Pi gradually exhausted himself amidst his roars, while the surrounding ministers all shook their heads and sighed.

The fall of Pingxiang City meant that the Han army would be able to advance unimpeded, like a flood breaking through a dam, directly to Ji City.

Perhaps, at this moment, the vanguard of the Han army's iron cavalry is already on its way, and may launch a fierce attack on Ji City at any time.

The last line of defense for Jicheng is the Wei River right in front of it.

Once the Han army breaks through the Wei River defense line, Ji City will be in dire straits.

A deep sense of fear rose in the hearts of the Wei ministers.

Continue to hold Jicheng; everyone here must perish!

Their gazes all turned to Cao Pi, awaiting his decision.

Cao Pi only gradually stopped cursing when he was exhausted.

"Your Majesty, given the current situation, I have a word of advice, but I don't know if I should say it?"

General Xu Huang, with a solemn expression, slowly stepped forward and spoke to Cao Pi. (End of Chapter)