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

Cao Pi, looking exhausted and powerless, slowly raised his hand, weakly gesturing for Xu Huang beside him to continue his statement.

Xu Huang's expression was extremely solemn, his brows furrowed tightly, and he said in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, the situation is extremely critical. Xiao He's army is approaching with overwhelming force and is unstoppable."

“We have absolutely no chance of resisting the Han army’s offensive by relying solely on the Wei River as a natural barrier.”

"If Your Majesty insists on holding Ji County and refuses to retreat north, given the current strength of our army, we will likely be doomed, and the annihilation of our entire army is only a matter of time."

"If our army is annihilated here, then our Great Wei Kingdom will truly be finished. Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider!"

As he spoke, Xu Huang knelt down with a thud and pleaded:

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to prioritize the safety of the Great Wei state and abandon Longyou to retreat to Liangbei, so as to plan for a future resurgence!"

Cao Pi's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with surprise as he looked at Xu Huang in disbelief.

Although Xu Huang was a general, he was always cautious in his words and deeds. Today, Xu Huang actually advised him to give up Longyou in public.
This left him somewhat at a loss for what to do.

While Cao Pi was still stunned and unsure how to respond, Wei Kang hurriedly knelt down and advised:
"Your Majesty, the General's words are absolutely correct. Ji City is no longer able to be defended under the Han army's offensive."

"Your Majesty, please lead us to retreat to Liangbei. Only by preserving our strength can we have a chance to rise again in the future!"

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Xu also knelt down with a thud and earnestly remonstrated:
"Your Majesty, as the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope.' As long as we can preserve our strength, we will surely have the opportunity to make a comeback and revitalize the Great Wei in the future!"

With Xu Huang taking the lead, the ministers seemed to have found their backbone, and various voices of advice came one after another.

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the survival of the Great Wei, please heed my father's advice and retreat to Liangbei!"

Xu Gai also knelt down, earnestly pleading with him.

Cao Pi understood that under these circumstances, he no longer needed to stubbornly defend Ji County.

So he sighed deeply and said unwillingly:
"Very well, very well, I will grant your request and retreat to Liangbei!"

The ministers were overjoyed, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.

Jiang Xu was so excited that he secretly clenched his fist.

After Cao Pi retreated to Liangbei, he would surely make good use of the people of Liangbei in order to win their hearts and minds.

One's status will surely rise accordingly.

Cheng Gongying, on the other hand, was completely different from Jiang Xu. She stood dejectedly to the side, her heart filled with resentment.

He really didn't want to leave his hometown and go to Liangbei.

Apart from him, the other Wei officials were all greatly excited and began to discuss various matters concerning their evacuation.

Just then, a scout rushed into the hall, bringing news that shocked everyone:

Thirty thousand Han cavalrymen rushed in like a whirlwind, only twenty miles away!

Upon hearing this news, all the officials were greatly shocked. The once excited hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's face showed a look of horror.

Wei Kang was the first to regain his senses and hurriedly reminded him:
"Judging from the speed at which the Han army is marching, they will reach the north bank of the Wei River tomorrow. If our army withdraws completely at this time, there will be no obstacles on the Wei River, and the Han army can easily cross the Wei River and pursue us."

"By then, our retreat will likely turn into a rout, and the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Cao Pi tensed up again, his brows furrowed, and he fell into deep thought.

After a moment of contemplation, Cao Pi slowly said:

"What Wei Qing said makes sense. We cannot withdraw all of our troops. We must leave about 10,000 soldiers behind to buy time for the main force to retreat."

"Who among you is willing to stay behind and defend Ji City, to hold off the pursuing Han army?"

The hall was silent; no one dared to volunteer. After all, the danger of sending 10,000 men to hold off 200,000 Han troops was self-evident.

Seeing this, Xu Huang sighed inwardly, then cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, I am willing to lead troops to cover Your Majesty's retreat to the north. I will do my utmost and live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

Cao Pi looked at Xu Huang, a complex emotion welling up inside him, and sighed deeply:

"It seems we'll have to rely on Xu Qing in this crucial moment."

His words seemed to be praising Xu Huang, but in reality, they clearly carried a hint of resentment and sarcasm towards the other military generals.

Just then, Xu Zhi also cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to die for you. I am willing to defend Ji City and hold off the Han Dynasty's pursuing troops. Even if we fight to the last man, I will never retreat!"

Seeing this, Jiang Xu gritted his teeth and volunteered as well:
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to stay and buy time for Your Majesty's retreat to the north. Although I am not talented, I am willing to die for my country!"

In fact, Xu Zhi was spurred on by Cao Pi's words, which is why he resolutely decided to defend Ji City.

He wanted to prove his courage and loyalty.

Jiang Xu had no choice but to volunteer, especially since his previous surprise attack on San Pass had backfired, causing Cao Pi to suffer heavy losses, for which he was truly to blame.

Even if volunteering doesn't completely turn the tide, it can still be considered making amends for past mistakes.

Even if they eventually have to flee to Liangbei, at least they will have a place there and won't be ashamed to face others.

Cao Pi saw Xu Zhi, Jiang Xu, and others volunteering, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

So he praised it highly:

"Indeed, indeed! Our Great Wei has brave and loyal ministers who are willing to step forward in times of crisis. It is truly a blessing for our Great Wei!"

After praising them, Cao Pi stood up, personally patted Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu on the shoulders, and said earnestly:

"The important task of holding Ji County and covering the retreat of the main force is entrusted to you. You must hold on and buy enough time for the army."

"Once the main force has completely retreated, you shall immediately abandon the city and withdraw north. I will be waiting for your triumphant return in Jincheng!"

And so, the decision to retreat north was made.

On that day, Cao Pi led 30,000 main troops, along with officials and their families, out of the city in a grand procession westward, heading towards Liangbei.

Xu Zhi, meanwhile, led 10,000 troops to begin intensive construction of city defenses, preparing for the arrival of the Han army.

In the north, after conquering Pingxiang, Xiao He led his army south in a grand procession.

Upon hearing the news of the Han army's arrival, the cities along the way surrendered without a second thought, daring not to offer any resistance.

A few days later, the vanguard of the Han army reached the north bank of the Wei River, facing Ji City across the river.

At this time, the Wei army had already broken the ice to prevent the Han army from crossing the river.

However, the Han army did not retreat because of this, after all, the Wei River stretches for hundreds of miles and there is more than one place to cross it.

Zhang Fei led the main force downstream along the north bank. A day later, the Han army finally found a place to cross the river and successfully waded across the ice.

After crossing the river, they turned back westward, and the Han army finally reached the gates of Ji City.

Xu Zhi stood atop the city wall of Jicheng, watching the Han army surging in like a tide below, and naturally dared not have the slightest thought of going into battle.

His ten thousand soldiers all looked fearful and dared not go into battle.

Seeing that the Wei army dared not engage in battle, the Han army began to systematically set up camps on all sides, building encirclements and surrounding Ji City.

Xu Zhi could only stand helplessly atop the city wall, watching as the Han army set up camp and encircled him. (End of Chapter)