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

Four days passed quietly.

Ji County at this moment.

The Wei soldiers in the city were all filled with fear and anxiety. They stared longingly at the densely packed Han army camps outside the city, their hearts filled with dread and unease.

"I wonder where His Majesty is now?"

Xu Zhi stood alone by the battlements, his eyes revealing deep worry, muttering to himself.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu closed his eyes slightly and gently pinched his fingers, as if he were calculating something.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes and said:
"According to my careful calculations, His Majesty should be able to cross the Yellow River smoothly in about four days."

After hearing this, Xu Zhi nodded slightly, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes:

"That's good. As long as we grit our teeth and hold on for these four days, there shouldn't be any major problems."

Jiang Xu sighed softly, a worried expression on his face:
"Holding out for four days shouldn't be a problem, but after four days, if we want to break through, I'm afraid..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was clear to everyone present.

Xu Zhi was awakened by Jiang Xu's words, and the grim situation at hand came to mind.

Two hundred thousand Han troops surrounded Ji County so tightly that it was like an iron barrel, making it extremely difficult to escape, let alone break out successfully.

He couldn't help but recall his experience in Pingxiang City, where they were able to escape safely only because Liang Xing pleaded for them.

But now, who will plead for them?
Thinking of this, Xu Zhi felt a pang of regret. With a loud "bang," he slammed his fist heavily on the battlement, a deep sense of remorse flashing across his face.

He regretted that he shouldn't have acted impulsively that day and volunteered to stay behind to cover the rear.

Now, he has become a so-called loyal minister, but what good is that?
If Ji County is captured by the Han army, where will I go?

Should we fight to the death on this city wall, or choose to become prisoners?

If you are unfortunately captured, what should you do?

Should they surrender to the Han army and live a life of ignominy, or should they remain steadfast and die to prove their loyalty?
A series of questions swirled in Xu Zhi's mind, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

At this moment, his subordinate Yin Feng stepped forward, his face full of anxiety, and said:

"General Xu, General Jiang is absolutely right. We cannot just hold out here like this. His Majesty has already withdrawn for several days. Given the speed of the Han army's march, it is impossible for them to catch up with His Majesty again."

"We should also think about our own escape route. The Han army's encirclement of the camp has not yet been fully closed. Why don't we take this opportunity to break out from the west gate and retreat in advance?"

Xu Zhi was moved by Yin Feng's words.

His gaze involuntarily drifted south, and he began to make plans in his mind.

Although Cao Pi is still four days away from the Yellow River, even if the Han army captures Ji County now, by the time they catch up, Cao Pi should have already retreated into Liangbei.

Moreover, the Han army's encirclement of the camp has not yet been completely closed, and his 10,000 soldiers still have a great chance of breaking out.

If what Yin Feng said is true, the chances of successfully breaking through are indeed quite high.

Just as Xu Zhi was beginning to waver, Jiang Xu suddenly said:
"Brother Yin, don't you think it's a bit strange that the Han army hasn't closed the encirclement on the west side yet?"

Upon hearing this, Yin Feng was taken aback, a look of confusion appearing on his face.

Xu Zhi questioned:
"Speak your mind quickly."

Jiang Xu pointed south and said solemnly:

"The reason the Han army left the western side unencircled is to make us think that a breakout is possible, thus lowering our guard. I suspect that Xiao He has set up numerous ambushes along the breakout route, just waiting for us to walk into the trap and annihilate us in one fell swoop!"

"If we break out from the west, we'll be walking right into a trap!"

Upon hearing Jiang Xu's words, Xu Zhi suddenly realized as if waking from a dream:

"So that's how it is! No wonder the Han army hasn't surrounded the western side yet!"

As he spoke, he struck the battlements hard again, a wave of fear washing over him.

"Since the west is not an option, how about we break out from the south?"

Seeing that there was no hope of breaking through to the west, Yin Feng hurriedly pointed to the south.

“The south side won’t work either.” Jiang Xu shook his head and patiently explained:

"Although breaking out to the south seems promising, it requires taking a long detour. By the time we finish our detour, the Han army will have enough troops to block our path, and then our chances of winning will be slim."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi's hope faded once again.

"South won't work, west won't work, are we just going to wait here to die?"

Yin Feng was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

For a moment, the Wei soldiers fell silent, their faces shrouded in a thick gloom.

"However... I have a plan."

Just then, Jiang Xu suddenly uttered these words. Although his voice was not loud, it was like a bolt of lightning, breaking the dull atmosphere.

"If we succeed, we will not only avoid breaking out, but we can also force 200,000 Han troops to retreat without a fight!"

Xu Zhi's expression changed instantly, Yin Feng was shocked and his eyes widened, and all the generals' eyes turned to Jiang Xu.

He ordered 200,000 Han troops to retreat without a fight!

It sounded like a fairy tale, and no one could believe their ears.

Did Jiang Xu say these words?

Does he really have such a brilliant plan?

"What's your plan...?"

Xu Zhi asked with a mixture of belief and doubt, his eyes filled with expectation and skepticism.

Jiang Xu sighed softly and said:
"The surprise attack on Sanguan failed, resulting in heavy losses for our army. I am also worried that this plan will repeat itself... But at the moment, we have no better options."

Xu Zhi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and hurriedly said:

"Just tell me your brilliant plan already, stop keeping me in suspense!"

Yin Feng also urged from the side:

"Yes, General Jiang, please speak quickly, we're all waiting!"

Jiang Xu nodded and said:
"Currently, the main force of the Han army is besieging my Ji County on the south bank of the Wei River, while there are less than 30,000 men on the north bank. A few days ago, I carefully observed the Han army's grain transport situation and found that their grain was first transported to the north bank and then transported across the river."

As he spoke, Jiang Xu pointed east and continued:
"We can send a large force to feign a breakout from the east gate. Zhang Fei and Xiao He will surely send troops to intercept us upon hearing the news. Then we can suddenly turn back, cross the Wei River to the north, and catch the Han army on the north bank off guard."

"If we can break through the Han camp, we will burn all of their food supplies. If this succeeds, the Han army will have to retreat due to food shortages, and the siege of Ji County will be lifted!"

After recounting everything, Jiang Xu stroked his beard, a smug smile appearing on his face, and continued:
"Moreover, in another month, the weather will warm up and the snow will melt, making the supply routes muddy and difficult to transport. The Han army may not be able to supply enough food and may have to retreat back to Guanzhong."

"In this way, not only will we not have to retreat, but we can also defend Longyou, and we will have made an unparalleled contribution!"

Jiang Xu's words gave the Wei generals present a glimmer of hope.

Xu Zhi was overjoyed upon hearing this:
"If this plan succeeds, we won't have to flee to Liangbei!"

Yin Feng also excitedly shouted:
"Great idea! Let's do it this way!"

Xu Zhi punched the battlement and said happily:
"Alright, then let's do as you say! We'll take this gamble!"

Xu Zhi finally decided to take the gamble.

Jiang Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

The next question is who to send to launch a surprise attack on the north bank.

As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, Xu Zhi naturally had to be stationed in Ji County to oversee the overall situation.

Jiang Xu glanced around, then resolutely cupped his hands and said:
"I am willing to lead elite troops to launch a surprise attack on the Han camp and contribute to relieving the siege of Ji County!"

Seeing this, Yin Feng also volunteered without hesitation:

"I am also willing to go along and fight alongside General Jiang!" (End of Chapter)