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

"Grand Marshal! It's snowing heavily outside!"

Chen Dao, covered in snow foam, lifted the curtain, creating a gust of wind, and rushed into the central command tent, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

The felt curtain was suddenly flung open, and a biting chill rushed into the tent like a sharp blade. The charcoal fire burning inside dimmed slightly, and all the generals shuddered.

"It's just as I expected!"

Xiao He, seated at the head of the table, slammed his hand on the table and stood up, speaking with a deep and resolute voice:

"Order all soldiers to rest and recuperate, and to march across the ice at dawn tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals under his command perked up, and the gloom that had been lingering on their faces for more than half a month vanished completely.

Since leading his troops to confront Gongsun Ze, the army has been blocked by the Yangshui River, and several attempts to cross the river have failed due to the rapid current.

The soldiers had been holding their breath for a long time, and now that they finally had a chance to break the deadlock, they were all excited and their fighting spirit was surging.

But as the excitement wore off, doubts began to creep into the minds of the generals.

Zhang Liao stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked:
"Grand Marshal, our army has failed in several previous attempts to cross the river. The current of the Yang River is swift. How should we cross it this time?"

How do we cross the river?

Xiao He's lips curled into a meaningful, sly smile as he slowly said:

"Naturally, we will take it one step at a time."

Crossing the river on foot?

The generals all looked bewildered and exchanged glances.

Zhang Liao frowned even more, and asked in confusion:

"Grand Marshal, the flood season on the Yangshui River has just ended, and the current is becoming increasingly swift. Even ordinary rafts can hardly stay afloat, so how could it be possible to cross on foot?"

"Don't worry."

Xiao He raised his hand to lower it, and said calmly:
"A cold wave is coming tonight, and the temperature will drop several degrees. The ocean water will freeze into ice overnight. At that time, the ice surface will serve as a bridge, and our troops will be able to cross it!"

One sentence revealed the truth, and the generals suddenly understood, their doubts turning into admiration.

They then realized that Xiao He's inaction these past few days, allowing Gongsun Ze to rant on the other side, was not out of fear of war, but rather because he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike when the cold wave froze over.

But upon further reflection, the generals were filled with new confusion:
Ten days ago the weather was still mild, so how could Xiao He accurately predict that there would be a cold wave today and that the ocean would freeze?

Everyone turned their puzzled gazes toward Xiao He.

Seeing this, Xiao He sneered and said confidently:
"Have you forgotten that I, Xiao He, am knowledgeable in astronomy and geography?"

The generals were jolted awake, suddenly realizing the truth.

Back then, Xiao He accurately predicted when the Yellow River would freeze based on astronomical calculations.

It is perfectly normal for him to be able to deduce that the ocean water is freezing today.

Zhang Liao was the first to recover his senses, and bowed in admiration:

"Grand Marshal's wisdom and strategy are unparalleled; your subordinate is no match for him!"

The generals under his command also bowed, their hearts filled with no more doubts.

Xiao He picked up the warm liquor on the table, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then slammed the glass down heavily and said in a deep voice:
"What are we waiting for? Quickly send orders to all camps, let the soldiers have a good meal, sleep in their armor, and get plenty of rest so we can march at dawn tomorrow!"

"I will obey your orders!"

The generals accepted the order in unison, then turned around and waited for night to fall.

The snowstorm continued overnight, with heavy snowflakes dancing in the air, turning the world into a pure white expanse. The temperature plummeted below freezing, and the cold wind howled through the camp.

As the first light of dawn appeared in the east, Xiao He, wrapped in a heavy fox fur coat, stood on the bank of the Yangshui River, gazing at the Liao army camp that was faintly visible on the opposite bank.

The once turbulent ocean water is now completely frozen, a vast expanse of white stretching to the opposite bank, blending seamlessly with the snow-covered shore.

Zhang Liao dismounted, strode onto the ice, drew his sword from his waist, and with a powerful swing of his arms, slashed at the ice.

"boom!"

A dull thud echoed across the ice, sending ice shards flying more than half a foot high.

When the snow and fog dissipated, everyone looked closely and saw that only a shallow white mark remained on the ice surface, with no signs of cracking whatsoever.

This means that the ice layer is more than a foot thick, enough to support thousands of troops crossing it without the risk of collapse.

Zhang Liao turned around and roared loudly at Xiao He on the shore, his voice full of vigor:

"Grand Marshal, the ice is solid and thick; our army can safely cross the river on the ice!"

A cold glint flashed in Xiao He's eyes. He raised his riding whip, pointed it at the opposite bank, and shouted sharply:

"All soldiers, listen to my command! Cross the frozen river, storm the Liao camp, and annihilate Gongsun Ze's entire force, leaving no one alive!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The blood of more than 100,000 soldiers was instantly ignited, and their roars shook the heavens and the earth, breaking through the barriers of wind and snow.

Zhang Liao mounted his horse, brandished his long sword, and shouted loudly:
"Soldiers, follow me and kill the enemy!"

Having said that, he took the lead and charged across the solid ice toward the other side.

The other generals followed closely behind, each leading their troops, and with overwhelming fighting spirit, they charged bravely across the ice.

The soldiers, armed with weapons, followed closely behind their commander, forming an unstoppable torrent.

Xiao He immediately stood on the shore, his gaze sweeping over the panicked Liao camp on the opposite bank, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips:
"Gongsun Ze, you dare to confront me for half a month because you think you have some wisdom. Today, I will show you what true strategic planning is!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao He spurred his horse on, whipped it, and slowly caught up with the army on the solid ice.

Tens of thousands of soldiers trudged across the ice and launched a thunderous attack on the Liao camp on the opposite bank.

Before the sun had risen above the horizon and the world was still shrouded in cold mist, Zhang Liao had already drawn his sword and stepped onto the north bank of the Yangshui River.

He reined in his horse and stopped, his gaze sweeping across the Liao army camp. The tents were deathly silent, with only the figures of night patrol soldiers moving about at the edge of the camp.

At this time, most of the soldiers in the Liao camp were still huddled in their warm tents and blankets, resisting the biting cold wind outside.

A few patrolling soldiers, wrapped tightly in their thin armor, paced back and forth under the camp wall, their hands tucked into their sleeves, their jaws chattering from the cold, their attention mostly consumed by the wind and snow.

Suddenly, a series of light yet dense footsteps pierced through the snow and wind.

The soldiers on duty tensed up, and they all looked up, squinting at the frozen surface of the Yangshui River.

That one glance sent a chill through everyone's hearts that instantly outweighed the cold of the wind and snow, freezing them in place as if they were frozen in death.

On the vast white ice, Han soldiers rushed in like ghosts, swept by the wind, and were within arm's reach in an instant.

"It's the Han army! The Han army has crossed the river on the ice!"

One of the soldiers was the first to react.

"Quickly! Go and report to the general!"

"The Han army has broken in! Defend them quickly!"

Terrified cries rose and fell, and the camp was thrown into chaos.

The sudden, urgent sound of gongs startled the sleeping Liao soldiers in their tents.

The men hurriedly donned their armor and grabbed their swords, rushing out of the tents without even having time to put on their shoes and socks properly.

But it was all too late.

Zhang Liao took the lead and had already rushed to the gate of the Liao army camp.

His eyes widened, and with a surge of power in his wrist, the long sword in his hand slashed out with a whooshing sound.

"Crack!"

After a muffled thud, the wooden bolts and crossbeams of the camp gate snapped, and a gap was forcefully cleaved open in the heavy gate.

The Liao soldiers who rushed towards them were so frightened by the sight of this mighty force that they dared not resist and turned to flee back into their camp.

"Where do you think you're going?" Zhang Liao shouted sharply, his wrist flicking as his long sword swept out horizontally.

"Crack!"

As the blade flashed, blood splattered, and five heads flew into the air before crashing to the ground.

Warm blood gushed out, instantly staining the snow and frozen ground beneath their feet red.

Behind Zhang Liao, Han soldiers surged into Liao's camp like a tide, their blades flashing as they swiftly and decisively struck down their swords.

Countless Liao soldiers were cut down before they could even resist, their screams completely drowning out the entire camp.

The Liao army's camp walls were breached in an instant, and the Han soldiers advanced in multiple directions, charging into the heart of the enemy camp. Wherever they went, the Liao army crumbled in disarray...

Inside the central command tent, Leng Li was still fast asleep.

Previously, Xiao He had remained inactive for half a month, which made the main general Gongsun Ze gradually underestimate him, thinking that the Han army had no way to deal with him. So he returned to Pingchang City to rest and recuperate, entrusting the important task of guarding the camp to Leng Li.

Leng Li, who was fast asleep, was vaguely awakened by the sounds of killing in the distance. He sat up and was about to call his guards to ask what was going on when the tent door was suddenly kicked open.

A guard stumbled and crawled into the tent, his voice hoarse:

"General Leng! Something terrible has happened! The Han army has stormed our camp!"

Leng Li's face darkened, and he slapped his personal guard to the ground.

"Nonsense!"

"The Han army is trapped on the other side of the river, without boats or bridges. How could they possibly attack our camp? Are you out of your mind?"

The guard covered his face and got up, feeling wronged, and said:

"General Leng, it's true! The temperature plummeted last night, and the ocean water froze solid. The Han army crossed the ice and has now reached the vicinity of the central command tent!"

Leng Li shuddered, instantly losing all sleepiness, a chill running from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

He strode out of the tent, the cold wind cutting into his face like a knife, making him shiver all over.

Outside the tent, it was already a world of ice and snow, a stark white expanse where the frozen river and the snow-covered camp blended together.

Because his personal guards kept adding charcoal to his tent, making it warm and cozy, he was completely unaware of the sudden drop in temperature at night.

"Bastard thing!"

Leng Li was furious and kicked the guard to the ground again, demanding in a stern voice:

"Such a serious matter as ocean water freezing over, why wasn't it reported sooner?!"

The guards trembled on the ground, their faces filled with fear, and they stammered, unable to utter a word.

The wind and snow were too heavy last night, and the patrolling soldiers failed to notice the changes in the ice in time. By the time they discovered it, the Han army had already reached the city.

Just then, the sounds of battle grew closer, and large numbers of Liao soldiers abandoned their armor and fled in disarray toward the central command tent, pursued closely by the Han army.

In the morning light, the banners of the Han army fluttered in the wind and snow.

"Damn it! General Gongsun entrusted the camp to me. If it falls here, how can I face him?"

Leng Li, both anxious and furious, swiftly mounted his horse, brandished his sword, and roared:

"All soldiers, listen to my command! Follow me and advance to stop the enemy! We must drive the Han army back! Those who hold the camp will be richly rewarded, and those who retreat will be executed!"

Under Leng Li's stern rebuke and the threat of a hefty reward, the routed Liao soldiers barely managed to regain their composure, turned around, gripped their weapons tightly, and followed Leng Li in charging towards the Han army.

But all of this was ultimately in vain.

The Han army outnumbered the Liao army tenfold, and such a disparity was not something that a hastily cobbled-together defense could withstand.

Moreover, the Han army's surprise attack was so sudden that the Liao army's morale had already collapsed, the soldiers were terrified, and their fighting capacity had been reduced by more than half.

With the Liao army gaining an advantage over the Liao army, how could they possibly win a battle?
In an instant, the weak defensive line that Leng Li had barely managed to organize was once again swept away by the Han army like a flood.

The Liao soldiers completely collapsed, abandoning their armor and weapons, and fled for their lives deep into the camp.

"No escape! Anyone who dares to retreat even half a step will be killed without mercy!"

With a fierce glint in his eyes, Leng Li brandished his sword and roared. As the blade rose and fell, two fleeing Liao soldiers fell to the ground.

But this still didn't work.

The Han army's offensive was like a rainbow, with swords flashing and shadows sweeping in. The Liao soldiers were already terrified and completely ignored Leng Li's threats. They scattered and fled like madmen, and no one dared to turn back to resist.

"Cold-blooded scoundrel!"

"Zhang Liao is here! Prepare to die!"

A deafening roar suddenly rang out.

Leng Li's heart tightened, and he suddenly looked up.

Directly in front of him, Zhang Liao, carrying a long sword stained with blood, charged towards him on his warhorse.

The visitor was none other than Zhang Liao.

It was this Han general who stormed and captured the Liao city, killed Gongsun E, and forcefully tore through the Liao's defenses, allowing the Han army to advance unimpeded.

Leng Li's pent-up resentment and anger surged instantly, and he gritted his teeth and roared:

"Zhang Liao, you treacherous dog, I'll take your dog's life!"

He suppressed the anxiety of his troops' morale collapsing, brandished his sword, and charged towards Zhang Liao.

In a fit of rage, he forgot the vast disparity in strength between the two sides and attempted to kill Zhang Liao single-handedly to reverse the defeat.

The two groups of warhorses galloped toward each other and crashed together with a whooshing sound.

"throat!"

The long swords clashed violently, unleashing tremendous force and producing a deafening roar that seemed to shatter the heavens and the earth.

Several soldiers who were unable to dodge in time were thrown into the air by the blast wave, crashed heavily to the ground, and immediately lost consciousness.

Zhang Liao sat firmly on his horse, his body unmoving, and with just a slight dip in his wrist, he dissipated the remaining force.

Leng Li's body swayed violently, his arms went numb, and the fierce force entered his body through the blade, causing his blood to surge and a sweet taste to rise in his throat.

However, after just one exchange, the difference in skill was immediately apparent.

"Zhang Liao is so powerful! No wonder Gongsun E died at his hands... Oh no, I was careless!"

Leng Li felt a chill run down his spine, instantly snapping back to reality, his heart filled with regret.

He shouldn't have let his anger cloud his judgment and recklessly challenged Zhang Liao.

But the moment regret arose, it was already too late.

Zhang Liao gave him no chance to catch his breath or regret it. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his battle blade, imbued with immense force, once again hurtled towards Leng Li.

In an instant, the shadows of blades covered the sky, completely enveloping Leng Li's escape routes.

Leng Li's face turned deathly pale. He could only grit his teeth and swing his sword to barely defend himself, putting all his strength into every move.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

The sharp clang of longswords clashing echoed continuously, and sparks flew in the wind and snow.

In just five moves, Zhang Liao let out a deep shout, mustered all his strength, and slashed out with his sword. The sword's momentum was terrifying and aimed directly at Leng Li's vital points.

Leng Li was already suffering from surging blood and internal injuries, so how could he possibly withstand this fatal blow?
He felt a sharp pain in his chest, a sweet taste in his throat, and blood slowly seeped from the corner of his mouth, staining his clothes red.

"impossible!"

Leng Li's eyes were filled with disbelief, and his heart was filled with horror:
"I, Leng Li, couldn't even withstand seven of his moves! How could this be..."

The previous anger vanished, leaving only a strong sense of retreat.

He knew that if the fight continued, he would surely die. (End of Chapter)