Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

A few days later, the Han Dynasty's secret envoy arrived in Qingzhou, exhausted.

Inside Qingzhou City, the Wei Imperial Palace was magnificent and golden, and the guards in front of the palace held long spears and stood solemnly like pine trees.

Led by the eunuch, the secret envoy passed through numerous palace gates and finally arrived at the main hall.

Sima Yi, the emperor of Wei, sat high on the dragon throne, wearing a black robe embroidered with gold and a crown with twelve tassels on his head.

His face was as gloomy as steel. On both sides of the hall, civil and military officials stood in rows, the atmosphere so solemn that it seemed as if water could drip out.

The secret envoy saluted respectfully and presented the letter of credence with both hands.

Sima Yi took the letter, his eyes swept across the lines like a knife, then he suddenly snorted coldly and threw the letter to the ground.

"Back then, the three dynasties joined forces to advance and retreat together. What does it mean that your Han Dynasty is standing still now?"

Sima Yi's voice was like thunder, shaking the candlelight in the hall.

The Han envoy spoke sternly, neither servile nor arrogant, "To reply to the Emperor of Wei, this incident was truly sudden."

"The Great Zhou Dynasty has suddenly assembled a massive force. General Xue Huaide personally led an army of 200,000 to the front lines. The cavalry is like clouds, and the flags cover the sun. Our border is in danger, and we must be on guard."

He paused, then continued, "However, our dynasty's Protector of the Nation, Huo Quji, still has 100,000 elite troops stationed in Maple Leaf City."

“Even if we don’t take the initiative to attack, we can still tie down a large number of Chu troops, and will not affect the Wei and Tang dynasties’ attacks on the Chu troops in Yanzhou.”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

Cheng Yu, the head of the civil service, stepped forward, his purple robe fluttering as he spoke in a cold voice, "Don't think our dynasty doesn't know! Our spies have already reported that the Great Zhou has only a hundred thousand soldiers."

"Your Han Dynasty has an army of 400,000. You only need to dispatch a general and mobilize 100,000 troops to keep them out. Why should you delay the great plan of the Three Dynasties?"

"Master Cheng is absolutely right!"

The Minister of War immediately echoed, "Your Han army is known for its unrivaled cavalry. Are you afraid of that old scoundrel Xue Huaide?"

There was a lot of discussion in the hall, and the ministers said one thing after another:

"A 400,000-strong army is sitting still. Are they just trying to sit back and watch the tigers fight?"

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. What a calculated scheme!"

"You want me, the Great Wei and the Great Tang, to fight the Chu Kingdom to the death first, and then you sit back and reap the benefits? Don't even think about it!"

Facing the accusations of the ministers, beads of sweat oozed from the Han envoy's forehead, and he quickly explained:

"You gentlemen have misunderstood! The latest military reports show that the Great Zhou is still mobilizing troops. The Tongguan Road is covered in smoke and dust. No one knows how many troops they will ultimately send."

"For the sake of safety, His Majesty has temporarily suspended the action."

He wiped the sweat off his face and continued, "But I have made it clear to His Majesty that the 100,000 cavalrymen under the command of the Protector of the Country will keep a close eye on Maple Leaf City."

"That's the vital route for the Chu State, a place where food and supplies must pass through. If we cut off this supply line, the Chu army in Yanzhou will be trapped. At that time, your country and the Tang Dynasty's joint forces will be able to advance with unstoppable force!"

Sima Yi's eyes flashed at these words. He stroked the armrest of the dragon throne and pondered for a moment.

Indeed, Maple Leaf City is strategically located. If the Han army can blockade this area, the Chu army's reinforcements and food supplies will be hindered. Thinking of this, his gloomy expression slightly eased.

"That's all."

Sima Yi finally spoke, his voice as low as thunder: "Since the Emperor of the Han Dynasty has concerns, I will not force him."

"But if it is confirmed that the Great Zhou's military strength is insufficient, your dynasty must immediately send troops to attack Maple Leaf City without further delay!"

The Han envoy, as if granted amnesty, bowed hastily, "The Emperor of Wei is wise and wise! I will convey this to Your Majesty word for word."

Just as the Wei court was engaged in a heated debate, a cavalry unit was approaching in a cloud of dust outside Maple Leaf City, a thousand miles away.

Chu Ning, dressed in a white robe and silver armor, riding a white warhorse, has been leading three thousand white horse cavalrymen on a continuous charge for more than half a month.

At this moment, the towering city walls of Maple Leaf City finally came into view.

On the city wall, a large flag with the word "Chu" on a black background and a golden dragon fluttered in the wind, shining brightly in the setting sun.

"His Majesty is here!" the sentry on the city wall shouted loudly.

Suddenly, the trumpets sounded and the drums beat to the sky.

The city gate slowly opened, and a torrent of armored soldiers rushed out.

The leader was a general, nine feet tall, with a broad back and strong arms, a face as red as a date, and eyes as big as copper bells.

Wearing heavy black iron armor and carrying a 10-foot-long steel spear on his shoulder, he was the Thirteenth Prince Chu Kuang.

Behind him were five thousand elite members of the Mad Dragon Legion, all wearing black armor and red robes. Their steps were in unison, and every step they took made the earth tremble.

"Your humble servant Chu Kuang respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!" The voice was like a loud bell, shaking the leaves on the roadside to fall.

Chu Ning reined in his horse and stopped, his eyes sweeping over this iron-blooded army.

Every soldier had a sharp gaze and a murderous aura.

They held two-meter-long steel spears with cold gleaming tips.

A standard-issue sword hung around his waist, with a scabbard wrapped in red silk.

What was even more frightening was that each soldier carried two short spears crossed on his back, shining coldly in the setting sun.

At the forefront of the army were three hundred heavily armored infantrymen, their entire bodies wrapped in fine steel armor, with only their eyes exposed.

They held huge shields as tall as a person, with ferocious dragon heads carved on the shields.

The shields collided with each other, making a dull metallic collision sound, like the roar of an ancient dragon.

There were five hundred archers on each wing, carrying strong bows and crossbows on their backs, and quivers on their waists were filled with feathered arrows.

Their steps were as light as a cat, but with deadly precision.

The most eye-catching thing is the thousand cavalrymen in the center of the army.

These knights wore light armor, held long-handled sabers, and had bows hanging beside their saddles.

The war horses were all black, with strong muscles, hooves like pillars, and breathing like thunder.

Chu Ning's eyes flashed with admiration: "After almost two years, it seems that my brother's Crazy Dragon Legion has taken shape."

Chu Kuang grinned, revealing his white teeth. "If it weren't for your majesty's strict order to defend the city, I would have long wanted to take my men out of the city to meet those Han troops! Let them have a taste of our newly forged spears!"

As he spoke, he suddenly thrust the spear in his hand into the ground.

With a "clang" sound, the spear head made of fine steel was completely embedded in the hard bluestone slab, leaving only the spear shaft vibrating.

Seeing this, Chu Ning's eyes lit up: "Great! I just want to see the strength of the Han army. Come, follow me to the top of the city and take a look!"

At this time, the sun sets in the west and the dusk deepens.

The torches on the top of the Maple Leaf City Wall lit up one after another, like a fire dragon hovering above the city wall.

Chu Ning and Chu Kuang climbed up the city wall side by side and looked into the distance.

Ten miles outside the city, the Han army camp stretched for several miles, with lights like stars and tents arranged as neatly as a chessboard.

The neighing of war horses and the clashing of weapons could be faintly heard in the night wind.

"Huo Quji is worthy of being a famous general of the Han Dynasty. He has a very methodical way of setting up camp and deploying troops." Chu Ning said softly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the battlements of the city wall.

Chu Kuang snorted coldly: "No matter what kind of famous general he is, if he dares to block our army's advance, he will never return! Your Majesty, please look at this——"

He waved his hand and said, "I have set up an ambush three miles outside the city. If the Han army dares to come, they will be met with a head-on attack!"

Chu Ning looked in the direction he pointed and saw faint metallic reflections in the distant maple forest under the moonlight.

He nodded with satisfaction and suddenly asked, "Are there enough food and fodder in the army?"