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

On the morning of the fifth day after the war, Chu Ning got up at dawn.

He stood in the courtyard of the prefect's mansion, looking at the gradually brightening sky in the east, with a thousand thoughts in his mind.

Although this decisive battle with the State of Wei was a victory, the price paid was also heavy.

"Your Majesty, the generals have arrived." The eunuch reported softly, interrupting Chu Ning's thoughts.

Chu Ning retracted his gaze and straightened his clothes: "Tell them to wait in the meeting room, I will be there soon."

In the conference room, four generals Zhao Yu, Guan Yun, Ma Chao, Han Xing and Jia Yu were already standing there waiting.

Zhao Yu was wearing white armor, Guan Yun was wearing black armor, and their expressions were solemn. Ma Chao and Han Xing were talking in low voices, and Jia Yu was staring at the door calmly.

When Chu Ning strode in, everyone immediately bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty!"

Chu Ning waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up: "My dear ministers, please stand up. I have gathered you today to discuss post-war matters."

He sat down in the main seat, his sharp eyes sweeping over everyone present: "Master Jia, let's first talk about the results of this battle."

Jia Yu stepped forward and unfolded the bamboo slips in his hand. "Your Majesty, in this battle, of the Wei army of 80,000, 58,000 were killed, 2,000 were captured, and over 1,000 are still missing. They may have fled into the mountains and forests."

He paused, then looked up at Chu Ning and said, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what should be done with these prisoners?"

The hall was silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes were focused on Chu Ning.

Chu Ning sneered, tapping the armrest of the chair with his fingers: "There's no point in keeping these people, kill them all!"

His voice was cold and ruthless: "The consequences of the Wei army today are all their own fault."

Zhao Yu frowned slightly when he heard this, as if he couldn't bear it, but he didn't say anything in the end.

Guan Yun stood there expressionlessly, as if he had already anticipated this decision.

Chu Ning's eyes swept across everyone's faces, paused, and then asked, "What are our losses?"

Jia Yu took a deep breath and continued his report: "Our army lost 21,000 men, 18,000 of whom died during the siege, and the rest died in the pursuit."

His voice was slightly heavy: "Among the fallen soldiers were seven captains and two lieutenants."

Hearing this number, Chu Ning's expression turned serious: "Have their bodies been collected?"

Jia Yu nodded. "According to your Majesty's instructions, the bodies of the fallen soldiers have been cremated, and their ashes have been properly buried."

He added, "Now the heroes' tomb built by the Ministry of Domestic Works has been completed and their ashes can be placed there."

"The names and hometowns of every soldier have been registered, and pensions will be distributed to their families according to the standards."

Chu Ning nodded slightly after hearing this. The State of Chu had been at war for years and the people had many complaints.

In order to quell public grievances and inspire soldiers, he specially ordered the Ministry of Works to build hero tombs so that soldiers who died for the country could enjoy commemorations from future generations, and their families would also receive long-term care from the court.

"Very good!" Chu Ning nodded slightly, then asked, "How long can our army's food supply last?"

Jia Yu flipped through the bamboo slips. "Originally, the military rations could have lasted for half a month. This time, we seized a lot of food from the Wei army camp. Combined with the reserves in the city, we can now last for more than a month."

Chu Ning burst into laughter upon hearing this, and his laughter echoed in the conference room.

He stood up suddenly, put his hands on the table, his eyes flashing with ambition: "God help me!"

"Now that Wei's main forces have been completely destroyed and the country is destitute, this is the perfect opportunity for our army to seize the opportunity and pursue the victory!"

He looked around at his generals and said, "Order the entire army to rest for three days, and then march to the capital of Wei!"

All the generals responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

Chu Ning continued his orders: "Also, have Xun Yu send people to transport the food from the rear directly to the capital of Wei. We must be prepared for a long-term siege."

Zhao Yu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the walls of Wei's capital are high and thick, and the defenses are well-equipped. I'm afraid it will be difficult to capture. Do we need to send spies in first to assist from both inside and outside?"

Chu Ning thought for a moment and said, "Okay! I'll leave this matter to you. Ma Chao will be in charge of organizing the cavalry, Guan Yun will lead the infantry, Han Xing will be in charge of logistics, and Lord Jia will accompany me to command the central army."

He waved his hand: "Everyone go down and get ready."

Everyone bowed and took their leave, each going to arrange their military affairs.

Chu Ning was the only one left in the conference room.

He walked to the window, looked at the city wall in the distance, and had already begun to plan his ruling strategy after conquering the State of Wei.

Wei State is located at the strategic point of the Central Plains. If it can be conquered, the territory of Chu State will be greatly expanded and its national strength will also be greatly enhanced.

At the same time, in the imperial palace of Luoan, the capital of Wei State, the atmosphere was solemn.

In the Golden Palace, Wei Emperor Sima Yi's face was gloomy, and he roared at the ministers who were silent in the palace:

"Speak, everyone, speak, why are you all silent?"

He suddenly swept the memorials off the table and dropped them to the ground. "Aren't you all usually very talkative? Aren't you good at vying for power all the time? Now that the country is in danger, why have you all become silent?"

The ministers below the steps lowered their heads, and no one dared to offend the emperor at this time.

The news that the 80,000-strong army led by Xu Fang was completely annihilated has been reported back, and everyone understands what this means.

Wei's most elite troops had been lost, and only some old, weak and disabled soldiers remained, who were simply unable to resist the Chu cavalry.

Sima Yi looked at the silent ministers and laughed in anger: "Okay, okay, you're all silent, huh? Then wait for the Chu army to attack, and you will all become ministers of a fallen country!"

"I want to see how much of your property, wife and children can be preserved by then!"

Just when the situation was tense, hurried footsteps were suddenly heard outside the hall.

A guard quickly entered the hall and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is back!"

Sima Yi's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped a life-saving straw: "Quickly invite the Prime Minister in!"

A moment later, Cheng Yu, exhausted, walked quickly into the hall.

His clothes were disheveled, and it was obvious that he had rushed back all the way.

Sima Yi had already stepped down from the dragon throne and supported him. "No need to be polite, my dear! How was your trip?"

Cheng Yu looked around and saw that all the civil and military officials were present. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your command, but the specific details still need to be discussed with Your Majesty alone."

As he spoke, he glanced at everyone meaningfully.

Sima Yi immediately understood and waved his hand: "Dismiss the court! All the ministers, please leave!"

After all the ministers had left and the palace door was closed, Cheng Yu took out a secret letter from his bosom and said, "Your Majesty, these are their conditions!"

Sima Yi took the secret letter and quickly read it. His expression changed from gloomy to cheerful. Finally, he couldn't help but burst into laughter:

"Good! Good! What's the use of a state? As long as we can protect our country, we will be able to take it back one day!"

His laughter echoed in the empty hall, as if the impending danger of national destruction had been resolved.