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

The news of the fall of Qingcheng exploded in the Tang army camp like a thunderclap.

Inside the central army tent, Commander Li Ji smashed the table with one palm, sending wood chips flying everywhere.

"Eight thousand soldiers were wiped out!" His eyes were wide open and his knuckles were clenched white.

The candlelight in the tent flickered, making his ashen face appear bright and dim.

"The last general invites you to fight!"

A burly man with a full beard stepped forward first, the nine-ring broadsword at his waist clanging loudly. "The Chu bandits have gone too far. I am willing to lead my troops to crush Qingcheng!"

"Don't be reckless."

The white-faced general beside him pressed the hilt of his sword: "The Chu army was able to completely wipe out our grain transport team, so they must be elite. We should find out more first."

"fart!"

The bearded general glared at him, "Are you frightened by the Chu bandits? I killed so many barbarians in Longxi that they were terrified. How could I be afraid of a mere Chu army?"

A white-haired veteran coughed and stepped forward. "Since the Chu army dared to attack by dividing its forces, they must have something to rely on. I have seen that Ma Chao is cunning in his tactics. We must not underestimate the enemy."

There was a sudden uproar in the tent.

A young general slammed the table and stood up, "The main force of the Chu army is besieging Jicheng. Where did the extra troops come from? They must be a small group of special forces!"

Another person sneered, "A small group of soldiers can wipe out 8,000 people? Do you think the Tang army is made of paper?"

Li Ji's temples throbbed from the noise. He turned to look at the scholar in blue who had remained silent the entire time and asked, "Master Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Gongjin stroked his long beard, his brow furrowed like a ravine. "I've heard that the Chu army's Canglang Cavalry are as fast as the wind, and Ma Chao is known as the Ghost Commander. This time..."

He was interrupted before he could finish his words.

"What do civilian officials know about war?"

The bearded general scoffed, "If it were you, I'd send troops immediately and kill him by surprise!"

Zhang Gongjin remained calm and said in a deep voice, "General Luo, I know that General Luo Chen, who died in this battle, is your cousin, but you must not sacrifice public interest for personal gain!"

"Enough!" Li Ji suddenly shouted, and the tent was suddenly silent.

He rubbed his brow and pondered, "Our army has captured six cities in a row. We really need to rest and recuperate. Let's send out scouts to investigate first, and then make a decision."

Zhang Gongjin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I am willing to personally supervise this matter."

At the same time, the scene in the Chu army camp outside Jicheng was quite different.

Chu Ning held the military newspaper in his hand and laughed loudly towards the sky, startling the birds perched outside the tent.

"Great job, Ma Chao! He took the city in one day, and killed all 8,000 Tang soldiers. This is a great lesson!"

Jia Yu, however, poured cold water on the situation with a worried look on his face: "Your Majesty, the Tang army will surely retaliate. I suggest you urgently order General Ma to reinforce the city defenses and prepare more arrows."

Chu Ning nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Master Jia is very strict. This is indeed the way it should be. Master Jia will inform Ma Chao to be on high alert to prevent a surprise attack by the Tang army."

After saying this, he rode out of the camp with his three generals.

Jicheng was lifeless under the setting sun. The Wei army on the city wall was staggering, and some people were even taking a nap against the parapet.

The sentry on the arrow tower had a dazed look in his eyes and didn't even notice Chu Ning and others approaching.

"Wonderful!"

Chu Ning clapped his hands and chuckled: "Starve their bodies and confuse their minds, and the city will be broken before us."

Guan Yun clasped his fists impatiently and said, "Your Majesty, I can lead the army to charge in tonight!"

"Not urgent."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes and looked at the tall city wall, his expression calm and said: "Let the Jinyiwei light another fire, and then we can take action when we have a better chance."

After all, this is the capital of Wei State. The city walls are high, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are also 90,000 soldiers and horses in the city, so it cannot be taken lightly.

Zhao Yu heard this and could not help but advise: "The Tang army has suffered a great loss this time. If they come to aid the Wei army, our army will be attacked from both sides."

Chu Ning was about to speak when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves.

"Report!"

A horseman came galloping over, rolled off his saddle and knelt, "General Ma, urgent news! Tang scouts are already thirty miles away from Jicheng!"

Han Xing's face changed color when he heard this. "Your Majesty, if you don't make a decision, you will suffer the consequences. Our army must act quickly, otherwise, once the Tang army has learned the situation here, there is no guarantee they won't attack."

Chu Ning pondered for a moment, then a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Send the order, cut off their waterway tonight."

He pointed to the canal dam vaguely visible to the west of the city, and a cruel smile curved his lips: "I want to see if Sima Yi can still sit firmly on the throne after three days without water."

The night wind suddenly arose, sweeping sand and dust across the wilderness.

Dark clouds are slowly gathering over Jicheng.

At the same time, Sima Yi in the city also received the news.

The gilded palace door of Jicheng Palace burst open, and Sima Yi strode out with his dragon robe fluttering. The secret letter in his hand was very eye-catching under the candlelight.

He slammed the letter down on the dragon table, causing the bronze candlestick to buzz.

"Dear ladies!"

Sima Yi's laughter echoed between the beams of the palace: "Those Tang army wolves who took advantage of the situation to loot are now being bitten off by the Chu army!"

He pointed at the four large cinnabar characters on the letter: "Eight Thousand Dead", his eyes flashing with morbid excitement.

The hall suddenly exploded.

The Minister of War was the first to jump out, his goatee trembling with excitement. "Serves them right! When they seized our six northern cities, did they ever imagine what this day would bring?"

The wine stains on the cuffs of his purple robe were still dripping - it was obvious that he had been drinking a lot to drown his sorrows this morning.

"That old dog Li Ji has finally met his end!" The general of Zhenjun Army, whose face was covered with scars, pounded his armor so hard that it made a clanging sound.

He had no good feelings towards the Tang army that took advantage of the situation and hoped that they would be completely wiped out by the Chu army.

A sneer suddenly came from the ranks of civil servants.

The Dali Temple Minister stepped out of the formation with a sinister look on his face and said, "Don't forget, everyone. The Tang army will never forget their vengeance. In my opinion..."

He deliberately dragged out his tone and sneered, "We should give Li Ji a big gift!"

Sima Yi looked at the ministers who had suddenly become active and tapped his knuckles on the armrests of the dragon throne.

Three days ago, these people were as devastated as if they had lost their parents, but now they are like sharks that have smelled blood.

He deliberately sighed: "It's a pity that I don't know the strength of the Chu army. Otherwise, if I told Li Ji the number of Chu troops, perhaps the Tang army would have no scruples."

"This old minister is willing to share your majesty's worries!"

The Imperial Censor suddenly stepped forward, his bony fingers tracing an arc in the air. "The Chu army only has 20,000 light cavalry. When the Tang army hears that the Chu army has so few men, they will definitely take action!"

"Great!" Sima Yi suddenly laughed.

As he stood up, the tassels of his crown jingled, casting an eerie light and shadow on his face. "Propagate my command. From this very day forward, post proclamations throughout the city announcing the arrival of 200,000 Tang cavalrymen and their engagement with the Chu army's vanguard!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Well, if there is nothing else, my dear ministers, please leave. Prime Minister, please stay. I have something to ask you!"

After everyone left, Cheng Yu was left alone.

"Are you all ready?" Sima Yi's voice suddenly became hoarse.

Cheng Yu nodded and said solemnly, "I have already contacted them. According to the distance, it will take two days. If this is successful, the Chu army will suffer heavy losses!"

"very good!"

Sima Yi narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "I'm really looking forward to seeing Chu Ning's panicked look!"

Sima Yi looked at the darkening sky outside the hall, and saw wisps of smoke rising from the direction of the Chu army camp.

He sneered, such a scene might disappear soon.