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

The sky gradually brightened and the morning light appeared. At the east gate of Jicheng, the Chu army's flags were flying high and the city walls were filled with armored soldiers holding sharp weapons.

Han Xing, wearing black armor and holding a sharp sword, was standing on the city wall overlooking the battle situation in the city.

On the streets, the Chu army's infantry advanced in formation, fighting with the remnants of the Wei army who were fighting stubbornly. The sounds of shouting and swords clashing were endless.

Suddenly, there was a burst of hurried horse hoofbeats outside the city.

"Report——!"

A scout rushed up to the city wall and knelt on one knee. "General, there are remnants of the Wei army approaching the city. There are about three thousand of them. The leader claims to be the Wei Prime Minister Cheng Yu and says he's here to surrender!"

Han Xing raised his eyebrows, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Cheng Yu? The Prime Minister of Wei?"

He had seen this important Wei official from afar on the battlefield outside the city. He had the impression that this man was extremely cunning and was Sima Yi's right-hand man.

Now that Jicheng is about to fall, will he surrender voluntarily?

"Pass the order, all troops on alert!" Han Xing said in a deep voice, "I will go meet him in person!"

He strode down the city wall, mounted his horse, and led three hundred elite cavalry out of the city to meet the enemy.

Outside the city, the remnants of the Wei army led by Cheng Yu had stopped, holding up white cloth to signal surrender.

The Chu army archers drew their bows and aimed the arrows with cold gleaming light at them. As long as the order was given, thousands of arrows would be fired at once.

Cheng Yu remained calm and said loudly, "Wei State Prime Minister Cheng Yu requests an audience with General Han Xing!"

The Chu army general shouted coldly, "Stop! If you dare to come any closer, I will kill you without mercy!"

Cheng Yu raised his hand to signal the soldiers behind him to stop, and said loudly: "We no longer have the will to fight, we only want to survive! Please inform the general!"

The lieutenant hesitated for a moment, but finally sent someone on horseback back to the city to report.

Soon, the city gate opened wide, and Han Xing led the cavalry out and stopped ten feet away from Cheng Yu.

"Prime Minister Cheng, long time no see." Han Xing looked Cheng Yu up and down with sharp eyes.

Cheng Yu dismounted and saluted: "General Han, I surrender today. I hope you will accept me."

Han Xing sneered: "Why would you, the Prime Minister of Wei, surrender?"

Han Xing was confused about surrendering at this point.

If they wanted to surrender, they should have done so long ago. Now that the city has been captured, why are they surrendering now?

Could there be fraud in this?

Or is Cheng Yu’s surrender this time sincere?

Cheng Yu saw the distrust in Han Xing's words, and a gloomy look flashed across his face.

If possible, he would rather die in battle than surrender.

But now, he has been abandoned by Sima Yi. What else can he do except surrender?

As the Prime Minister of Wei State, his entire family is here. How could he surrender if he was not forced to do so?

Thinking of this, Cheng Yu sighed, a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes, and he said slowly:

"If a man is abandoned by his sovereign, there is no need for him to be loyal any longer."

Han Xing narrowed his eyes, becoming interested. "Oh? Sima Yi abandoned you?"

Cheng Yu sneered, "He asked me to lead the army to break out from the north of the city to attract the main force of the Chu army, but he himself planned to escape through the secret passage."

"Not only that, he also held my family hostage and forced me to die."

Han Xing was moved when he heard this.

If what Cheng Yu said is true, then Sima Yi must still be in the city at this moment!

This battle will be perfect only if Sima Yi is captured!

Therefore, Sima Yi’s whereabouts are of vital importance!

"Prime Minister Cheng, since you have come to surrender, do you have any sincerity?" Han Xing asked tentatively.

Cheng Yu said in a deep voice, "I know Sima Yi's escape plan. If the general can save our lives, I will tell him everything."

Han Xing laughed heartily: "Great! You are the Prime Minister of Wei, a rare talent. I will not kill you!"

He raised his hand and waved, and the Chu army archers put down their bows and arrows one after another.

Cheng Yu felt a little relieved upon seeing this, and then whispered, "Sima Yi is making a feint to the east and attacking in the west. On the surface, he's asking me to break out from the north of the city to lure out the Chu army, but in reality, he's already changed into civilian clothes and is preparing to leave the city among the people."

Han Xing's eyes flashed: "Which city gate does he plan to leave from?"

Cheng Yu shook his head. "I don't know the details, but he will most likely choose the south of the city—it's the farthest from the palace, so you'll definitely be a little lax, and there are many people there, making it easy to hide."

Han Xing acted decisively, shouting, "Come! Report to His Majesty immediately! Tell him that Sima Yi is attempting to escape disguised as a civilian. Request that His Majesty dispatch elite troops to blockade the south of the city!"

At the same time, deep inside the palace.

Sima Yi had changed into a coarse linen shirt and his face was covered with dust, looking no different from an ordinary citizen.

His son Sima Zhao was also wearing shabby clothes, but he couldn't help but frown and said, "Father, the smell of these clothes..."

Sima Yi glanced at him coldly: "Shut up! Now is not the time to be picky!"

Sima Zhao didn't dare to say anything more and had to endure the discomfort.

After all, this is an escape, and he doesn't care about his identity as a prince now. Only if he leaves alive can he be a prince.

If he died here, he would be nothing.

Sima Yi whispered, "Don't worry, with Zhao Feng watching over him, Cheng Yu won't be able to escape from my grasp."

"When the time is right, Zhao Feng will deliberately reveal his whereabouts, making the Chu army think that I am breaking out from the north of the city."

"The main force of the Chu army will surely pursue us, and the defenses inside the city will be lax. Our people will drive the civilians out of the city, and we can blend in with them and leave without anyone noticing!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch came running over in a panic, kneeling down to report: "Your Majesty! The east and west sides of the city have been completely controlled by the Chu army, and the Chu army in the north is fighting fiercely with our army!"

A hint of coldness flashed in Sima Yi's eyes: "It seems that the next step of the Chu army will definitely be to attack the imperial palace!"

He made a prompt decision: "Order the Imperial Guards to defend the palace to the death and hold off the Chu army! I will leave immediately through the secret passage!"

Half an hour later, Sima Yi, the Queen, Sima Zhao, and three hundred elite guards quietly appeared in the cellar of a private house in the south of the city.

"What's the situation outside?" Sima Yi asked in a low voice.

A guard hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, a large number of people have gathered on the streets south of the city and are being driven towards the city gate by the Chu army."

Sima Yi curled his lips into a cold smile: "Very good, proceed according to the plan!"

He waved his hand, and everyone changed into more worn clothes, smeared dust on their faces, and mixed in with the crowd of people.

On the streets, cries and pleas were heard one after another.

The Chu soldiers held spears and shouted at the people to move forward.

Sima Yi lowered his head, pulled Sima Zhao, and slowly followed the crowd.

At the city gate, Chu soldiers were conducting strict inspections, and everyone leaving the city would be carefully checked.

Sima Yi's heart beat faster, but his face remained calm.

He believed that his plan was flawless and the Chu army would never be able to discover him!

However, just as he was about to approach the city gate, the sound of hurried horse hooves suddenly came from the distance.

"Report! General Han has issued an order! Seal all city gates and prohibit anyone from leaving the city!"

Sima Yi's pupils suddenly contracted!

Why did the Chu army close the city gates at this moment?