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

At the same time that Li Shiming received the news, Liu Che also received the news.

At this moment, Liu Che was leading 10,000 soldiers and horses to Suiyang, and had already set up camp to rest.

In the Han army camp, Liu Che was angrily overturning the table in front of him.

He had just received a secret report that his queen had fallen into Chu Ning's hands.

"Chu Ning!" He growled through gnashing teeth, "I will tear you into pieces!"

The generals in the tent looked at each other in bewilderment; no one dared to offend the emperor at this time.

Only the veteran general bravely stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to rescue the Queen. Chu Ning is a sinister and cunning man. I am worried..."

Liu Che turned around abruptly, his eyes bloodshot. "What are you worried about? Tell me!"

Wang Jian lowered his head and said, "I am worried that Chu Ning will use the Empress as a threat to force Your Majesty to withdraw his troops."

Liu Che's fists were clenched so tightly that they made a creaking sound.

Doesn't he understand this truth?

But Dugu Jia was not only his queen, but also his childhood sweetheart.

For him to watch her fall into the hands of the enemy and do nothing would be more painful than killing him.

"Pass the order down," Liu Che finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "All troops, prepare for battle. Set out tomorrow and take Jicheng!"

The king's generals were shocked: "Your Majesty, please think twice! This might be Chu Ning's trick to lure the enemy!"

"Let's reunite with the Protector of the Country first!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the walls of Jicheng are too high for us to take it."

"Going to Jicheng now is undoubtedly like hitting a rock with an egg!"

"Shut up!" Liu Che shouted angrily, "I have made up my mind! Anyone who dares to dissuade me will be punished by military law!"

Seeing this, the generals had no choice but to accept the order and leave.

The young general Huo Guang walked at the end and looked back at the emperor who was standing alone in the tent, his eyes full of worry.

He knew that a war that would change the situation of the Three Kingdoms was about to break out because of a woman.

When he turned and walked out of the imperial tent, fine beads of cold sweat had already seeped out of his forehead.

The night wind blew past, blowing away the chill on his back, but it could not blow away the worries in his heart.

Attacking Jicheng is tantamount to seeking death!

The walls of Jicheng are high and the defenders are elite, and the main forces of the Chu army are eyeing them covetously on the east and west sides.

Once the Han army's siege of the city is blocked, the Chu army will surely surround it. By then, not to mention rescuing the queen, even Emperor Liu Che himself will be unable to escape!

Huo Guang clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

Your Majesty is crazy.

This usually calm emperor completely lost his mind after learning that Queen Dugu Jia had been captured.

He no longer considered strategy or weighed the pros and cons. He just wanted to fight to the death and exchange Jicheng for the queen.

But war is no joke!

Huo Guang took a deep breath and glanced at the Han army soldiers who were organizing their troops.

Most of these soldiers had followed him in battle for many years, and he couldn't bear to watch them die.

Liu Che must be stopped!

He walked calmly towards the tents of several generals.

Half an hour later, he entered the lieutenant's tent.

The flickering candlelight illuminated several solemn faces.

"General Huo, are you saying... that we are going to disobey the imperial order?" A lieutenant general lowered his voice, his eyes full of horror.

Huo Guang said coldly, "This isn't disobedience, this is rescue! Your Majesty is being controlled by his emotions. If he really follows his plan, the Han army will be annihilated!"

Another general gritted his teeth and said, "But if His Majesty investigates later..."

"Hold the line?" Huo Guang sneered. "If we do nothing, everyone will die in Jicheng! Then, who will protect His Majesty? Who will save the Queen?"

Everyone was silent.

Finally, an elderly general slammed the table and said, "Let's do it! At worst, I can die later to atone for my sins, but I cannot watch Your Majesty commit suicide!"

Huo Guang nodded, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes: "Okay, proceed according to the plan."

The next morning, the Han army set out.

The camp was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere before dawn.

The sound of horns ripped through the silence, and torches flickered among the tents like stars.

The soldiers quickly dismantled the tents, and the sounds of armor clashing, horses' hooves stamping on the ground, and the generals' shouts of orders blended into one.

The baggage soldiers pushed the baggage carts loaded with food and fodder, and the wheels rolled over the muddy ground, leaving deep ruts.

The warhorse neighed as it was led out of the stable by the cavalry. Its iron hooves pawed the ground restlessly, as if it had also smelled the scent of the coming battle.

Huo Guang stood in front of the central military tent, his eyes sweeping over the troops ready to go.

He raised his hand and waved, and the messenger immediately waved the command flag, and the generals of various departments responded one after another.

The vanguard battalion set out first, with armored troops pouring out of the camp gate like a tide. The central army followed closely behind, with flags fluttering and swords and spears like a forest. The rear army was responsible for covering the rear, scanning the surroundings vigilantly to guard against possible ambushes.

Liu Che put on his armor and mounted his horse, his face as gloomy as iron.

He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes fixed on the direction of Jicheng, as if he could penetrate the morning mist and see the city wall where a bloody battle was destined to take place.

Huo Guang retracted his gaze and whispered, "Pass the order, the entire army will march according to the plan."

The wind blew the battle flags, and the Han army was like a silent black dragon, winding towards an unknown fate.

Liu Che was dressed in military uniform, standing in front of the army on horseback, looking towards Jicheng with a gloomy look.

He had only one thought in his mind: capture Jicheng and get the queen back!

However, at this moment, Huo Guang and several generals suddenly rode up on horseback, clasped their fists and saluted:

"Your Majesty, I and others have a plan that may reduce our casualties and successfully capture Jicheng!"

Liu Che frowned, but thinking that it would be better if the losses could be reduced, he nodded and said:

"speak."

Huo Guang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please move aside and allow me to report in detail."

Liu Che had no suspicion and rode his horse to the side with the others.

But as soon as he stopped, he realized something was wrong - several generals had surrounded him, and the soldiers in the distance began to mobilize. The army that was originally heading towards Jicheng had turned to another route!

"You..." Liu Che's pupils shrank, and he suddenly drew his sword: "Huo Guang! Do you want to rebel?"

Huo Guang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry! We can't let you take any risks!"

"Come!" he ordered, "Escort His Majesty to evacuate!"

Several generals attacked at the same time and subdued Liu Che in an instant.

Liu Che was furious, struggling and roaring, "How dare you! You are plotting treason! I will kill all your clans!"

Huo Guang's expression remained unchanged, his voice low and firm: "Even if Your Majesty wants to execute my entire clan, I will take you away today!"

He turned to the messenger and shouted, "Order the entire army to change course to Suiyang and meet up with the Duke of Protectorate!"

Liu Che's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Huo Guang! How dare you disobey my order? Let me go! I order you to attack Jicheng immediately!"

Huo Guang did not answer, but said solemnly to his attendants: "Protect His Majesty, there must be no mistakes!"

Liu Che was forcibly taken away from the battlefield, and the Han army, under the command of Huo Guang, quickly turned towards Suiyang.

In the distance, the outline of Jicheng gradually disappeared in the morning mist.

Huo Guang stared into the distance, muttering to himself, "Empress, I can only save Your Majesty first... I can only find another way to ensure your safety."

He knew that what he did today was a heinous act.

But he knew even more clearly that if Liu Che was allowed to act on his own, the Han Dynasty would perish!