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

When Liu Che led Huo Quji and a team of elite imperial guards to the granary, the scene before them was completely out of control.

A raging fire shot up into the sky, the flames licking the wooden granary frantically, and thick smoke billowed, covering the sky and the moon.

The scorching air wave hit me in the face, and even if I stood dozens of steps away, I could still feel the scorching heat.

The Han soldiers around the granary were desperately trying to fetch water to put out the fire, but the fire was too big and the water evaporated the moment it was poured on, turning into a wisp of white smoke and dissipating in the night sky.

"Waste! A bunch of waste!" Liu Che shouted angrily, with anger in his eyes almost bursting out.

He suddenly drew the sword from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the firelight: "What's the point of me keeping you? You can't even guard a granary!"

Seeing this, Huo Quji hurried forward and advised: "Your Majesty, now is not the time to assign blame. The most urgent task is to save the grain!"

Liu Che took a deep breath, suppressed his rage, and said in a cold voice, "Order everyone, stop putting out the fire and focus on transporting food! Save as much as you can!"

Huo Quji received the order and immediately turned around and shouted, "Everyone listen! Give up fighting the fire and move the grain bags immediately!"

The soldiers dropped their buckets and rushed towards the grain piles that had not yet been engulfed by the flames.

They braved the thick smoke and high temperatures, dragging the food out bag by bag.

But the fire spread too quickly. Many soldiers rushed in and were choked by the thick smoke, causing them to cough violently. Some were even hit by collapsed beams and died on the spot.

Liu Che stood in the distance, watching all this coldly, his fists clenched so hard that they made a creaking sound.

"Chu Ning..." He gritted his teeth and whispered, "You want to force me to fight you to the death!"

Outside the city, the Chu army camp.

Chu Ning stood on a high platform, looking at the flames rising into the sky in Suiyang City from afar, with a sneer on his face.

"It seems that the Jinyiwei succeeded." He said lightly.

Han Xing beside him laughed heartily: "With such a raging fire, even a god wouldn't be able to save Liu Che!"

Guan Yun clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, shall our army continue to attack the city?"

Chu Ning shook his head slightly, his eyes deep: "No need, our goal tonight has been achieved, and further attacks will only lead to more casualties."

He turned to look at Su Tingmei. The strategist was gently waving a feather fan with a calm expression.

"Lord Su, in your opinion, how will Liu Che respond next?"

Su Tingmei smiled faintly: "With the food supplies destroyed, the army will be in chaos. If Liu Che doesn't want to sit and wait for death, he has only two options - either fight to the death to break through, or..."

"Or ask for peace from His Majesty." Han Xing took over the conversation, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Chu Ning laughed heartily: "Okay! Then I'll wait for him to come and beg me!"

He waved his hand and said, "Send the order, sound the retreat!"

“Ding-ding-ding-ding—”

The clear sound of the horn echoed in the night sky, and the Chu army that was still attacking the city retreated like a tide.

The Han soldiers on the city wall looked at each other, not understanding why the Chu army suddenly withdrew.

The fire continued to burn until the hour of Chou, when it subsided slightly.

Huo Quji, covered in smoke and dust, quickly walked over to Liu Che and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, the fire is too big. The remaining food can no longer be rescued!"

Liu Che's eyes were cold: "How long will the food we looted last?"

Huo Quji was silent for a moment, and finally replied in a deep voice: "Only enough... seven days."

"Seven days?" Liu Che's pupils shrank, and his voice suddenly rose: "One hundred and one hundred thousand troops, only enough for seven days?"

Huo Quji lowered his head and said nothing.

Liu Che's chest heaved violently, and murderous intent surged in his eyes.

He knew that Chu Ning's move had completely strangled his lifeline!

Without food, the army will be in chaos!

Without food, Suiyang City will be destroyed!

He took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress the anger in his heart, and said in a cold voice: "Pass on my order, I want to meet Chu Ning outside the city at noon tomorrow!"

Huo Quji suddenly looked up: "Your Majesty, are you going in person?"

Liu Che sneered: "Why, is the Duke of Huguo afraid that I will be detained by Chu Ning?"

Huo Quji quickly said: "I dare not! But..."

"No, but!" Liu Che waved his hand and interrupted him: "I want to see what Chu Ning wants!"

At the same time, the Chu army camp was brightly lit.

Chu Ning sat in the main seat, with Han Xing, Guan Yun, Zhao Yu, Su Tingmei and others sitting on both sides. The table was filled with fine wine and delicious food.

"My dear ministers, we have won a great victory tonight, and everything will be made clear!" Chu Ning raised his glass and laughed.

All the generals stood up and said in unison: "Your Majesty!"

Su Tingmei took a sip of wine and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, if my prediction is correct, Liu Che must be unable to sit still right now."

Han Xing chuckled and said, "If he knew what was good for him, he would have sent someone to sue for peace tonight!"

A hint of amusement flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "No hurry, I want to see how long this Han Emperor can hold on!"

The night wind blew, and outside the tent, Suiyang City, illuminated by the fire, looked like an isolated island about to collapse.

It was a dark night, the Chu army camp was brightly lit, and amidst the clinking of glasses, the generals were immersed in the joy of victory in burning down the Han army's granary.

When they were half drunk, they suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps outside the tent.

"Report!" A personal guard walked in quickly and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, there is a Han army envoy outside the camp requesting to see you!"

The laughter in the tent stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes turned to Chu Ning.

Chu Ning raised the corners of his lips slightly, tapping the wine glass lightly with his fingertips, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes: "Oh? Liu Che's people?"

Han Xing grinned: "It seems that the Han Emperor can no longer sit still."

Su Tingmei gently waved her feather fan, smiling without saying a word.

Chu Ning raised his hand and gestured: "Bring him in."

Soon, an envoy dressed in Han army armor walked into the tent escorted by Chu army soldiers.

He looked solemn and his eyes were steady. Even though he was in the enemy camp, he still stood straight and acted neither humble nor arrogant.

Chu Ning looked at him with interest and said slowly, "What did Liu Che send you here for?"

The Han envoy bowed slightly and said in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty invites the Emperor of Chu to meet with you outside Suiyang City at noon tomorrow."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals in the tent burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Liu Che can't hold on any longer?" Han Xing slammed the table and laughed.

Guan Yun sneered: "The food and grass have been burned, and the army's morale is low. What else can he do except bow his head?"

Chu Ning raised his hand to silence the generals' clamor, and stared at the Han envoy with a playful look: "It seems that you are going to ask for peace from His Majesty?"

The Han envoy's expression remained unchanged as he said coldly, "Whether or not he is seeking peace, His Majesty the Emperor of Chu will know tomorrow when he goes there."

Chu Ning's eyes flashed when he heard this, and then he laughed out loud: "Good! You are so brave!"

He stood up suddenly and waved his sleeves: "Go back and tell Liu Che that I will be there on time at noon tomorrow!"

The Han envoy nodded slightly, turned around and strode away.

After his figure disappeared outside the tent, Chu Ning returned to the main seat, picked up the wine glass and drank it all, with a gleam of confidence in his victory in his eyes:

"Tomorrow, I want to see what tricks Liu Che can come up with!"

Han Xing grinned and said, "Your Majesty, if Liu Che bows his head tomorrow, shouldn't we take the opportunity to ask for more benefits?"

Su Tingmei gently waved her feather fan and said leisurely, "The Han Emperor is stubborn and self-willed. He may not yield easily. Your Majesty needs to make more preparations."

Chu Ning sneered: "No problem, I want to see how long he can keep his stubborn attitude!"

The night wind blew by, and outside the tent, the firelight flickered, reflecting Chu Ning's deep and cold face.

Tomorrow's meeting will determine the final outcome of this war!