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

The night wind howled, blowing the torches in the Han army camp. The flickering light and shadows reflected the tired and solemn faces of the soldiers.

The shadow of the defeat in the daytime naval battle hung over the entire military camp. The patrolling soldiers walked with heavy steps and even spoke in very low voices, as if they were afraid of disturbing something.

The central army tent was brightly lit with candles.

Zhou Yu knelt on one knee, the dust on his armor had not yet been wiped off, and the sweat on his forehead slid down his tense cheeks.

He lowered his head, his voice low and hoarse: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and failed to capture the Chu army's water stronghold. Please punish me!"

He was confident in today's battle, but he didn't expect that he still underestimated the power of the Chu army's warships.

He missed such a good opportunity in the end.

The tent was completely silent, with only the faint sound of burning candles.

Liu Che sat behind the desk. The middle-aged emperor had a stern face and his eyes were as sharp as a knife.

He did not speak immediately, but slowly stroked the battle report on the table, his fingertips tapping lightly on the paper, making a slight "tapping" sound.

After a long while, he said coldly: "This matter has nothing to do with you."

Zhou Yu suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He knew the character of the emperor in front of him very well. If he didn't beat him, he would be scolded even if he was not punished.

But now, the emperor doesn't blame him?

Surprised, Liu Che stood up and walked to the water battle map hanging in the tent. He tapped the location of the Chu army's water camp with his finger:

"The Chu army's Fu ships and turtle ships are indeed difficult to deal with. Although our army has many warships, it is difficult to break their defenses."

He turned around, a cold glint in his eyes: "But I have been prepared."

Zhou Yu's breathing stagnated, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes.

"Our craftsmen have been working day and night to build the Fuzhou boats."

Liu Che raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a cold smile: "In another month, the five blessed ships will be able to be launched."

"Five?!"

Zhou Yu's pupils shrank, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement: "The Chu army only has three Fu ships here. If our army had five, we would be able to defeat them in one fell swoop!"

Today's defeat was entirely due to the fact that the Chu army's Fu ships were too large, making it impossible for their warships to break through.

And now, their Han Dynasty is about to have five Fu ships!

Liu Che nodded slightly: "So, in the next month, you don't have to rush into battle."

He walked back to the desk and tapped his fingertips on the surface. "Intensify the training of the navy and select the best to operate the Fu ships. Once the warships are completed, I want you to fight and decide the outcome!"

Zhou Yu took a deep breath and clasped his fists firmly: "I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust!"

Liu Che then raised his hand, motioning him to stand up: "How much did our army lose in this battle?"

Zhou Yu's expression darkened. "Your Majesty, we lost 27 warships and 2,300 soldiers."

Liu Che was silent for a moment, a flash of pain in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold and hard look: "Collect their bodies and bury them with honor."

"Yes!" Zhou Yu responded solemnly, then turned around and strode away.

Outside the tent, the night wind is even colder.

Zhou Yu stood in front of the tent, looked up at the dark night sky, and exhaled deeply.

Deputy General Cheng Dang came forward quickly and whispered, "General, does His Majesty have any punishment?"

Zhou Yu shook his head, his eyes lit up with fighting spirit. "Pass the order down. The entire army will intensify training tomorrow, especially the elite troops who are good at swimming. All of them will be concentrated in training!"

"One month from now, we will make the Chu army pay for their blood debt with blood!"

For the next two days, the Han army's water fort was bustling with activity.

The sound of war drums, commands, and the shouts of soldiers intertwined together, shaking the sky.

On the river bank, hundreds of soldiers with excellent swimming skills are undergoing special training.

With their upper bodies bare, they repeatedly practiced climbing and swimming in the icy water, and even simulated fighting on a shaking warship.

Zhou Yu personally supervised the operation, his eyes as sharp as a hawk. If anyone was slow to act, he would sternly rebuke them:

"Faster! If you're a step slower on the battlefield, you'll die!"

One warship after another was towed back to the dock for urgent repairs. The craftsmen worked day and night, and the sound of clanging and hammering could be heard incessantly.

On the naval training ground, archers lined up and fired in unison, the rain of arrows covered the sky, swordsmen and shieldmen practiced close combat, and the shouts of killing were deafening.

Deputy General Cheng Dang stood beside Zhou Yu and whispered, "General, the Chu army has been silent for the past two days. Could this be a scam?"

Zhou Yu sneered: "Ran Ming, that bald and reckless man, is probably just waiting for us to die again."

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the faintly visible Chu army flag on the south bank: "However, he will soon find out what awaits them."

He is full of confidence for the decisive battle in a month!

At this time, on the south bank, on the Chu army's observation tower.

Ran Ming stroked his shiny bald head, his face filled with impatience: "Damn it, why haven't the Han army attacked yet?"

Zhou Tai on the side smiled bitterly: "General, our army's morale is not high to begin with. If the Han army does not attack, it will be a good thing for us."

"fart!"

Ran Ming slapped the railing, making it vibrate. "I'm just waiting for them to attack so I can take advantage of the opportunity to kill them! Standing here now is no different from being a coward."

Zhou Tai shook his head helplessly: "But our army's water stronghold is solid. The Han army will only suffer heavy casualties if they attack violently. They won't be so stupid."

Ran Ming scratched his head irritably and spat, "This is so fucking boring!"

He turned and strode away, his armor rustling. "Pass the order down. Keep an eye on the Han army's movements. Report any unusual movements immediately!"

Zhou Tai looked at his back, sighed, and turned to look at the north bank.

As the river breeze blew by, he could faintly hear the shouts of the Han army training, and a sense of unease inexplicably arose in his heart.

At the same time, on the same day, on the official road heading to the State of Chu, a solemn cavalry team slowly moved forward.

In the center of the team, a pitch-black coffin was being escorted closely. The coffin was covered with the flag of King Zhao of Chu, which fluttered in the wind.

The cavalrymen looked solemn and no one spoke. Only the dull sound of horse hooves echoed on the official road.

Suddenly, a fast horse came galloping over, and the silver-armored general on the horse shouted loudly: "Your Majesty! An urgent report from the Jinyiwei!"

At the front of the team, Chu Ning reined in his horse and looked back with cold eyes.

The person who came was Zhao Yu. He dismounted, knelt on one knee, and presented a secret letter with both hands:

"Battle report from General Ran Ming!"

Chu Ning took the letter and quickly scanned it, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "As expected, the Han army has taken action."

He snorted coldly, and with his five fingers, the letter was instantly crumpled. "But, with just their shabby ships, are they worthy of shaking our Great Chu navy?"

Zhao Yu said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, do you want to reinforce General Ran?"

Chu Ning's eyes were cold: "No need."

He looked up into the distance and said in a cold voice, "After my brother's funeral is over, I will go to meet the Han army in person."

He waved his hand fiercely: "Send the order, speed up the march, we must reach Kyoto within five days!"

"Yes!"

The team set off again, the sound of horse hooves was like thunder, raising a cloud of dust.

Chu Ning was riding on a horse, with murderous intent in his eyes.

This battle has just begun.