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

The morning light broke through the clouds, the early sun was as red as blood, and a strange red light was radiating on the surface of the vast Yangtze River.

The tragic scene after the fierce battle between the Han and Chu armies was shocking. Countless broken warship fragments floated on the river, and broken masts and torn flags drifted with the waves.

The river water was dyed dark red by the blood, and it looked even more desolate under the setting sun.

Many bodies were half-submerged and half-floating, some were washed ashore by the river, and some sank to the bottom of the river forever.

The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, attracting flocks of crows to circle low in the sky, making creepy cries.

In the Han army's water camp, the atmosphere was depressing.

Because the naval commander Zhou Yu falsely reported military intelligence before the war, falsely claiming that the five newly built Fu ships had been completed, in fact only two could be put into battle.

When the news of the defeat came back, Emperor Liu Che of Han was furious and immediately ordered Zhou Yu to be dismissed and investigated.

What made the Han army's morale even lower was that Liu Che had already issued a death order.

The entire army went into defense, and no one was allowed to go into battle without his personal written order.

On the Chu army side, Commander Ran Ming was standing on a high place on the shore, his burly body casting a long shadow in the morning sun.

Ran Ming touched his iconic bald head, frowned, and ordered: "Zhou Tai, take people to salvage the bodies of the brothers and bury them properly."

At the same time, he also ordered his subordinates to step up preparations to welcome the incoming Emperor Chu Ning.

At the end of September, the autumn wind gradually rose on the Yangtze River, bringing a hint of coolness.

Ran Ming stood on the shore, looking at the corpses of the Chu army being transported back, his face as gloomy as water.

Although the battle successfully repelled the Han army's attack, the Chu army also paid a heavy price.

What caused all this were the two newly built Fu ships of the Han army.

Thinking of this, Ran Ming couldn't help but feel relieved: Fortunately, the other three ships were just empty shells, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.

Just as he was lost in thought, Deputy General Zhou Tai came quickly and knelt on one knee to report: "General, the losses in this battle have been counted. Our army has lost a total of 1,136 soldiers, 328 seriously injured, and over 500 slightly injured."

Upon hearing this, Ran Ming slammed the railing beside him, causing wood chips to fly everywhere.

He gnashed his teeth and said, "Good Han army! I will remember this blood debt! When we defeat the enemy, we will make the Han navy pay for it with blood!"

Just then, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from afar.

A scout galloped over, stopped his horse in front of Ran Ming, and reported with a fist clasped, "General, His Majesty's carriage is thirty miles away and will arrive in about half an hour!"

Ran Ming was stunned when he heard this. He touched his bald head and asked in surprise, "Huh? Didn't they say it would take three days to arrive? How come it's so soon?"

The scout quickly explained, "General, His Majesty did not rest, but traveled day and night, hardly taking any rest along the way."

A touch of emotion flashed across Ran Ming's eyes, and then he revealed a ferocious smile: "Alright! Pass the order down, cut off all the heads of the Han army, and build a Jingguan at the camp gate to give His Majesty a surprise!"

Zhou Tai was shocked when he heard this and quickly advised, "General, please think twice! Using a Jingguan to welcome the emperor is... this is against etiquette!"

Ran Ming waved his hand nonchalantly: "What are you afraid of? His Majesty appreciates military achievements the most!"

"Besides, the death of King Zhao in battle has not yet been avenged, so it would be nice to show His Majesty our might!"

Zhou Tai wanted to persuade him, but Ran Ming interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Alright, follow the order!"

"Yes!"

Zhou Tai smiled bitterly and finally ordered to cut off the heads of the Han army and make them into memorials.

Half an hour later, two Jingguans made of thousands of Han army heads stood on both sides of the water fort's gate.

Each Jingguan is more than ten feet high and looks ferocious and terrifying.

Ran Ming led all the generals to line up in an orderly manner, waiting for the emperor's arrival.

In the distance, dust was flying and a group of cavalry on white horses were galloping towards them.

The leader was wearing silver armor and a golden crown. He was none other than the Great Chu Emperor, Chu Ning.

Chu Ning reined in his horse and stopped in front of the Jingguan, his sharp eyes sweeping over the two terrifying "trophies".

He raised the corner of his mouth slightly and asked, "Ran Aiqing, what do you mean?"

Ran Ming stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, last night the Han army ambushed ours, but I routed them and they fled!"

"They claim to have five Fu ships, but in reality, only two are combat-ready. This shows the Han army is at the end of its rope!"

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. "Oh? There's such a thing. It seems Liu Che has pushed his men so far that they have no choice but to resort to this tactic."

"However, if this happens, the Han Dynasty navy commander Zhou Yu will probably be in trouble."

At this moment, a captain of the Jinyiwei quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee and reported: "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei just received a secret report."

"Han Emperor Liu Che has imprisoned Zhou Yu and is questioning him. The entire Zhou family has been implicated. It is said that Zhou Yu will be escorted back to the capital and executed along with his family members."

Chu Ning's eyes flashed, and he immediately said in a deep voice: "This is a God-given opportunity! Pass on my order, the entire army is to prepare for battle immediately, and launch a general attack at dawn tomorrow!"

Ran Ming and Zhou Tai were both shocked when they heard this.

Ran Ming hesitated and said, "Your Majesty has been exhausted from the journey. It would be better to rest for two days before fighting again."

Zhou Tai also echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, although the Han army has just been defeated, the commander has been executed, and the morale of the army is low, but they have two Fu ships..."

"No need to say more!"

Chu Ning interrupted them categorically: "The opportunity for battle is fleeting! I must strike with all my might and directly attack the Han army's water stronghold!"

He turned and shouted to the white horse cavalry behind him, "Order the three armies, reward the soldiers tonight, and at dawn tomorrow, follow me to crush the Han camp!"

At the same time, in the Han army water camp on the north bank.

Emperor Liu Che of Han sat upright in the commander's tent, his brows furrowed, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

The howling of the wind outside the tent, mixed with the sound of the river lapping against the shore in the distance, added a sense of solemnity.

Deputy General Zhang Wei walked in quickly, knelt on one knee, and reported with a fist: "Your Majesty, the scouts report that Chu Ning has personally arrived at the Chu army's water camp. The Chu army's morale is greatly boosted, and they are stepping up their preparations for battle!"

When Liu Che heard this, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and then he sneered: "Chu Ning came quickly."

He slowly stood up, pacing with his hands behind his back, and pondered, "Our army has just been defeated, our navy has been decimated, and Zhou Yu has been apprehended for deception. If we rashly go into battle at this moment, we will undoubtedly be defeated."

Zhang Wei looked up and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the Chu army is coming with great force. If we don't meet them head-on, they'll seize the opportunity to launch a strong attack!"

Liu Che raised his hand to stop him, saying in a cold voice, "The Chu army has come from afar, and it is not easy to transport their food and supplies. My water fort is strong and easy to defend but difficult to attack."

"Pass on my order. The entire army is strictly guarding the water fort and is not allowed to engage in battle. First, we must deplete the Chu army's morale and food supplies!"

Zhang Wei hesitated and said, "But if the Chu army harasses us day and night..."

Liu Che's eyes sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Then let them come! I want to see how much patience Chu Ning has!"

He turned and looked out at the pitch-black night outside the tent, and said slowly, "When the Chu army's siege is prolonged and their food and fodder are exhausted, and their morale is shaken, that will be the day for me to strike back!"

Seeing this, Zhang Wei didn't dare to say anything more. He could only clasp his fists and say, "As you command!"

Liu Che nodded slightly, a cold look flashing in his eyes: "Chu Ning, you want a quick victory? I will make sure you can't move an inch!"