Chapter 1490: Severing the Head

In the vast river of history, the outcome of every battle is as brilliant and fleeting as the stars, yet it profoundly influences the direction of the era. This decisive battle between Cao Wei and Shu Han was undoubtedly the most thrilling scene among them. When the Cao Wei army finally collapsed under the fierce offensive of the Shu Han army, it was not merely the result of a contest of military strength, but an inevitable product of the combined effects of various factors such as the politics, economy, and public sentiment of the two countries.

That day, war drums thundered, iron cavalry were like clouds, and soldiers from both sides engaged in a life-and-death struggle on the vast battlefield. The Shu Han army, relying on the heroic command of generals such as Zhao Yun and the fearless charges of the soldiers, was like an unstoppable torrent, impacting the carefully laid defense lines of Cao Wei. Arrows rained down, blades and spears clashed, every shout carried the longing for victory, and every charge wrote a chapter of heroism. Ultimately, Cao Wei's defense line collapsed with a roar under the tidal offensive of the Shu Han army; soldiers surrendered one after another, and generals either died on the battlefield or were captured alive. Amidst the mess, the dawn of victory illuminated the faces of the Shu Han soldiers.

When the flag of victory fluttered high on the city walls of Xu Chang, the entire battlefield boiled over. The Shu Han soldiers cheered and jumped; they knew that in this battle, they had not only won victory but also won dignity and glory. This glory was the best reward for their countless days and nights of hard training, and the highest praise for their fearlessness in the face of strong enemies and their courage to move forward. And this dignity was what they defended with blood and life, a concentrated embodiment of the unyielding and self-improving spirit of the people of Shu Han.

After the battle, Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You stood side by side on the city wall, looking at this land baptized by the flames of war, their hearts filled with complex emotions. Zhao Yun, this brave general who had experienced a hundred battles, although wearing the joy of victory on his face, could not hide the worry for the future in his eyes. He knew that this victory was only temporary, the road ahead was still long, and although Cao Wei was defeated, its foundation was not damaged, and it could make a comeback at any time. And Seeing Xun You, as the strategist of Shu Han, realized even more profoundly that to consolidate the fruits of victory, one must plan for the long term and make comprehensive preparations.

The two looked at each other and smiled; without needing to say more, their hearts were already in sync. They knew that only by walking hand in hand could they overcome the difficulties together. In the days that followed, Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You continued to work for the prosperity and stability of Shu Han. They not only strengthened the training of the army and improved combat effectiveness but also actively promoted the development of agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce, significantly enhancing the economic strength of Shu Han.

Militarily, Zhao Yun personally supervised the army, strictly trained the soldiers, focused on actual combat drills, and improved the army's adaptability and operational efficiency. He knew deeply that only by sweating more in peacetime could one bleed less in wartime. Therefore, he was meticulous in training and extremely strict with the soldiers. Under his leadership, the Shu Han army gradually became an elite force that was well-trained and powerful in combat.

Seeing Xun You fully exerted his wisdom, offering advice and suggestions for the governance of Shu Han. He knew deeply that economic development was the cornerstone of a country's prosperity. Therefore, he actively promoted agricultural reform, encouraged farmers to reclaim wasteland, and increased grain production; at the same time, he vigorously developed handicrafts and commerce, promoted the circulation of goods, and increased national fiscal revenue. Under his efforts, the economy of Shu Han gradually became prosperous, and the living standards of the people were also significantly improved.

Besides efforts in military and economic aspects, Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You also paid great attention to improving people's livelihood. They knew deeply that only by letting the common people live and work in peace and contentment could they win their support and love. Therefore, they actively implemented policies of tax and fee reduction to lighten the burden on the people; at the same time, they strengthened the rescue and support for vulnerable groups such as orphans and widows, letting them feel the warmth and care of the country.

Under their joint efforts, Shu Han gradually presented a scene of prosperity. A powerful army, a prosperous economy, and improved people's livelihood significantly enhanced the national strength of Shu Han. And Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You also won the support and love of the broad masses of the people because of this. Their deeds were passed down as good stories and became models for later generations to learn from.

After that decisive battle, although the Cao Wei army was defeated, its remnants did not completely dissipate, especially the leader of the enemy army, that general known for being both wise and brave, who was still gathering strength in the dark, intending to find an opportunity to counterattack. For Shu Han, if this force was not completely eliminated, the fruits of victory would always hang by a thread, difficult to stabilize.

Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You knew this point deeply; they decided to personally take command, lead an elite force, penetrate deep behind enemy lines, strike directly at the heart, and take the head of the enemy leader to eliminate future trouble. This operation was not only a test of military capability but also another proof of the tacit understanding and wisdom of the two.

On a dark and windy night, Zhao Yun and Seeing Xun You led carefully selected soldiers, silently crossed Cao Wei's defense line, and headed toward the secret stronghold where the enemy leader was hiding. Along the way, they encountered several small-scale attacks, but relying on precise intelligence, flexible tactics, and the heroism of the soldiers, they resolved the crises one by one and continued to close in on the target.

Finally, on a night with a bright moon and sparse stars, they arrived at the hiding place of the enemy leader—an ancient castle hidden deep in the mountains. The castle was filled with traps and guards, and wanting to sneak in silently was almost impossible. Facing such a predicament, Seeing Xun You proposed a bold plan: utilize the night and the terrain to divide the troops into two routes. One route, led by Zhao Yun, would attract the enemy's attention from the front, while the other route, led by Seeing Xun You, would secretly sneak in from the back mountain to take the enemy leader directly.

The plan was set, and the action unfolded rapidly. Zhao Yun, in silver armor and holding a long spear, was like a god of war descending to earth, leading a team of soldiers to launch a fierce attack on the front of the castle. The shadow of the spear was like a dragon, invincible. For a time, the guards in front of the castle were scattered, fire soared into the sky, and the shouts of killing were deafening. Meanwhile, Seeing Xun You took another team of soldiers, under the cover of the night, quietly circled to the back mountain of the castle, and using ropes and rock-climbing tools prepared in advance, silently climbed onto the castle wall.

Inside the castle, the enemy leader was anxiously commanding the remaining guards to resist. He never expected that the Shu Han army would find this place so quickly, and even less did he expect that Seeing Xun You had already led soldiers to sneak into his core area. When Seeing Xun You and his soldiers suddenly appeared before him, he was shocked, yet he did not lose the demeanor of a great general, quickly drawing his sword to fight. The two sides engaged in a fierce struggle.

However, even a brave general like him felt increasingly powerless under the surprise attack carefully planned by Seeing Xun You. Just at this moment, Zhao Yun broke through the encirclement from the frontal battlefield, as if entering an empty land, killing his way to the enemy leader. The two top generals of Shu Han, one a scholar and one a warrior, fought side by side on the battlefield for the first time, facing this powerful enemy together.

Zhao Yun's long spear and the enemy leader's sword light intertwined, gold and iron clashing, sparks flying. Meanwhile, Seeing Xun You assisted from the side with wisdom, issuing orders from time to time, commanding the soldiers to surround and attack the enemy, dispersing his attention. After a fierce battle, the enemy leader finally exhausted his strength and was pierced in a vital spot by Zhao Yun's spear, falling into a pool of blood.

With the death of the enemy leader, the guards inside the castle also lost the will to resist and surrendered one after another. The Shu Han soldiers cheered for victory, holding the head of the enemy leader high as the greatest result of this operation. This battle not only completely eliminated the remnants of Cao Wei but also highlighted the heroism and wisdom of the Shu Han soldiers, bringing long-lasting peace to the border of Shu Han. ===== CHAPTER 1491 =====