Chapter 1521: Heavy losses

After receiving Liu Chan's decree, Jiang Wei immediately organized his troops and horses, swearing an oath before the expedition. He knew deeply that this battle was not only about the survival of Shu Han, but also a major test of his personal ability and loyalty. During the march, Jiang Wei constantly pondered how to utilize Shu Han's complex terrain to wear down the sharpness of the Cao Wei army one by one. He dispatched scouts in all directions to investigate the enemy situation, while simultaneously paying close attention to the dynamics of the domestic rear, ensuring that grain, fodder, and supplies were continuously transported to the front line to prepare for a protracted war.

Upon arriving at the front line, Jiang Wei first inspected the various passes and personally deployed the defensive lines. He chose several locations with dangerous terrain, such as Jian Ge and the Yinping Trail, and stationed heavy troops to guard them, forming a series of impregnable barriers. At the same time, he ordered men to build fortifications, reinforce city walls, dig trenches, and set traps, striving to make the Cao Wei army pay a heavy price for every step they took forward.

In terms of strategic deployment, Jiang Wei adopted flexible and varied tactics. He did not blindly hold his ground; instead, according to the changes in the battlefield situation, he timely dispatched small units to harass the enemy, disrupting their offensive rhythm. Whenever the Cao Wei army gathered its forces in preparation for an offensive, Jiang Wei would utilize the advantage of the terrain to rapidly mobilize his troops, splitting and surrounding the enemy to defeat them one by one. This tactic of "using movement to control stillness, and using the unorthodox to defeat the orthodox" left the Cao Wei army exhausted and unable to form an effective offensive.

However, Cao Wei was, after all, a land with many troops and generals, possessing formidable strength. As time passed, both sides fell into a stalemate. Although the Cao Wei army had suffered repeated setbacks, it had not been fundamentally harmed. On the Shu Han side, due to years of continuous warfare, the national strength had gradually weakened, and shortages in grain, fodder, and supplies began to appear. Jiang Wei knew deeply that if they continued to drag on like this, Shu Han would likely find it difficult to sustain itself.

At this critical juncture, Jiang Wei decided to take a bold action. He selected an elite force, led personally by himself, to launch a night raid on the Cao Wei camp. In this battle, Jiang Wei fully utilized the cover of night and the terrain, breaking into the enemy camp with lightning speed, catching the Cao Wei army off guard. After a fierce battle, Jiang Wei successfully routed an important unit of Cao Wei and captured a large amount of grain, fodder, supplies, and weaponry.

This great victory greatly boosted the morale of the Shu Han army. Jiang Wei seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack, capturing multiple Cao Wei camps in succession and pushing the front line forward by several dozen miles. Under Jiang Wei's fierce offensive, the Cao Wei army retreated step by step, their morale low.

However, just as the Shu Han army's morale was high and they were preparing to defeat the Cao Wei army in one fell swoop, a shocking piece of news arrived from the rear: Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was critically ill! This news was like a bolt from the blue, causing an uproar throughout the Shu Han army. Zhuge Liang was the pillar of Shu Han; his critical illness undoubtedly brought huge turmoil to Shu Han's political and military situation.

After learning the news, Jiang Wei felt a mix of emotions. He knew deeply that once Zhuge Liang passed away, Shu Han's political landscape would inevitably undergo a massive change. And he, as the main general at the front, had to shoulder more responsibility, stabilize the morale of the army, and continue to resist Cao Wei. Thus, he suppressed his grief, secretly gathered the generals, informed everyone of Zhuge Liang's condition and Shu Han's political situation, and encouraged everyone to unite as one to overcome the difficult times.

Under Jiang Wei's encouragement, the Shu Han army's morale did not diminish, and they continued to engage in fierce battles with the Cao Wei army. On the Cao Wei side, they also sensed the turmoil within Shu Han and seized the opportunity to launch a fierce offensive. Both sides went back and forth, the fighting was exceptionally intense, and the front line moved forward and backward, forming a tug-of-war.

Just at this moment, an unexpected figure appeared on the battlefield—Wei Yan. Wei Yan, this general who had always been at odds with Jiang Wei, displayed a sense of the big picture at the critical moment. He took the initiative to find Jiang Wei and expressed his willingness to follow orders and jointly resist Cao Wei. Although Jiang Wei had some dissatisfaction with Wei Yan's past behavior, at this moment, he knew the importance of unity. Thus, he gladly accepted Wei Yan's request to fight and entrusted him with a heavy responsibility.

Under the joint efforts of Jiang Wei and Wei Yan, the Shu Han army's morale soared, and their combat effectiveness was greatly improved. They joined forces to launch multiple offensives, beating the Cao Wei army into a step-by-step retreat. Finally, in a decisive battle, the Shu Han army defeated the Cao Wei army with fewer troops, successfully preserving the empire of Shu Han. ===== CHAPTER 1522 =====