The next day, Ma Yi first sent out a small team, disguised as Shu soldiers, to infiltrate Jiang Wei's troops.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi secretly mobilized an elite force, which approached Chang'an silently under the cover of night.

This force was personally commanded by Sima Yi, and their mission was simply to launch a surprise attack and completely disrupt Jiang Wei's formation.

On a dark and windy night, the Wei army launched a surprise attack on Chang'an.

They used Wei troops disguised as Shu soldiers to open the gates of Chang'an.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky, and shouts of battle filled the air. The soldiers of Shu Han were awakened from their sleep, only to find themselves surrounded by the enemy.

In the chaos, Jiang Wei tried to organize a resistance, but Sima Yi's troops had already penetrated deep into the camp. Their offensive was like a storm, catching the Shu Han soldiers off guard.

In this sudden night raid, Jiang Wei's troops suffered heavy losses.

Many soldiers died in the chaos, and Jiang Wei himself was nearly captured.

Although he eventually led his remaining troops to break through the encirclement, this failure undoubtedly taught him a profound lesson and made him realize how terrifying Sima Yi was.

After the flames in Chang'an gradually died down, Sima Yi stood on the city wall, gazing into the darkness in the distance.

He knew that this brief victory was nothing more than the calm before the storm.

He had to act quickly to ensure that Chang'an could withstand the approaching Shu Han army.

Sima Yi's orders spread throughout the city like flowing water, and the soldiers began to get busy.

The craftsmen reinforced the city walls with stones, and the sound of hammers striking echoed in the night wind, like the deep rhythm of war drums.

The laborers carried sandbags and wooden beams to reinforce the city gate, their sweat glistening in the torchlight.

On the city wall, archers inspected their arrows, ensuring that each one could be lethal at a crucial moment.

Catapults were placed in various corners of the city walls, and huge stones and barrels of kerosene were piled up to the side, ready to be hurled at the attacking enemy at any time.

Sima Yi personally inspected the city walls, his gaze sharp as a hawk's.

As night deepened, the lights of Chang'an gradually went out, leaving only the torches on the city walls burning, illuminating the faces of the soldiers on night watch.

They watched their surroundings warily, listening for any possible disturbances.

Inside the city, every house was closed, and the streets were deserted, broken only by the occasional barking of dogs.

As night deepened in Chang'an, Sima Yi's messengers hurried through the moonlight, carrying secret messages. Like ghosts of the night, they silently crossed the border and headed straight for Eastern Wu.

Meanwhile, in the Shu Han army camp, Zhuge Liang was staring at the map, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with worry.

A month later, the news, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, quickly reached Zhuge Liang's ears—Jingzhou was in dire need of help!

The Eastern Wu army has already quietly set off, heading straight for Jingzhou.

Zhuge Liang was well aware of the importance of Jingzhou. If it were lost, not only would the achievements of the Northern Expedition be in vain, but the entire Shu Han would also be plunged into an unprecedented crisis.

Inside the central command tent, firelight shone through the gaps in the tent flaps, casting long shadows. The generals' figures flickered in the firelight, creating an unusually solemn atmosphere.

Zhuge Liang stood before the map, his brow furrowed, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the map as if searching for a strategy to break the predicament.

"Generals, an urgent message has arrived from Jingzhou. Sun Quan has dispatched 200,000 troops to attack Jingzhou." Zhuge Liang's voice echoed in the tent, his words revealing a hint of urgency.

Tension immediately rose in the tent. The generals exchanged glances, some clenching their fists, others frowning, clearly deep in thought.

"Prime Minister, the Eastern Wu has repeatedly ruined our plans!" Ma Chao stepped forward, his eyes filled with resentment.

"If we continue the northern expedition, ignoring Jingzhou for now, perhaps we can defeat the Wei army in one fell swoop and unify the north?"

Wei Yan stood up, his voice steady and powerful.

"But if Jingzhou is lost, our foundation will be shaken. Without Jingzhou, even transporting supplies will be difficult, so how can we talk about the success of the Northern Expedition?"

"Yes, Jingzhou is our granary. If it falls into the hands of Eastern Wu, we will be surrounded by enemies on all sides," Xu Huang said in a deep voice, his words filled with worry.

Zhuge Liang listened quietly to the generals' debate, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

He knew it was a difficult decision, but as the prime minister, he had to make the most appropriate choice for the future of Shu Han.

"Generals," Zhuge Liang finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of decisiveness.

"Jingzhou cannot be lost, otherwise our situation will become even more difficult! Let's withdraw our troops and return to reinforce Jingzhou!"

Zhuge Liang seemed to have used all his strength to utter the words "retreat the troops."

The atmosphere in the tent gradually calmed down. Although there was still resentment in the generals' eyes, they knew that Zhuge Liang's decision was for the long-term interests of Shu Han. They all nodded, indicating their willingness to obey the Prime Minister's orders.

"The Prime Minister is wise! We are willing to follow the Prime Minister and return to aid Jingzhou!" The generals' voices rang out in the tent, their determination and loyalty evident at that moment.

Zhuge Liang nodded, glanced at the map, and said to everyone, "Then General Xu will be in full charge of this matter!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

Xu Huang had been fighting on the battlefield for decades since he joined the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

He participated in battles large and small, and as the older generation gradually passed away, Xu Huang now took up the mantle of the entire Shu Han dynasty.

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