A day later, Tan Shihuai led 30,000 elite Gaoliu troops to the outskirts of Juyan City.
“Father, I have followed your orders and surrounded the Han Emperor inside Juyan City. According to my reconnaissance, there are only five thousand garrison troops inside the city; the rest are just a bunch of civilians…”
He Lian also explained in detail to Tan Shihuai what he had observed the day before.
Have we received any news from our spies within the city?
Tan Shihuai frowned as he glanced at the towering Juyan city wall.
At this time, after several years of construction and reinforcement by the Han Dynasty, the height of Juyan City's city walls was comparable to that of important towns such as Jiuyuan and Chengde.
Even with only 5,000 defenders in the city, it wouldn't be easy for them to take it down in a short time.
"Father, the city of Juyan is under strict control right now, and it seems our spies are unable to contact us!"
He shook his head. What he didn't know was that those Xianbei spies had long been wiped out by Jia Xu's men.
Tan Shihuai nodded, then looked around and asked suspiciously, "Where's Wenyou? Why isn't he with you?"
"Father, I was worried that the Emperor of Han might leave ahead of time, so I came to Juyan ahead of you. You are leading the rest of the army behind us, and we will arrive in two more days!"
"You let him lead the army?"
Tan Shihuai's expression shifted, and he glanced at He Lian somewhat awkwardly.
He Lian nodded: "Yes, Father, I feel that no one but Mr. [referring to the teacher] could have accomplished this..."
"Alright, I understand!"
Before He Lian could finish speaking, Tan Shihua interrupted him and then turned to look at Mika beside him.
"Mika, you immediately take men to meet Mr. Wen and take command!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Mika responded loudly, and then led a troop of cavalry northward.
"Father, what's wrong with you...?"
Seeing Tan Shihuai's actions, He Lian was also puzzled.
Previously, Tan Shihuai had always instructed him to get closer to Li Ru and learn from him, but today's behavior was clearly a defensive attitude.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go down to the city and take a look!"
With so many people in front of him, Tan Shihuai couldn't explain anything more to He Lian.
Subsequently, Tan Shihuai led a group of men to the city of Juyan.
Looking up at the large banner with the character "Han" on the city wall, a greedy glint appeared in Tan Shihuai's eyes.
Although he was unsure whether this war would repeat the Siege of Baideng, he still felt he had a chance to force the Han emperor to sign a treaty under duress.
Sometimes, a person's ambition is just that incredible.
Previously, Tan Shihuai had been disheartened by various things, but now that he sees a glimmer of hope, he is confident in a way that is incomprehensible to others.
One of Tan Shihuai's personal guards rode up to the city wall and shouted loudly towards the top:
"My king requests an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of the Han Dynasty; he has important matters to discuss!"
Looking at the dark mass of Xianbei cavalry outside the city, Huang Zhong sneered.
Tan Shihuai claimed he was requesting an audience, but in reality, he just wanted to confirm whether the emperor was in the city.
The Xianbei people's request was quickly reported to Liu Hong, and he naturally would not disappoint Tan Shihuai.
Now, Tan Shihuai's 30,000 elite Gaoliu troops have arrived, and the Xianbei cavalry outside the city now number over 60,000. If they are crippled, Tan Shihuai and the Xianbei will completely lose their foothold on the grasslands.
"Let's go, follow me to meet this Tan Shihuai!"
Inside the prefectural governor's mansion, after changing into his armor, Liu Hong led Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and others toward the city wall.
Along the way, the people in the city and the young people who came to see the emperor in his armor burst into cheers.
Under the protection of Lü Bu and others, Liu Hong climbed the city wall.
The moment the emperor appeared, the soldiers on the city wall shouted "Long live the emperor!" with fervor.
For them, it was an unparalleled honor for the emperor to stand with them in armor.
At the foot of the city wall, Tan Shihuai listened to the cheers from the city wall and his gaze fell on Liu Hong, who was wearing gilded armor. He carefully examined the emperor of the Han Kingdom.
"I never imagined that the Emperor of Han would be so young?"
Looking at that face, which was even more youthful than his own son's, a strange light flashed in Tan Shihuai's eyes.
Just as Tan Shihuai was watching Liu Hong, Liu Hong raised his hand, and the soldiers on the city wall immediately stopped cheering.
This scene startled Tan Shihuai. The discipline of the Han army was terrifying, and the prestige of the Han emperor in the army was truly awe-inspiring.
However, none of this frightened Tan Shihuai. He now had 65,000 troops, with another 40,000 to follow, while there were only 5,000 defenders in Juyan City. As long as he was determined to launch a strong attack, even if he could not break through the city, he could force the Han emperor to compromise.
Tan Shihuai rode his horse to the foot of the city wall and bowed to Liu Hong, who was surrounded by a crowd.
"Little Wang Tanshihuai greets His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. May the Great Han Dynasty live ten thousand years, and may His Majesty live ten thousand years!!"
Both his actions and his tone were exceptionally polite, and he adopted a very humble attitude.
Liu Hong merely sneered at this, then said in a deep voice, "Tan Shihuai, I only granted you the title of Marquis of Mobei. When did I allow you to call yourself a king?"
"Your Majesty, by accepting the investiture from the Han Dynasty, I am merely acknowledging the Han's status. But I am a Xianbei, a king of the Xianbei. Before my Xianbei warriors, I shall naturally address myself as king!"
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