Outside Handan city, the Wei army had already marched!
Seeing the Wei army begin to move, the Zhao generals' faces lit up with joy. They were all eager to seize the opportunity to suppress Zhao's morale.
"King of Chu, do you think that scoundrel Chu Chen can hold Daliang?"
"I think he's going to suffer this time. Our Daliang city has built incredibly strong city walls. Chu Chen's Daliang city probably won't be able to hold it at all. We can take this opportunity to teach Chu Chen's soldiers a good lesson."
A general said, "This is a good idea. Isn't that scoundrel Chu Chen very powerful? Let's let you taste the might of our Wei army!"
The others nodded in agreement, a sinister smile appearing on their faces.
...
Inside Handan city, in the main hall, the generals and soldiers gathered to discuss how to deal with the sudden arrival of the Wei army. If Chu Chen's Daliang city fell, then Zhao might be in danger.
"I don't think Chu Chen would dare to attack the city at the risk of losing Handan."
Someone suggested, "After all, the Wei army is still three days' journey from Handan city, and they have already entered our Daliang territory. It will only take a few days to reach Handan."
"It's not wise to risk attacking our Daliang at this time. I think they might be probing."
"Yes, I agree with this view. So, we just need to hold our ground for now and make a decision after their army arrives!"
The generals in the hall all voiced their opinions, but the great general Zhang Zhiyuan remained silent, not expressing his views. At this moment, his personal guard came to report that Chu Chen had arrived.
"Chu Chen is here. His Daliang city is truly vulnerable." Zhang Zhiyuan's face showed a mocking smile.
"Let him in!" Zhang Zhiyuan said indifferently.
Chu Chen was soon brought to the hall. He stood there, scanned the hall, and then cupped his fists in greeting to Zhang Zhiyuan: "Your subordinate greets the general."
Zhang Zhiyuan looked at Chu Chen, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What are you doing here? Do you think you can defeat my Daliang city with just three thousand men?"
"Chu does not dare to speak rashly, I only wish to discuss with the general how to defeat the enemy?"
Zhang Zhiyuan sneered: "You don't need to worry about it. Leave these small matters to me. You may withdraw now."
Hearing this, Chu Chen said no more and turned to leave the hall. But as he turned, a long sword was suddenly unsheathed and slashed towards his neck. The sword was as fast as lightning and reached him in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, Chu Chen finally reacted.
"Not good, it's an ambush!" It was too late to dodge the long sword, so Chu Chen could only raise his right arm.
With a "clang," the long sword pierced Chu Chen's arm, and blood spurted out. Chu Chen felt a tearing pain from his arm, and his entire right arm was almost numb. Not only that, but his left shoulder was also severely injured, and his entire right arm felt as if it had been chopped off, the pain piercing to the bone.
But Chu Chen's expression did not change. He looked up at Zhang Zhiyuan and said calmly, "General Zhang, what do you mean by this?"
"Hmph, what do I mean?" Zhang Zhiyuan snorted and said, "Chu Chen, I did not ask you to fight, nor did I ask you to lead troops to attack the city. You insisted on acting on your own. Now that you are injured, should you leave the cannons in your hands?"
Hearing this, Chu Chen's eyebrows furrowed. He ignored Zhang Zhiyuan and looked at the surrounding generals, saying, "Generals, do you really want my brothers to die in vain?"
"Hmph, is this your attitude?" Zhang Zhiyuan shouted, "Chu Chen, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Chu Chen smiled faintly and said, "General, what if I insist on attacking the city?"
"Do not provoke my patience!"
Chu Chen laughed: "Is the general threatening me? I would like to know, what if I, Chu Chen, refuse to retreat?"
Zhang Zhiyuan sneered: "You dare to disobey my orders? You should think carefully!"
Chu Chen's gaze fell on Zhang Zhiyuan's face, and he slowly said, "What if I, Chu Chen, insist on attacking the city?"
Hearing Chu Chen's words, Zhang Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Chu Chen, you are quite bold!"
"Since that is the case, then I shall see today whether you have the courage to attack Handan city!"
"Chu Chen, your subordinates are all surrounded by the Wei army. Do you think they have any hope of returning alive?"
...
In the hall, the soldiers were also discussing amongst themselves, their gazes towards Chu Chen filled with mockery. After so many days of rest, they had long since recovered their energy. They did not believe that Chu Chen would launch another attack at the moment the enemy army arrived. Even if he did, they were confident they could stop the Daliang army!
Seeing that Chu Chen remained silent, Zhang Zhiyuan snorted and continued, "Chu Chen, if you want to use the Daliang army to delay time, I advise you to give up this idea. I absolutely will not allow anyone to disrupt Daliang city!"
"Chu Chen, you still have a way out now, but once I am pushed too far, don't blame me for being impolite." Zhang Zhiyuan's words were extremely cold, clearly angered. He pointed his finger towards the doorway and said sternly, "Get out, get out of Daliang city!"
Chu Chen sneered: "Zhang Zhiyuan, you think too highly of my Daliang city. If my Daliang city is taken by the Wei army, it will be Daliang city's loss. Whether you admit it or not, it will not change this fact."
"You—" Zhang Zhiyuan was so angered by Chu Chen's words that he was speechless. He said coldly, "Guards, escort Chu Chen out!"
"No, I'm not leaving!" Chu Chen shouted loudly, "I'm not leaving. Who dares to touch a single soldier of my Daliang city!"
"Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to command me?" Zhang Zhiyuan's face was a mixture of anger and uncertainty. He stared at Chu Chen and snorted, "Guards, escort Chu Chen out of Daliang city!"
"Yes, sir!" A soldier responded and stepped forward. He came before Chu Chen and, without a word, reached out to grab Chu Chen's collar, preparing to drag him out of the hall.
"Wait!" Just as the soldier's hand touched Chu Chen's clothes, he suddenly stopped. Because he found that his body was unable to move. He widened his eyes, looking at Chu Chen in disbelief. And as his eyes widened, a black iron nail flew from Chu Chen's hand, embedding itself in the soldier's chest. With a muffled "bang," the soldier's body fell to the ground, twitched twice, and then lay still.