The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 462 The precious sword shines brightly, displaying divine prowess; the iron cavalry rides through the wind, recalling the fierce battle.

The setting sun, like blood, illuminated the rolling mountains of Liaodong.

The cold autumn wind whips up withered yellow leaves, howling and swirling through the valleys.

It carries the unique, desolate atmosphere of the northern frontier.

A large army of soldiers in black armor was slowly advancing along the winding official road, stretching for more than ten miles.

Banners obscured the sky, and swords and spears formed a forest.

Under the central military banner, an old general sat upright on his Red Hare horse.

He was dressed in a green robe and golden armor, his long beard fluttering in the wind.

Although he is old, his brows still exude an imposing and dignified aura.

This person was none other than Guan Yu, the great general of the Han Dynasty.

"Report——"

A scout galloped up from the front and stopped in front of Guan Yu's horse.

"Reporting to the general, we have entered Silla territory thirty miles ahead."

"Scouts discovered that many villages were deserted and the fields had been burned down."

Guan Yu's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his phoenix eyes:
"Scorched earth policy? This Silla king is certainly decisive."

Guan Ping, standing beside him, spurred his horse forward and whispered:
“Father, Silla’s move is intended to delay our army.”

"It is now late autumn. If we cannot achieve a swift victory, our army may face danger when winter arrives."

Guan Yu snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the distant mountains shrouded in thick smoke:

“A mere barbarian country dares to contend with the Celestial Empire.”

"Order the three armies to speed up their advance and be on the verge of defeating Jincheng within ten days."

"promise!"

The messenger rode off, his horn echoing through the mountains.

at the same time,

Inside the Silla capital, Geumseong, the atmosphere in the royal palace was so heavy it was suffocating.

King Jobun Nissin of Silla sat slumped on his throne, clutching a military report tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He was about forty years old and had a refined appearance.

At this moment, however, his brows were furrowed and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"When General Yu arrived—"

The sound of a guard announcing something came from outside the palace gate.

Before long, a military general wearing a wolf-skin cloak strode into the hall.

This man was nearly fifty years old, with a broad back and a burly waist.

A hideous scar ran from his left forehead to his chin; he was none other than Seok-ro, a famous general of Silla.

"Why has Your Majesty summoned me in such a hurry?"

When the old man bowed deeply, his voice was as loud as a bell.

The nun, Zhu Ben, threw the military report in her hand onto the table, her voice trembling slightly:
"Guan Yu's army has entered our territory and is now less than 300 li away from Jincheng."

"Initially, it was the general who strongly advocated for war against the Han army, but now the Han court has actually sent Guan Yu to personally lead the expedition."

"This is the warrior who killed Yan Liang at Baima Slope, flooded the seven armies, and whose might shook the land!"

"So what should we do?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Scarface's face.

He seemed to have no idea that the Luoyang court would directly send someone whose prestige in the court was second only to Li Yi to conquer Silla.

That's giving them way too much credit.

But soon, Xi Yu quickly regained his composure.

"I never expected that Luoyang would attach such importance to this battle."

"However, Your Majesty need not worry too much. The Han army is on a long and arduous expedition, and supplies are scarce."

"Moreover, Guan Yu is old and no longer the valiant general he was when he beheaded Yan Liang."

"Let me lead the troops into battle and shatter Guan Yu's reputation that has lasted forty years!"

The nun Zhu Ben shook her head and sighed:
"I know well how brave and valiant you are, General."

"However, the Han army numbered 50,000 and was well-equipped."

"Although our army is large, its military preparedness is lax. Relying solely on courage and bravery will likely make it difficult to achieve victory."

"What is Your Majesty's intention?"

"I will write a letter to Guan Yu to apologize and ask him to withdraw his troops."

"If they do not comply, it is not too late to fight again."

After a moment of contemplation, Old Yu nodded and said:
"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and I have no objection."

The nun Zhu Ben immediately picked up her brush and wrote a letter of apology.

He also ordered people to prepare 500 taels of gold, 100 pearls, and 50 sable furs, and sent them to the Han army camp.

That night,

Inside the central command tent of the Han army camp, candlelight blazed brightly.

Guan Yu sat upright in his command seat, carefully reading the Silla King's letter of apology.

The book states briefly:

"King Zhuben of Silla bows deeply and respectfully presents this letter to General Guan Yu of the Great Han Dynasty:"

"It was mid-autumn, and frost and dew had fallen, causing the grass and trees to turn yellow and wither."

"From afar, I heard the general's banners pointing north, his iron armor gleaming in the sun, his three armies standing solemnly, his might shaking the seas."

"Upon hearing the news, I was filled with trepidation and wandered aimlessly in the middle of the night. I have come with utmost sincerity to lay bare my heart before you, General."

“In the past, Japanese pirates were rampant and repeatedly invaded our territory.”

"Although Silla is small, it dared not fail in its mission. The whole country fought fiercely for six months and finally defeated the enemy on the banks of the Nakdong River."

"Just when the land was ravaged, General Gongsun's troops suddenly appeared on the border."

"The author intended to provide cattle and wine to reward the army, but due to the language barrier and the dull-witted translator, the supply of military provisions was delayed."

"Unexpectedly, the troops of the tribesmen plundered my granaries, burned my houses, and abducted my women."

“When the old general was old, he saw women and children crying on the road and white-haired elders kneeling and weeping at the palace gate. He had no choice but to gather the local militia to protect himself.”

"It is like an infant angering a giant, not daring to defy the might of heaven, but seeking only to survive by a hair's breadth."

"I have just heard that the general is leading a fierce army across the sea."

"I have long heard of the General's sworn brotherhood in the Peach Garden and his love for his soldiers as if they were his own children."

"In the past, when the general was stationed in Qingzhou, merchants and travelers could travel at night without locking their doors."

“If you now extend your wisdom and insight to the border regions, so that widows and widowers can be spared the calamities of war, then the million people of Silla will forever be grateful for your great virtue.”

"I wish to emulate the ancient King Xu Yan, to cease hostilities and allow the people to rest, and to serve as a vassal state of the Han forever."

"We have prepared ten pairs of white jade, thirty pairs of gyrfalcons, one hundred fine horses, and five thousand bushels of rice as annual tribute."

"If the general takes pity on us and informs the emperor, Silla may be able to protect its ancestral temples."

"Then I shall lead all my officials to bow to the north, and I will never forget your virtue for generations to come."

"The autumn wind is bleak, blowing my clothes and hat."

"I am filled with trepidation as I write this, and I do not know what to say."

"I only hope that the general will remember Heaven's benevolence in cherishing life and embody the sage's benevolence in pacifying distant lands."

"This is not only a blessing for Silla, but also a blessing for all the people."

"I bow again to the nun Zhuben."

On either side of the tent, Guan Ping, Liao Hua, and their troops stood solemnly in the left column.

Gongsun Xu, Zhang Hu, and other Liaodong generals were ranked on the right.

The tent was silent except for the crackling of the torches and the rustling of turning pages of a letter.

"Humph!"

Guan Yu suddenly slammed the letter down on the table, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.

"In his letter, the King of Silla said that the previous conflict was due to our army plundering their territory, and they had no choice but to retaliate."

"Generals, what are your thoughts on this?"

The Silla envoy prostrated himself on the ground, bowing twice, and said in a trembling voice:
"The general of the superior nation is wise, and the small nation has no falsehoods."

"The Liaodong army has repeatedly crossed the border, plundered our border people, and enslaved women."

"The tribes of Okjeo, Buyeo, and Goguryeo can all testify to this!"

"presumptuous!"

Gongsun Xu's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward, shouting:

“You barbarians, colluding with the Japanese, intend to gradually encroach upon the territory of Liaodong.”

"Do you still dare to slander the soldiers of the Celestial Empire?!"

The Silla envoy looked up to argue, but was interrupted sharply by Guan Yu:

"Shut up! Our Celestial Empire's army is known for its strict discipline; how could we commit such a beastly act?"

"Guan has served in the military for over forty years. Does he not know the discipline of our army?"

"You see my massive army pressing in and are filled with fear."

"To fabricate such lies is truly despicable!"

"General!"

The messenger kowtowed so deeply that his head touched the ground, his voice filled with sorrow and despair.

"The actions of the Liaodong Army are well known to the surrounding tribes."

"They abducted people and forcibly took women."

"They dare not speak out against the power of the Celestial Empire!"

Guan Yu was furious upon hearing this, and slammed his palm on the table, causing the ink and brush to spill.
"Even on the verge of death, you still dare to slander our army!"

"Men, throw this man out of the camp!"

“Tell his king to wash his neck clean, so that I, Guan, may personally take his head!”

The warriors responded and carried the messenger out of the tent as if he were a chick.

After the messenger left, Guan Yu's gaze swept over the generals in the tent, finally settling on Gongsun Xu.

"General Gongsun, is what the messenger said just now true?"

Guan Yu was not entirely unreasonable.

Just now, in front of all the generals, Guan Yu did not ask directly.

Now that the person had left, Guan Yu finally asked about the details.

Gongsun Xu bowed and replied:
"General, you are wise. How can you so easily believe the words of barbarians?"

“These barbarians are ignorant of etiquette. They were the ones who violated our borders first, which is why I led my troops to fight back.”

"This is slander!"

Zhang Hu and other Liaodong generals echoed this sentiment:
"General, the barbarians are cunning and treacherous; they cannot be trusted!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the generals before finally nodding and saying:

"In that case, issue an order to the entire army to break camp tomorrow and march straight for Jincheng!"

"promise!"

The generals responded in unison.

Only Wang Ping, the lieutenant general who accompanied the army on the expedition, smiled coldly and remained silent.

After the banquet ended, Guan Ping noticed that Wang Ping's expression was unusual, so he quietly went to his tent when the night was deep and quiet.

"General Wang, did you sneer in your tent just now because you noticed something?"

Guan Ping dismissed those around him and asked in a low voice.

Wang Ping sighed softly, gesturing for Guan Ping to come closer:

"General Guan is too upright and doesn't know the many tricks of officialdom."

"Imagine, when the Celestial Empire's national strength is at its zenith, surrounding small countries would avoid it like the plague. Why would it take the initiative to provoke us?"

"How could the territory of our dynasty today have been obtained by these small countries seeking their own demise?"

Guan Ping suddenly realized:

"Does the general mean... that Zhang Hu and his men really plundered the Silla border?"

"It's natural."

Wang Ping lowered his voice, "The border is harsh and cold. If we can't make some money, who would want to stay here for long?"

"Because the imperial court has been cracking down on corruption in recent years, they dare not be corrupt openly, so they exploit foreign tribes."

"Even Prime Minister Li probably knows this, but he just tacitly approves of it."

"If that's the case, why didn't General Wang expose it in public just now?"

Wang Ping quickly made a shushing gesture:

"Young Master Guan, be careful with your words! The Liaodong Army was originally Lü Bu's old troops, and their discipline is inherently lax."

"Later, Qian Zhao, Tian Yu, Zhang Xiu and other generals took command and tacitly approved their plundering of foreign lands."

"This has become a way for the Liaodong army to make money. Cutting off someone's source of wealth is like killing their parents!"

"If we expose this to General Guan, we will be making an enemy of the entire Liaodong army."

"This matter must not be told to General Guan!"

Guan Ping suddenly realized what was happening and repeatedly clasped his hands in greeting:
"Thank you for your guidance, General Wang."

the other side,
The Silla envoy rushed back to Geumseong overnight and reported Guan Yu's reply to Zhu Benni Shijin.

The flickering candlelight in the palace made the Silla king's face appear even paler.

"So, this battle is unavoidable?"

Master Zhu Ben sighed deeply and immediately summoned the old man from the past.

After hearing the messenger's report, Scarface revealed a fierce look:
"The Han people have gone too far! Since there is no hope for peace talks, we have no choice but to fight to the death."

"What good plan does the general have?"

"The best course of action now is to fortify our defenses and scorch the fields, taking advantage of our home ground to wear down the Han army."

"Our country has many mountains and dense forests, and the roads are rugged, making it difficult for the Han army to supply supplies."

"Wait until their supplies are exhausted and their troops are weary, then strike them in one fell swoop!"

After pondering for a long time, Master Zhuben finally gritted her teeth and said:
"...Then we will follow the general's plan."

"Order the whole country to move all the population into the city and burn all the fields and forests."

"We must not leave the Han army a single grain of food or a single piece of firewood!"

Once the order was given, Silla was thrown into chaos.

People fled their homes, carrying the elderly and children, and the crops in the fields that were about to ripen were burned to the ground.

A raging fire broke out in the mountains and forests, with thick smoke obscuring the sky and the sun.

Three days later,
When Guan Yu led his army to the heart of Silla, he saw scorched earth and devastation everywhere.

"Report——"

"All villages within twenty miles ahead have been burned down."

"The stream was also contaminated with corpses and was undrinkable."

The scouts' report made the atmosphere in the central command tent even more tense.

Guan Yu climbed to the top of a high hill and looked out at the mountains shrouded in thick smoke, his long beard fluttering in the hot wind.

After a long while, he sighed softly:
"Fortification and scorched earth policy is indeed the best strategy."

"It's just that the people of Silla have suffered greatly; ten years of hard work and accumulation have been destroyed in an instant."

Zhang Hu laughed from the side:

"...General Guan is overthinking it."

“Silla was originally a barbaric state outside the realm of civilization, and its people were ignorant and foolish.”

"Even if it's burned to the ground, it won't affect them much."

Guan Yu remained silent, but a hint of doubt flashed in his phoenix eyes.

He glimpsed several charred corpses among the distant mountains, seemingly civilians who had fled in time.

“Father,” Guan Ping whispered as he approached, “our army’s supplies cannot last long. If we cannot take Jincheng quickly, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

"Especially with the cold winter approaching, how will the soldiers, all dressed in autumn clothes, withstand the wind and snow beyond the Great Wall?"

Why did most central dynasties in ancient China not annex Korea?
One major reason is geographical isolation.

Despite the direct connection between the Korean Peninsula and the mainland, the peninsula remains geographically isolated from the Central Plains.

This far exceeded the connections between Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet, and the Central Plains, directly increasing the cost of governance.

The Korean Peninsula is bordered by the Yalu and Tumen Rivers to the north, the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of ​​Japan to the east.

It is separated from the Liaodong Peninsula by mountains such as Changbai Mountain and Qianshan Mountain.

This terrain, surrounded by mountains and sea, made it extremely difficult for the Central Plains dynasties to deploy troops and transport supplies.

The Han Dynasty established the "Four Commanderies of Han" in the northern part of the peninsula during its most prosperous period, namely Lelang, Xuantu, Zhenfan, and Lintun.

The tribes in the south, such as Jinhan and Mahan, are difficult to govern directly due to the mountainous terrain.

After the Tang Dynasty allied with Silla to destroy Goguryeo, it also attempted to establish the "Ungjin Protectorate" on the peninsula.

However, due to Silla's resistance and difficulties in overland supply, this goal could not be achieved.

Compared to other regions:

Although the Mongolian Plateau and the Western Regions are far away, they are connected to the Central Plains through the Hexi Corridor and the grassland passage.

Furthermore, the mobility of nomadic peoples forced the Central Plains dynasties to frequently and proactively engage in wars or trade with them.

The frequency of bilateral interactions was far higher than that between the Central Plains dynasties and the peninsula powers.

Although Tibet is separated by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it has maintained its connection with the Central Plains through the Tea Horse Road and religious exchanges.

During the Qing Dynasty, the control over Mongolia and Tibet was further strengthened due to their religious ties.

The Korean Peninsula, however, did not present these "urgent" problems for the Central Plains civilization.

Its geographical separation from the Central Plains makes it difficult for it to become a force that threatens the Central Plains.

Therefore, the peninsula forces never posed a fatal threat to the Central Plains dynasties, which reduced the necessity of directly ruling them.

Furthermore, the nomadic tribes of the grasslands had been a major problem for the Central Plains regimes since the Warring States period.

Neither expelling them, building the Great Wall, nor trading could eliminate the troubles brought by the nomadic tribes.

Sometimes, the armies of the Central Plains dynasties could even penetrate deep into the grasslands and deserts.

However, at times, steppe empires could also be direct rulers of the Central Plains.

During the Qing Dynasty, after summarizing the experiences of previous dynasties,

Finally, the two sworn enemies, the grasslands and the Central Plains, were bound together.

Although the governance costs are high, the strategic benefits of stabilizing these regions are far greater.

In comparison, the Korean Peninsula does not have such great strategic value.

When Zhu Yuanzhang listed more than ten vassal states, including Japan and Korea, as countries that he would not conquer, this was the reason he gave.

Those places are completely worthless.

That is, "no money, no chickens or pigs, no currency, and no meat."

Therefore, many people believe that the ancient Chinese system of governing other countries through tributary states was a disadvantageous approach.

They believed they should all be defeated and ruled directly.

However, this viewpoint overlooks an objective fact.

That is, the productivity of the agricultural era was far superior to that of the industrial era.

Controlling the people through tribute, submission, and investiture was the best approach in that era.

To reiterate, the territory of China initially only encompassed the area around the Yellow River.

As for why it grew larger and larger until it became relatively stable.

That's because, for the Central Plains dynasties, the expansion had already reached a relatively suitable range.

Further outwards, it tends to provide more shade and protection.

In other words, the border territories of the Han Dynasty at this time were originally intended to protect the Central Plains.

Therefore, these places are relatively underdeveloped.
First, its development was hampered by its geographical environment; second, because it was tasked with protecting the Central Plains, even when it did develop, it fell back down due to the impact of war.

Let's just leave it as it is.

If we move the timeline back even further, we are currently in the Little Ice Age.

Developing in Liaodong alone is already quite difficult.

Transporting grain and fodder across the Changbai Mountains to North Korea would become an enormous burden on the country.

That's why Guan Ping was worried that the Silla people were using this "playing dumb" tactic to resist the Han army's strategy.

It's already a wasteland, so why fear more rubble?
Guan Yu withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to its resolute state:
"Then let's end this war before winter."

At dawn the next day, the Han army broke camp and advanced swiftly.

The further into the heart of Silla, the more desolate the scene became.

The corpses of the dead could be seen from time to time along the roadside, and wisps of smoke rose from the scorched fields.

That night, the Han army set up camp in a valley.

When Guan Yu inspected the camp, he saw many soldiers whispering around a campfire.

"We've only been in Silla for a few days, and we only have dry rations left to eat."

"I heard that Jincheng is still over a hundred miles away. At this rate, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out..."

"Did you see the bodies on the roadside today? There were even children. It's truly a tragedy..."

Upon seeing Guan Yu arrive, the soldiers immediately fell silent and bowed respectfully.

Guan Yu nodded in response without expression, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

Back in the central command tent, he summoned Gongsun Xu and asked him:

"General Gongsun, is the story of the Silla envoy's abduction truly a complete fabrication?"

Gongsun Xu's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and replied:

"...General, you must not be misled by the barbarians."

"In border conflicts, casualties are inevitable."

"But our Heavenly Dynasty soldiers have never engaged in any looting or plundering."

Guan Yu stared at him for a moment, then waved his hand to dismiss him.

In the stillness of the night, Guan Yu sat alone in his tent, stroking the mottled marks on his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, lost in thought.

This sword accompanied him in battle for over forty years, slaying countless famous generals, but never harming ordinary people.

Seeing the miserable state of the people of Silla now fills me with sorrow.

"Father is still not at rest?"

Guan Ping brought in a bowl of hot porridge and saw his father deep in thought, staring at a knife. He asked softly.

Guan Yu took the bowl of porridge, but did not drink it:
"Ping'er, you have fought alongside me for many years, have you ever seen my army ravage the people?"

Guan Ping hesitated for a moment, then replied:
“My father was strict in his military discipline, and his troops never disturbed the people.”

"But as for the other departments... I dare not speak presumptuously."

Guan Yu put down his bowl of porridge and sighed deeply:
"How could I not know that the discipline of the Liaodong army was poor?"

"However, with a major battle imminent, pursuing this matter could undermine morale."

"My father is wise."

"Pass down the order to speed up the march tomorrow."

"At the same time... soldiers are strictly prohibited from destroying Silla's ancestral temples and from harming surrendered people." "Yes, sir!"

While the Han army was making a difficult advance, defenses were being deployed intensively within Jincheng.

In the past, Yu Lao personally supervised the army and civilians to strengthen the city's defenses, adding arrow towers to the city walls and stockpiling logs and stones.

The scar on his face looked even more menacing in the torchlight.

"General, the Han army is less than a hundred li away from Jincheng."

The lieutenant rushed in to report.

Old Yu sneered:
"Send orders to all villages to act according to the plan."

"I will make that old man Guan Yu die in these mountains!"

The following afternoon, the Han army arrived at a treacherous canyon.

The mountains on both sides are steep, and only three riders can pass each other in the middle.

Guan Yu reined in his horse and stopped, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he surveyed the perilous place:
"If there is an ambush here, our army is in grave danger."

Gongsun Xu laughed and said:
"...General, you are overthinking it."

"How could those barbarians from Silla possess such strategies?"

The voice has not fallen,

Suddenly, a clapper sounded from the mountaintop, and countless arrows rained down like locusts!
"Ambush! Protect the general!"

Zhou Cang shouted and raised his shield to protect Guan Yu.

The Han army was thrown into chaos. With nowhere to hide in the narrow valley, they suffered heavy casualties in an instant.

Guan Yu flew into a rage, swung his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and deflected the incoming arrows:
"Don't panic! The vanguard will charge, the rearguard will retreat!"

However, the valley was too narrow, leaving the army in a dilemma.

Logs and rocks kept falling from the mountain, and screams of agony filled the air.

In the critical moment, Wang Ping led a team of crossbowmen to seize the high ground on the flank and returned fire with upward shots.

Guan Ping protected Guan Yu, fighting and retreating simultaneously.

The fierce battle lasted for half an hour, during which the Han army suffered more than a thousand casualties before finally escaping danger.

After tallying the casualties, Guan Yu's face turned ashen, and a murderous intent flashed in his phoenix eyes:
"Those barbarians from Silla! How dare they set up an ambush and launch a sneak attack!"

Gongsun Xu, wounded by an arrow, gritted his teeth and said:
"It must be that old man's plan from back then."

"This person is familiar with the terrain; we must be wary of him."

That night, the Han army set up camp at a safe location.

Inside the central command tent, all the generals gathered, and the atmosphere was solemn.

"This defeat was entirely due to my underestimation of the enemy."

Guan Yu rarely admitted his mistake, saying, "There must be capable people in the Silla army."

Wang Ping stepped forward and said:
"General, according to the prisoners, the one who set the ambush was indeed Old Man Xiyu."

"This man is brave and skilled in battle, and is well-versed in military strategy. He should not be underestimated."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered:

"Is there a good strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Liao Hua, who had been silent all along, finally spoke:

"General, our army has just suffered a defeat, and morale has been dampened."

"It would be better to postpone the advance and wait until we have ascertained the enemy's situation before making any further plans."

"No!"

Zhang Hu said urgently, "Our army is facing difficulties in transporting and managing its food supplies. If we delay any longer, defeat is inevitable!"

The generals argued endlessly, but Guan Yu looked out at the dark night sky, lost in thought.

Early the next morning, Guan Yu, accompanied by Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, and more than ten personal guards, secretly left the camp to scout the terrain.

Upon reaching a high peak, the outline of Jincheng (Golden City) appears and disappears in the morning mist.

Guan Yu carefully observed the surrounding mountains and suddenly pointed to a spot, asking:
"Ping'er, do you think that path is passable?"

Guan Pingshun pointed and saw a hidden path winding among the mountains, leading directly to the back of Jincheng.

"What Father means is..."

"Build the plank road openly and visit the warehouse secretly."

A glint of light flashed in Guan Yu's phoenix eyes.

“In the past, the old man would have set up defenses on the main road, but we chose to launch a surprise attack from the side road.”

Upon returning to the main camp, Guan Yu immediately convened a meeting of his generals.

"Zhang Hu, Gongsun Xu, listen to my command!"

"I order you two to lead 20,000 troops, make a great show of force, and launch a feigned attack on Jincheng from the main road."

"promise!"

"Wang Ping, Liao Hua, listen to my command!"

"Lead 10,000 troops, carrying many banners, and move around in the mountains and forests east of Jincheng, making a show of force."

"As ordered!"

"The rest of you generals, follow me and lead 5,000 elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Jincheng via a side road tonight!"

Guan Ping said urgently:

“Father, the path is treacherous, and you are getting old. Why don’t you let your son…”

"shut up!"

Guan Yu interrupted sharply, "Though I am old, can I still eat?"

"This battle concerns the prestige of the Celestial Empire; how can we allow it to be lost?"

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Guan Yu personally led 5,000 elite soldiers, advancing silently along a hidden path.

This path was indeed extremely treacherous; in many places, only one person could pass at a time, and a slight misstep could send one tumbling into the abyss.

As they traveled until midnight, they suddenly heard the sound of water ahead.

The scouts reported that a vine bridge on the only road had been cut down.

The generals exchanged bewildered glances, and Guan Ping frowned, saying:

"Father, the bridge is broken and difficult to cross, perhaps..."

Guan Yu remained silent, dismounted, and inspected the scene himself.

Between the two mountains, a deep ravine stretched out, its rushing waters roaring in the darkness.

The torches of the Silla garrison patrolling can be faintly seen on the opposite bank.

"Someone, bring me my bow."

Guan Yu drew his bow and aimed at a torch on the opposite bank.

With a "whoosh," the arrow pierced the air, and a scream came from the opposite bank, and the torch went out.

"Good archery!"

"General, you're a master archer! General, you're a master archer!"

The soldiers cheered in hushed tones.

However, the bridge was broken and impossible to cross, leaving everyone at a loss.

Just then, Wang Ping suddenly pointed to several ancient vines on the edge of the cliff:

"General, perhaps we can use this vine to swing across the stream."

Guan Yu stroked his beard in deep thought, then gave the order:

“Select three hundred brave men, use ancient vines to cross the stream, and seize the bridgehead on the other side.”

Wang Ping immediately volunteered:

"The general will go where he wishes!"

Before long, the three hundred assassins were ready.

Wang Ping took the lead, grabbed the ancient vine, and leaped across to the other side like a monkey.

Then came the second batch, the third batch...

Screams soon echoed from the opposite bank, indicating that a fight had broken out.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, three partridge calls came from the opposite bank—

This was the pre-arranged signal for success.

Guan Yu immediately ordered the construction of a temporary pontoon bridge.

As dawn broke, all five thousand elite soldiers crossed the ravine.

"All troops, charge straight for Jincheng!"

It was late autumn, and the cold wind was like a knife, swirling up the withered leaves all over the ground.

Outside the Silla capital, Geumseong, the mountains are surrounded by clouds and mist.

Before dawn, the Han army appeared silently from the mountain path like ghosts.

Guan Yu sat upright on Red Hare, clad in a green robe and golden armor, his long beard fluttering in the morning breeze.

He slowly raised the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, its blade gleaming coldly in the morning light.

"Siege!"

At a single command, the Han army surged toward Jincheng like a tidal wave.

Chaos immediately broke out in the city.

The people were terrified and fled in all directions.

The defending troops were caught off guard and suffered repeated defeats.

Inside the royal palace, King Jobon Nisa-geum of Silla, his face deathly pale, paced back and forth in the hall.

He kept glancing towards the increasingly approaching shouts of battle outside the palace gates.

Where is the old general Yu now?

He asked in a trembling voice, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Before he could finish speaking, the palace doors were suddenly pushed open, and Old Master Xi Yu, fully armored, strode in:

"Your Majesty, the Han army has breached the outer city, and Guan Yu is personally leading his troops to attack!"

The nun, Zhu Ben, staggered backward and had to grab the throne to steady herself.
"This...what should I do?"

Old Yu once knelt on one knee, his voice resounding:

"Your Majesty is willing to lead the army out of the city to meet the enemy, while Your Majesty may lead the army and people to continue the retreat south."

"As long as we survive, there will be a day when we can restore our country!"

Master Zhuben sighed deeply and grasped the hand of the old nun:
"...Take care, General."

"If things are beyond saving, then life should be the priority."

Old Yu once said with deep emotion:

"I have received the Emperor's grace, and today I should repay it with my life!"

Having said that, he stood up and strode out.

At this time, the Han army had already formed ranks outside the city.

Guan Yu stood on his horse, sword drawn, gazing at the city walls.

Guan Ping, Liao Hua, Wang Ping and others will be positioned on either side.

The entire army fell silent, with only the sound of banners fluttering in the wind.

Suddenly the city gates opened wide, and Xi Yu Lao led a group of personal guards out and formed a battle formation in front of the city gates.

He spurred his horse forward and shouted loudly:

"Where is Guan Yu? Does he dare to challenge me to a duel?"

Wang Ping whispered from the side:
"General, Jincheng is about to fall. We don't need to pay attention to this man. We should attack the city directly."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled:
"I have fought on the battlefield for forty years, why would I fear a one-on-one duel?"

Having said that, he spurred his horse and rode off, shouting, "Guan is here!"

The two horses clashed, and blades flashed.

In the past, Old Yu wielded a long spear with great skill and flair.

Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade was as steady as a mountain, each strike carrying immense power.

After thirty rounds, Xi Yu began to feel his strength waning, and he was secretly alarmed:

Guan Yu, with his white hair and beard, was old and weak, yet he still possessed such divine strength!
Although Guan Yu had the upper hand, he was secretly surprised:
This barbarian general possesses exquisite spear skills and powerful thrusts; he truly deserves to be called the number one general of Silla.

He was, after all, quite old, and after a long battle, his strength waned, and his sword strikes slowed down.

Guan Ping, who was in the midst of the battle, saw that his father was sweating and hurriedly ordered the retreat.

Guan Yu turned his horse around and returned to his formation, displeased, and said:

Why withdraw troops?

Guan Ping bowed and said:
"Father was a little agitated just now. I would like you to rest for a while."

Guan Yu rubbed his temples and sighed deeply:
"Looks like I can't deny getting old."

At this moment, Master Xi Yu received news that Nun Zhu Ben had safely evacuated, and feeling greatly relieved, he once again spurred his horse forward:

"Guan Yu! Do you dare to fight again?"

Guan Yu was furious:
"You madman, you're asking for death!"

He spurred his horse forward, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade aimed straight at Old Man Xi.

This time, Guan Yu's swordsmanship was even more ferocious, each strike carrying the force of a thunderbolt.

Old Yu was shocked: This old general seemed to have become a different person after resting for a while!
After barely managing to hold on for more than ten rounds, the situation was already extremely dangerous.

Once, Yu made a feint with his spear, then turned his horse and fled.

Guan Yu gave chase, and with Red Hare's speed, he caught up to within an arrow's flight in the blink of an eye.

Just then, Old Master Xi suddenly turned around, and a hidden arrow was already nocked!
Guan Ping and the others were greatly alarmed:

"Father, be careful!"

"You treacherous general, refrain from firing sneak arrows!"

Guan Yu was old and unable to dodge in time; an arrow struck his right arm, and blood immediately stained his battle robe.

The old general flew into a rage, spurred his horse forward, and his Green Dragon Crescent Blade flashed with a cold light!
Old Yu's right arm snapped off instantly, and he fell from his horse with a scream.

He endured the excruciating pain and laughed loudly, looking up at the sky:

"Guan Yu! You've fallen for their trap!"

"My king has safely evacuated. Silla... will never perish!"

Having said that, he breathed his last.

Guan Yu remained silent for a long time, gazing at the body of Xi Yu Lao, a hint of respect flashing in his phoenix eyes:
“Give him a grand funeral.”

"This is truly a loyal minister."

The army doctor removed the arrow from Guan Yu's body and bandaged his wound.

Guan Ping advised:

"Father, the King of Silla has fled, and the capital has fallen. Should we withdraw our troops now?"

The generals in the tent all echoed:

"Yes, General, the objective of this battle has been achieved, why pursue further?"

"The general is injured and should rest."

“Silla is barren; it is not worth continuing to wage war against it.”

Guan Yu rubbed his injured arm, his gaze sweeping over the assembled generals, and suddenly sneered:

Do you really think that I, Guan, am unaware?

"All this talk of recuperating from injuries and achieving one's goal is just a euphemism for finding this place too barren to make any money!"

The generals lowered their heads and remained silent, exchanging bewildered glances.

It turned out that due to Silla's scorched-earth policy, the Han soldiers could not gain any advantage here.

Even if you break into a city, you'll basically not get any rewards.

In addition, Silla was a barren and cold place, so no one wanted to stay there any longer.

Gongsun Xu forced himself to say:
"General, you are wise to see that Silla has adopted a scorched-earth policy, and our army is indeed facing supply difficulties..."

"shut up!"

Guan Yu slammed his hand on the table and stood up, which aggravated his wound, causing him to wince in pain.

Yet he still stood tall, declaring, "I eat the king's food, so I must serve the king faithfully!"

"The King of Silla has not yet been captured, and the war is not over. How can we talk about retreating?"

"Continue south tomorrow!"

The generals dared not offer any further advice and retreated in silence.

The next day, the Han army continued its southward campaign.

The further south they went, the more rugged the roads became, and the Silla guerrillas appeared and disappeared unpredictably, launching surprise attacks from time to time.

One day, while traveling through a canyon, they suddenly heard horns sounding from both mountain peaks, and arrows raining down like rain.

"Ambush! Protect the general!"

The lieutenant raised his shield and stood in front of Guan Yu.

The Han army's formation was thrown into chaos, and they were crammed together in the valley.

Guan Yu, enduring the pain of the arrow wound, deflected it with his sword and shouted:

"Don't panic! The vanguard will charge, the rearguard will retreat!"

The fierce battle lasted for an hour, with hundreds of Han soldiers killed or wounded, before they finally broke through the encirclement.

While counting the casualties, Guan Ping noticed his father's pale face and quickly supported him.

"Father, your injuries..."

Guan Yu pushed his hand away:
"...It doesn't matter."

"Order the entire army to speed up their march and catch up with the King of Silla within three days!"

However, the Silla guerrillas, taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, continued to harass the area.

The Han army's advance was slow, and morale was declining day by day.

That evening, when they were setting up camp, Guan Yu inspected the camp and saw the soldiers sitting around the campfire, all of them looking tired.

"General."

A young soldier suddenly knelt down and wept, “We haven’t had hot food for a day, and many of our brothers have frostbite…”

Guan Yu remained silent, looking at the soldier's frostbitten hands, a trace of pain flashing in his phoenix eyes.

He took off his cloak and covered the soldier with it:
"Hold on for a few more days, and once we capture the King of Silla, we will surely let you return home in glory."

That night, Guan Yu sat alone in his tent, deep in thought by candlelight.

Guan Ping brought in the medicine and saw his father staring intently at the map. He said softly:

"Father, it's time to change the dressing."

Guan Yu let his son untie the bandages, then suddenly asked:
"Ping'er, do you think I'm being too stubborn?"

Guan Ping paused in his movements:
"My father is devoted to the country; what wrong has he done?"

Guan Yu sighed deeply, gazing at the snow falling outside the tent:

"A general should care for his soldiers."

"These soldiers followed me on my expedition, enduring countless hardships, yet I..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion was heard outside the tent.

Wang Ping hurriedly entered the tent:

"General, we have captured several Silla spies who say that Master Zhuben has now fled into Baekje and is hiding in the deep mountains."

Guan Yu suddenly stood up:

"Send the order! Tomorrow we will break camp and enter Baekje!"

Upon hearing the news, the generals all came to dissuade him.

Zhang Hu said:
"General, although Baekje is a small country, if we rashly enter, it may trigger a war between the two countries!"

Gongsun Xu also advised:
"Our army is running out of food and supplies, and our soldiers are exhausted. It is really not advisable for us to fight any longer."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and sneered:

"If Baekje dares to harbor rebels, it will be making an enemy of our Celestial Empire!"

"At that time, we will select three thousand elite troops and march straight into their country."

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to take advantage of the situation and destroy them."

"If you are afraid, you may stay here!"

The generals dared not speak further.

Three days later, the Han army entered Baekje territory.

But all that could be seen were rolling mountains and dense forests.

The remnants of Silla, taking advantage of the mountain terrain, continued to launch surprise attacks.

The Han army fought in the mountains for ten days, exhausting themselves.

On this day, Guan Yu summoned his generals for a meeting.

Wang Ping offered a suggestion:

"General, the remnants of Silla are hiding deep in the mountains. Why not set fire to the mountains and force them to flee?"

Guan Yu agreed.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky, and thick smoke obscured the sun.

Poisonous snakes and wild beasts in the mountains fled in panic, and the local people cried out as they fled their homes.

Guan Yu stood on the high hill, gazing at the flames that filled the sky.

A flickering flame was reflected in his phoenix eyes, and his right hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the Azure Dragon Blade.

Three days later, the scout reported:

Zhu Benni has now fled to the capital of Baekje. Guan Yu immediately led his army in pursuit.

At this moment, in the Baekje royal palace, the nun Zhuben was kneeling on the ground:
"We humbly beg Your Majesty to take us in! Silla is willing to be your vassal for eternity!"

The King of Baekje rested his hand on his forehead in deep thought, his eyes flickering:

"How can I, the king, stand idly by while my country suffers such a great calamity?"

"General, please settle down for now, and allow me to discuss this further."

After the abbess Benni has left, the King of Baekje immediately summoned his trusted confidants:
"Go quickly to the Han army camp and tell Guan Yu that I am willing to offer up the King of Silla."

The crowd was puzzled, but the King of Baekje said:

"As soon as the Han army arrived, they defeated Silla and destroyed the country."

"Given the weakness of Baekje, it is really not worth offending the Celestial Empire for the sake of the Silla people."

"It would be better to settle this matter as soon as possible and send the Celestial Empire's army away."

Immediately, the King of Baekje issued an order.

On the one hand, he ordered his men to first stabilize the situation of Master Zhu Ben.

On one hand, they dispatched cooks to prepare large quantities of wine, food, and fruits.

When Guan Yu's army arrives, they will present tribute to him in order to curry favor with the Heavenly Dynasty's army.

To avoid repeating the mistakes of Silla.

……

(End of this chapter)