Late Han Zhao Tang

Cao Cao appointed Zhou Yu and Cao Ren as the vanguard, leading 20,000 troops to attack Changsha Commandery. Along the way, they captured counties and towns without committing any offenses. Cao Hong and Chen Wu arrived later with 10,000 troops, advancing along the route of the vanguard.

When they reached Dongting Lake, Cao Ren led his troops directly to Linxiang, the county seat, while Zhou Yu led 10,000 men to garrison Yiyang to prevent Guan Yu from suddenly cutting off Cao Ren's retreat.

Cao Ren and Cao Hong advanced against the Xiang River. Lai Gong, the governor of Changsha, was greatly alarmed. Since there were only a few thousand soldiers in the city, he feared that they would be unable to stop Cao's army from breaking through the city. So he abandoned the city and fled to Gong'an.

After descending to Linxiang, Cao Ren remained to guard the area, using an imperial edict to pacify the powerful clans of Changsha. Meanwhile, Cao Hong continued his southward advance, penetrating into Guiyang Commandery.

The governor of Guiyang, Xiong Yuan, was greatly alarmed. Upon seeing the imperial edict delivered by Cao Hong and learning that Liu Bei had gone to Jiangdong and was probably imprisoned in Jinling, he pondered deeply and surrendered the prefecture. As the edict from Guiyang was issued, Cao Hong left Chen Wu to quell the remaining rebels and personally led his troops to retake Lingling.

When the counties east of the Xiang River changed hands, Guan Yu was greatly shocked to learn that Cao Cao had suddenly broken his alliance and launched a surprise attack on Changsha, and his subordinates were terrified.

Inside the prefectural government office, Guan Yu's face was grim. He said, "My brother went all the way to Jiangdong to ask for a marriage alliance, but Cao Cao broke his promise and sent troops to attack us. What should we do now?"

"No need for further words! We should raise an army, defeat Cao Cao, and head straight for Jiangdong to rescue our elder brother!" Zhang Fei, hot-tempered, slammed his fist on the table and roared angrily.

Jiang Wan said worriedly, "Raising an army to fight Cao Cao is one thing, but I fear that Cao Cao, in his anger, might kill our lord!"

Guan Yu paced back and forth anxiously, saying, "Gongyan is what I'm worried about. Cao Cao has sent troops to attack us, and my brother is imprisoned in Jinling. I fear that Cao Cao will use my brother's life to coerce you and me."

"What should we do?"

Zhang Fei said indignantly, "If we can't fight Cao Cao, are we supposed to hand over the whole province to him?"

Guan Yu remained silent, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, unable to devise a good solution to the current situation.

"military adviser?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Zhang Fei looked at Li Yan and urged him on.

Li Yan said bitterly, "If we surrender the entire province to Cao Cao, we may be able to save our lord's life. But I fear that if Cao Cao gains control of the six counties of Jingzhou, he may take the opportunity to harm our lord."

"Then what should we do?" Zhang Fei asked.

Li Yan hesitated for a long time before saying, "The two generals are as close to our lord as gold. Cao Cao has taken our lord hostage and is determined to force the two generals to surrender. Now that the bandits are coming, the country is without a ruler and cannot fight back. In my opinion, it would be better to appoint the young master as a general and raise troops to negotiate with Cao Cao to see if we can get our lord back."

"If a new ruler is not established, I fear that the soldiers and officials of Jingzhou will be disheartened by the lack of a sovereign, and the people's hearts will be scattered, making it difficult to resist Cao Cao's military campaigns!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu's phoenix eyebrows furrowed, and he cursed, "An adopted son is not a true son; how can he succeed his elder brother?"

"Cao Cao is holding our lord hostage. If I were to adopt his son as my successor, I fear the world would laugh at us. And when our lord returns, how will we treat him? I respect you as my strategist, which is why I am listening to your advice. But if you speak of such things again, do not blame me for punishing you according to military law!"

After Guan Yu finished speaking, Li Yan and Liu Feng had different expressions, both annoyed by Guan Yu's words.

Li Yan was so angry that his face turned red with shame. Since Liu Bei had treated him with kindness, no one had ever dared to speak to him like that. Liu Feng, as Liu Bei's adopted son, considered himself a young general because Liu Bei had no sons. Now, Guan Yu had called him an "adopted son," directly stating that he had no right to inherit the throne. No one could know the shame and anger Liu Feng felt inside.

"With Father still alive, how dare I succeed him? We should first discuss strategies to save Father," Liu Feng said, suppressing his anger.

Seeing that Liu Feng tactfully declined, Guan Yu's expression softened slightly. Li Yan, however, just pursed his lips and said no more.

"What should we do?" Zhang Fei asked anxiously, his thoughts in turmoil.

Guan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Cao Cao imprisoned my brother simply because he coveted Jingzhou. I will lead elite troops to Changsha to defend against the enemy and negotiate with Cao Cao to see if we can cede counties in exchange for my brother."

"General Guan's words may be feasible!"

Jiang Wan said, "Cao Cao's ambition lies in Jingzhou. If our army can defend against the enemy, Cao Cao, fearing that the Tang army will benefit, may agree to ransom our lord with land."

"Ok!"

Just as Guan Yu was about to make his decision, a servant suddenly entered the mansion.

"Reporting to the general, Prefect Lai Gong of Changsha is requesting an audience!" the attendant said.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu's expression changed again, and he roughly guessed what was going on. "Let him in!" Guan Yu said with a grim face.

"promise!"

A short while later, Lai Gong, looking disheveled, strode into the hall. Upon seeing Guan Yu, he cried out, "Cao Cao broke the alliance and suddenly sent his troops up the Yangtze River to attack us. I was unable to gather my troops in time, and Cao Ren seized Linxiang. On my way back, I heard from the people on the river that Zhou Yu had already stationed his troops in Yiyang!"

Guan Yu asked coldly, "Cao Cao's army suddenly launched an attack, and their forces must be few. Linxiang is a well-fortified city with plenty of food and provisions. Why did you abandon your post?"

Lai Gong stammered, "General Guan, the enemy outnumbers us, and our army is under constant attack. It is truly difficult to hold our ground!"

"Snapped!"

Guan Yu slammed his fist on the table in anger and said, "Nonsense! Changsha has 5,000 troops, of which no less than 3,000 are from Linxiang. If we had held the city, how could Cao Ren have taken it so easily? It's clear that you are cowardly and abandoned the prefecture to flee!"

Under normal circumstances, Guan Yu wouldn't have been so angry. But now, at this critical moment, he still planned to exchange Changsha for his sworn brother Liu Bei. Now that Changsha had fallen, didn't that mean Guiyang County was in grave danger?
Having lost Changsha and Guiyang commanderies, only four commanderies remain: Wuling, Lingling, Nan, and Xiping. Of these, Nan and Xiping have small populations and were established primarily for their strategic locations. Therefore, only Wuling and Lingling are currently available for exchange. If these two commanderies are sold, what difference would it make from surrendering to Cao Cao? My brother's legacy will be reduced to ashes!
Growing angrier by the thought, Guan Yu said in a deep voice, "Lai Gong abandoned the prefecture and fled, failing to protect his territory. Now, according to the law, he shall be executed as a warning to others!"

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, prefects were responsible for guarding their territories. Now, having fled without abandoning his prefecture, he should be severely punished as a warning to others. However, Lai Gong is a scion of a prominent local family in Jingzhou, and even if Liu Bei himself ordered it, it would be difficult to impose a severe punishment!
Therefore, when Guan Yu issued his decree, many people pleaded for Lai Gong's life!

Jiang Wan pleaded, "General Guan, Lai Changsha is an official with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), and is a minister highly valued by our lord. Now Cao Cao has suddenly launched an attack, which no one could have predicted. Lai Changsha is guilty of abandoning his territory, but given the current situation, he can be pardoned out of consideration for the circumstances."

"Lai Changsha's crimes should be pardoned!"

Liu Min was from Lingling, and his clan had long been associated with Lai Gong. So he said, "General Guan, our lord went to Jiangdong to form a marriage alliance with Cao Cao. Everyone thought that the two families would become husband and wife. But who could have predicted that Cao Cao would break the alliance and attack us? Therefore, it is only right and reasonable to pardon Lai Gong for abandoning the land in Changsha."

"Lai Changsha is renowned and respected by our lord. I hope General Guan will reconsider!" Li Yan disliked Guan Yu and held a grudge against the insults he had just received, so he was willing to put him in a bad light!

Seeing everyone speaking up for Lai Gong, Guan Yu remained silent. He understood their unspoken meaning: Lai Gong's loss of land stemmed from Liu Bei's imprisonment while traveling to Jiangdong to welcome his bride. Therefore, if Lai Gong were to be punished, the question would have to be directed at Liu Bei's imprisonment during his wedding procession.

Guan Yu clenched his fists, furious that these scions of powerful local clans were protecting each other.

"call!"

"What you all say makes sense. We will now pardon Lai Changsha!"

Guan Yu let out a long breath and said, "Cao Cao has launched an attack, and we have no choice but to fight. Order all troops to prepare for battle, and we will march to Yiyang tomorrow!"

"promise!"

Zhang Fei, Liu Feng, and other generals bowed and accepted the order.

Guan Yu wanted to say something to Li Yan, but seeing Li Yan's cold face and silence, he gradually became angry, snorted coldly, and said, "The matter of military rations must not be neglected!"

Li Yan was no easy man to deal with. Seeing how Guan Yu treated him, he was still furious and said, "Our lord is in Jiangdong. I hope General Guan will be cautious!"

"I know what's important!" Guan Yu stroked his beard and replied calmly.

"Farewell!"

Li Yan bowed slightly and then withdrew with his subordinates.

Seeing this, Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "The strategist is a minister highly valued by my elder brother. Now that my second brother has fallen out with him, I'm afraid it will be inappropriate!"

"What's wrong with it?"

Guan Yu said with dissatisfaction, "Li Yan was promoted by my elder brother, but in this time of crisis, he wants to put his adopted son in a position of power. How can such a person be trusted!"

Zhang Fei said, "Liu Feng has always served his elder brother with utmost devotion. Second brother, speaking frankly in public might hurt Liu Feng's feelings!"

Guan Yu said, "The reason I speak frankly is to warn Liu Feng and the others against harboring disloyal thoughts!" (End of Chapter)