Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 226 Descendants of Panwang
Wulingyuan.

The ravines are like forests, and the abyss is ten thousand feet deep.

Ma Bing and his group of Tiger Warriors were all bound and pushed to the entrance of a deep valley.

The valley entrance is narrow, and the stone walls are like a city.

Barbarian soldiers, their blades drawn, lined the road; all of them had tattooed faces.

They wore otter fur hats, adorned with colorful feathers of varying colors.

He wore a short brown robe, covered with white rhinoceros armor, and adorned with tiger, leopard, bear, and python fur.

Even though he had seen many different ethnic groups before and knew that the southern ethnic groups often wore their hair loose and their robes fastened, dressed in strange clothes, and liked to tattoo their faces and bodies, these people still gave Ma Bing a rather novel experience today.

Upon entering the valley, a sudden sense of openness and tranquility filled the air.

The land is flat and the houses are neat. There are fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees and bamboos.

The paths crisscross, and the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard from one another.

Fishermen on the water and farmers in the fields all had disheveled hair and wore shorts and short clothes, which was very different from the Han people.

In the very center of the Yi people's large village.

A stilted bamboo house is built on the surface of the azure lake.

Inside the bamboo building, King Sha Lie sat on a tiger-skin bamboo bed, his large body wielding a golden sword.

"You say you are Han Chinese?" Sha Lie scoffed, slamming his knife on the ground.

Ma Bing said calmly, "King Miao should have seen the Han imperial seal and the emperor's seal before. We have brought the Han imperial seal and the emperor's edict this time, and King Miao can examine them."

"Hmph, can't the people of Wu forge the imperial edicts and imperial staffs of the Han dynasty?!"

"Are you perhaps spies from the Wu Kingdom, trying to deceive me and spy on my Miao army?!"

The various Yi peoples of the Five Streams are all descendants of Pangu, hence they call themselves Miao people.

Upon hearing this, Ma Bing pointed to the white dot between his eyebrows and said:

"I once heard my late father say that the young chieftain of the Miao tribe, Sha Jun, was the same age as my late father."

"They once buried their swords at the Panwang Temple on the shore of Jianfeng Lake as a pledge, forming a blood oath alliance."

“The imperial edict and the staff of authority can be forged by the people of Wu.”

"However, the white mark between my eyebrows makes me look exactly like my late father."

"I wonder if the Miao King still remembers my father?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Lie paused for a moment, then immediately rose from the tiger-skin couch and stepped forward.

Sure enough, they discovered that the newcomer had a white mark between his eyebrows, just like Ma Liang and Ma Jichang.

Then, memories from five years ago suddenly flooded back.

On the eve of the Battle of Yiling, Ma Liang, a Han court attendant, arrived with the imperial tally of the Han emperor and swore a blood oath with the Miao people of the Five Streams to punish the Wu people.

For more than a year afterward, he associated with the Miao people and advised his father, Shamoke, on how to participate in the campaign against Wu.

He and his father died in battle at Zigui, killed by the Wu generals Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong.

His body, like his father's, was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps they will be torn to pieces, or perhaps they will sink into the great river.

The young scholar before them bore a striking resemblance to Ma Jichang, the Han Dynasty court official.

Upon closer inspection, the mouth and nose appear to be exactly like those of Ma Liang.

The Miao king was momentarily dazed, then turned back to his tiger-shaped bed.

"Hmph! So what if he's Ma Liang's son?!"

"Does your Han emperor intend to use us, the Miao people of Wuxi, as vanguards, to send our brave Miao warriors to their deaths again?!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Bing frowned slightly.

Since the defeat at Yiling, the Wuxi Yi people suffered heavy losses and were forced by Wu to flee into the mountains.

While the late emperor was alive, there was still contact. After the late emperor's death, Han envoys would often go deep into Wuling to make connections with the Wuxi Yi, but they were all driven out.

After that, the missions of both sides ended and there was no further contact, not even to this day.

In the years since their missions were severed, Eastern Wu issued a series of policies to appease the Wuling barbarians, which can be described as sincere and generous.

Because his father had a deep friendship with the Wuling barbarians, Ma Bing had been paying attention to the affairs of Wuling for the past few years. However, even he was not sure whether the current Wuling Wuxi barbarians were still the descendants of Pangu who admired the power and virtue of the Han Dynasty.

Do you still remember the oath you made with the Han Dynasty to conquer Wu?

"You should go back now; there's nothing more to say between us," said Miao King Sha Lie.

"The current emperor of the Han dynasty is no longer the same valiant ruler he once was!"

"Back then, the Han emperor was renowned for both his power and virtue, and his policy of pacification won the hearts of the Miao people of the Five Streams!"

"They could even raise an army in anger over Guan Yu's death and the loss of Jingzhou, and launch a furious attack on Wu, without regretting it even if they were defeated."

"And now, your Han state has completely forgotten its enmity with the Wu state!"
"Not only did they no longer seek revenge for Guan Yu and the late emperor, but they also formed an alliance with the Wu Kingdom!"

"This is a betrayal of the oath I, a member of the Wuxi Miao people, made in front of the Panwang Temple, and an association with venomous snakes!"

"They forgot their hatred for the Wu Kingdom, but instead harbored resentment towards us, the Miao people of the Five Streams!"

"This is something that we, the Miao people of Wuxi, absolutely cannot tolerate!"

"Since you have broken your promise, you are now the enemy of the Wuxi Miao people!"

"If it weren't for the fact that your father and I were old acquaintances, and that he died alongside my father in Zigui."

"I will make you bleed on the spot and hang your head in front of the Panwang Temple!"
"This is offered as a sacrifice to King Pan, my father, and the souls of all the brave warriors who died in Zigui and Yiling!"

"Get out of here and stop talking nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Bing's expression changed.

"What does the Miao King mean by this?!"
"The hatred for Jingzhou and the resentment for Yiling are irreconcilable and must be avenged!"
"But there is a saying among the Han people, I wonder if the Miao king has heard it."

"What are you saying?" The Miao king scoffed and asked with a frown.

Ma Bingnai's face darkened with anger:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Ai of Qi was boiled alive because Marquis Ji slandered him to King Yi of Zhou.

The people of Qi endured humiliation and never forgot it, even after generations.

"It was only after the ninth generation that Duke Xiang of Qi raised an army to destroy Ji, captured and killed the Marquis of Ji, and avenged Duke Ai of Qi."

The Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals states:

"Can revenge still be sought after nine generations?"

"—Even for a hundred generations, it would be worthwhile!"

Sha Lie had obviously never heard of this phrase before. He was stunned for a moment, then extracted the most crucial information from it, and savored the intense passion that shared the same lineage as the "fire of revenge" of the Miao people of Wuxi.

But then Ma Bingdao said:
"King Miao, national hatred is different from personal grudges."

“Personal feuds may be severed after five generations.”

"When there is national enmity, the emperor and ancestors are one."

"Not just nine generations, not just a hundred generations."

"Though it may last for ten thousand generations, it can still be pursued!"

"When Emperor Gao was besieged at Baideng, he was unable to break the siege for seven days and nights, but finally escaped with gold, silk and precious treasures."

"When Emperor Gaozu died, Empress Lü assumed power. She accepted insulting letters from the Xiongnu, whose words were disrespectful and even insulted the mother of the nation, causing the Han Dynasty to lose face."

"During the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, the border regions were repeatedly invaded, but due to the weakness of the country and the poverty of the people, there was nothing that could be done."

"The Xiongnu's relationship with the Han Dynasty was one of accumulated shame and humiliation, which only intensified over the reigns of seven emperors."

"When Emperor Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty came to power, he said: 'In the past, Duke Xiang of Qi avenged the humiliation of nine generations, and the Spring and Autumn Annals praised it highly. Now, we will wipe away the shame of generations for the Han Dynasty. What doubt is there?!'"

"Therefore, the people's hearts and resources of the Han Dynasty, spanning seven generations and over sixty years, were mobilized to launch a northern expedition against the Xiongnu."

"Over the course of more than ten years, Wei Qing emerged from Yunzhong, and Huo Qubing sealed the wolf's lair."

"The Xiongnu have fled far away, and there is no royal court south of the desert."

"The siege of Baideng and the humiliation of Empress Lü have now been avenged to some extent."

"After the defeat at Yiling, Wei and Wu became powerful and were both traitors to Han."

"The late emperor harbored resentment, and the emperor gnashed his teeth."

"All the officials and officers desire to eat flesh, sleep on skin, dismember bones, and drink blood!"

"But the Han Dynasty was too weak to withstand the invasions of Wei and Wu at the same time."

"Therefore, he had no choice but to make peace with Wu, to show them weakness, and to feign compliance. His real intention was to prevent Wu from forming an alliance with Cao Wei!"

"The Han Dynasty has endured humiliation and hardship for five years."

"The recuperation is finally over, and the soldiers have enough food."

"Thus, he vented his long-held grievances!"
"The emperor and the prime minister successively led the royal army on a northern expedition!"

"With one drumbeat, we will recapture Guanzhong and return to Chang'an! We will slay Cao Zhen and Zhang He, and defeat Sima Yi!"

"Afterwards, they defeated the Wu army again at Xicheng, captured Bu Zhi and Zhuge Jin, the left and right generals of the pseudo-Wu, captured and killed more than 30 officers and soldiers, more than 500 officers and soldiers above the rank of commander, and killed more than 30,000 people who surrendered!

"Now we intend to take advantage of our victory and sail straight towards Yiling!"
"I swear to avenge the late emperor and the former Miao king, Sha Gong, and wipe away the hatred of the past, to settle the score for the hatred of a hundred generations and ten thousand generations!"

Upon hearing this, Miao King Sha Lie was utterly astonished.

"The Northern Expedition of the Han Dynasty?"

"To fully recover Guanzhong?"

"Return the capital to Chang'an?"

"A great victory was achieved against the Wu bandits at Xicheng?"

"Sun Quan's trusted confidant, Bu Zhi, has been captured alive?!"

Sha Lie was utterly shocked and couldn't believe it.

"Quickly, fetch the Han Emperor's... fetch His Majesty's imperial seal and edict!" After regaining his senses, the man hurriedly ordered his personal guards, and then personally stepped forward to untie Ma Bing.

Upon hearing the sound and seeing the scene, Ma Bing was overwhelmed with emotion, his whole body trembled slightly, and tears welled up in his eyes.

His father was once appointed to unite with the Wuling tribes, fight alongside them, and ultimately die for the Han Dynasty together with them.

He was also sent by the emperor to carry on his father's legacy and take on his father's old mission, to negotiate peace with the Wuling barbarians and to once again punish the Wu bandits.

Judging from the state of the barbarian king, it seems he is about to fulfill his mission.

Before long, a staff, an imperial edict, and a wooden box were brought to Sha Lie by several Miao warriors.

Sha Lie then returned all the items to Ma Bing.

Ma Bing handed the imperial staff to his attendant, the Tiger-like Guard, and then unfolded the imperial edict and proclaimed:

"In the past, the late Emperor fought vigorously to defeat thieves and revive the Han Dynasty!
"The Miao people of the Five Streams, hearing of this righteous cause, eagerly took up arms!"
"The Miao king Shamoke was unparalleled in loyalty and bravery. He personally led his sons and brothers deep into dangerous formations to fight against the Wu rebels. In the end, he sacrificed his life, his blood staining Zigui!"
“Whenever I think of this, I am filled with grief.”

"Now, we hereby posthumously confer the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness upon Miao King Shamoke, bestowing upon him this auspicious name, so that his loyalty and valor may be forever remembered!"

"His son, Sha Lie, was a brave and accomplished man from a young age. He carried on his father's will and remained unmoved despite the Wu bandits' various attempts to tempt him. His loyalty and integrity are as bright as the sun and moon!"

"He is hereby specially appointed as General of Loyalty and Integrity, and granted the title of Marquis of Enshi

"May you carry on the legacy of your predecessors, and join hands with the great Han army to destroy the Wu traitors!"
"To bring peace to the world and to comfort the loyal souls!"

"Awesome!"

"Your subject... Your subject Lie accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!" Sha Lie's words and actions were slightly awkward, but he had obviously seen this routine before, and it was quite convincing.

Just then, Ma Bing took the wooden box from Hu Benlang and opened it.

The head of the deceased was displayed in the box to King Shalie of Miao.

"Whose head is this?" Sha Lie had already seen the head in the box, but he did not recognize whose head it was, nor did he know why Ma Bing, the Han envoy, had brought a head.

"This is the head of Wu traitor Ma Zhong, which was beheaded by Guan Xing, the son of Guan Yu."

Sha Lie was taken aback at first, then strode forward and took the severed head from Ma Bing's hand. He glared at the head angrily, then gritted his teeth and hurled it to the ground.

"May Wu dog die a good death!"

"May Wu dog die a good death!"

After cursing, he then whipped the victim hard.

As for the dozens, their resentment was finally vented.

Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong killed countless Han and Miao generals in the Battle of Yiling, and Sha Lie's father also died at their hands. Now that their heads are here, how can he not be overjoyed?

After a banquet was held with Ma Bing, the alliance between the Han and Miao people was established.

When no one was around, an elder from the Miao and Yi ethnic groups of Wuxi stepped forward:
"May Your Majesty and the Han envoy swear a blood oath."

"If the blood of Your Majesty and the Han envoy can be mixed together, it means that King Pan has recognized our oath with the Han Dynasty."

Ma Bing suddenly froze. Such a major matter was ultimately to be decided based on whether blood could mix? Wasn't that a bit too absurd?

Just as Ma Bing was speculating whether this was a ploy by Miao King Sha Lie and the old man to refuse the oath of alliance with the Han, he saw Sha Lie suddenly glare angrily at the old man and rebuke him:

"If we cannot reconcile, will we then abandon our alliance with the Han Dynasty to attack Wu?!"
"The roots of the Miao and Han people are intertwined, and their blood is intertwined!"

"How could Pan Wang possibly refuse?!"

"But Your Majesty!" the old man said anxiously, about to speak again.

"No need for further words!" Sha Lie cursed.

However, he immediately changed his expression after speaking, took out a curved knife from his waist, lightly cut his hand with the knife, dripped the blood into the cup, and then handed the Miao knife to Ma Bing.

Ma Bing was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood what he meant. He wiped his hand with the knife and dripped blood into the cup.

But the two drops of blood quickly merged into one.

Sha Lie then smiled and said to the Miao elder, "Alright, we'll do as you say, old man!"

...

...

Guanzhong.

The mouth of the inclined valley.

After more than a month of arduous travel, Bu Zhi, Zhuge Jin, and other Wu surrendered people finally completed their journey of nearly a thousand miles and entered the Guanzhong region.

Dressed in simple scholar's robes, Bu Zhi, though travel-worn, still kept his hair neatly combed. He turned the last bend of the plank road and arrived at a spacious platform once again.

Supported by two attendants, Zhuge Jin slowly followed behind Bu Zhi, climbing the earthen steps toward the somewhat sloping platform.

Having fallen ill during the journey, he was now haggard and thin, with a gaunt and emaciated appearance.

Compared to Bu Zhi, who remained calm and dignified, he appeared utterly disheveled.

Those who don't know might think he was still heartbroken because of his defeat and capture.

But in fact, this feeling never reappeared after Zhuge Jin was received by Liu Shan, the Han emperor, a few times.

At least on the surface, he has emerged from the dejection of being defeated and captured.

The guards responsible for escorting Zhuge Jin all believed that the Prime Minister's brother had probably been appeased by the Emperor and was ready to serve the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, the soldiers responsible for escorting him took good care of the prime minister's brother and treated him with great courtesy.

The two walked one after the other down the stairs and were about to reach the open platform.

This kind of terrain, with one platform after another, is commonplace along the hundreds of miles of plank roads behind us, and we've long been accustomed to it.

Neither of them knew that this was the end of the plank road, and therefore neither realized that the Guanzhong Plain was about to appear before them.

So when they finally stood on the platform, and the vast, boundless plain suddenly appeared before them, both of them were completely stunned and pale.

An unprecedented sense of openness suddenly overwhelmed them.

His vision had an end, but the plain seemed to have no end.

Long Xianglang, who was in charge of escorting them, seemed to have anticipated this scene. Seeing the two of them in a daze, he immediately grinned and said, "We've arrived in Guanzhong."

"Have we reached Guanzhong?" Bu Zhi murmured to himself, gazing into the distance.

Zhuge Jin also perked up, and the haggard look on his face disappeared.

At that moment, he thought of countless stories that had taken place in Guanzhong, and of Zhuge Feng, the ancestor of the Zhuge clan of Langya, who had served as the Commandant of the Capital Region during the Former Han Dynasty.

Bu Zhi remained silent.

They were from Wu.

They are also Han Chinese.

When they were born, the world was still under the rule of the Han dynasty.

Everything they were exposed to from childhood was closely related to the Han Dynasty.

Tracing their ancestors, for three or four hundred years, they were all officials of the Han Dynasty. They were the ones who received the Han's favor and enjoyed the Han's salary for generations.

For four hundred years, the Han Dynasty nurtured scholars, leaving an indelible mark on the people born and raised there. Even the banner raised by Sun Wu during his separatist regime was to support the Han Dynasty, which shows this point.

Bu Zhi withdrew his gaze.

As you continue forward, you'll find a checkpoint at the end of the platform.

Dozens of dried skulls hang from the cliff railing beside the checkpoint.

The escorting officer explained that this pass was set up by Zhao Yun's son, Zhao Tong. When the Han army suffered a defeat in their first battle against Cao Zhen, Zhao Tong, wielding the Shangfang sword bestowed by the emperor, killed dozens of fleeing officers and finally brought the situation under control.

These dried-up skulls are the remains of the heads of those who were beheaded and displayed to the public.

"Is that Wuzhangyuan?" Bu Zhi asked, ignoring the skeletons and pointing to the plateau that rose abruptly from the plain at the end of his line of sight.

"Yes."

“I want to go there and take a look,” Bu Zhi said, his expression arrogant, as if he were giving a command rather than making a request.

The commander in charge of "escorting" them, Longxiang Sima, was ordered by the emperor not to be too disrespectful to these surrendered Wu generals. He also knew that the emperor wanted to use Bu Zhi and other surrendered Wu soldiers to annoy Sun Quan, so he showed no dissatisfaction and happily led the group of surrendered Wu soldiers towards Wuzhangyuan.

(End of this chapter)