Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 254 The Four No's and Two Straights, the River Water is Too Cold

The river mist was like a veil.

They surrounded the Han army's land and naval camps in front of Yanyu Pass.

Liu Shan awoke in the top-floor cabin of his flagship, the Yanwu.

Last night was unusually quiet.

There was no night raid, which was a low-probability event.

There were no urgent reports from the Dabashan Mountains.

So the emperor slept until dawn.

He was no longer the naive young man he was when he first went on the expedition. No matter when or what happened, as long as it wasn't an urgent matter that required his personal involvement, he could quickly fall asleep peacefully.

This sense of security comes from familiarity, the trustworthiness of the soldiers around him, and an inexplicable self-confidence.

Liu Shan got up, put on a thin cloak, and pushed open the cabin door. The damp, cold river wind immediately rushed in, invigorating him.

Looking around, the Han army camps scattered along the river have already awakened.

Wisps of smoke rose from various places, mingling with the river mist and mountain fog.

Due to the mountain passes and the rugged terrain, with the Yanyu Pass blocking the way, it was difficult for Fu Qian, Zhao Guang, and others to send messages.

The last military report Liu Shan received before going to sleep was that Gong Shun and E He, leaders of the Ba people, had led their troops to sneak east of Yingchoujian, and Fu Qian was preparing to seize the pass.

As for what happened in the subsequent battle, no battle reports came back.

No news is the best news.

Fu Qian and Zhao Guang are both prudent people. If anything unexpected had happened, they would have received an urgent military report long ago.

"His Majesty."

Chen Dao's calm and steady voice came from behind Liu Shan.

Perhaps due to his old age, he slept very little each day, yet he did not feel tired. This morning, he had been busy on the lower deck for a long time, and only when he saw the emperor get up did he step up the stairs.

“Anguo and Zijin (Zheng Pu) have mustered two thousand elite soldiers and two thousand county soldiers. They are currently loading supplies onto ships and preparing to go upstream to the mountains to support Gongquan and Pijiang’s armies.”

Liu Shan nodded upon hearing this, his gaze still fixed on the towering mountains to the north: "Still no news from Gongquan?"

"Not yet," Chen replied succinctly.

Before long, Guan Xing, who was preparing for battle, sent word that the infantry on the shore were all ready, and the armor, weapons and supplies had all been loaded onto the ships. He requested permission to send troops.

"Now that everything is arranged, let's set off," Liu Shan said without hesitation.

Guan Xing and Zheng Pu received the order and set off upstream by both land and water.

Their destination was naturally the mountain path opened up by the Han army twenty miles upstream. It would probably be three or four days before they caught up with the vanguard led by Fu Qian and Zhao Guang.

Going upstream is not as simple as going downstream; the infantry can no longer travel by boat and must proceed on foot, clearing paths through the forest.

Before long, Guan Xing's flagship had disappeared, but the rear guard still hadn't moved.

Liu Shan stopped looking westward and slowly disembarked from the boat, crossing the muddy beach to reach the Han army camp.

After a night's rest, the soldiers regained some color in their faces, and their movements showed noticeably more strength.

The laborers and auxiliary soldiers carried buckets of river water.

After initial sedimentation, the river water was poured into urns, a large amount of ginger slices were added, and the mixture was boiled, then cooled to a warm temperature before being distributed to various camps.

Even after the plague in Guanzhong ended, the wartime rule against drinking untreated water was still maintained.

At first, some people complained about the inconvenience.

But when the fact that large-scale dysentery and diarrhea no longer occurred was presented to them, no one questioned this rule anymore.

Compared to the morale collapse of hundreds or thousands of people due to dysentery and diarrhea during wartime, burning a few more bundles of firewood is really nothing.

Passing by a camp, several cooks were placing heavy earthenware jars on the fire, cooking a porridge made of millet, dried vegetables, and minced meat.

Liu Shan approached and saw the porridge bubbling and steaming, its rich aroma wafting in the wind, causing the soldiers waiting in line to swallow their saliva from time to time.

Liu Shan ordered Ji Shu, the commander of the Longxiang Army, to bring him a bowl of soup and have it brought to his cabin to cool before continuing his patrol of the camp.

Most of the soldiers, from top to bottom, knew that the emperor often took food directly from the soldiers' pots, without complaining that the soldiers' food was bland and tasteless.

When Liu Shan first personally led the expedition, there were occasional instances of military officers and cooks embezzling the soldiers' food.

If Liu Shan discovers that there is a shortage of rice, meat, or salt, it will soon be discovered that a close attendant of the emperor will be accompanied by a royal guard to inquire about the matter.

Is there really a problem?
Some people still embezzled from it.

Wherever there are people, there is a social hierarchy. Even a lowly official in charge of managing rice, flour, oil, salt, pots, pans, and ladles can use their authority to seek benefits for certain people.

When it became common knowledge in the army that Liu Shan would go directly to the grassroots and inspect the situation of various armies without issuing notices, greetings, listening to reports, or being accompanied or received, and that he often shared food with his soldiers from the same jar, it was a common practice in the army.

The probability of such embezzlement of funds is greatly reduced.

Because the emperor would actually kill someone over such a trivial matter.

At first, some soldiers whispered among themselves, saying that His Majesty was so noble, how could he possibly eat the same food as them? It was just a rumor.

When several corrupt officials who embezzled military funds and misappropriated rations were brought to justice and executed, their heads displayed at the gate of the camp, causing an uproar among the troops, no one discussed whether the emperor was truly eating or not.

Whether you actually eat it or not is no longer important.

Thanks to the emperor's measures, their basic needs such as food, water, lodging, rewards, and punishments were better met with greater and more concrete protection than before, something that the Han soldiers could truly feel.

Thus, all the noise of discussion ceased, and naturally, praise for the emperor was sung.

Liu Shan lacked energy, so he personally selected fifty trusted confidants, skilled in both civil and military affairs, from among the officials of the Imperial Guard, and placed them under the command of Fa Miao, the Commandant of the Imperial Carriage, as "Embroidered-Robe Envoys," to serve as his eyes and ears.

They were not responsible for spying on civil and military officials; they simply carried out the "four no's and two direct's" to the end. Wearing light armor and embroidered clothes, they would randomly appear in various armies and, according to the specific steps taught by Liu Shan, investigate whether there were any grievances or complaints within the army.

The effect is obvious.

Whenever the "Embroidered-Clad Envoy" appeared in the military camp, even a captain of the first battalion dared not act rashly.

They were all soldiers, and they all had their share of flaws, more or less.

Previously, a corrupt official who had embezzled military funds had been made an example of by the Embroidered-Robe Envoy.

Fortunately, after killing several corrupt officials, the emperor issued a decree that he would not punish them without warning, nor would he pursue their past crimes.

As long as the regulations for auditing by the Embroidered Uniform Guard are established, and there are no more instances of embezzlement of military funds or misappropriation of military rations in the army, no further investigation will be conducted.

Many generals were relieved to realize that the emperor did not want them to become incorruptible saints, but rather that the emperor regarded the soldiers' food and supplies as the most important thing.

In this way, the criticism ceased.

As a result, more and more generals and soldiers became both respectful and fearful of the emperor.

Because those who secretly embezzled military rations and supplies were often not military officers or generals, but rather civil officials and clerks outside the military camps who were responsible for allocating supplies.

Most of the corrupt officials who were executed and their heads displayed at the gate were also civil officials.

Such swift and decisive measures allowed many generals and soldiers to secretly vent their anger, because in the past, these corrupt officials who embezzled military funds often had connections at higher levels.

Due to unspoken rules, as long as things aren't too outrageous, many people turn a blind eye to such matters, neither asking questions nor getting involved, let alone reporting them.

But now, it's different.

With the emperor personally overseeing the work and the Embroidered Uniform Guard inspecting the troops with unwavering impartiality, few dared to embezzle military supplies and rations anymore.

After going around in circles, Liu Shan arrived at the wounded soldiers' camp again.

The size of the camp has expanded considerably since his inspection yesterday, but the groans and muffled moans coming from it have decreased significantly.

More medical professionals and auxiliary soldiers were transferred over.

They used boiled and cooled strips of cloth, soaked in pungent alcohol, to clean the wounds and change the dressings for the wounded soldiers.

The bitter smell of boiled herbs permeated the air.

The seriously injured were housed in sheltered and warm tents.

Those with minor injuries sat by the campfire, drinking hot porridge and discussing loudly while gazing in the direction of Wu's army's stronghold.

The most talked-about topic, besides how bravely they fought and how many kills they made in yesterday's battle, was the Emperor's personal visit to the battlefield to inspect the three armies.

Yesterday, after Chen Dao received him, Liu Shan ordered the Golden Guard banner to be raised and made a trip to Yanyu Pass.

Firstly, he wanted to seduce Pan Jun and see if he had the guts to "capture the dragon," and secondly, he wanted to intimidate the Wu army in the camp.

After that, holding the Golden Banner, he inspected the wounded and injured soldiers of the various camps under the protection of Chen Dao. Finally, he met with a group of lieutenants and captains in the central army tent and gave them some necessary comfort and encouragement.

Liu Shan consistently worked to appease his soldiers and show kindness to his officers in Guanzhong.

No matter how tedious, tiring, or repetitive the task, I persisted in doing it and did it personally.

Personally leading an expedition is not simply about raising a flag, supervising the troops, and winning a battle.

More importantly, or rather, most importantly, is the post-war act of bestowing favors and gifts—a process of winning people's hearts and minds.

The soldiers must know that they have won a battle, that the Emperor has seen their contributions, and that they will be rewarded with high positions and great wealth in the future.

But you must also know.

Who exactly gave you the opportunity to win the battle? And who gave you the gold, silver, treasures, high-ranking positions, and generous salaries you have reaped?

Liu Shan would not do such a thing.

Then Chen Lai can only do it.

In this way, the soldiers would believe that everything they had received was obtained by Grand Commander Chen Dao on their behalf before the Emperor.

Therefore, the object of their gratitude was Grand Commander Chen Dao, not Emperor Liu Shan.

Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, so Liu Shan did not hesitate to extend his influence into the armies of the Prime Minister, General Zhao, or General Chen, regardless of any so-called personal relationships.

The Prime Minister, Fei Yi, General Zhao, Wei Yan, Wang Ping, Wu Yi, Wu Ban... everyone was already used to this, and the vast majority of important generals and ministers had been blessed by Liu Shan's "divine favor".

However, generals such as Chen Dao, Fu Kuang, Chen Hu, Yan Yu, Zheng Pu, and Wang Chong, who served in Jiangzhou and Baidi, were never fortunate enough to receive Liu Shan's "favor".

This is the first battle, the very first time.

Liu Shan naturally had to take this seriously.

“Brother Gao! Brother Gao! Tell me quickly, was the person who gave you the note yesterday really His Majesty?” A young military officer squeezed around Gao’s campfire, his face full of excitement and curiosity.

Since this was a camp for lightly wounded soldiers, the Emperor did not linger here during his inspection of the various camps last night.

As a result, many soldiers who were unharmed or only slightly injured were unable to see what the emperor actually looked like.

But... many people were impressed by the young scholar-general who handed Gao Feng a note.

Upon hearing someone say that the scholar-general was actually the emperor, they all crowded around Gao Ang, wanting to verify this with him.

His armor was impeccable, and the silver plaque on his chest, which had saved his life, was polished to a gleaming shine, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

The man was eating a hard flatbread with his meat porridge.

Upon hearing this, he swallowed the porridge and cake forcefully: "Yes."

After saying that, he couldn't hide the smug look on his face.

How could he not be pleased?

He's already being quite low-key.

Looking across the entire army, how many people can behead seven enemies in a single battle?
Looking across the entire army, how many people are fortunate enough to receive the Emperor's inquiry about their injuries and be granted a personal imperial edict?
Let alone a mere Tiger General like him, even a captain or lieutenant general who received such special treatment would probably be eager to ask everyone they meet: "How did you know the Emperor praised my feat of beheading seven enemy soldiers and bestowed upon me an imperial edict?!"

Someone suddenly became suspicious:
"Old Gao, you...you told everyone that the silver armor plates were a gift from the Emperor in Chang'an. If that general yesterday really was the Emperor, would you not have recognized him?"

Gao Feng deliberately put on a stern face:
"What I say goes!"

"I shouted myself hoarse during the grand review in Chang'an before His Majesty noticed me and bestowed a reward upon me!"
"Even if Your Majesty were to transform into... even if I were to die and turn to ashes, I would never forget the Emperor's appearance. How could I possibly mistake him?!"

"Then you..." The man still didn't believe it.

"What do you know?!" Gao Ang snorted.

"When His Majesty first arrived here yesterday, he was neither wearing the emperor's robes nor displaying the emperor's dragon banner, clearly not wanting to be recognized."

"Although I recognize His Majesty, how could I make such a rash statement?"

At this point, he deliberately revealed murderous intent, his face contorted as he surveyed the crowd around him: "What if... there are Wu Quan's spies among you, plotting against His Majesty?!"

Everyone was startled when they heard this.

Many people were frightened by the murderous intent that seemed to solidify in the eyes of this brute who had slain seven enemies in a row, and they took a few steps back in a huff.

“Brother Gao, what nonsense are you talking about? How could there be any Wu spies here?” Another old man, Du Bo, who was familiar with Gao Gao, also came over, put his arm around Gao Gao’s shoulder, and his eyes lit up.

"Come, Brother Gao, tell me, what exactly did His Majesty write on that note he gave you?"
"Did they promote you directly to personal guard?!"
"Quickly take it out and let the brothers see it, let them be envious!"

A chorus of jeers erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang suddenly became serious:
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Are the things His Majesty bestowed upon me something I can just casually show off?!"

"Hey, why not?" the military officer asked with a strange look.

"That armor plate His Majesty bestowed upon you in Chang'an, didn't you always show it off to everyone you met?!"

“That’s different!” Gao Feng said solemnly, not at all like he was joking.

"Since His Majesty has not announced it publicly, then it is not something I can publicize!"

"Hey, look!" some people in the crowd still cheered.

"Yeah, what's the big deal?"

He raised his head and shouted:

"No need to look, in short... His Majesty remembers me, remembers us men who fought for the Han Dynasty, and that is enough!"
"Chop down a few more Wu dogs and Wei dogs, and you'll have fields and houses, women and sons, wealth and luxury, and plenty of meat and fish!"

Many people were disappointed upon hearing this, but more than that, they felt a sense of pride and excitement.

Although Gao Ang spoke vaguely, everyone could see the brilliance in his eyes and the certainty in his tone.

What was written on the note was unimportant.

The important thing is that the emperor remembers us, the warriors who fought so hard!
As long as we are as proud as Gao Yuan and kill a few more Wu and Wei dogs for the emperor, we, these warriors, can also become superior people in the future!
...

...

Before Yanyu Pass.

Chen Dao, who had been intently watching the situation at the fortress, suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

A moment later, he hurried to the emperor's side.

"Your Majesty, something is not right." Chen Dao pointed to the gate wall. "The Wu bandits' garrison... seems a bit strange."

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Shan gazed intently in that direction.

I couldn't see it clearly, so I moved closer.

Before long, it was noticed that the walls there seemed rather... sparse compared to the ones that were full of banners and figures the night before.
The flag is still there, but the number of soldiers on duty has clearly decreased.

The patrolling soldiers also seemed somewhat distracted, their steps slow and deliberate.

More noticeably, Wu soldiers behind several battlements were gathering in twos and threes, no longer cautiously peering at the riverbank, but frequently pointing towards the inner city and the north.

They seemed to be arguing fiercely about something, and some were even waving their arms excitedly towards the direction of the pass.

Look carefully again.

Even the smoke rising from the chimneys above the fortress carried an air of unease.

"Is it an empty city ploy?"

"Or is it that... the morale of the Wu army here has already wavered?"

Fa Miao suddenly asked a question.

Liu Shan seemed to be deep in thought.

A thought arises:
"Such a state of constant anxiety, could it be that Gongquan, Pijiang, and Dingjiang... have already accomplished their goal last night?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was both doubtful and delighted.

Liu Shan led his men back to the Yanwu.

Just as everyone was filled with mixed feelings of doubt and joy, a series of rapid oars breaking the water suddenly came from the surface of the great river upstream. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw three nimble red-horse boats cutting through the waves, rushing towards the flagship where the dragon banner was located like arrows released from a bow.

Leading the way, several generals stood tall and proud.

"Is that Anguo?!" Chen Dao had excellent eyesight and recognized Guan Xing, who had just sailed west, first, and then he saw the two people next to him.

"And... Gongquan and Pijiang!"

The red horse boat was extremely fast.

They soon docked at the dragon boat.

Before the boat had come to a complete stop, Fu Qian and Zhao Guang nimbly climbed the gangway and quickly ascended the deck.

The two generals' battle robes were torn, their armor stained with blood and covered in dust, and their faces bore the weariness of days of fighting, but their eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, sparkling with barely suppressed excitement and great joy.

"Your Majesty! Grand Commander!" Former Commander Fu Qian clasped his hands in greeting, his voice hoarse with excitement, "Victory has been achieved in the Northern Route!"

Zhao Guang followed closely behind, bowing at the same time:
"His Majesty!
"We have fortunately fulfilled our mission!"
"We breached the Deep Ravine Pass last night!"

"They then pursued the enemy for twenty li, beheading generals, capturing flags, and inflicting a great defeat on the Wu army!"

"Slaying generals and seizing flags?" Liu Shan's gaze was immediately drawn to the wooden boxes carried by the personal guards behind Fu Qian and Zhao Guang.

"What's inside...?" Liu Shan pointed to the wooden box, quite intrigued.

Fu Qian took one of the wooden boxes, opened it abruptly, and a head with white hair and a ferocious face was revealed.

"Your Majesty! This is the head of Wu general Xianyu Dan!"
"This scoundrel once followed Lü Meng in a sneak attack on Jingzhou, his hands stained with the blood of my Jingzhou soldiers. Today, he will finally be beheaded and executed!"

On the other side, Zhao Guang also opened another wooden box, inside which was a head with its eyes wide open, still showing shock and anger.

"Your Majesty, this is Xu Zhong, a relative of the Sun Wu clan and the false General of the Yi Army!"

"He resisted stubbornly and has been killed in battle!"

“Another member of the Sun Wu clan, Sun Gui, also followed Lü Meng in usurping Jingzhou.”

"This coward has surrendered and is being held captive in the Red Horse Boat!"

Liu Shan looked at the two bloody heads, then at his two beloved generals who were weary from their journey but full of vigor, slapped the side of the ship, and laughed loudly:

“Okay! Okay! Okay!

"Public security, expanding territory!"
"Truly a tiger among my ministers!"

The civil and military officials who had gathered around, including Chen Dao, Chen Hu, Yan Yu, Fa Miao, and Zhang Biao, also stepped forward to congratulate Generals Fu Qian and Zhao Guang.

"Quickly! Tell me in detail about the battle in the mountains!" Liu Shan laughed heartily, eager to know the details of the northern route.

Fu Qian and Zhao Guangsui, one after the other, briefly and vividly recounted their battle experiences to the emperor and his generals.

On the deck, everyone listened with great excitement, as if they had personally experienced that triumphant and devastating battle.

Zhao Guang suddenly remembered something and added to the emperor and his officials:

"Your Majesty, while we were pursuing the fleeing soldiers, we learned from the captured Wu soldiers that last night Pan Jun seemed to have led a contingent of elite troops away from Yanyu Pass, intending to head north to reinforce Shenjian Pass!"
"However, before they reached the deep ravine, they encountered the defeated troops who had broken through the deep ravine pass!"

"Knowing that the situation was hopeless, they did not dare to engage our army in battle, and instead led their troops directly eastward, fleeing towards Wuxian!"

"What?" Liu Shan was taken aback at first, and then he and Chen Dao looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Pan Jun... Pan Jun actually abandoned the pass and fled?!" Zhang Biao was also speechless, his face showing the same disbelief.

Liu Shan looked again at the unusually quiet Yanyu Pass and suddenly realized: "So that's it... No wonder the guards on the pass were suddenly so uneasy."

After Liu Shan's death, Zhang Biao clapped his hands and sighed:

"yes!
"If Pan Jun had not fled, the morale of the army would have collapsed."

"How could the guards at the pass be in such a state?"

"Pan Jun... Pan Jun, I never expected him to do such a thing?!"

His tone was a mixture of great joy and disbelief.

This fellow betrayed the Han and surrendered to Wu, and then offered Sun Quan a map of the Han's defenses in Jingzhou, which led to the loss of Jingzhou to the enemy in a short period of time.

Now, this man is deeply trusted by Sun Quan and is even serving as Sun Quan's commander-in-chief. How could such a person abandon his troops and flee in the face of battle?!

After a brief moment of shock, everyone was overjoyed.

If Pan Jun were still alive, even if morale wavered, the Yanyu Pass might have been able to hold out for a while thanks to its strategic location and his prestige.

Now, Pan Jun was the first to abandon his army and flee.

This Yanyu Pass is right at our fingertips!
...

at the same time.

Unlike the Han army's surprise.

Inside Yanyu Pass, a completely different scene unfolds.

Pan Jun's military advisor, Deng Xuanzhi, paced back and forth in the central command tent like an ant on a hot pan, his face as pale as paper.

He had just tried to reorganize the defenses and suppress rumors in the army, only to find that his orders were no longer effective.

News of Pan Jun's abandonment of the pass and escape spread like wildfire throughout the army.

"Pan Taichang...is he really gone?!"

"Are you just going to leave us here to die?!"

"The Shu army... the Shu lord is right outside, what do we do?!"

Various expressions of fear, suspicion, and despair accompanied the shouts and curses.

The sound echoed throughout every corner of Yanyu Pass Fortress.

Upon hearing this, Deng Xuanzhi was terrified.

Pan Jun's abandonment of his army was undoubtedly a devastating blow to morale.

He was not only the commander-in-chief who held the imperial insignia, but also the leader of the scholars of Jingzhou and the backbone of countless officials and soldiers from Jingzhou.

Now, that pillar of support has fallen.

And in such a disgraceful way...

In a daze, a chilling scene appeared before Deng Xuanzhi's eyes.

The angry soldiers rushed into the tent.

They hacked Pan Jun, the military advisor, to death with a flurry of blows.

Then... cut off his head as a gift to beg for surrender from the Han army!

Thinking of this, a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, making him tremble involuntarily.

"No! We absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!"

He abruptly stopped pacing back and forth.

First, take a deep breath.

Take another deep breath.

Take one last breath...

Fifteen minutes later, he finally mustered his courage and dashed out of the tent.

As soon as I stepped out of the tent, I was stunned.

He saw that his military tent was surrounded by dozens or even hundreds of Wu soldiers with strange looks in their eyes.

Seeing this, he swallowed hard, forced himself to calm down, and then shouted at the panicked soldiers around him:

"Stop talking nonsense and disrupting our morale!"
"How could Pan Taichang abandon us?!"
"He was...he saw that Shenjian Pass was in danger and went to its rescue!"

"We are simply retreating to Wuxian to regroup due to unfavorable military conditions!"

"Soon...reinforcements will surely return to rescue us!"

"We...we are deeply grateful for the country's kindness, and we should stand firm and await reinforcements!"

"How dare you speak such nonsense and harbor thoughts of surrender?!"

After asking the question, the man's gaze swept over the faces that were either numb or suspicious.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked again in a shrill voice:
"Regardless of anything else, if we surrender to the Shu barbarians, what will become of our families, wives, and children in Jiangdong?!"
"Liu Shan, the ruler of Shu, has always treated those who surrendered harshly. How can we seek our own deaths?!"
"Hold on! If we can hold out for a few days, the Grand Master of Ceremonies will surely arrive with reinforcements!"

However, this blustering but ultimately weak appeal failed to elicit much of a response.

Many soldiers just stared at him coldly, their eyes vacant.

My wife and children?

Let's focus on surviving this moment first!

Pan Jun, holding the imperial insignia and commanding the army, has fled!
And you're talking to me about reinforcements?!

Looking at the reactions of his soldiers, Deng Xuanzhi felt a chill run down his spine, and feelings of despair and fear washed over him.

...

Outside the pass, the Han army has already begun its operations.

Liu Shan's Golden Banner stood at the bow of the "Yanwu" warship, fluttering freely in the river breeze.

Symbolizing the authority of the Han emperor, it struck the bewildered and terrified hearts of the Wu army within the camp like a heavy hammer and a sharp blade.

Guan Xing began to command his soldiers to hoist the heads of seven or eight Wu generals, including Xianyu Dan and Xu Zhong, high onto long bamboo poles.

Dozens of loud-voiced soldiers escorted Sun Gui, a member of the Wu royal family, and surrounded several severed heads that had been displayed at Changzhu.

Approaching the gate wall.

Shout loudly and display them to the public.

"Listen up, Wu Quan!"

"Your generals Xianyu Dan, Xu Zhong... and others have already been beheaded!"

"Even his relative Sun Gui surrendered without resistance!"
“Pan Jun has abandoned you all like worn-out shoes and has already fled!”

"If we don't surrender now, when will we?!"
"Are we to die with them?!"

The Han army's shouts urging surrender were like thunder.

Those few bloody, hideous heads swayed incessantly at the tip of the pole.

Close it.

Wu Jun's generals and soldiers heard clearly and saw clearly, and their last bit of wishful thinking completely collapsed.

The commander-in-chief fled, and the general died.

Liu Shan, the ruler of Shu, has once again personally led an expedition!
How the hell are we supposed to fight this war?!

"—Clang!" A crisp sound.

It's unclear who threw down their weapon first.

Immediately following, like a dam breaking, a chain reaction occurs in an instant.

The clanging of weapons hitting the ground echoed repeatedly before the Yanyu Pass.

The door was slowly opened from the inside.

The surviving Wu soldiers knelt down and surrendered.

The Han army took control of the pass without bloodshed.

However, when the prisoners were counted, Pan Jun's military advisor Deng Xuanzhi was nowhere to be found.

A surrendered Wu army captain reported to Chen Dao tremblingly:
"Reporting to...reporting to the Governor."

"Military Advisor Deng... he... he saw the army enter the pass, cried out several times, 'I have no face to see Lord Wu,' and... he has already thrown himself into the river and committed suicide!"

The news was quickly reported to Liu Shan.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan raised an eyebrow.

He had some impression of Deng Xuanzhi.

The man was Hao Pu, a traitorous general of the Han Dynasty, who is now a close friend of Sun Wu's Chief Justice.

This man was instrumental in Hao Pu's surrender after being tricked by Lü Meng.

"Drown himself in the river?" Liu Shan's tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"He felt ashamed to face Sun Quan."

"Or are you afraid that I won't tolerate such a fickle person?"

Liu Shan instinctively felt disgusted by such a shameless person who betrayed his country for personal gain, even dragging his close friend down with him.

His suicide by drowning was the easiest way out.

However, that very afternoon, something happened that surprised Liu Shan.

He received the message first.

At a sentry post downstream of the Yangtze River, several burly scouts patrolling the river suddenly noticed unusual activity in the reeds on the bank.

They carefully surrounded him and captured a man who looked like a civil official, soaking wet, shivering, and trying to hide!

After being identified by Wu's prisoners of war, it was revealed to be none other than Deng Xuanzhi, the military advisor of Pan Jun, who was said to have "drowned himself in the river and died for his country"!
evening.

Deng Xuanzhi was bound hand and foot and brought before Liu Shan in a disheveled state.

Looking at the man's drenched appearance and recalling the "heroic" report he had heard that morning, Liu Shan couldn't help but find it somewhat absurd and laughable.

He walked over to Deng Xuanzhi.

He first looked her up and down, then spoke with a hint of amusement:

"Deng, the military advisor."

"I have heard that you are unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, and have already drowned yourself in the river, sacrificing yourself for your Great Wei King Wu."

"How come... the river water couldn't take you in?"

"Or has he changed his mind at the last minute and intends to rebel against Wu and return to Han?"

Deng Xuanzhi was soaked to the bone and knelt on the ground with his head bowed.

Her hair was stuck to her forehead.

My teeth were chattering from the cold.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice barely audible and indistinct:
"The river...the river water is too cold...this sinful subject...this sinful subject..."

"--Ha ha ha ha!"

A burst of wild laughter suddenly erupted on the Yanwu, and even the usually serious Chen Dao couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Liu Shan couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Deng Xuanzhi was so ashamed that he wanted to disappear.

Liu Shan shook his head, no longer looking at the disgraceful surrendered man, and waved his hand: "Take him away and keep him under guard."

Liu Shan's tone showed little interest.

I came to the side of the ship and looked eastward while holding onto the railing.

Wu County was located on the border between the Han and Wu dynasties, and was heavily guarded.

Among them, the most heavily troop deployments were at Shenjian Pass and Yanyu Pass.

Now, the two strategic strongholds guarding the gorges, Shenjian Pass and Yanyu Pass, along with hundreds of thousands of weapons, armor, provisions and military supplies, have all fallen into the hands of the Han Dynasty. The army of Sun Wu guarding the western border has lost three-tenths of its strength.

It is the gateway to Wuxian, Zigui, Yiling, and even the entire Jingzhou.

It has been opened to the Great Han Cave!

(End of this chapter)