Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 279 Pan Zhang's Despair
The mountains and ridges north of the Yangtze River.

It was nearing noon, and the damp, cold mountain fog had not yet dissipated.

General Zhao Yun of the Han Dynasty, along with generals Yang Qun, Cuan Xiong, and Li Qiu, and four thousand elite troops, steadily advanced southwest towards Wu County along the mountain road that had been secretly opened up the previous year.

It is said that clearing mountains and opening roads to penetrate deep behind enemy lines was a traditional skill of the Han people.

The founding of the Later Han Dynasty, when Lai Xi led two thousand Han soldiers to seize Lueyang, is one example.

In the Battle of Hanzhong, the Han army first advanced to Yangping Pass at the end of Jinniu Road, where they fought a fierce battle with Xiahou Yuan for half a year.

One day, Xiahou Yuan suddenly received news that the Han army had appeared on Dingjun Mountain, more than 20 miles behind him, in the heart of Nanzheng. He was immediately shocked and pale.

To give a similar example, Cao Wei was originally defending Tongguan, but as the fighting went on, the Han army suddenly appeared in Hongnong. Wouldn't that be frightening?
Wei Yan's Ziwu Valley surprise attack was based on the same idea.

As for Deng Ai's secret crossing of Yinping, he achieved the feat of destroying a country, something that all famous generals in chaotic times throughout history have longed for.

To forge a path where there is none requires great perseverance and also great luck.

Historically, Sima Yi once cut through mountains in the west of the city and advanced by both land and water, reaching south to Quren, which is about 150 li upstream of Baidi City.

According to the Book of Jin, the magical catalogue even claimed that Ji Han had seized Ba Dong Hanfeng County, but it is unknown whether this is true or not, since no other historical record in the Records of the Three Kingdoms mentions this.

If this historical account is true, it means that Sima Yi's plan to cut off the Han army's retreat from behind enemy lines ended in failure.

It's unknown whether Deng Ai's secret crossing of Yinping decades later was inspired by his old mentor, Sima Yi.

The first purpose of the river valley and mountain road that Zhao Yun's Han army was currently traveling through, as Sun Quan and Lu Xun had predicted, was to assist Liu Shan's main force in capturing Wu County.

However, Liu Shan, the Prime Minister, Zhao Yun, and Chen Dao had laid a trap for Wu County and prepared various methods. In the end, they captured Wu County without Zhao Yun's help.

Thus, this hundred-mile mountain road became a link in the chain of luring Pan Zhang into a trap and capturing Linju.

Thirty miles behind the Han army.

Following the information brought back by his scouts, Wu Pingbei General Pan Zhang led his troops deep into the mountains, tracing the trails left by the Han army.

“General, look at the vegetation on both sides.” Deputy General Pan Zhang pointed to the withered grass and branches, and the old axe marks on the tree trunks.

"This was definitely not a temporary logging operation!"

"The people of Shu (Sichuan) probably started building this path as early as last year!"

The Wu people leading the way were already somewhat uneasy upon seeing this scene. Anyone with a brain could see that the Shu people were prepared and might suddenly appear from some corner to give them a good beating.

Pan Zhang stepped into the mountain path cleared by the Han army, squinted at the surroundings, and then sneered disdainfully, "Just as I thought."

He then pulled out an imperial edict from his bosom:
"Tell the soldiers there is no need to worry. His Majesty and the Grand General have long anticipated that Zhao Yun's ambition lies not in Fangling, but in Wuxian."

"This mountain path, which was opened up so early, is proof of that!"

Upon hearing this, the morale of his soldiers, which had been slightly dampened, was finally lifted, and their fear gradually subsided.

A captain loudly encouraged:
"General!
"After Guan Yu was defeated at Maicheng, he wanted to escape back to Hanzhong from Linju. In the end, he died on these mountain roads!"

"Now Zhao Yun is leading his army deep into the mountains, just like Guan Yu and his son did back then. It is fitting that the general should achieve another unparalleled feat and capture or kill another pillar general of the Shu Kingdom!"

"Yes! Capture and kill Zhao Yun to avenge the shame of Xicheng for our Great Wu!"

A commotion arose from the ranks of Wu's army, and the scene of capturing and killing Guan Yu and his son reappeared before their eyes.

The anticipation of replicating such glorious achievements and receiving countless rewards quickly dispelled all fear.

Pan Zhang's troops were located more than sixty li to the southeast.

The former commander Fu Qian and the general Chen Hu, who had traveled north from Zigui, had also abandoned their ships and gone ashore, leading more than 3,000 elite infantrymen through the high mountains and valleys.

As dusk fell, the soldiers dispersed to rest in the valley.

Fu Qian poured the wine from his bag into his helmet, warmed it over the campfire, took a sip and felt the warmth wash over him, then handed the helmet to Chen Hu beside him. Chen Hu took a sip and then handed it to Zheng Chuo, the captain of the warships beside him.

Finally, the helmet was returned to Fu Qian, still holding a sip of wine. Fu Qian drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said:
"Pan Zhang, this scoundrel, is a trusted henchman of Sun Quan."

"The Battle of Jingzhou, the defeat at Yiling, and the deaths of Guan Yu and his son Tan Zhi—these villains have the blood of our great Han heroes on their hands!"

"His henchman Ma Zhong has already been beheaded in Xicheng. Now it's Pan Zhang's turn to be executed!"

"It's not dark yet, let's continue north!"

"We must capture and kill this scoundrel together with Zhao, to comfort Guan Yu and his son, and to comfort the spirits of all the fallen soldiers!"

The surrounding soldiers were all awed.

Not long after, the Han army continued its northward advance.

Pan Zhang's troops were located more than sixty li to the southwest.

Guan Xing and Zhang Gu's troops, who entered the mountains from the north of Wu County, were ordered to encircle Pan Zhang.

Guan Xing, dressed in a green robe, walked silently at the head of the group, occasionally slashing with his long iron sword to cut through the vines and thorns blocking the way.

The sky was completely dark, and the soldiers were exhausted.

The soldiers lit a bonfire by the stream to roast their rations and drink alcohol, and took a short rest.

Guan Xing and Zhang Nan's son, Zhang Gu, along with several captains and military officers, sat around the fire.

Zhang Gu took a sip of hot wine and said in a low voice:
“Anguo, my father also died in the Battle of Yiling back then, at the hands of the two scoundrels, Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong.”

"Pan Zhang and Ma Zhong have the blood of our fathers and brothers on their hands!"

This hatred... is irreconcilable!
"However...for the sake of the restoration of the Han Dynasty, you and I are determined to feign compliance with the treacherous dogs of Eastern Wu."

"Since the passing of the late emperor and the re-alliance of Han and Wu, for the past five years... I have been staying in Baidi, but I do not know why I am staying in Baidi, nor do I know when I will be able to avenge my great hatred. So I am depressed every day."

"Until...until Your Majesty fought bravely in Xicheng, until you beheaded Ma Zhong, many of my comrades and I finally cheered up, knowing that Your Majesty...knowing that the Han Dynasty has never forgotten the hatred of Jingzhou and the shame of Yiling!"
"Now that Wuxian and Zigui have been captured, if that scoundrel Pan Zhang is indeed lured into the mountains by Zhao, he will surely be left with nowhere to go!"

Guan Xing nodded silently.

He gazed at the last sip of warm wine in his helmet, but didn't drink it. After a moment, he slowly poured the clear wine onto the ground in front of him.

“Father…brother.” His voice was low.

"Our great Han army has recovered Wuxian and Zigui."

"Xing, soon joined forces with Zhao, the cavalry commander, and Fu, the barbarian general, to besiege the traitor Pan Zhang and advance on Yiling."

"If my father and brothers have spirits in heaven, if the heroic souls of the Han Dynasty have spirits, then protect the soldiers of our Han Dynasty and do not let this scoundrel Pan Zhang escape!"

Upon seeing this, the surrounding officers and strategists all stood up respectfully.

"May the spirit of Guan Yu and the heroic souls of the Han Dynasty protect us and help us capture and kill Pan Zhang!"

...

Two days passed.

Zhao Yun's Han army was getting closer and closer to Wu County.

However, thirty miles behind Zhao Yun, Pan Zhang was suddenly awakened from a nightmare in the early hours of that day.

In his dream, he felt a sharp pain in his foot. Looking down, he saw a dark wild boar with menacing tusks, biting his ankle tightly and refusing to let go no matter how much he struggled.

The scene changed in an instant.

He returned to the snowy day when he forced Guan Yu and his son to land.

The cool sun shone on the snow.

He stepped forward with his sword on his back, arrogant and self-satisfied, wanting to see Guan Yu, who was so powerful throughout China, show fear of death and begging for mercy.

However, no.

Guan Yu, whose might shook China, slightly opened his phoenix eyes, his gaze filled with nothing but contempt and awe.

Although his son Guan Ping was young, he stood tall with a sharp gaze and showed no fear.

He captured countless enemies throughout his life, which was completely different from the fear of death and begging for mercy he had seen and now anticipated.

A surge of inexplicable anger welled up inside me.

He shouted and cursed, and killed Guan Ping first.

Then he threw Guan Ping's bloody head onto Guan Yu's knees.

Guan Yu glanced at Guan Ping's head, a fleeting moment of grief passing through him, before bursting into loud, booming laughter:

"My son is just like me! He has not disgraced the Han dynasty!"

Before the laughter subsided, a mouthful of bloody spittle was spat fiercely onto Pan Zhang's face.

Pan Zhang flew into a rage and drew his sword to strike.

He found himself unable to move, and could only watch helplessly as Guan Yu's disdainful gaze was fixed on him as if it were a physical object...

"Phew!" Pan Zhang suddenly sat up on the grass, his back soaked in cold sweat, his heart pounding wildly.

The humiliation of being spat on and the unyielding gazes of Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping before their deaths were so vivid that they made him feel suffocated.

He gasped for breath, then looked around at the soldiers sleeping soundly around the campfire, confirming that everything he had just witnessed was just a dream.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, trying to dispel the unease in his heart. Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.

A torch came rushing from the east.

Upon getting closer, he realized that the person holding the torch was actually one of his own scouts who had been sent to search for any Han army ambushes.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"General, something terrible has happened!" the scout exclaimed in panic.

"—Shh!" Pan Zhang looked around and instinctively put his hand to his mouth, signaling the scout to be quiet.

He was able to achieve many military exploits for Sun Quan, earning Sun Quan's favor and entrusting him with important responsibilities, so he must have some ability.

Away from the group of soldiers, in the shadows, Pan Zhang asked again, "What's the matter?!"

"General! Something terrible has happened!" the scout replied in a trembling voice.

"Traces of Shu people have been discovered about twenty miles southeast of our rear!

"What?!" Pan Zhang was struck dumb, his eyes wide open in shock.

"Southeast... towards Zigui?! Not Fangling?! Are you sure? It really is southeast towards Zigui?!"

"It's absolutely true, General!"

"I'm in charge of the Southeast!"

"The people of Shu opened up roads in the river valley, so densely packed that you couldn't see the beginning or the end of them!"
"I'm afraid... I'm afraid there are no fewer than three thousand!"

"Southeast...Southeast...Zigui? No less than three thousand..."

Pan Zhang felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, instantly dispelling all his sleepiness and the anger brought on by the nightmare.

"Southeast...Zigui...Zigui...How could the people of Shu come from Zigui?!"

He had long been prepared for Deng Zhi to lead his men deep into the mountains and cut off his retreat.

but……

How could it be the southeast?!

"Could it be?!?" A thought that he could never have imagined and could never believe finally surfaced in his mind.

"Wu County... Could it be that Wu County has already been captured by the Shu people?!"

The moment this thought crossed his mind, he cursed under his breath.

Without a doubt, if several thousand Han troops could have appeared in the southeast direction of Zigui, it must have been because Wuxian had been captured, and the Shu people had gone down the river, eventually heading north from a section of the Wuxia Gorge west of Zigui.

"Pan Jun! Sun Shao! These two good-for-nothings! With tens of thousands of troops, the perilous Wuxia Gorge, the strong iron chains across the river, and the impregnable Wuxian City, they couldn't even hold out for a month?!"

What does the fall of Wuxian mean?
—The western gateway that Wu had cultivated for five or six years was kicked open by the Shu people!

Once the gate is breached, the Shu army can advance unimpeded!
What if Zigui falls again?
He didn't dare to think about it any more.

Forcing himself to calm down, Pan Zhang grabbed the guard and gave the order:
"Don't panic!"
"No need for empty words!"

"Pass down the order: the entire army, turn around!"

"Quickly head northeast, back to Linju!"

Upon receiving the order, Pan Zhang's troops turned east before dawn and before they could even prepare a meal.

However, just as dawn broke and before the sun had risen, Pan Zhang received another message.

From the direction of Fangling, Deng Zhi led his troops to follow him and enter the mountains.

He also suppressed the message and ordered his troops to break out southeast, towards Zigui.

At this moment, he could only hope that Zigui was still in their hands.

...

...

"Pan Zhang went south?!" General Cuan Xiong, the general who annihilated Wu, was both shocked and furious upon hearing the news.

"That old thief, could it be that he's figured out our intentions and is trying to escape?!"

Yang Qun also frowned and looked at Zhao Yun:
"General of Chariots and Cavalry, if we allow him to retreat to Zigui, join forces with Zhou Fang and Sun Huan, and then rely on the fortified city, things will become very difficult!"

However, Zhao Yun showed no sign of worry; instead, he stroked his mottled beard with a hint of excitement:
"Gentlemen, there is no need to worry!"
"The reason why Pan Zhang fled to the southeast is that His Majesty has already conquered Zigui!"

"Our great Han army has already marched north from Zigui to cut off their retreat!"

"Deng Zhendong also moved from north to south, while Pan Zhang headed towards Zigui, probably because he thought Zigui was still in the hands of the Wu people and wanted to break out from the direction of Zigui."

"Zigui has been captured?!" Yang Qun, Cuan Xiong, Li Qiu and the other generals were stunned at first, and then burst into great joy.

"Your Majesty's military tactics are truly swift as lightning!"

"How quickly has it happened? Wuxian and Zigui have fallen in quick succession!"

The news spread quickly throughout the army, greatly boosting the morale of the Han soldiers and sweeping away the fatigue brought on by days of marching through the mountains.

Zhao Yun immediately gave the order:

"Pan Zhang, like a cornered beast, will fight desperately, determined to break through the blockade of Gong Quan and Ru Hui's troops and escape to Linju!"

"Order the entire army to speed up and advance eastward!"
"Join forces with Fu and Chen to completely trap this scoundrel in the mountains!"

"only!"

The generals responded with a thunderous roar, their killing intent filling the air.

As Zhao Yun had predicted, things unfolded exactly as he had foreseen.

Pan Zhang led his army in a hasty retreat south for a day, and the scouts sent out brought back even more despairing news.

Han army flags have been spotted at all the key passes and mountain passes leading to Zigui in the south, indicating a high level of security and a number far exceeding expectations.

"General! The south...the south is no longer an option! The Shu people have already deployed a large force!"

Pan Zhang's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his last glimmer of hope was completely shattered.

"Zigui... Zigui has also been lost?" He muttered to himself, only now realizing that, probably from the moment Zhao Yun's army approached Fangling, the Shu Kingdom had already laid out a huge net specifically targeting him, just waiting for him to fall into it.

"That brat Liu Shan... he actually planned to get rid of me, Pan Wengui, from the very beginning?!"

His hands trembled slightly as he pulled out the secret letter from Sun Quan and Lu Xun, reminding him to be wary of Fangling and to prevent Zhao Yun from launching a surprise attack on Wuxian.

Looking at it now, it seems incredibly ironic.

Could it be that even Sun Quan and Lu Xun's judgments fell into the Shu people's trap?
"We can't go any further south and walk right into a trap!" Pan Zhang made the only possible choice at the moment.

"Turn east! Head east with all your might! Break through the obstacles and retreat to Linju! As long as we return to Linju, there is still hope!"

He was, after all, a seasoned veteran, and when he found himself in dire straits, his ferocity was unleashed.

At the same time, he summoned his most trusted confidant and whispered his instructions:

“Choose twenty of the most agile and skillful young men, and instead of taking the main roads, take them over mountains and valleys, along the most treacherous and secluded paths!”
"You must infiltrate the Juyuan area and deliver my military order: order the Juyuan troops to immediately abandon their camps, retreat entirely to Linju, and close the city gates tightly. Without my order, they must not engage in battle!"

He's preparing for the worst.

Even if you can't escape, you must preserve the foundation of Linju.

However, the Han army's encirclement was rapidly closing in.

To the west, Zhao Yun's banner drew ever closer, its imposing presence like a mountain.

To the north, Deng Zhi's troops had also left Fangling and were heading south along the mountain road, blocking his possibility of retreating back to the Juyuan camp.

To the east, another Han army was ready for battle.

To the south, the Han army, which controlled all the key roads in Zigui, was an impregnable fortress.

The small groups of troops sent by Pan Zhang to probe the eastward breakout attempt all suffered heavy losses and were driven back in defeat.

"Report! General! The eastern mountain pass is blocked by the Shu army's powerful bows and crossbows; we can't get through!"

"Report! Zhao Yun's vanguard on the west is less than ten miles away from us!"

"Report! Deng Zhi's troops to the north are less than twenty li away!"

Bad news kept coming: Pan Zhang's several thousand troops were trapped in a narrow river valley mountain pass, with all exits blocked.

Panic and despair finally appeared on the faces of Wu's soldiers, and their morale plummeted.

Pan Zhang looked around and saw the bewildered and uneasy expressions on the faces of his soldiers. For the first time, he truly felt a chill to the bone.

"Liu Shan, Zhao Yun..."

He gritted his teeth: "You think it'll be that easy for me, Pan Zhang, to die!"

(End of this chapter)