The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 150 Joy or Anger (4k words)

The Wei River branches into several streams in the upper reaches of Longyou.

The main stream flows through Ji County and Xinyang, and enters Guanzhong from Linwei.

The southern branch flows through Shanggui and eventually merges into the main trunk, also entering the pass via Linwei.

Ji, Xinyang, Shanggui, Linwei.

These four cities together formed the urban defense perimeter along the Wei River in Longyou.

Since the beginning of spring, Zhang has intentionally strengthened the defensive fortifications between the four cities.

Along the river, passageways and beacon towers were built to protect the important passage for goods transported westward from Guanzhong to Gansu.

However, a project of this scale cannot be completed overnight and requires a large investment of manpower and resources.

Unfortunately, Longyou was short of both manpower and food at that time.

Furthermore, "Shu bandits" were causing trouble everywhere.

Too much trouble.

Zhang was unwilling to sit idly by and wait for his death, so he decided to personally enter the pass to request reinforcements.

This terrified You Chu, who insisted on escorting him no matter what.

Only when he reached a beacon tower from which he could see Linwei City in the distance did You Chu's anxiety begin to ease.

But he still refused to leave, insisting on watching Zhang Ji's troops enter the city before he left.

Zhang Ji feigned anger and said:

"Although you are the acting governor, you are the only official of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure) that I can rely on in this region. Go back quickly and do not betray the country!"

You Chu proudly said:
"The world can do without You Chu, but it cannot do without Zhang Gong."

"Therefore, I can betray the world if I travel to Chu, but I cannot betray Lord Zhang."

"Besides, if Lord Zhang's plans are flawless, then we will both be safe. Why rush back?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji sighed:

There is no perfect plan in the world!

"I was just cornered and had no choice but to fight for my life!"

"And to be honest, whether we can lure and kill the enemy general in this battle is a 50/50 chance."

"It was less of an ambush and more of a cover for my eastward march."

He then pointed to the unfinished half-built passageway on the riverbank and said:

"While I am away, do not slack off and fill the gaps in the passageway as soon as possible."

“In the past, I followed the late emperor (Cao Cao) into Tongguan to attack Ma Chao and Han Sui. At that time, the enemy cavalry were just like the Shu bandits of today, galloping like the wind and plundering back and forth.”

"At that time, the late emperor followed the river as a passage, setting up camp step by step, all the way to Weinan, in order to offset the advantage of the enemy's cavalry."

"Although the number of Shu bandits is far less than that of Ma Han in the past, our army is also experiencing a decline in morale due to food shortages."

“The purpose of building this passageway is not only to secure the supply route, but also to boost morale.”

You Chu repeatedly said "yes," and after bidding farewell to Zhang Ji, he insisted on watching him enter the city before leaving.

Zhang Ji had no choice but to lead his hundred cavalrymen ahead.

But before they had gone far, the sound of thunderous hooves suddenly came from upstream.

Zhang was too far away to see which group of people it was, so he didn't take any precautions.

However, You Chu, who was stationed at the beacon tower, quickly spotted a flag with the character "麋" (mi) due to its high elevation.

"Quickly, light the beacon towers to warn us!"

You Chu immediately urged the soldiers stationed on the platform to hurry up.

However, the soldiers did not act immediately; instead, they looked hesitant.

Looking at these emaciated soldiers, You Chu suddenly understood why Zhang Ji had risked his life.

Without thinking twice, he said urgently:
"Failure to light the beacon fires in the face of the enemy is punishable by death!"

"If we light the beacon towers, the Shu bandits might be frightened away, and we could survive!"

"Even if you don't leave, you can still live by binding me and surrendering to the thieves!"

Having said that, he dismissed his attendants, then unsheathed his sword and climbed the beacon tower with his hands clasped.

Seeing his open and honest demeanor, the soldiers were speechless for a moment.

The flames of war have finally been lit.

This undoubtedly reminded Zhang Ji, who was still standing still, to hurry his horse and flee to the nearest city, Linwei.

Although You Chu could not see the movements of the city's defenders.

But just moments later, smoke signals began to rise from nearby beacon towers.

Clearly, his warning had worked.

If the Shu bandits don't leave now, they will be surrounded by reinforcements and unable to escape.

Miwei is so smart, he should be able to see the situation clearly, right?

however.

"Is he crazy?!"

Amidst You Chu's exclamations and the rising smoke of war.

The flag bearing the character "麋" (mí) did not retreat.

Instead, they unleashed their full speed and charged straight at Zhang Ji's location.

In order to lighten the burden on their warhorses, some knights even discarded easily removable heavy items such as helmets, lances, bows, crossbows, and quivers, carrying only a ring-pommel sword to continue charging into battle.

He had already disregarded his own life in order to stop Zhang Ji.

This fearless and ferocious attitude.

Not to mention the soldiers on the beacon tower were terrified.

Even You Chu was trembling with fear, unable to control himself.

But they were helpless and could only pray for divine protection.

Unfortunately, his good fortune seemed to run out the moment he successfully lit the beacon.

On one side was a seasoned knight who had completely unleashed his speed and was fearless.

One side was hastily launched, and its members were mostly clerks and administrative staff lacking combat experience.

The two sides are not even in the same league.

Soon, Zhang Ji's men were overtaken by the Han cavalry who were charging ahead.

Although the guard knights fought desperately.

However, the number of Han cavalry was still greater.

It was just a short distance from Linwei City.

Zhang Ji's group of men was finally surrounded by the swarming Han cavalry.

Then they swarmed forward.

Zhang Ji's figure.

Completely submerged in the swirling dust.

pat.

You Chu collapsed to the ground, his heart sinking.

It all came too fast, and it ended too fast.

He didn't even have time to figure it out.

Why were Miwei's men able to chase us all the way here?

Where are Wei Ping, Jiang Wei, and other generals now?

Even if the ambush fails, shouldn't they at least try to stop it?

But the next moment, You Chu had no time to think about these unsolved mysteries.

Because the gazes of the soldiers around him were no longer friendly.

……

"So, after killing Zhang Derong, Mi Wei did not return, but instead bypassed the city and disappeared into the Longshan Mountains?"

By the time Guo Huai led reinforcements to Linwei, everything had already been settled.

The general defending the city said:

"Not only that, according to the soldiers who escaped back, the fake prefect You Zhongyun was also captured by him."

Guo Huai was speechless.

In a single day, Longyou lost two high-ranking officials.

What a shame!
It's fine to travel to Chu.

Zhang Ji is the pillar of Longyou, and is the popular choice.

Even Guo Huai had to rely on him.

With him gone, the already volatile morale of the military and the people will likely be even harder to maintain in the future.

"How many men does Miwei have left?" Guo Huai rubbed his throbbing head.

The garrison commander said, "There are fewer than three hundred cavalry, and many of them are injured. However, they have managed to steal quite a few warhorses."

Seeing Guo Huai remain silent again, the defending general, realizing his efforts to provide reinforcements had been ineffective, quickly said:
"Although the Shu bandits have once again fled into the mountains, the area to the east is within the pass, and a mere two or three hundred remaining soldiers are no longer a threat. Mi Wei is merely clinging to life!"

"This humble general is willing to lead troops into the mountains to quell the bandits and avenge Lord Zhang!"

Guo Huai, of course, knew what the garrison commander was thinking, and sighed inwardly, saying:
"The enemy general is cunning and treacherous; do not act rashly. Continue to defend this city!"

The garrison commander readily agreed.

Guo Huai then said to those around him:
"A letter was sent to all the counties, informing that Governor Zhang Ji, General Wei Ping, and General Jiang Wei, among others, fought bravely and perished together with the rebel general Mi Wei. Longyou has now been pacified!"

Upon hearing this, one of the officers retorted indignantly:
“Zhang Shijun and General Wei are indeed brave, but Jiang Wei clearly disobeyed Zhang Shijun’s orders and made a grave mistake. How can they be credited together?”

That's because Jiang Wei's family was a prominent local clan!

Otherwise, why would Zhang Ji give such a hothead a chance to gain merit for nothing!
And what's most hateful is...

He didn't even get anything! And he even ruined Zhang Ji's life!

Guo Huai was filled with resentment.

But he ultimately suppressed his grief and indignation, and said in a deep voice:

"My talent is inferior to Zhang Derong's. In the future, when I guard Longyou, I can only follow the old rules and regulations."

"Jiang Wei has already caused Zhang Derong's death; we cannot let him further tarnish Zhang Derong's reputation and legacy."

He then turned to the garrison commander and said:
"You just said that some garrison soldiers escaped and returned?"

The garrison commander said, "They said that You Zhongyun ordered them to tie them up and surrender to the bandits, but the Shu bandits didn't accept them and only kidnapped You Zhongyun."

Guo Huai: "If someone surrenders to the enemy before battle, how should they be dealt with according to Zhang Derong's laws?"

The defending general: "He should be executed!"

Guo Huai: "Then execute him and hang his head on the city wall."

……

Northwest of the Wei Luoyang Palace, there is a platform twenty-three zhang high, called Lingyun Platform.

On this day, the sun shone brightly, and spring was in full bloom.

Cao Pi, accompanied by Grand Commandant Jia Xu and palace attendants, ascended the platform together.

Looking north, the nearby seedlings are lush and green, and the fields are crisscrossed.

In the distance, the mighty river flows, and Mengjin and other places along the Yellow River can be seen in the distance.

Cao Pi was so delighted by the sight that he ordered the palace servants to prepare wine and water, intending to lean on the railing and enjoy the spring scenery.

However, before the wine arrived, Liu Ye, the Chamberlain, rushed over and handed over a military report.

Cao Pi glanced at him, pointed at the elderly Jia Xu, and laughed:
"This platform is very high, and it sways when the wind is strong. Are you not afraid, Master Jia?"

Jia Xu calmly replied:
The ninth line of the Qian hexagram says: "Clouds follow the dragon, and wind follows the tiger."

"Your Majesty ascends to the heights with the imposing presence of a dragon and tiger, commanding the clouds and suppressing the winds. What do I have to fear?"

Cao Pi laughed heartily, casually tossed the bamboo slips to Jia Xu, and said:
"When I asked you how to conquer Wu and Shu, you replied that among all the civil and military officials in the court, none were a match for Liu Bei and Sun Quan."

"But the governor of Yongzhou whom I appointed has just repelled Liu Bei's army in Longyou!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu's expression remained unchanged.

Liu Ye, standing nearby, couldn't help but remind him:
"Guo Boji only said that he drove away a small group of bandits, while Liu Bei's main army went west and did not repel them!"

"Moreover, Longyou is short of food. Zhang Derong and Guo Boji have already submitted several memorials requesting that Guanzhong transport food to Longyou!"

Cao Pi was displeased upon hearing this and said:
"Have you not heard the saying, 'If one fights for profit within fifty li, even the general will fall, and half of the laws will be applied'?"

"Liu Bei rashly turned west from Longyou, covering more than fifty li! He clearly doesn't know anything about warfare!"

"I predict that within six months, his supplies will run out and he will retreat."

"At that time, Guo Boji was at ease and waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out, so he took advantage of their laziness and retreat."

"As for the Guanzhong Grand Transport, I have already issued an edict to Zilin (Xiahou Mao) to procure grain and personnel, and arrangements will be made after the spring."

Liu Ye thought to himself that the enemy situation in Liangzhou was unclear at the moment, and it would be a bit self-deceptive to apply military tactics so rigidly.

Moreover, Xiahou Mao, the governor of Guanzhong, was clearly an incompetent general who held a high position solely due to the emperor's favor.

Can he really manage it properly?
Just as he was about to offer some advice, he noticed Jia Xu, who was unfolding a briefing beside him, glancing at him intentionally or unintentionally.

A chill ran through me, and I instinctively pursed my lips.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, another attendant, Dong Zhao, also came to see him with a brief report.

Cao Pi opened it and burst into laughter again.

This time, however, it was a sneer:

"If I were to grant Liu Bei's request and exchange Yu Jin for Liangzhou, I fear the late Emperor would appear in my dream tonight and rebuke me!"

Used to prohibit the exchange of Liangzhou?

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Liu Ye instinctively reached for the military report to examine it closely.

But Jia Xu was closer and acted faster than him.

However, after a few breaths, his expression changed drastically.

Both Liu Ye and Dong Zhao were exceptionally intelligent.

Seeing this, how could anyone not guess that a big problem had arisen in Liangzhou?

Cao Pi, however, remained puzzled and asked Jia Xu what was going on.

After a while.

A bamboo slip was thrown violently off Lingyun Platform.

Immediately following was a powerful roar, like a dragon's cry and a tiger's howl, capable of suppressing the clouds and wind:

"Yu Wenze, give me back Hexi!"

……

"Your Majesty, great joy! Great joy!"

The Imperial Secretary Meng Guang rushed to the central army tent, carrying a thick roll of silk, his voice trembling with excitement.

Liu Bei smiled and said:
"As a scholar of a prefecture, how can you be so disrespectful?"

Meng Guang said dismissively:
"His Majesty is about to recapture Liangzhou and expand the territory by thousands of miles. The whole country is celebrating, so it is only natural that he would lose his composure!"

Liu Bei deliberately joked:

"Oh, could it be that you have already persuaded Su Ze to surrender on my behalf?"

“Although we have not persuaded them to surrender, their defeat is imminent!” Meng Guang declared resolutely.

"General Chen came last night to report that Shouyang had been captured the day before yesterday afternoon, and the enemy general Hao Zhao was defeated and fled."

"This morning Huang Gongheng came to report again, saying that Yuzhong has been captured and the counties of Jincheng will be divided up soon."

"In addition, most of the counties in Longxi, except for Su Ze's part in Didao, were also attacked by the royal army in separate groups!"

"Su Ze's army is a remnant, isolated and without external support; sooner or later, it will be defeated and destroyed."

"If that happens, won't Liangzhou become His Majesty's possession?"

As he spoke, Meng Guang placed the silk cloth he had brought in front of Liu Bing and slowly unfolded it.

It turned out that Huang Quan had specially sent someone from Yuzhong to deliver the Hexi map.

The map clearly marks the geographical locations of various counties, passes, and horse farms.

Even the activity range of the Qiang and Hu tribes was roughly marked.

It is said that Su Ze recorded this during his years of governing Hexi and suppressing the Qiang and Hu tribes.

Now it has become spoils of war for the Han army.

Liu Bei raised his hand and gently stroked every inch of the Hexi region on the map.

But in his heart, he recalled the various experiences of being displaced and homeless in the first half of his life.

There was a time when I risked my life, yet I still couldn't hold onto my foothold in a county or half a prefecture.

Who would have thought that one day they would be able to swallow up an entire state and expand their territory thousands of miles?

I was immediately captivated by it.

He sighed, "This is all thanks to Master's good planning."

Thinking about it carefully, the last people who could help me plan to this extent were only Zhuge Liang and Fa Xiaozhi.

Then someone came to report that Mi Wei's men were escorting Guan Xing and other wounded soldiers and prisoners westward.

Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he immediately summoned him.

Soon, Guan Xing led the crowd to pay homage.

Liu Bei inquired carefully about his injuries and was relieved to find out that he was out of danger.

He then asked, "When you returned, did you find out where Master Shan was?"

Guan Xing's expression stiffened upon hearing this, and he hesitated before replying:

"Initially, to avoid the enemy army, we fled into the northern mountains..."

He then recounted all his experiences and observations along the way.

Liu Bei's face flushed red and then turned pale.

Hearing that Mi Wei had successfully delayed Zhang Jishi using guerrilla tactics, he showed a pleased expression.

He was greatly impressed when he heard that Mi Wei had risked his life to assassinate Zhang Ji.

Upon learning that Zhang Ji's obituary had been issued in Longyou, they were overjoyed.

However, upon hearing that Mi Wei had perished together with Zhang Ji...

Liu Bei's face turned pale.

All the previous joy vanished.

"Your Majesty, I believe the proclamation from the false dynasty may not be genuine!" Meng Guang quickly interjected.

"The imperial edict says that Jiang Wei has died for his country, but didn't the Left Commander's men bring him here bound?"

"This must be Guo Huai's empty words to appease the people; we must not believe it!"

Liu Bei's expression softened slightly, and he told Guan Xing and the others to go and rest.

He then ordered more scouts to be dispatched to find out Mi Wei's whereabouts.

When only Meng Guang, who was serving as an attendant, remained in the tent.

Liu Bei saw the exquisite map of Liangzhou on the table.

The more joy they had before, the more resentment they now feel.

He picked it up and slammed it to the ground, angrily saying:

"For the sake of this state, I have lost one of my prime ministers!"

……

(This is the extra chapter I promised to write based on reader donations. I'm posting it all together for better flow.)
(End of this chapter)