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

Chapter 194 The Veteran's Last Wish
Sun Lang couldn't remember how many times he had been chased and killed by government soldiers.

The scene before us doesn't even rank in the top three most dangerous.

So he was only startled instinctively, and then skillfully directed his men to split up and head into the mountains.

At the same time, they did not forget to send a few nimble men to infiltrate the chaotic soldiers and gather information.

They then retreated north to the end of the water source, ensuring that the cavalry could not catch up, before stopping to gather their troops.

Soon, the news spread.

Man Chong, the prefect of Runan, unexpectedly appeared in Bowang County and directed the hunt against the Luhun rebels.

The unexpectedness here does not mean that Sun Lang and the others did not anticipate Man Chong's arrival.

In fact, since the start of the war in mid-spring, Man Chong had been suppressing bandits north of Wancheng and west of Yexian.

Previously, Sun Lang and his group had not dared to descend the mountain precisely to avoid their sharp edge.

but.

Wasn't this General Guan's messenger sent into the mountains to deliver a message that the Han army would try to lure Man Chong away, creating an opportunity for the rebels to attack Zhi County?
What's going on with this scene?

Surely we couldn't have been betrayed by General Guan!

Sun Lang certainly wouldn't blindly trust a "foreign" general.

After all, in those days, when young heroes gathered in the mountains, there was no tradition of worshipping Guan Yu.

He didn't believe in Guan Yu, but in the overall war situation.

Sun Lang raised an army many years ago, but the illiterate man is still the same illiterate man.

However, basic military skills have been passively honed through countless near-death experiences.

He knew very well that his ragtag group was no match for Cao Wei's soldiers.

The only use it could have was to harass the enemy's supply lines for Guan Yu.

There's not even a real attack needed.

As long as there is a group of people wandering near the supply route, forcing Xiahou Shang to allocate more troops to protect the supply route, it will reduce the difficulty of Guan Yu's siege.

He believed that Guan Yu understood this better than he did.

How could they possibly allow the "righteous army" to be easily hunted down by the Wei army?

Sun Lang was completely baffled.

However, by this time, the Wei army in Nanyang had already set up an ambush, making it no longer feasible to descend the mountain.

We can only return to Luhun first and then make further plans.

But misfortune never comes singly.

Just as they returned to the Yi River Valley, villagers downstream brought news that the old and weak members of the rebel army left in the mountains had all been captured by the government.

The fact that the government was able to accurately distinguish between civilians and thieves was largely due to the efforts of the local worthy, Mr. Hu.

After the matter was accomplished, the man moved his entire family to Yiyang County, located on the banks of the Luo River.

"So we were all betrayed by Layman Hu..."

Sun Lang suddenly realized.

Only Hu Zhao, who was also in the mountains, could accurately determine when they would descend the mountain.

Down the mountain, regardless of whether it was the Han army or the Wei army.

Only a rough estimate can be made.

Missing the deadline is a common occurrence.

Therefore, it is self-evident who the culprit is.

Thinking back to their previous conversation.

Sun Lang found himself not so angry after all.

How do you pronounce that "子" again?

Different road non-phase plan.

They're not even on the same wavelength, so betrayal is no excuse.

However, the advice that reading enhances wisdom should be kept in mind.

Otherwise, you might get sold out without even knowing why.

In short, I can't go to Nanyang, and I can't go back to my hometown either.

What is the way out for our group of about a thousand people?

Without much thought, Sun Lang had an idea.

Go to Yingchuan County!

Now, although Yingchuan's name contains the character "Ying".

However, in addition to the Ying River, the Ru River is another major river that flows through the prefecture.

The Ying and Ru rivers flow parallel through the Yingchuan and Runan prefectures, weaving a water network capable of irrigating millions of acres of fertile land.

Therefore, Ying and Ru are often mentioned together, and both are top-tier, wealthy prefectures in the country.

The Ru River also originates from the Funiu Mountains.

It is separated from the Yi and Yu rivers by watersheds.

For a local like Sun Lang, who often travels in the mountains, it's just a matter of climbing a few more mountains and walking a few more stretches of road.

It's better than being caught by the soldiers.

More importantly, going down the mountain from here along the Ru River will take you through counties such as Liang and Jia.

There were also righteous armies there responding to Guan Yu!

You can stick together and keep warm.

Having made up his mind, Sun Lang no longer hesitated.

After a short rest, they continued their journey over mountains and valleys.

……

On the watchtower of Hefei city.

Zhang Liao leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance like a statue.

He remained unmoved as the scorching sun turned his cheeks bright red.

Only his ever-opening and closing eyelids proved that he was still alive. Those around him tried to persuade him to go and rest, but he ignored them.

He kept repeating, "Too close, too close..."

Finally, one of the more impatient officers couldn't resist stepping forward:
"General, what is too close?"

Perhaps it was because the adjutant had a loud voice, for Zhang Liao finally reacted after glaring at him.

Pointing south to the vast, blue lake in the distance, he said:
"This city is too close to Juchao, which is not conducive to defending against the bandits from Jiangdong!"

The adjutant, upon hearing this, asked in bewilderment:
"The enemy army has already crossed the lake and besieged the city. What's the use of saying all this, General?"

Zhang Liao squinted, perhaps due to a lack of energy.

It took him a long time to continue:
“It’s still useful.”

“Someone will always have to guard Huainan from now on.”

"Why not head north from here and find another place to build a city at the upper reaches of the Shi River?"

“It is easier to get support from Shouchun there, but it is not conducive to the southerners’ upstream attack.”

"Besides..."

Zhang Liao suddenly closed his eyes and leaned forward.

Those around them were startled.

Fortunately, Zhang Liao quickly regained his composure and continued to lean against the railing, muttering to himself:
"Moreover, that place is closer to the fertile waters, which perfectly matches the name 'benefiting from fertile soil,' so perhaps it can receive the blessings of the two river gods at the same time!"

Those around him smiled awkwardly upon hearing this.

It was less about showing support and more about calming one's nerves.

"Don't look at it."

Zhang Liao suddenly strolled into the building.

"I've been watching it for so many years, I'm already tired of it."

"It's just that the brat surnamed Sun who's ignorant and makes a fuss over nothing. He always thinks there's something special about this city and keeps thinking about it year after year."

"Isn't it just a dilapidated city?"

"It's just an old life, isn't it?"

"I gave them all to him."

Upon hearing this, those around him could no longer contain their emotions and knelt down, kowtowing and repeatedly saying, "We are willing to die with the general."

Upon seeing this, Zhang Liao immediately clutched his waist and burst into laughter, saying:

"The fact that two or three men were willing to die for him shows that Zhang Liao has been quite methodical and trustworthy in his conduct and dealings over the years."

"In that case, I would like to ask you all for a favor."

"Could you please give me a grand funeral?"

No one on either side dared to respond.

A few, however, were easily moved to tears and were already silently shedding them.

Zhang Liao feigned anger and said:

What are you doing!

"I've always treated you all well, and now that I'm old, I just want a grand funeral, why don't you say a word?"

Finally, someone answered:

"What kind of ceremony does the general require?"

Zhang Liao swayed slightly and shook his head, saying:

"The late emperor advocated simple burials, so there's no need to collect gold, silver, copper, iron, bottles, and jars."

"Let's have a human sacrifice."

As he spoke, Zhang Liao pointed to the Wu King's banner below the city, which had turned white from the scorching sun.

Head held high with pride:

"I am willing to die a king in the process!"

……

"Wen Dai!"

"Both of the two passes behind you have been restored to their proper order!"

"The royal army will soon circle around from the north and attack from both sides. Whether you surrender or not will not affect me."

"It's just that we're unwilling to completely eliminate you and your son because you have some reputation in this area."

"If you surrender today, you can still live a useful life and bury the remains of your father and brothers, thus fulfilling the duties of filial piety and brotherly love."

"If you do not surrender, the Wen family will cease to exist in Jingzhou!"

"Don't say you didn't predict what you said!"

Wen Dai listened to the harsh voices urging him to surrender from below the pass.

The hand gripping the knife loosened and tightened, then loosened again.

In the end, I decided to avoid seeing it altogether.

He returned to the city and summoned the scout leader, saying:

"Are all the mountain paths blocked? Can't we think of another way?"

The scout smiled wryly:

"There's always a way, it just takes more time. But General... how many more days can we hold out?"

Wen Dai felt a pang of sympathy.

In fact, he did not believe at all that the Han army had captured the other two passes, nor did he believe in the idea of ​​bypassing the pass to the north.

Because once they've gone north, they'll know how empty Runan is now, so what's the point of continuing to entangle themselves with me here?
The only reason he was not able to get support was because Runan was truly vulnerable.

The troops, provisions, and supplies are all at this pass beneath our feet.

Then he pressed further:

Has Lord Jia still not replied?

(End of this chapter)