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

Chapter 275 Lobbyist
Since Cao Zhen died in battle outside the city, Xiahou Mao has spent every day in despair.

First, another general from Guanzhong, Guo Huai, went missing. According to reports from defeated soldiers, he seemed to have been captured.
After that were his two younger brothers who joined the army, Xiahou Zizang and Xiahou Zijiang.

They all gradually disappeared without a trace.

Then came two battles in which they lost almost simultaneously.

The Xianbei people were driven to Beidi County by Zhao Yun and the Lushui Hu of Anding.

Zhang He was defeated by the combined attack of Zhang Fei and Guan Ping at Gaolu (Gaoling), but was able to escape thanks to Sima Yi's rescue.

However, this also resulted in the loss of an important stronghold in the Weibei region.

At this point, Chang'an was effectively surrounded by the Han army.

Although judging from the strategic plans of the Cao Wei leadership earlier, this day was bound to come sooner or later.

But for Xiahou Mao, this day came far too soon.

He was so disillusioned that he began to wonder if he had become a pawn to be discarded.

Because he could not find a reliable military advisor, Xiahou Mao had no choice but to recall Wang Zhao from the military camp outside the city again to inquire whether the Han army had blocked the downstream Wei River.

Wang Zhao got straight to the point:
"General, are you perhaps planning to escape by boat?"

Xiahou Mao was drinking warm wine when he heard this and immediately spat it out.

He said urgently:

"I am the son-in-law of the Emperor and a general of Guanzhong. How can I abandon the city and flee?"

Despite this, Xiahou Mao made no further moves.

He didn't even touch the knife.

Wang Zhao understood the unspoken message and quickly apologized.

He said he had believed the rumors that Princess Qinghe had ordered people to pack up their valuables, and thus misunderstood the general.

When Xiahou Mao heard that his wife had acted in secret, his face immediately darkened.

But he could only pretend that nothing had happened and change the subject:

"Is the morale of the troops outside the city still stable?"

"It's not exactly stable," Wang Zhao shook his head repeatedly.

"But in the short term, there shouldn't be a riot."

In other words, I don't have much time left to escape...

Xiahou Mao pondered for a moment, then said solemnly:
"I would like to ask Your Majesty to act as my envoy and go out of the city to meet Liu Bei. I wonder if Your Majesty would be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhao's expression immediately changed.

He paused for a moment before saying:

"What message does the general need me to convey?"

Xiahou Mao had already prepared his answer in his mind. He coughed lightly and said:
"I have long heard that you love the people like your own children."

"Now the two countries are at war on the banks of the Wei River, and the barbarian cavalry are rampaging through the Guanzhong Plain, causing great suffering to the common people."

"I wish to move the old, weak, orphaned and widowed people in the city to the east of the river to save their lives."

"I urge you to remember the principles of benevolence and forgiveness and to show leniency."

After saying that, he lowered his head and took a sip of wine.

Waiting for Wang Zhao's reply.

This time, Wang Zhao remained silent for an even longer time before slowly saying:

“If that’s the case, then I don’t need to leave the city; I can answer the general on behalf of the Han Emperor.”

Xiahou Mao looked up in surprise.

Then Wang Zhao said with a half-smile:
"Last night, the Emperor of Han sent a letter, asking me to convey to the general that he is deeply concerned about the suffering of the people of Chang'an and wishes to temporarily borrow Weiyang Palace to hold a banquet for all people in order to comfort the people of Chang'an."

"If anyone is to relocate to avoid the chaos, soldiers will be arranged to escort them away... Doesn't this coincide with what the general requested?"

Well, so you scoundrel had already negotiated terms with Liu Bei!

Xiahou Mao cursed under his breath.

They did not readily agree.

"Has the Shu ruler, Liu... said where the people will be relocated?"

Wang Zhao: "Of course, it refers to the land within the pass that the Han army has already occupied, or Hanzhong."

“That won’t do!” Xiahou Mao refused decisively.

"Isn't this tantamount to aiding the enemy? How am I supposed to explain this to the court when I get back?"

"Not to mention such absurd words as 'temporarily borrowing Weiyang Palace'... Does he really expect to return it?"

That means they definitely won't pay it back.

Wang Zhao chuckled to himself.

As is well known, Weiyang Palace in Chang'an was the main palace of the emperor during the Former Han Dynasty.

It served as both the emperor's residence and the place where he governed and conducted state affairs. Its status was equivalent to that of the Luoyang Palace today.

Liu Bei considered himself the Emperor of Han, so it was only natural for him to return to Weiyang Palace. How could he possibly return it?

However, since Wang Zhao had revealed his identity as Liu Bei's envoy, he naturally had a response to that.

And said:

"If some of the people in the city insist on moving to Hedong, the Han emperor will not stop them."

"This was only to demonstrate the difference in treatment between those who returned to Han and those who returned to Wei. Those who migrated north could only take a small amount of food with them, while all their other wealth and possessions had to be left behind."

"As for the Weiyang Palace, if the general is wary of it being the emperor's main palace, the Han emperor can settle for the next best option and borrow the Changle Palace in the east."

"That place has been the residence of the Empress Dowager since Emperor Hui's reign. I think that when the general returns, he will not suffer too much criticism."

Xiahou Mao was initially somewhat tempted after hearing the earlier part.

But upon hearing the second point, I was left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Is this the difference between the emperor's residence and the empress dowager's residence?

Whether it's Weiyang Palace or Changle Palace, they are both located within Chang'an City.

If Liu Bei's army were allowed to enter the palace, what difference would that make from surrendering the city directly?
At this moment, Wang Zhao suddenly showed an impatient expression:
"General, you're unwilling to do this and you won't agree to that. I really don't know how to explain this to the Emperor of Han when I go back!"

"If the general remains obstinate, then when the Han army swarms in to attack in the future, we can only hope that the general can be as loyal and steadfast as he is today to the Wei Emperor!"

Snapped!
Xiahou Mao glared angrily and threw the cup to the ground.

Immediately, a line of soldiers carrying knives and clubs emerged from behind the hall.

Wang Zhao was startled instinctively.

But after spending time together, he had long seen through Xiahou Mao's true nature of being all bark and no bite.

Then consider that even someone as brave as Cao Zhen was eventually besieged and killed by the Han army.
Who are you, Xiahou Mao?

He quickly regained his composure and met her gaze calmly.

Now it was Xiahou Mao's turn to panic.

After a brief standoff, Xiahou Mao, his eyes probably sore from staring, raised his hand to rub his eyes and forced out an awkward sound:

"To allow enemy troops to enter the city is a grave offense. It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I dare not..."

Wang Zhao understood immediately.

He cleared his throat and brought out another pre-prepared plan:

"If the palaces within the city are not convenient to lend out, why not borrow those outside the city?"

The palace outside the city... Jianzhang Palace?

Xiahou Mao immediately thought of the answer.

After all, there were many Qin and Han palaces around Chang'an.

However, only the Jianzhang Palace, built by Emperor Wu of Han, could match Liu Bei's status in terms of its scale and design.

The only problem is that the place has long been destroyed and only a few buildings remain.

Today it is used as a military camp.

If we lend that place out, wouldn't that mean we have to move the infantry outside the city?

Move away...

Move away...

Move away...

Xiahou Mao's eyes suddenly lit up.

Got it!

He feigned hesitation and said:

"Many of Cao Zidan's subordinates are from the Sanhe region, and they may not be willing to obey my orders and give up their camp."

Wang Zhao clapped his hands and laughed:

"This is easy!"

"Soldiers from Sanhe can be ordered to leave with the Chang'an residents who have migrated to Hedong!"

Xiahou Mao still hesitated:
"Wouldn't that mean I deliberately let the enemy abandon their position?"

Wang Zhao slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"This is Cao Zidan's military order, which intends to sacrifice the general and Chang'an to save his soldiers! The general was completely unaware of this beforehand, so what crime has he committed?"

Then, before Xiahou Mao could make any further moves, Wang Zhao threw out another bargaining chip:
"The Han emperor knew that the general and Chang'an were bait, so he was not in a hurry to attack the city. Instead, he lured Cao Zhen to attack and destroyed his troops first!"

"After Cao Zhen's failure, the Han army learned of this plan from his surrendered personal guards... General, if you have any concerns, please speak them out. As long as it does not affect the overall situation, I think the Han Emperor will not be unable to satisfy your mere accusations of calling a deer a horse!"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Mao was finally moved.

(End of this chapter)