Chapter 117

The Great Hall was already filled with many people.

As a military personnel, I usually stayed on the outskirts rather than near the palace, so it took me some time to arrive. Still, I managed to avoid being the last one by hurrying.

Once all the civil and military officials had gathered, Liu Bei appeared in the Great Hall.

Liu Bei, skipping formalities, immediately began the council.

“Reports say that Cao Cao’s forces are heading towards Hatu. The leader of the army is Zhao Chang, and the army numbers in the tens of thousands.”

Zhao Chang. Quick and decisive. There was no one more suitable for a penetration operation where breakthrough power was crucial. It was as expected.

Pang Tong, who had anticipated this situation, had likely coordinated with Liu Bei beforehand and immediately took the floor.

“Your Majesty, although the Hatu area is land abandoned by Wei, it is where the Southern Xiongnu under their command are gaining power. Hatu is a gateway to Yongyang and Guanzhong, so we must act swiftly.”

“The Grand Commandant is correct.”

With Liu Bei and Pang Tong, the two who controlled state affairs, having coordinated in advance, the proceedings went smoothly without any hitches.

In the blink of an eye, the decision to dispatch troops was made.

If we were only to defend Guanzhong, we could block Xiao Pass and hold out, but then they would surely move to Yongyang.

Moreover, remnants of Wei’s forces still remain in Yongyang Province. It was clear that some would see the infiltrating army as coming to rescue them and would strengthen their resolve to fight.

In the worst case, if we lose Yongyang, Guanzhong would be surrounded on three sides.

However, it would also be a bad move to hole up in Yongyang and Guanzhong and only focus on defense. If we leave them be, they will absorb the ethnic groups settled in Hatu and grow in size.

‘We must stop them before that. The Xianbei, Qiang, Jie, Xiongnu, and Wuhuan tribes, who opened the era of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms… all submitting to Wei? Just the thought is horrifying.’

In the era of the Three Kingdoms, chaotic times gave birth to heroes, and talents poured forth. A golden age of talent. And the Han people, who honed their strategies and tactics through endless wars, utterly crushed the ethnic tribes.

However, after the Three Kingdoms merged into Jin, and after a brief peace and the power struggles that followed, the weakened Jin fell helplessly to the invasions of the ethnic tribes.

The potential of the ethnic tribes, especially the northern nomads that even Zhuge Liang worried about, is like that. Even if weakened over generations, given a chance, they explode in power.

Therefore, we must prevent Wei from fully absorbing the ethnic tribes.

This battle at Hatu is not only a defensive battle to stop Wei’s attack but also a struggle for dominance over the northern ethnic tribes.

“Cao Cao made the absurd claim of reviving the Nine Provinces and left it be, but historically, Hatu has been part of Bing Province of Han. It is rightfully our territory.”

Liu Bei, holding a familiar-looking staff, rose from the throne. The metal staff, the Ga Jie.

“Commander Wei, Governor of Bing Province, Chang-ran, listen.”

“I humbly receive your command.”

If it were my first time, I might not know, but having once endured the weight of the Ga Jie Yue, I no longer trembled.

“Adding the Ga Huang Yue to the Ga Jie, making it the Ga Jie Yue, take the troops of Xiliang and advance to Hatu to defeat the enemy.”

“I will obey your command, Your Majesty.”

Liu Bei personally descended from the throne and handed me the Ga Jie.

The authority of the Ga Jie Yue once again in my hands. It no longer felt just heavy. A sense of responsibility filled my heart.

“Go. Show them what it means to attack our Great Han. Make it clear to them and return.”

Despite being sixty years old, Liu Bei’s words were filled with unwavering determination.

Instead of returning to the throne, he continued speaking from where he stood.

“In my sixty years of life, I have faced countless crises, downfalls, and despair. Yet, I have never collapsed, and I pride myself on having lived a life of constant running without a moment’s rest.”

A life marked by defeat, failure, escape, and exile.

An ordinary person would have long been broken by such hardships, but Liu Bei reached the summit.

“Therefore, I cannot stop now. Listen, all of you.”

As the emperor’s solemn words echoed in the Great Hall, the ministers all bowed their heads.

I, too, holding the Ga Jie, waited for Liu Bei’s next words.

“I will remain here, in Chang’an. I have already conveyed my intentions to the Prime Minister. My life will be with Guanzhong. So, win. Spread the revival of Han to all corners of the world with this war’s victory.”

Liu Bei no longer avoided.

He had become strong enough to face his enemies head-on.

The German philosopher Nietzsche once said.

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

As long as I live, I will grow stronger.

Liu Bei’s life was like that. Nietzsche’s words perfectly encapsulated Liu Bei’s life.

Perhaps because of Liu Bei’s spirit. Despite his shocking declaration to remain in Chang’an, which could become a battlefield, the Great Hall was silent.

I broke that silence with my voice.

“I will carry out the imperial command.”

§

Upon returning from the palace, Jiang Yu informed me that he had issued a mobilization order to the 20,000 troops under Commander Wei’s Office, dispersed around Guanzhong.

“Where is the assembly point?”

“Martial Arts Village.”

“We will depart tomorrow morning. Go and prepare.”

“I am always ready to march at any time. Do not worry.”

What a diligent fellow.

As I praised Jiang Yu with my eyes, Bi Yi interjected.

“But isn’t the Lanling Army alone insufficient? Even though you, General, have increased the troops to 20,000 as Commander Wei…”

“Of course, we won’t go with just the Lanling Army. We will also request support from Xiliang.”

Originally, Liu Bei had already ordered the Xiliang Army to be brought to Chang’an. Since we haven’t heard of their departure yet, they must still be gathering support troops.

I had already sent messengers. While entrusting Jiang Yu with the Lanling Army’s military preparations, I headed to the palace.

By the time the Lanling Army fully assembles at Martial Arts Village, my request should reach Xiliang.

“I don’t know how many Xiliang troops will come, but with Huyan added, we could see up to 40,000.”

The veteran troops trained by Yu En are indispensable for the Eight Array Formation. Hence, Yu En has been conducting joint training with the Lanling Army. So much so that one could believe Yu En is part of Commander Wei’s Office.

But does Bi Yi intend to join the campaign? I had no intention of taking him.

Ordos is not some backyard, and the environment is on a completely different level from the Central Plains.

Even though Bi Yi is more robust than other civil officials, if he were to die young like Guo Jia in a foreign land like Ordos, it would be a great loss.

Moreover, the Ordos Plateau is, as its name suggests, a highland area where it would be difficult for Bi Yi to come up with clever strategies.

I expressed my concerns to Bi Yi.

“Civil Officer, it might be better for you to stay in Chang’an this time.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“The Hatu region has a very different climate, doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean! I am the Middle Cavalry Commander. A proper military position. And you’re leaving me behind… I’m disappointed, Commander Wei.”

Bi Yi, who always ignored the advice of those around him to be careful and died from an ambush. His severe lack of safety awareness was not just back then but still present, as Bi Yi spoke angrily.

“Sigh… Alright. You can come along.”

It’s hard to stop someone who finds their own work to do. And losing someone of Bi Yi’s caliber would be a loss of strength… I’ll just have to make sure he stays healthy.

After a few days of leaving Chang’an with Jiang Yu and Bi Yi.

Arriving at Martial Arts Village, I joined the Lanling Army. The Lanling Army, led by Guo Yi, Bu Chuan, Ma Dai, and others, along with Yu En’s troops, all arrived, marking the true start of the march.

Passing through Mixian and Zhenchang, and then through Jiading, the northern gate guarding Guanzhong, Xiao Pass, appeared.

And guarding Xiao Pass, located at the border of Guanzhong and Ordos, was none other than Gu Bu.

“Xiao Xing.”

“Well… since you’re heading to the battlefield, I can’t complain.”

“Sorry about that.”

Originally, Xiao Pass was of lesser importance, so I had thought of replacing the person in charge, but the situation changed 180 degrees when they targeted Ordos.

If I fail to stop them, Xiao Pass will become a bulwark guarding Guanzhong.

Ultimately, Gu Bu had no choice but to remain at Xiao Pass until this war ends, at least until the Ordos region stabilizes.

“Don’t worry too much. I have no regrets at all. Though I envy those like Yu Pingxu who escort you, guarding Xiao Pass is also a task you personally entrusted to me. I will do my best.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

I felt sorry for taking away his chance to earn merit in this war, but hearing Gu Bu’s words, I felt a bit lighter.

However, since public and private matters need to be separated, I pushed my guilt aside for a moment.

I had sent two messengers in total. One to request support from Xiliang, and the other to deliver a mission to Gu Bu guarding Xiao Pass.

“How’s the task I entrusted to you?”

“I’ve handled it as you instructed.”

“Good job.”

“It was nothing.”

As Gu Bu said, the task I entrusted to him wasn’t particularly difficult. But that doesn’t mean it required no effort at all.

We stayed at Xiao Pass for a while until the Xiliang support troops arrived. And soon after, I visually confirmed that Gu Bu had successfully completed his mission.

“Dobbahu’s representative, Dobbapilgo! I have come to meet the Commander Wei of Great Han!”