Chapter 129

The atmosphere over Chang’an City was gloomy and oppressive.

Hatu, Dongguan, Wuguan, Yangfan, Xingnan, Nanzhong.

The combined forces of Wei and Wu were attacking from six directions, sweeping through Liu Bei’s Han Dynasty like a tidal wave.

In Chengdu and Yi Province, only a few thousand troops remained, barely maintaining order. Ma Chao’s forces, dealing with the remnants of Wei’s allied tribes and guerrilla forces, were stretched thin.

There was no more support to be drawn. Even the Emperor’s personal guard, the Sanqi, couldn’t be mobilized without leaving Chang’an City defenseless.

Already in a precarious situation, bandits who had been lying low under Han rule were now resurfacing.

During the Hanzhong campaign, Yi Yan had suppressed bandits with a small force. The same dire situation was repeating itself.

If Zhuge Liang hadn’t secured the west and south of Yi Province through Nanjing, a major rebellion would have been inevitable.

The Han Dynasty’s situation was now extremely dire.

In such circumstances, the mood inside Chang’an’s imperial palace couldn’t be anything but grim.

“A report has arrived from the Prime Minister of Yi Province.”

“What does it say?”

Liu Bei asked, and Chief Minister Huang Quan replied in as bright a tone as possible.

“Zhongduhu Yi Yan has led a force to suppress the bandits, restoring peace to Yi Province. The people are praising Your Majesty’s virtue.”

“Is that so? Truly commendable. In times of hardship, he takes on the toughest tasks. His efforts are admirable. Inform the Prime Minister to open Chengdu’s storehouses and reward him.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Even such small positive news slightly eased the tension in the air.

“Is there any other news from elsewhere?”

“None yet. It seems all fronts are holding successfully.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Do not worry too much, Your Majesty. No news is good news.”

“You’re right, Chief Minister. If I lose my spirit, who will lead?”

Despite his words, Liu Bei couldn’t help but feel the weight of his age.

In his youth, he would have faced such a crisis with calm resolve. But now, worries lingered.

Perhaps it was his accumulated experience over the years that made him more cautious.

When Pang Tong, overseeing Guanzhong, entered the hall in disarray, Liu Bei felt a chill run down his spine.

“Your Majesty!”

“Speak, Grand Commandant!”

“Feng Shu, Governor of Xingnan, has been defeated by Lu Xun…!”

Liu Bei clenched his teeth so hard that the sound was audible to the eunuchs present.

“Explain in detail.”

Liu Bei’s voice trembled with suppressed rage.

Pang Tong continued his report.

Initially, Feng Shu and Wei Yan, along with Ban Jun, had focused on defense, having fortified their positions since the Jing Province campaign.

Well-trained troops with ample supplies were nearly impossible to breach in siege warfare.

Even Zhuge Liang had been thwarted by He Xie, and Emperor Taizong of Tang had suffered defeat at Anshi Castle against Goguryeo.

The mighty Mongol army took five years to break through Yangfan.

Thus, even if Lu Xun was as skilled as Zhou Yu, they expected little impact.

But Lu Xun attacked Wuling Bay instead of Gong’an or Gangnyeong Castle.

“Lu Xun successfully lured our forces into the field by attacking Wuling Bay.”

Liu Bei’s principle was virtue.

Even as Emperor, his core belief remained virtue.

Wuling Bay had aided Han. Together with Pang Tong, they had recaptured Gong’an and stood against Sun Quan. Feng Shu couldn’t abandon them.

Ban Jun and Wei Yan opposed Feng Shu’s decision, but Feng Shu was resolute.

“If we betray Wuling Bay and forget their kindness, how can we face heaven with virtue? Lost land can be reclaimed, but lost trust cannot. We must leave the city.”

Thus, Ban Jun and Wei Yan followed Feng Shu’s lead. After all, Liu Bei had appointed Feng Shu as the overall commander of Xingnan.

Feng Shu, leading Wuling Bay’s forces, fell to Lu Xun’s fire attack. Wuling Bay’s king, Sima, also perished in the devastating defeat.

Wei Yan and Ban Jun barely managed to retreat to Gangnyeong Castle with the remnants. They had no troops or time to defend Gong’an.

Liu Bei closed his eyes tightly.

‘This is my fault…’

Feng Shu’s talent was genuine. He had experience and ability.

Like Wei Yan, Feng Shu had served Liu Bei since before Yizhou. Liu Bei had trusted him.

But perhaps he had been too dismissive of Chang-ran’s warning that Feng Shu alone couldn’t stop Lu Xun.

Sending Wei Yan might have pressured Feng Shu unnecessarily.

Liu Bei sighed deeply in regret.

“How is Lu Xun moving now?”

Though unlikely, Liu Bei hoped Lu Xun would be tied down at Gangnyeong Castle.

If so, the deaths of Feng Shu, Sima, and many soldiers, while tragic, could be mitigated on a larger scale.

“…He is advancing north with the naval forces towards Yangfan. Your Majesty, the Supreme General is in danger.”

To the north, Fancheng was under Wei.

To the south, Xiangyang was under Wu.

The Han River between the two cities was likely poorly defended against Wu’s navy.

They were truly surrounded.

“What about sending Zhang Yi from Shangyong as reinforcements?”

“Your Majesty, if Lord Zhang leaves Shangyong, we cannot stop Lu Xun…”

Hanzhong’s forces, like Yi Province, were barely maintaining order. It was an all-out war, with every available soldier drafted to the front.

If Zhang Yi left Shangyong, Lu Xun would find Hanzhong undefended.

This would sever the connection between Yi Province and Chang’an, leaving both vulnerable.

Moreover, by the time news from Xingnan reached Chang’an, Lu Xun might already be at Xiangyang.

Liu Bei, having lived more as a commander than an emperor, knew this all too well.

But.

“…Then, are you telling me to abandon Guan Yu?”

As a person, not just an emperor, Liu Bei couldn’t abandon Guan Yu.

“Your Majesty…”

Pang Tong and Huang Quan, understanding Liu Bei’s feelings, couldn’t bring themselves to dissuade him.

“Summon the Sanqi. I will personally lead the rescue to Wuguan to save Guan Yu.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I have given my order. No further objections.”

Liu Bei’s resolve was firm.

“Grand Commandant and Chief Minister, if Dongguan is breached, retreat to Hanzhong immediately. Zhang Yi’s resolve will hold Shangyong against Lu Xun. If we hold Hanzhong and Yongyang, we may yet have another chance to reclaim the Central Plains.”

Liu Bei’s words assumed failure. Deep down, he knew their chances of success were slim.

Some might call this foolish.

Yes, it was a foolish decision. No matter how painful, cutting losses and securing what could be held was the right choice.

But when had Liu Bei ever made only calculated, correct decisions?

He was the man who, fleeing Jing Province, couldn’t abandon 100,000 civilians, leaving his rear exposed to Cao Cao.

Even as Emperor, Liu Bei’s essence remained unchanged.

His brothers were fighting. Brothers who had suffered alongside him, who could have held high positions in any faction.

All Liu Bei could offer them was his sincerity.

He would remain true to that until the end.

“Grand Commandant and Chief Minister, listen.”

What followed was Liu Bei’s final testament.

As Huang Quan and Pang Tong knelt in sorrow, a messenger burst in.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

Could things get any worse?

The same thought crossed everyone’s mind.

But the messenger wore an unexpected uniform—a blue silk cloak with a phoenix pattern.

It was the Jin Sa of the Lanling Army. Liu Bei felt a chill before even hearing the news.

If Chang-ran had failed to stop Zhao Chang, Yongyang would be hard to defend.

Han would fall from its peak to a pitiful state, clinging only to Yi Province and Hanzhong.

But the messenger’s words were the opposite.

“Commander Wei has defeated the enemy, taking Zhao Chang’s head! Tens of thousands of enemy troops were killed or captured, with less than 10,000 of our own casualties. It is a victory for the ages!”

“What? Say it again!”

The first good news—not just a successful defense, but a complete annihilation of the invading force—left Liu Bei stammering in shock.

The messenger repeated with joy.

“Commander Wei has killed Zhao Chang and defeated tens of thousands of enemy troops!”

But the truly shocking part was what followed.

“Commander Wei is returning through the old Jinzhi Pass to aid Dongguan. He humbly requests Your Majesty’s forgiveness for not paying his respects in person!”

The tension snapped.

Liu Bei, who had been ready to lead a desperate charge, slumped onto his throne.

His limbs trembled. The release of extreme tension left him weak.

But it didn’t matter now.

With the invasion defeated, if Chang-ran secured Dongguan, Wei would no longer focus on Fancheng.

They might even attack Luoyang, forcing Wei to withdraw troops from Fancheng to defend it.

Just as attacking Wei had saved Zhao, threatening Luoyang could lift the siege of Fancheng.

They had won.

The despair that had dominated the hall moments ago was replaced by the euphoria of victory.

Liu Bei wasn’t the only one weakened; others slumped as well. But Liu Bei didn’t reprimand them. Even as they laughed at their own mistakes, he joined in.

“It’s done… it’s done. We’ve done it!!”