Chapter 168

In Chengdu, upon hearing that Liu Bei had appointed Chang-ran as the commander of the expeditionary force to reclaim Xiang Province, Guan Yu outwardly agreed with the decision but couldn’t hide his inner disappointment.

It had always been this way. After Liu Bei established a solid foundation in Xiang Province, he began actively promoting new talents instead of relying on his old loyalists.

Stagnant water rots, but a rolling stone gathers no moss. Power must always seek renewal.

Thus, when Liu Bei left Xiang Province for Yi Province, he left Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang in Xiang Province while taking Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng with him.

Although he later called in reinforcements like Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun to solidify control over Yi Province, their roles were limited to peripheral tasks.

The same logic applied during the Hanzhong campaign. Instead of relying on Pang Tong, who had contributed greatly to the conquest of Yi Province, Liu Bei made Fa Zheng his chief advisor and entrusted key responsibilities to Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, and the rising star Chang-ran.

Liu Bei’s efforts to rejuvenate his leadership continued.

He appointed latecomers like Chang-ran, Wei Yan, and Feng Shu to high positions and replaced Jin Dou with Shang Cong in his personal army.

For critical fronts like Xingbu and Guanzhong, he placed his most trusted brothers but assigned rising stars to positions where they could easily earn merit.

Guan Yu didn’t think this was wrong. He himself was mentoring younger talents like Yao Hua, Xi Zhen, and Zhao Lou, and he had even stopped Liu Bei from appointing his son Guan Ping as General of the Left, choosing to keep him under his wing for further training.

But it was still bittersweet. He could feel that his era, their era, was coming to an end.

Then came the news that reignited the fading embers in Guan Yu’s heart.

“Zhang Pei of Xuchang and Xu Gongming of Wancheng have made their move.”

Perhaps this was his last chance.

Such thoughts were inevitable.

Guan Yu, standing at the twilight of his life, had no desire for a quiet death. A lifetime of roaming the land and writing history demanded more than a peaceful end. He wanted the world to tremble at his name once more, to remind everyone that Guan Yu still stood as the guardian of the Han Dynasty.

Before his final breath, he yearned to shake the world one last time.

And as a supreme general of the nation, this opportunity was also strategically enticing.

During the Xiang Province campaign, Guan Yu had brought Nanyang Commandery under Han control. Although he hadn’t sent troops, after Fu Fang, the governor appointed by Cao Cao, surrendered to him, Guan Yu appointed his own governor to secure control.

The newly established Nanyang Commandery, carved out from the western part of Nanyang, was a perfect bridgehead connecting Yangfan, Shangyong, and Wuguan.

After securing Guanzhong through the Northern Expedition, Nanyang Commandery could serve as a forward base to launch coordinated attacks from Yangfan, Shangyong, and Wuguan.

However, after the Northern Expedition, the combined forces of Wei and Wu attacked the Han, and Xingnan fell to Wu while Nanyang Commandery returned to Wei. This naturally severed the connection between Guanzhong and Yangfan through Wuguan, rendering the plan moot.

But if Wancheng could be secured, it would be possible to not only reclaim Nanyang Commandery but also take control of the entire Nanyang region.

If Chang-ran took Xingnan and Jiangxia, and Guan Yu himself seized Nanyang Commandery, the entire Xiang Province could truly be returned to the Han.

“And after securing Wancheng, the next target is Luoyang.”

Luoyang!

What a thrilling thought.

Luoyang was more than just a city. As the administrative center of Nanyang Commandery and a hub connected to Yuxu’s waterways, Wancheng was a strategic crossroads.

From there, one could extend to Xuchang or reach Huai River through Runan and Yiyang.

With the surrounding mountains, defending Nanyang wouldn’t be too difficult. The importance of Wancheng couldn’t be overstated.

“By blocking Ye County and Douyang County, we can prevent northern incursions. Even if Sima Yi realizes the situation and moves south, I will personally block him. How could he dare to advance?”

Guan Yu’s plan to reclaim Nanyang Commandery took shape in his mind.

Defeat Xu Huang in the field, capture Wancheng, and deploy troops to Biyang and Douyang Counties to block Wei’s advance into Xiang Province.

Once Wancheng was taken, Nanyang Commandery would surrender. Call in Zhang Jin from Shangyong to strengthen Nanyang’s defenses, and with Guanzhong’s support through Wuguan, Nanyang Commandery could be fully secured as Han territory.

“Next is Luoyang. If Yi De advances from Dongguan and I march north, capturing Luoyang wouldn’t be a dream.”

And capturing Luoyang would effectively mark the end of the great undertaking of unifying the land.

He could witness the end of the chaotic era with his own eyes.

He could personally reunite the land.

If there was no chance, it would be one thing, but Guan Yu believed this was worth attempting.

After Huaxia’s tremors, Guan Yu finally acknowledged his past misconceptions. But that didn’t mean he had completely shed his pride.

Guan Yu looked at the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, a gift from his sworn brother.

As he aged, so did Liu Bei. Guan Yu was now sixty, and Liu Bei was even older. Neither could guarantee how much longer they had to live.

He owed it to his brother to repay the trust shown to him before it was too late.

Guan Yu picked up the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and rose from his seat.

“Tan Zhi.”

“Yes, Father.”

Time was fair to all, and Guan Ping had also aged.

Now in his mid-thirties, Guan Ping was no longer a young man. Guan Yu thought that after this war, it would be time to let his eldest son go.

Such is the way of fathers. No matter how old their children get, they always seem young and unreliable. That’s why he kept Guan Ping by his side. But now, he felt a tinge of regret.

Perhaps he had held him back, preventing him from fully realizing his potential.

“I’ve grown old too.”

Realizing his age only strengthened his resolve.

If not now, the world would never give him another chance.

“Assemble the troops. We march.”

Guan Ping was shocked by the sudden order.

“March? What do you mean?”

“Xu Gongming has left Wancheng. I will defeat him in the field, then advance by land and water along Yuxu to capture Wancheng.”

“Supreme General, I understand the importance of Wancheng, but Yangfan is equally crucial. Sima Yi and Zhang Pei are not to be underestimated. Will they just sit still?”

Guan Ping, now addressing Guan Yu as Supreme General, emphasized the importance of defending Yangfan. But Guan Yu’s resolve was unshakable.

“Yao Hua will guard Yangfan.”

As Pingdong General, Yao Hua was the highest-ranking officer under Guan Yu.

“Yao Hua is more than capable of leading a unit and handling national affairs. With him, defending Yangfan won’t be a problem.”

Yao Hua, who had clashed with Jiang Wei while advocating caution, had proven his worth from the mid to late Shu Han period.

With a general like Yao Hua and the natural fortress of Yangfan, they could hold out against any enemy. Guan Ping had no rebuttal.

But Guan Ping still hesitated. Liu Bei’s orders to Guan Yu were to defend Yangfan, and now the Han was at war with Wu, with Chang-ran as the commander.

Was it wise to extend the front lines in such a situation? If it were anyone else, Guan Ping would have firmly refused, but facing Guan Yu, he couldn’t easily respond.

Normally, Guan Yu would have scolded Guan Ping for hesitating, but this time was different.

When Guan Yu’s wrinkled hand rested on his shoulder, Guan Ping looked up in surprise.

But contrary to his worries, Guan Yu’s face was calm, not angry.

“Who do you think I am?”

“…The God of War, Guan Yunchang.”

“Exactly. Trust me. Let’s go together.”

“…I will follow.”

The troops were assembled in an instant.

This was a testament to Guan Yu’s exceptional command and the deep loyalty of his soldiers, who admired his generosity.

Finally, the gates of Fancheng opened, and the fleet set sail.

The march began.

The tiger of Han, long crouched in Yangfan, was once again stepping into the world.

And the news quickly reached a man who had been waiting for Guan Yu to make his move.

“…He’s come.”

It was Sima Yi.