Chapter 19

The battle between Liu Bei’s forces and Liu Zhang’s forces proceeded one-sidedly.

Liu Bei, who had swiftly taken control of the area guarded by Yang Hui, immediately advanced south. In the face of Liu Bei’s army led by Huang Zhong, Fuxian fell without offering any significant resistance.

By then, Liu Zhang, having completed his preparations, sent Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and Leng Po, led by You Gui, to stop Liu Bei, but they were insufficient to halt Liu Bei’s forces.

Liu Bei’s army, bolstered by solid generals like Wei Yan and Tak Eung, was too strong for Liu Zhang’s forces, who had only fought rebels and barbarians in the peaceful Yi Province.

The next stronghold after Fuxian was Mianju. The path from the garrison through Jianjue, Zaidong, Fuxian, Mianju, and Luo led to Chengdu. If Mianju fell, Liu Zhang would only have Luo left as a defensive line.

In this process, there was no part for me to intervene. With the enemy forces being crushed like a bamboo, what could I, as the marching officer, do?

Still, observing the battle from a commander’s perspective rather than a soldier’s was indeed meaningful.

Since Pang Tong had delegated tactical matters to frontline generals, I didn’t directly learn anything from him.

However, listening to his explanations about why Huang Zhong moved here and Tak Eung fought there broadened my perspective.

While heading south to Mianju after leaving troops to guard Fuxian, Pang Tong spoke to me.

“Liu Zhang has sent Bi Guan and Yi Yan to defend Mianju Pass.”

Pang Tong had grown accustomed to speaking informally to me. Initially, he used polite speech out of respect for my father, but now, as I had become his subordinate, it was natural.

“I have heard of them. Bi Guan is Liu Zhang’s son-in-law, and Yi Yan is his friend.”

“Indeed. I don’t know much about Bi Guan, but I know Yi Yan.”

Yi Yan was originally under Liu Biao. After Liu Biao’s death, he joined Liu Zhang and was trusted for his abilities.

“If Yi Yan is determined to defend, we might face a difficult situation.”

Like Pang Tong, I knew Yi Yan’s capabilities well. Perhaps even better than Pang Tong or anyone else.

In the future, Yi Yan would become a key figure in Yi Province, trusted by Liu Bei alongside Zhuge Liang, but he would lose everything after challenging Zhuge Liang.

Liu Bei, who had a good eye for talent, chose Yi Yan as the second-in-command after Zhuge Liang to balance the Yi and Jing factions, but his abilities also played a part.

If Yi Yan truly decided to defend Mianju Pass with his life, Liu Bei’s army would waste considerable time and resources.

Pang Tong’s concerns were not unfounded. However, I remained calm. Did I seem strange to Pang Tong? He asked.

“Did you understand what I said? You seem quite relaxed.”

“With my limited insight, I believe Yi Yan will not defend Mianju properly.”

“Why is that? Despite coming from Jing Province, Liu Zhang trusted him. Moreover, Bi Guan, Liu Zhang’s son-in-law, is also there.”

I noticed something odd in Pang Tong’s question and smiled.

“Are you testing me, sir?”

“Hmm?”

“Your tone lacks anger or curiosity. You already know the answer but want to hear mine, don’t you?”

“Haha, you caught me.”

Pang Tong awkwardly smiled and shook his head.

“I have some skill in acting, but it doesn’t work well in front of you, the military officer. Ahem.”

Though it’s from the Romance, Pang Tong had once deceived even Cao Cao. Of course, the Romance is fictional, but it’s not entirely baseless.

For example, Guan Yu’s surgery scene with Hua Tuo—though not Hua Tuo, Guan Yu did undergo a painful surgery while calmly eating. Pang Tong, being an excellent strategist, naturally had the skill to deceive others.

But why doesn’t it work in front of me? Well…

‘It must be because of my looks.’

No matter how much strategists think outside the box and prepare for various situations, they rarely consider deceiving women. In this era, women rarely took the lead. Cases like me or Lady Son are unusual.

Moreover, my beauty was dazzling even to myself. In the 21st century, I might have been scouted as a child actor or model.

Some might say, “What beauty at 12?” But surprisingly, 12 was the marriageable age in this era. My mother married my father at 13.

Wait, that means she had me at 14. What a crazy era.

“Since it’s come to this, speak your mind frankly, Military Officer.”

“I think Yi Yan is ambitious.”

“Ambitious?”

“When he joined Liu Zhang after Liu Biao’s death, why didn’t he follow Cao Cao? He must have feared not rising to a high position under Cao Cao.”

Yi Yan was similar to Guan Yu. He was always praised for his abilities, but his strong pride was also noted. Only Bi Guan, known for his kindness, was his close friend.

“If Bi Guan doesn’t stop Yi Yan, we can make Yi Yan persuade Bi Guan.”

“To think so far with such a small clue, your reasoning is truly remarkable. Correct. Your words almost perfectly match Fa Zheng’s.”

“Then the issue is what treatment we can offer Yi Yan.”

“Fa Zheng is discussing that with our lord.”

“Are you not joining them, sir?”

Fa Zheng is an excellent strategist, second only to Pang Tong, and knows Yi Province better than Pang Tong, but Pang Tong is still the chief strategist of Liu Bei’s army.

Unless Zhuge Liang is present, no one surpasses Pang Tong, right?

“I came out to discuss with you.”

“Me? With me?”

“Yes. You saw something I missed. I’m curious about your thoughts.”

It seems my rebuttal of the three strategies left an impression. I pondered. Honestly, I don’t remember what treatment Yi Yan received after surrendering.

What I know about Yi Yan is mostly what I mentioned earlier: his role as a regent, his rise from Jing to Yi Province, and his downfall after challenging Zhuge Liang.

Even if Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Pang Tong died, as a regent, his treatment after surrendering couldn’t have been poor.

But can we trust and place him in a high position after he ruined Zhuge Liang’s northern expedition for his own power? That’s what concerns me.

“Wouldn’t a prefect position suffice? If he proves his loyalty and ability later, a governor position would be good.”

“A regional position, huh? Even in Jing Province, he worked in the regions, not the center. Is there a reason?”

If I successfully save Guan Yu and Pang Tong, Yi Yan won’t rise to regent. So I spoke frankly.

“Because we cannot entrust great undertakings to those who prioritize personal advancement over the state.”

At first glance, it sounds like criticizing all surrendering generals, but it’s a different issue. There’s a proper way to surrender.

For example, if a city is besieged and no reinforcements arrive for a while, surrendering isn’t blamed.

Huang Quan’s defection to Wei was covered by Liu Bei for the same reason.

But Pang Tong pointed out something else.

“I heard you said you would fight to inherit the name of General of the Righteous Path during your first campaign. Doesn’t that apply to you as well?”

“My filial piety is for the great undertaking. My father wished for our lord’s will to be fulfilled, and our lord’s will is our great undertaking.”

“So filial piety and loyalty are not different.”

And seeing something in my answer, he said this.

“Indeed, you are different from me. I believed Yi Yan should be employed if he surrenders.”

“May I ask why?”

Why? What does that mean? To use him as a bridge between Jing and Yi Provinces?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Pang Tong laughed and said.

“That’s… well, I almost gave the answer. Let’s leave the beauty tactics to others and treat this as homework. If you think you know the reason I said that, tell me. The deadline is… let’s say, until we fully pacify Yi Province.”

Pang Tong’s words were somewhat vague.

What happened afterward was exactly as Pang Tong and I discussed.

Yi Yan, persuaded by Bi Guan, opened Mianju Pass and surrendered to Liu Bei, who treated Yi Yan generously as Pang Tong had suggested.

And finally, after continuing south, we arrived.

The reason I had to enter Shu.

Before the fallen city.

§

When Liu Bei’s army approached Luo City, a military council was being held in Luo.

Luo was the final barrier defending Chengdu. More important than Mianju Pass, it was defended by Liu Zhang’s eldest son, Liu Xun.

With Liu Xun as the commander, the atmosphere in the council, attended by generals like Zhang Ren and You Gui who had been defeated by Liu Bei, was heavy.

Liu Bei’s 30,000-strong army was formidable and at its peak, while Luo’s defenders were less than half in number and inferior in quality. Yet, their resolve was firm.

“Liu Bei’s momentum is strong. For now, we should hold the city walls.”

Liu Xun’s suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. The generals believed engaging Liu Bei outside the city would be suicidal.

Luo was a fortress with ample supplies, allowing for a prolonged siege. Though outnumbered, in sieges, the attacker usually needs three times the troops, so it wasn’t a major issue.

However, one person disagreed with Liu Xun.

“Shouldn’t we send some troops outside Luo to disrupt Liu Bei’s forces? With Liu Bei’s subordinates from Jing Province entering Shu, we can’t rely solely on Luo.”

“Indeed, General Zhang Ren.”

Though defeated by Liu Bei at Fuxian, Zhang Ren was one of Liu Zhang’s top generals. Liu Bei had tried to recruit him, and in the Romance, he killed Pang Tong, showing his prowess.

Despite the defeat at Fuxian, Zhang Ren managed to regroup and join Luo. His presence was reassuring to Liu Xun, who pointed to a map and said.

“Liu Mu will soon mobilize to attack Liu Bei’s rear. With few troops left at the garrison, if we hold firm here, Liu Bei will be like a rat in a trap!”

“Oh…”

“Hahaha! It’s a pity we can’t see Liu Bei’s face turn pale.”

Liu Xun’s strong assertion drew flattering remarks from generals like Leng Po and Deng Xian, but Zhang Ren silently gazed at the map.

His eyes were fixed on Paju.

‘If Liu Bei is in danger, Jing Province won’t remain idle. Can Yan An hold out?’

If troops from Jing enter Yi Province, Paju would be the first gate. Though Paju’s prefect, Yan An, was capable, Zhang Ren doubted he could stop Liu Bei’s army.

‘Simply holding out doesn’t guarantee victory. It’s a race. Can we encircle and capture Liu Bei first, or will Liu Bei’s reinforcements from Jing arrive sooner?’

While Liu Bei’s army was unaware of Liu Zhang’s counterattack, before Zhuge Liang in Jing moved, they had to decide the outcome.

Liu Xun shared this concern. Though he boosted morale with optimistic prospects, the situation wasn’t entirely favorable.

Unlike his father, Liu Xun had considerable ability and knew time was equally given to the enemy.

But there was still a chance. It wasn’t over yet. Not yet. Not yet…