Chapter 202

As Chang-ran had anticipated, there was a subtle tension between Cao Biao and Sun Quan.

“Thank you for coming at my request.”

“If we must unite against the ghosts of the old era, then it is only right to follow.”

Cao Biao welcomed Sun Quan’s alliance while subtly acting as if he were the superior.

Though Sun Quan had borrowed some of Cao Biao’s authority as the legitimate emperor who received the abdication, Sun Quan was also a dignified emperor in his own right.

Moreover, Sun Ding successfully repelled Chang-ran’s attack with minimal losses, earning considerable fame and securing an independent position.

Considering the distance between Luoyang and Wu, it was natural that their forces were smaller than Wei’s. Sun Quan had no reason to be treated as inferior.

From the very first meeting, their alliance was shaky.

Though they joined hands against the common enemy of the Han and Liu Bei, these were the same people who had been pointing spears and swords at each other not long ago.

Even if they shook off the dust, there remained a subtle hostility and disdain for each other in their hearts.

However, both Cao Biao and Sun Quan clearly understood that fighting among themselves would bring no good.

They pretended to heed their advisors’ pleas to step back, resolving the conflict before it escalated.

They simply didn’t have the luxury to engage in further tension. The Han forces were rapidly approaching the hills, forcing them to quicken their pace as well.

Though the Han had taken the initiative in the race, the physical distance favored the Wei-Wu alliance.

Securing the hills safely, they caught their breath and used this success as glue to achieve some level of harmony—truly killing two birds with one stone.

“According to the scouts, the enemy forces have split into three due to the competition for the hills. Liu Bei’s main force is about 80,000, followed by Zhang Fei commanding 20,000, and further behind, Wang Ping and Zhang E are bringing 10,000 barbarian troops.”

As Cao Biao’s advisor, Shin Yi, explained the situation of the Han forces, Sun Quan asked, “Hmm, being barbarians, are they slow on flat ground despite being good in the mountains?”

“That’s part of it, but it seems they expected us to block them at Gokyang Valley, so they sent Wang Ping and Zhang E’s barbarian troops as the vanguard. The fatigue from scouting for ambushes and guarding against surprise attacks was greater compared to Zhang Fei, who simply marched comfortably.”

Shin Yi presented a plausible analysis.

A unit marching while maintaining vigilance versus a unit simply following a secured path—it wasn’t hard to guess which side would be more fatigued.

“It seems they aimed to secure the hills to block our path, attempting to gain a favorable position and ensure the safe arrival of their reinforcements, but their plan was overly ambitious.”

Wei Jin, who had accompanied as a military advisor, spoke up. He had a knack for discerning the enemy’s intentions and striking unexpectedly.

“However, since their scheme failed, there will inevitably be consequences. Their divided forces—this war is widely believed to have been triggered by Liu Bei’s rage over Guan Yu’s death. If we capture Zhang Fei, Liu Bei will lose all sense and charge towards this high ground.”

“Even if Zhang Fei dies, Liu Bei won’t recklessly charge. When Guan Yu died, he didn’t immediately rush in but spent a year preparing. He’s capable of patience for revenge.”

Zhu Huan from Sun Quan’s side partially opposed Wei Jin’s argument.

Zhu Huan, who had defended Hegu against Chang-ran and safely retreated with Crown Prince Sun Ding, was now renowned throughout the land.

Stopping Chang-ran, whom no one had been able to halt before, catapulted Zhu Huan to national fame.

Though Crown Prince Sun Ding’s presence was significant, Zhu Huan, as the governor of Hegu, had overseen the battle.

Lu Xun, Zhu Yan, and Zhu Huan were now counted among Wu’s most outstanding generals.

Thus, Sun Quan sent Lu Xun to Jing Province, Zhu Yan to Huainan, and brought Zhu Huan with him to Luoyang—a form of rotational duty to balance power.

In any case, Zhu Huan refuted Wei Jin’s claim that killing Zhang Fei would drive Liu Bei to madness, but ultimately supported the idea of attacking Zhang Fei.

“Though I disagree with the notion that Liu Bei would act irrationally if Zhang Fei were killed, I agree with the idea of capturing Zhang Fei. With the high ground secured, even if our forces are reduced, defense won’t be an issue. Successfully capturing Zhang Fei with sufficient troops would allow us to encircle and pressure them from all directions.”

Wei Jin and Zhu Huan held opposing views on Liu Bei’s reaction but agreed on attacking Zhang Fei.

After further debate, the proposal to attack Zhang Fei and defeat the enemy piecemeal was adopted.

“Who should go? Considering the size of the forces, we’ll need at least 30,000.”

As Cao Biao looked at his generals, the answer came from beside him.

“I will go.”

“What? The Emperor of Wu himself?”

“Though we are allied, having two emperors on one front would only complicate the chain of command. I’ve brought 40,000 troops, which is a suitable size to defeat Zhang Fei.”

“Hmm, if you say so. Very well. While the Emperor of Wu defeats Zhang Fei, we of Wei will hold Liu Bei’s main force here. When Zhang Fei is captured and Liu Bei is defeated, Wei will gladly take the lead.”

With roles assigned, Sun Quan set out the next day.

Seeing the thick fog, Sun Quan laughed heartily, sensing victory.

“We of Wu live by the sea and the Yangtze, accustomed to such fog. Heaven is on our side!”

While others might lose their sense of direction in such fog, the people of Wu were different. Unlike their enemies, who would be blinded by the fog, they could swiftly and accurately approach.

With confidence, Sun Quan shouted, “Advance!”

—

As the fog thinned slightly but visibility remained poor, Zhang Fei gazed through the haze and murmured, “They’re coming.”

He too sensed the movement of the enemy’s military aura, just as Chang-ran had.

“Zhang Jin, Bo Guang, Liu Yong. Prepare for battle. The enemy will soon be upon us.”

It didn’t matter who was coming.

No matter who came, Zhang Fei would fulfill his role. Even if Cao Biao brought tens of thousands, Zhang Fei would do his duty.

Finally, the enemy emerged through the fog. Zhang Fei quickly scanned their banners. Sun and Wu. No Wei banners in sight.

“Sun Quan alone?”

Zhang Fei chuckled in disbelief.

“Afraid of Zhang Liao but not of me, Zhang Yide?”

Secretly expecting Xu Huang, Zhang Fei was unimpressed.

After being halted by Zhang Liao with 7,000 troops despite leading 100,000 at Hefei, Sun Quan had become wary of even mentioning Zhang Liao’s name.

Yet here he was, daring to challenge Zhang Fei with just a few tens of thousands, which irked Zhang Fei.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

Zhang Fei’s original task was merely to hold out.

The enemy would surely throw at least double their forces to quickly and decisively defeat Zhang Fei before Wang Ping and Zhang E could arrive.

Zhang Fei’s role in the most perilous battlefield was to tie down the enemy.

Though outnumbered, they believed it was a winnable battle once Wang Ping and Zhang E arrived.

Zhang Fei thought so too. Preferring careful analysis, he focused on defense.

In this regard, Zhang Fei differed from his daughter Chang-ran, who favored aggressive assaults, resembling Guan Yu more than her father.

But in this moment, Chang-ran resembled her father.

“Just hearing the name Zhang should strike fear into their hearts.”

Mounting his horse, Zhang Fei observed the battlefield.

The two armies clashed.

The Wu forces were indeed elite. Despite the failed ambush, they held their ground against Zhang Fei’s rigorously trained troops.

These were Sun Quan’s handpicked elites, bolstered by the emperor’s presence.

They shattered the stereotype that Wu was strong in naval battles but weak on land, displaying remarkable bravery.

While Zhang Fei stepped back, his deputy Zhang Jin led the center, with Bo Guang and Liu Yong fiercely holding the flanks.

In contrast, Sun Quan personally commanded from the front.

However, anticipating their attack, the Han forces’ defense held firm. Though outnumbered, they showed no signs of breaking.

‘The fog is lifting.’

Zhang Fei had been waiting for this.

No matter how great a general Zhang Fei was, being isolated in the fog would have been disastrous.

Thus, he had conserved his strength until visibility improved.

As the Wu forces pressed closer, Sun Quan, encouraging his troops and issuing commands, also drew nearer to Zhang Fei.

‘Sun Quan. Now I see your face.’

Zhang Liao had missed his chance to capture Sun Quan because he didn’t recognize him. By the time he realized, it was too late.

But Zhang Fei remembered his face clearly.

“Cavalry, follow me! We will capture Sun Quan!!”