Chapter 23

After creating a dark history, a few days later, we left Fallen City and headed to Chengdu. The alcohol of this era, mostly Takju, is low in alcohol content, but seeing the generals drink it without a hangover shows their physical prowess is indeed impressive.

During the march to Chengdu, my position was in the central army alongside Pang Tong. Huang Zhong led the vanguard, Pang Tong was in the central army, and Liu Bei personally took care of the rear. This formation expressed Liu Bei’s intention to entrust the entire Yi Province campaign to Pang Tong’s command.

Though I had accumulated merits, the war was not over, and I remained at the Military Command Post by Pang Tong’s side. But this time, I wasn’t alone.

“General, seeing your sword dance earlier, it seems you have deep expertise in swordsmanship. How about a sparring match someday?”

Wei Yan was also in the central army.

Huang Zhong and Tak Eung were in charge of the entire army, while Wei Yan and I were tasked with assisting Pang Tong. Despite recovering well, Liu Bei was uneasy about Pang Tong being hit by an arrow and personally arranged this.

“Sure. I learned spear techniques from my father, but I prefer the sword. Let’s find time after capturing Chengdu.”

“Great, I look forward to it.”

Wei Yan was very friendly towards me. Perhaps my willingness to respond to his sword dance had earned his favor.

A bit unexpected. While Wei Yan’s abilities are proven by Liu Bei’s own words, many say he lacks in character.

Contrary to the novel where Zhuge Liang opposed him, under Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang’s protection, Wei Yan could fully display his talents. After their deaths, he clashed with fellow generals and eventually met a rebellious end.

Wei Yan mentioned having a good relationship with my father, and indeed, being a capable person, he fits the type my father likes.

Having passed Fallen City, the road to Chengdu was a highway without the rugged mountain ranges. Liu Zhang, preparing for a defensive battle rather than a counterattack, had no soldiers visible even in Xindu County between Luo County and Chengdu.

“If only Liu Zhang would accept the situation and surrender.”

Pang Tong unexpectedly made a weak remark.

“Chengdu still has abundant supplies. The weak Liu Zhang, worried about his safety, has hoarded soldiers and supplies in Chengdu. But that’s made it harder for us to take Chengdu now.”

“Even if he has 30,000 soldiers, they can’t all be elite troops. Probably hastily gathered.”

Wei Yan spoke confidently. I agreed with him. It’s absurd to think he had 30,000 elite troops locked away. There were many fortresses and gates easier to defend than Chengdu.

If he really couldn’t send out 30,000 troops out of fear, there’s even less to worry about. It just shows Liu Zhang’s incompetence and cowardice. A mix of intimidation and persuasion should make him surrender.

“I also don’t think we’ll lose. Zhuge Liang is gradually subjugating Yi Province from Jing Province, so Chengdu can’t hold out. What worries me is the external situation.”

“External situation, you mean Cao Cao?”

Wei Yan asked, but Pang Tong didn’t confirm. Thinking of the future, I spoke.

“Both Cao Cao and Sun Quan.”

“Yes, both forces concern me.”

“Isn’t Sun Quan our ally? I understand Cao Cao defeating Ma Chao and eyeing Zhang Lu’s Hanzhong, but do we need to be wary of Sun Quan?”

Wei Yan hasn’t grown to see the bigger picture yet. Or perhaps he’s just tactically brilliant, capable of strategies like the Zhaoge Plan.

Pang Tong firmly disagreed with Wei Yan.

“I actually think we need to be more cautious of Sun Quan than Cao Cao.”

“To that extent?”

“Cao Cao is our sworn enemy; we can never coexist. Both sides only think of defeating each other. But Sun Quan is different. He’s not just an opponent to defeat but someone we must cooperate with while secretly sharpening our knives. It’s a situation where we don’t know when the other will draw their sword.”

“Like the Wu-Yue rivalry.”

“With Cao Cao present, Sun Quan won’t act rashly, but if things go south, he’ll surely try to swallow us to complete Zhou Yu’s plan to divide the world.”

As Pang Tong warned, Sun Quan later backstabbed Guan Yu while he was fighting Cao Cao, seizing Jing Province.

“It’s crucial to stabilize Yi Province quickly. Only then can we secure Jing Province and focus on the battle with Cao Cao.”

Already, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and my father have led troops into Yi Province for rapid absorption. By now, Guan Yu must be struggling alone in Jing Province.

In modern times, Guan Yu is sometimes criticized, but seeing him defend against overwhelming odds and even attempt a northern expedition shows he was a remarkable person. Liu Bei didn’t entrust Jing Province to him for nothing.

“Don’t worry. With me, General, General Huang, and General Tak each leading a front, how can Liu Zhang hold out?”

“But General, you’re the Military Command Post officer. How can you lead the front?”

“Huh? But considering the valor shown at Fallen City…”

“Submit a proposal to our lord. Then I won’t say more.”

Mentioning Liu Bei made Wei Yan cautious. Everyone in Liu Bei’s army knew how much he cherished me. From the banquet hall incident to always keeping me by his side, many had seen it.

If Wei Yan suggested sending me to the deadly front lines, even he, favored by Liu Bei, would get an earful.

“We have Liu Xun here too, so we should urge surrender. Fa Zheng needs to write a good letter.”

As Pang Tong worried, Liu Zhang locked Chengdu’s gates, declaring his intent to fight. Fa Zheng sent a letter urging surrender, but no white flag was raised.

Unlike at Fallen City, we didn’t engage in siege warfare but maintained a standoff. Wei Yan’s bold talk of a four-front attack was unrealistic, as the numbers of Liu Zhang’s troops in Chengdu and Liu Bei’s surrounding forces were similar.

The decision was to maintain the standoff and wait for reinforcements. It’s a winning battle; further losses would be wasteful.

A sort of vacation until my father arrives. Since it’s come to this, I decided to have the promised spar with Wei Yan.

“General, I’ve seen your valor with my own eyes. I’ll give it my all.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best too.”

News of our spar spread, and except for those on duty surrounding Chengdu, other generals gathered in small groups.

From low-ranking officers to commanders like Wei Yan, even Liu Bei from the rear came to watch, securing a spot.

Liu Bei seemed to use this spar as an event to boost the morale of soldiers tired from the standoff. Truly, Liu Bei’s showmanship is unmatched.

“Both of you, show your skills to the fullest, but be careful not to harm each other.”

With Liu Bei’s good wishes, Wei Yan and I faced each other.

Wei Yan took the first move. His sword was fast. Among those I’ve faced, only Wugong could compare. Liu Xun and Lady Son were easily surpassed, still far behind my father.

But Wei Yan, honed through countless battles, wielded a war sword sharpened solely for killing enemies. Though devoid of killing intent, it was still fierce.

If it were me at nine, facing Wugong, I’d have been knocked out in a few moves.

‘Five years. I haven’t been idle for five years. It’s different now.’

Clang!

I parried Wei Yan’s sword with a heavy metallic sound. I didn’t lag in strength; in fact, I was slightly stronger.

Shocked at being overpowered, Wei Yan’s sword trembled. In a real fight, even if I didn’t behead him, a limb would have been lost.

Wei Yan, seeking to avenge his loss in strength, made larger movements. A clever tactic. In real combat, it would expose vulnerabilities, but in a spar, it maximizes strength.

Clang!

‘Not bad…’

The impact running down my arm was heavier than before. But still insufficient to break my stance. A sense of growth filled me.

Five years had transformed me from a mere girl to a proper general.

My height, once under 120cm, now surpassed 160cm. My body, once knocked down by Wugong’s strike, now easily withstood Wei Yan’s full-powered blow. Eyes that once only saw death now spotted vulnerabilities, and feet that once only ran now advanced.

One step. One sword.

An upward slash. With a large arc, I deflected Wei Yan’s downward strike.

My upward slash forced his sword aside, exposing his torso, and I thrust my sword forward.

“It’s over.”

My sword stopped just short of his neck, the cold blade causing sweat to drip down Wei Yan’s cheek.

“I’ve lost.”

As Wei Yan conceded, I sheathed my sword. He lowered his raised arm, and thunderous cheers and stomps erupted from the spectators.

It must have been an exciting spectacle. A real sword spar, not wooden ones, filled with tension. Wei Yan, like his lord, had his showmanship, and I matched him with grand, flashy moves, making it quite a show.

Especially Liu Bei, who didn’t expect me to defeat Wei Yan, couldn’t hide his surprise, his face filled with a proud smile.

“General Wei is a fierce warrior comparable to General Huang, but our niece surpasses even him, don’t you all agree?”

I hope the narrow-minded Wei Yan doesn’t hold a grudge for losing to a woman. While Liu Bei’s praise and the flattery lifted my spirits, a corner of my heart was worried.

Wei Yan didn’t seem too displeased, perhaps being a meritocrat like my father, but given his conflicts with Zhuge Liang, maybe not. Seeing my face, he didn’t seem angry—hopefully, it won’t go that way. But that seems the most likely, making me feel quite ambiguous.

Despite winning, I felt uneasy, but Liu Bei approached me happily.

“Well done. Truly, the daughter of Yi De. Seeing your bravery at Fallen City, the nickname ‘Little Valkyrie’ is not an exaggeration.”

Ugh. That nickname has spread even here. The soldiers I brought must have spread it. I should have kept their mouths shut.

“Cao Cao once said, ‘If you want a son, have one like Sun Zhongmou.’ Then, if you want a daughter, shouldn’t she be like our niece?”

How much more flattery? Speaking of which, among the Five Tiger Generals, I haven’t seen Ma Chao yet. Shouldn’t he be surrendering around now?

Lost in thought, something seemed to click. A way to end this tedious Chengdu standoff, something to make Liu Zhang realize it’s over, it must be…

“Ran, are you okay? Did you get hurt during the spar…”

“Uncle.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I think I’ve figured out how to make Chengdu surrender.”

“What? Chengdu? Tell me quickly.”

“Bring Ma Chao to our side.”

Ma Chao’s defection would be the key.