Chapter 36

“Baekcheom. Hyuyeon. Deokshin. Hyohung. Jagyun.”

I called out the names of my subordinates one by one. Each time I called them, they showed different reactions, but all of them had shining eyes and determined faces.

“The end of this battle has come.”

Among the 3,000 soldiers following me, 10% were gone, leaving empty spots. Some might have been injured, but in this era with poor hygiene and medical skills, how many could survive unscathed? Especially after rolling around injured in the mountains.

The morality of war lies only in a swift end. This one battle will conclude the Battle of Tanggu.

“I won’t say much. Don’t die. Let’s win and see.”

The thought that this is the last battle becomes the motivation to fight with all our might. Survive this battle, and you’ll be greatly rewarded. With such thoughts, the soldiers will desperately struggle to survive.

All I can do for them is to stand at the forefront and be the first to crush the enemy.

“I see them.”

Ma Dai, with the best eyesight, spotted the enemy.

“How many?”

“About 10,000.”

“10,000…”

There are still parts obscured from Ma Dai’s view, so we must assume more than 10,000. Zhang He must have sent some troops back for reconnaissance or rear guard.

“It seems they’re retreating.”

I don’t know how it was in the original history, but this time, things aren’t going well for Zhang He. We preemptively occupied the Tanggu area, and my intervention has made our talent pool too strong.

However, considering the numerical advantage, both attack and retreat are difficult choices. Zhang He seems to have chosen the latter.

“Just as planned.”

That’s exactly our strategy.

Zhang He is undoubtedly a famous general. His exploits recorded in history were a disaster for Shu, and Liu Bei lamented that even after capturing Xiahou Yuan, he should have captured Zhang He.

But Zhang He had an unbreakable shackle: his origin. Being a surrendered general was an inescapable constraint for him.

Zhang He cannot act independently. This time, he’s essentially operating under Xiahou Yuan. His end was also due to his inability to overcome his inherent limitations, leading to a reckless operation under Sima Yi.

‘Zhang He cannot launch a reckless attack alone.’

Even if he wanted to gamble everything, Zhang He’s cold rationality would calculate the aftermath and choose the safer path.

Unlike me, who knows from history, my father, who had never met him directly, deduced this from mere information and recent battles, proving he is indeed a famous general.

“Increase the speed.”

In this operation, my unit and I are tasked with blocking the enemy’s vanguard. Cutting off the retreating enemy’s vanguard. It’s a classic but excellent anvil-and-hammer tactic, where we are the anvil.

Zhang Fei, the world’s best hammer, is ready to strike and sever the enemy’s waist. No matter how great Zhang He’s command is, it’s impossible to organically manage a divided army.

Zhang He’s army marched at a considerable speed even in mountainous terrain. His ability to command troops is indeed exceptional.

‘But in the end, mountain marching can’t surpass us.’

Our troops lightened their gear, focusing solely on speed for this battle, ignoring supplies. Our march, focused only on speed, is incomparable to Cao Cao’s army.

They were carrying military supplies, trusting their scouts and rear guard. Complacent.

Of course, Zhang He must have considered this. He likely devised a plan to retreat safely by exploiting our weaknesses.

Conversely, we planned based on Zhang He’s retreat. Zhang He should have exploited the weaknesses we deliberately revealed. If he had, he might have occupied our empty positions, turning the battle into a contest of strength, possibly leading to victory based on numerical superiority.

But Zhang He ultimately chose the safest path. He likely saw no need to take risks. Cao Cao probably never intended to occupy Yi Province. A safe retreat would suffice.

‘Did Zhang He know that prioritizing survival would backfire?’

It’s ironic. A Greek tragedy.

There was no divine judgment to seal the tragedy, but there was my father’s spear splitting the enemy.

“It’s begun.”

My father’s assault through the enemy’s center signaled the start of the battle. His unparalleled prowess with the elite unit was captivating, but I had my own role.

Having initiated, it was time to disrupt the enemy’s focus.

“Hear me! The enemy is already in chaos from our ambush. Look! Their camp is being split! Attack now, and they will crumble in disarray. Victory, glory, and the future await you! Fight! And seize it! I promise, even if you die, I will take care of your families in my name!”

I raised my spear. My five generals beside me also drew their weapons. Our weapons were our command batons. The soldiers adjusted their weapons and formed ranks, their footsteps resonating like a symphony.

“I will lead the way. Let’s go!”

A war cry pierced the mountain peak. We advanced, leaving the echoing sound behind.

The Cao Cao troops, maintaining composure even after being pierced, turned their heads upon seeing us.

A soldier’s face appeared. His mouth agape in shock. His trembling pupils reflected the emotions Cao Cao’s troops were feeling.

Splat!

A spray of blood signaled the battle’s start. The disrupted military flag from my father’s ambush. The Cao Cao troops, unprepared for our arrival, were thrown into disarray as my wedge drove into them.

Slashing, stabbing, striking, deflecting, pushing. In all directions. Wang Ping and Gu Bu, guarding my flanks, were incredibly reliable. Entrusting command to Ma Chong, Ma Dai and Yu En formed the left and right wings, encircling the Cao Cao troops.

Though narrow compared to plains, it’s a place where tens of thousands can march. Some tried to break through but failed.

Front, rear, and center. The three-pronged assault left the Cao Cao troops unable to think clearly.

The balance tipped. The battle with Zhang He, once evenly matched, completely collapsed in a single fight. The scales tipped in our favor. A group of cavalry from Cao Cao’s forces broke through Ma Dai’s incomplete left wing.

‘Is that Zhang He?’

Though I hadn’t seen him before, his armor and attire indicated a commander. I immediately gave orders.

“Wang Ping! Maintain the front line. Gu Bu, follow me!”

They are cavalry. The terrain isn’t ideal for horses, but they’re still faster than humans. The only chance to catch them is now, before they fully escape our formation.

“Ma Chong! Block the cavalry!!”

Almost simultaneously with my shout, Ma Chong sprang into action. He must have prepared the moment he saw the enemy cavalry.

Pulling the ropes taut, they tripped the horses. Though I gave them time to prepare, they had no choice but to fall.

Once one horse fell, it caused a chain reaction. The pitiful cries of horses and the fallen cavalrymen became trapped in our encirclement.

But true to Cao Cao’s elite troops, they quickly recovered from the fall and regained their stance.

The enemy commander I thought was Zhang He was too young. Zhang He is of my father’s generation. Even youthful looks have limits. I approached the enemy commander and spoke.

“You’re not Zhang He.”

“Haha, consider yourself lucky. If it were General Ping, your head would be gone.”

“No intention to surrender, I presume.”

“There’s no general who would surrender out of fear to those who follow the illustrious lord!”

Ignoring Da Ling’s retort, I first assessed the situation.

“Ma Chong, wrap up the battle situation. Gu Bu, help me clean up here.”

“Understood.”

Ma Chong and Gu Bu’s command abilities aren’t vastly different, but in terms of martial prowess, Ma Chong can’t match Gu Bu. With the enemy determined to fight to the death, Gu Bu is more suited for action now.

“I’ll handle the enemy commander. General, you should pursue Zhang He.”

I shook my head at Gu Bu’s words.

“He’s probably already gone. Without cavalry, it’s hard to catch him.”

I twirled my spear lightly and closed in on Da Ling.

“Your loyalty is admirable. Is there a way you’d like your funeral conducted?”

“Arrogant!!”

Da Ling charged at me with a shout.

Perhaps due to the fall, Da Ling’s steps were somewhat unnatural. But his momentum was undiminished, befitting a Cao Cao general.

I kept my eyes on the sword coming at me. Its trajectory was clear, as if augmented reality was showing me how Da Ling’s strike would come.

Clang!

The outcome was decided the moment I saw it.

Seeing the enemy’s attack. Seeing the enemy’s defense. Seeing the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. This is called ‘seeing’ (看).

And destroying what is seen is ‘breaking’ (破). Together, it’s ‘seeing through’ (看破).

Unless you can deliver an unavoidable strike, the path of life and death is already determined here.

My spear twisted his sword, altering its angle. The straight trajectory of the sword twisted, throwing Da Ling off balance.

My spear pierced his heart.

Thud!

Spreading blood. I could almost feel his heartbeat stopping through the spear shaft. Shaking off the familiar discomfort, I pulled out the spear.

Blood gushed from the gaps in his armor as Da Ling’s knees buckled.

“Ugh…”

As the blood gushed out and Da Ling collapsed, Gu Bu and the soldiers rushed in, breaking the Cao Cao troops’ resistance.

“Great victory!”

Perhaps it’s over there too. Ma Dai ran to me, cheering. The sounds of battle had already ceased.

The battle was over.