Chapter 45

The Wei army stationed at Habei, as expected by Zhang Lan, was mainly composed of cavalry.

Cao Cao appointed Zhao Hong as the leader to deploy the troops, but the actual commander was Zhao Yu, the prayer officer. Zhao Yu, also the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, was highly regarded among Cao Cao’s relatives as a top-tier famous general.

Although Cao Cao officially named Zhao Hong as the leader in terms of distribution and position, he actually chose Zhao Yu to lead the army.

Zhao Hong, Cao Cao’s cousin and a founding hero, might have been displeased being overshadowed by a nephew, but he followed Cao Cao’s orders, entrusting military affairs to Zhao Yu and remaining in the role of issuing commands.

Zhao Yu, now the commander of a unit, was listening to the reports from the scouts. Sitting as still as a statue, deep in thought, Zhao Yu twitched his eyebrows at a certain report.

“Say it again.”

“Zhang Fei is heading towards Gushan.”

“If we lose Gushan, won’t our retreat path disappear?”

Zhao Hong’s voice, who was listening to the report with Zhao Yu, was urgent. The pressure from Zhang Fei’s fame, who had crushed the renowned general Zhang He, and the strategic importance of Gushan weighed heavily on Zhao Hong’s shoulders.

However, the young and spirited Zhao Yu was not intimidated by Zhang Fei’s reputation.

“It’s just a bluff.”

“A bluff?”

“Yes. They sent a unit to Habei, causing disruptions in our reconnaissance. Yet, they quickly found out, which means they deliberately revealed it.”

It was like when dealing with Zhang He. Deliberately exposing information to induce the enemy’s actions. Zhao Yu was not one to fall for the same trick twice.

“If they truly wanted to block our retreat and strike, they should have hidden it. Zhang Fei’s tactics are to scare us into hesitation to buy time. If we attack now while they are scattered, victory will not be difficult. If the vanguard collapses, they will realize their tactics have failed and retreat.”

“Then shouldn’t we attack immediately?”

The question came from Zhao Jin, a second-generation relative of Cao Cao, like Zhao Yu.

Unlike Zhao Yu, who was a blood relative of Cao Cao, Zhao Jin was originally from the Zhen family but was granted the surname Zhao by Cao Cao in honor of his father’s merits, making him similar to an adopted son.

However, raised alongside Cao Pi, Zhao Yu, and others under Cao Cao’s care, Zhao Jin was no different from a real brother.

“Zidan (Zhao Jin’s courtesy name), you will lead the vanguard.”

Zhao Yu, as the leader of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, was brave, but Zhao Jin’s bravery was exceptional. With a massive build yet surprisingly agile, Zhao Jin had even shot a tiger from behind.

“I entrust the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll crush Liu Bei’s lackeys in one go.”

“Uncle, please take charge of the central army.”

Zhao Hong asked with a puzzled expression.

“You’re not taking charge yourself?”

“I will prepare for any eventualities.”

Despite being treated as a second-tier general compared to Zhao Yun and Xiahou Yuan, Zhao Hong was a seasoned veteran who had experienced countless battles. Dealing with mere officers like Wu Lan and Lei Tong was child’s play for Zhao Hong.

With Zhao Jin leading the vanguard and Zhao Hong commanding, Liu Bei’s insignificant generals would be swept away in an instant.

‘There’s no chance of Zhang Fei intervening. But as the saying goes, “Liu Bei has no idle soldiers.” Zhang Fei has the swiftness comparable to a general. Just in case.’

Just one shichen after receiving the intelligence that Zhang Fei was heading towards Gushan, the Wei army began their march towards Habei.

The full-scale battle for Hanzhong had begun.

§

I caught up with my father just as he was about to enter Gushan.

The forces of Wu Lan and Lei Tong, as well as my father’s troops, were not large, so they were stationed at both Habei and Gushan to suppress the enemy’s movements.

I urgently sought out my father. Hearing of my arrival, he came out to greet me, showing a rare expression of surprise.

“What, you’re already here?”

“I only brought the cavalry. The enemy general is Zhao Hong?”

“Hmph, Zhao Hong is just a puppet. The real one is Zhao Yu.”

Zhao Yu, as I had evaluated, was already renowned for his abilities matching his reputation.

During this period, character evaluations from famous figures greatly influenced one’s reputation and fame.

The most famous evaluation was Cao Cao’s “A capable minister in a time of peace, a hero in chaotic times.” And Zhao Yu had received a similar evaluation from Cao Cao, being called the “thousand-mile horse of the family.”

“If it’s Zhao Yu, he will take the initiative to attack while our forces are divided.”

“But this is the best option. Even if our forces were united, they would still advance, relying on their numerical superiority.”

Knowing this, my father relied on a fifty-fifty chance. If they failed to see through our bluff and hesitated, it would be to our advantage. Even if they saw through it and attacked, we would only sacrifice a part, avoiding the worst.

Originally, the battle at Habei was not a major factor in the Hanzhong campaign. It was merely a preliminary skirmish, a way to gauge each other.

But the more decisively and quickly we could win in Hanzhong, the clearer the uncertain future would become.

“If they see through our feint and attack, we’ll just show them.”

“So, if they attack Habei, you’re suggesting we descend and flank them?”

“Yes. If you descend from Gushan, they will fall into chaos. Even if they are prepared, they will doubt their judgment. In their confusion, I will strike Zhao Hong.”

Originally, the moment Habei was attacked, my father should have withdrawn the troops. Give what must be given, save what must be saved.

Even if we attack from both Habei and Gushan, the enemy’s numbers are twice ours.

Zhao Hong, Zhao Yu, and Zhao Jin are not as incompetent as Xiahou Mu; a simple flanking maneuver would not be enough.

But while they are engaged in a two-front battle, what if a thousand cavalry cut through the battlefield?

At the very least, even if we don’t win, we can create enough leeway for our troops to escape.

“But it’s dangerous.”

“With you and me, it’s possible.”

That’s what a great general is.

Did Xiang Yu break through the Han army’s encirclement because he had many subordinates? He broke through over five thousand enemies with just a hundred men.

Our numbers are dozens of times greater, and the terrain is in our favor.

And most importantly, in this battle, unlike Xiang Yu who was alone, it’s you and me, two people together.

“It’s a reckless thought…”

Just as I was swallowing my disappointment.

“But I like it. When did this Zhang Yide become so timid!”

My father shouted boldly.

“Just a cavalry. At Changban Slope, I faced the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry with just a few dozen men. Now we have a thousand cavalry; what is there to fear!”

Yes. My father, at Changban Slope, had already made the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry tremble in fear. A great general of Liu Bei’s army, combining both bravery and wisdom.

“I entrust my cavalry to you. Bu Yong!”

“Yes, General.”

“Did you hear? Follow the General of Guangwei.”

My father called me not as his daughter but as the General of Guangwei, firmly establishing this as a military matter.

But Bu Yong? Is this the same Bu Yong who, along with his son Bu Chuan, fought to the death for Shu? I didn’t see him at the last battle at Tangqu.

But soon my doubts were resolved. I had sent Zhang Da and Fan Jiang away, and to fill the vacant position of my father’s deputy, I had brought him over.

Who knew bomb disposal would lead to this. It wasn’t a big issue, so as I was about to leave with Bu Yong, someone ran up and shouted.

“General! Take me with you!”

“Chuan!”

It was a boy who still looked young. Bu Chuan, Bu Yong’s son, knelt before me, clasping his hands and pleading earnestly.

“I want to go with you.”

“We are the cavalry.”

“I’ve been riding horses since I was a child. Just give me one spare horse. I won’t be a burden.”

In reality, the role my cavalry and I are taking is the most dangerous. If we lose our breakthrough power and get caught in the enemy’s midst, annihilation is certain.

The determination to voluntarily enter such a perilous situation is admirable, but that’s exactly why it’s hard to agree.

But Bu Chuan took out a trump card to prevent me from refusing.

“I heard the General has been assisting General Zheng Luo since the age of nine. Don’t dismiss me because I’m young!”

“…How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Same as me.”

I gestured to Ma Dai. Quick-witted, Ma Dai immediately brought over a spare horse and handed me the reins.

“Mount up.”

“Thank you! Even if I die, I will definitely be of help to the General!”

“I’m giving you the horse so you won’t die. Survive. Then I’ll keep you by my side.”

Was my scouting offer so moving? Bu Chuan’s eyes welled up with tears as he bowed to me and accepted the horse.

“Then, Lan, you’ll be short one horse.”

As he said this, my father also brought over a black horse.

“Take my horse.”

“Father, that horse is…”

“Yes. Biaoyuewu.”

Biaoyuewu (Leopard Moon Crow). A horse as swift as a leopard, as fast as light, and as black as a crow.

Though not as good as Red Hare, Biaoyuewu was also one of the finest horses in the world. My father’s affection was conveyed through the reins as he gave me such a horse.

“General! Reports say the enemy is marching towards Habei!”

At the scout’s report, I looked at my father. Our eyes met, and he nodded. There was no need for words; our hearts understood.

My father and I moved to our respective positions.

Mounted on my horse, I spoke to Ma Dai, Gu Bu, and the newly joined Bu Yong.

“General Zheng Luo will soon descend from Gushan to attack. We must not be late in setting out.”

The moment Wu Lan and Lei Tong, stationed at Habei, clashed with the Wei army, my father would strike.

And we must strike when the Wei army splits to block my father.

We descended by bypassing Gushan. Soon, the sound of battle cries and the rumble of descending footsteps echoed from behind.

As we descended Gushan and stepped onto the plain, a cloud of dust spreading in the distance came into view. Tens of thousands of men and horses clashing in a chaotic melee. A hellish scene of fratricidal tragedy unfolding on the ground.

“All troops, form a wedge formation.”

Like a cone, with a sharp point leading, the formation stretched out.

“I will lead the vanguard. My left and right will be entrusted to Gu Bu and Ma Dai.”

“Understood.”

“General Bu Yong, maintain the formation in the center.”

“Understood.”

Before charging into the fray, the sound of my pounding heart reached my ears. The sound of the horse’s hooves merged with the heartbeat. Whether man or horse, the fear of facing death is the same.

But adrenaline is secreted in the brain. The natural drug created within the brain dispels fear and fills the void with excitement.

I took a deep breath and exhaled explosively.

“Charge─!”

Thud thud thud thud thud thud!!!

The thunderous sound of hooves pounding the earth.

Like an arrow shot, like a bullet fired.

Cutting down those in the way, trampling and crushing, we charged and charged again.

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry they boasted of had no time to react as we cut through the battlefield.

The cone that pierced through the enemy’s center struck straight into their heart.

“Zhao Hong──!!!”

The enemy general in splendid armor turned to look at me. Eyes filled with shock. In them, I saw myself reflected.

The spark that Wu Lan and Lei Tong risked their lives to protect.

And the flame my father breathed life into.

It was my turn to spread it.

“Offer your neck─!!!”