Chapter 46

Zhao Yu was stunned when he saw a cavalry unit breaking through the gap in the Wei army’s divided forces.

He had prepared for the worst. If Zhang Fei had truly lost his mind and charged recklessly, Zhao Yu would have calmly countered, mocking his foolishness.

But this was beyond his expectations.

Even though Liu Bei’s army had many from the rural Yi Province, Zhao Yu had thought their cavalry was too few. Yet, they had hidden such a dagger.

“Zhao Jin has already advanced too deep. It’s difficult to turn the army around now!”

But he couldn’t just leave that cavalry unit unchecked. The cavalry was crushing the infantry like a tidal wave, heading straight for Zhao Hong. Their target was clear.

“If General Zhao Hong falls, the army will collapse.”

Though Zhao Yu was the actual commander, that was only within the military headquarters. To the common soldiers, Zhao Hong was their leader.

If Zhao Hong fell to the enemy’s schemes, the soldiers’ morale would crumble like a sandcastle.

“That must be prevented!”

“Zhao Bin!”

Zhao Yu called for Zhao Bin, Zhao Jin’s younger brother. Though not as capable as Zhao Jin, Zhao Bin knew how to manage the army.

“You don’t need to win. Just hold the line!”

Without waiting for Zhao Bin’s reply, Zhao Yu led part of the rear-guard cavalry to intercept the enemy cavalry charging towards Zhao Hong.

“Stop! You shall not reach General Zhao Hong!”

Zhao Yu belatedly realized the enemy commander was a woman. Rumors of a woman draped in long cloth flashed through his mind.

Setting aside the question of how someone stationed at Tanggu could be here, Zhao Yu prepared for death.

‘They say she inherited her father’s martial prowess…’

Indeed, the momentum of breaking through the Wei army was fierce. Though not as absurdly strong as Zhang Fei, whom he had just witnessed up close, Chang-ran’s ferocity was beyond common sense.

Noticing Zhao Yu’s approach, Chang-ran didn’t even glance at him, merely calling out to someone.

“Gu Bu.”

At her two-syllable command, Gu Bu, guarding her right flank, intercepted Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu intended to swiftly deal with a mere deputy, but Gu Bu was not as easy as he had expected.

“Tch!”

Stunned by Gu Bu’s unexpected strength, Zhao Yu hesitated, allowing Chang-ran to charge forward. Her eyes never left Zhao Hong.

Zhao Hong, who had been watching her since her appearance, knew better than anyone.

The burning eyes behind the mask were targeting him.

And he couldn’t escape those eyes.

‘Brother, it seems this is as far as I go.’

Thus, Zhao Hong couldn’t retreat. If he fled now, it would lead to an irreversible situation.

“Zhao Yu! Zhao Jin!”

He chose to sacrifice himself.

“This is an order! You two, regroup the army and retreat to Wudu. I will take responsibility.”

Zhao Hong did not flee.

His life was not precious. After the defeat at Xuying, Zhao Hong had let go of his attachment to life. He had chosen Cao Cao, who had cut him off.

‘But it’s a pity. I won’t see the end of Brother’s world.’

Zhao Hong raised his sword against the spear descending upon him. His sword was too weak to block the thunderous strike.

*Clang!*

He could take solace in the fact that his sword didn’t break.

But while the sword held, Zhao Hong’s body did not.

Blood sprayed. It burst from Zhao Hong’s body.

The sword held, but Zhao Hong’s arm did not.

“Haha…”

A bloody laugh escaped. It was a sneer at himself.

“I was lazy…”

Though Chang-ran, inheriting Zhang Fei’s blood, displayed unbelievable strength, Zhao Hong, as a general, had some martial prowess.

But in his high position, Zhao Hong had neglected his training. The price was bitter.

“Please, achieve the great undertaking, Brother Aman.”

*Slash!*

A silver crescent split the battlefield. In an instant, the spear blade severed Zhao Hong’s neck.

Chang-ran felt the sensation of cutting through flesh and bone as she pulled the reins. Her horse reared up, neighing fiercely.

“Enemy general! I, Chang-ran, have slain him!”

§

After beheading Zhao Hong, I lifted his head to announce his death. Though the Wei army was elite, the shock of their leader’s death was not light.

But the Wei army barely maintained their formation thanks to Zhao Jin and Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu, having defeated Gu Bu, quickly regrouped with Zhao Jin to organize the army.

Though my father was strong, it was difficult to face the cavalry without cavalry of our own. The fact that he faced the cavalry with infantry proved his ability.

With horses, mobility is different. Knowing that numerical superiority is meaningless with broken morale, Zhao Yu moved to save as many soldiers as possible.

“Pursue, but don’t overextend.”

Our troops were quite fatigued. Fighting a larger force with fewer numbers requires more strength. Blindly chasing for glory risked being counterattacked.

Bu Yong, who had preserved his stamina, led the pursuit, while I stayed to collect Zhao Hong’s body. Even if he was an enemy general, someone of Zhao Hong’s stature couldn’t be left discarded.

As I gathered Zhao Hong’s head and body, my father approached.

“You did well.”

“I was lucky.”

If Zhao Yu had been closer to Zhao Hong and responded effectively, capturing Zhao Hong would have been impossible. Even if the army had collapsed and Zhao Hong fled, capturing him would have been distant.

Though it was a great victory, our side wasn’t unscathed.

“Lei Dong has fallen…”

Lei Dong, who had held off Zhao Jin, died, and most of the soldiers stationed at Habei were either dead or severely wounded. My father’s forces weren’t in great shape either.

There were casualties among the cavalry, let alone the infantry.

“But they will be holed up in Wudu for a while.”

“Lord Liu Bei must have advanced to Yangping Pass.”

Our primary objective of securing Habei was successful.

Liu Bei could now reach Yangping Pass without fear of ambush.

But even in victory, I wasn’t entirely at ease.

“With Zhao Hong dead, I wonder how Cao Cao will react.”

Cao Cao cherished his family deeply. The Xuzhou Massacre was the most brutal evidence of that.

But now Cao Cao was the King of Wei, and the foundation he built was too vast to uproot for revenge. He was a pragmatic tyrant, valuing profit over sentiment.

“But there will be an impact. Assuming Cao Cao moves faster, we need to adjust our plans.”

“How so?”

“With Habei secured, cutting off Maming Pass will isolate Yangping Pass. Send a force to take Maming Pass and capture Yangping Pass.”

“Who should we send?”

“Zhen Shi should suffice.”

But Liu Bei hesitated at Fa Zheng’s recommendation.

With Habei secured, taking Maming Pass would be easier. As Fa Zheng said, sending a reliable general like Zhen Shi would suffice, but Liu Bei was more ambitious.

The ferocity shown by Zhang Fei and Chang-ran must have spread to the surrounding tribes. Then.

“Send General Pingxi.”

“Marquis Doding?”

“Have Zhen Shi serve as General Pingxi’s deputy to manage Maming Pass, while General Pingxi subjugates the surrounding tribes.”

Between Wudu and Hanzhong lived many Qiang tribes. With Ma Chao, who still held high prestige among the Qiang and Di tribes, actively leading, it wouldn’t be impossible to bring them under control.

“Hmm, understood. That seems feasible.”

“Then I’ll inform General Pingxi myself. Fa Zheng, prepare to advance to Yangping Pass.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Though Ma Chao had joined Liu Bei, to match his reputation, it was better for Liu Bei to deal with him personally.

Moved by Chang-ran’s suggestion to spare his family, Ma Chao had pledged loyalty, but third-party perceptions also needed consideration.

As he waited for Ma Chao, Liu Bei suppressed his excitement. Hanzhong loomed before him, and beyond it, the Central Plains.

It felt within reach.

‘Not yet. It’s not time to relax. Liu Bei, you’ve only just reached the stage to discuss the world with them. Don’t be so hasty.’

Liu Bei’s self-reproach continued until Ma Chao arrived.