Chapter 53

The battles continued thereafter.

Chang-ran and Zhao Chang clashed their spears several more times, in a deadlock where it was hard to determine victory or defeat.

In the first fight, Zhao Chang had a slight advantage, but it was not a significant difference, and Chang-ran’s growth rate surpassed Zhao Chang’s.

The duel between the two was a matter of interest for both camps.

Zhao Chang, Cao Cao’s own son, had his prestige at stake, while Chang-ran, whom Liu Bei personally called his niece and had solidified her position through battles, was more than qualified to represent Liu Bei’s army.

The fact that the two were engaged in a fierce battle signified that the balance of power between Cao Cao’s and Liu Bei’s forces was tightly maintained.

This fact had entirely opposite effects on the two lords, Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

For Liu Bei, it was an expression of confidence. From Liu Bei’s perspective, simply holding the strategic points would mean victory. A prolonged war was more favorable to Liu Bei.

On the other hand, for Cao Cao, it was a miniature of a bleak future. The fact that Zhao Chang, whom he had boldly brought after entrusting the Wuhuan rebellion to Xiahou Sang and Zhen Ye, was being blocked by Chang-ran meant that Cao Cao’s plans were going awry.

Time was forcing Cao Cao to make a choice.

Whether to continue the war at the cost of overexertion or to accept reality and retreat.

Standing at the crossroads of this dilemma, Cao Cao was tormented by an intense internal conflict.

In his heart, he wanted to avenge the deaths of Zhao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and Zhang He, but if he clung solely to revenge, the foundation he had built over his lifetime would be completely shaken.

The foundation of Cao Wei was not built by Cao Cao’s efforts alone.

It was the result of the dedication of the three who had died and the countless officials who still stood by his side.

“The state is impoverished by distant transportation for war,” Cao Cao repeated the passage from Sun Tzu’s Art of War.

It had already been over a month. The burden on Cao Wei, which was supplying along the Jin Ling Mountain Range, was no small matter.

Hanzhong was not the only front. Considering Sun Quan, who was eyeing Hefei, and Guan Yu, who needed to be suppressed, pushing further would disrupt all fronts.

“Miao Zai, Zaren, Junye…”

Cao Cao’s cold rationality had already calculated everything and pointed to the most rational choice, but the reason he did not follow it was perhaps because of lingering attachments.

No one is perfect. Even Cao Cao, who seemed closest to perfection, was not a being who had completely transcended human emotions.

Attachments held him back.

The attachment to Hanzhong.

The attachment to revenge.

The attachment to Liu Bei.

“It’s like the chicken rib,” Cao Cao spat out bitterly.

He soon announced those words as a military order. Perhaps it was a display of a very slight weakness of Cao Cao as a human.

The human part of Cao Cao that hoped someone would understand his will and provide an answer to this dilemma. Yet, in a corner of Cao Cao’s mind, calculations were constantly being made.

‘If we must retreat, someone must be held accountable.’

Cao Cao’s eyes sank gloomily. The one who understood the meaning of the chicken rib would become the scapegoat. And Cao Cao had a guess as to who that would be.

‘Yang Su…’

It was something that had to be done someday.

Facing a confident Liu Bei and at the point where he could no longer guarantee victory in this battle, Cao Cao made a decision.

Now, he must prepare for the future. And the cornerstone of that would be an unshakable succession.

The chicken rib was Cao Cao’s lament filled with attachment, but it was also a trap he had set to prepare for the future.

And Yang Su stepped right into it.

“Prepare for retreat.”

When people asked Yang Su, who was packing up the military camp, why he was doing so, Yang Su answered proudly.

“The chicken rib is like that. It’s a pity to throw away, but there’s not much to eat. The King of Wei compared Hanzhong to it. There’s little to gain compared to the effort, so it’s clear he intends to retreat soon.”

Yang Su, with his excellent intuition and rich knowledge, had the insight to immediately grasp the true meaning of things.

This time, too, Yang Su read Cao Cao’s mind from just the word “chicken rib.” However, he did not know that it was a noose tightening around his own neck.

He knew one thing but not the other; he was smart but not wise. This was his end.

Moreover, there was something Yang Su did not know. Something even Cao Cao, who had directly issued the chicken rib order, had not anticipated.

The fact that there was someone waiting for this very action of the Wei army.

The fact that the opponent had been watching this moment from afar.

§

‘The military flag…’

It’s visible.

Yang Su’s preparations for retreat, knowing the story of the chicken rib, allowed us to spot it.

The gaps in Cao Cao’s army, revealed amidst the crumbling morale and disarrayed military flags.

It was a gap created by the soldiers’ complacency, as we freely launched attacks while our allies focused on defense.

Was this the view of those like Huo Qubing, Chen Qingzhi, and Mu La, who had penetrating insights into the battlefield? A strange sensation, as if a new sixth sense was forming in a corner of my brain.

Like a simulator in a game suggesting the direction to proceed, my eyes projected the enemy’s breakthrough point in the air.

Instinct, intuition, the soul cried out.

Now is the time.

“Ma Chong.”

“Yes, General.”

“Inform the entire army. We will attack.”

“Yes?”

“Inform my father and General Ma as well.”

“Understood.”

Ma Chong showed doubt at my command but immediately carried it out. Despite not understanding, Ma Chong decided to trust and follow my judgment, quickly dispatching messengers and assembling the troops.

In less than a moment, my father, Ma Chao, and Pang De stood shoulder to shoulder beside me.

“There’s no time. We will strike quickly.”

Without detailed explanation, my father and Ma Chao perfectly understood what I intended to do.

Yan Yan, who had become my father’s deputy, and Pang De, who was with Ma Chao, also did not utter a single word of question.

Just before departure, Ma Chao, staring intensely ahead, said,

“I once said this before.”

His gaze did not leave the enemy camp, but his soliloquy was also directed at me.

“That the day would come when Ma Mengqi would once again chill Cao Cao’s heart.”

The determination he had shown when he came to thank me for my favor.

Ma Chao laughed fiercely. Like a wolf eyeing its prey, like an arrow about to be shot.

“Now is that time.”

The moment Ma Chao’s words ended, I raised my spear. As if to pierce the sky, the strongly lifted spear drew an arc and pointed its tip at the enemy camp.

“Let’s go.”

The great counterattack began.

“All troops—! Charge!!”

The troops charging in unison poured down like a landslide.

It was a torrent, a tidal wave, a gale.

It was a matter of moments. By the time the Wei army, preparing for retreat, realized something was wrong, our army was already upon their camp.

Crack! Crash!

The antlers could not stop us. Had they set up proper palisades, it might have been different, but the Wei army’s camp did not have such defenses.

However, due to the meticulous deployment based on military tactics, recklessly entering would have been suicidal, but the Wei army, disarrayed by retreat preparations, could not mount a proper counterattack.

“Overturn the braziers!”

“Set fire! Burn the enemy’s food stores and armories!”

The cavalry overturned braziers as they passed, and the infantry spread the fire, amplifying the Wei army’s chaos.

“Calm down! The enemy’s numbers are not great! Those without armor, put out the fires! Those with armor, follow me!!”

Some Wei generals quickly took action, but such actions only drew more attention.

Whenever such individuals appeared, our generals rushed in and beheaded them.

“Find Cao Cao!”

“Whoever captures the traitor Cao Cao will be rewarded a thousand gold!”

Amidst the flames consuming the tents, a scramble ensued.

Our army rampaged through the Wei army’s camp. Killing enemies on sight, burning food stores.

“Hurry! We must capture Cao Cao!”

I urged those following me.

Even if we don’t capture him, we must not give Cao Cao a chance to regain his composure. Objectively, the Wei army still holds the advantage in strength.

We are merely exploiting their gaps; we do not possess the overwhelming force to crush the Wei army.

Of course, the momentum is with us. Even if the Wei army counterattacks, defeating us is no simple matter.

But if that happens, we too would have to suffer significant losses to escape.

Therefore, what we must do is a decapitation strike.

“Zhang Guangwei! The headquarters is over there!”

Whether the subordinates had gathered information, Ma Chao ran to me, pointing in a direction.

“Let’s go immediately!”

There’s no time to hesitate. Every minute, every second is precious.

If we can capture Cao Cao here, the chaotic times might end in an instant.

Ma Chao and I ran towards where Cao Cao’s headquarters was said to be. Whether the information about Cao Cao’s headquarters was correct, the defenses grew thicker.

The generals gathered by my side cleared the path. Bu Qian, Yu En, Gu Bu. Those among the top in strength under my command opened the way, and Ma Chao and I charged through.

At the end, I faced him.

“You shall not pass to my father.”

Zhao Chang, not even fully armored, pointing his spear at me.

“Zhao Chang…”

Yes. Zhao Chang and I had yet to settle our score.

The first rival I met. My opponent was not Cao Cao but Zhao Chang.

“General Pingxi, go ahead.”

“I leave it to you!”

While I faced Zhao Chang blocking the way, Ma Chao displayed astonishing horsemanship and slipped past to the rear.

The Wei army’s camp was still not fully organized. To stop us charging straight towards Cao Cao, the Wei army abandoned organizing their soldiers.

No matter how much of a genius Cao Cao is, no matter how many talented individuals are under him, reversing such a tilted situation is impossible.

A surprise attack caught them unprepared for retreat, with incomplete armor. The enemy’s defenses were thin, and our spear was sharp.

The sharply thrusting spear pierced the heart of the Wei army.

Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, and I.

Like deceiving allies before deceiving enemies, our deadly strike came when even our allies did not know we were launching a surprise attack.

With this, the outcome of the Hanzhong campaign was all but decided. The remaining question was whether our blade would reach Cao Cao, the third-class official.

The macroscopic war of Hanzhong and the microscopic battle with a rival.

In all of it, who would win?

“It’s the showdown.”

§

“What? Yi De, Mengqi, Mingjing?”

Liu Bei, who had not slept and was guarding the camp, rushed out of his tent in his bare body without armor upon hearing the sudden news.

Hurrying outside with a near run. Flames soared in the distance. Cao Cao’s camp was burning.

“What are you doing! Everyone, hurry and provide support! Han Sheng, Zilong, mobilize everyone you can and advance immediately! Where is Gongxing! Bring me my armor!”

Liu Bei, excited, issued various commands in one breath.

Having spent decades on the battlefield, Liu Bei’s experience was not to be underestimated.

What Liu Bei felt at this moment was a thrill. Perhaps this was the moment to put an end to the long-standing feud, perhaps the end of the chaotic times was at hand.

“Now is the time! Let’s end this war!!”

Liu Bei led all the troops from Zhengjun Mountain in an advance. A gamble with everything at stake.

The Wei army, still reeling from the surprise attack, began to retreat immediately upon seeing Liu Bei’s army charging from Zhengjun Mountain, rather than mounting a counterattack.

It was the moment to drive the final nail in the prolonged Hanzhong campaign.

Had Cao Cao led the retreat himself, Liu Bei might not have recklessly pursued. The tragedy was caused by the ambiguous order of the chicken rib, leading to a poorly timed retreat preparation by Yang Su.

“Cao Cao has retreated! They are retreating! Our victory! My lord, we have won!”

Someone’s shout soon spread throughout the entire camp.

Amidst the earth-shaking cheers, Liu Bei thought of his mother.

‘Mother, are you watching?’

The child who used to weave mats in Nusang Village had grown up and was taking a giant step towards the world.

Having defeated Cao Cao, the ruler of the Central Plains, Liu Bei gained the courage to face any harsh trials ahead without faltering.

Liu Bei looked up at the sky. The sky was the same as always, and the sun rose as usual.

Closing his eyes, the faint scent of mulberries wafted to his nose.

The boy who once shouted while looking at the mulberry tree, its scent strong, now saw his childhood dream become reality in his old age.

‘Uncle, I will restore our family.’

The boy’s uncle had called it a childish thought, but the boy did not give up. And he had finally come this far.

The nostalgic and distant scenery of Nusang Village.

The young boy who played there.

Who would have known? That shabby, poor little boy now stood tall, commanding the attention of the entire world, aiming to become a ruler.

How long had it been? It was too long, too bitter a time.

There were countless moments when I wanted to stop, filled with regret and self-reproach.

I lost count of how many times I doubted if my path was wrong.

Yet, what remained was the stubborn determination not to give up.

Like an oyster enduring grit to form a pearl, Liu Bei endured, looking towards a vague future, enduring and enduring.

And finally.

The grit became a pearl.

‘Heaven, watch. See how far this Liu Xuande will rise. Taking my ugly ambition as a pearl, I too will become a dragon and soar. And wait.’

Born at the bottom, breathing in dust, rolling in the mud, now riding a horse, galloping on silk.

I crawled, walked, ran, now it’s time to fly.

The throne in the sky.

To that seat.

“It won’t be long.”