Chapter 54

The result of the battle was a victory, but the Wei army managed to retreat smoothly.

Ma Chao, who had been chasing Cao Cao, ultimately failed to break through He Zhe and let Cao Cao escape. I dealt quite a bit of damage to Zhao Chang, but it wasn’t enough to be fatal. Zhao Zhen, who rushed in to rescue Zhao Chang, took a sword strike but wasn’t killed.

Liu Bei launched a follow-up attack, but thanks to Xu Huang arriving in time from Yangping Pass, they managed to avoid complete collapse.

Despite the favorable situation, Liu Bei remained tense until the end.

Having witnessed the tragedy caused by a moment of carelessness, he only fully committed to solidifying his control over Hanzhong after hearing that Cao Cao had retreated beyond the Jin Ling Mountain Range to Chang’an City.

With Cao Cao defeated, there was no one left in Hanzhong to stand in Liu Bei’s way. After capturing Nanjing County in a single day, Liu Bei soon subjugated the entire Hanzhong region.

Though it wasn’t the New Year yet, Liu Bei, who had started the year with the conquest of Hanzhong, was in high spirits. He held a grand banquet in Nanjing County, distributing rewards to the people and soldiers while celebrating their achievements.

“Hahaha! Cao Cao put up a good fight, but how could he defeat us? Right, everyone?”

Cao Cao had held out for a long time. After Zhao Hong’s death, he hastily gathered his troops and marched without rest from Chang’an to Hanzhong.

In the original history, he held out for over three months, but this time it was nearly five months. Losing both Zhao Hong and Zhang He must have fueled his desire for revenge.

Still, as soon as Cao Cao retreated to Chang’an, he sent reinforcements led by Zhao Yun to crush the rebellion in Xiang Province, proving he was still formidable.

It was a bold military move typical of Cao Cao, becoming even more daring in crisis.

Thanks to this, Guan Yu, who had been planning to rally troops following the victories in Hanzhong and the rebellion in Xiang Province, hesitated and began to watch the situation more cautiously.

As the banquet atmosphere heated up and discussions of rewards began, Huang Quan stood up and addressed Liu Bei.

“My lord, it is still too early to discuss rewards.”

“What do you mean? Cao Cao has already left.”

“Although Cao Cao has retreated to Chang’an and Nanjing County has been subjugated, Xicheng, Shangyong, and Fangling remain. Only after these are under our control can the war be considered truly over.”

“Not only that. Cao Cao relocating the people of Wudu is an admission that he can no longer hold it. We must also take Wudu.”

The atmosphere among the generals, who had been eager for rewards, visibly cooled at Huang Quan and Fa Zheng’s words.

Liu Bei, seeing the generals awkwardly clearing their throats, agreed with the two advisors.

“Then we should also pressure Xiang Province from both sides.”

“Recently, a man named Hou Yin in Wancheng raised a righteous army against Cao Cao but was suppressed. Additionally, with Zhen Ye, who achieved great feats against the northern tribes, being appointed as the governor of Nanyang, Xiang Province is in chaos. It might be best to leave it as is.”

Fa Zheng cautiously opposed Liu Bei’s suggestion to increase efficiency. Instead of being displeased, Liu Bei focused on the name Fa Zheng mentioned.

“Is Guo Yang coming?”

Zhen Ye Guo Yang. A hidden famous general of the Three Kingdoms, he was now a Wei general, but he first appeared in history by seeking refuge with Liu Bei.

Back then, during Gongsun Zan’s era, when Liu Bei was still insignificant.

How much of a sore spot Zhen Ye must have been for Liu Bei, who never lacked vision or ambition for talent.

“Then we’ll leave Xiang Province as is. We’ll need to send someone of weight here. General Pingxi can handle Wudu, and the rest…”

Liu Bei’s gaze turned to his father.

“I’ll go.”

“You, Lan? Hmm… You’ve been fighting since the start of this war. Aren’t you tired?”

The fact that he didn’t mention my lack of weight showed how much my reputation had grown. I felt quite pleased.

As I tried to persuade Liu Bei, someone beat me to it—Fa Zheng.

“My lord, please allow it.”

“Even Xiao Zhi agrees?”

“Everyone knows of General Guangwei’s efforts and military achievements, but the final attack was his own decision. This goes against military orders. Please assign him to attack Shangyong as compensation.”

I had deceived my allies before deceiving the enemy, charging out without Liu Bei’s permission. It was a mistake, but the good outcome let it slide.

However, Liu Bei didn’t seem to think so.

“I’ve already given orders that in emergencies, some generals, including Lan, can act first. From that perspective, Lan’s attack isn’t an issue.”

“But that was meant for defensive actions, not reckless offensives. While the result is important, we must not overlook the process, my lord.”

“Xiao Zhi is right.”

Fa Zheng likely intended to use my punishment to enforce military discipline, but to me, it felt like support.

With Fa Zheng providing justification, Liu Bei no longer opposed.

“Then General Guangwei Zhang Lan will lead 5,000 troops. We’ll discuss rewards after fully securing Hanzhong.”

“My lord! Please send me as well!”

Suddenly, Yu Feng stepped forward, kneeling before Liu Bei.

“Gong Zhong, you too?”

“Yes, my lord. I wish to join the reinforcements.”

“Hmm, what does Ming Jing think?”

Yu Feng. Originally, the eastern part of Hanzhong was to be secured by Yu Feng and Meng Da. In that sense, I was taking credit that would have been Yu Feng’s.

There was no need to stop him, and Yu Feng was capable enough. Since Liu Bei had declared me the commander, the chain of command was clear, and there would be no issues.

“Yes, the Deputy General of the Army is more than sufficient.”

“Good. Then the Deputy General of the Army will serve as the deputy commander. Any objections?”

Huang Quan, Fa Zheng, I, and Liu Bei had agreed. With no further objections, Liu Bei nodded and raised his cup.

“Then let’s enjoy the banquet!”

§

The eastern part of Hanzhong, not yet under Liu Bei’s control. Among them, Fangling, the easternmost, was held by Gwaigi, Zhuge Liang’s brother-in-law, while Xicheng and Shangyong were controlled by the brothers Shin Tam and Shin Yi, who had built their own power.

Caught between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, they had stayed out of the Hanzhong conflict. Upon hearing of Liu Bei’s complete victory, they were torn between submitting to Liu Bei or resisting.

Surprisingly, Gwaigi, Zhuge Liang’s brother-in-law, chose to resist, while the unrelated Shin Tam and Shin Yi chose to surrender.

After conveying their intent to surrender and receiving acceptance from Zhang Lan, the brothers waited for her in Xicheng, closer to Nanjing County.

“Is this the right path, brother?”

Shin Yi asked his elder brother Shin Tam, who replied helplessly.

“Cao Cao has lost.”

“I still don’t understand. Can Liu Bei really defeat Cao Cao? He only won once.”

“Hush! Be careful with your words.”

Now that they were submitting to Liu Bei, they needed to be cautious.

“From what I see, the tide is turning in favor of Lord Liu. Look, since Chibi, when has Lord Liu ever lost?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Besides, the one coming now is General Guangwei. Can we even win against her?”

Shin Tam, calling Liu Bei “Lord” and Zhang Lan “General Guangwei,” made Shin Yi uneasy.

“We can hold out in the city.”

“Stop saying that.”

Though Shin Yi agreed with his brother’s decision, he was still uneasy about surrendering without a fight.

As they waited with the city gates open, a dust cloud appeared in the distance. Shin Yi squinted at the approaching army.

“That must be her.”

At the forefront of Liu Bei’s army was a female general.

Wearing a mask that covered her face, she had become one of the most famous generals in the land.

“Yes, that’s the woman who beheaded Zhao Hong and defeated Zhao Chang…”

“Is it true? I find it hard to believe that such a delicate woman could defeat those two.”

“Well… honestly, I feel the same. But everyone says so.”

Those who had witnessed the war unanimously claimed Zhang Lan had killed Zhang He and defeated Zhao Chang. It was hard to dismiss entirely.

For the brothers, who valued reading the tides to ensure safety, public perception, even if mistaken, became truth. Especially for Shin Tam, who believed Liu Bei was the rising power.

Of course, in Zhang Lan’s case, it was true from the start.

“Then is that rumor true too?”

Shin Yi asked quietly, careful not to be overheard.

The point was omitted, but it didn’t matter. Among the many rumors about Zhang Lan, the most intriguing for men was undoubtedly that one.

“I wonder… She always wears a mask. I’m curious too.”

The most beautiful woman in the land.

A contradictory and exaggerated title for a female general.

Though both brothers were married with children, in an era where having concubines was common, curiosity about a beauty never faded.

Shin Yi, now serious, asked, “Will she take it off at the banquet?”

“…Let’s just go down.”