Chapter 62

After defeating Xu Huang, I proceeded to crush the reinforcements from Cao Wei that had belatedly entered Nanyang, one after another.

When Xu Shang and Yue Jin heard of Xu Huang’s defeat, they were already trapped in our encirclement. Barely managing to survive, they scattered and fled for their lives.

In the midst of this, Xu Shang was eventually captured and killed by Yu En, while Yue Jin narrowly escaped and succeeded in reuniting with Xu Huang.

Xu Huang, Zhen Ye, Xu Shang, and Yue Jin—if you combined the troops they led, it would far outnumber the Lanling Army, which had just over 10,000 soldiers. At the very least, it would exceed 30,000.

However, due to the hasty response caused by the shockwaves of Guan Yu’s Huaxia Advance following the Han River flood, they were easily picked off one by one, becoming easy prey.

It’s a shame, but that’s the end of it now. They’re not fools, and with Cao Cao personally taking the field, continuing to target them individually like this would only increase the risk of being swallowed up instead.

And above all, the most pressing issue was:

“Supplies are urgently needed.”

The shortage of resources was critical.

Napoleon’s tactics required sacrificing stable supplies for rapid mobility. While Napoleon solved this problem through local procurement—frankly, plundering—that wasn’t a method I could follow.

That was a choice only an invading army could make, and as someone playing the role of an occupying force under Lord Liu Bei, I couldn’t ignore public sentiment.

Relying on supplies captured from the enemy could only take us so far.

“Alright. We’ve had our fun. Now it’s time to return to Yancheng.”

While we were picking them off one by one, Wang Ping, who had been keeping Xu Huang and Zhen Ye pinned down in Wan, also joined us. We returned triumphantly to Guan Yu’s main camp.

A glorious return. Not the foolish act of Xiang Yu that gave rise to the phrase, but a truly deserved return after achieving merit.

By allowing Guan Yu, who was nearly surrounded between Fancheng and Xu Huang’s forces, to focus solely on attacking Yangfan, we had accomplished no small feat.

Perhaps acknowledging this, Guan Yu personally came out to Yancheng to greet us.

“Welcome back.”

The arrogant Guan Yu coming out to greet us like this really made me feel like I had made it.

Just ten years ago, when I first met Liu Bei with my father, Guan Yu hadn’t even paid me any attention. Back then, it was only when someone commented that I might be considered marriage material if I reached Guan Yu’s level that he first showed any interest in me.

But now, he greeted me with a satisfied smile, leaving me feeling a mix of emotions. Not bad, but more on the good side.

After all, I was more of a Shu fan, and after recognizing Zhang Fei as my father, my attachment to Liu Bei and Guan Yu had deepened. Of course, that didn’t mean I planned to treat them as in-laws, but still.

As we entered Yancheng together, Guan Yu, despite having many things he likely wanted to discuss, showed consideration by suggesting I rest and meet the next day.

With Cao Cao still some time away and having bought some breathing room by repelling Xu Huang, there was no need to refuse his offer.

Even with my superhuman stamina, fatigue was starting to weigh on me.

Exhausted, my body felt the rough bed of Yancheng as if it were a modern scientific marvel, and I fell asleep almost immediately. It had been a long time since I had such a deep sleep.

When I woke up, it was still the dark hours of dawn. Though not fully recovered, I felt lighter. Noticing a light in a nearby room, I unconsciously walked toward it.

Hearing my footsteps, a deep voice called out from inside.

“Who’s there?”

Recognizing Guan Yu’s voice, I paused and replied.

“It’s Chang-ran, Uncle.”

“Hmm, you’re up.”

Guan Yu opened the door himself. He had been reading the Zuo Zhuan, as the book he always carried was on the side table.

“Did you rest well, Uncle?”

“Yes. Hmm, if you’re up for it, would you like to take a walk?”

“Of course.”

The courtyard wasn’t large or extravagant, but it was quiet and pleasant for a walk. The autumn weather was cool, perfect for a dawn stroll, and Guan Yu, usually stern, seemed more relaxed.

For a while, we walked in silence. My loose hair fluttered in the breeze.

As the faint light of dawn crept over the mountains, Guan Yu spoke.

“How was Xu Gongming?”

Referring to Xu Huang by his courtesy name to distinguish him from Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu’s tone carried a faint nostalgia for an old friend and comrade.

“He was formidable. Both in martial prowess and leadership, he was lacking in nothing.”

“But you defeated him.”

“Well…”

“Discussing the quality of soldiers is meaningless. In the end, you won. Everything else is just excuses. If he thought he would lose, Xu Gongming shouldn’t have stepped forward in the first place. Hold your head high. You’ve earned it.”

Guan Yu, unusually, poured out praise and encouragement. Feeling awkward, I fidgeted with my lips. But what Guan Yu said next left me so shocked I forgot to close my mouth.

“I apologize for looking down on you.”

“Uh, what?”

Guan Yu was apologizing? And not because Liu Bei, the only one who could control him, ordered him to, but voluntarily?

Stunned by this unexpected statement, I stumbled over my words.

Despite my reaction, Guan Yu calmly continued.

“Do you remember when you fought with Tan Zhi?”

“I do. It was a reckless time.”

“No need to downplay it. That day’s recklessness brought you to where you are now, and you’ve become a cornerstone for the restoration of the Han.”

I had done quite a bit.

I saved Pang Tong, killed Zhao Hong and Zhang He, and guided Guan Yu to continue his campaign, following the legend of the Huaxia Advance.

Though no one knew, I had been systematically removing the triggers that led to Liu Bei’s downfall.

“I won’t ask how you predicted the Han River flood. Whether it was through divination like the fortune-tellers or by observing the stars like the astronomers, it doesn’t matter. But I will ask this.”

Guan Yu’s expression turned serious.

“Sun Quan’s betrayal and the traitors within our state. Is that also true?”

By now, Lü Meng would have already taken action. And Pang Tong as well.

Having caught wind of this, Pang Tong would have informed Guan Yu. If it were just suspicion, that would be one thing, but with the invasion already underway, hiding it from Guan Yu, the overall commander of Jing Province, would be dereliction of duty and insubordination.

I nodded.

“…Yes.”

“Outrageous. To discuss such a matter with the military advisors without including me.”

“It was only at the stage of suspicion at the time…”

During the Northern Expedition, without concrete evidence, it would have been reckless to make such claims. If I had told Guan Yu, he might have been too busy suspecting Mi Fang or Fu Shiren to seize the opportunity for the Huaxia Advance.

As I tried to explain, Guan Yu smiled faintly and stroked his beard.

“I understand. I was just teasing, so no need to be so flustered.”

Good heavens. Today was full of rare sights. Guan Yu making a joke.

“But you have a plan, right? If not, we might need to consider retreating.”

“Of course, I do.”

“I thought so. That Pang Tong, I didn’t think he had such a cunning side. I should have realized it when he didn’t join the Northern Expedition.”

Clearly bothered by being left out of the preparations for Sun Quan’s betrayal, Guan Yu lightly criticized Pang Tong. Of course, he wasn’t serious, just expressing a bit of disappointment.

“If Pang Tong is handling it, I won’t need to worry about Jing Province. I can focus on Wei. What about you? Will you head to Jing Province?”

“No. Pang Tong will handle Jing Province. I intend to stay here with you, Uncle.”

Pang Tong isn’t alone. Bang Deok is with him. And not just him. The talents Pang Tong brought back to Jing Province when he returned are numerous.

Ma Liang, who was close to Zhuge Liang and known as “White Rice,” Zhang Jin, who bravely resisted in Luocheng before surrendering with Liu Zhang, Meng Da, who repeatedly betrayed but was highly capable, and Bu Yong, father of Bu Chuan, who served as my father’s deputy and contributed in the Hanzhong campaign.

Pang Tong had carefully arranged the personnel for Jing Province’s defense, ensuring he had capable allies.

And above all, there was also him—the one who planned this grand scheme with me and Pang Tong.

Seeing my confidence, Guan Yu nodded and said,

“Today, we will cross Yangfan.”

He spoke with the certainty of someone stating that the sun would rise in the east.

“You stay in Yancheng and manage the troops’ stamina. If I don’t need your help with Sun Quan’s betrayal, we will soon face him.”

“You mean…”

“You know it too.”

Guan Yu narrowed his eyes and spoke the name with a mix of love and hate.

“Cao Cao is coming.”