Xinye City, Jingzhou.
The wooden floor creaked with every step as Lady Gan paced nervously in the study. She paused at the doorway for a moment, sighed, and turned back.
Her personal maidservant approached and presented a letter. Lady Gan quickly took it and unfolded it immediately.
As she unfolded it, Lady Gan felt a great deal of her anxiety ease.
“What did he say?”
“The army will march out from the east gate tomorrow to meet the enemy. Lady Gan is requested to secretly depart from the west gate at Shen Shi. Someone will be there to meet and escort you?”
After hearing her maidservant’s words, Lady Gan bit her lip. She pondered for a moment and then continued, “Did General Zhao say anything else? For example… how to leave this place?”
“No!” the maidservant replied truthfully. “He only said that King Wei and the Marquis of White Horse have made the best arrangements to ensure your safe return north!”
*Hoo…*
Hearing this, Lady Gan let out a long sigh of relief.
Her heart gave a little lurch, and she looked up at her maidservant. This maidservant was from the northern territories and had accompanied Lady Gan through all the trials when Guan Yu passed through the five passes and slew the six generals. She was an absolute confidante.
Lady Gan patted the maidservant’s shoulder.
“The rest is up to you.”
“Please rest assured, Madam!” the maidservant said softly. “Commander Lu of the Dragon Swift Camp owes my family a life-saving debt. Helping Madam is only what is right!”
Hearing this, Lady Gan felt much more at ease.
“Good, everything will proceed according to plan!”
With that, Lady Gan walked towards the door.
The maidservant quickly reminded her, “Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang are currently summoning generals to deploy the battle formations… Madam will not be able to see General Zhao!”
“No!” Lady Gan waved her hand. “I am going to see Adou one last time. After tomorrow’s farewell… I don’t know when we will meet again.”
As her voice faded…
Lady Gan’s steps quickened, and she gracefully walked towards another courtyard within the yamen.
…
…
In the yamen of Xinye City, Zhuge Liang, holding Liu Bei’s seal and sword, was directing the three armies.
“To the left of Bowang Slope, there is a mountain range called Yushan. To the right, there is a dense forest called Anlin. Both are suitable for ambushing troops!”
“Yun Chang can lead a thousand troops to ambush in Yushan. When the enemy approaches, let them pass, and their supplies and provisions will surely follow behind. When you see the fire in the south, you can unleash your troops and burn their provisions!”
“Yide can lead a thousand troops to ambush in the valley behind Anlin. As soon as you see the fire in the south, you can emerge and set fire to the old grain storage area of Bowang City!”
This was Zhuge Liang’s first pre-battle deployment…
It concerned his prestige within the army, and he dared not be careless in the slightest.
Previously…
He had worried that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would not obey, so he specifically requested the sword and seal from Liu Bei.
“Guan Ping and Liu Feng can lead five hundred troops, carrying fire-starting materials, and wait on both sides behind Bowang Slope. When the troops arrive at the first watch, they can set the fire!”
“Zilong will be the vanguard of our army, engaging Xiahou Dun. Do not win, only lose. The Lord will then lead a separate army as reinforcement to support Zilong!”
“Each of you must act according to the plan. Do not make any mistakes.”
After giving his orders…
Guan Yu, unwilling to accept, stepped forward and coldly asked, “We are all going out to face the enemy, but what will the strategist do?”
Zhuge Liang remained calm and composed. “I will guard the central army and defend Xinye City!”
“Hahahaha…” Zhang Fei boomed with laughter. “We are all going to fight, and you are just sitting here at home. How comfortable!”
As the words left his mouth…
Zhuge Liang directly picked up Liu Bei’s sword and seal. “The Lord’s sword and seal are here. My deployment is a military order. Those who disobey will be beheaded!”
“You scoundrel…” Zhang Fei clenched his fist, about to strike Zhuge Liang.
Liu Bei quickly intervened. “Have you not heard of devising strategies within the command tent and winning battles a thousand miles away? Did Zhang Zifang ever lead troops into battle? Third Brother, you cannot disobey orders; military orders are like mountains!”
Now that even Liu Bei had stated his position…
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, resigned, could only lead their troops away. Zhao Yun also took his leave after receiving his orders. Before departing, he glanced at Zhuge Liang, but quickly retracted his meaningful gaze and hurried away.
A moment later, only Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang remained in the vast yamen.
“Kongming… do you have confidence?” Liu Bei asked, his eyes filled with anticipation. He had never won a battle in his life. Now, with the enemy outnumbering them, it would not be easy to win!
Zhuge Liang was about to answer directly but paused as if remembering something, then shook his head. “No plan can guarantee complete victory! Moreover, among this time’s opponents is that Marquis of White Horse, Lu Ziyu!”
“But…” Liu Bei reminded him. “According to intelligence reports, Cao’s army, led by Xiahou Dun alone, will advance towards Bowang Slope tomorrow. I heard that the Marquis of White Horse, Lu Ziyu, had significant disagreements with him strategically, and they had a big argument, parting on bad terms! This might be advantageous for our army.”
“If it were only Xiahou Dun, then this battle would surely be won…” Zhuge Liang’s tone was confident, but in an instant, his expression changed drastically. “My biggest concern is that the quarrel between Lu Yu and Xiahou Dun was intentional, designed to deceive the Lord and me. If that’s the case… then the outcome of this battle is uncertain!”
“Kongming…” Liu Bei wanted to offer some comfort.
Zhuge Liang interrupted him. “The Lord can lead his troops to encamp at the foot of Bowang Mountain today. Tomorrow evening, the enemy will arrive. The Lord should abandon the camp and flee. As soon as you see the fire, return with your army to pursue and kill. This is the only chance of victory! Even if it is Lu Yu’s plan, in the terrain of Bowang Slope with its forests and mountains, and its narrow confines, he will not have much room for deployment!”
“However, my Lord, should any unexpected event occur, immediately retreat to Xinye. I have also prepared a formidable force in the rear of Bowang Slope!”
“A formidable force?” Liu Bei was surprised. He knew his troop numbers best. Where would there be an extra formidable force?
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly.
“This is a formidable force of one hundred thousand! Even if we don’t win, it can at least hold back Cao’s army and buy the Lord time!”
Two plans?
Liu Bei narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhuge Liang…
Zhuge Liang’s words became more profound. “My Lord, you must be clear. Regardless of the outcome at Bowang Slope, Xinye City cannot stop Cao’s army from advancing south. The urgent matter… is to force the Cai family to relinquish the nine commanderies of Jing and Xiang, and to fight Cao Cao across the Jing River with Xiangyang as the base. This is our only opportunity!”
“I understand,” Liu Bei said slowly and rose. He cupped his hands in greeting towards Zhuge Liang. “Strategist, you have worked hard…”
With that, Liu Bei also left the yamen and went to the training grounds to muster the troops!
—The wind at Bowang Slope was blowing fiercely!
…
…
Ahead lay Bowang Slope.
Xiahou Dun, riding his horse, drew his sword and pointed at Bowang Slope, roaring fiercely.
“Beyond Bowang Slope lies Xinye City!”
“These years, the military achievements and fame of Great Wei have been stolen by the Dragon Swift Camp and the Tiger Leopard Cavalry. Our Qingzhou soldiers are almost reduced to mere idlers!”
“Now, within Xinye City, that big-eared bandit’s forces number no more than ten thousand. Perhaps he has an ambush, but it is still like a mantis trying to stop a chariot… As long as the brothers fight bravely and fearlessly, no ambush can stop us, nor our steps as we trample the big-eared bandit and conquer Xinye City!”
“Brothers…”
Xiahou Dun’s mobilization continued, his voice growing louder… almost reaching the heavens.
Just then.
“Wait a moment…”
A clear voice rang out from within the army. Everyone looked towards the source and saw Lu Ziyu, who had ridden out on his horse. Beside him, Dian Wei guarded him closely.
“Brother Xiahou…”
Lu Yu dismounted. Xiahou Dun’s expression turned cold upon seeing Lu Yu. “Ziyu, are you still trying to persuade me not to pass through Bowang Slope?”
“No!”
Lu Yu immediately waved his hand, then gave a signal to Dian Wei. Dian Wei waved and called out…
Someone immediately presented two bowls of wine.
Lu Yu handed one bowl of wine to Xiahou Dun, holding the other in his own hand. “I heard that during the eighteen lords’ campaign against Dong Zhuo, Guan Yun’er warmed wine and slew Hua Xiong. Today… as we march south, younger brother will toast elder brother with this bowl of wine!”
*Hmm…*
Xiahou Dun’s eyes blinked. If this wine were from his elder brother Cao Cao, he would have drunk it without hesitation. But it was from Lu Yu…
Lu Yu, who had disagreed with him so strongly yesterday, then…
“Younger brother? May I drink the bowl in your hand? Let’s switch!”
Xiahou Dun became suspicious…
“Of course!” Lu Yu immediately handed his bowl to Xiahou Dun, then took back Xiahou Dun’s bowl and drank more than half of it in one gulp.
Xiahou Dun watched Lu Yu finish the wine with suspicion. Only then did he put away his doubts, dismount, pick up the wine bowl, and drink it down in one go.
“Good wine!”
Xiahou Dun patted Lu Yu on the shoulder. “Alright, it’s dangerous ahead. Younger brother, wait here for good news… Brother promised you half the credit, and it will be half!”
Saying this… Xiahou Dun was about to mount his horse, but suddenly… his head felt heavy, and then he became dizzy!
In his last moments of consciousness, Lu Yu seemed to be smiling at him, a beaming, harmless smile!
Even as he faded, Lu Yu couldn’t help but whisper softly, “Brother Xiahou, I put medicine in both bowls…”
“You…” Xiahou Dun pointed at Lu Yu.
Instantly, he felt like he had been utterly betrayed!
This was a stab to the heart…
Lu Yu spread his hands and explained, “I drank the antidote beforehand!”
At that moment, Xiahou Dun’s only thought was that this Lu Ziyu’s schemes were truly profound!
*Thump…*
Xiahou Dun suddenly fell to the ground, and the entire army erupted in an uproar. Some of Xiahou Dun’s personal guards had already drawn their swords.
Just then.
Dian Wei brandished the “Qinggang Sword,” and Lu Yu unfurled a handwritten order. “This is the sword of King Wei, and the handwritten order of King Wei. Marquis of White Horse Lu Yu has the authority to make provisional decisions. The army is to encamp here on the spot. Whoever dares to trespass into Bowang Slope—will be beheaded!”
Upon hearing this…
All the soldiers exchanged confused glances!
The sword and handwritten order of King Wei… Unexpectedly, King Wei had granted such authority to the Marquis of White Horse for this southern campaign!
“Disperse, disperse!”
Lu Yu waved his hand and then rode away on his horse. Dian Wei, carrying Xiahou Dun on his back, ran at a speed no slower than Lu Yu’s horse!
As Lu Yu rode, he asked Zhuge Jun, who was beside him.
“Is the Flying Arrow Army ready?”
“All flying soldiers are in position…”
“Proceed according to the original plan!” Lu Yu immediately ordered… As he said this, he couldn’t help but look back at Xiahou Dun. “Take my Brother Xiahou to the sky as well!”
“Yes…”
…
…
In a corner of the yamen in Xinye City, an elderly couple was taking care of a child of only a few years. This child was Liu Chan, affectionately known as Adou!
The elderly couple were Lady Gan’s father and mother…
Adou was now over three years old, but he still couldn’t break his habit of drinking milk. At the same time, he was a bit slow to speak, babbling… and always struggled to articulate a sentence clearly.
There were always two wet nurses stationed in the yamen. Adou was not particularly clever, but he had a good appetite, and one wet nurse was not enough for him.
At this moment, Adou had just finished his milk, let out a satisfied “gurgle,” and showed a pleased smile.
“Good Adou, look, your mother has come to see you. Quick, smile at your mother.” Lady Gan’s mother was coaxing Adou. The affection of grandparents for their grandchildren is a timeless truth!
Lady Gan had just entered. She gently stroked Adou’s small hand and then caressed her son’s little face. She knew that after this farewell, she might never see her child again.
Perhaps…
The next meeting would be in ten years, or perhaps… decades!
For a mother, this amount of time was too long.
Lady Gan’s mother noticed the unusual expression on Lady Gan’s face and quickly gestured for the servants and wet nurses to withdraw.
After all the servants had left the room and the doors and windows were closed.
Lady Gan’s mother asked Gan Mei.
“Mei’er? What’s wrong? Are you worried because of the frequent battles recently?”
“Actually, it’s alright. Our identities are special, so Cao’s army won’t make things difficult for us! Jingzhou won’t make things difficult for us either. In fact, we are the safest!”
It was clear that Father and Mother Gan knew whose child this was!
They had their hearts in Great Wei, but their bodies were in the Han territory!
*Hoo…*
Just then, Lady Gan let out a long sigh. “Father, Mother… daughter… daughter has come to confess her sins?”
“What sin could you possibly have committed?”
“Daughter… daughter can’t bear it anymore!” Lady Gan bit her lips tightly. “Daughter… daughter will go crazy if I don’t leave here soon!”
This…
Father and Mother Gan exchanged glances. Knowing their daughter best, they immediately understood.
“Have you decided?”
“Yes!” Gan Mei nodded.
“Then… how will you leave?” Father Gan was more rational, and his questions were more practical.
“It has… it has already been arranged. I will leave tomorrow…” Gan Mei bit her lips tightly. She suddenly realized that in pursuing her own happiness… she had put her parents and son in danger. She… she was so selfish!
But… the sense of oppression from being in enemy territory was too strong, making her unable to breathe every day. She truly felt like she was on the verge of collapse!
After all, a woman’s tolerance and resilience had limits!
And Lady Gan was already nearing that critical point!
“Good… since you have decided, then… then go!” Father Gan also gritted his teeth, his eyes wide, as if wanting to look at his daughter for a few more moments. “Don’t worry about this place. I am here, your mother is here, and Zilong is here… Adou will know when he grows up who he is fighting for? What is his stance?”
“Father…”
Gan Mei buried her face in Father Gan’s embrace.
Her eyes red, she murmured and cried…
Father Gan patted her back. “How old are you, and you’re still crying? Just like Adou… You have done enough. Many times, your mother and I are proud of you! If our Gan family can rise in this chaotic world, it will be largely due to your contributions!”
During the restoration of Emperor Guangwu, there were the twenty-eight generals of Yuntai…
Did Father Gan not wish to become one of the twenty-eight ministers at the founding of Great Wei after it unified the land?
He was undertaking a monumental task!
Even if his daughter left, he was resolutely determined to persevere.
“Alright, stop crying. If you cry any more, Adou will laugh at you.”
Mother Gan also tried to comfort her daughter…
Only then did Gan Mei lift her gaze. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Holding Adou, she murmured, “Good child, you must be safe and sound. Mother and you will meet again, we definitely will!”
She hugged Adou tightly, then quickly handed him to her mother. “Father, Mother, your daughter is leaving!” With that, Gan Mei turned and walked away, never looking back!
At this moment…
Gan Mei’s heart had already become numb with pain. She walked forward in a daze.
Finally…
Returning to her own room, she covered her mouth and sobbed.
However, even this crying had to be suppressed with great effort!
…
…