The third brother Zhang Fei is dead;
The General of Yizhou... Yan Yan is dead;
Huang Quan, Wu Yi, and Fa Zheng have been captured;
Li Yan's whereabouts are unknown?
Jianmen Pass has surrendered, and Micang Road has been destroyed...
As these pieces of news reached Liu Bei's ears, Liu Bei felt as if the raging tide had receded and the great mansion was about to collapse.
Liu Bei felt his legs go weak, and he stumbled to the ground... Grief surged from his heart.
"Drip... drip!"
His tears fell like pearls from a broken string, continuously trickling down...
Liu Bei felt a great pain in his heart.
Five years had finally passed, but what was the result? It was... the demise of his second and third brothers, the death or surrender of his generals. For the first time, Liu Bei felt a profound sorrow. The successive tragedies made him doubt if he had made a mistake, a terrible mistake.
"Your Majesty... you must pull yourself together!"
Sun Qian and Jian Yong, who were by Liu Bei's side, quickly advised, "Jinnui Road and Micang Road have been lost. At least in the rear... there is still... Jiameng Pass. This is the last defense of Xichuan. It cannot be lost... Your Majesty... Your Majesty, you must rally!"
Indeed...
Liu Bei's time was running out.
Jianmen Pass was gone... signifying the loss of Jinnui Road, and the fall of Micang Road had completely opened the two Shu roads leading to Jiameng Pass.
This was the last barrier!
*Hoo...*
Liu Bei let out a long breath. He composed himself, narrowed his eyes, furrowed his brow, and murmured, "Second brother, third brother, it is not that elder brother did not die with you in the same year, same month, and same day. Elder brother's death is insignificant, but I must avenge you... Jiameng Pass, Jiameng Pass."
Liu Bei's spirit instantly revived. He turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the location of Jiameng Pass on the map.
"Here... here..."
Before he could speak, Liu Bei's gaze shifted to Yiling.
The intelligence from yesterday...
Yiling had already been lost, meaning that the current Shu Han had its throat completely constricted... it could not break out and could only defend passively!
"To get out, we must fight our way out..."
Liu Bei became somewhat incoherent...
Sun Qian quickly clasped his hands and said, "My lord, under the current circumstances, if we are to turn the tide, there is only one person in Bashu! Why doesn't my lord invite him to break the deadlock?"
Hmm, Sun Qian's words reminded Liu Bei.
His original strategy was to attack. And because of this grand strategy of attack... the appointed commander "Li Yan" was missing, and the current situation could only be defensive.
Then...
"Where is Prime Minister Zhuge?" Liu Bei asked heavily.
"He is still in Ziyang," Sun Qian replied quickly.
"Please invite the Prime Minister... please invite the Prime Minister..." Liu Bei quickly waved his hand. "I will personally go and invite him, just like the three visits to the thatched cottage back then. I will go and invite the Prime Minister to turn the tide!"
...
...
Hanzhong, on the mountainside.
This mountain is called Zhuobi Mountain. It is named after its natural shape resembling an upright brush tip. The vegetation on the mountain grows upward, further resembling the brush hairs clinging to the tip.
Below the mountain, the village is laid out flat and square.
From a distance, it looks like a giant brush inserted upside down in front of a writing desk, hence the name!
Outside the stone pavilion on the mountainside of Zhuobi Mountain, guards stood sternly. In the stone pavilion, taking advantage of the good weather, Lu Yu was playing chess with Guo Jia.
The two sat on straw mats. Lu Yu took white and moved first, while Guo Jia took black. They exchanged moves for over a hundred rounds, and the situation on the chessboard gradually became clear...
Lu Yu slowly opened the conversation.
"The greatest challenge of crossing Yinping secretly and directly attacking Shu Han is logistics. If we carry too much food and supplies, our speed cannot be guaranteed. If we carry too little, it will only be enough for a one-way trip. Crossing Motiang Cliff is already difficult enough. If the plan is discovered, even for a special forces unit, with exhausted supplies and no reinforcements... the situation would not be optimistic. What do you think, Fengxiao?"
Guo Jia placed a black piece on the chessboard.
"How can I think otherwise? Since it is a surprise attack, a sudden attack, it is an act of desperation. Back then, Zhang Wenyuan crossed Lulong Sai and attacked Wuhuan on Bai Lang Mountain, annihilating the Wuhuan chieftain Tadun. Was his supply sufficient? It was still a gamble... it's just that this time, the special forces unit is taking the gamble... these are all elites among elites. It is feared that the loss of any one of them would make Your Majesty heartache!"
Lu Yu smiled and placed a white piece on the chessboard, blocking Guo Jia's attack.
"Yes, after five years, only over two hundred special forces soldiers have been trained. They are proficient in all eighteen martial arts, can scale walls and walk on roofs, carry out assassinations in various locations, and are well-versed in the use of firearms, artillery, and flying balls. Each one is the apple of Great Wei's eye."
Guo Jia's expression darkened, and his hand trembled slightly as he moved the piece.
"The greatest difference between Your Majesty and the former Emperor is that he possesses more kindness and less ferocity."
"Alas..."
Lu Yu sighed, held the white piece in his hand, and said with a wry smile, "You know the state of the world better than I do, Fengxiao. The rise and fall of the nation, the changes of dynasties, the suffering of the people in times of prosperity, and the suffering of the people in times of decline. Since I have become Emperor, I should bring more peace to the people and less bloodshed and conflict to the world. The character 'wu' (武) is composed of 'zhi' (止) and 'ge' (戈), meaning to stop conflict, to stop conflict... to stop conflict."
"This is why Your Majesty governs the country with benevolence as the cornerstone..."
Guo Jia made another move, and said with a light laugh, "As Your Majesty said, 'wu' is for 'zhi ge'. The unification of the world is for the common people to live better lives more often. In this sense, some sacrifices are worth it. As the saying goes, 'A general's success is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers'."
Lu Yu thought of the difficulty in training the special forces unit.
But even so, when it's time to be ruthless, one must be ruthless...
As Guo Jia said, "A general's success is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers!"
"The reason why I have temporarily halted this 'crossing Yinping secretly' plan, besides the logistics for the special forces unit, is also due to another matter..."
Guo Jia was startled by Lu Yu's words. He looked up and asked, "Is it Zhuge Kongming?" "Exactly!" Lu Yu nodded. "Zhuge Liang is in Chengdu. The plan to cross Yinping secretly would likely be discovered, but now... the situation is different!"
Guo Jia frowned. "Your Majesty means that Zhuge Liang is about to come out of seclusion again?"
"Certainly!" Lu Yu nodded with great certainty. "Jinnui Road and Micang Road are lost, leaving only Jiameng Pass for Bashu. This is the last barrier of Bashu. And Zhuge Liang, who has always advocated for a defensive strategy... will definitely be employed by Liu Bei again!"
At this point, Lu Yu paused, and Guo Jia fell silent for a moment before making another move on the chessboard, reopening the conversation.
"So, we can cross Yinping secretly?"
"Almost," Lu Yu's eyes became more solemn. "The purpose of crossing Yinping secretly is not for the sudden arrival of the special forces unit, but to completely shatter the morale of Bashu's civil and military officials. To achieve this... there is one more step."
Hearing Lu Yu say this, Guo Jia counted on his fingers and after some calculation, couldn't help but click his tongue.
"Is it... him?"
"Exactly! If he doesn't die, how can Adou open the city gates of Chengdu? How can the fighting spirit of the Shu army soldiers be completely disintegrated?"
Guo Jia picked up a black piece and held it for a long time before placing it. He asked in surprise, "But... he is still in Ziyang!"
"Soon, he will go to Yiling!" Lu Yu mused softly.
Guo Jia made a move and thought, "Does Your Majesty mean that even in the current situation, Liu Bei will still be fixated on attacking?"
"Not fixated on attacking!" Lu Yu made another move.
This move was intended to break through...
Lu Yu hesitated for a moment, then asked playfully, "Fengxiao, let me ask you, how do you think one can build an invincible army?"
The topic became more profound, but it was also a bit off track.
This...
Guo Jia blinked his eyes, placed a piece to block Lu Yu's attempt to break through, and spread his hands, waiting for Lu Yu's elaborate explanation.
Lu Yu continued to break through as he slowly spoke, "If it were Liu Bei, he would definitely say that building an invincible army relies on faith!"
It circled back to Liu Bei again.
Guo Jia did not speak but continued to listen to Lu Yu's "eloquence"...
"Liu Bei lost battles for most of his life, but in the end, he was still able to establish the foundation of Shu Han. To achieve this, he has to thank two people: one is Chen Deng, and the other is Kongming. Our Xu Province Governor Chen Deng... orchestrated Tao Qian's three concessions of Xu Province, telling Liu Bei what to do when he dared not think of it. Kongming is different; he told Liu Bei how to do it when Liu Bei didn't know how. Liu Bei also has to thank two brothers, Guan Yunzhang and Zhang Yide. It was their unwavering loyalty that made his dream of a feather-adorned carriage come true."
Lu Yu picked up a piece... "Fengxiao, you have not walked Liu Bei's path, so you cannot truly understand. Back then in Guangling, Liu Bei's army had no grain. His soldiers were eating the bodies of their comrades to crawl forward slowly. There are even darker things... which I cannot speak of. But even in such a state, Liu Bei's army did not disperse. His flag bearer was so hungry that he could not stand, yet he still held the military flag upright. What does this mean? It means that Liu Bei gave his army hope, faith!"
"Liu Bei's faith is to restore the Han Dynasty, and 'Han traitors cannot coexist, and royal endeavors do not seek partial peace'... The most terrifying thing in this world is hope, it is faith. For example, Guan Yunzhang... in the face of faith, he can fight against seven men, and can say, 'I offer loyalty with my life.' Faith is the most powerful force in the world. Speaking of Liu Bei, in Guangling, he had only a thousand men, but when he crawled back to Xiaopei, he became ten thousand men. When he attacked Xudu, he became thirty thousand men, and in the end, he fled with only a thousand men. When he stationed troops in Xinye, he became tens of thousands of soldiers..."
At this point, Lu Yu made another move...
It was precisely this move that allowed the white pieces, which were about to be surrounded, to break out.
"Liu Bei will definitely go to Yiling, because I am in Hanzhong, and Yiling is easier to attack and more likely to become a breakthrough point for Bashu to break through the encirclement... Royal endeavors do not seek partial peace, so... Liu Bei will definitely seek this breakthrough!"
At this point, Lu Yu fell silent.
Guo Jia, however, took back the white piece Lu Yu had just placed. "According to the rules, my black piece should have landed here first..."
On the chessboard, with that piece missing, the black piece blocked the white piece's escape route, surrounding it completely, and suffocating all hope, all faith, within it.
"Heh heh..." On the contrary, Lu Yu smiled. He gazed at the black piece blocking his path and said, "Therefore, Liu Bei's faith in attempting to 'turn the tables on heaven', his faith in 'Han traitors cannot coexist, and royal endeavors do not seek partial peace', ultimately cannot overcome these thousand-mile Wushan Mountains. The world never lacks people who bravely sacrifice themselves for their faith!"
Lu Yu stopped playing chess. He slowly stood up and, mimicking Liu Bei's tone, called out, "My three armies, receive my orders!"
He then mimicked the Shu army and shouted, "Give us back our lord!"
At this moment, Guo Jia understood... he understood completely.
Indeed... talking with Your Majesty, it doesn't matter what you talk about, because in the end... it will always circle back to the human heart, to attacking the heart.
Your Majesty has probably predicted Liu Bei's prediction once again.
...
...
Xichuan, Ziyang.
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang knelt on opposite sides of the desk.
After a brief silence, Liu Bei spoke, "Prime Minister wishes to adopt a defensive posture at Jiameng Pass, I agree!" "Prime Minister strongly opposes the northern expedition against Cao Wei, I also agree."
"Prime Minister wants control over all military forces, I will give you all of it. Prime Minister wants to recall Zhao Yun from Lizhi Road to block the insurmountable Motiang Cliff, I also agree, but..."
Evidently, Zhuge Liang had proposed five conditions to Liu Bei to ensure that the defense of Bashu could proceed according to his plans.
First, regardless of whether Cao Wei used artillery bombardment or flying ball attacks, Jiameng Pass would only defend and not attack!
Second, Cao Yu is in Hanzhong, and the Wei army's spirit still resides in Hanzhong. As long as Cao Yu does not leave, the matter of the northern expedition must not be mentioned again!
Third, the command of the troops originally held by Li Yan shall be returned entirely to Zhuge Liang, and all generals shall be uniformly dispatched by Zhuge Liang.
Fourth, Motiang Cliff can bypass Jiameng Pass, Mianyang Pass... and directly reach Chengdu. It must be garrisoned by people... even if Motiang Cliff is extremely difficult to cross.
These were the four conditions Liu Bei agreed to for Zhuge Liang.
The reason for proposing such conditions was the result of Zhuge Liang's deep contemplation for many days.
Behind Jiameng Pass, there were a large number of civilians. Zhuge Liang was certain that Lu Yu would not bombard them, nor would he use flying balls to create a chain of signal fires. This "benevolence" was Zhuge Liang's final reliance.
As for the rest... Zhuge Liang had to ensure that his idea of defending instead of attacking could be smoothly implemented.
As for... Motiang Cliff...
If it were anyone else, Zhuge Liang might not care, but Lu Yu was different. Zhuge Liang could not relax his vigilance on any small path, especially when he was not in Chengdu.
Zhao Yun... was one of the few people he could trust.
Of course... there was also the fifth point, which was the only point Liu Bei did not agree to for Zhuge Liang.
"Your Majesty... there is one more condition."
Zhuge Liang reminded Liu Bei.
Liu Bei's gaze, however, turned cold. "I cannot agree to this last condition..."
This...
Zhuge Liang's mood suddenly sank. He had predicted that this condition might lead to a huge dispute.
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
"Kongming, Yide died at the hands of those scoundrels, and Yun Chang died heroically, offering loyalty with righteousness. We swore the oath of brotherhood in the peach garden. After so many years... I cannot let the deaths of these two go unavenged. Also, it was you, Kongming, who taught me to raise the banner of 'Han traitors cannot coexist, and royal endeavors do not seek partial peace'. If we only defend, won't our royal endeavors be confined to one corner?"
Speaking of this...
Liu Bei paused. He straightened his chest, his eyes tinged with a few tears. "No matter what, I must launch an eastern campaign. I must retake Yiling, at least at least avenge my second brother's death, at least let our Han army have a chance to enter the Central Plains. This is faith, and it is also... hope!"
Speaking of this... Liu Bei grasped Zhuge Liang's hand heavily. "The heavy responsibility of restoring the Han Dynasty, I cannot shirk, and I hope Kongming... will not shirk. Han traitors cannot coexist, and royal endeavors do not seek partial peace!"
This...
Zhuge Liang was silent for a long time, then he asked Liu Bei, "What if Your Majesty also loses?"
"Hahaha..." Liu Bei laughed heartily. "If I lose, then let the thousand-mile Wushan Mountains bury me, bury my faith, and my hope! When I was young, I pointed at the large mulberry tree at home and said innocently that I wanted to be an emperor with a feather-adorned carriage. Fortunately, and unfortunately, I have achieved it. But in middle age, I always need something to live for, right?"
Is it...
Is it faith?
Zhuge Liang's eyes flickered.
Or perhaps... it is hope!
...
...