Chapter 124: Stationing Troops in Qiyang

"Little brat, let me spar with you, grandfather, so you can learn who you're dealing with!" Zhang Fei laughed loudly. Cao Ang, lying on the ground, coughed a few times, stood up, and brushed the dust off his clothes.

Taking in Zhang Fei's expression, Cao Ang was filled with defiance. He walked straight toward the weapons rack. His father despised failure, and having been humiliated like this, his own pride and fiery temper would never allow him to walk away. "Again!"

"Little doll, you have some skill, but you're far from matching me. Be smart and don't look for trouble!" Zhang Fei turned to leave. "If I beat you too badly, I'll just get scolded by my brother again."

Cao Ang’s eyes turned fierce. He grabbed a broadsword and charged, thrusting it straight at Zhang Fei’s back without holding anything back!

Zhang Fei’s gaze turned cold. He twisted his waist in the nick of time; the blade tore through a layer of his clothing. With his Serpent Spear, Zhang Fei delivered a heavy strike to Cao Ang’s head. Cao Ang immediately raised his sword to block. *Thud!* Feeling his entire stomach convulse, he took a kick from Zhang Fei that sent him flying over two meters away. "You little brat, how dare you sneak attack your grandfather! I’ll make sure you suffer for this today!"

Cao Ang felt a mix of agony and nausea, struggling even to breathe. He knelt on the ground, bracing himself with his hands, gasping for air.

*Thwack!* Before he could recover, Zhang Fei kicked him over and took out a rope. "You actually dared to ambush your grandfather! I, Zhang Fei, hate spineless cowards like you!"

With his hands and feet tied in a tight knot, Zhang Fei dragged him over to a wooden post and picked up a whip. *Crack!* Instantly, skin broke and blood flowed; a crimson welt appeared on Cao Ang’s chest. Cao Ang bit his teeth hard, his expression twisted as he hissed, "I... will definitely... make my father... exterminate your entire clan!"

"You still dare to threaten me!" Zhang Fei roared, his face full of rage. Another lash fell with terrifying force. "Ah!" The shrill scream made one’s heart jump.

Cao Ang fainted from the pain. "Get up, grandson!" With the sound of whistling wind and a flurry of whip shadows, three more lashes descended.

Zhang Fei picked up a bucket of saltwater from the side, ready to douse him. "Stop!" Liu Bei, looking anxious and burning with worry, rushed to Cao Ang’s side. He was still breathing!

"Quickly, summon the physician!"

Inside the Liu Bei residence, Liu Bei sat with a calm expression, eyes closed in feigned sleep. Guan Yu sat quietly as well. The atmosphere was stifling.

Zhang Fei scratched his head. "Brothers, this really isn't my fault. This Cao Ang is no good. We were clearly just sparring, but he tried to ambush me. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I would have died!"

"So you beat him half to death?" Liu Bei opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei lowered his head, glancing at Liu Bei as if afraid of a parent. "Big brother, you know my explosive temper. I just lost control."

"Forget it, Third Brother. It's too late to say anything now. Xuzhou was never a place for us to stay long-term anyway," Liu Bei said. "Mr. Kongming has already sent a letter; it is time for us three brothers to leave."

"Is there any serious damage?" Guo Jia asked while sitting to the side. The physician bowed cautiously, trembling with fear. Guo Jia nodded. "You may go."

"Guards!"

"Here!"

"Immediately arrest Liu, Guan, and Zhang, and bring them to me at once."

"Yes!"

Guo Jia covered his mouth and coughed; there was more blood each time, and his lungs ached with every spasm.

"Reporting to the Lord, I searched Zhang Fei's residence, but no one was there!"

"Reporting to the Lord, I searched Guan Yu's residence, but no one was there!"

"Reporting to the Lord, Liu Bei's residence is empty!"

"Issue an order immediately: no one is allowed to leave the city!"

The moon was bleak, and the night wind was biting. Soldiers paced back and forth on the city walls, keeping a strict watch. Three warhorses slowly approached the gate.

"Who are you three?"

Liu Bei looked down from his horse at the guards. "I am Liu Bei, the Inspector of Xuzhou. On the orders of your Lord Guo, I must leave the city on official business!"

"Does the Lord have a token from Military Advisor Guo?"

Liu Bei’s expression was solemn as he tightened his reins. "This is a secret mission known only to me and your Lord Guo. Furthermore, I am still the Inspector of Xuzhou—do I need to report to you to leave the city?!"

The soldier saluted and said, "The city is under curfew tonight. If you do not have a token, I cannot let you pass!"

"Here is the token Military Advisor Guo asked me to give you. The Lord left in such a hurry, how could you have forgotten this?"

A man rode up with a beaming smile. Liu Bei looked at him—it was the physician!

Liu Bei walked to the physician’s side, feeling no joy, only worry. "Why are you here? You know that if Guo Jia finds out, your life will be in danger!"

"Under your governance, Xuzhou has enjoyed peace and prosperity with few enemies. This is something I took from Cao Ang; may it help you in your journey!"

Liu Bei was moved, taking the token and gripping it tightly. "Come with us!"

"No need. I was born in Xuzhou, raised in Xuzhou, and fed by Xuzhou," the physician said, bowing respectfully. "Please, leave quickly. Guo Jia has already sent men to the city gate to deliver orders!"

"Take care!"

Liu Bei saluted. The physician rode back, handed the token to the soldiers, and the soldiers saluted. "Lord, one token only permits one person to pass. Which of you is leaving?"

Liu Bei gave a secret signal to Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. Both understood, gripping their weapons, their expressions calm.

"My two brothers are worried for my safety and came to see me off. I am the only one leaving today. Open the gate."

"Yes, open the gate!"

*Clang!*

"Do not open the gate! The Lord has ordered the gates to be closed and strictly forbids Liu, Guan, and Zhang from leaving!"

"Kill!" Liu Bei gave a soft command. There was no hesitation or mercy—only the decisiveness and boldness of a great lord!

Blade light flickered; the Crescent Blade swung out a silver, beautiful moonlight arc. It was a pity that a splash of fresh red marred the beauty.

The soldier in front of Liu Bei was decapitated. Liu Bei shouted, and his horse bolted toward the gate.

Zhang Fei and Guan Yu protected his flanks. The soldiers fought desperately, but they were like grass being mowed down. A few soldiers tried to push the gate shut, but before they could, a serpent spear pierced through, bringing a spray of blood. The three figures charged straight out of the city!

"Pursue! Hurry, pursue!"

The cavalry galloped, hooves thundering as they gave chase.

On the mountain path, Liu, Guan, and Zhang fled for their lives, followed by endless pursuers. "Big brother, Second brother, go on ahead! I will hold off the pursuers!"

"Don't talk nonsense! With so many pursuers, how could you hold them off alone?" Liu Bei scolded, shouting anxiously, wishing his horse could go faster.

The three continued to flee. Fortunately, they were riding the finest steeds; otherwise, they would never have outrun the pursuers behind them.

They had been running for who knew how long. Liu Bei felt increasingly anxious. They had traveled a long way, and he didn't know if they had entered Sun Ce's territory yet.

If they were spotted by scouts and Sun Ce blocked their path ahead, they would be trapped with no wings to fly.

The pursuing troops behind them glanced at the surrounding dense forests from time to time; one could vaguely see figures lurking. They had been chasing for five full hours.

Their horses were already exhausted.

"Stop!"

The leading captain commanded, and the rest of the troops halted. "Turn back."

The horses of Liu, Guan, and Zhang also slowed to a stop. The three looked back, each letting out a sigh of relief and smiling.

"Big brother, where are we going now?"

"Mr. Yuanzhi has already told me our destination. Your families have also been settled there. We are heading there now."

Descending from Changsha, along the way, the magistrates of Zhengyang, Shaoling, and Xiangdong dared not resist and surrendered upon arrival.

Jiang Wen, accompanied by Jiang Wan and Liu Min, arrived at the gates of Qiyang with twenty thousand troops.

Liu Du of Lingling looked at the surrender letter from Jiang Wen in his hand, speechless with rage. "I have raised these officials for so long, and they turn out to be nothing but useless cowards, surrendering without losing a single man!"

His son picked up the letter. Jiang Wen had taken three cities without shedding a drop of blood with his force of twenty thousand. Now, he was at the gates of Qiyang.

Liu Xian bowed and said, "Father, how should we face the enemy..."

"How else? While those officials were indeed cowards, their surrender was the wise choice. That is Jiang Wen! How many troops did Liu Biao have? He still lost. Han Xuan was the same—first the defeat at Baling, then the defeat at Changsha. Who can stop him?"

Liu Du looked lost. Liu Xian said respectfully from the side, "Father has General Xing Daorong. General Xing can take on ten men at once; he is no less than Lu Bu. Would he fear a mere scholar?"

"Xing Daorong... it won't work..." Liu Du smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Jiang Wen has many fierce generals under his command. One man alone cannot stop him."

Liu Xian said, "Then please give me twenty thousand troops, Father. I will go out with General Xing and meet Jiang Wen in battle at Qiyang!"

"Son, are you sure you want to do this?"

Liu Xian’s expression was fearless as he bowed solemnly to Liu Du.

Qiyang.

The terrain was mostly mountainous and hilly with lush vegetation and layered mountain ranges. To the north lay the Siming Mountains and the rolling Qishan range.

Qiyang and Lingling were only a few miles apart, separated by the Xiang River.

Having taken three cities, morale was high, but the uneven terrain and long march had left the men and horses exhausted.

After tutoring his two students, Jiang Wen summoned Huang Zhong.

Huang Zhong bowed, saying, "General Huang Zhong pays his respects to you, my Lord."

Jiang Wen stepped down from his seat, picked up a mat, patted it, and pulled Huang Zhong to sit. "The General is my senior; you need not perform such grand gestures in the future."

"This subordinate thanks you, my Lord," Huang Zhong said with a salute.

Jiang Wen said, "We are about to march on Qiyang, and Liu Du will surely not sit still and wait for death. I intend to appoint you as the vanguard. Are you willing?"

Huang Zhong’s expression shifted from calm to serious. "You have been kind and righteous to this old man. Mere combat is not worth such solemn treatment from you. A general’s duty is to fight. I should be the one thanking you for trusting me enough to entrust me with the first battle!"

Jiang Wen sighed, "The General is truly vigorous in his old age. Looking at all the generals in the world, there is only you."

"Hahaha!" Huang Zhong glanced at Jiang Wen, stroked his beard with satisfaction, and laughed heartily.

"What are we to do? What are we to do!" The magistrate in the city peeked out, terrified by the sight of the endless camps in the distance, and quickly pulled his head back. There were only three thousand guards in the city, while the enemy had twenty thousand.

And the commander was Jiang Wen. His name alone carried the weight of a mountain, which terrified the magistrate even more.

"Lord, Lord! Good news!"

"What good news? Jiang Wen has brought his army right to our doorstep!"

"The Governor has sent troops to support us. He tells us to hold for three days; they will arrive within three days!"

"Three days?!" The magistrate’s eyes widened as he held up three fingers. "Never mind three days, I can't even hold out for three hours!"

"I have already delivered the order. No matter what, please hold the city gates for three days. Once the reinforcements arrive, your mission will be complete."

The magistrate stuck his head out again, looked at the endless camps, and swallowed hard. His family was in Lingling; if he surrendered, they would certainly be killed. He had no choice but to hold the line!

Water ditches had already been dug outside the city gates, and the wooden bridges had been retracted. Holding for three days wouldn't be difficult. Jiang Wen did not attack immediately, choosing instead to rest and boost the troops' morale.

"Teacher has been truly invincible along the way. Those city-guarding officials all surrendered the moment they saw you. I reckon this one will do the same soon!"

Liu Min was eating candied fruit, while Jiang Wan sat to the side, quietly reading.

"Wooden head, the Teacher is so mighty, why don't you praise him a little?"

Jiang Wan kept his eyes on the book. "Would praising him make the Teacher any mightier? Besides, the Teacher is not a man who cares for fame or profit."

"Saying a few words would be pleasant, wouldn't it? What are you reading?"

"The Teacher’s writings: *Ten Treatises on the Way of War*, *On Military and Civil Colonies*, and *Ten Strategies for Governing a State*. They analyze the art of governance from every aspect."

"And there is also the Nine-Rank System created by the Teacher. It is said that the new policies have already been promulgated in Xiangyang and other places. These policies are truly bold. The rest are the poems the Teacher has composed, all compiled into volumes."

"Governing a state, governing a state... we are but youths. What do we know of governing? Even if we wanted to, I fear the Prime Minister would not look twice at us. It can only be said that our Teacher is omnipotent!"

"When the Teacher first entered service, he was only seventeen, yet he shocked the world and became famous."

"Ha, it’s not that I’m bragging, but the Teacher is a unique genius of our time, like Han Xin. There is no one in this world who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him."

Jiang Wan chuckled, then slowly burst into laughter. "You used to mock me for admiring someone so much, yet now, every word you speak is nothing but praise for the Teacher."

Liu Min’s face flushed. He wanted to retort but didn't know what to say, so he turned to look at his book.

"Dinner is served!"

A soldier pushed open the door and called to the two students. Being in the army, he didn't understand why the General brought two children with him.

In the camp, the stewing pot contained a whole duck. Besides ginger and duck, red fruits floated on the fragrant broth.

"Old duck soup."

"Teacher, what are these red fruits?"

"Goji berries."

"Gou-qi?"