Interlude 3

Liu Bei’s momentum was truly rising like the sun, having gained Jingzhou and Yizhou, and now Hanzhong Commandery and Wudu Commandery through this battle for Hanzhong. Now that even Cao Cao had failed to defeat Liu Bei, his confidence was at an unprecedented high.

This ascension to King of Hanzhong was an expression of that confidence.

Although he submitted a memorial, the emperor’s approval wasn’t particularly important.

Liu Bei declared to the world that he would ascend as King of Hanzhong, citing justification, and his followers and people agreed with his decision. That was enough.

Upon becoming King of Hanzhong, Liu Bei immediately completely reorganized the official positions of his followers.

He appointed Fa Zheng as Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General Who Guards the Army, and Huang Quan as Attendant Officer.

One somewhat unusual point was that Zhuge Liang and Fang Tong, who had been Liu Bei’s right and left arms among civil officials, remained as Military Advisors. Of course, their rank did rise from Assistant Army Commandant to General.

In addition, high-ranking but largely honorary positions were given to veterans like Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and Mi Zhu, while practical positions fitting their roles were assigned to working-level officials like Liu Ba, Li Yi, and Dong He.

There was no dispute about official positions for civil officials as the hierarchy was clear and their duties were well-defined, but problems arose with military positions.

While lower-ranking individuals might just grumble even if they had complaints, discord among higher-ups was a different story.

The highest military position Liu Bei could bestow as King of Hanzhong was General of the Four Armies, and among these, he appointed Guan Yu as General of the Vanguard (the highest), Ma Chao as General of the Left (his former position), Zhang Fei as General of the Right (next), and Huang Zhong as General of the Rear (the lowest).

That was the root of the problem.

“What? I’m General of the Vanguard and Huang Zhong is General of the Rear? Impossible! How could my brother put me in the same rank as an old soldier like Huang Zhong! I cannot accept this. Take back the seal of office.”

As Guan Yu raged and refused to accept the position, Guan Ping, who was watching from the side, hurriedly said:

“Father, it’s our lord’s order.”

“It’s also a subject’s duty to point out what’s wrong when it’s wrong.”

At the mention of Liu Bei, some reason seemed to return to Guan Yu, as he explained his argument with some logic to support his claim.

“Ma Mengqi was the leader of a force opposing Cao Cao even before submitting, and Zhang Fei, though my younger brother, has accumulated merits and abilities that are no less than mine. But how could they put Huang Zhong in the same rank with just the merit of capturing Xiahou Yuan in this Hanzhong campaign?”

Bi Shi immediately countered Guan Yu’s logic:

“There’s a flaw in what you’re saying, Lord Guan. General Huang had already established merits such as helping our lord conquer Yizhou before capturing Xiahou Yuan at Dingjunshan this time.”

“Hmph, how could that be Huang Zhong’s merit? It’s Ran’er’s merit for rescuing Military Advisor Pang and capturing Luocheng. Wasn’t it also Ran’er’s idea that led to Ma Chao’s joining after making Liu Zhang surrender?”

Zhang Ran’s name came up inadvertently, but upon reflection, it didn’t seem too bad.

Although Huang Zhong had the merit of killing Xiahou Yuan, hadn’t Zhang Ran beheaded both Cao Hong and Zhang He?

As Guan Yu inwardly considered each point, he found this quite convincing, and he nodded in agreement with his own words.

“Indeed. If they had appointed Ran’er as General of the Rear, though somewhat lacking, I would have acknowledged it considering her potential for growth. But Huang Zhong, who is now old? What more use is there for such an old soldier?”

“The General Who Maintains Vigor also said that General Huang is fully capable of becoming General of the Rear.”

Zhang Ran had been appointed as General Who Protects the North by Liu Bei, who had become King of Hanzhong.

It was the rank just below the Generals of the Four Armies, and considering that she was in charge of the most important northern region, it would not be an exaggeration to say it was the highest position in the military after the Generals of the Four Armies.

Of course, there were military officials who were actually higher than Zhang Ran, such as Zhao Yun, who had extraordinary years of service, with the slightly lower-ranked General Who Pacifies the State, though it was an internal military rank different from the regular hierarchy.

However, there was no doubt that Zhang Ran had risen to a high position.

“Even so, it’s still below General of the Rear, isn’t it?”

“During Emperor Wu’s time, Marquis of Jinghuan was respected as the foremost in the army even though he was under the Marquis of Pingjin. Although General Who Protects the North is lower in rank than General of the Rear, who would dare to look down on or slander her?”

Wei Qing, though under Huo Qubing, received the emperor’s favor and was treated as practically the top figure in the military.

Bi Shi’s words meant that Zhang Ran, like Wei Qing, had the favor of the ruler Liu Bei, so a slightly lower official position wasn’t an issue at all.

“Moreover, Su He and Cao Can, who had been with the Founder since his youth, never harbored resentment or complained despite having lower positions than Chen Ping and Han Xin who joined later. Although our lord has made General Huang the General of the Rear, how could he evaluate him on the same level as you, Lord Guan?”

As Bi Shi pointed out Guan Yu’s narrow-mindedness by citing examples from Emperor Wu and the Founder of Han, Guan Yu finally acknowledged that he was being unreasonable and accepted the position of General of the Vanguard.

What Liu Bei bestowed upon Guan Yu was not just the position of General of the Vanguard. After Guan Yu received the seal of General of the Vanguard, Bi Shi presented him with other items.

“The King of Hanzhong has also bestowed upon the General of the Vanguard the temporary tally and axe.”

The temporary tally and axe (假节鉞).

“Jia” means false or temporary, “jie” was the tally proving authority, and “yue” was the battle-axe symbolizing military power.

In other words, it was the highest authority a subject could receive, temporarily granting the ruler’s power of life and death over subjects and the operational authority to raise an army.

“Bestowing the battle-axe means… my brother has ordered a campaign.”

Unlike during the dispute over the General of the Vanguard position, Guan Yu spoke with utmost seriousness as he received the temporary tally and axe.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Unlike his calm tone when speaking to Guan Yu earlier, Bi Shi’s tension was evident this time.

“The King of Hanzhong has ordered a northern expedition.”

Guan Yu’s northward advance, which had started in summer in the original history, was beginning a season earlier.

§

After Liu Bei’s ascension to King of Hanzhong was completed in Nanzheng County of Hanzhong Commandery, I was stationed in Shangyong.

The Shen Yi and Shen Tan brothers, who immediately submitted, were promised preservation of their existing power, but military authority was transferred to me. This was evidence that Liu Bei was exerting stronger influence than in the original history.

Additionally, Ma Chong was stationed in Xicheng, and Wang Ping was garrisoned in Fangling.

Looking at the positions of these two, surprisingly, most of the eight lieutenants who had distinguished themselves under my command remained under me. Although they all got promotions, I also got promoted, expanding my rank.

A General Who Protects has the right to establish a department. In my case, it means I can open the Department of the General Who Protects the North and have generals under my command.

Considering military merits, talent, and position, Liu Bei gave separate general positions to Wang Ping and Ma Chong among my lieutenants, making them independent, but since they were in Xicheng and Fangling, they were still practically under my command.

Oh, by the way, Wang Ping is General Who Pacifies the North, and Ma Chong is General Who Pacifies the West.

Following the hierarchy that descends in order of Four Armies – Four Protectors – Four Pacifiers – Four Regulators, their positions are two levels lower than mine.

In the general’s office I set up in Shangyong, I was busy polishing weapons.

The spear and sword made by Pu Yuan, and a small axe.

This axe, or battle-axe, was what I received from Liu Bei during this awarding of merits.

When Liu Bei was deliberating between me and Huang Zhong for the position of General of the Rear, I requested that he give the battle-axe to me instead, offering to yield the General of the Rear position to Huang Zhong.

Fa Zheng opposed this somewhat presumptuous proposal, but Liu Bei bestowed the battle-axe on me, saying I had an eye for seeing the flow of war.

Guan Yu received the temporary tally and axe as General of the Vanguard.

Ma Chao received the temporary tally as General of the Left.

My father received the temporary tally as General of the Right.

Next in rank should have been Huang Zhong as General of the Rear, but I became joint fourth by receiving the temporary axe in addition to being appointed General Who Protects the North.

Even Zhao Yun, who became General Who Pacifies the East, and Zhao Yun, who became General Who Pacifies the South, were nominally my subordinates. Of course, as veterans of the military and Liu Bei’s closest confidants, their actual power would be greater than mine.

While I was diligently polishing my precious little axe, an attendant outside the door announced that someone had come to visit.

“Army Commandant Zhang Yi and Assistant of the Department of the General Who Protects the North Wang Si request an audience.”

“Let them in.”

Zhang Yi and Wang Si greeted me and began their report. Although Ma Chong was missing, these two were also outstanding talents, so there were no gaps in their handling of affairs.

There were some differences in work methods and direction, but Zhang Yi was a bit stricter than Ma Chong, and Wang Si was more lenient, so the balance was exquisitely matched.

“Also, Sun Quan has proposed a marriage alliance to the General of the Vanguard.”

Here it comes.

“He refused, I suppose.”

“Yes. It’s said he furiously refused, asking the envoy how they could marry a tiger’s cub to a dog’s offspring.”

“I’m sure he did.”

Seeming a bit frustrated by my nonchalant response, Wang Si added:

“Even if the General of the Vanguard dislikes Sun Quan, this is too harsh a treatment. It may be difficult to like him because of Lady Sun’s incident, but isn’t he still our country’s ally?”

“Hmm, is that so? Is that how you see it, Chengzong? What do you think, Baiji?”

While Wang Si’s opinion seemed correct at first glance, Zhang Yi shook his head firmly and answered:

“Sun Quan is playing tricks again.”

Zhang Yi even omitted Sun Quan’s title of General-in-Chief, speaking of him in a lowered manner. I chuckled and said:

“That’s right. I think the same.”

“What? What do you mean by tricks?”

“Chengzong, your tendency to try to see the good in people is both your strength and weakness.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Zhang Yi sent me a look as if asking if he could explain. When I nodded, Zhang Yi began his explanation in earnest.

“Look here. Sun Quan has already formed a marriage alliance with His Majesty the King of Hanzhong. Yet he proposes marriage to the General of the Vanguard again? This means he dares to put His Majesty and the General of the Vanguard on the same level.”

Wang Si was far from being short-sighted or lacking in understanding. When Zhang Yi explained that far, Wang Si seemed to have understood completely, his face turning pale.

“If the General of the Vanguard had accepted Sun Quan’s marriage proposal, it might have been seen as rebellious intentions towards His Majesty the King of Hanzhong.”

“No! How could that be? The special bond between His Majesty and the General of the Vanguard is known to the whole world…”

“Even if His Majesty and the General of the Vanguard’s hearts are constant, the public’s perception would change, wouldn’t it? I believe the General of the Vanguard had no choice but to refuse so strongly.”

If he doesn’t refuse strongly, he arouses suspicion.

But conversely, if he refuses strongly, he gives Sun Quan a justification for invasion.

Sun Quan has truly played his trump card.

And Sun Quan’s maneuvering was heralding the coming storm.

The return of the fierce competition between the Three Kingdoms surrounding Jingzhou.