Gather!

Several people were already gathered in the main hall.

Being a military official, I tended to stay in the outskirts rather than near the palace, so it took time to arrive. But by hurrying, I was able to avoid being last.

Once all civil and military officials had gathered, Liu Bei appeared in the main hall.

Boldly omitting unnecessary formalities, Liu Bei immediately began the court assembly.

“It is said that Cao Zhi’s army is heading towards Hetao. The one leading the army is Cao Zhang, and the scale of the army is said to reach tens of thousands.”

Cao Zhang. Quick and decisive. There couldn’t be a more suitable person for a penetration operation where breakthrough power is important. It was as expected.

Pang Tong, who had predicted this situation, must have coordinated with Liu Bei in advance, as he immediately stepped forward to speak.

“Your Majesty, although the Hetao region is land abandoned by Wei, it is where the Southern Xiongnu under their command are powerful. As it passes through Hetao and brings Yongyang and Guanzhong into view, I report that it is a situation requiring prompt action.”

“The Grand Commandant’s words are correct.”

As Liu Bei and Pang Tong, the two who control state affairs, had coordinated, the proceedings were without redundancy.

In the blink of an eye, the dispatch of troops was decided.

If we were just protecting Guanzhong, we could block Tong Pass and hold out, but then they would cross over to Yongyang.

Moreover, there are still remnants of Wei forces in Yongzhou. It was clear that there would be those who would strengthen their will to resist, thinking the infiltrating army had come to rescue them.

In the worst case, if we lose Yongyang, Guanzhong will be surrounded on three sides.

But it’s also a bad move to just stick to defensive battles holed up in Yongyang and Guanzhong. If we leave them be, they will absorb the ethnic minorities settled in Hetao and grow larger.

‘It’s right to stop them before that. The Xianbei, Qiang, Di, Xiongnu, Wuhuan who will open the era of Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms… All of them submitting to Wei? It’s terrifying just to think about.’

During the Three Kingdoms period, it was said that chaotic times produce heroes, and all sorts of talents poured out. It was a golden age of talent. And the Han people, who honed their strategies and tactics through endless wars, utterly crushed the ethnic minorities.

However, after the Three Kingdoms were unified into Jin, and Jin weakened after a short peace and factionalism to grasp power, it collapsed helplessly to the invasions of ethnic minorities.

That’s the potential of ethnic minorities, especially the northern nomads that even Zhuge Liang worried about. Even if weakened over several generations, once given a chance, they explode exponentially.

Therefore, we absolutely had to prevent Wei from fully absorbing the ethnic minorities.

This Hetao battle was not only a defensive battle to block Wei’s attack, but also a struggle for dominance over the northern ethnic minorities.

“Cao Cao made the absurd claim of reviving the Nine Provinces and neglected it, but from ancient times, Hetao has been included in Han’s Bingzhou. It is rightfully our country’s territory.”

Liu Bei rose from the imperial throne holding a familiar scepter. It was a metal scepter, a tally axe.

“General of the Guards and Governor of Bingzhou Zhang Ran, listen.”

“I humbly receive your command.”

Having once borne the weight of the tally axe and battle axe, I no longer trembled or hesitated.

“I bestow the tally in addition to the battle axe, making it the tally axe and battle axe. Advance to Hetao with the troops of Xiliang and defeat the enemy.”

“I will follow your command, Your Majesty.”

Liu Bei personally came down from the imperial throne and handed me the tally.

The authority of the tally axe and battle axe placed in my hand once more. Now it didn’t just feel heavy. The enthusiasm given by responsibility rose in my heart.

“Go. Go and show them. What it means to attack our Great Han. Go and make them clearly understand.”

Despite his age of sixty, Liu Bei’s words were filled with unwavering determination.

Instead of returning to the imperial throne, he continued speaking from where he stood.

“Living sixty years, I have experienced countless crises, downfalls, and despair. Yet I have never once sat down, and I pride myself on having lived a life of running ceaselessly without resting for a moment.”

A life marked by defeats, failures, escapes, and exiles.

Overcoming adversities that would have broken ordinary people long ago, Liu Bei rose to the peak.

“Therefore, I cannot stop now. Listen, all of you.”

As the emperor’s solemn words echoed in the main hall, the officials all bowed their heads.

I too, holding the tally, waited for Liu Bei’s next words.

“I will remain here, in Chang’an. I have already conveyed my intentions to the Chancellor. My life will be with this place, Guanzhong. So win. With victory in this war, spread the revival of Han throughout the world.”

Liu Bei no longer avoided.

Because he had become strong enough to face the enemies head-on.

The German philosopher Nietzsche said:

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

As long as I live, I will grow stronger and stronger.

Liu Bei’s life was like that. Those words Nietzsche spoke perfectly encapsulated Liu Bei’s lifetime.

Was it due to Liu Bei’s spirit? Despite Liu Bei’s shocking declaration that he would remain in Chang’an, which might become a battlefield, the main hall was silent.

I broke that silence and let my voice ring out.

“I will uphold the imperial command.”

§

Returning from the imperial palace, Jiang Wei informed me that he had issued a summons to the 20,000 soldiers under the General of the Guards scattered throughout Guanzhong.

“The gathering point?”

“I set it as Wugong County.”

“We’ll depart the morning after tomorrow. Go and prepare.”

“I’m always prepared to set out at any time. Don’t worry.”

What a diligent fellow.

As I was praising Jiang Wei with my eyes, Fei Yi cut in from the side.

“But won’t just the Luanling Army be insufficient? Even though you’ve increased to 20,000 as you rose to General of the Guards…”

“You think only the Luanling Army will go? We’ll also request support from Xiliang.”

Originally, Liu Bei had already ordered to bring the Xiliang army to Chang’an. Since I haven’t heard they’ve departed yet, they must be in the midst of preparing support troops.

I had sent a messenger. While entrusting the Luanling Army’s military preparations to Jiang Wei and heading to the imperial palace.

Probably by the time the Luanling Army fully gathers in Wugong County, my request will have reached Xiliang as well.

“I don’t know how many the Xiliang army will be, but adding Xu Yuan, we might see up to 40,000.”

The veteran soldiers Xu Yuan trained are essential for the Eight Array Diagram. That’s why Xu Yuan has been conducting joint training with the Luanling Army until now. So much that you might believe Xu Yuan belongs to the General of the Guards’ office.

But does Fei Yi intend to accompany the army? I had no intention of taking him.

Ordos isn’t just the front yard next door, and besides the distance, the environment is on a different level from the Central Plains.

No matter how sturdy Fei Yi might be compared to other civil officials, if he goes out to a foreign land like Ordos and dies young like Guo Jia, how great a loss would that be?

Moreover, the Ordos Plateau is a plateau region as the name suggests, making it difficult for Fei Yi to come up with ingenious strategies.

I conveyed such concerns to Fei Yi.

“Wenwei, I think it would be better for you to remain in Chang’an this time.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“The Hetao region has quite different climate and customs, after all.”

“What are you saying! I am the Army Advisor General. A proper military position. Yet you say you’ll leave me behind… I’m hurt, General of the Guards.”

Fei Yi was the one who died from an ambush after not listening to those around him always advising him to be careful. His severe lack of safety awareness wasn’t just then but now too, as Fei Yi spoke as if angry.

“Sigh… Alright. You can come along too.”

It’s hard to stop someone determined to find work for themselves. And leaving behind a talent like Fei Yi would also be a loss of strength… We’ll just have to take extra care to keep him healthy.

Thus, taking Jiang Wei and Fei Yi, I left Chang’an after a few days.

Reaching Wugong County, I joined the Luanling Army. The real march began after the Luanling Army led by Guo Yi, Fu Qian, Ma Dai and others, as well as Xu Yuan’s unit, all arrived.

After passing through Mi County and Jinchang, then past Jiating, the northern gate guarding Guanzhong, Xiao Pass, appeared.

And guarding Xiao Pass, located on the border between Guanzhong and Ordos, was none other than Qu Bu.

“Xiaoxing.”

“Well… Now that you’re departing for the battlefield, I can’t even complain.”

“I’m sorry about this.”

Originally I had thought to replace the person in charge of the somewhat less important Xiao Pass, but the situation changed 180 degrees as they aimed for Ordos.

If I fail to stop them, Xiao Pass will become a bulwark protecting Guanzhong.

In the end, Qu Bu had no choice but to be tied to Xiao Pass until this war ends, or at least until the Ordos region regains stability.

“Please don’t worry too much. I don’t have any resentment at all. I do envy those like Liu Pingshi who accompany you, but guarding Xiao Pass is also a task you personally entrusted to me. I will simply do my utmost.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

I felt sorry for taking away his chance to achieve merit in this war, but hearing Qu Bu’s words, I felt a little lighter.

However, as there’s a need to distinguish between public and private matters, I pushed aside the feeling of apology for a moment.

I had sent two messengers in total. One was to request support from Xiliang, and one was to deliver the mission to Qu Bu guarding Xiao Pass.

“The task I entrusted?”

“For now, I’ve handled it as you said.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It wasn’t much at all.”

As Qu Bu said, the task I entrusted to him wasn’t that difficult. But that doesn’t mean it required no effort at all.

We stayed at Xiao Pass for a while until the reinforcements from Xiliang arrived. And soon after, I visually confirmed that Qu Bu had successfully carried out his mission.

“I am Tuoba Pigo, the great man of the Tuoba clan! I have come to see the General of the Guards of Great Han!”