"Heaven's Mandate is not on our side."
Five simple words.
And yet they weighed so heavily that the entire hall seemed to lose its air. For a moment, no one spoke. Even breathing felt difficult.
Then—
More words drifted across the glowing screen, pulling everyone's attention away.
Zhuge Liang was the first to regain his composure. He studied the phrasing and said thoughtfully,
"'People of Xiangfan, come witness Second Lord's glory'… This tone suggests the speaker is not an observer of events, but someone from the same era as the audience."
Zhang Fei stroked his bristly beard—thick as iron needles—and snorted.
"This sounds like the kind of thing shouted by people watching cuju at a stadium."
Huang Yueying nodded, adding her own insight.
"Perhaps the people of later ages possess a marvelous technique—one that converts spoken commentary into written words and displays them upon this light-screen."
Jiang Wan scribbled furiously while silently judging.
Third General comparing a heavenly omen to a cuju match—he's really not worried about offending Heaven at all.
Lady Huang, on the other hand, chooses her words with elegance. 'Public commentary'—very refined.
As for the sudden appearance of the light-screen, Jiang Wan felt little surprise. After all, this thing was the very reason he was now working overtime.
What truly caught his interest was Lady Huang's suggestion that speech itself could be turned directly into text.
"That aside," Zhang Fei said, latching onto something else entirely, "what in the world is a 'naval infantry'?"
"And Second Brother," he added cheerfully, "the people of later ages seem to think very highly of you!"
"They've mentioned my 'shaking all of China' more than once," Guan Yu replied calmly.
"As for this 'naval infantry'…" Liu Bei spoke with the instincts of a veteran soldier. "I imagine it refers to troops who fight fiercely both on water and on land."
The generals nodded in agreement.
As for the final name that appeared—Li Shimin—
Who was that? No one recognized it, and no one cared.
[Previously, we talked about why Cao Cao withdrew—part of it was because his home base got hit.
So the question is: who did the hitting?
Today's protagonist—Guan Yu.
Did this 'home invasion' strategy work?
Good news: it worked.
Bad news: it worked too well.]
"How can something be too successful?" Zhang Fei immediately objected.
Guan Yu shook his head slightly. Having heard the light-screen mention Xiangfan many times—and having discussed it privately with Zhuge Liang—he already had his suspicions.
"That said," Zhang Fei brightened, "this 'home invasion' term is excellent! Clear and easy to understand. We're smashing Cao Cao's backyard!"
[During the Hanzhong Campaign, the Shu forces stationed in Jing Province naturally had to relieve pressure on the main front.
So Guan Yu and Meng Da each led detachments to strike Xiangyang, Fancheng, Shangyong, and Fangling—forcing Cao Cao to divert troops from the western Hanzhong front to reinforce the eastern Xiangfan front.]
Textbook maneuver.
Zhuge Liang could barely find fault. He even stood and gestured toward the map behind him.
"If Shangyong is secured, then General Guan need only take Xiangyang—perhaps not even Fancheng. Jing, Yi, and Hanzhong would then form a continuous strategic block. The great plan would be within reach!"
Even knowing the eventual outcome, Zhuge Liang felt a thrill watching the plan advance to this stage.
Calling each battlefield a 'front' is remarkably clear, he noted mentally.
So Hanzhong becomes the Hanzhong Front. Useful terminology.
[Interestingly, our old acquaintance Meng Da actually performed quite well here.
According to Records of Shu, Meng Da first attacked Fangling, then joined Liu Feng at Shangyong and accepted the surrender of its governor, Shen Dan.
Here comes the first intriguing point.
After Meng Da killed the Fangling governor, Liu Bei sent Liu Feng up the Mian River to take over part of Meng Da's forces. The Records of Shu explain this by saying, 'The Former Lord secretly feared that Meng Da could not bear responsibility alone.'
However, the Zizhi Tongjian later questioned this interpretation, noting that the Records were compiled during the Jin dynasty—which upheld Wei-Jin legitimacy and maintained the tradition of glossing over faults of revered figures.
Regardless, one fact remains true: Liu Bei split Meng Da's command.
And that decision planted the first landmine leading to the Battle of Yiling.
Because Liu Feng… botched a task that required delicate handling.]
Zhang Fei frowned.
"Why does this Records of Shu sound like it's throwing shade?"
Zhuge Liang answered smoothly.
"If the text upholds Cao Wei as orthodox, then Meng Da's later defection to Wei would naturally be emphasized—and framed favorably."
He recalled something else the light-screen had mentioned.
"When Meng Da surrendered, it coincided with Wei Feng's pro-Han plot. From that perspective, Meng Da's defection could be painted as 'returning to orthodoxy.'"
Zhuge Liang was unfazed. Twisted historiography was hardly new.
[But if we take a broader view, Liu Bei's decision wasn't unreasonable.
First, Meng Da's father—Meng Tuo—was… famous, in a way.
During the reign of the Ten Attendants, Meng Tuo sold off his property and went to Luoyang seeking advancement. He had no talent, no connections—so how did he rise?
Through scheming.
Low on funds, Meng Tuo chose his targets carefully. He bribed Zhang Rang's household slaves—lavishly. Banquets, gifts, expenses—Meng paid for everything.
Eventually, the slaves grew embarrassed. They asked him to name a favor.
Meng Tuo said, 'I value my reputation. Tomorrow, when I pass here in a carriage, kneel and bow to me.'
For professional kneelers, this was nothing.
The next day, Zhang Rang's slaves knelt in rows as Meng Tuo entered Zhang Rang's residence. He hid inside briefly, then emerged grandly.
Luoyang was full of people seeking patronage. Seeing this display, they showered Meng Tuo with gifts.
Meng Tuo accepted everything—then resold the gifts for cash.
With enough money, he finally caught Zhang Rang's attention.
Later, he presented Zhang Rang with a single dou of grape wine—and obtained the post of Inspector of Liang Province.
Thus was born the idiom: 'A single dou buys Liang Province.']
Poetry scrolled past the screen:
〖Su Shi mocked him:
'The general fights a hundred battles yet earns no fief;
Bo Lang trades one dou and gains Liang Province.'
Liu Yuxi wrote:
'Hold one dou for my lord—
and fetch me Liang Province.'
Even Lu You joined in.
Ancient poets roasted people with real venom.
Meng Tuo's maneuver was textbook capitalist entrepreneurship: leverage, hype, cash out, disappear.
From the Yellow Turbans to Xiangfan—this creator really understands narrative buildup.
Also, Zhang Rang was shockingly cheap. A few dozen coins' worth of grape wine did the trick.
Grapes thrived in the Western Regions, sadly neglected until the Tang reclaimed them.
Li Shimin: Say more. I like this.〗
The hall collectively covered their faces.
This wasn't just shameful—it was cross-dynasty shame.
Liu Bei rested a hand on his sword.
"If only I could personally execute the Ten Attendants."
Zhang Fei laughed and started counting on his fingers.
"Big Brother, that's a long to-do list. After the Ten Attendants there's He Jin, then Dong Zhuo, and now Cao Cao. Your sword's going to curl at the edge."
"With such a father," Zhuge Liang said calmly, "Meng Da was indeed unreliable. And Shangyong is a critical position. Assigning it to a trusted relative was the sound choice."
He then cut Zhang Fei off preemptively.
"Third General—enough. Let us continue watching."
Off to the side, Huang Yueying quietly wrote down her thoughts in neat script:
Western Regions: scorching days, freezing nights, sandy soil.
Guanzhong climate mild—perhaps unsuitable for grape cultivation?