Zhou Gongjin's sudden death dumped an unbearable burden onto Lu Su's shoulders.
As the Acting Grand Commander, Lu Su now found himself standing at the center of Jiangdong's storm.
Privately, he had always admired Zhou Yu.
Zhou Gongjin had relied on two things:
his status as one of Sun Bofu's original lieutenants, and his unassailable achievements at Red Cliffs.
With those alone, he had forcibly kneaded Jiangdong into a single whole—
no divide between Jianghuai, Jingzhou, or the eastern territories.
Lu Su could manage complicated personnel.
He could sort through tangled interests.
But commanding men through sheer prestige the way Zhou Gongjin once did?
That was beyond him.
Those eager for battle—Gan Ning foremost among them—openly believed Lu Su didn't understand warfare and lacked the qualifications of a true commander.
Those who eyed Liu Bei—Lü Meng among them—felt Lu Su was selling Jiangdong for reputation, a petty schemer in disguise.
Even Pang Tong, once Zhou Yu's close attendant, had been unable to secure an audience with Marquis Sun. In the end, he simply turned around and left for Liu Bei's camp.
As if that weren't enough, the conflict between Lü Meng and Gan Ning had spilled into the open.
At a banquet, Lü Meng had carelessly referred to Gan Ning as nothing more than a "dueling general."
Marquis Sun punished both with fifty strokes—but anyone could see where the favoritism lay.
Incident after incident piled up.
Lu Su felt exhausted to the bone.
As for Jingzhou—
He opened the compiled intelligence reports once more.
The hydraulic workshops.
The new farming techniques.
They were far too conspicuous.
There were also speculations about troop movements.
According to the spies, Liu Bei might already be advancing into Yi Province, though the outcome was still unclear.
At the very bottom was Lü Meng's recommendation:
Reclaim Jiangling.
Use it to restrain Liu Bei.
Recover the Four Commanderies.
Hold the river against Cao Cao.
Lu Su didn't even hesitate.
He set the report aside.
Just then, Bu Zhi returned.
"Commander," Bu Zhi said, "General Lü Meng has led troops out of camp."
Lu Su froze.
"What?"
"No written order from me—and he dares deploy troops? On what grounds?"
Bu Zhi answered evenly, neither arrogant nor deferential.
"General Lü Meng's officers state that a memorial has already been submitted to Marquis Sun. They request that the Commander not worry."
Lu Su stood there for a long moment, lips pressed into a thin line.
In the end, he waved Bu Zhi away.
He knew full well what this meant.
Marquis Sun was furious—furious that Liu Bei had entered Yi Province without notice.
Even so, Lu Su felt this needed to be restrained.
Jiangdong was not yet stable.
Why mobilize so recklessly?
Wouldn't it be far better to demand compensation instead?
The wheeled-cart technique.
The farming methods.
One exchange, clean and profitable.
Sighing, Lu Su spread paper and ground ink.
As his brush hovered, another thought surfaced.
Should he… write to Kongming?
Life in Linju had grown strangely peaceful for Liu Feng.
Or rather—he had been forced into peace.
After all, his superior was Zhang Fei.
Also his third uncle.
Beatings, punishments, discipline—
Liu Feng endured them all without protest.
At first, his mind had been full of chaotic thoughts.
Mostly about A-Dou.
And then A-Dou.
And also A-Dou.
But time passed.
He began to notice that although Third Uncle was merciless in public, he would personally apply medicated wine in private, lecturing him earnestly and without impatience.
Those wild suspicions gradually faded.
Then a young man from the Mi clan arrived.
Life became a little more interesting.
Then the deserter Ma Su was dragged in.
At that point, Liu Feng realized something.
Life in Linju had become very interesting.
Watching "Mi Limp-Leg" and "Ma the Deserter" bicker every day was enough to brighten even the dullest routine.
Since both of them stubbornly avoided explaining why they had been sent here, Liu Feng simply stuck to their nicknames.
Three months later, Zhang Fei issued an order.
Pack up.
The garrison was moving out.
No destination was announced—but marching upstream along the river, cutting through the gorges and heading west, Liu Feng could already guess.
Yi Province.
"Hey, Deserter," Liu Feng asked casually, "this is where you ran last time, right?"
Ma Su didn't bother correcting him anymore. He gazed toward distant Zigui City.
"At the time, the Lord disguised himself as a strategist's attendant," Ma Su said quietly. "He lured the rebel general out, killed him in a single strike, and from Zigui to Jiangzhou, every city surrendered without a fight."
Liu Feng fell silent, imagining the scene.
Father really was impressive.
Yet the thought made him uneasy.
"If even the Linju garrison is being transferred," he muttered, "Father must be determined to take Yi Province."
"But what if Jiangdong interferes in Jingzhou?"
"Marquis Sun is ruler of Jiangdong and allied with our lord," Ma Su said firmly. "Why would he stoop to something so dishonorable?"
"He'll definitely interfere," Mi Fang replied lazily. "But with General Guan guarding Jingzhou, there's nothing to worry about."
Then Mi Fang laughed.
"Deserter, you claim to have read military texts—yet you can't even see through Marquis Sun's fickle nature?"
Ma Su frowned. "He really behaves that way?"
Mi Fang only smiled—and said nothing.
Liu Feng watched the two of them.
This had always confused him.
Mi Limp-Leg trusted Guan Yu more than Liu Feng himself did—despite Liu Feng being Guan Yu's nephew.
Yet Mi Fang spoke of Jiangdong with thinly veiled contempt, as if watching a play.
Ma the Deserter, meanwhile, was utterly confident in taking Yi Province.
Liu Zhang, Zhang Lu, Ma Chao, Han Sui—none of them seemed worth considering.
Mi Fang felt more like Guan Yu's nephew.
Ma Su felt more like Liu Bei's son.
But whenever Liu Feng tried to probe deeper, both men would fall silent at the same time.
Suspiciously synchronized.
"Move out."
Liu Feng tightened his leg bindings. He had no idea where Father learned this technique, but it truly made marching easier.
And somehow, soldiers wearing bindings simply looked sharper.
"If you're right," Liu Feng said, "it'll take many days to reach Jiangzhou."
Ma Su silently rechecked his own bindings.
If battle came this time…
and he ran again—
Would Zhang Fei kill him on the spot?
Over the next half month, Liu Feng witnessed Yi Province's unique scenery.
Sheer cliffs.
Winding rivers.
Endless ape cries echoing through the valleys.
Magnificent beyond words.
After a brief rest in Jiangzhou, the army marched again.
This time, the ranks were visibly larger.
Zhang Fei now had two deputies at his side—one old, one young.
"The young one is Huo Jun," Ma Su whispered. "Exceptionally capable."
Ma Su couldn't hide his envy.
He had studied military texts his entire life—yet this kind of opportunity never came his way.
He glanced at Huo Jun armor… then at his own pitiful leather protection.
The difference was painful.
Zhang Fei turned to the older deputy with respect.
"Old General Yan, my elder brother urged haste, so I didn't ask before. What's the situation?"
Zhang Fei knew Huo Jun well—his achievements even surpassed Zhang Fei's in certain records.
As for Yan Yan, Liu Bei had only said he was a Yi Province native, loyal to Han, and trustworthy.
Oddly enough, Zhang Fei felt an immediate sense of familiarity.
Yan Yan was deeply moved by Zhang Fei's courtesy and explained carefully.
"Half a month ago, Liu Jiyu summoned Pang Xi to Chengdu alone. Pang Xi refused."
"Liu Jiyu then accused Pang Xi and Li Yi of conspiring to sell Yi Province and sent troops—but failed."
"A few days ago, he ordered the White Water Pass garrison to attack Pang Xi."
"Our lord fears Zhang Lu may exploit the chaos and invade Yi Province, endangering the people. Thus we are placed under General Zhang's command to reinforce White Water Pass."
Huo Jun added calmly:
"Liu Jiyu has wanted Pang Xi dead for years. Li Yi once restrained him. Now that Li Yi is gone, he finally acted."
Zhang Fei silently added:
And Pang Tong probably helped fan the flames.
Still, he asked aloud:
"Does Liu Jiyu not fear my brother while fighting Pang Xi?"
Huo Jun smiled.
"We marched upriver from poor Jingzhou, taking only minor cities. Supplies are limited. How could we threaten Yi Province?"
"And per Strategist Pang's plan, General Zhao sends letters every ten days requesting grain."
Zhang Fei shook his head.
That strategist truly had a black heart.
"Order given," Zhang Fei said.
"March on White Water Pass!"
Langzhong City.
Pang Xi stood atop the walls, staring into the distance.
The city still bore scars from recent fighting. Liu Zhang's forces had withdrawn after several days of inconclusive assaults.
Yet Pang Xi felt no relief.
He could already imagine the White Water Pass army approaching.
"Liu Jiyu refuses all counsel—stupid as livestock," Pang Xi cursed.
Beside him, Zhao Zuo spoke softly.
"In my view, Governor Liu truly intends to kill you. You must prepare an escape route."
After a pause, Pang Xi asked:
"Are you here on Liu Jingzhou's behalf?"
Zhao Zuo nodded openly.
"After Li Yi's death, Liu Jingzhou foresaw this outcome. Knowing your benevolent rule, I volunteered to come."
Pang Xi asked hoarsely:
"Can Liu Jingzhou withstand the White Water army?"
Zhao Zuo flicked his sleeve lightly.
"With Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix both present—if you hold Langzhong, White Water will fall."
Pang Xi nodded.
"Then… please send the letter."
Elsewhere, Liu Bei looked at the intelligence and sighed.
"How did Yi Province come to this?"
Pang Tong waved it off.
"Just a little fire-stoking. Pang Xi has help. Liu Jiyu will never listen."
"So simple?" Liu Bei asked.
Pang Tong nodded.
"If Liu Jiyu were willing to speak openly with Pang Xi, this plan would fail."
"But though kind… he lacks tolerance."