"Achoo!"
Mounted on horseback, Pang Tong sneezed hard yet again.
Zhang Fei, riding beside him, shot him a worried glance.
"Military Advisor, if you've caught a chill, you really shouldn't be out here."
The weather in Hanzhong was far colder than Chengdu's. Pang Tong's constitution had always been on the weaker side, and less than a day after returning to Hanzhong, he had already fallen into this sorry state.
Pang Tong waved it off, wiped his nose with a handkerchief, and replied in a muffled, congested voice,
"In Ma Mengqi's letter the other day, he mentioned—briefly—that there's discord between Han Sui and his subordinates. That alone makes this an excellent opportunity to act."
Zhang Fei frowned in thought. After returning to Hanzhong, military affairs had been relentless. He'd listened to Pang Tong's briefing that day, then immediately gone off to inspect the camps. He hadn't realized there were so many twists hidden beneath the surface.
After blowing his nose twice more, Pang Tong finally felt a bit better and continued,
"Three years ago, Han Sui sent an envoy to visit Cao the traitor."
"That envoy sent his own parents to Xuchang," Pang Tong said calmly, "and used them to persuade Han Sui to send his son as a hostage as well—to demonstrate loyalty and filial devotion."
Zhang Fei snorted.
"Efficient, I'll give him that."
Then he added with a crooked grin,
"Letting Cao Cao take care of his parents for him?"
Pang Tong shot him a sideways glance and shook his head.
"That envoy's name is Yan Xing. He's known for his bravery, and Han Sui trusts him deeply."
Zhang Fei tried to keep up with Pang Tong's reasoning.
"So you suspect Yan Xing has already secretly defected to Cao Cao?"
Pang Tong shook his head again.
"Not a suspicion. A certainty."
"He pawned his parents to Cao Cao to buy a reputation for filial piety," Pang Tong said evenly.
"Then he lobbied Han Sui on Cao Cao's behalf to earn loyalty and merit."
"Han Sui is old and vicious. Ma Chao is brave but ruthless. Both are wolves."
"Yan Xing falls short of either."
"If loyalty and filial piety can coexist, he serves Han Sui."
"But if forced to choose, he will abandon loyalty to preserve his filial reputation."
Zhang Fei translated it in his head:
I, Yan Xing, for the sake of my parents, would like to borrow the General's head!!!
He shook his head inwardly, then straightened in the saddle and looked into the distance.
"They're here."
A group of riders approached from afar, each dressed in felt caps and fur-lined coats against the cold northern wind.
Zhang Fei glanced at Pang Tong, who still clung stubbornly to a trace of "scholar's elegance," and shook his head inwardly. No wonder the man had caught a chill.
Zhang Fei drew in a breath, then roared:
"I am General of Han, Zhang Yide! Identify yourselves!"
The northern riders halted at once. After a brief exchange among themselves, one man spurred his horse forward.
"By order of the General Who Conquers the West, I come to visit the Governor of Hanzhong!"
"I am Colonel Who Breaks the Enemy—Cheng Gongying!"
Cheng Gongying's manners were impeccable. He exchanged proper greetings with both Zhang Fei and Pang Tong.
Later, once they reached the Hanzhong government offices, the banquet conversation turned to last year's Battle of Tong Pass.
From Cheng Gongying's account, Zhang Fei and Pang Tong learned how Ma Chao had repeatedly disobeyed orders—how the coalition forces of Yong and Liang had been defeated piece by piece.
They heard how, after retreating back to Yong–Liang, Ma Chao had oppressed the common people, intimidated elite families, and utterly lost the hearts of the region.
Everything Cheng Gongying said sounded detailed and convincing.
Yet instinctively, Zhang Fei felt the man was still holding something back.
Eventually, Cheng Gongying stated Han Sui's terms plainly.
"General Han has heard that Governor Liu of Yi Province cares deeply for the people," he said.
"Now that Yong and Liang are ravaged by bandits Ma, we ask that troops be dispatched to eliminate him and relieve the people's suffering."
"General Han is willing to assist Governor Liu in entering Yong–Liang," Cheng Gongying continued,
"and will memorialize the court to commend Governor Liu's achievements."
Zhang Fei seemed not to hear a word of it. He simply kept pushing dishes forward.
"General Cheng, try this lychee. Getting fresh lychees in winter isn't easy!"
Cheng Gongying sighed helplessly.
"General Zhang… my surname is compound. Cheng Gong."
Unfazed, he continued chatting and drinking with Zhang Fei, smiling all the while.
Only after the banquet ended did Zhang Fei finally shake his head.
"March a thousand li… to jointly govern Yong–Liang?"
Han Sui wouldn't even call Liu Bei "elder brother," yet his calculations were sharp indeed.
Pang Tong smiled faintly.
"The banquet hall was crowded and full of ears," he said.
"But Cheng Gongying speaks with refinement. I believe there's still room to maneuver."
Just as Pang Tong predicted, by evening, Cheng Gongying's personal attendant quietly came with a message.
After dinner, Zhang Fei and Pang Tong sat upright in the main hall of the government office—and once again received Cheng Gongying.
This time, he came alone.
The moment he entered, he bowed deeply.
"I beg the General and the Military Advisor—please save my lord!"
Pang Tong stroked his beard thoughtfully. Zhang Fei helped Cheng Gongying up.
"What do you mean?"
Only then did Cheng Gongying begin from the beginning.
Back at Tong Pass, Han Sui and Ma Chao had already grown resentful of each other. After Cao Cao exploited the situation, the two blamed one another openly.
Han Sui hated Ma Chao for ignoring command.
Ma Chao cursed Han Sui for lacking the courage to face Cao Cao.
"And that Yan Xing!" Cheng Gongying spat with contempt.
"He rose from nothing entirely thanks to Lord Han's patronage—yet after his mission to Ye City, he became Cao Cao's most devoted hound!"
"Before Tong Pass, he urged Lord Han to surrender Yong–Liang outright. After the coalition formed, he grew lax and sluggish, leading directly to Lord Han's defeat!"
"And now he has the shamelessness to urge surrender again—just to secure his own advancement!"
Zhang Fei glanced at Pang Tong, who had closed his eyes and remained silent, then asked:
"Among your followers, does Yan Xing have confidants planning to disguise themselves and leave the ranks—to go to Chang'an and offer allegiance to Xiahou Yuan?"
Cheng Gongying's eyes lit up with admiration.
"The General sees clearly!"
"Yan Xing defies Lord Han's wishes," Cheng Gongying said urgently,
"seeking private contact with Xiahou Yuan to reopen the Long Road and deliver Yong–Liang to Cao Cao!"
"I beg the General to strike and eliminate this traitor—before Cao Cao grows stronger!"
He bowed deeply once more.
This left Zhang Fei rather awkward. He instinctively turned to Pang Tong for help.
Pang Tong suddenly seemed to "wake," personally lifting Cheng Gongying up and sighing.
"I have an old acquaintance," Pang Tong said slowly,
"whose family has lived in Tianshui for generations. With war threatening Yong–Liang again…"
Cheng Gongying immediately understood and thought for a moment.
"May I ask your acquaintance's name, Military Advisor?"
Pang Tong had already investigated everything in secret. He answered casually,
"His name is Jiang Jiong. He currently serves as Assistant Merit Officer in Tianshui Commandery. I cherish his son's intelligence."
"General Han fights bandits for the sake of state and people," Pang Tong added, hesitating,
"I only fear that…"
Cheng Gongying visibly relaxed. An Assistant Merit Officer—barely even a full Merit Officer. That was easy.
He slapped his chest at once.
"Tomorrow I'll send trusted men back to Liang Province. Within half a month, your acquaintance's entire family will be delivered safely."
Only then did a broad smile finally bloom on Pang Tong's face.
Watching Cheng Gongying depart, Zhang Fei frowned.
"Military Advisor… are we really going to follow Cheng Gongying's proposal?"
Pang Tong nodded.
"Each takes what he needs."
Then he countered,
"If we let Yan Xing contact Xiahou Yuan and attack Ma Chao from both sides—what do you think happens?"
Zhang Fei sorted it out quickly.
"If Xiahou Yuan marches through Longshan and strikes from the flank," he said,
"then if I lead troops, we can only go through the Baoxie Road and station at Wuzhang Plains or Mei County. Chang'an becomes hard to attack."
"And Wuzhang Plains lies close to the Long Road," Zhang Fei added.
"Xiahou Yuan could retreat to defend at any time."
Pang Tong nodded.
"From last year until now, we've taken Yi Province and pacified Hanzhong. Our foundations are unstable, our soldiers weary. We cannot start another major war."
In truth, Pang Tong had a very blunt thought:
Ma Chao was a fine blade in Yong–Liang—just one that didn't listen.
Let Han Sui sharpen it.
But if Xiahou Yuan were drawn in, one misstep could snap that blade entirely.
Understanding the logic, Zhang Fei sighed toward Cheng Gongying's departing direction.
"Never thought Han Sui would have such loyal men under him."
Pang Tong snorted.
"Do you really think Yan Xing contacting Xiahou Yuan goes against Han Sui's wishes?"
Zhang Fei's eyes widened. Suddenly, everything grew even murkier.
After a laugh, Pang Tong sighed.
"Han Sui is a two-faced rat—yet he commands men of real loyalty."
In Pang Tong's judgment, the truth wasn't complicated.
Yan Xing genuinely wanted to defect, and pushed hard for it.
Han Sui wanted to gamble—borrow Xiahou Yuan's strength to kill Ma Chao, seize Yong–Liang, then reassess.
Cheng Gongying believed that once the Long Road reopened and Xiahou Yuan entered Yong–Liang, driving him out would be nearly impossible.
As for Cheng Gongying's open plea—for Liu Bei to strike Ma Chao—Han Sui likely never expected it to succeed.
The distance was too great.
The Qishan passes were held by Han Sui himself.
If Han Sui cut off their retreat, Han troops in Yong–Liang would become water without a source.
No trust. No foundation. How could such a war be fought?
And besides…
In Xiahou Yuan's eyes, Yong–Liang would not be the final prize.
Ye City.
If Li Shimin were to see Cao Cao at this moment, he would surely burst into laughter—then feel a a sense of "fellow suffering."
Reclining sideways on an ornate couch, Cao Cao pressed a damp cloth to his forehead while a maid carefully tended him, easing his headache.
It had been a long time since his head had hurt this badly.
Even after the defeat at Red Cliffs, the pain had been more about the ships and supplies burned than his body.
Losing Nan Commandery came later. After venting his frustration, he had accepted it.
Last year, forcing Ma Chao into rebellion had been his own masterstroke—an open stratagem he had set with satisfaction.
Pacify Yong–Liang.
Threaten Hanzhong.
Press down upon Yi Province.
Liu Jiyu was a spineless fool who had shown goodwill repeatedly. After discussions with his advisers, Cao Cao had concluded:
Take Hanzhong—and Yi Province would fall into his hands.
To seize Hanzhong, the safest path was first pacifying Yong–Liang.
Everything had gone smoothly.
Tong Pass had its twists, but victory came all the same.
But—
Cao Cao turned his head and stared at the silk letter he had hurled to the floor.
It was in Xiahou Miaocai's own hand. Though the news had nearly blackened Cao Cao's vision, he did not doubt its truth.
"Liu Jiyu, incompetent! Zhang Lu, useless!" Cao Cao roared.
"The grand strategy of the southwest—ruined by these two!"
After cursing, calm returned. He gestured for the maid to retrieve the letter.
Once steady, he read it again.
Xiahou Yuan wrote that he had been preparing to campaign west into Yong–Liang. Though Ma Chao guarded the Longshan Road, his troops were weak and poor at defending passes—nothing to fear.
No. That wasn't important.
Cao Cao skimmed ahead.
The disaster struck after New Year's Day. Chang'an erupted in chaos. Zhang Lu defected—claiming Hanzhong had already fallen to Liu Bei!
Liu Bei!
The name burned through Cao Cao's heart like fire.
In Liu Bei's eyes, he'd spent half his life being chased east and west by Cao Cao, miserable beyond measure.
But in Cao Cao's eyes, it was the same:
Why hadn't he ended this future calamity with one sword stroke back then?
When he'd heard Sun Zhongmou lend Jiangling to Liu Bei, Cao Cao had already erupted in anger—certain it would breed disaster.
But with only four barren commanderies, to fight upriver and seize Yi Province?
To immediately crush Yangping Pass and drive Zhang Lu from Hanzhong?
At last, Cao Cao could only curse again through clenched teeth:
"Sun Quan, that useless brat—letting such a man grow this strong!"
"Incompetent fools," he spat.
"They've ruined my grand design!"