From Shan County eastward, the distance between the Zhongtiao Mountains and the Xiao Mountains gradually narrowed, and the Yellow River was forced into the tightening space between them, roaring east like a furious beast.
Fortunately, this was not Yizhou. Although mountains pressed on both sides of the river, the terrain here was not truly treacherous, and the vanguard army's march was hardly slowed.
Zhang Fei rode at ease, letting his Liangzhou warhorse choose its own comfortable rhythm. The newly fitted horseshoes struck the gravel road with bright, crisp clacks that echoed faintly between the hills.
He lifted his head and pointed toward the winding ridgeline to his left.
"That's Zhongtiao Mountain. Cross it, and beyond lies Hedong Jie County. My second brother's hometown."
Zhang Ji, riding beside him, felt his curiosity toward the famed General Guan grow stronger.
He had never seen the man.
He did not know Yan Liang well either, but anyone who had served in real campaigns understood how difficult it was to cut through ranks and kill a general in the midst of an army. Back when he followed Cao's forces, both Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He had spoken of Guan Yu with unusual respect during casual tent conversations.
Yet now that he served under the Imperial Uncle, the officers rarely mentioned Guan Yu's slaying of Yan Liang at all.
Instead they spoke of Jingzhou's northern expedition, the pursuit of Cao at Wancheng, the dominance of the Han River fleet, and the iron defense of northern Jing. A man who could charge into formations, command naval warfare, hold territory without flaw, and still smash enemies with cavalry… Zhang Ji genuinely struggled to imagine what this General Guan could not do.
Zhang Fei had no idea what thoughts were brewing beside him. Staring across the mountains, he sighed to himself.
Wonder how Ma Mengqi is doing over there.
Hongnong at least had Shan County as a defensible choke point, but Ma Chao marching from You Fuyi into Hedong was basically riding across open land. The Qiang cavalry would probably be running wild with joy.
Besides, the allied Yong-Liang and Hedong forces had only resisted Cao together at Tong Pass two years ago. Ma Chao's reputation for ferocity was still fresh.
And the elder brother had even sent people earlier to repair Second Brother's ancestral grave in Jie County, spreading his name in the process.
With both reputation and sentiment in play, Hedong would likely fall without a single soldier needing to die. Only after that would the hard fights begin, pushing north into Pingyang and then turning toward Shangdang.
Still, Zhang Fei shook his head.
He was the eastern vanguard. Thinking too far ahead was pointless.
Just then he heard You Chu, the young officer he had praised the night before, shout loudly:
"Brother! That huge stone there… could that be the Pillar? It really is magnificent!"
Zhang Fei looked up and felt a jolt of awe himself.
From Tong Pass to here, Zhongtiao and Xiao Mountains stood north and south like walls, forming a massive river valley that felt almost like a cage for the Yellow River.
As the cage narrowed, the river grew more violent. Its roar deepened, waves crashing like an enraged dragon of muddy water twisting toward the downstream plains.
And right in its path stood a colossal rock.
It did not move.
It did not yield.
It stood firm as iron.
The raging waters smashed against it and shattered into spray. The stone remained unmoved, mist rising in clouds. Under the sun, that mist formed a faint rainbow bridge stretching across the riverbanks, strangely beautiful against the violent current.
The river split and flowed around the mountain. The torrent slowed. The muddy waves softened. And the lone rock towered there, solemn and unshakable.
"So this… is what they call the pillar that stands in the current," Zhang Ji murmured softly.
Then You Chu spoke again, voice burning with youthful fervor.
"In this age of chaos, the world is like this turbid river. The Imperial Uncle is that pillar. I too want to become a stone that stands unafraid in the flood for him."
Zhang Fei turned in his saddle. While commanding troops he rarely showed warmth, yet this time he allowed himself a faint smile.
"Since Zhongyun comes from Hedong like my second brother, you should learn from him."
"Your body may be small, but your ambition is that of a great man."
You Chu nearly bounced on horseback from the praise.
Zhang Fei then turned toward Zhang Ji and spoke with surprising sincerity.
"Derong is also a great talent. Yong and Liang may be vast lands, but they cannot compare to the Central Plains' prosperity."
"I hope one day the scholars of the Central Plains all speak your name with respect."
Zhang Ji felt heat rise in his chest.
He remembered how, before being captured, he had been insignificant in Xiahou Yuan's camp. Then he thought of how this very general now repeatedly summoned him into the command tent during the pacification of Liangzhou to ask his opinion seriously.
The contrast was sharp.
And when he compared Cao's army seizing civilians for military farms in Guanzhong with the Imperial Uncle promoting benevolent policies there instead, the difference needed no explanation.
"I only wish to help the general enter the Central Plains and drive out the Cao thieves!"
After passing the river pillar, they marched another half day. Soon Zhongtiao and Xiao Mountains were behind them.
From higher ground looking east, the view finally opened wide.
South of the Yellow River and north of the Luo River, waterways braided through fertile grasslands. Mang Mountain rose gently in layered ridges, orderly and calm.
"We've finally reached the heart of the Nine Provinces," Zhang Fei sighed.
Years of storms in Xuzhou.
Several autumns as guests in Jingzhou.
That desperate southern retreat with civilians in tow.
Only recently had they secured a foothold in southern Jing.
Then came the light curtain in Gong'an County, revealing the rise and fall of centuries in a single day. With foreknowledge in hand, they seized the wind and rose with it. And now, at last, he marched again into the Central Plains with troops behind him.
A thousand emotions brushed past his mind, but he forced them away almost immediately and gave the order:
"Advance!"
The vanguard moved on.
Perhaps encouraged by Zhang Fei's earlier praise, You Chu spoke up far more actively now, offering suggestions as they rode.
"Up ahead is Xin'an County. We aren't afraid of that town. But beyond it lies the world-famous Hangu Pass. That one might cost us some effort."
Zhang Fei knew he was right.
If Tong Pass was called the greatest pass under heaven, then Hangu Pass might truly be called the most dangerous. A single man could hold it against ten thousand. Two mountains squeezed a narrow corridor that was easy to defend and miserable to attack, especially for an army heavy with cavalry like his.
"We'll deal with it when we get there," Zhang Fei said, shaking his head.
By another half day's march, they reached Xin'an County.
As expected, yet still unsettling, it was abandoned.
A few dried skeletons lay slumped against low walls. Wild branches crept across the city ramparts. The gates had long vanished, and through the empty gateway one could see only collapsed roofs and broken structures.
Zhang Fei glanced outside the county at farmland where weeds already grew waist-high, then seemed to consider something before giving an order.
"Search the county. If it's safe, we camp here tonight."
There were no living people inside. Very few houses still had roofs, yet even crumbling walls provided soldiers with a sense of security when night fell.
"Do not tear down the remaining structures," Zhang Fei added. "In a few years, the owners might return."
His guards laughed and acknowledged the order. No one ever bargained with their commander anyway.
"I'll find the general a clean room," You Chu offered eagerly.
Zhang Fei shook his head.
"Derong stays inside the county to steady the troops. Zhongyun, you stay with me tonight. We guard the gate."
Zhang Ji clasped his hands in agreement and left without questions.
Zhang Fei then gave You Chu a few quiet instructions. The young man's eyebrows shot up as he listened, but he nodded in the end.
After a full day's march, once the evening meal was done, the camp's noise lasted only a short while before silence settled.
A thin crescent moon rose.
Its dim light washed over the snoring camp in pale silver. It also illuminated a small dirt mound near the city gate where leftover scraps of food had been placed. On top of it sat half a roasted chicken, ridiculously conspicuous in the quiet night.
A dark figure crept forward and grabbed it.
He had not even taken a bite when a gentle, smiling voice sounded beside his ear:
"Cao's army is defeated. Why not go home?"