[Lightscreen]
[Cao Cao would never sit back and allow Liu Bei to take Hanzhong.
After all, back in the day, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, had risen by relying on Bashu and Hanzhong, using that land as a base to gain breathing room before ultimately seizing the empire.
Among the people of Han, Hanzhong was the very definition of a "land of imperial rise."
So even if it was just for appearances alone, Cao Cao had to hold Hanzhong firmly in his grasp.
In fact, almost at the very moment Xiahou Yuan fell, Cao Cao's army set out from Chang'an, advancing through Baoxie Road into Hanzhong and heading straight for Liu Bei.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Liu Bei immediately withdrew and climbed back up Mount Dingjun.
Cao Cao pursued relentlessly, also setting up camp at the foot of Mount Dingjun, clearly intending to pin Liu Bei, this unkillable cockroach, to death right here.
Liu Bei, however, was equally determined to secure Hanzhong. If he missed this opportunity, who knew how long he would have to wait for another?]
"Cockroach?" Jian Yong tilted his head, instantly locking onto the unfamiliar term.
Liu Bei did not hesitate for even a moment. "A divine creature."
"…Ah?"
"It is said to be impossible to kill," Liu Bei continued solemnly. "Clearly, the younger generation is using it as a metaphor to praise my perseverance."
Zhang Fei stared at him for a long moment.
Then he nodded with great seriousness. "Makes sense. If Big Brother is the cockroach, then Cao Cao must be the one chasing you with a sandal."
Silence fell across the room.
Mi Zhu slowly turned his head away, pretending he had heard nothing.
Zhang Fei, meanwhile, was still dissatisfied. "If Big Brother can pin Cao Cao down there instead, that would be even better!"
Being stuck in Wudu, unable to join the main battlefield and forced to watch everything unfold from afar, was simply unbearable.
"The garrison at Yangping Pass will move," Guan Yu said calmly, already analyzing from Cao Cao's perspective.
"Big Brother brought Zilong and General Hansheng, but crossing Micang Mountain means their numbers must be limited. Cao Cao advances through Baoxie Road and can rely on the Han River for supplies. His army must be vast."
He continued without pause.
"With superior numbers striking a smaller force, the defenders at Yangping Pass will deploy everything to crush Gao Xiang and sever Big Brother's retreat."
"Mount Dingjun will then be surrounded and slowly besieged. Once supplies run out, Big Brother will be in grave danger."
Liu Bei felt his heart tighten.
He trusted Guan Yu's judgment completely.
Which was precisely why it was so terrifying.
"…Surely Cao Cao is not that ruthless, right?" he muttered.
No one answered him.
[Lightscreen]
[The first thing Liu Bei did upon climbing Mount Dingjun was send repeated calls for help: Kongming, save me!
Cao Cao's army sealed off the mountain passes and then ordered Xu Huang to exit Yangping Pass and attack Gao Xiang, achieving a decisive victory.
Gao Xiang's forces retreated, with Xu Huang pursuing closely behind. They withdrew to a narrow section of Jinniu Road, stabilized their formation, and managed to repel Xu Huang.]
"Well done!" Liu Bei exclaimed, genuinely relieved.
Even knowing the outcome, watching it unfold still made his heart pound.
If Gao Xiang had collapsed completely, his retreat route and supply line would both have been cut. Even victory afterward would have come at a devastating cost.
The generals studied the terrain of Ba Commandery in silence. Under such steep mountains, nearly every road in Shu was a natural choke point.
[Lightscreen]
[Cao Cao did not dwell on Xu Huang's failure. He simply waved his hand. Attack.
The assault on Mount Dingjun followed the most stable approach. Infantry advanced in formation at the front, while volleys of arrows provided cover from behind.
Liu Bei, recognizing the life-or-death stakes, personally took the front line, urging his troops to fight to the death without retreat.]
"Big Brother is truly valiant!" Zhang Fei praised loudly.
This was the Liu Bei he knew, a man who had fought through countless battles.
Of course, certain thoughts remained firmly inside his head.
Guan Yu, however, frowned slightly. "Big Brother, a commander must not personally face arrows and stones. If you are injured, morale will collapse."
Liu Bei waved his hand helplessly. "You are telling me this, but that is future me. Do you expect me to shout at him across time?"
"…Fair."
[Lightscreen]
[No one dared to dissuade Liu Bei as he led from the front. Seeing this, Fa Zheng suddenly rushed forward and stood directly ahead of him.
Liu Bei shouted, "Xiaozhi, avoid the arrows!"
Fa Zheng replied, "If my lord himself faces arrows and stones, how can I, a mere subordinate, shrink back?"
Liu Bei immediately said, "Then we will both withdraw to the rear!"]
"…This…"
Zhang Fei reacted instantly. "Big Brother truly cares for Fa Xiaozhi!"
The others followed with alarming speed.
"The lord is concerned for the safety of his strategists!"
"If the lord had remained at the front, Cao Cao might already have been slain!"
"General Hansheng beheaded Xiahou Yuan, and the lord beheading Cao Cao would have been a legendary tale. What a pity!"
"Enough!" Liu Bei raised a hand. "All of you, be normal for once."
[Lightscreen]
[Of course, we know this was Fa Zheng's method of offering counsel, but it is still quite amusing to read.
Liu Bei's army fought fiercely, forcing Cao Cao's troops to withdraw to the foot of the mountain. They then changed tactics and refused to come out, intending to starve Liu Bei's forces on Mount Dingjun.
Naturally, Liu Bei grew anxious. He sent his eldest son Liu Feng to the front of Cao Cao's camp every day to hurl insults and provoke battle.
The insults were apparently extremely harsh, as Cao Cao himself became enraged and shouted back:
"You sandal-selling brat, how dare you send an adopted son to stand against your own father! Call my Yellow-Bearded boy and have him deal with you!"
Unfortunately, Liu Feng's insults must have been too vulgar, because the historical records did not preserve them, which only makes people more curious.]
Everyone present could understand the classical phrasing without issue.
Liu Bei, however, looked slightly puzzled. "Who is this 'Yellow-Bearded boy'?"
"Cao Zhang," Jian Yong answered without hesitation. "I have heard of him. Skilled in archery, strong enough to wrestle tigers barehanded. It is said his beard has a yellow tint, which people consider an unusual sign."
"An unusual sign?" Zhang Fei blinked. "A sign of dying early?"
He began counting on his fingers.
"Cao Pi took the throne and died after six years. Cao Zhi fought his brother for power and lost, so that line about 'born of the same root' probably did not end well."
"That prodigy Cao Chong died last year. Cao Ang has been gone so long that the trees on his grave must be taller than a man by now."
He paused, then added seriously, "Now this Cao Zhang… how long do you think he will last?"
Jian Yong and Mi Zhu exchanged a glance.
"Seizing the throne?"
"Competing for succession?"
Zhang Fei waved his hand dismissively. "Just minor matters of the Three Kingdoms era."
That only made them more confused.
"But I did not expect my nephew to have such skill," Zhang Fei continued, suddenly excited. "To provoke Cao Cao to that extent, I really want to hear what he said!"
Guan Yu nodded in approval. "Such mastery of words would make an excellent vanguard."
This was not a joke.
In siege warfare, tactics mattered greatly. A man who could insult the enemy commander into losing composure and forcing a reckless sortie was worth more than ten ordinary soldiers.
If the enemy opened the gates in anger, that alone could decide the battle.
Liu Bei looked at them in silence.
Then slowly covered his face.
[Lightscreen]
[The standoff at Mount Dingjun continued.
Cao Cao's army had abundant supplies, feasting daily on roasted meat and fine food.
Liu Bei's troops, stuck on the mountain, could only chew on dry rations. This could not continue.
After careful consideration, Liu Bei decided to take the initiative.
Thus, the Hanzhong Campaign reached its final decisive battle, the Battle of Hanshui.
Boss Cao, the Changban Slope special edition of Zhao Zilong's seven charges is ready. Are you prepared?]
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Zhang Fei's eyes lit up.
"Seven charges?"
He cracked his knuckles.
"Now this… this sounds like something worth watching."