Chapter Twenty-One: Zhong Hui Feels as if the Heavens Have Collapsed

Liu Chen stood atop the high platform of the Wudu Commandery Governor's residence, gazing at the rolling mountains stretching to the north. The autumn wind brought a chill, yet it could not quell the burning ambition in his heart.

"Your Majesty, the messengers are ready," Zhuge Chong approached briskly, holding three letters sealed with red wax.

The first letter was a victory dispatch: he had already reclaimed Wudu and was about to capture Yangping Pass. The overall situation was settled; even if Huang Hao, Qiao Zhou, and others leaked the news, it would be too late.

Moreover, the Chengdu court needed a victorious report—Shu Han as a whole craved triumph to boost the army’s morale and restore the people's faith in the Liu family.

The second letter was addressed to Jiang Wei, instructing him to hold off Zhong Hui and delay his troops; the third was for Zhong Hui himself.

"Make sure the victory dispatch is publicized far and wide, so all the people of Sichuan know of our achievements."

"Yes," Zhuge Chong promptly replied.

Liu Chen lightly traced the seal on the second letter with his fingertips and said, "The second letter instructs General Jiang Wei to hold Zhong Hui’s main force, buying time for me to seize Yangping Pass and even Nanzheng, but he must avoid ambushes."

"Understood!" Zhuge Chong responded solemnly, then hesitated, "Your Majesty, is it not too soon to send the letter to Zhong Hui?"

"He should know now. Only by unsettling his mind do we stand a chance," Liu Chen smiled faintly.

"Your Majesty is wise," Zhuge Chong said, now fully convinced.

"After two days of rest, we depart immediately, flying the banner of attacking Wei, entering Yongzhou, assaulting Yangping Pass, and sealing Zhong Hui within Sichuan," Liu Chen’s eyes gleamed with cold determination.

---

At Jian’ge, the Wei army’s main camp.

Zhong Hui stared at the letter in his hand, his face flushed crimson, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

“To General Zhong Hui, Commander of the Western Front:… Our forces have secured Yinping and Wudu commanderies, taken Yangping Pass, cutting off your retreat; Jiang Wei’s one hundred thousand troops hold Jian’ge behind you. You, isolated and deep in hostile territory, cannot advance to conquer Chengdu, nor retreat past Yangping. This is truly a perilous moment... Recall when Deng Ai secretly crossed Yinping, and you were trapped at Jian’ge, helpless. Now, Ai is a prisoner, do you intend to follow in his footsteps? I observe that the Sima family is suspicious by nature; even if you return with all your troops, how can you be sure you won’t become another Zhuge Dan? Why not emulate Wu Han’s example and join me in restoring the Han dynasty?...”

The letter slipped from Zhong Hui’s fingers; he no longer wished to read further.

The news hit him like thunder from clear skies: Deng Ai was defeated, Zhuge Xu defeated, Liu Chen had taken Yangping Pass, and his route of retreat was cut off.

“Who is this Liu Chen? Lies! Lies!” Zhong Hui cursed violently, abandoning any semblance of noble composure.

He slammed the table; the teacup shattered with a sharp crack. The generals in the tent fell silent, only his labored breathing echoing through the camp.

“General, please calm yourself,” Wei Guan bent down to pick up the letter, advising, “Liu Chen is merely Liu Shan’s son, unknown and unproven in command. How could he have defeated Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu in a single month? This letter is likely a ruse.”

Suddenly, Hu Lie stepped forward, clasping his fists, “Regardless, we must be cautious. If he truly holds Yangping Pass—” His words were cut short by Zhong Hui’s piercing glare.

“General Zhong Hui, you either fight to the death, perishing among Bashu’s mountains, or surrender to me and enjoy wealth and honor.”

Recalling the letter’s content, Zhong Hui’s refined face flushed deeply.

Suppressing his anger, he surveyed the generals, noting their varied expressions—many showed fear. His heart sank; morale was faltering.

“Everyone!” Zhong Hui suddenly drew his sword, its cold gleam flashing as he slashed the corner of the table. “This is Liu Chen’s trick to sow discord! Deng Shi Zai is a great general of our time; he would not fall so easily to a mere youth!”

Wei Guan quickly agreed, “General Zhong Hui is right. Our urgent task is to send scouts to verify the truth. We must not lose our composure.”

Hu Lie whispered again, “But if Yangping Pass is truly taken by Shu—”

“Silence!” Zhong Hui snapped, “General Hu, are you trying to shake the troops’ resolve?” His trembling hand gripped the sword tightly, though his mind raced: if Liu Chen’s claims were true, his isolated force was indeed trapped.

“Send scouts immediately to the bridgehead; confirm if it is held by Shu forces,” Zhong Hui commanded, regaining composure. “Also, send men to Hanzhong to gather intelligence.”

“General, transporting supplies through Hanzhong is difficult now. With Jiang Wei blocking Jian’ge, we can neither advance nor retreat. Perhaps we should temporarily fall back to Hanzhong and reconsider next year,” Wei Guan urged, “If not for your firm orders, we would have returned long ago.”

Zhong Hui had indeed contemplated retreat, but only Deng Ai’s false intelligence persuaded him to hold Jian’ge, facilitating Deng Ai’s move on Chengdu to destroy Shu Han.

“Yes, yes, the letter—damn Deng Ai.”

---

Suddenly Zhong Hui recalled the letter from Deng Ai, his handsome face twisted with anger.

In it, Deng Ai flattered him excessively, even offering to yield the glory of conquering the enemy’s state. Because of this, Zhong Hui had not ordered a retreat. Now, it all seemed false.

“Could it be that Deng Ai has already surrendered to Liu Chen? Otherwise, how could he write such a letter to confuse us?” Chief Clerk Du Yu spoke quietly.

A hush fell over the tent. Faces were filled with shock.

Had the Grand General of the Western Front defected?

If this news leaked, what would become of them?

In the past, Xiahou Ba had defected to Shu Han, but under duress, and his reputation in the army could not compare to Deng Ai’s. Though some looked down on Deng Ai’s background, none doubted his ability.

A man from humble origins, with no power or influence, who rose through campaigns to become Grand General of the Western Front and Grand Commandant—now even such a figure had surrendered to Shu Han. Was there any hope left for Wei?

Zhong Hui’s pupils contracted sharply. He spun around, staring intently at Du Yu. “What do you mean by that?”

Du Yu calmly cupped his hands, “General, think carefully. Deng Ai and you have never been on good terms; why suddenly so humble in his letter? Suspiciously, the letter says nothing about the battle at Yinping, but urges you to hold Jiang Wei at Jian’ge. I fear Deng Ai had already been defeated when that letter was written, and it was Liu Chen’s scheme to trap you at Jian’ge.”

The generals murmured loudly at this.

Hu Lie slammed the table, standing up, “If this is true, Liu Chen’s letter is genuine. He has taken Yangping Pass. Our rear is cut off—we are trapped like frogs in a well!”

“Silence!” Zhong Hui shouted, veins bulging on his forehead. He forced himself calm, tapping his sword handle unconsciously, shaking his head. “Even if Deng Ai is defeated, that boy Liu Chen may not have truly captured Yangping Pass. The commander there, Xu Zhi, is a fierce general of Wei. He would never surrender so easily.”

Xu Zhi was his subordinate, not one to heed Deng Ai’s orders, nor to defect to Shu Han.