Chapter Twenty-Eight: Taking Yangping

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Under the relentless harassment of Wudang’s flying troops, Zhong Hui’s army advanced at a snail’s pace. They covered barely twenty miles each day; the soldiers were utterly exhausted, their morale plummeting to the lowest depths.

“Report—!” A scout dashed forward, dropping to his knees before Zhong Hui’s horse, loudly reporting, “General, the main force of the Shu army has been spotted thirty miles behind. Jiang Wei is personally leading the pursuit!”

At these words, Zhong Hui’s face instantly turned pale. His hand gripping the reins trembled slightly as he gritted his teeth, “That old scoundrel Jiang Wei—he’s intent on annihilation!”

Wei Guan quickly rode forward, speaking softly, “General, our provisions are running dangerously low. If this delay continues, I fear…”

“Send orders at once! Abandon all baggage and march light and fast! We must reach Jiameng Pass by noon tomorrow!” Zhong Hui’s eyes flashed with ruthless determination as he suddenly drew his sword.

He was now in a desperate hurry. Once, entering Bashu had been a triumphant advance; now, it was nothing but a humiliating retreat.

“General!” Du Yu hurriedly protested, “If we abandon our supplies, we’ll have no fallback! Besides, if Yangping Pass truly falls to the Shu army…”

“Silence!” Zhong Hui sharply cut him off, snorting coldly, “Do you have a better plan? Once we reach Hanzhong, we’ll proceed eastward along the Han River and return to Xicheng, then on to Chang’an.”

Du Yu fell silent, retreating gloomily.

Even if they managed to reach Hanzhong safely, returning to Xicheng would be far from easy. Out of a hundred thousand troops, only ten or twenty thousand might make it back alive.

Of course, it would be best if Hanzhong and Yangping Pass remained in Wei hands.

As night fell, the Wei army abandoned a great deal of their supplies and pressed forward lightly. But what they did not know was that Jiang Wei had long anticipated this move.

“Report—General, the Wei army has indeed discarded their baggage and is accelerating their retreat!” a scout hurriedly reported.

Stroking his beard with a smile, Jiang Wei said, “That brat Zhong Hui still cannot keep his composure. Order Liao Hua to proceed according to plan! We must not let Zhong Hui escape.”

Along the Wudu mountain path, five thousand elite Shu soldiers moved silently. Clad in Wei armor and flying Wei banners, they appeared indistinguishable from an ordinary Wei detachment. At the front stood Liu Chen, armored in Wei general’s plate and sword at his side, his gaze piercing the winding mountain road ahead.

“Your Highness, ten more miles ahead lies Yangping Pass,” whispered Deputy Commander Zhuge Chong. “Scouts report the pass is heavily guarded.”

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Liu Chen nodded slightly, fingers absentmindedly tracing the sword’s hilt. Yangping Pass, the ancient stronghold guarding the throat of Hanzhong—if taken, it would effectively seal off Zhong Hui’s retreat.

He glanced back at the few supply wagons covered with oilcloth, which concealed the Zhuge crossbows. This was the first deadly weapon left by Zhuge Liang to the Yan Han. Unfortunately, it was complicated to manufacture.

“Order the troops to tidy their appearance thoroughly—no flaws allowed,” Liu Chen commanded gravely. “Chang Mao, today’s success in capturing Yangping Pass depends on you.”

Zhuge Chong nodded quickly but his mind was elsewhere.

He knew Liu Chen had already sent men to Luoyang to retrieve his family. Although Zhuge Xu still resisted, the resistance was futile; the Zhuge clan’s eventual submission to Yan Han was inevitable.

For his family to establish themselves firmly within Yan Han, Zhuge Chong knew they must rely on Liu Chen. Merely earning merits was insufficient; the best strategy was to bind themselves closely together.

This brought to mind his daughter, Zhuge Wan, a great beauty who might catch Liu Chen’s attention.

Though Liu Chen was currently only the King of Beidi, Zhuge Chong believed his future prospects were limitless. Befriending him now would bring great benefits to the Zhuge clan.

As dusk deepened, the “Wei army” finally reached the foot of Yangping Pass. The battlements blazed with torchlight; the defenders had long noticed their arrival. Shadowy figures of archers and crossbowmen were visible behind the arrow slits, their gleaming bolts aimed down at the pass.

“Who goes there?” a voice barked from the gate.

Zhuge Chong took a deep breath, urged his horse forward a few steps, and answered loudly, “I am Zhuge Chong. Open the gates at once.”

After a moment of silence, an armored commander emerged from the firelight. His rough features and thick eyebrows framed vigilant eyes.

It was the defending general, Xu Zhi.

“Do you have the command of the governor?” Xu Zhi asked sternly.

Prepared for this, Zhuge Chong produced a bamboo scroll from his chest. Soldiers hoisted it up in a basket to the gate. With Zhuge Xu captured and his seals in Liu Chen’s possession, they had forged the order by imitating the official’s handwriting.

Xu Zhi examined the document carefully, frowning. The seals were genuine, but the sudden arrival of this force was suspicious. He scanned the troops below and saw their neat formation and bright armor—they truly were elite Wei soldiers.

Moreover, their leader was indeed the governor’s son, Zhuge Chong.

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“Open the gates,” Xu Zhi finally commanded.

The heavy gates creaked open slowly. Liu Chen exhaled quietly but remained vigilant. He glanced back at Zhuge Chong, who understood and slipped silently into the middle of the formation.

Leading the Shu troops disguised as Wei soldiers, Liu Chen entered Yangping Pass. The sound of horses’ hooves echoed through the narrow gate passage. His eyes swept keenly over the defenses, memorizing every arrow tower and hidden ambush.

Xu Zhi personally came down to greet them but froze upon seeing Liu Chen’s face. He couldn’t help but ask Zhuge Chong, “Young General, this officer carries an extraordinary presence. Have you seen him before?”

“I am Liu Chen of the Great Han,” Liu Chen replied with a smile.

With a flash of his sword, Liu Chen struck swiftly. A line of blood appeared across Xu Zhi’s neck. The Wei general’s eyes widened in shock as he clutched his bleeding throat and slowly collapsed to his knees.

“Kill!” Liu Chen commanded.

In an instant, the five thousand Shu soldiers tore off their disguises. The Zhuge crossbows hidden in the supply wagons were quickly assembled, and bolts flew like locusts, striking the panicked Wei soldiers. Screams erupted along the battlements as many were felled before they could react.

“Seize the gates! Secure the arrow towers!” Liu Chen led the charge, sword flashing with deadly precision, each stroke sending blood spraying. The Shu soldiers’ morale surged like a tide, flooding toward strategic points.

Zhuge Chong led a squad of elites to the gate towers, determined to keep control firmly in their hands. They encountered dozens of Wei troops blocking their way. Zhuge Chong roared, “Your commander is dead! Why not surrender now?”

Upon seeing Xu Zhi slain, countless Wei soldiers outside the gate surged in, realizing their defeat was certain. They swiftly laid down arms and surrendered.

Within half an hour, Shu forces controlled all key points of Yangping Pass.

Liu Chen ascended the battlements, gazing at the Han banners fluttering within. He breathed a long sigh of relief. Turning to his bodyguards, he ordered, “Send word immediately to Jiang Wei—Yangping Pass is ours. Tighten the encirclement.”

At that moment, Deng Zhong came rushing with news: “Your Highness, a large store of grain has been found in the pass’s granary—enough to supply one hundred thousand troops for half a month!”