Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 100 Unwavering Ambition
"I am Zhang Yide of Yan, who dares to stop me?"

"I, Guan, am here! Anyone who blocks my way shall die!"

With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei leading the way, Liu Bei took the lead, with the large banner bearing the character "Liu" fluttering, guiding everyone forward.

The soldiers followed the direction of the banner, braving arrows and crossbow bolts, wading through ditches filled with human lives, and bravely stormed the earthen wall.

"The Han dynasty is in decline, and the people are suffering! Today, we gather for the greater good, fight for the people, march to restore the Han dynasty, and are willing to die for our own lives."

Gentlemen, you have followed me all the way, marching north to attack Cao Cao, resisting Yuan Shu in the south, losing Xuzhou, borrowing Yuzhou, wandering and suffering hardships and dangers, and countless times facing desperate situations but remaining steadfast in our determination.

I, Liu Bei, have not yet led you to restore the Han Dynasty and share wealth and glory. How can I die here today?
Fight to the death, my lords!

If we win, the entire army will be fully paid after we escape!
If we are defeated, I will join you all in upholding righteousness, even unto death, so that our names may be recorded in history!

So that the common people will no longer be displaced, and so that the Han dynasty will return to peace!
Which of you men is not willing to die for me? Follow me and kill the traitor!
kill! "

Guan Yu/Zhang Fei: "For our sworn brother, kill!"

Soldiers and officers: "For full pay, kill!!!"

The elite troops of Danyang were not fully paid; if they were fully paid, they would be invincible.

The Danyang soldiers who accepted bribes and those who didn't were completely different in terms of fighting ability.

Since their former boss Tao Qian died, they followed Liu Bei, that poor wretch, and were constantly on the move. How long has it been since they tasted a full salary?

If it weren't for Lord Xuande's genuine benevolence and his sincere treatment of them as if they were his own brothers, and the soldiers' gratitude for his kindness, they would probably have abandoned him long ago.

At this moment, trapped in a desperate situation, yet spurred on by the full pay, this elite force, one of the best in the world, finally displayed the brilliance that Tao Qian once relied on to dominate the world.

The three armies fought to the death, mustering their last bit of courage, and broke through the fourth layer of Yuan's army's fortifications.

When Liu Bei broke out of the fourth layer of the camp with a mix of despair, anticipation, and trepidation, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking at the ordinary scenery outside Changping City, it felt as if I had seen the light of day again.

Fortunately, Yuan Jun's camp only had four layers; otherwise, Liu Bei really didn't know what else he could have used to boost the morale of his army and charge towards the fifth layer of the camp despite the casualties.

Actually, the fact that he had four layers was due to bad luck in his choice; in fact, some directions only had three layers of fortifications.

The reason is simple: Liu Bei's breakout reaction was too quick. Who would have thought that, with ample supplies and a fortified city, he would not hold out for reinforcements but would instead fight to the death with his entire army to escape?

Yuan Shu's siege of the city, with its deep trenches and fortified camps, was so large that it couldn't be kept secret.

In such a short time, with the support of local powerful families in Chen, they caught Liu Bei off guard and were able to build three or four layers of fortifications, which was already the limit.

If it were Yuan Shao trapped in the city, given some time to hesitate and struggle, the layers of fortifications built outside the city would surely trap him in despair and cause him to die.

But Liu Bei was far too decisive in his escape.

Abandoning the supplies and provisions stockpiled in the city, and abandoning the soldiers on the other three sides who were drawing the attention of Yuan's army, he faced four layers of fortifications without hesitation and retreated back into the city, desperately trying to escape.

Although Yuan Shu had 100,000 troops, he could divide his forces to defend a small area around Changping City. However, Liu Bei's entire army launched a full-scale attack on this single point of defense, and Yuan Shu has already done his best to hold out until now.

Before Liu Bei, who had narrowly escaped death, could think any further, he took a breath of fresh air, and the gloom that had filled his heart seemed to dissipate.

Then they heard the thunderous sound of galloping hooves not far away, and even further away, it seemed as if a vast sea of ​​soldiers was pursuing them.

"This is bad! The other three armies must have been discovered, and Yuan Shu has sent a large army to pursue them."

Zhang Fei spurred his horse to lead his troops to intercept them, shouting, "Brother, leave quickly! I'll cover your retreat!"

"The three brothers are bound by a bond of life and death, a pact made in the Peach Garden. How can we break this oath so easily?"

Having just escaped with a chance of survival, Liu Bei was about to face death again. Tears streamed down his face as he grabbed Zhang Fei.

"Then let's unite as brothers, protect our elder brother, and fight our way out as we always have."

Guan Yu, sword drawn, stood ready to lead the charge and break through enemy lines for his sworn brother. Just then, a man approached slowly, his scholar's robes fluttering as he recited aloud.

“There was a man who studied the classics and history from a young age, harbored the ambition to bring peace to the country, and was determined to assist a wise ruler and save the people from their suffering.”

He had visited many wise men and women, but had also been unable to serve his country and had repeatedly encountered setbacks, as his time had not come.

Despite his limited talent and learning, Xuande treated him as a national hero and appointed him as his chief strategist.

Fang felt he had met a wise ruler, and from then on followed him everywhere, traveling to all corners of the world for him.

Even if the road ahead is fraught with thorns, he believes that the mighty Yangtze River, flowing eastward, will eventually reach the sea.

Sun Qian approached Liu Bei's side, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "My lord, how can the ambition of a great man be thwarted by ambition?"

"gentlemen?"

Seeing that the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all looking at him with puzzlement, Sun Qian sighed.

"General Guan, I know you are always arrogant and always look down on the strategies I offer."

General Zhang, I know that in your eyes, I, Sun Qian, am not very capable and not someone worth paying attention to.

Yes, you see right. Even I often feel that a mere scholar with a meager life deserves such respect from Lord Xuande, who treats him like a strategist.

The more I acted in this way, the more respect and importance I received from Lord Xuande, which made me feel all the more aware of my own shallow wisdom and insufficient talent, making it difficult to repay your great kindness. This caused me deep unease.

"Sir, you have provided much assistance; why are you saying this?"

Liu Bei seemed to sense something, dismounted, and tightly grasped his hand, intending to help him up.

Sun Qian bowed deeply, his head slightly raised, looking directly at Liu Bei, his brows revealing an unprecedented air of confidence and arrogance.

"My lord, do not worry!"
Today, I, Qian, will let all the feudal lords of the world know that you too have a strategist.

Although I am not talented enough to possess the wisdom of Xi Zhicai, who single-handedly held off 100,000 Yuan Shao's troops for Cao Cao, nor the forbearance of Chen Gong, who orchestrated Lü Bu's clever seizure of Xuzhou, I do have a plan for escaping if you ask for one. I may offer it to you.”

Seeing the thunderous hooves of Yuan's army not far away, Sun Qian knew that this was not the time to hesitate or speak. Before Liu Bei could speak, he immediately offered his advice.

"The situation is dire; we have reached a dead end."

There are still fierce generals in Yuan's camp, such as Sun Ce, Xu Chu, and Ji Ling. My lord must not follow the past practice and rely on the bravery of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to escape by force.

According to Yi Qian, the remaining 30,000 soldiers under his command could be divided into 36 divisions.

Each side had about seven or eight hundred people, each led by twenty-eight cavalrymen, guarding three generals. They dispersed in all directions.

Our lord, along with Generals Guan and Zhang, should abandon their great banners, exchange them for the armor and robes of soldiers, and mingle among the thirty-six directions.

If that is the case, then although Yuan's army is numerous, it will be difficult to completely surround and intercept them. At that time, we will each accept our fate and agree to meet again in Fule County, and we will certainly not fail each other.

Liu Bei found this reasonable, but now was not the time to worry about saving face. He immediately followed the plan, abandoned his banner, changed into armor, and, taking advantage of the fact that Yuan's army had not yet arrived, scattered with his soldiers and officers in thirty-six directions.

Before leaving, Liu Bei was reluctant to part with Sun Qian and held his hand tightly.

"Sir, see you later."

Sun Qian nodded, "I will definitely not let you down."

After all the generals fled in different directions, his soldiers urged Sun Qian to leave quickly.

He glanced one last time at the departing figures of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, then turned around, picked up the large banner with the character "Liu" on it, and put on the armor that Liu Bei had discarded.

On this day, the banner bearing the character "Liu" fluttered in the wind, standing tall and unyielding!
Your Excellency possesses the ambition of a great man; how can you allow yourself to fall from grace!

(End of this chapter)