Three Kingdoms: Conquer Wu from Maicheng with Cavalry and Swords, Don't Fall Behind

Guan Yu felt a pang of heartache, but his eyes remained arrogant and unparalleled. His eldest son was still too young, his thinking was too one-sided, and he had given him too little "education."

He clenched his fist, not minding giving his family a severe beating.

Zhou Cang was filled with righteous indignation, a strong impulse surging through his veins: "It was Fu Shiren and Mi Fang who betrayed us. Tanzhi, instead of pursuing the responsibility of these traitors, you are fixated on the minor faults of our lord. What exactly are you trying to achieve?"

Guan Ping's gaze was clear and upright as he asked in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Does General Zhou also acknowledge that my father made mistakes?"

Zhou Cang's face stiffened, and he shook his head in denial: "I never said that, I just got caught up in your trap! Tanzhi, I was saving you, how come you don't appreciate it at all?"

Guan Ping's gaze lingered on Zhou Cang for a moment, as if to acknowledge his gratitude. He didn't dodge the somber topic, but instead spoke with righteous indignation: "A minor mistake by a general, when placed in an army of tens of thousands, will become an irreparable disaster."

For a fleeting moment, Guan Yu fell into deep self-reflection. Had he truly done something wrong?

When it came to reading and understanding righteousness, Guan Yu believed he was second to none. He had also heard of the Confucian doctrine of the mean, which advocates impartiality, moderation, and handling affairs with a proper attitude, pursuing harmony between inner and outer aspects.

It is not a simple compromise, but rather a way to maintain balance amidst change and achieve the ideal state of "harmony and balance".

However, Guan Yu always disdained to pay attention to it.

Qi Ye chuckled and picked up the conversation, quickly typing: "Stupid."

Upon hearing this evaluation, Guan Ping retorted indignantly:

"Ping has never slacked off in his martial arts practice. Even when he competes with Han Dang and Jiang Qin, he is not inferior to them. His understanding of the classics is sufficient to make him a teacher! My father said that Ping is dull-witted and wishes to hear more about it."

The "Martial Saint" remained calm and composed: "You also want to bid for the top prize?" His tone was domineering, unparalleled, and overbearing.

A chilling sensation ran down Guan Ping's spine, shooting straight to the top of his head: "Your son wouldn't dare!"

Qi Ye initially thought he had triggered some hidden mission, but it turned out to be pure talk, and he immediately lost interest.

In ancient times, the four great military achievements were charging into battle, being the first to scale the walls, capturing the flag, and beheading the general. These were the fastest ways for low-ranking soldiers from humble backgrounds with no connections to advance in the ranks.

The vanguard is usually a soldier, and the conditions are the most difficult. The first to climb the city wall and survive is almost certain to die. If they survive, it is the most important of the four military merits, and they are directly promoted to a mid-level officer and rewarded with a hundred gold pieces. Some are even directly ennobled.

That's how Le Jin rose to prominence.

Both historically and in fictional accounts, Guan Yu is clearly recorded as having "slain generals." Without that domineering spirit, would he still be the legendary Guan Yu, a figure who has shaken the ages?

If they hesitated and were afraid to advance, how could they have possibly killed Yan Liang and Wen Chou in battle? If they had stood still and refused to move forward, would Han Dang and Jiang Qin have hanged their own heads at the gate?

Rebellious traitors, they won't die on their own, what kind of moderate nonsense is that?

Why waste your life on the moral low ground of a traitor? Lowering your standards and compromising your principles is not a matter of Guan Yu.

From the moment Guan Yu raised the great banner of the Han Dynasty, he was no longer a man, but became one with the banner, becoming the soul of the entire army. As long as the banner was there, the central army was there, and as long as the central army was there, the Han Dynasty would not be defeated.

As the standard-bearer, Guan Ping's most important task was to protect the banner from falling. Even if he didn't kill a single enemy, it would still be a great achievement. If the standard-bearer failed to protect the banner, even if the banner-protecting battalion brought back the enemy general's head with a ring-pommel sword, he would still face certain death.

Ultimately, the father and son had different personalities. Guan Ping was gentle and upright; Guan Yu was sharp-tempered and heroic. The idea that eating grass could restore health and compensate for weaknesses is wishful thinking on the part of the planner!

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Yi Ji cleared his throat and continued the conversation:

"After Fu Shiren surrendered, he followed Lü Meng to besiege Jiangling. When Mi Fang was persuaded to surrender by the rebels, he initially upheld righteousness, rebuked the messenger, and was prepared to die."

Everyone was slightly taken aback, the image of Mi Fang's humble posture flashing before their eyes, utterly unreal. The name Mi Fang could never be associated with "going to one's death."

Seeing the confusion and doubt among the people in the hall, Yi Ji subtly adjusted his mindset: "It wasn't until Fu Shiren came to the city and they faced each other that Mi Fang finally made up his mind to open the city gates."

Qi Ye casually put his hands behind his head, leaned back in his gaming chair, and settled into a more comfortable position to enjoy the show.

When I first watched "The Ravages of Time," I thought Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo were incredibly cunning and scheming, and that their strategic skills were already at their peak. But then Jia Xu appeared, and I realized they were just two chickens fighting each other.

Trying to win over an old fox is easier said than done. Only when all those who oppose him are completely eliminated can the situation be considered clean and efficient.

Yi Ji took a sip of tea, pursed his lips, and made a great decision:

"Fu Shiren spread rumors and misled the public, claiming that more than 20 years ago, Mi Fang was appointed by Cao Cao as the Chancellor of Pengcheng. More than 20 years have passed, and Mi Fang is still the Prefect of Nan Commandery."

"The Mi family scattered their wealth and followed their master from place to place. When Xuzhou was in danger, they offered their sister for marriage and provided their troops to support the army. Before and after the Battle of Red Cliffs, they provided servants with money and provisions, laying the foundation for the early establishment of the Han Dynasty."

In the end, I gained nothing!

"What is Shen Dan of Shangyong? He merely surrendered and moved his wife, children, and clan members to Chengdu. The King then appointed Shen Dan as General Who Conquers the North, enfeoffed him as Marquis of Yuanxiang, and allowed him to continue governing Shangyong. His younger brother, Shen Yi, was appointed as General Jianxin and Prefect of Xicheng."

"What exactly is the Mi family in the King's eyes?"

Wang Fu and Zhao Lei exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with shock, and their bodies tensed. This was nothing short of a scathing critique.

Guan Yu suppressed the anger surging in his chest, and the atmosphere around him became solemn: "I accept Fu Shiren and Mi Fang's grievances against me. But they dare to drag my brother, the King of Hanzhong, into this; they truly don't know their own mortality!"

These two thieves deserve to be killed to vent our anger.

Standing at the perspective of the long river of history, Qi Ye came to a subtle conclusion: merchant families were truly unreliable. Relying on scheming rather than ability to reach the middle management of a group ultimately fell short.

Shen Dan's promotion to a marquisate was clearly a publicity stunt by anyone with eyes to see, an attempt to win over the northerners. Yet some people took it seriously, believing that changing jobs was the only way to get promoted.

Do they really think of conquering an empire as just a job?

The Mi family diligently cultivated their reputation, ensuring that regardless of who ultimately won the throne, they would be able to join the ranks of the gentry and bring blessings to their descendants.

Being impatient for quick success and instant benefits may bring temporary status and position, but it is unlikely to last. Given that they were originally a merchant family, and now such a traitor has emerged, how could the aristocratic class possibly accept them?

They're all just playing cards. A loyal minister who doesn't kill his lord isn't a good minister, and a traitor who doesn't help his lord isn't a good rebel.

Yi Ji sensed the sinister change in everyone's gazes and felt utterly bewildered.

"Mi Fang was granted the title of General Zhaowu by the Wu ruler and given the nominal position of Governor of Jiangling. He was also granted a residence in Jianye, with fifty retainers to guard him. He was allowed to ride in a blue-canopied carriage, but his ceremonial regalia was reduced."

Zhao Lei retorted arrogantly, "But I wasn't granted a title of marquis either, was I?"

The crowd burst into laughter, their gloom vanishing. No one respected traitors, and Lord Wu was no exception; promotion and wealth depended on one's destiny.

Qi Ye didn't want to waste game time, so he glanced coldly at Guan Ping and typed, "Hand over the defense of Maicheng entirely to Guan Ping!"

Having said that, the Martial Saint left without another word.

Guan Ping's mind went blank, and a sudden, inexplicable fear gripped his heart. Were the lives of so many people in the city on his shoulders?

Wang Fu, Zhao Lei, Zhou Cang, and others accepted the appointment in silence without making any comment.

A flurry of footsteps approached, and the tall figure of the scout blocked the faint light from outside the hall.

"One hundred thousand Wu troops have arrived and erected palisades around the city!"

Death stared expressionlessly at Maicheng. For a fleeting moment, Guan Ping acutely realized that he was being "viewed like a child" by his father.

"Father, if you dare order me to defend the city, I dare to defend it!!"