Volume One, Chapter 15: Acting According to Plan — Li Guo Takes the Lead

The bronze candlesticks in the General’s Mansion cast the shadows of the three men onto a folding screen painted with a map of Xiliang. When Li Jue and Guo Si found Jia Xu and explained their intentions, Jia Xu laughed heartily. “Generals, Ma Han is withdrawing due to lack of provisions. We will advance to ambush them—this was the plan all along. Why ask again?”

Li Jue hesitated and said, “If they are retreating, why lead troops to attack? There seems to be no benefit in that.”

“Have you ever seen an injured wolf?” Jia Xu interrupted suddenly, his pale fingers tracing circles on the rim of his wine cup. “Turning back now to bite us is the most dangerous.” He flicked his finger, and wine splashed onto the map’s retreat route, spreading like a bloodstain.

He continued, “If we do not strike Ma Han’s forces while their supplies are exhausted and morale is low, failing to demonstrate our military might, then other lords like Zhang Lu and Liu Biao may come to attack and gain some reputation. What then, General?”

Guo Si exploded with rage, “They dare?”

Jia Xu smiled calmly. “If we do not wound them, then anyone dares.”

Guo Si, impatient as ever, demanded, “Then what is the strategist’s plan?”

Before Guo Si finished speaking, Jia Xu responded as if rehearsed: “Generals, take advantage of Ma Han’s withdrawal, advance swiftly and strike them by surprise. Meanwhile, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou’s seventy-thousand-strong army can encircle from both flanks. Victory is assured!”

Li Jue asked, “What about the city?”

Jia Xu nodded, “General’s nephew Li Xian and his troops will remain to control Chang’an, ensuring no leaks.”

“Good!” Both Li Jue and Guo Si agreed.

Guo Si drew his sword with a sharp “clang,” the blade sliding out three inches. “I’ll go chop those two old dogs up right now!”

Immediately, they rallied their troops and marched toward Ma Han’s retreat path.

Jia Xu watched them leave with a sinister smile.

As Li Jue and Guo Si exited the city gates, Duan Wei had been waiting for some time. He galloped alongside Guo Si. “General Guo, the battlefield is perilous. I will support you at your side.”

Guo Si trusted him without suspicion and nodded assent.

Together, they led their cavalry in pursuit of Ma Han’s allied forces.

Their mounted troops clashed fiercely, indeed routing Ma Han’s forces.

The grasslands by the Weishui River were trampled into a murky mire by countless hooves.

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Ma Chao’s white robe was stained crimson, droplets of blood flicked from his spear tip catching the sunset like rubies.

“Young General!” Pang De suddenly grabbed his reins. “Look to the flanks!”

On the horizon, Zhang Ji’s dark-armored infantry and Fan Chou’s iron cavalry slowly closed in like giant pincers.

More frighteningly, Li Jue’s cavalry had already formed a charge formation ahead.

“Father, retreat first!” Ma Chao’s silver spear traced an arc, cutting through three incoming crossbow bolts mid-air.

Assessing the battlefield, he abruptly turned his horse’s head and charged alone toward Li Jue’s position!

His lone charge shaped the fleeing allied army into a wedge formation following him involuntarily.

Seeing Ma Chao’s solitary advance, Song Guo swung his greatsword with a howl, the nine bronze rings on its spine jangling loudly.

Ma Chao suddenly sidestepped, his spear striking precisely at the seam of the third bronze ring—the finely forged blade shattered into two.

“Protect the Captain!” three bodyguards lunged simultaneously.

Ma Chao’s spear flicked like a poisonous snake’s tongue: the first strike pierced an iron shield, the second knocked off a helmet, and the third thrust and withdrew, leaving a gaping wound in Song Guo’s throat, blood gushing in a pillar.

Li Li beside him tried to help capture the nearly exhausted Ma Chao with Song Guo, but the white-robed youth was formidable. In just one exchange, he unhorsed Song Guo, who fell dead beyond revival.

Li Li’s heart froze; shouting for his men to fend off Ma Chao’s pursuit, he urgently turned his horse to flee.

Seeing Ma Chao’s valor, Li Jue grew fearful, quickly consolidating his troops to shield him.

The young war god pointed at Li Jue, his voice colder than the ice on the Weishui River: “Li Jue, dare pursue me another step, and I will kill you!”

With that, he reined his horse and left calmly.

Had Ma Chao not fought bravely, holding the line and threatening to capture the enemy commander first, the entire army might have been wiped out.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou’s nearly seventy thousand troops, split into two forces, only ambushed scattered soldiers on the flanks without committing fully.

The sunset bled red, dyeing the horizon a crimson hue.

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Li Jue and Guo Si, leading their victorious troops, returned to the gates of Chang’an only to find them firmly closed.

On the gate tower, Jia Xu’s white fur coat stood out like a ghost in the twilight.

“Mr. Wenhe! Open the gates at once!” Guo Si’s roar startled a flock of crows; the hoarse tail of his shout betrayed his exhaustion from continuous battles.

The answer was the sudden raising of the crimson-gold dragon banner.

Emperor Liu Xie appeared at the battlement, the jade beads on his twelve-tassel crown clinking clearly.

“Two esteemed ministers, you have labored greatly.”

Li Jue’s one eye suddenly widened—he noticed that Duan Wei and Yang Feng had quietly withdrawn three zhang away, their hands resting on sword hilts. This detail made his blood freeze instantly.

“Where is Li Xian?” he demanded sharply, his voice trembling without his own awareness.

The young emperor on the tower gave a smile as cold as snow: “General Li Xian? He misses his uncle dearly and looks forward to your company.”

Li Jue subconsciously asked, “To be with him?”

Liu Xie shouted, “Generals, why do you hesitate? Attack now!”

Before the words finished, Li Jue felt a chill at his neck.

His last consciousness was seeing his own headless body topple from his horse—Yang Feng’s blade was too swift; he never even felt pain.

Guo Si’s head flew off almost simultaneously, his face frozen in disbelief.

Beside their bodies, Yang Feng and Duan Wei’s swords still dripped blood.