Chapter 40: The Man Behind Liu Bei Is Formidable! Zhang Xiu Was Stunned: My Son Was Saved by My Mortal Enemy?

It was not just Liu Biao.

The chess piece that Kuai Yue had just picked up fell back into the bowl. Cai Mao, who had been watching the match, felt a jolt run through his body and leaped to his feet in shock. The three men—the lord and his subordinates—stared at one another, their faces contorted with astonishment and disbelief, as if they had just heard a tale from the realm of fantasy.

Kuai Yue, in particular, looked the most stunned. Only moments ago, he had confidently predicted that Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu would fight to a stalemate, leaving both sides crippled. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Liu Bei had shattered Zhang Xiu’s forces? And not just a minor defeat, but a near-total annihilation? Kuai Yue felt as though he had been slapped across the face, caught completely off guard.

"Second brother, what did you say?"

"Liu Bei crushed Zhang Xiu and is now at the gates of Wancheng?"

"This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Cai Mao was the first to cry out, his voice trembling with agitation.

"It is the absolute truth. The military report is here; please, my lord, see for yourself!" Cai Zhong held out the silk scroll with both hands.

Recovering slightly from his shock, Liu Biao snatched the report and unfolded it impatiently. After reading a few lines, he drew a sharp breath, his eyes filled with profound wonder.

"To think he used such a strategy to so easily defeat eight thousand Xiliang troops? My own clansman possesses such brilliance—it is truly beyond my expectations." Liu Biao marveled, then passed the intelligence to Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

The two men leaned in to read it together, their eyes widening with every line.

"A few carts of grain, a handful of oxen and sheep, and he broke eight thousand elite troops?"

"This… can this even be called a strategy?" Cai Mao looked up, his eyes filled with incredulity.

Kuai Yue, however, knitted his brows and sighed with genuine admiration. "Degui, do not underestimate this ploy. Though the army of Zhang Ji is fierce and Zhang Xiu is valiant, their greatest weakness is the shortage of provisions. Liu Bei’s strategy struck exactly at their Achilles' heel."

"Though the plan seems unremarkable, the person who devised it saw the vulnerability of the Xiliang army as clearly as a fire in the darkness. Their insight and intellect are extraordinary!" After his praise, Kuai Yue’s tone shifted. "However, Liu Bei is but a warrior; he lacks such strategic depth. This must be the work of one of his advisors. Was it Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, or perhaps Sun Qian who suggested this?" Kuai Yue shook his head slightly, clearly unconvinced that it was any of those three.

At this moment, the shock on Liu Biao’s face was replaced by suspicion and conjecture. "Yidu, it seems we have both underestimated my clansman. If Liu Xuan-de could deal such a heavy blow to Yuan Shu and Lü Bu at Chengfu, and now crush Zhang Xiu, his military prowess is far greater than I imagined. He likely harbors other brilliant strategists in his ranks. We must dispatch more spies to investigate thoroughly!"

Kuai Yue nodded in firm agreement.

"Regardless of whether it is Liu Bei’s own prowess or the work of a hidden advisor, the fact remains that Zhang Xiu has suffered a crushing defeat and Liu Bei is at the gates of Wancheng." Cai Mao’s voice was stern, his eyes gleaming with cold, murderous intent. "My lord, we cannot sit idly by and allow Liu Bei to seize Wancheng. I suggest we immediately change our strategy and lead our army north to Wancheng!"

Liu Biao looked toward Kuai Yue. After a moment of deep thought, Kuai Yue sighed. "Since my 'borrowed knife' strategy has failed, we have no choice but to intervene with force."

Liu Biao steadied his nerves and immediately ordered his armies to prepare for a northward march.

***

Nearly thirty thousand Jingzhou troops stationed at Xinye were quickly mobilized for a hasty march north. By dusk, Liu Biao, clad in his armor, stood upon the gate tower of the north wall.

"My lord, the three armies are ready, awaiting only your command!" Cai Mao stepped forward to report.

Liu Biao took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand, about to give the order to depart, when a messenger came galloping into the city, rushing up to the tower.

"Report! Urgent news from Rangcheng!"

"My lord, General Wen has sent word. Liu Bei has suddenly dispatched his generals Xu Sheng and Liu Pi south. Two days ago, they drove out the forces of Zhang Ji and seized the cities of Nieyang and Yuyang! General Wen asks if he should deploy troops to reclaim them!"

Liu Biao’s raised hand froze in mid-air, his expression shifting from solemnity to utter astonishment. He had just crushed Zhang Xiu and reached Wancheng, and in the same breath, he had diverted forces to seize Nieyang and Yuyang? The speed of his maneuvers was divine.

What was Liu Bei trying to do? Did he intend to start a war with him directly?

"Liu Bei must be wary of your lordship marching north to contest Wancheng, so he divided his forces to seize the two cities first, preemptively blocking your path north!" Kuai Yue was the first to grasp the hidden intent.

Liu Biao realized the truth, and his eyes filled with deep suspicion once again. "To be able to predict my every move—this intellect is truly formidable. Who exactly is the person devising these plans for him?" Liu Biao felt a cold chill trace down his spine.

Just then, another soldier arrived to report that Liu Bei’s envoy, Sun Qian, had arrived at Xinye and requested an audience. Liu Biao started, casting a suspicious glance at Kuai Yue. Having just seized the two cities, he now sent an envoy—what game was Liu Bei playing?

"My lord, see Sun Qian first and see what Liu Bei’s true intentions are."

Liu Biao followed Kuai Yue’s advice, ordered the march suspended, and returned to the government hall. Half an hour later, he received Sun Qian for the second time. As a seasoned diplomat in Liu Bei’s service, Sun Qian beamed with joy, presenting the "good news" of Liu Bei’s victory over Zhang Xiu. Since the two sides were nominally allied to deal with Zhang Ji, Liu Bei’s victory was, in name, a victory for Liu Biao as well. Thus, the Governor of Jingzhou was forced to put on a mask of joy and play his part in the charade.

After some pleasantries, Sun Qian presented a personal letter from Liu Bei, stating that Liu Biao need not waste further money and grain to mobilize his forces, as Liu Bei’s current strength was sufficient to take Wancheng alone.

When the performance finally ended and Sun Qian was dismissed, Liu Biao clutched the letter, his brows locked in a heavy, dark frown.

"First, he divided his forces to seize Nieyang and Yuyang, blocking our path to Wancheng. Then, he sends an envoy to report the 'victory,' using the guise of saving me resources to justify keeping me from marching north, all so he can take Wancheng for himself." Kuai Yue, the greatest strategist in Jing-Xiang, had finally seen through the entire layout. "Liu Bei’s series of maneuvers are truly seamless. If your lordship insists on marching north, you would have to attack Liu Bei first, bearing the stigma of treachery. I must say, the person behind Liu Bei is truly a formidable character!"

Liu Biao’s face darkened further as he gripped the letter tighter.

"Regardless of who is providing these schemes, how can your lordship be led by the nose and sit by while Wancheng falls into the hands of a mere mat-weaver and sandal-seller?" Cai Mao rose in indignation, urging for war.

Liu Biao, however, his eyes shifting in uncertainty, began to pace the floor, caught in indecision.

***

Kuai Yue observed his lord’s expression, knowing full well that Liu Biao was concerned about his reputation. After all, Liu Bei was a clansman, and they had agreed to jointly defeat Zhang Ji. To sit idly by and reap the benefits was one thing, but now that Liu Bei had defeated the enemy on his own and declared he didn't need help, to tear up the agreement and attack him would be an act of blatant betrayal. Liu Biao was no Lü Bu; he was a renowned scholar of his time, and he cared deeply about the judgment of the world.

"Though Liu Bei broke Zhang Xiu, Wancheng is the seat of Nanyang, and its walls are strong," Kuai Yue said, playing to Liu Biao’s desires. "Even if Zhang Ji has lost many men, he must have at least three to five thousand left. I do not believe Liu Bei has the strength to take Wancheng quickly with only ten thousand men. My advice, my lord, is to go with the flow and remain stationary. Once Liu Bei has exhausted his troops and their spirit is spent, it will not be too late to make a decision."

It was the same advice—to remain still—but this time, it was to watch as Liu Bei besieged Zhang Ji. This played perfectly into Liu Biao’s hands. The clouds vanished from Liu Biao’s face as he nodded repeatedly.

"Am I the sort of man who would act with treachery? Unless absolutely necessary, why would I turn my weapons against a clansman? Yidu’s plan suits me well. We shall proceed as you say."

The matter was settled. The thirty thousand Jingzhou troops, already outside the camp, once again settled back into their quarters.

***

Wancheng, Zhang Xiu’s camp.

"Report, General. I have confirmed it repeatedly with the retreating soldiers," Hu Che’er said, his head bowed in a hopeless sigh. "The young general was severely wounded, fell from his horse, and could not retreat to Wancheng. He was captured by Liu Bei’s forces, and most likely..."

Hu Che’er did not finish, but Zhang Xiu understood. His beloved son was gravely wounded; even if he hadn't died, was there any hope of survival in Liu Bei’s hands? His son was as good as dead.

"Liu Bei... Liu Bei! If my son dies, I will settle this debt with you!" Zhang Xiu stood, his voice rising to a roar. "I, Zhang Xiu, swear that if I do not avenge—"

Before he could finish the word "vengeance," a personal guard burst into the tent, shouting excitedly: "Report to the General! The young general’s personal guard has returned, and he has brought a personal letter from the young general!"

At these words, the rage on Zhang Xiu’s face instantly transformed into astonishment. His son was alive?

"Quick! Bring him in!" Zhang Xiu leaped to his feet, waving his hand urgently.

A moment later, the guard entered, kneeling before Zhang Xiu in tears.

"Is Quan really alive? Where is he? Speak!" Zhang Xiu grabbed the guard, nearly roaring the question.

"Reporting to the General, the young general was severely wounded and captured. He was surely destined to die, but unexpectedly, the strategist Xiao Fang, under Liu Xuan-de, saved his life!"

Zhang Xiu stood frozen in shock.