Tiger Guards

Chapter 643 Repeated Leaks
It is located west of Jicheng and south of the Wei River.

The Jiang family's manor, belonging to Jiang Jiong's branch, was built here. In terms of the overall structure of the manor, it served as a defensive stronghold on the west side of Jicheng.

However, after it was built, it became a fortified village and manor of the Jiang family.

On the city wall built of loess slabs, Jiang Jiong, dressed in hemp clothing with a mourning sash on his head and a sword hanging at his waist, led several close guards on a patrol.

From afar, they could see fast horses approaching from the direction of Jicheng in the east. Shangguan Guang also led a few close followers on horseback westward, and they were about to reach the fortified village occupied by the Jiang family.

This fortified village was built to defend against the Liangzhou rebels, and it was located near the Jiang family manor. After the prefecture, county and city governments gathered manpower to build it, the defense of this fortified village gradually passed to the Jiang family.

What horrified Shangguan Guang was that the Jiang clan's fortified village had erected various white flags and banners. This was not simply for Zhang Chang's funeral. It meant that Jiang Jiong had lobbied and persuaded his clan and fellow villagers to rise up in rebellion for revenge!

He slowed down and heard a powerful horse galloping behind him. He turned around to observe and took the initiative to steer his horse to the side of the road to avoid it.

The knight, with a white turban on his head, galloped into the fortified village without stopping.

Shangguan Guang's younger brother spoke up: "Brother, what military situation is so urgent?"

"It's possible that reinforcements from the Zhao family have arrived."

Shangguan Guang made a judgment to stabilize the hearts of those around him; naturally, he couldn't just run away with his wife.

However, some of his close relatives were rather inflexible, so he had to deceive them into leaving the city and coax them step by step. Once they entered the Jiang family's fortified village, they would have no say in the matter.

The white-turbaned knight stormed into Jiang's fortified village. Without immediately reporting the military situation, he followed Jiang Jiong into the hall and then, panting heavily, said, "Grand Tutor Zhao's reinforcements have advanced to Wangyuan and cut off the Wei River!"

Jiang Jiong felt slightly encouraged, but worried about the fate of his fellow villagers in Jicheng, so his face remained cheerful. He asked, "What else?"

"Wang Qi was tricked by Yin Feng with a false order, but escaped the ambush and joined up with the troops stationed outside Shanggui City. The troops inside Shanggui City were also unable to annihilate or capture the city's garrison. These troops joined up with Wang Qi, escorting siege equipment and boats, and are now all encamped at Wangyuanjin."

The white-turbaned knight looked unwell. He took a sip of water and continued, "There are also rumors in Shanggui City that Governor Liu of Yizhou has sent General Zhang Xiu with 7,000 ghost soldiers from the Five Pecks of Rice sect in Hanzhong out of Qishan Pass. Zhang Xiu has sent Military Commander Zhang Lu with 3,000 troops to attack Chencang!"

Due to prolonged drought and abnormal rainfall, the Wei River basin has shrunk, causing some changes in the topography on both banks affected by the Wei River's flooding.

For example, Chencang, located between Tianshui and Guanzhong, was originally a place where the Wei River was unpredictable and the banks were mostly marshy land. This marshy land, which changed with the seasons, was so difficult to navigate by vehicles and boats that it was completely unsuitable for the army to pass through.

Therefore, messengers between Tianshui and Guanzhong, small-scale refugees and bandits, and even large-scale bandits who did not rely on logistical vehicles could all pass through Chencang.

The more regular the army, the less likely it is to take the Chencang route, which is mostly bad terrain. It is better to take the Jieting route, which has well-established roads. This roundabout route over the Longshan Mountains is actually more suitable for the safe movement of the army.

Currently, Zhao Ji has not sent anyone to repair the roads in Chencang, and the main force of the army is still on the road to Jieting.

However, correspondence between Liangzhou and Guanzhong had to go through the more convenient Chencang.

Similarly, if Zhang Lu's army mainly focused on looting and destruction, then it would not need to rely on logistics vehicles and could easily traverse Chencang on foot, thus ignoring the garrison in Chencang.

If the garrison of Chencang wanted to intercept them, they would have no choice but to fight in the open field, thus losing the geographical advantage and defensive advantage of the fortified city.

Upon hearing that Liu Zhang had begun to send troops to intervene, Jiang Jiong said to those around him, "The roads to Shu are difficult. Even if Liu Jiyu sends all his troops, how many can he possibly send? There is no need to worry about this. We are dying for loyalty and righteousness, and it is a worthy death for us!"

"Yes!"

The people around agreed; there was no turning back now.

Almost simultaneously, news of Liu Zhang's military expedition reached Zhao Ji's army, and he had already set off from Jieting.

There's no need to set up camps or tents; all the army needs to do is eat their fill, feed their horses, and then set off.

Therefore, Zhao Ji's army marched extremely fast. If it weren't for the need to ensure that the army had the physical strength to deal with attacks, he could have marched even faster.

At this moment, Zhao Ji stood by the roadside, flipping through the urgent military reports submitted by Han Shu and Wang Qi, his expression becoming strange.

After reviewing Han Shu and Wang Qi's predictions and tactical plans, Zhao Ji couldn't help but shake his head: "They're still too conservative." Then, he tilted his head slightly, staring at Zhang Wei, who was kneeling before his horse: "Is your brother really going to rise up in the face of battle?"

Zhang Wei dared not raise his head: "How could it be false? Grand Tutor executed the two traitors Li and Guo, and also killed the traitor Cao who disrupted the country and harmed the people. When Yuan Shu rebelled and took the title, it was also Grand Tutor who first raised the righteous army to protect the country and fight against Yuan. We, the people who have wandered in the Western Regions, all believe that Grand Tutor is the pillar of the country. Now that we have been fortunate enough to escape Hanzhong, how dare we be enemies with Grand Tutor again?"

As he spoke, Zhang Wei kowtowed deeply, his tone sincere and his voice loud: "I earnestly hope to follow the Grand Tutor to eliminate the villains and bring peace to all the people of the world, so that we travelers can also return to our hometowns soon."

“Your brothers are from the State of Lu, which is close to my Langya.”

Zhao Ji then picked up the blood-written letter from Zhang Lu presented by Zhang Wei, glanced at it a few times, and continued, "My grandfather practiced Taoist arts for generations, so we can be considered old friends with your family. Therefore, bring me Zhang Xiu's head, and I will appoint your brother as the governor of Hanzhong and appoint him as General Zhaoyi."

"We brothers will never forget Grand Tutor Xie's kindness."

Zhang Wei did not get up, but performed the full kowtow again.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Ji said, "You should patiently assist your brother. Once Yuzhou is stable, you will surely have a place among the recommended filial, incorruptible, loyal, and virtuous men."

"Thank you, Grand Tutor!"

Zhang Wei's voice was even louder this time; he was just gambling with his life, hoping to give it a try.

Anyway, the brothers were no longer willing to endure it. If they didn't take action, Zhang Xiu would use them as pawns to kill them, not only the brothers but also the followers and fellow villagers they had recruited.

Between Zhao Ji and Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu decided to turn back and launch a surprise attack on Zhang Xiu.

Zhao Ji then looked at Zhuge Jin beside him: "Select ten fine horses from my stables and send them to Zhang Yishi. Also, select three hundred good horses from the army to serve General Zhaoyi."

"Here."

Zhuge Jin agreed and immediately instructed his subordinates to carry it out, then asked, "Grand Tutor, how should we reply to General Han?"

"Tell him not to be distracted by Zhang Xiu and to proceed according to plan."

After Zhao Ji finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Wei, who had stood up, and smiled: "I will not take any precautions between Shanggui and Chencang. I hope General Zhaoyi can act as a shield for me and keep the road to Chencang clear."

"Please rest assured, Grand Tutor, if my brother and I fail to kill the traitor Zhang Xiu, we are willing to bring our heads to you."

"No need for that, I will come to pick it up myself."

Zhao Ji smiled and waved his hand. His personal guards understood and stepped forward to Zhang Wei's side, extending their arms in invitation. They then led the embarrassed Zhang Wei away.

After Zhang Wei had gone some distance, Wen Hui asked, "Grand Tutor, are you really not taking any precautions?"

"I'll give them a chance to strike straight at the center of the army. Let's see if Zhang Lu dares to come."

Zhao Ji couldn't help but laugh: "A wise man like Zhang Lu is quite adept at self-preservation and avoiding disaster, so he probably won't come. I'm very curious, how did he determine that I would follow Han Shu?"

Wen Hui, Zhuge Jin, and the others felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this, all believing that someone had leaked the information from Guanzhong and Chencang, which led to Zhang Lu's sudden appearance at Qishankou and his interception.

It wasn't even Zhang Lu who intercepted it; rather, it was the dissident forces in Guanzhong who took the initiative and rushed over to leak the information to Zhang Lu.

Zhao Ji found this situation, where we were intertwined and interdependent, increasingly interesting.

Therefore, this battle of Liangzhou really cannot be delayed any longer.

If these underlings could leak secrets to Zhang Lu, they would certainly find a way to leak them to people like Lü Bu, Liu Bei, Liu Biao, Sun Ce, Yuan Shao, and Gongsun Zan.

After this battle, there are too many meritorious people to be rewarded... Zhao Ji decided to clean up the ranks of those who receive stipends within the organization. Otherwise, the continuous expansion of the stipend-receiving class would make it difficult for tenant farmers and slaves to breathe, becoming a new source of unrest.

(End of this chapter)