Tiger Guards

Chapter 648 Heartbreaking
The large-scale rebellion of the Qiang and Di tribes in Longnan, which occurred fifty miles downstream, failed to persuade Han Shu to divide his troops. Han Shu insisted on having his entire army cross the river to join the battle.

Zhao Ang, who had already crossed the river to the north bank, dared not delay any longer. Once more than 5,000 men had crossed the river to the north bank, he immediately dispatched this army to attack Han Shu's rear supply train.

We must intercept and engage Han Shu's supply train before it enters Wangyuan City, and then overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers!

Even if the enemy is elite, they are still the rear guard protecting the supplies.

The mere fact that the enemy was guarding supplies was enough to ignite the bloodthirsty instincts of the Qiang and Di armies!

Upon hearing that they were to intercept the enemy's supply and logistics troops, the more than 5,000 Qiang and Di auxiliary troops who were the first to cross the river set off eagerly, without Zhao Ang needing to do any pre-battle mobilization.

Even the Qiang and Di troops waiting for supplies on the south bank began to get impatient.

The Di chieftain Yang Qianwan stopped his horse on the south bank. Perhaps because he was in a bad mood, his mount kept turning left and right on the spot, repeatedly pausing with small steps.

It's not just Yang Qianwan; everyone is anxious.

Such a good opportunity to seize the supply train should be seized by crossing the river overnight... although there is fog at night and a high probability of being ambushed.

But when it comes to seizing the enemy's large supply train, who can calmly think about those things?
Fighting is risky, but once you seize the supply train, you can happily lead your people home to reunite with their families.

Low risk, high reward, and the tribal prestige gained is even greater than fighting a hard battle!
No Qiang or Di chieftain could suppress his restless emotions at this moment.

More than 30 miles downstream from the crossing point on the south bank, Zhang Xiu's more than 5,000 troops, who had been hiding, also appeared on the road after the fog dissipated. They packed their belongings, organized their vehicles, and were preparing to trek.

However, the brothers Zhang Lu and Zhang Wei, who arrived overnight on orders, led more than 3,000 armed believers. They thought they had gained Zhao Ji's trust and had also obtained important information from Guanzhong.

Therefore, they gained a brief but significant informational advantage, which allowed the Zhang brothers, Lu and Wei, to march through the fog.

The entire army abandoned camp in the middle of the night, taking only their fighting equipment and turning back westward, thus making their march quick and easy.

As the fog dissipated, Zhang Wei led five hundred strong ghost soldiers close to Zhang Xiu's camp.

Zhang Xiu's army was in the process of preparing to set off, and the officers and soldiers at the front were busy with the dismantling of the camp, so they let Zhang Wei's five hundred men pass directly.

After all, the Zhang brothers, Zhang Lu and Zhang Wei, were more like military supervisors that Liu Zhang had placed in Hanzhong. Only they were qualified to supervise other armies, so how could it be Zhang Xiu's troops to supervise them?

It was this supervisory power, specially granted by Liu Zhang, that allowed Zhang Wei to move freely without hindrance.

Even so, he could only bring a few dozen people to see Zhang Xiu.

Basking in the cool morning sunlight after the fog had lifted, Zhang Xiu sized up the murderous-looking Zhang Wei: "Zhang Gongqi, have you made yourself clear?"

“When I came here, my elder brother had repeatedly instructed me, and I dared not forget it.”

Zhang Wei casually cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Xiu's side. Not far from Zhang Xiu, Yan Pu stood up with a wine cup in his hand and went behind the group to pour himself a drink.

Just then, Zhang Wei shouted, "Zhang Xiu has betrayed the court! He is in league with the traitor Zhao! By order of our lord, we have ordered Zhang Xiu to be captured and sent to Chengdu for questioning! The rest will be spared!"

As he shouted, Zhang Xiu himself was confused and annoyed, and argued in shock and anger: "This must be a trick by the Zhao family of Tianshui, we can't believe it!"

Zhang Xiu tried his best to explain, but some of his trusted followers were preparing to resist violently. Seeing that Zhang Xiu still wanted to explain, they decided to wait and see.

The men Zhang Wei brought had long served as supervisors and enforcers, so they were quite self-righteous and swaggered towards Zhang Xiu, to the point that no one dared to stop them.

Yan Pu then squeezed in front of Zhang Xiu, opened his arms, and looked at Zhang Wei: "There must be some misunderstanding!"

"The lord's secret order is here, and we dare not delay."

Zhang Wei pulled out a roll of exquisite embroidered Shu brocade from his sleeve, unfolded it, folded it in half, and handed it to Yan Pu, holding one corner in each hand.

As more and more people gathered around, Yan Pu nodded slightly after his eyes met Zhang Xiu's. He then walked past the dozen or so strong law enforcement officers who were surrounding Zhang Xiu and came to Zhang Wei, saying, "Please forgive my rudeness."

"It's good that you understand, sir, so as to avoid unnecessary killing."

Zhang Wei generously handed over the Shu brocade scroll. Yan Pu initially thought it was a fake secret order hastily made by Zhang Lu to deceive the honest Zhang Xiu. However, as Yan Pu held the scroll open with both hands to read it, his eyes narrowed as he carefully examined the handwriting and the several red seals on it. He couldn't help but swallow hard.

it is true.

A chill ran down his spine, and he gritted his teeth inwardly.

Unexpectedly, Liu Zhang had given Zhang Lu this secret order before the troops were dispatched!
Seeing the change in Yan Pu's expression, Zhang Xiu's troops and confidants also gave up their thoughts of resistance. Their families were all in Hanzhong, and they had no courage to fight against Liu Zhang.

Yan Pu pondered for a moment, then said to Zhang Wei, "Zhang Gongqi is a kind and virtuous man, and I understand his predicament."

Zhang Wei could only manage a forced smile, then reached out and took the silk scroll from Yan Pu's hands before walking towards Zhang Xiu.

At this moment, Zhang Xiu also removed his turban and sword, accepting his fate of being arrested with equanimity. He calmly said to Zhang Wei, who approached him, "Zhao Ang harbors rebellious intentions, and his ambition is no less than that of Zhao Yuansi. I will personally defend my innocence to my lord. I hope you will tell Zhang Gongqi to be wary of Zhao Ang."

"it is good."

Zhang Wei agreed, took the silver seal of the Hanzhong Prefect from the enforcer with his right hand, which Zhang Xiu had seized from Su Gu, and held up the Shu brocade scroll with his left hand: "This is the lord's secret order, let's take a look."

"Alright."

Zhang Xiu was also somewhat unsure, but he still wiped his hands and took the Shu brocade letter. As expected, the letter contained Liu Zhang's anger and suspicion that Zhang Lu was colluding with Zhao Ji. He ordered Zhang Lu to take over military power and send him to Chengdu in shackles.

As long as he can still go to Chengdu, Zhang Xiu is confident that he can clear his name of this injustice.

After confirming the authenticity of the seal on the silk scroll, Zhang Xiu rolled it up and handed it back to Zhang Wei. He then turned to his subordinates and confidants and instructed them: "This is a divisive tactic employed by the Zhao family of Tianshui. We must not create any discord with Zhang Gongqi. We must do our utmost to assist him and work together with one heart and one mind in order to return to Hanzhong and reunite with our families."

The officials exchanged glances, and Yan Pu was the first to cup his hands in greeting: "Yes, sir."

Next came Zhang Xiu's trusted disciples, who were loyal only to Zhang Xiu.

Finally, there were the officials of Hanzhong Prefecture. When Zhang Xiu led his disciples and followers to attack and kill the former prefect Su Gu, he slaughtered many powerful figures in Hanzhong who supported Su Gu.

Therefore, the county officials had little loyalty to Zhang Xiu, this unorthodox county governor.

If Liu Yan hadn't stood behind Zhang Xiu, the people of Hanzhong would have overthrown Zhang Xiu long ago, regardless of the consequences.

However, Zhang Xiu has now received an imperial edict from the Xudu court and become a legitimate prefect... This has drawn much criticism from the powerful clans of Hanzhong, who naturally have little new goodwill towards Zhang Xiu now that he has become a legitimate prefect.

Seeing the lukewarm reaction from these county officials, Zhang Xiu didn't take it to heart. His foundation lay with his followers and Liu Zhang's trust.

As for these county officials, they were merely temporary workers.

Once more followers are developed in Hanzhong, reliable and trusted officials can be selected and cultivated from among them.

Since they were destined to be on different paths, Zhang Xiu remained completely unmoved by their emotional reactions.

Even so, some believers still discarded their shawls and armor, carried dry rations, and prepared to follow Zhang Xiu back to Chengdu on foot.

As competitors and peers, these people knew all too well the Zhang brothers' methods.

Unfortunately, when Zhang Lu was about to make his move, even though a thousand believers were escorting Zhang Xiu, there was only one fate awaiting them: to be killed!
Soon, Zhang Lu arrived at the military camp and saw Yan Pu, who was in a daze and looking dejected.

The two looked at each other in silence for a long time. Yan Pu couldn't help but ask, "How many secret orders did the lord give?"

"Two letters, just with different charges."

Zhang Lu was also in poor mental condition: "I was heartbroken, but I had no choice but to do this."

Seizing power was easy, and killing Zhang Xiu was not difficult either. But thinking of his mother and other family members held hostage in Chengdu, Zhang Lu could only keep a straight face.

He had to hold on; otherwise, he would be killed by Liu Zhang sooner or later.

(End of this chapter)