My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

The Prince of Hanzhong's Palace.

Inside the hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of the four people.

There were only four people at this family dinner.

Zhang Lu, King of Hanzhong.

Yang Song, the head of the Yang family, was the top strategist in Han China.

Yan Pu was second only to Yang Song, the second most important strategist.

There was also Yang Ren, Zhang Lu's second-best general after Zhang Wei.

In this city of Nanzheng, there are only three people whom Zhang Lu can trust without reservation.

“Recently, the spring rains have been falling continuously, making the valley roads muddy and the grain transport route even more difficult. In my opinion, the Han army’s food supply must be unsustainable.”

Yang Song broke the silence first, reading out the intelligence in a long and detailed manner:

"Moreover, all the cities in Hanzhong have already fortified their defenses and cleared the fields, preventing the Han army from seizing even a single grain of rice on the spot. I predict that within a month at most, the Han army will run out of food and retreat, and the crisis in Nanzheng will be resolved on its own!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu's tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief. A huge weight had been lifted from his heart, and a long-lost sense of ease welled up inside him.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up:

"That Xiao He is indeed a brilliant strategist, cunning and resourceful. It's a pity that Hanzhong is not like other prefectures. Its terrain is treacherous, and the Shu Road is difficult to traverse. No matter how cunning and resourceful he is, he will find it difficult to use his skills."

At this point, Zhang Lu couldn't help but sneer.

Taking advantage of Zhang Lu's good mood, Yang Ren immediately expressed his determination:
"Your Majesty, I will risk my life to defend Nanzheng to the death. I will hold out until the Han army withdraws. Even if it means fighting to the last soldier, I will never retreat!"

Moved by Yang Ren's determination, Zhang Lu stood up, walked to Yang Ren's side, patted Yang Ren on the shoulder, and said:
"Zizhong, Zihu is gone. From now on, the great pillar of Han China will depend on you. I believe you can shoulder this heavy responsibility."

This statement clearly implies that Yang Ren will succeed the deceased Zhang Wei as the top military general of the Han Dynasty.

Yang Ren was greatly encouraged and expressed his determination once again.

at this time.

The guard stumbled and rushed into the hall, panting and shouting:

"Your Majesty! Ma Chao has led the Xiliang troops in a rebellion and launched a surprise attack on the East Gate!"

"He has opened the city gates and lowered the drawbridge, seemingly to let the Han troops outside the city into the city!"

Boom!

It was like a thunderbolt striking the hearts of the four people in the hall.

The four people, who had been chatting and laughing just moments before, suddenly turned pale with fright.

The wine glasses in the hands of the four people simultaneously slipped from their grasp and fell to the ground.

The next instant, Zhang Lu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He jolted violently, flung open the table, and jumped up, roaring hysterically:

"You're talking nonsense! How could Ma Chao possibly rebel? That's impossible—"

Clearly, Zhang Lu simply couldn't believe that Ma Chao would have the audacity to betray him.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true!"

The guard hurriedly knelt down, his voice trembling with tears, and said:
"Ma Chao summoned all his generals and announced that he would open the city gates and surrender to the Han army. He also killed all the generals, including Yang Bai. It was the survivors who brought back the news!"

Zhang Lu seemed to have all his strength drained away, and with a thud, he slumped back into his seat.

"Your Majesty, I have long advised you that Ma Chao is not from Hanzhong and his intentions are surely different!"

Yang Song realized what was happening and immediately began to complain angrily:
"That treacherous dog from Xiliang has indeed rebelled! If Your Majesty had listened to me earlier and lured Ma Chao to his death, things wouldn't have come to this!"

As the head of the Yang family, Yang Song feared that Ma Chao would threaten the Yang family's position in the army, so he often slandered Ma Chao to Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu was shocked, his fists clenched, and his face burned with endless regret and anger.

He suddenly raised his head, glared at Yan Pu, and roared:
"Yan Pu! If it weren't for your protection, how could I have given this disloyal and treacherous dog from Xiliang such an important position, and how could this disaster have occurred today?" "All this misfortune is your fault."

In a fit of rage, Zhang Lu, blinded by anger, shifted all the blame onto Yan Pu.

It was Yan Pu who, out of consideration for Ma Chao's unparalleled bravery, repeatedly advised Zhang Lu to prioritize the overall situation and make good use of Ma Chao.

Unexpectedly, Ma Chao chose to betray Han China at this critical moment of life and death, delivering a fatal blow to them.

Yan Pu was both shocked and ashamed, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, and he stammered:

"I truly didn't expect that Ma Chao would actually betray us. This, this, this..."

Yang Renyi leaped to his feet, his eyes wide with anger, and roared at Yan Pu:

"That's the truth, Yan Pu, what excuses do you have left!"

Yan Pu was thoroughly humiliated, trembling with fear and speechless, keeping his head down and avoiding eye contact with Yang Ren and Zhang Lu.

Yang Ren then turned to Zhang Lu and said with great emotion:
"Your Majesty, do not panic. Please give the order immediately so that I may lead my troops to the East Gate. I will personally cut off the head of that treacherous Xiliang dog and retake the city gate."

Zhang Lu saw a glimmer of hope. As if grasping at the last straw, he immediately ordered Yang Ren to lead the army to the North Gate to quell the rebellion.

Yan Pu was taken aback and couldn't help but urgently advise:
“Ma Chao’s martial arts are unparalleled, and the Xiliang soldiers he commands are our army’s elite. Even if we mobilize all the troops in the city, we may not be able to retake the East Gate in a short time.”

"If we drag this out until Xiao He and the Han army enter the city, everything will be over, Your Majesty!"

"The situation is hopeless. Nanzheng City cannot be defended. Let's abandon the city and retreat to Yangping Pass immediately."

Yan Pu knew that continuing to hold Nanzheng City at this point would be futile, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; only by retreating to Yangping Pass would they have a chance of survival.

Zhang Lu felt a chill run down his spine and hesitated again.

He was caught in a dilemma.

On the one hand, Nanzheng City was the capital of Han China and the foundation he had painstakingly built over many years. Giving it up would mean losing the entire Han China.

On the other hand, if they did not abandon Nanzheng City, they would likely be completely annihilated in the face of Ma Chao's rebellion and the large-scale attack by the Han army.

Yang Ren, however, was furious. His face flushed red as he shouted:

"Nanzheng City is the capital of our Han Dynasty. If this city is lost, where can we escape to?"

"If Nanzheng is lost, Han China is finished! Your Majesty, we must not abandon Nanzheng!"

Zhang Lu was suddenly jolted awake. He gritted his teeth, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit, and shouted sharply:

“You’re right. If Nanzheng falls, Han China is finished. Today, no matter what, we must defend Nanzheng, defend it—”

He drew his sword, shoved Yan Pu aside, and strode out of the hall.

More than 5,000 soldiers from Hanzhong, under Zhang Lu's call, organized themselves at top speed and rushed straight towards the East Gate.

...

At this moment, at the East Gate of Nanzheng.

The city gates were wide open, the Hanzhong flag had been lowered, and the Han character flag was raised above the city walls.

Countless Han soldiers surged in like a tidal wave.

Ma Chao, along with Ma Dai and a few others, stood solemnly in front of the city gate, waiting for Xiao He and Guan Yu to enter.

A moment.

Xiao He and Guan Yu, accompanied by Zhao Yun, slowly entered the East Gate.

The three Ma siblings were suddenly startled.

Ma Chao took a deep breath, dismounted, and stepped forward to bow.
"This humble general, Ma Chao, pays his respects to the Grand Marshal and the Great General!" (End of Chapter)