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

Xiao He gave Zhang Song a look, and Zhang Song understood, then revealed Xiao He's plan in its entirety.

The text details everything from how to use Meng Da's presence in the Han camp to mislead the enemy general, to how to arrange troop deployments and break through the defenses of Heisong Pass step by step.

As Meng Da listened, the doubt on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by shock and surprise.

After a long time.

Meng Da realized what he meant, and couldn't help but gasp. His expression was surging with excitement as he said:
"So the Grand Marshal had laid such a tight trap! Such ingenious schemes and calculations, with each step linked to the next, are truly astounding. I have now witnessed the Grand Marshal's cunning and scheming firsthand."

Meng Da clicked his tongue in admiration, deeply impressed by Xiao He's strategy.

Xiao He remained silent and smiled.

Wei Yan laughed heartily:

"Let's use the Grand Marshal's plan to flatten Black Pine Pass!"

Laughter erupted from inside the tent.

...

A few days later, Wu Yi rushed back to Chengdu.

He went straight to Liu Zhang and told him the truth he had discovered in detail.

Liu Zhang's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled down.

Previously, he had been deeply worried, fearing that Liu Bei harbored ambitions and had long plotted to seize the Shu Kingdom that he had painstakingly built.

However, after Wu Yi's investigation, he suddenly realized that all the disputes were caused by Yang Huai's unauthorized and arbitrary actions, which angered Wei Yan and triggered a series of subsequent conflicts.

In other words, Wei Yan's actions of attacking cities, killing generals, and waging large-scale battles were not at Liu Bei's behest.

As for Meng Da, he transformed himself in this incident into someone who, although closely related to Zhang Song, was utterly loyal to him.

When Wu Yi stated the conditions for this reconciliation, Liu Zhang agreed without the slightest hesitation.

In the current situation, this may be the wisest choice.

Therefore, Liu Zhang resolutely decided to offer 300,000 bushels of grain and a generous pension as a gesture of goodwill to revise the agreement previously reached with Liu Bei.

After receiving Liu Zhang's approval, Wu Yi did not dare to delay and immediately led the grain transport team back to Heisong Pass.

The fifth day arrived in the blink of an eye.

On the city wall of Heisong Pass, Gao Pei stood quietly, his gaze slowly sweeping over everything below. Below the city gate, convoys of grain carts were orderly making their way out of the pass, heading towards the Han camp.

Looking at the overflowing grain and fodder, Gao Pei couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, a hint of undisguised resentment in his eyes.

"No matter how wealthy the Shu Kingdom is, the King of Shu should not be so extravagant. These grains are the result of the hard work and dedication of the people of Shu."

At this moment, another general beside him sighed:

"Who can blame us when Liu Bei now controls eleven provinces and wields immense power, while our King of Shu only controls one province? Our strength is far inferior to his, so we can only endure this humiliation and exchange these provisions for temporary peace. It's worth it."

Upon hearing this, Gao Pei remained silent, only shaking his head and sighing helplessly once again.

Then, he sighed and slowly walked down from the city wall.

...

The grain carts slowly drove into the Han camp.

Inside the central command tent, Wu Yi bowed respectfully once again and stepped forward:

"Grand Marshal, General Wei, I have delivered the provisions on time as promised. I believe you both have witnessed the sincerity of my King of Shu. I wonder when the Great Han Celestial Master will withdraw his troops?"

After speaking, Wu Yi looked at Xiao He and Wei Yan, hoping to get a satisfactory answer.

To his surprise, Xiao He and Wei Yan suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was full of sarcasm, as if mocking Wu Yi's naivety and ignorance.

An ominous premonition, like a chill, instantly gripped Wu Yi's heart.

He had a vague feeling that things weren't going in the direction he had hoped for.

really.

Wei Yan waved his hand lightly and said casually:

"Wu Yi, we've accepted the supplies. You may leave now."

Wu Yi felt a sudden shock, as if he had been punched in the chest.

His eyes widened, and he asked with a face full of doubt:
"What does this mean? You've taken the supplies, but you're not withdrawing your troops? Are you trying to go back on your word and profit from it?"

"Grand Marshal, we clearly agreed that as long as you offer up the provisions, you will calm down and withdraw your troops. How can you go back on your word and break your promise?"

Wu Yi became more and more excited as she spoke.

Wei Yan, however, did not rush to answer his question. Instead, he turned his gaze to Meng Da, who was standing to the side, and slowly said:
"Meng Zidu, you were there that day. Did I agree to accept the supplies and then withdraw my troops?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi couldn't help but look at Meng Da.

When he saw the sarcastic smirk on Meng Da's face, his ominous premonition grew even stronger.

really.

Meng Da coldly sarcastically said, "General Wei only allowed the King of Shu to give up these grains to atone for Yang Huai's sins, but he never promised that he would withdraw his troops after accepting the grains."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi was immediately shocked, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head.

His eyes were filled with confusion and anger, and he couldn't help but shout at Meng Da:

"Meng Da, have you gone mad? How come you're now cooperating with Wei Yan?"

Meng Da remained calm and said indifferently:
"I'm just stating the facts. Which ear of yours heard General Wei make such a promise?"

Wu Yi was speechless. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

He then realized that he seemed to have fallen into a trap, and at this moment, he was powerless to fight back.

He then suddenly remembered that back in the central command tent, Meng Da had offered to offer grain and fodder to atone for Yang Huai's sins, all with a fawning expression.

At that time, Wei Yan merely nodded slightly, his eyes revealing an unfathomable meaning, but he never explicitly promised to withdraw his troops.

At the time, he thought it was just a sign that the two sides had reached a reconciliation and didn't think about it in depth.

At that moment, a chill ran up from the soles of Wu Yi's feet, and he couldn't help but shiver.

His gaze swept back and forth between Wei Yan, Xiao He, and Meng Da, his eyes filled with vigilance and doubt.

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he realized something.

A feeling of anger and humiliation at being deceived and manipulated surged into my heart instantly.

He was horrified to discover that he had fallen into Xiao He's trap.

From beginning to end, the other party was manipulating him and playing him like a puppet.

Meng Da, however, had already secretly sided with Liu Bei.

His every word and action that day was nothing more than a deception staged in cooperation with Xiao He and Wei Yan.

Only he, like a fool, was kept in the dark and allowed to be teased at will.

"Meng Da, how could you—"

Wu Yi was so angry that she trembled all over. She raised her hand with trembling hands, wanting to question Meng Da.

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a series of hurried footsteps.

Zhang Bao strode into the tent, his expression hurried. He reported, "Reporting to the Grand Marshal and General Wei, all the grain has been received, and the Shu soldiers guarding the grain have all been killed!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yi felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, his body swayed violently, and he almost lost his balance.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, and his eyes were filled with shock and anger.

What a ruthless and vicious plan!

They not only stole the grain, but they also killed all the Shu soldiers who were protecting the grain!

"Meng Da, you really are in cahoots with us!"

Wu Yi's eyes widened in fury, and he pointed at Meng Da and Zhang Song, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"The King of Shu has treated you well, giving you high positions and generous salaries, and regarding you as his confidants. Why have you become traitors and committed such a heinous act!"

Meng Da sneered, tearing off his usual hypocritical facade and revealing his true colors.

He said with a disdainful look:

"The world is in chaos, and heroes are vying for power. This is an era where the strong prey on the weak. If you don't advance, you fall behind! Liu Zhang, that mediocre ruler, is not ambitious and only thinks about being content with his small corner of the world. He has no ambition to contend for the world."

"I, Meng Da, am full of talent, how can I waste it on such an incompetent ruler and squander my life!"

"The Emperor is a great ruler of all time, possessing the talent and ambition to unify the world. Only by submitting to the Emperor can we fully utilize our abilities and realize our ambitions!"

"Wu Yi, do you think we should betray Liu Zhang?"

At this moment, Zhang Song also stepped forward and hypocritically offered his advice:

"Wu Yi, you are also a hero of Shu. You should be loyal to a wise ruler, instead of wasting your life for an incompetent Liu Zhang. Surrender to the emperor, that is your only way out!"

This confrontation between the two was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Wu Yi frozen in place.

He stared wide-eyed at his two former comrades-in-arms, his heart filled with despair.

After a long while, Wu Yi slowly came to her senses.

His eyes widened in anger, and he pointed at Meng Da and Zhang Song, cursing loudly:

"You two traitors! No matter how incompetent the King of Shu is, he is still your lord, your provider! How could you do such a disloyal thing and become a laughingstock to the world! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

Meng and Da exchanged a smile, then shook their heads helplessly and sighed.

They ignored Wu Yi's angry curses and turned to Xiao He and Wei Yan:
"It seems there are quite a few stubborn villains in Shu. Killing just Yang Huai is not enough. General Wei, kill another one as a warning to others!"

Xiao He's eyes were filled with intense killing intent as he coldly said:
“These people are stubborn and incorrigible; keeping them around will only cause trouble. Wenchang, let’s make our move!”

Wei Yan understood, gave Wu Yi a cold look, and shouted:
"Drag Wu Yi away and behead him!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a group of Tiger Guard generals rushed forward like wolves and captured Wu Yi.

Wu Yi struggled desperately and shouted:

"Liu Bei, you treacherous scoundrel! Even if you kill me, you will not easily take over Shu. The people of Shu will not agree to this. They will rise up and fight you to the death!"

His struggles and shouts were all in vain.

Wu Yi was forcibly dragged out by the Tiger Guards, and the tent immediately returned to calm.

Meng Da turned around, cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao He, and said:
"Grand Marshal, General Wei, we must act immediately before the news of Wu Yi's death spreads throughout Shu."

Xiao He nodded in agreement.

Wei Yan waved his hand and shouted sternly:

"Zhang Bao, listen to my command!"

"The general is here!"

"Immediately launch an attack on Heisong Pass according to the plan! We must take Heisong Pass in one fell swoop and open the gate to Shu for our army!"

Wei Yan said resolutely.

"promise!"

Zhang Bao accepted the order and hurried out of the tent to deliver military orders.

Wei Yan stood up, glanced around at the generals in the tent, and then shouted:
"Order all generals to assemble the troops! Today, I will raze Black Pine Pass to the ground!"

...

Inside the main hall of Heisong Pass, a sense of oppression and melancholy permeated the air.

Gao Pei was sitting alone at his desk, trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol.

The glass filled with wine was repeatedly lifted in his hands, only to be slammed down again and again.

The wine, though it soothed his sorrow, could not dispel the heavy gloom in his heart.

Where does this sorrow come from?

This naturally stemmed from Liu Zhang, the lord who was both infuriating and hateful.

Think of Liu Bei, who swept through the land like a whirlwind, already breaching Liu Zhang's city walls and killing his generals.

This was a critical moment of life and death. As the leader of a region, he should have raised his arms and called on his soldiers to fight to the death, even to the last man, and never surrender to the enemy.

But what about Liu Zhang?

Instead of thinking about how to retaliate, and instead of risking his life to fight the enemy, he even humbled himself by paying for food and money, hoping to persuade Liu Bei to withdraw his troops.

For a ruler of such a region to be so cowardly is truly shameful, leaving loyal ministers and generals like Gao Pei feeling utterly helpless.

"Reporting to General Gao."

Just then, a guard rushed into the room to report, breaking the oppressive silence.

Gao Pei slightly raised his head, a hint of displeasure in his eyes:
"What's the matter?"

The guard hurriedly said:
"Our supply troops have returned. Shall we let them in?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Pei immediately glared at his personal guard and said irritably:

"Nonsense! If we don't let them into the city, are we going to lock them out? Don't you even use your brain!"

The guard, his face flushed red from the rebuke, could only hurry away, inwardly grumbling to himself:
Why is General Gao so angry today?

Outside Heisong Pass, a conspiracy is quietly unfolding.

The city gate slowly opened, and the heavy drawbridge rumbled down.

Nearly a thousand grain carts, driven by Shu soldiers, drove in a grand procession toward the city.

When the grain carts reached halfway to the city gate, they suddenly became stuck due to the narrow road, and the soldiers were also trapped under the gate.

In an instant, the doorway was filled with noise as the soldiers began to curse at each other, none of them willing to give an inch, as if they were all holding back a nameless rage.

In an instant, the city gate became congested, like a blocked river, unable to flow smoothly and forced to rush through the narrow passage.

The Shu soldiers guarding the gate kept urging the grain escorts, shouting:
"Hurry up and get into the city, stop dawdling here!"

Just then, dust and mist rolled in from the east, as if a sandstorm was sweeping towards Heisong Pass.

On the city wall, Lei Tong, who was on duty, keenly noticed the unusual situation and immediately focused his gaze on it.

As he watched, his eyes suddenly widened, his body began to tremble involuntarily, and his face turned deathly pale.

"It's the Han army! It's Wei Yan attacking!"

Lei Tong woke up with a start and shouted:
"The Han army is attacking! Quickly close the city gates and prepare for battle on the city walls!"

"Go immediately and report this to General Gao!" (End of Chapter)