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

Wei Yan raised his head and looked at the Shu soldiers.

At this moment, he had just cut down his own commander with a single stroke, and his awe-inspiring appearance had completely shattered the will of the Shu soldiers.

The Shu soldiers were all ashen-faced, their hearts filled with fear and despair. No one dared to fight again, and no one dared to flee.

They all laid down their weapons and knelt before Wei Yan, and the battlefield was filled with cries of people begging for mercy.

On the west gate tower of Heisong Pass, the "Han" flag, symbolizing the glory and majesty of the Han Dynasty, rises high in the fluttering west wind and flutters in the breeze.

Heisong Pass, a strategically important and strategically vital town in the Shu region, was finally recaptured by the unstoppable Han army after a fierce battle.

For the Han army, breaking through the pass was only the beginning.

Wei Yan led his victorious army out of Heisong Pass in a grand procession, advancing towards Jiangzhou with unstoppable momentum.

The next day, as the first rays of dawn pierced the darkness before daybreak, daylight quietly arrived.

The vanguard of the Han army, like a sharp dagger, swiftly reached the walls of Jiangzhou.

At this time, the situation within Jiangzhou City was somewhat delicate.

Originally, Gao Pei had made arrangements, transferring 5,000 troops from the city to guard Heisong Pass, leaving only 3,000 troops to garrison Jiangzhou.

In his view, with the Black Pine Pass as a solid barrier, Jiangzhou City would surely be impregnable and invincible.

Moreover, he was full of anticipation, thinking that if he waited just two more days, the reinforcements from Chengdu would arrive in Jiangzhou City like timely rain. At that time, with the help of both inside and outside forces, they would surely ensure that the Han army would not return.

Unfortunately, Gao Pei never expected that Heisong Pass would fall in such a short time.

Not only did he fail to defend Heisong Pass, but his own army also suffered a crushing defeat, and he eventually became a prisoner of the Han army.

This shocking news quickly reached Jiangzhou City.

Upon hearing this news, the garrison in the city was thrown into chaos, their morale plummeting like ants on a hot plate, filled with fear and unease.

They already lacked sufficient confidence in fighting, and now that their commander had been defeated and captured, their fear spread like wildfire.

When Wei Yan led the Han army to the gates of Jiangzhou like a divine army descending from the sky, the Shu soldiers defending the city were already completely overwhelmed by fear and had no will to fight.

Looking at the menacing Han army below the city, they were filled with despair and abandoned the city, fleeing in disarray to the west.

Jiangzhou City was thrown into chaos.

Thus, this important town, second only to Chengdu in importance in Shu, was abandoned by the Shu soldiers and left undefended, presenting itself to Wei Yan with no power to resist.

Wei Yan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the Han army surged into the city like a tide, capturing Jiangzhou without bloodshed.

At this point, Jiangzhou City officially changed hands and became the possession of the Han army.

Wei Yan was not blinded by the victory before him.

Although the army had won the battle, the battle lines had been stretched too thin.

From the original Baiguan City to the present-day Jiangzhou City, it stretches for a full two hundred miles.

The Han army was exhausted from continuous fighting.

The soldiers' spirits and physical strength had reached their limits, and everyone looked exhausted.

Moreover, Wei Yan knew that if they continued to advance westward, the number of Shu soldiers ahead would gradually increase.

With their familiarity with the terrain and the advantage of fighting on home soil, the Shu army would inevitably put up a desperate resistance.

Given the current state of the Han army, they knew that continuing westward would not yield much success.

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Wei Yan decisively ordered the army to halt at Jiangzhou City, allowing them to rest and recuperate while awaiting the arrival of the next wave of troops.

Two days passed quietly.

Two short days later, dramatic changes were unfolding in Jiangzhou City.

Xiao He led over 40,000 elite troops and arrived in a grand procession at the gates of Jiangzhou City.

Forty thousand Han troops also gathered here, forming an impregnable wall that surrounded Jiangzhou City.

Inside the prefectural government, a grand victory celebration banquet had already been prepared.

Wei Yan prepared this banquet to celebrate this victory with his generals.

The air was filled with the aroma of wine and laughter.

"Jiangzhou has been successfully captured. To the west lies the Chengdu Plain. From now on, our iron cavalry will be able to move freely and head straight for the heart of Shu."

Wei Yan, filled with heroic spirit, raised his cup and drank heartily.

"Wen Chang has made outstanding contributions this time. It is only a matter of time before he takes over the Shu Kingdom. It is a foregone conclusion and there is no way to change it!"

"Let me first raise a toast to you, congratulations on recovering this last province for the Han Dynasty and making immortal contributions to the unification of the Han Dynasty!"

Xiao He also raised his cup in response, giving high praise to Wei Yan's achievements.

Wei Yan laughed heartily and raised his cup in response:

"Thanks to the Grand Marshal's brilliant strategy and ability to plan and win battles from afar, Yan was able to break through Baiguan Pass first and then capture Jiangzhou, all thanks to the Grand Marshal's wisdom."

"This cup of wine should be offered to the Grand Marshal to express my respect and gratitude!"

After saying this, Wei Yan drank it all in one gulp, displaying his heroic spirit.

Xiao He laughed and drank it all in one gulp, then changed the subject and asked:

"What do you plan to do with the Shu general Gao Pei? He is a fierce general under Liu Zhang and should not be underestimated."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan frowned slightly and then asked Xiao He for advice:
"What insightful opinion does the Grand Marshal have? I would like to hear it in detail."

Xiao He took a sip of wine and said calmly:

“As I said, we need to set an example and let Shu see what benefits they can gain from surrendering to the Han. Gao Pei is Liu Zhang’s general. If we can recruit him, it will be the best example and enough to deter the remaining forces in Shu.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan nodded in agreement:
"What the Grand Marshal says makes sense, but is Gao Pei willing to surrender to the Emperor?"

Xiao He smiled without saying a word, but he had his own plans in mind.

Gao Pei was not entirely loyal to Liu Zhang; with the right approach, he could easily be persuaded to surrender.

Then, he smiled confidently:
"Wen Chang, don't worry, I have my own way of making him submit."

Wei Yan immediately ordered Gao Pei to be escorted to the court. A moment later, the wounded Gao Pei was brought into the main hall.

The moment he saw Xiao He and Wei Yan, his eyes widened in fury, as if he wanted to devour them.

"Gao Pei, you defeated opponent!"

Guan Ping shouted sternly:

"My Grand Marshal and General Wei are here! Why don't you kneel down and beg for mercy!"

Gao Pei stood proudly upright and sneered:

"In my entire life, I will only kneel before my own King of Shu! No one else is worthy to make me kneel! You will never make me submit!"

Enraged, Guan Ping tried to force Gao Pei to kneel down.

Xiao He waved his hand, signaling Guan Ping to calm down and not to act rashly.

Guan Ping suppressed his anger and stepped aside.

"Although Liu Zhang was the King of Shu, he was a subject of the Han dynasty."

Xiao He slowly spoke: "Since you are Liu Zhang's subordinate and also a subject of the Han Dynasty, now that you have been defeated and captured, I will allow you to submit to the court and the Emperor of Han. This is your only way out and your chance to be reborn."

Wei Yan also tried to persuade them to surrender:

“Gao Pei, you are a hero of Shu. Why do you sacrifice your life for your own loyalty? If you surrender to the Han, you will still be highly valued.”

Gao Pei, however, looked angry and refused:

"The Emperor promised to only allow passage through my Shu territory and not to disturb my people, but he broke his promise, killed my soldiers, and seized my cities. How can I submit to such an Emperor! Kill me or torture me as you please! I will never surrender!"

After saying this, Gao Pei raised his head high, closed his eyes, and looked as if he were ready to die.

Wei Yan clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

If it were up to his nature, he would have already personally beheaded Gao Pei to vent his hatred.

Only when he remembered Xiao He's instructions did he suppress his murderous intent, look at Xiao He, and wait for his instructions.

Xiao He put down his wine cup, slowly stood up, walked to Gao Pei, and personally untied his shackles.

Gao Pei opened his eyes and was astonished to see that the Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty had personally come forward to untie him.

What's happening here?
He refused to surrender even at the cost of his life and spoke rudely, yet Xiao He actually stepped forward to untie him.
What exactly is his intention?
Gao Pei was completely bewildered, as if he were in a fog.

He stared wide-eyed at the burly man before him, Grand Marshal Xiao He, his heart filled with doubt and confusion.

Xiao He's gaze was gentle yet firm. He gently patted Gao Pei's shoulder and said:
“General Gao, I deeply admire your loyalty and righteousness. However, you have chosen the wrong person and the wrong path. Your Shu soldiers attacked the Han army first, provoking the war. It is only natural and justifiable for the Emperor to punish Liu Zhang.”

He paused and continued:
"And Liu Zhang is nothing but a weak and incompetent ruler. What virtue or ability does he have that makes you willing to die for him? You should take the world as your responsibility and care about the common people. How can you abandon thousands of people for your own loyalty?"

Gao Pei's body trembled slightly, and his originally agitated emotions gradually calmed down.

That resolute determination to die for one's cause gradually lost its luster.

He began to fall into deep thought, and his loyalty to Liu Zhang began to waver.

Gao Pei was a man of insight; he knew Liu Zhang's mediocrity and incompetence.

If Liu Zhang hadn't been incompetent, why would he have so easily welcomed the Han people into Shu?

Now that the war has progressed to this point, it's clear to everyone that Liu Bei is ambitious and determined to conquer the Shu Kingdom.

But Liu Zhang naively believed that he could exchange a few cartloads of grain for Liu Bei's retreat and thus retain his position as King of Shu.

Gao Pei had long been utterly disappointed in this incredibly foolish monarch, and his heart was filled with resentment and anger.

Xiao He's words undoubtedly ignited the pent-up disappointment and dissatisfaction in his heart, like dry tinder being lit.

He began to re-examine his stance and choices, and to think about his future and destiny.

Xiao He pressed his advantage, further persuading the other party:

"General Gao, you can be considered a famous general in Shu. If Liu Zhang had been willing to give you an important position and lead you to expand the territory and fight in all directions, you would probably have become a famous general who shook the world and whose name would be remembered in history."

"Don't you want to submit to the Emperor, display your talents, contribute to the unification of the Han Dynasty, and become a true general?"

He paused, his tone becoming even more impassioned:
"Are you really willing to die for Liu Zhang, ruining your promising future and your life? Are you willing to do that? Is it worth it?"

Gao Pei's hands trembled uncontrollably, his emotions surging like a turbulent sea.

Clearly, Xiao He's words had stirred up his ambition and desire to be anything but mediocre.

He began to seriously consider Xiao He's words of persuasion to surrender.

At this moment, Xiao He turned around and gave Meng Da and Zhang Song a wink.

The two understood each other and immediately stepped forward to persuade Gao Pei.

They reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages from various angles, and persuaded Gao Pei to submit to the imperial court.

Gao Pei fell into deep thought.

After hesitating for a long time and weighing the pros and cons, the concerns and doubts in his heart gradually dissipated like smoke dissipating into the clouds.

He finally understood his true destiny and his choice.

Immediately, Gao Pei bowed deeply to Xiao He and Wei Yan:
"The Grand Marshal's words have enlightened me! Today I finally understand who the true wise ruler is, and who is worthy of my loyalty. I am willing to submit to the court and to the Emperor!"

He finally let go of his burdens and concerns, and chose to submit and surrender.

At this moment, my heart was filled with relief and ease, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Wei Yan looked at Xiao He, a hint of admiration and respect flashing in his eyes.

And so, Gao Pei surrendered to the Han Dynasty.

After three days of rest and preparation in Jiangzhou, the army's morale was high and its fighting spirit was strong.

At Wei Yan's command, 50,000 troops descended the mountain like tigers, marching northwards towards Chengdu.

Under Xiao He's planning, the army decided to divide its forces to encircle Chengdu.

On the southern front, Guan Ping led an elite force westward along the winding river, aiming directly at Chengdu, intending to cut off the enemy's retreat route from the south.

Wei Yan, on the other hand, personally led the main force of the army northward, his target being the strategically important city of Miancheng.

Not far to the north of Miancheng lies the renowned Jian Ge.

Wei Yan's choice to take Miancheng first would be like a sharp blade piercing the enemy's heart, completely severing the connection between Chengdu and Jiange, making Chengdu an isolated city.

The two armies split up and headed north, like two giant dragons, winding and coiling, with the ultimate goal of encircling Chengdu.

...

Inside Chengdu city.

Inside the Shu King's mansion, however, was a scene of singing, dancing, and decadent indulgence.

Liu Zhang was leisurely enjoying the graceful dance of the dancers, holding a cup of fragrant wine in his hand, taking sips from time to time, his face beaming with satisfaction and contentment.

After all, in his view, the crisis seemed to have quietly been resolved.

Wu Yi, carrying ample provisions, embarked on his journey to Heisong Pass. His mission was to apologize to Han Yan in hopes of securing Wei Yan's withdrawal.

Liu Zhang pondered in his heart that, according to the timeline, Wu Yi should have already arrived at Heisong Pass, and Wei Yan might have already received the supplies and led his army back to Bai Pass.

The crisis in Sichuan is about to dissipate.

Thinking of this, Liu Zhang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

"Liu Chan, why do you look so worried? Is there something on your mind?"

Liu Zhang inadvertently noticed that his son Liu Chan looked preoccupied and couldn't help but ask him a question.

Liu Chan was taken aback, as if he had been awakened by his father's words. He hesitated, his eyes flashing with uncertainty and unease.

Seeing this, Liu Zhang flicked his sleeve and said:

"If you have any concerns, just say so. There's no need to hide anything between father and son."

Liu Chan put down his wine cup, cupped his hands, and said:
"Father, I am worried that Wu Yi's trip may not be enough to make Wei Yan retreat. After all, Wei Yan may not easily give up such a good opportunity to attack Shu just because of some grain."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhang laughed heartily and said:
"Wei Yan and Xiao He have already assured me that they will withdraw their troops as soon as they get the supplies. You just like to worry unnecessarily. There's no need to be so concerned."

Liu Zhang's words did not completely dispel everyone's doubts.

The generals under his command, including Zhang Ren, exchanged glances, their eyes filled with worry. (End of Chapter)