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

His eyes were filled with madness, as if he had already disregarded his own life and death.

He did possess some martial arts skills after all; the large spear in his hand danced wildly in the air like an enraged dragon, knocking down the Han cavalrymen who stood in his way.

Each swing of the gun carried a powerful force, as if it were meant to annihilate all the enemies before it.

This was perhaps the most glorious moment of his life; he felt as if he were invincible.

An unprecedented surge of ambition welled up in his heart, as if he could change his destiny.

pity.

The beautiful scenery lasted only a moment.

In front of.

A Han general, like a ghost, instantly locked onto him.

"Liu Chan, you treacherous dog! Guan Suo is here, where do you think you're going!"

Guan Suo let out a sharp whistle, which rang in Liu Chan's ears like a thunderclap.

He spurred his horse, spear in hand, and shot it towards Liu Chan like an arrow released from a bow.

It moved at an extremely fast speed, like a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky, leaving no time for anyone to react.

"Guan Suo?"

Upon hearing this name, Liu Chan's body stiffened, and a strong sense of fear welled up in his heart.

Was Guan Suo a leading young military general of the Han Dynasty?

Liu Chan had long heard of Guan Suo's great reputation and knew that he was a highly skilled warrior and a fierce general in the Han army.

Now, seeing Guan Suo charging towards him like a god of war, he had nowhere to hide and his heart was filled with despair.

Liu Chan had no choice but to bite the bullet, spur his horse, brandish his spear, and charge towards Guan Suo.

Although his heart was filled with fear, he also knew that there was no way out at this point, and he could only fight to the death, perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.

Guns clashed, like two venomous snakes, thrusting at each other.

A strong sense of killing intent and the smell of gunpowder filled the air; a life-or-death struggle was about to unfold.

just.

His meager martial arts skills were utterly insignificant in Guan Suo's eyes.

Guan Suo didn't even need to look; he simply swung his spear lightly, and the spear struck like lightning.

"puff!"

Liu Chan's face was instantly blasted apart, like a ripe watermelon being slammed to the ground and bursting open.

Blood and brains splattered everywhere, landing on the surrounding land and on the Han soldiers.

This once arrogant crown prince of Shu was killed by Guan Suo in a single move.

The stubborn Shu soldiers on either side were terrified when they saw this scene.

Their eyes were filled with fear and despair, as if they had seen the most terrible thing in the world.

They knew that their prince was dead, and they had no hope left; any further resistance would only lead to their demise.

Liu Zhang is dead.

Liu Chan also died.

Their Shu Kingdom is now completely without a ruler!

If that's the case, why should they continue fighting?

Continuing to fight will only result in them dying in vain; it's pointless.

"Crash!"

The Shu soldiers threw down their weapons and knelt down like a tide, begging to surrender to the Han army.

Guan Suo disdainfully turned his horse around, looking at the Shu soldiers kneeling and begging for surrender with eyes full of contempt and indifference.

"Han cavalry, listen to my command, follow me into Chengdu."

Guan Suo spurred his horse, dragging his spear, and galloped towards the north gate of Chengdu.

Behind them, the Han cavalry abandoned the kneeling Shu soldiers and surged towards Chengdu like a raging torrent.

They knew that the merit of entering Chengdu first far outweighed the merit of surrendering it, and this was a rare opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Guan Suo could clearly distinguish between what was important and what was not.

He would not let those Shu soldiers kneeling and begging to surrender delay the important task of attacking Chengdu.

The Shu soldiers who had surrendered on their knees remained kneeling on the ground, like lambs to the slaughter, waiting to be judged. They could only pray silently, hoping that the Han army would spare their lives.

rear.

The large contingent of Han infantry surged forward like a black tide, completely engulfing the kneeling Shu soldiers.

A few dozen steps away.

Zhang Ren was still desperately resisting Wei Yan's attack.

He was like a lone warrior, fighting alone on this battlefield.

Despite being exhausted and suffering from multiple injuries, he gritted his teeth and persevered, refusing to give up easily.

He knew that he represented the dignity and honor of the Shu Kingdom, and he could not fall so easily.

Under Wei Yan's relentless attacks, Zhang Ren's defenses became increasingly difficult, with each block proving incredibly challenging. His body swayed precariously, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Twenty days have passed.

Wei Yan's veins bulged, his face filled with anger and killing intent. His sword power surged, and his strike was as powerful as Mount Tai pressing down.

The wind howled, carrying a powerful force.

Zhang Ren tried his best to block the blow, but he found that his strength was so insignificant in the face of Wei Yan's attack.

His hands were numb and he could no longer hold the weapon.

"Ah~~"

With a scream, Zhang Ren's body was lifted into the air, flying backwards like a kite with a broken string.

His body traced an arc in the air before crashing heavily to the ground.

boom!
The sound was deep and loud.

The foremost veteran general of Shu was thus defeated.

A desperate death.

Zhang Ren landed and struggled to lift his head, only to see that the Han cavalry had blocked his path, forming a black barrier that obscured his view.

He also saw that the "Han" flag was already flying high above the North Gate of Chengdu, fluttering in the wind.

That banner proclaimed the victory of the Han army and the fall of the Shu Kingdom.

this means.

It is highly likely that Liu Zhang and his son are dead.

This further signifies that the Han army has already entered Chengdu.

The Shu Kingdom has been destroyed!

Chengdu has changed hands!
"Why? Is Heaven not protecting the Shu Kingdom? I am not reconciled!"

Zhang Ren cried out in anguish, his voice filled with pain and despair.

He pounded the ground with his fists, as if to vent his anger and resentment. His eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. He couldn't understand why the Shu Kingdom had come to this point, or why they had suffered such a crushing defeat.

They saw the broadsword fall several feet in front of them.

Dragging his crippled body, Zhang Ren crawled with difficulty, wanting to grab his weapon and fight again.

He still possessed an indomitable fighting spirit; he did not want to admit defeat so easily, and felt that he still had the strength to fight another battle for the Shu Kingdom.

At this moment, Wei Yan's body was already in front of him, blocking his way.

Wei Yan stood in front of Zhang Ren, his eyes filled with coldness and killing intent, as if telling Zhang Ren that he had no chance left.

"Wei Yan, Wei Yan!"

Zhang Ren glared at Wei Yan, his eyes blazing with fury, feeling that Wei Yan had ruined everything for him and had plunged him into such a desperate situation.

"You old fool, are you going to surrender or not?"

Wei Yan pointed his blade at Zhang Ren's head, his voice low and menacing as he demanded, the blade gleaming coldly. "Wei Yan, kill me!"

Zhang Ren roared and shouted, his voice echoing through the sky.

His eyes were resolute, and he was prepared to die. He felt that as a general of Shu, he could not surrender in humiliation. He would rather die on the battlefield than live a life of dishonor.

Wei Yan raised his sword and brought it down.

"Crack!"

Zhang Ren's head fell to the ground.

Blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering onto Wei Yan's body.

The most senior general in Sichuan ended his life in this way.

Liu Zhang and his son, Zhang Ren, and others were all killed.

The Shu Kingdom thus perished.

When the news reached the main camp, the entire Han army cheered.

Everyone's eyes turned to Xiao He.

They thought that the war to conquer Shu had come to an end.

They were finally able to return to the Central Plains.

But to everyone's surprise, Xiao He's gaze turned to the south.

"The war in Shu is far from over..."

...

Hundreds of miles away.

An atmosphere of solemnity and unease quietly permeated both inside and outside Nan'an City.

The shocking news of the fall of Chengdu and the killing of Liu Zhang swept through the entire barbarian camp like a whirlwind.

The news caused an uproar and astonishment wherever it reached, and the barbarian army was horrified.

The once peaceful military camp was now like a lake with a boulder thrown in, rippling with waves.

Inside the big tent.

Meng Quan, the King of the Southern Barbarians, had a deep frown on his face, clutching the intelligence report about Liu Zhang's downfall tightly in his hand.

His eyes revealed deep worry and unease.

Previously, when the Han army approached the walls of Chengdu, Liu Zhang anxiously sent someone to ask him for help.

Meng Quan understood the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," and clearly realized that once the Han army destroyed Liu Zhang, the Han army would most likely head straight for Nanzhong.

Nanzhong, the land he had painstakingly cultivated, the place he considered his foundation, was about to fall into an unprecedented crisis.

Now, the news of Chengdu's fall is like a sharp dagger, mercilessly piercing his heart.

Liu Zhang and his son were both killed by Xiao He and Wei Yan. After the Han army captured Chengdu, they clearly intended to move south to conquer the southern barbarians, like a lurking beast ready to pounce on their territory at any time.

Meng Quan was naturally terrified, as if he could see the Han army's iron cavalry trampling through the mountains and rivers of southern China, and his own people being displaced and struggling in pain amidst the flames of war.

"Your Majesty, if the Han army really marches south, are you truly going to war with the Han state because of Liu Xun's persuasion?"

Just then, a woman's voice came from behind.

The speaker was Wu Rong, the leader of a minor tribe in the southern barbarians.

And she was the one Meng Quan had always wanted to marry.

Meng Quan had a deep admiration and love for her, and had sent people to propose marriage many times, but she politely refused each time.

Liu Xun was also the son of Liu Zhang.

Previously, when the Han army was besieging the city and their survival was at stake, Liu Zhang had sent him to Nanzhong to seek help from Meng Quan.

This is why, when Liu Zhang and Liu Chan died tragically in Chengdu, Liu Xun was fortunate enough to survive and came to Meng Quan's side.

Meng Quan snorted coldly, his voice carrying a hint of disdain and helplessness:

“What can I do if I don’t help Liu Xun? The Han army is powerful now. If we don’t join forces with him, my southern barbarians may not be able to resist.”

Wu Rong seized the opportunity to step forward, his gaze fixed firmly on Meng Quan:

"Your Majesty, what do you think about capturing Liu Xun, presenting him to the Han emperor, and having him submit to the Han? In this way, we might be able to protect the interests of the Southern Barbarians."

She seemed to be devising a new path for the future of the Southern Barbarians.

Meng Quan stiffened and looked sharply at Wu Rong.

He discovered that this woman was truly ruthless; she had actually come up with the idea of ​​selling Liu Xun out to become his subject.

The idea stirred something within him, and he almost agreed.

However, he hesitated when he got to the words, and ultimately swallowed them back.

"I have considered what you said, but unfortunately it won't work."

Meng Quan sighed.

Wu Rong asked, puzzled:

"Your Majesty, why won't this work? Isn't this a viable solution?"

Meng Quan remained silent for a moment, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, and slowly said:
"That Han emperor was determined to unify the world. To this end, he almost wiped out all the foreign tribes. In his eyes, we Southern Barbarians were nothing but a group of barbarians, a thorn in his side."

"Do you think he would tolerate us, the southern barbarians? Even if we offer up Liu Xun and submit to him, he might not let us go."

"At that time, we Southern Barbarians will still be unable to escape the fate of being exterminated."

Meng Quan revealed his long-held concerns.

Wu Rong shuddered, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and instantly fell into deep thought.

Only then did she realize how naive her thoughts had been.

She originally thought that submitting to the Han Kingdom would bring peace and tranquility to the southern barbarians, but she never expected that in the face of Liu Bei's ambitious unification cause, all of this was nothing but a mirage.

Liu Bei wanted to exterminate all the foreign tribes in the world, and it seemed that the Southern Barbarians would not be able to escape death regardless of whether they surrendered or not.

Was Liu Bei really that ruthless?

Wu Rong gritted his teeth, his voice filled with anger and resentment.

Changing the subject, Wu Rong added:

"Liu Xun only wants to use us to help him fight against the Han Dynasty. He doesn't hesitate to drag us, the southern barbarians, into the war. Does Your Majesty want to be used by him?"

As he spoke, a hint of wariness and dissatisfaction flashed in Wu Rong's eyes.

Meng Quan snorted coldly and said, "Wu Rong, do you think I would be used by Liu Xun? You underestimate me."

Wu Rong was taken aback, looking at Meng Quan with a puzzled expression, and asked:
"Then why does the king still want to cooperate with him? Does he have other plans?"

Meng Quan's gaze was firm, his eyes flashing with ambition and domineering spirit:

"I want to use Liu Xun to seize the former territory of Shu. Now that Shu is in chaos, although the Han army is strong, it is difficult to quickly take control of the overall situation. This is the perfect opportunity for us, the Southern Barbarians, to rise up."

"My plan is to first use Liu Xun's name to recruit the old Shu troops and expand my own strength, and then I will force Liu Xun to abdicate and hand over the throne of Shu to me."

"At that time, I will become the King of Shu."

Meng Quan domineeringly revealed his plan.

Wu Rong was shocked and looked at Meng Quan in disbelief.

In her eyes, although Meng Quan unified the southern barbarians with the strength of his tribe, he was nothing more than a brute with plenty of courage but little strategy.

She never expected that Meng Quan would have such deep scheming and lofty ambitions, that he could think of using Liu Xun to seize Yizhou, and even wanted to replace the Liu family and become the king of Shu.

This was completely beyond her imagination.

After a while, Wu Rong came to her senses, gave a thumbs up, and her eyes were full of approval:
"Your Majesty, you have impressed me greatly. I never expected you to have such ambition. If you can truly realize this plan, then there is hope for our Southern Barbarians."

Meng Quan was overjoyed to receive Wu Rong's praise.

Although he was the king of the Southern Barbarians, he always felt inferior to Wu Rong.

Wu Rong looked down on his rudeness and recklessness, and always treated him coldly.

So he was rejected several times when he proposed to her, which made him very depressed.

However, Wu Rong's current praise of him gave him hope. (End of Chapter)