The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 228 Guan Yu Returns to Jie County, the Value of the Left General's Sworn Brother (5th Update)
Although he couldn't understand what "Pishi is a strategic location for military strategists" meant, Hu Chuquan understood the phrase "his uncle will definitely reinforce Pishi."

The specific process is not important; what matters most is that Guo Yuan went to find Zhong Yao to save his life.

"I can escort you to the Pi family, but I have another question." Hu Chuquan stared at Guo Yuan: "Your life is saved, but what about mine?"

Hu Chuquan is no fool.

Just now, Guo Yuan's gaze as he stared at his sword was more ferocious than that of a hungry wolf on the grassland.

Seeing that Hu Chuquan was suspicious, Guo Yuan laughed again: "Uncle is well-versed in military strategy, and with the assistance of Ma Teng and Han Sui, defeating Liu Bei will be a piece of cake. If Liu Bei is defeated, how dare he take your life?"

"Really?" Hu Chuquan pressed down on the knife handle.

Guo Yuan laughed: "If I thought my uncle couldn't defeat Liu Bei, why would I seek his protection? If my uncle really loses, you can kill me and go back to report later. It's not too late."

Hu Chuquan then released his grip on the hilt of the sword and said, "In that case, I will trust you this once. If Zhong Yao cannot defeat General Zuo, then I can only apologize."

As news of Liu Bei's army marching south spread through Hedong, both Wang Yi, the governor of Hedong in Anyi, and Zhong Yao, the military commander of Hongnong, were urgently mobilizing their troops.

Although Zhong Yao achieved great things late in life, he was cunning and shrewd.

The information that Liu Bei's scouts discovered—that Ma Teng's son Ma Chao and Han Sui's son-in-law Yan Xingzheng were leading more than 20,000 elite troops to assist Zhong Yao—was actually leaked by Zhong Yao in advance.

Although Zhong Yao was confident that Zhang Ji and Fu Gan could persuade Ma Teng and Han Sui to send troops, the fact that he released the news in advance showed his cunning.

Since Liu Bei and his men did not trust Ma Teng and Han Sui from the beginning, they took the false information released by Zhong Yao as true.

After all, Liu Bei didn't have God's perspective; he could only make subjective judgments and speculations based on information gathered by scouts.

Although the scouts obtained false information, it didn't actually have much impact on Liu Bei. Even without this false information, Liu Bei would have waited for Ma Chao's arrival.

In fact, Zhong Yao's false news was only three days earlier than the true news.

Zhang Ji and Fu Gan not only successfully persuaded Ma Teng and Han Sui, but also got Ma Chao and Yan Xing to each lead more than 10,000 infantry and cavalry to take a shortcut from Guanzhong to Pishi.

After receiving replies from Zhang Ji and Fu Gan, Zhong Yao sent a battle report to Cao Cao in Xuchang. The report did not express any intention to request reinforcements, but instead told Cao Cao to focus on dealing with the Yuan brothers, Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, in Yanzhou and Xuzhou.

After arranging various matters in Hongnong, Zhong Yao led his cavalry straight to Pishi.

Zhong Yao was not at ease relying solely on Ma Chao and Yan Xing.

During the intense preparations made by both sides, Guan Yu also led more than a hundred cavalrymen to Jie County, east of Anyi.

The reason Guan Yu returned to Guanjia Village at this time was because he was worried that his family would be separated from him due to the war in Hedong.

"Bandits are attacking."

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of Guanjia Village, a loud shout rang out, followed by the sound of gongs and drums. One by one, the villagers of Guanjia Village retreated back to the fortified village.

The Guan family of Jie County was also a prominent local clan. In this era of war and chaos, prominent clans would also fortify themselves with fortified villages.

See this.

Guan Yu ordered his cavalry to wait outside the village, then charged alone into the fortified village of Guanjia, shouting loudly, "I am Guan Yu, Guan Changsheng, my father's name is Yi, and I am also a man of Guanjia Village, not a thief."

At the top of the city gate tower, a ruddy-faced young man in his early twenties was staring intently at Guan Yu, while the villagers of Guanjia Village on either side were whispering amongst themselves.

"Tanzhi, is this person really your father?"

"You're asking nonsense. When Uncle Changsheng left home, Tanzhi hadn't even been born yet, so how could he recognize him?"

"Uncle Weiliang, do you recognize him?"

"I was only twelve years old when Brother Changsheng left, and more than twenty years have passed since then. How could I possibly remember clearly?"

"You can find out if you just ask."

A young man beckoned to Guan Yu, "There have been quite a few people impersonating Guan Family Village these past few years. You think you're the one? Tell me, what's your son's name?" Guan Yu was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed, "A Shi had a son? I named him when I left. If it's a boy, he'll be named Ping; if it's a girl, she'll be named Feng."

The words fell.

The red-faced youth's pupils contracted instantly, and he turned and ran into the fortified village.

"Ashi is my sister-in-law's nickname. The imposter from Guanjia Village definitely wouldn't know that. It really is Brother Changsheng! Tanzhi, Tanzhi, hey, where's Tanzhi?"

"Tanzhi has returned to the fortified village; he must have gone to find Uncle Daoyuan and his mother."

Should we open the door?

"No rush, let's wait a bit!"

For a moment.

Three more people appeared on the city wall, the leader of whom had white hair and beard and bore a resemblance to Guan Yu.

Upon seeing the old man, Guan Yu was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly rolled off his horse and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your unfilial son, Changsheng, pays his respects to his father!"

The old man was Guan Yi, Guan Yu's biological father. When he saw his only son, who had not returned for more than 20 years, suddenly come back, Guan Yi was both surprised and delighted, and trembled with joy.

Although Guan Yu also made a name for himself by following Liu Bei, he is known to the world as Guan Yunchang rather than Guan Changsheng.

The people of Guanjia Village would not assume that Guan Yu is from Guanjia Village just because someone calls him Guan Yu.

These days, too many people change their names and identities, especially those who have committed crimes. The young man who just questioned Guan Yu's statement that "there have been quite a few people impersonating Guan Family Village in recent years" is not an exaggeration.

The gate of the fortress opened.

Guan Yi led Guan Yu's first wife, Hu Ashi, and Guan Yu's only son, Guan Ping, out.

Only when Guan Yi approached did Guan Yu look up, his eyes red as he looked at Guan Yi: "Father, you've grown old."

Guan Yi carefully examined Guan Yu and smiled with satisfaction: "Although I am old, I am gratified to see Changsheng return." Then Guan Yi turned to Guan Ping and said: "Tanzhi, come and pay your respects to your father."

Guan Ping stared at Guan Yu for a long time, then gritted his teeth and bowed: "Your son Guan Ping greets your father!"

Before Guan Ping could kneel down, Guan Yu rushed forward to help him up, choking back tears and unable to speak. After a long while, he finally managed to say, "Good Ping'er, you've suffered so much these past years."

Guan Ping shook his head, also choking up and unable to speak.

Guan Yu then turned to look at his wife, Hu Ashi, sighed deeply, and looked guilty.

After a short conversation.

Guan Yu then solemnly said, "Father, Hedong is about to fall into chaos, I must take you away."

Guan Yi glanced at the hundred or so riders outside the village and asked, "Chang Sheng, whose subordinate are you now?"

Guan Yu truthfully replied, "I am now under the command of the Left General of Han and the Marquis of Yicheng. The Left General is a descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan, whose surname is Liu and given name is Bei."

Guan Yi stroked his beard and smiled: "I have long heard of General Zuo's reputation for benevolence and righteousness. I am at ease knowing that Changsheng can follow General Zuo. Guan Family Village has a fortified village, which is enough to guard against bandits, so you don't need to worry. A true man should value merit and fame. When you have achieved success, come back to the village to fetch us."

Noticing the reluctance on his wife and children's faces, Guan Yu lowered his voice and said, "Father, to be honest, my current identity is somewhat special. If I don't take you away this time, it will bring trouble to the people of Guan Family Village in the future."

Guan Yi chuckled: "How special could it be?"

Seeing that Guan Yi did not believe him, Guan Yu took a deep breath and said, "I am not only a subordinate general under the Left General, but also the Left General's sworn brother."

Guan Yi's smile suddenly froze.

　Fifth update! Requesting monthly votes!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)