Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

After beheading Yang Huai and Gao Pei, and seizing over ten thousand elite soldiers, provisions, and weapons from Baishui Pass, Liu Bei immediately built a platform in front of the pass to swear an oath to his troops, ordering them to march south in seven days.

He used the pretext that Liu Zhang had secretly colluded with Cao Cao, framed his relatives, and mistreated the people of Yizhou, and raised the banner of "punishing the guilty and pacifying the people." He appointed Huang Zhong as the vanguard, Wei Yan to oversee the grain and supplies, and Huo Jun to guard Jiameng Pass. He himself led a central army of more than 30,000 men, with orderly ranks and banners that blotted out the sun, and advanced all the way into the heart of Yizhou.

During the march, Liu Bei strictly ordered his army to commit no offenses against the people, not to plunder their property, not to destroy farmland, and to treat all surrendered soldiers with great hospitality. Seeing that Liu Bei's campaign was justified and his army disciplined, and also resenting Liu Zhang's weak and oppressive rule, most officials in the prefectures and counties along the way surrendered without a fight. The people, young and old, lined the roadside, welcoming the army with food and drink, and the army's progress was unimpeded. In just two days, the vanguard had approached Fucheng, and urgent reports from the northern border flooded Chengdu like snowflakes, giving Liu Zhang no chance to catch his breath.

At that time, Liu Zhang was sitting alone in the warm pavilion of the palace, still waiting for the messenger from Xudu to bring back news, hoping that the imperial edict could expel Liu Bei in a legitimate way, and even secretly planning how to rebuild the defense of the northern frontier after Liu Bei withdrew his troops.

On that day, high-ranking officials such as Huang Quan and Liu Ba entered the palace to question: "Your Majesty, Zhang Song took a memorial out of the city. What is his purpose? Can you tell us so that we can discuss countermeasures?"

Liu Zhang was taken aback by the question, but he quickly regained his composure and vaguely explained, "Zhang Song is my confidant. His trip to Xuchang was to contact the court and request an imperial edict to legitimize Yizhou's status. He said that although Cao Cao has ambitions, the court still exists. By using the emperor's name to drive out Liu Bei, it is legitimate and safe."

He deliberately concealed his true purpose of "submitting a memorial requesting the removal of Liu Bei," only saying that he was seeking amnesty in order to stabilize the situation.

Huang Quan and the others still wanted to press for answers, but Liu Zhang, feeling guilty and afraid that his ministers would see through his thoughts, quickly waved his hand to interrupt: "I know what I'm doing. Zhang Song is a reliable person, so you can all rest assured."

Liu Ba earnestly advised Zhang Song not to be easily swayed, but Liu Zhang was already distraught and unwilling to listen any further, simply dismissing them one by one. Deep down, he felt that using the court's name to drive Liu Bei away might be the only way to protect himself, or perhaps he was just deceiving himself and trying to find a way out.

But now it seems that this path is no longer viable.

Urgent reports from the northern frontier kept arriving in Chengdu, each one like a heavy blow to Liu Zhang's heart.

First, Yang Huai and Gao Pei of Baishui Pass were lured and killed by Liu Bei, and the northern frontier was about to change hands;

Then Liu Bei reorganized more than 10,000 Baishui troops, greatly boosting his morale for battle;

Finally, what truly terrified him was—

Liu Bei publicly displayed the memorial sent by Liu Zhang, who had colluded with Cao Cao to request the elimination of the imperial clan, thus proclaiming to the world that Liu Bei's actions were justified and righteous.

Upon hearing this last point, Liu Zhang's vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

He never expected that the "secret matter" he sent Zhang Song to do would be exposed by Liu Bei in public, and even the memorial would be obtained by him.

At that moment, the first person who flashed through his mind was Zhang Song.

Could it be... that Zhang Song really betrayed us?

Or... did he succumb to torture while being detained in Jingzhou and hand over the memorial?

If he betrayed his lord, then the ministers he had trusted for over twenty years would turn against him at a crucial moment. Who in Yizhou could he still trust?

If he is detained, Liu Bei will now have a legitimate reason to attack, and how will he deal with that?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became; the more confused he became, the more afraid he became. Liu Zhang felt a sharp pain in his chest and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

Countless thoughts raced through his mind, a mixture of regret, resentment, suspicion, and fear. He gripped the hem of his robe tightly, his knuckles turning white, muttering to himself with helplessness, completely devoid of the dignity of the ruler of Yizhou.

Before long, Huang Quan, Liu Ba and other important officials from Shu arrived upon hearing the news, and the hall was instantly filled with people, the atmosphere so heavy it was suffocating.

Seeing Liu Zhang's distraught state, everyone knew he was terrified. Huang Quan stepped forward first, his expression solemn, and spoke frankly about the solution: "My lord, things have come to this point; panic is useless! Liu Bei has the moral high ground, and after incorporating the Baishui Army, his advance is unstoppable. He will reach Fucheng in no time. Fucheng is the northern gateway to the Chengdu Plain; if it falls, Yizhou will be in grave danger!"

Liu Zhang snapped back to his senses, his eyes filled with resentment, and roared, "It must be Zhang Song! He must have betrayed us and defected to the enemy! I must arrest his family immediately and punish him for betraying his lord!" He was so focused on getting him punished that he completely disregarded the perilous situation before him.

Liu Ba immediately interrupted in a deep voice, his tone resolute: "My lord! We have no evidence yet whether Zhang Song has been detained or has defected. Dealing with Zhang Song's family now will only cause more chaos! Moreover, this matter is no longer important. With secrets leaked and the army pressing in, pursuing Zhang Song will only delay military operations. The only priority now is to defend Fucheng to the death!"

Huang Quan followed closely behind, offering a stern remonstrance that hit the nail on the head: "Zhang Ren is the foremost general in Shu, loyal, brave, and skilled in battle. Only he can withstand Liu Bei! If our lord hesitates any longer, Fucheng will be unprepared and fall in an instant. By then, it will be too late to defend the city! The matter of Zhang Song should be put aside for now; defending against the enemy is our priority!"

A group of loyal ministers took turns offering advice, each word a good strategy to save Yizhou. However, Liu Zhang remained timid and hesitant. He had been guarding Yizhou since childhood and had never experienced war. He was reluctant to give up his base, feared that the flames of war would affect him, and was even more afraid of Liu Bei's military might. He kept muttering, "Can we hold on?" and hesitated to give the order.

Seeing this, Huang Quan spoke sternly: "If our lord does not give the order, Fucheng will fall in an instant! The foundation of Yizhou will be destroyed by hesitation!"

These words struck Liu Zhang like a hammer blow. Looking at the gloomy sky outside the palace, and recalling Liu Bei's army, which had been advancing with unstoppable momentum, now cornered, he shakily raised his hand, his voice hoarse and trembling, and issued the order to defend against the enemy: "Pass on my order! Command Zhang Ren to immediately lead 30,000 elite troops… no, Ling Bao, Deng Xian, Liu Gui, and Wu Yi, all to Fucheng! Also, command Li Yan as Protector General, to go to Mianzhu to oversee the army. We must keep Liu Bei out of the Chengdu Plain!"

The soldiers obeyed the order and rushed off. The civil and military officials in the palace gradually dispersed to prepare for battle, leaving Liu Zhang alone in the warm pavilion.

The charcoal fire blazed brightly, but it couldn't warm the icy chill in his heart. He kept thinking about Zhang Song's whereabouts, regretting that he hadn't listened to advice and insisted on leading Liu Bei into Sichuan. He hated himself even more for leaking secrets, which led to the loss of popular support and the imminent invasion of a large army.

Outside the window, the cold wind howled and the palace lanterns swayed. Liu Zhang looked at the empty hall, his heart filled with despair. He knew that this order to defend Fucheng to the death might not be the last chance for Yizhou to survive. But his cowardly nature had already destined him to have no chance of winning this battle for Yizhou.

The footsteps of Liu Bei's army drew ever closer, and the peace of Chengdu was about to be shattered. The land of abundance that he had painstakingly protected was now in grave danger.

Sure enough, just half a month later.

On the evening of the twentieth day, a heart-wrenching cry and frantic footsteps suddenly rang out outside the mansion gate. A scout stumbled and scrambled into the warm pavilion, his face ashen, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "My lord... my lord! The front lines have been defeated... Fucheng... Fucheng has suffered a crushing defeat!"

"What...what did you say?"

"Huang Zhong served as Liu Bei's vanguard and engaged our army in battle north of Fucheng. Generals Ling Bao and Deng Xian were killed in action. Generals Zhang Ren and Liu Gui could not withstand the attack and fled with their remaining troops. Wu Yi... Wu Yi surrendered to Liu Bei! Li Yan and Fei Guan also surrendered at Mianzhu! Generals Zhang Ren and Liu Gui fled to Mianzhu. General Liu Gui was captured alive by Li Yan while protecting General Zhang Ren during their breakout attempt!"