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

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was immediately moved and was about to agree.

Gu Sulin rushed forward again in a hurry:

No!

"The strategist is the mastermind behind the conquest of Sichuan. If he goes in person and Zhang Ren manages to outmaneuver him at Luofeng Slope, our army's morale will surely collapse!"

He paused for a moment, then offered a feasible solution, discouraging Pang Tong from continuing his risky adventure:

"If we must take the back road, we must never let the strategist go there in person."

Even if the vanguard enters the valley, they must carry large shields and powerful crossbows, and prepare in advance for arrow and rockfall protection; at the same time, the main force on the main road should speed up its march, circle around to the hills on both sides of Luofeng Slope, and ambush them from behind the hills at night. Once the ambush in the valley is aroused, our army will cross the hilltop, take advantage of the high ground, and launch a pincer attack, turning Luofeng Slope into Zhang Ren's burial place.

Pang Tong frowned slightly, first showing displeasure, then a hint of doubt, and his tone became a little more serious:

"Zimao, I know you are always cautious, and I also know that one must be wary of mountains and rivers."

You usually don't say much, but today you kept stopping me, speaking very urgently, as if you were certain there was an ambush here.

How can Zimao be so certain?

"this……"

Gu Sulin was taken aback, not expecting Pang Tong to ask him that question. Perhaps he had indeed been a little too excited.

The strategist asked me why I was so certain.

If Zhang Ren did not set up an ambush outside the city, he would undoubtedly be defeated.

Now that our army has the moral high ground, all the counties and prefectures have surrendered without a second thought. Zhang Ren is a famous general in Shu, how could he not know that an isolated army cannot withstand the attack?

If he leaves this dangerous place undefended and allows our army to advance steadily, Luocheng will be an isolated city in less than ten days.

He can both defend and not defend; he can both fight and not dare to fight.

Only by setting up an ambush here, taking advantage of my underestimation of the enemy, can we have a chance to hold out for a long time.

A renowned general would never push himself into a position where he was "unable to fight," therefore Zhang Ren would surely have laid an ambush.

Pang Tong slowly exhaled, his expression finally calming down. "It was my eagerness for speed that nearly put me in danger. My lord, perhaps we should follow Zi Mao's advice: the vanguard should be well-equipped with shields and armor, and cautiously enter the valley; the main force should flank from the rear, waiting for an opportunity to launch a counter-ambush. This way, we won't miss our chance and can also break their ambush."

Liu Bei immediately approved the order: "Execute this order! Send word to the entire army to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and not to underestimate the dangers of the terrain because of consecutive victories. Anyone who disobeys will be punished according to military law!"

The generals inside the tent responded in unison, their previous enthusiasm and arrogance vanishing, replaced by an atmosphere of strict vigilance.

Gu Sulin stood aside, watching everyone accept their orders, and the huge weight in his heart finally lifted slightly. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his fingertips were still slightly cold.

……

The banners on the walls of Luocheng were half-furled, and soldiers were running back and forth on the walls, carrying stones and logs, and counting arrows and provisions, creating a tense scene of preparation for war.

Since his defeat at Mianzhu and retreat to this place, Zhang Ren has not closed his eyes. He has not removed his blood-stained armor, his face is haggard, but his eyes are still as sharp as an eagle. He sits on the city tower all day, watching the movements outside the city. He exudes a ruthless spirit of going all in.

He led 30,000 men and met with other generals in Fucheng. The combined forces of all sides numbered 50,000, but a veteran general under Liu Bei led his troops to kill most of them.

Many soldiers, seeing that Liu Bei's army did not harm the people in any way, and hearing that their families in northern Sichuan were doing better than before, lost all fighting spirit and even defected.

Huang Zhong alone killed Ling Bao and Deng Xian. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Wu Yi surrendered the city without waiting for Zhang Ren to withdraw his troops!

Zhang Ren had no choice but to retreat to Mianzhu, but Li Yan had already surrendered and left the city to join Liu Bei in attacking him. He even captured Liu Gui, who was protecting him during his escape, as a pledge of loyalty.

Now they can only gather less than 10,000 remnants of their army and escape back to Luocheng.

Even so, Zhang Ren was unwilling to give up and wait for death, much less to surrender.

He knew that Luocheng was Chengdu's last line of defense; if Luocheng fell, Chengdu could be captured in an instant.

After gathering the remaining troops, he ordered the city's defenses to be reinforced while repeatedly pondering strategies to defeat the enemy.

After a series of victories, Liu Bei's army will inevitably become arrogant and eager to advance. Only by setting up an ambush in a dangerous place can we blunt their momentum and reverse their decline.

But if I lead my troops to ambush them, and Liu Bei's army doesn't take the shortcuts but comes straight to Luocheng via the main road, leaving the city undefended, wouldn't that be handing Luocheng over to them?

We can neither advance nor retreat; what should we do?

Just as he was hesitating, he heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats behind him, accompanied by the soldiers' announcements. Liu Xun, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and with a long sword at his waist, led five thousand elite Chengdu soldiers and rode straight towards the gate of Luocheng. Liu Xun was tall and straight, and his brows were full of determination.

The city gate slowly opened, and Liu Xun dismounted. Ignoring his exhaustion from the long journey, he strode up the city wall, walked straight to Zhang Ren, bowed respectfully, and said in a firm voice, "General Zhang! Liu Xun has been ordered by my father to lead five thousand elite troops from Chengdu to reinforce you and defend Luocheng together!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ren turned around and looked at the travel-worn but determined young master before him. A hint of emotion flashed in his eyes, but he didn't engage in any pleasantries. The military situation was urgent, and there was no room for formalities. He nodded slightly to Liu Xun, his tone calm and decisive, and went straight to the point: "Young master, you've come at the right time. The defense of Luocheng is critical, and I'm short-handed to oversee the overall situation."

Liu Xun straightened his back and said earnestly, "General, you are the foremost general in Shu, well-versed in military strategy. The defense of the city is entirely at your command; I will have no objections!"

Zhang Ren's gaze was solemn as he looked towards the mountain path leading to Luocheng outside the city. He said in a deep voice, "Liu Bei has won two consecutive victories, and his army's morale is high. He will definitely be eager to take Luocheng. I estimate that he will not take the main road and waste time, but will choose the side path to advance quickly. Luofeng Slope, which is located halfway along the path, is flanked by two mountains and has deep forests. It is an excellent ambush site. This is our army's only chance to turn the tide."

He paused, looked at Liu Xun, and said firmly, "I intend to personally lead my elite troops to Luofeng Slope to ambush them and catch them off guard. As long as we defeat Liu Bei's vanguard and break their morale, the crisis in Luocheng can be resolved. However, I fear that something unexpected might happen, and Liu Bei and Pang Tong might come from the main road, causing me to lose the city for nothing."

"Now that you have arrived, my lord, the defense of Luo City is entirely entrusted to you. After I leave the city, you must remain in the city, supervise the soldiers to reinforce the defenses, guard the four gates, manage the provisions and weapons, and make sure to hold the city until my return."

Liu Xun's heart tightened. He knew the ambush at Luofeng Slope was extremely dangerous, and he also understood the immense responsibility of defending the city. Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded emphatically, his tone resolute: "General, rest assured! Though I am not talented, I know the weight of the responsibility of defending the city! While you go to set up the ambush, I will defend Luocheng to the death, keeping all four gates tightly shut, guarding it with utmost vigilance, and ensuring that not a single soldier is allowed to breach the city until your triumphant return!"

Seeing Liu Xun's sense of responsibility, Zhang Ren felt somewhat relieved. He patted Liu Xun on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Good! With your words, young master, I have no more worries. The safety of Luocheng rests entirely on the two of us. I will do my utmost to intercept Liu Bei at Luofeng Slope. You must not be careless while you are in the city!"

Having said that, Zhang Ren did not delay any longer. He quickly mustered three thousand elite troops, prepared bows and crossbows, and immediately led his army out of the city, heading straight for Luofeng Slope. They traveled lightly and swiftly, raising dust as they went, leaving only their resolute backs.

Liu Xun stood atop the city wall of Luocheng, gazing in the direction Zhang Ren had led his army away. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes hardening with resolve. Turning to the defenders on the wall, he loudly ordered, "Pass on my command! All soldiers must immediately ascend the wall, reinforce the defenses, and guard the four gates. No one may open the city without my order; those who disobey will be executed!"

The military order was issued, and the morale of the Luocheng garrison was boosted. The soldiers prepared for battle with even greater effort. Liu Xun personally inspected the area, not daring to slacken for a moment. He eagerly awaited news of Zhang Ren's ambush victory at Luofengpo and held the last gateway to Chengdu firmly in his defense.