The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

"Take the small path through the northern Longshan Mountains. There is a narrow path here, which has been in disrepair for many years, but it is still passable for light troops. By going around through this path, you can directly enter Jieting."

"Jieting?" Zhao Chang was stunned.

"Yes, Jieting!"

Li Chang pressed his finger down, landing on a point northwest of Longguan:

"This is one of the rear supply routes for Longguan. The rebel garrison at Longguan relies entirely on supplies transported from the rear. If our army captures Jieting, Longguan will become an isolated city."

The hall was quiet.

"With the Jieting Pass cut off, the 5,000 garrison at Longguan will collapse without a fight. Moreover, our army can directly penetrate into the rear of Ji County and engage the main force of the rebels in a decisive battle."

Zhang Fei slapped his thigh: "Then what are we waiting for! Let's go around!"

"But it's not that simple." Li Chang spoke again, having discussed the advantages, it was time to talk about the disadvantages.

"This path is narrow and in some places it has been in disrepair for many years, making it difficult for the army to move forward."

In particular, there is almost no water source along the way, and supplies are difficult to follow. If the enemy discovers our position and blocks our exit, our army will be surrounded.

"Therefore, we can only travel lightly, quickly, without any supplies."

At the same time, our army must leave a force on the front of Longguan to launch a large-scale feigned attack, drawing the defenders' full attention and leaving them no energy to even glance northward.

"Furthermore, the path is surrounded by Qiang and Hu tribes. If someone informs Beigong Boyu, our whereabouts will be exposed."

Fortunately, we have now recruited over a thousand Qiang and Hu cavalrymen. They are familiar with the terrain and can help us gather intelligence and stabilize the tribes along the way.

The group pondered the possibility of a surprise attack.

After they finished accepting the message, Li Chang continued:

"Let me talk about the disadvantages of directly attacking Longguan."

If we attack directly, we will suffer at least 3,000 casualties and it may take a month. By then, Ji County will have already fallen.

After Beigong Boyu captures Ji County, he will lead tens of thousands of his main force back to attack us, and may even instigate an even larger rebellion. At that time, we will undoubtedly be defeated.

"While a surprise attack on Jieting is risky, the probability of success is at least 70%."

If successful, we can capture Longguan at minimal cost, relieve the siege of Ji County, and completely reverse the war situation in Liangzhou.

Silence fell again in the tent. Everyone was weighing the pros and cons.

Looking at the words "Ji County" on the map, Liu Bei recalled the blood-stained letter pleading for help and the people in Ji County who were struggling to survive.

He took a deep breath, abruptly raised his head, and his eyes were resolute:

"I've made up my mind! We'll do as my fourth brother says! A surprise attack on Jieting!"

"This risk is worth taking to save the people of Liangzhou!"

Seeing that Liu Bei had made up his mind, the others no longer hesitated and nodded in unison, "We will obey our lord's orders!"

The atmosphere inside the tent instantly became heavy.

The hall fell silent once again.

Zhao Chang finally realized! There was another way, something he hadn't thought of for so long!

How could someone who has lived in Liangzhou and Guanzhong for many years not understand things as well as an outsider?

Is this the difference between people?

Everyone looked at the map, deep in thought.

A direct assault on Longguan would be time-consuming and laborious, but safe. A surprise attack via a detour would be unexpected, but dangerous.

And the bad thing is that this time, the division of forces is a real division of forces!

Those launching a feint attack from the front might need to make their attack convincing and ruthless enough to fool the rebels.

The attackers must be fast and stealthy enough to capture Jieting before the enemy can react. Neither side can afford to be careless.

But now there's a new problem.

"Fourth brother," Zhang Fei frowned deeply, noticing a detail, and became unusually serious, "who will launch a feint attack, and who will lead the main force? We brothers have never fought separately before."

Guan Yu remained silent, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. Zhao Yun looked at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei stared at the map for a long time, his gaze sweeping across the faces of each of his brothers.

Yes, from the uprising in Zhuojun to the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and now to the suppression of the rebellion in Liangzhou, the four of them have always been together, fighting side by side, sharing life and death.

Now, however, we have to part ways.

Who will launch a feint attack? Who will launch a surprise attack?

Everyone fell silent.

Guan Yu stepped forward first and said in a deep voice, "Brother, my third brother and I will stay behind to launch a feint attack! You, fourth brother, and Zilong will lead the main force to launch a surprise attack on Jieting!"

"That's right!" Zhang Fei also stepped forward, patting his chest and saying, "My second brother and I will stay here and make sure we can completely fool that garrison commander! You guys go and attack Jieting with peace of mind. Maybe by the time you take Jieting, my second brother and I will have already taken Longguan!"

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, his eyes filled with reluctance: "Second brother, third brother, this is too dangerous. There are at least several thousand men at Longguan."

"Don't worry, brother!" Guan Yu stroked his long beard and said proudly, "With me and my third brother here, let alone several thousand men, even tens of thousands wouldn't be able to advance a single step!"

Just then, Xu Rong stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "My lord, I am willing to stay and assist Generals Guan and Zhang! I am skilled in defense and camp construction, and I am confident that I can hold the line and prevent the rebels from discovering our strategy!"

Li Chang looked at Xu Rong and nodded.

He trusted Xu Rong's defensive abilities. Although this was an offensive operation, with Xu Rong assisting Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, the feinting attack team had an extra layer of protection.

He looked at Liu Bei: "Brother, I think it's a good idea. Second Brother is incredibly brave, and with Xu Rong's composure, we can easily entrust the feint attack to them."

Then, my eldest brother, third brother, myself, and Zilong led our troops in a surprise attack on Jieting!

Xianhe and Zishen will be in charge of logistics for our surprise attack. Lieutenant Zhao, assist them both, and remain in Qian County to continue the defense!

"Alright!" Liu Bei nodded, immediately deciding, "Let's do as Fourth Brother says!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Everyone clasped their hands in a fist salute!

Jian Yong and Xiahou Lan, sporting dark circles under their eyes, were preparing to continue their all-nighter and work themselves to the bone!

Zhao Chang breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn't have to launch a surprise attack or a feint!

……

On the third day, everything was ready.

Outside the city, the 20,000-strong army was divided into two groups.

People outside Qianxian City flocked to the city walls to watch the spectacle, and even the wounded soldiers under Zhao Chang leaned on their crutches and poked their heads out of their barracks.

Within just a few days, they had come to fully trust Liu Bei and his army.

Liu Bei stood on the reviewing stand, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces below, finally settling on Guan Yu.

"Second brother, I'm leaving Longguan to you."

This is the first time since the Oath of the Peach Garden that the four have truly divided their forces. From a little over a thousand local militiamen in Zhuojun to an army of twenty thousand, the four have never separated, regardless of favorable or unfavorable circumstances.

Guan Yu stepped forward, his long beard fluttering in the wind:

"Don't worry, brother. With Xu Rong and me here, we'll keep the drums beating three times a day and never lower the banners."

"Let alone five thousand rebels, even if Beigong Boyu himself came, he wouldn't be able to cross the Longguan Pass."

"That's right!" Zhang Fei slammed his spear into the ground, sending dust flying high. "Me too! This time, I'm determined to join forces with my brother and take Jieting!"

Liu Bei nodded and then looked at Xu Rong.

This man had just been promoted to the rank of Marquis a few days ago. Standing behind Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he stood ramrod straight, but his clenched fists still betrayed a hint of nervousness.

He had been waiting for this opportunity for far too long.

"Lord Xu, you are familiar with the terrain of Guanzhong and are skilled in camp construction. This time, the feigned attack, the deployment of camp defenses, and the scout patrols will all be entrusted to you."

Xu Rong clasped his hands in a fist salute, the clanging of his armor making a crisp sound: "Rest assured, my lord! If even one rebel scout manages to take one more step north, I'll offer my head in return!"

Li Chang stepped forward and handed Guan Yu a roll of parchment:

"Second Brother, this is a detailed topographical map of the area around Longguan. We've left a few Black Crows here to deliver messages daily. If anything goes wrong, we'll know immediately!"

Guan Yu took the parchment, put it in his robes, and looked at Li Chang, whose tone had softened considerably for the first time:

"Fourth brother, the mountain road is difficult to travel, please be careful in everything you do."

"Don't worry, Second Brother." Li Chang smiled. "As for you guys, just fight hard enough, but don't actually try to break through the pass."

"The time's up, let's go!"

Liu Bei gave the order, and the war drums on the command platform sounded.

Zhang Fei, carrying his eighteen-foot spear, led the charge. As he left, he turned back and roared at Guan Yu, "Second Brother! After I take Jieting, I'll come back and we'll chop down that old bastard Beigong Boyu together!"

"Third brother!" Guan Yu said with a laugh and a curse, watching the army disappear into the dense forest north of the mountain before turning around.

Six thousand soldiers remained on the training ground.

Guan Yu glanced at him and exclaimed, "Xu Rong!"

"exist!"