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

"Is this a scheme to sow discord?" Liu Bei asked.

"Yes, sow discord between Beigong Boyu and Han Sui." Li Chang nodded.

"With such a brilliant night raid failing, Beigong Boyu will definitely suspect something!"

He's at a time when he's very suspicious. With a little manipulation, we can easily make him suspect Han Sui.

"How do you sow discord?" Zhang Fei leaned closer.

"Simple." Li Chang smiled. "Tomorrow, Brother will lead the entire army to the city walls, making it look like an attack. Then send someone to summon Han Sui to come out and chat in front of the enemy lines."

"Chatting?" Everyone was stunned. "Really just chatting?"

"Yes." Li Chang nodded. "We'll talk about anything—the weather, the customs and traditions of Liangzhou, old stories. But we won't talk about war or military matters. The longer we talk, the better."

Liu Bei immediately understood: "Fourth Brother, do you want Beigong Boyu to think that I have a secret connection with Han Sui?"

“That’s right,” Li Changdao said. “Beigong Boyu is already suspicious. If he sees you and Han Sui chatting on the battlefield for a few hours, even if Han Sui doesn’t say anything, he will become suspicious.”

"Great plan!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh and laughed. "I'll go take a look too!"

……

Meanwhile, in Ji County, at the Prefect's residence.

Bei Gong Boyu kicked over the table, spilling wine and meat all over the floor.

He was truly angry this time! He didn't even go looking for the Qiang woman, let alone the powerful clan woman he had abducted!

"Useless! All of them are utterly useless! Tens of thousands of troops launched a night attack on Liu Bei, and they still lost like this!"

He pointed at the three generals kneeling on the ground and began to curse:

"Your feint attack was seen through, your main force fell into the ambush, and you call this a counterattack? Are you all pigs?"

The three generals lowered their heads, trembling all over, not daring to breathe.

Bei Gong Boyu, panting heavily, drew his curved sword and cleaved a nearby pillar in two.

"No, that's not right." He suddenly stopped, his eyes sweeping over the generals under his tent with a sinister look.

"How did Liu Bei know we were going to launch a night attack? How did he know we would attack in three waves? How did he set traps in both the front and rear camps beforehand?"

"unless……"

He suddenly stopped:

"A traitor has emerged from among our 100,000-strong army!"

The tent fell eerily silent. Everyone followed Beigong Boyu's gaze.

I just happened to see Han Sui!

Han Sui's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Why are you and the others looking at me like that, General?"

"What are you looking at?" Bei Gong Boyu smiled kindly and walked step by step to Han Sui:

"You came up with the idea of ​​a night raid. Tell me, how did Liu Bei know we had planned everything?"

"The general suspects me?" Han Sui asked, looking shocked.

"I am utterly loyal to the general, how could I possibly collude with the enemy? If I were colluding with the enemy, I would have simply cooperated from within and without, opening the city gates to let Liu Bei in. Why wait until now?"

Bian Zhang quickly stepped forward to smooth things over:

"General, Wen Yue is right. If he were colluding with the enemy, we would be finished long ago. It's most likely that the scouts were discovered by the Han army, and the news leaked out."

Bei Gong Boyu stared at Han Sui for a long time, his murderous intent growing stronger.

But upon closer reflection, it seems to make some sense! Han Sui has been offering advice quite frequently lately.

Han Sui straightened his back and met his gaze, his face showing no sign of panic.

After a long while, Bei Gong Boyu finally withdrew his gaze and snorted coldly, "It better not be you. If I find out you've colluded with the enemy, I'll tear you to pieces."

"Discount the bill!"

After saying that, he turned and left!

The generals breathed a sigh of relief and dispersed.

Bian Zhang pulled Han Sui to a secluded corner: "Wen Yue, that was too dangerous. Bei Gong Boyu is already suspicious."

Han Sui's composure vanished instantly, replaced by a sinister look: "I know."

"It's all Liu Bei's fault!" he gritted his teeth. "I never imagined that just revealing a little bit of information about the night raid would allow them to ambush Beigong Boyu!"

Bian Zhang sighed, "What do we do now? Bei Gong Boyu is inherently suspicious. Even if we get through this hurdle, he might never trust you again."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Han Sui said indifferently. "If he doesn't trust me, why would I trust him?"

He then asked, "How are the major clans preparing?"

Bian Zhang nodded: "We're ready, but they won't dare to lead the rebellion against Beigong Boyu unless they see any hope of defeating him!"

……

The following afternoon, before the garrison on the walls of Ji County had even changed shifts, the war drums outside the city sounded again.

The Han army only rested for one morning before being pulled back to work. For the sake of the Han Dynasty, they had no choice but to endure this hardship for the time being.

Upon hearing the news, Bei Gong Boyu led his personal guards to the city wall.

"Is Liu Bei going to attack the city?" He gripped the curved sword at his waist. "Order the entire army to be on high alert! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

As they were talking, a cavalryman from the Han army spurred his horse forward and shouted:

"General Han! My lord, the General of Anxi, invites you to a discussion on the battlefield!"

The city walls were deathly silent.

Everyone looked at Han Sui.

Bei Gong Boyu also turned his head and stared at Han Sui, his eyes looking strange.

Han Sui was taken aback. What was going on?

"General, I have no prior dealings with Liu Bei," Han Sui said, feigning composure. "Why does he want to speak with me?"

"Is that so?" Bei Gong Boyu asked with a forced smile.

"You'll have to ask Liu Bei! You have to go. I want to see what Liu Bei, with whom I have no prior dealings, has to say to you."

He said that, but he already had a knot in his heart.

Han Sui replied helplessly, "Yes, sir."

He took two bodyguards, opened the city gate, and rode out.

Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, rode forward to meet them. The two sides stopped about a hundred paces apart.

"Brother Wenyue, it's been many years! How have you been?" Liu Bei shouted, cupping his hands in greeting, so that everyone on the city gate could hear him!

"Liu Zhonglang," Han Sui returned the greeting, "I wonder what brings you here today, Liu Zhonglang? Have we met before?"

"Nothing much to say," Liu Bei said with a smile. "I've long admired General Han's reputation and would like to have a chat with him."

For the next two hours, Liu Bei followed Li Chang's strategy and had a real chat with Han Sui.

Liu Bei also had superb conversational skills; just chatting like this made Han Sui feel very happy, as if they were old friends of many years.

They talked about everything from the weather in Liangzhou to the specialties of Longxi, from the former Protector of the Qiang to the customs of the Qiang and Hu people, from their past lives to the philosophy of the universe.

They rambled on about this and that, about everything under the sun, without mentioning a single word about war, Ji County, or Beigong Boyu.

On the city wall, Bei Gong Boyu's face grew increasingly dark.

He stood on the parapet, staring intently at the two men chatting and laughing in front of him, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Two hours later, Liu Bei bowed.

"I had a very pleasant conversation with General Han today; let's talk again another day."

"Alright." Han Sui also cupped his hands in greeting. "Let's talk another day."

Both sides reined in their horses and returned to their respective positions.

Han Sui returned to the city wall, and just as he was about to speak, Beigong Boyu stared coldly at him: "What did you two talk about?"

"It's nothing," Han Sui said. "We were just chatting about everyday things."

"Casual conversation?" Bei Gong Boyu sneered. "Two hours of casual conversation? Han Sui, tell me honestly, haven't you been colluding with Liu Bei all along?"

"Why do you say that, General?" Han Sui was startled. Had he discovered something?

He feigned surprise, saying, "I am utterly loyal to the general; how could I possibly collude with Liu Bei?"

"Completely loyal?" Bei Gong Boyu stared intently at him. "If it weren't for collusion, why would he choose you over someone else? And chat for two hours straight?"

"How would I know?" Han Sui shrugged. "Perhaps Liu Bei is just bored."

After saying that, he turned and left. He was tired of talking. Liu Bei was good in every way, but he didn't even know to give him a drink of water!

Bei Gong Boyu watched his retreating figure, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

He whispered to his personal guards:

"Send someone to keep an eye on Han Sui, and report his every move to me!"

"Yes, sir!"