NOVPUBZhang Fei was completely oblivious to the fact that shortly after his arrival, he had become the target of the prepared Zhang Liao, who had wanted to fiercely attack him multiple times.
However, due to Chen Chi’s "Turtle Stream" tactic being extremely repulsive, Zhang Liao felt like a dog trying to bite a hedgehog and could not find an angle to attack. He had no choice but to spy regularly, waiting to seize the opportunity for battle.
Honestly speaking, Zhang Liao, who was not yet renowned but whose actual ability was undeniably first-class, had developed a disgust towards the distant camp. Chen Chi had set traps right under his watch, then blatantly started digging a moat, expanded the camp, added an outer fortification, and littered the entire outer enclosure with traps...
Now, Chen Chi was even beginning to pile up an earth mountain outside the outer fortress, stationing archers on top of it, and reinforcing the sides of the dirt slope not facing the fortress with giant timbers, essentially making it almost ninety degrees steep...
"How’s the catapult design coming along?" Chen Chi inquired of the accompanying craftsmen.
"It’s functional, but there are structural issues and the parts wear out too quickly," the craftsman replied.
"Part wear? Don’t worry about it, we’re not using it. It’s just there to scare them. Dismantle it in a bit and then reassemble it on top of the earth mountain," Chen Chi said casually. The epitome of "Turtle Stream" was to discourage the enemy at a glance, not to fight before making them afraid to engage. Anything intimidating was thrown into the mix.
Standing on a hill some ten miles away and enhancing his eyesight with Inner Qi, Zhang Liao completely abandoned any thoughts of raiding the camp upon sighting the catapult on the earth mountain; the opponent was simply shameless.
"Let’s just withdraw the troops, and wait to rendezvous with General Lyu. Strategist Chen must have his own considerations. Pity to miss this opportunity," Zhang Liao helplessly gave up his camp raiding plan.
[I’ll remember you. Although I don’t know your name, you’ve sounded a warning for me. When launching an attack, don’t pay attention to anything else. The more you focus on, the fewer your chances. Bravery is what’s needed for an attack!] With a grim face, Zhang Liao led a thousand elite Wolf Cavalry away directly. If he had known it would turn out like this, he would have struck hard the very first day before he’d had a chance to understand the enemy.
Meanwhile, Guan Yu was leading five thousand infantry and cavalry with Guo Jia as the military advisor, and they were now only a day’s march away from Zhang Fei.
The new Guard General in Licheng wasn’t assigned to Zang Ba, contrary to Liu Bei’s expectation, but Guan Yu made the unorthodox decision to hand it over to Wei Yan. This decision, including Guo Jia and Zang Ba, did not provoke any objections. The only twenty-year-old Wei Yan successfully took command of a secondary troop, ready for a hard-fought engagement with Gao Lan from Jizhou.
"Brother Wei, are you sure what we are doing is okay?" Guan Ping, who privately treated the young man resembling his father like an older brother, asked.
"Gao Lan is very cautious. If we don’t do this, do you think he’ll fall for the trick?" Wei Yan asked, tilting his head.
"But if we get found out, we’ll definitely lose Leling," Guan Ping said, his voice shaking slightly. His father had just left, and Licheng’s highest command had just been passed to Wei Yan. He himself had just taken sole command of troops, and Wei Yan immediately proposed a daring stratagem that had Guan Ping’s heart racing.
"Losing Leling won’t really affect the overall situation," Wei Yan said, licking his lips with an excited look. He himself was surprised that Guan Yu had entrusted him with the highest command in Licheng. He was somewhat stunned when Guan Yu had first suggested it.
It was precisely because of this that Wei Yan felt extremely grateful to Guan Yu, and he believed he couldn’t let Guan Yu down, so he planned to achieve a great merit to show his gratitude.
"That’s true, but losing Leling, Brother Wei, you’re definitely facing demotion, and my position as Sima of Separate Division is certainly gone too. It looks like I’ll have to keep learning from my father; not that we shouldn’t learn from my father, but..." Guan Ping said with an expression of helplessness.
What general doesn’t want to lead troops, especially young officers like Guan Ping who normally would only command a few hundred men? Guan Yu was extremely strict with both, treating them almost the same as other soldiers. If it weren’t for Wei Yan and Guan Ping’s exceptional performances, they would even struggle to stand out.
"Would you rather wait for the general to return and then go back to leading just a few hundred private troops?" Wei Yan asked, tilting his head, though clearly a hint of temptation laced his words—as irresistible as if spoken by a general!
"..." Guan Ping’s face was a portrait of struggle, and now leading nearly two thousand infantry and cavalry, he dreaded the thought of returning to the days of commanding only a few hundred men. "Done! If trouble arises, I’ll shoulder it with you; at most, my father will give me a few lashes!"
"Don’t think of it as so terrible. If there wasn’t a chance of success, I wouldn’t do it," Wei Yan reassured, patting Guan Ping on the shoulder. "If we succeed, when General Guan returns, we could both be promoted to Subordinate General."
"All right, I’m in. I’ve been irritated with Gao Lan for a while now," Guan Ping recalled the last time when he was wounded under Gao Lan, brooding unhappily over the memory.
In Yanzhou, Guan Yu and Guo Jia advanced steadily without any unexpected incidents.
"Ping’er and Wen Chang should be fine, right?" Guan Yu stroked his big beard, his true feelings only revealed in front of Military Advisor Guo, away from his typically aloof public facade.
"They’ll be fine. Changwen is daring, but his boldness and strategy are outstanding. Tanzhi is meticulous and steady. One uses conventional tactics while the other employs ingenious strategies—they shouldn’t have any major issues. Moreover, General Guan, if you want them to grow, you can’t always shield them under your protective wings. Wei Wenchang has the talent of a great general, and if you don’t let go, that will be the extent of his accomplishments," Guo Jia spoke highly of Wei Yan, appreciating those whose boldness and love for ingenious strategy could turn weakness into strength.
"I’m grateful for your auspicious words," Guan Yu sighed, holding Wei Yan in even higher regard than his own son.
"General Guan need not worry. With Wei Wenchang’s courage and strategy, barring any incidents, he should accomplish a great feat before we return to Licheng," Guo Jia said with a smile.
"Military Advisor Guo, did you leave any contingency plans?" inquired Guan Yu, curious. Having been around Guo Jia for some time, Guan Yu had become accustomed to his methods. While both Strategist Liu Ye and Guo Jia relied on cunning, Liu Ye would make many preparations and then let Guan Yu choose, but Guo Jia’s forte was leaving contingency plans, never letting anyone see through his true intentions.
"There are contingencies, but they have to notice them. If they can utilize them to their fullest potential, they will be qualified to be commanders of an army," said Guo Jia with a smile, making it clear that he was also training this group. His method suited Wei Yan perfectly, hoping to hone him and others through the hands of Zang Ba of Jizhou.
"With that said, I am at ease," Guan Yu nodded, though he still held some concerns, having specifically instructed Zang Ba to keep an eye on the north before leaving. If Wei Yan and Guan Ping couldn’t hold the lines, Zang Ba could directly take over the northern military authority. To prepare for any eventuality, Guan Yu had even written the orders in advance.
"Let us encamp here first, recuperate, and gather strength. After a night’s rest, we’ll reunite with Yide. We are now deep in Yanzhou, and we must be cautious to avoid giving Chen Gongtai a chance to capitalize on any opportunity. That man is not easy to deal with." Guo Jia glanced at the sky and advised, never underestimating Chen Gong.
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