novelSusiti Chapter 11: Wei Army Presses In, Internal Troubles Arise
Chapter 11: Wei Army Presses In, Internal Troubles Arise
In the main hall of Chengdu, the flickering candlelight cast a long, slender shadow of Liu Shan.
He held the secret report in his palm; the ink still wet on the victory report radiated warmth, yet there was no relaxation between his brows. His fingertips lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, the rhythm as steady as a drum.
Chen Dao rescued Zhao Yun, and Ma Zhong lifted the siege of Nanzhong. Although this first step in breaking the deadlock went smoothly, Li Yan harbored ulterior motives, and Sima Yi changed his route to attack. The real life-or-death battle had only just begun.
Outside the palace, the wind rustled the eaves, and the light footsteps of a palace attendant approached, yet carried an undisguised urgency. He bowed and rushed in: "Your Majesty, Generals Zhao Yun and Chen Dao have rushed back overnight and are waiting for your orders outside the palace!"
Liu Shan raised his eyes, his voice devoid of its former timidity, revealing only imperial majesty: "Summon them."
Two blood-soaked figures entered at the sound of their voices. Their armor clanged as they knelt on one knee, their voices booming like bells echoing throughout the hall: "Your subjects Zhao Yun and Chen Dao pay their respects to Your Majesty!"
Zhao Yun's armor was tattered, and dark red blood seeped through the bandages on his shoulders, but his back remained straight, and his sincerity in his eyes was undiminished: "Your Majesty, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission and have broken through the encirclement with General Chen Dao. Yangping Pass has been handed over to Wei Yan to defend to the death, and there is no major danger for the time being."
Chen Dao followed closely behind, his tone somber: "The White Feather Army suffered more than twenty casualties, and the Cao Wei ambush has been routed, but Hao Zhao is still leading a large army to besiege Yangping Pass, and dares not make any rash moves."
Liu Shan rose and walked slowly to the two men. He personally helped Zhao Yun up, his fingertips lightly touching the bandage on his shoulder, his tone warm: "Both generals have worked hard. Zhao Yun, you have followed me for many years, fighting to the death even when surrounded. I am very pleased."
Zhao Yun's heart warmed, and he bowed again: "I have eaten the emperor's food and served him loyally; I have no regrets even if I die! However, Sima Yi is cunning; this time, his change of course will surely lead him to Chengdu. Your Majesty must prepare for this!"
Looking at Liu Shan before him, he sighed inwardly—today His Majesty was calm and dignified, completely different from his timid self in the past. He had underestimated this new ruler.
Liu Shan nodded and returned to his seat, his expression turning serious again: "I understand. Chen Dao, you will lead the remaining White Feather soldiers to immediately defend the inner city of Chengdu, strictly inspect those entering and leaving, and make sure to find the Cao Wei spies!"
"Zhao Yun, you rest for a day. Tomorrow, lead 5,000 elite troops to reinforce Yangping Pass and help Wei Yan hold off Hao Zhao. We must not allow him to join forces with Sima Yi!"
"Your subject obeys!" the two replied in unison, bowed and took their leave, the sound of their armor rubbing gradually fading into the distance.
Silence returned to the hall. Liu Shan picked up the secret report again, his gaze fixed on the words "Li Yan contacted Cao Wei's secret envoy," and a cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.
He tightened his grip on the secret report, the corners of which were crumpled from his clenching—Li Yan, I spared you some face because you were a minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor, but you showed no remorse and dared to collude with foreign enemies and hand over the prime minister. You truly have the ambition of a wolf!
Li Yan had no real intention of rebelling; he was merely blinded by power. Now that the situation in the south had reversed, he had no other choice but to take this desperate gamble. However, Zhuge Liang was being held captive in his camp, and if he were to act rashly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Guards!" Liu Shan shouted in a low voice, his tone icy.
The dark figure appeared in response and knelt on one knee: "Your subject is here."
"Issue my secret order!" Liu Shan's words were firm and resolute. "After Ma Zhong stabilizes the southern region, he shall lead three thousand elite troops to secretly reinforce the outer perimeter of Li Yan's army camp, closely monitoring his movements. If he dares to harm the Prime Minister in the slightest, immediately send troops to encircle and annihilate him!"
"Furthermore, I have ordered the Prime Minister's trusted confidants to secretly send a message to him, informing him that I have laid out a grand plan and that he should remain patient and not act rashly."
"Your subject obeys the decree." The dark figure bowed deeply and instantly disappeared into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.
Meanwhile, in Li Yan's military camp, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable.
Li Yan stood outside the tent, gazing at the southern horizon, his expression anxious and restless. He gripped the horsewhip in his hand so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
The spies just reported that Ma Zhong has defeated Cao Wei's reinforcements, Meng Huo and Zhang Yi's allied forces have stabilized the southern region, and Liu Shan has even rescued Zhao Yun—how could this be? Liu Shan was hiding such a trump card!
His mind was in turmoil: detaining Zhuge Liang was no longer enough to force Liu Shan to compromise, and if Sima Yi did not send troops in time, he would surely die!
Li Yan suddenly turned around and rushed into the main tent. Zhuge Liang was sitting upright at his desk, gently waving his feather fan, his expression calm, as if he had already seen through all the changes.
"Li Zhengfang, you look so flustered. Could it be that bad news has come from the south?" Zhuge Liang spoke first, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Li Yan's face darkened, and he shouted sternly, "Stop talking nonsense! The situation in the South has nothing to do with you!"
"I have already contacted Sima Yi. As long as I hand you over, he will lead his army south to help me seize power in Shu Han. At that time, you will be my prisoner!"
Zhuge Liang chuckled lightly, slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Li Yan: "Do you think Sima Yi would sincerely help you? He's just using you to get rid of me, and then take over Shu Han in one fell swoop. From beginning to end, you've just been his pawn."
Li Yan was jolted, his heart skipped a beat—yes, Sima Yi was cunning and suspicious, how could he genuinely help me? But now, he had no way out.
He feigned composure and waved his hand, ordering, "No more words! Keep a close watch on him and forbid him from contacting anyone!"
The trusted confidant withdrew in response, leaving only the two men in the tent. The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating.
Meanwhile, outside Luoyang, Sima Yi led his army on a whirlwind journey, heading straight for Chengdu.
He sat upright on his horse, his face gloomy, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, his eyes full of calculation: Liu Shan, that brat, is indeed very cunning. He actually managed to break my plan, rescue Zhao Yun, and lift the siege of Nanzhong.
"But do you think you can turn the tide like this?" Sima Yi sneered. "Li Yan harbors treacherous intentions, Zhuge Liang is being held captive, and Chengdu's military strength is severely depleted. I will lead my army straight to the city walls, capture Liu Shan alive, and unify Shu!"
A scout rushed over, knelt down and reported: "Grand Tutor, Li Yan has sent a secret letter, offering to surrender Zhuge Liang and imploring you to expedite the march and attack Chengdu from both sides."
Sima Yi glanced at the secret letter, casually tossed it on the ground, and stomped on it: "Li Yan? Nothing but a clown. Once I take Chengdu, not only Zhuge Liang, but even he will be doomed!"
"Send the order: the army must accelerate its march and reach the outskirts of Chengdu within three days!"
The sound of bugles pierced the sky, and the Cao Wei army, with its overwhelming momentum and billowing dust, sped towards Chengdu, its murderous aura pressing directly towards the capital of Shu.
Inside Chengdu, Qiao Zhou temporarily took charge of the defense of the capital region, but secretly summoned the gentry of Yizhou to plot a rebellion in his residence.
Qiao Zhou sat upright in the main seat, his tone resolute: "Gentlemen, Sima Yi's army is about to arrive at the city. Liu Shan is attacked from both sides and is already at his last gasp."
"We only need to remain still and wait for Sima Yi to capture Chengdu, then lead the gentry to surrender. At that time, we can not only preserve our wealth and status, but also potentially seize power in Shu!"
A member of the gentry quickly chimed in, "Lord Qiao is absolutely right! Liu Shan is weak and incompetent. Even if he manages to break the deadlock temporarily, he will be no match for Sima Yi. Making plans early is the only way to protect himself!"
Everyone nodded, their faces full of opportunism, unaware that every word spoken inside the tent was relayed back to the palace by Liu Shan's spies.
Inside the main hall, Liu Shan listened to the report from the spies, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
Qiao Zhou and his ilk are short-sighted fools who actually dared to take advantage of the chaos to surrender to Cao Wei and betray their master for personal gain. They are truly courting death! Today, I will settle accounts with them all and completely eliminate this hidden danger in the court!
He rose and walked to the palace window, gazing at the dusty northwards with a resolute expression.
Sima Yi's army was pressing in, Li Yan harbored ulterior motives, and Qiao Zhou secretly colluded with the enemy; internal and external troubles were intertwined. Yet he showed no fear, but instead his fighting spirit soared—ten years of forbearance, today was the time for him to display his brilliance and save Shu Han from its perilous situation!
Just then, the dark figure rushed in again, his expression unusually panicked: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"
Liu Shan turned around and asked in a deep voice, "What's the matter?"
"Upon learning that Ma Zhong had led troops to reinforce the city, Li Yan became enraged and threatened to escort the Prime Minister to Cao Wei's camp in three days and hand him over to Sima Yi!"
Liu Shan was shocked, his aura instantly turning icy cold, his fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white—Li Yan actually dared to lay a hand on the Prime Minister!
Even more devastating were the shadowy figure's next words, which struck him like a bolt from the blue: "Furthermore, Sima Yi's army has reached within thirty miles of Chengdu and set up camp; Hao Zhao has also abandoned Yangping Pass to join them. Chengdu is now completely besieged!"
With Chengdu besieged and Zhuge Liang in imminent danger, coupled with the clandestine rebellions by Qiao Zhou and others within the city, Shu Han was once again plunged into dire straits.
Liu Shan slowly clenched his fist, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes—it seemed he had no choice but to reveal all his trump cards ahead of time and engage in a life-or-death battle with Sima Yi and Li Yan!
What he didn't know was that Ma Zhong's army had already fallen into an ambush set up by Sima Yi on their way to the rescue, and was surrounded and unable to reach Li Yan's camp for a long time.
While under house arrest, Zhuge Liang secretly wrote a letter in Li Yan's tent and entrusted it to a trusted confidant to send out. The letter contained only one short sentence, but every word carried immense weight: "Your Majesty, you may abandon me and protect Shu Han!"
[End of Chapter]