Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 153 Winning Hearts and Minds is Paramount

The wind always arrives before death.

In Longxi, at the camp of General Zhang Heng, the darkness had deepened, but the central command tent was brightly lit by candlelight, as bright as day. The air was thick and heavy, oppressive and suffocating. Zhang Heng stood with his back to the tent entrance, his burly body like an iron tower, casting a shadow that covered almost half of the tent. On the ground before him lay three things: the imperial edict delivered arrogantly by the Wolf Guard envoy at dusk, ordering him to immediately depart for Guzang to "report for duty"; a secret wax-ball letter, risked an hour earlier by a blood-soaked, dying stranger, containing only one sentence: "Han Sui's secret order, under the pretext of discussing matters in Guzang, to place him under house arrest and strip him of his power, lest he be killed. Cheng Yin of Jincheng is also subject to the same order"; and a complete copy of the "List of Generals to be Adjusted and Monitored," bearing Han Sui's private seal, found by his personal guards on a suspicious-looking man captured outside the camp that afternoon, his name prominently listed with the note: "Unruly and difficult to control, suspected of colluding with foreign enemies, requires strict control, and may be eliminated if necessary."

These three things, like three cold iron hammers, each blow heavier than the last, shattered the last vestiges of hope and hesitation in his heart. Anger burned in his chest, but strangely, it did not cause him to explode immediately; instead, it subsided into an almost ruthless resolve.

"General..." the old advisor's voice was hoarse, "The messenger was too badly injured to be saved. The seal on the wax pellet didn't seem forged; it looked like... a secret mark passed down through the Censorate. As for the list... while it's possible it's forged, the details of the private seal are identical to those from the Prince's residence, something only a highly skilled craftsman could achieve. Moreover, the Wolf Guard envoy's attitude..."

"No need to say anything more." Zhang Heng's voice was low and hoarse, interrupting his advisor. He slowly turned around, his eyes bloodshot, but sharp as knives. "Whether it's real or fake, it's no longer important. Since that old man Han Sui has put a knife to my neck, am I supposed to stretch out my neck and wait for him to cut it down before trying to figure out if the knife is real or not?"

He walked to the map, his finger slamming heavily on Guzang: "Going to the appointment? That's walking into a trap, a dead end!" His finger then moved to Longyou and Jincheng, "Staying inactive? Waiting for his loyalists to take over my defenses and tear me apart like Cheng Yin did?"

Inside the tent, several trusted men held their breath, awaiting his decision.

"Han Sui was tyrannical and destroyed his own defenses; the lesson of General Ma Teng is still fresh in our minds!" Zhang Heng slammed his fist on the map, making the table vibrate. "Since he is unrighteous, don't blame me for being ruthless! Issue my orders!"

"Here!" the generals replied solemnly.

"First, effective immediately, the entire battalion is to enter a state of high alert. Without my order, not a single soldier may be moved, and not a single arrow may leave the camp! Block all roads leading to Longxi, especially those towards Guzang. Detain any Wolf Guards or suspicious persons!"

"Second, send someone... no, I'll write a letter myself!" A ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Heng's eyes. "To Cheng Yin of Jincheng! Isn't he on the list too? Isn't he also driven to a dead end? Ask him if he wants to wait to be slaughtered like a dog by Han Sui, or if he wants to fight alongside me, Zhang Heng, for a way to survive, or even... change the world!"

"General, you are going to..." the staff member said in alarm.

"Hmph!" Zhang Heng sneered. "Han Sui treats us like dirt. It's time for a change of masters in Xiliang! Even if I, Zhang Heng, don't have the ability to sit in that chair, I will never let that old scoundrel get away with it! If Cheng Yin knows what's good for him, he should join forces with me, first occupying Longxi and Jincheng, forming a defensive alliance, and see what Han Sui can do to me! If he doesn't know what's good for him..." A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, "For self-preservation, some things will no longer be up to me!"

Almost at the same moment Zhang Heng made his decision, in a secret room of Cheng Yin's mansion in Jincheng, an even more secretive and dangerous meeting was taking place.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Cheng Yin's pale and taut face. Opposite him sat a man who shouldn't have been there—Li Shu. He was dressed as a merchant, with an ordinary face, but his eyes, in the dim light, appeared exceptionally deep and unfathomable.

"Captain Cheng, the situation is quite clear." Li Shu's voice was calm and even, yet it carried an undeniable penetrating power. "Han Sui's secret order has been issued; Guzang is a trap. General Zhang Heng has also received word. According to our men's observations, the Longxi camp is under full martial law. I'm afraid General Zhang... won't just sit and wait to die."

Cheng Yin's fingers unconsciously traced the rim of his teacup, his fingertips icy cold. Before him lay a copy of the same "list," along with intelligence brought by Li Shu—clues detailing the clandestine movement of Han Sui's elite troops towards Longxi and Jincheng. The detail and ingenuity of this intelligence far exceeded what ordinary spies could obtain. The power of the Xinghuo Fortress's oversight agency sent a chill down his spine.

"Lord Jia Wenhe... what does he want me to do?" Cheng Yin raised his head, looking at Li Shu with a complicated expression. He knew who this man represented, and he knew even more about the "poisonous strategist's" flawless plans. He felt as if he had become a pawn on a chessboard, being pushed around by an invisible hand.

"Lord Jia said that the Captain is a wise man, and even more so, a loyal and righteous one." Li Shu leaned forward slightly. "Loyalty doesn't necessarily mean blind loyalty to a tyrannical ruler; righteousness means seeking a way out for one's subordinates and oneself, and finding a wise ruler. Han Sui is mean-spirited, ungrateful, suspicious, and bloodthirsty; he is not a worthy master. Now, he has severed ties with his soldiers, and Xiliang is on the verge of collapse. Does the Captain intend to accompany this sinking ship to its doom?"

"A wise ruler? Chen Xing, the Star Lord?" Cheng Yin asked in a hoarse voice.

"Lord Xing is eager to find talented people and trusts those he employs. General Dian Xiong was originally a commoner, but is now a general; Lord Jia Wen was originally a strategist for an enemy state, but is now in charge of supervision, and his words are heeded. Lady Murong, a woman of Hu origin, is capable of commanding a large army; Su Neifu, though of humble origins… is also highly valued. Under Lord Xing, only talent is considered, regardless of background. The captain's talent lies in defense and military administration, which is exactly what Lord Xing needs." Li Shu's words were like precise arrows, each sentence piercing Cheng Yin's heart. "More importantly, Lord Xing can give the captain and his soldiers justice, a way to survive, and a future, instead of suspicion, oppression, and slaughter."

Cheng Yin remained silent for a long time. He recalled the frustration of being marginalized step by step, the angry but silent looks in his subordinates' eyes, Han Sui's suspicious and violent face, and the various rumors about Xinghuo Fortress—its strict military discipline, its strange equipment, its thriving atmosphere, and that young leader who rose like a comet.

"If I... submit to the Star Lord, what do I need to do?" He finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly, yet also carrying a sense of resolute relief before liberation.

A glint flashed in Li Shu's eyes; he knew the crucial moment had arrived. He lowered his voice and quickened his pace: "The captain is a man of great principle! Lord Jia said that the captain need not immediately raise the flag and change sides, as that would provoke Han Sui's fierce counterattack. The captain only needs to do three things."

"First, stabilize the defenses of Jincheng and remain inactive. Do not completely obey Han Sui's orders, nor engage in direct conflict with General Zhang Heng for the time being. Maintain a 'wait-and-see' and 'self-preservation' posture to confuse Han Sui."

"Secondly," Li Shu's voice was even lower, "if General Zhang Heng does indeed rise up and engage in battle with Han Sui, please, Captain, at crucial moments... remain 'neutral,' or 'if you are 'unable to do so,' at least do not become an aid to Han Sui in attacking General Zhang Heng. If you can secretly provide some convenience, for example... allow a small number of our elite troops to pass quietly through some insignificant defensive lines where 'there may be occasional loopholes,' that would be even better."

Cheng Yin's pupils contracted slightly. This was a scheme to use Zhang Heng to weaken Han Sui, while simultaneously creating an opportunity and channel for his own intervention!

"Third," Li Shu revealed his true intentions, "please provide me with the latest and most accurate defense map of Jincheng and its surrounding areas, especially the locations of the granaries, armories, water sources, and the encampments of Han Sui's elite troops. Also, agree on an emergency communication method. When the time is right and Xing Gong's army arrives, you can open the city gates and surrender the city. In this way, the city and its inhabitants will be preserved without bloodshed—a truly great achievement!"

Cheng Yin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Surrendering the city… this was utter betrayal. But as the other party said, Han Sui had betrayed him first; he was only doing this to protect himself and find a way out. Moreover, if he could end the war at the lowest possible cost, sparing Jincheng from the ravages of war, perhaps… it would be a good deed.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, which were now clear and resolute. He walked to his desk, spread out a piece of silk, and began to draw. At the same time, he said to Li Shu, "I can give you the map. As for contact information... 'Chen's Fur Shop' in the west of the city. The shopkeeper is a distant cousin of mine, so he's trustworthy. As for Zhang Heng... I'll act according to the circumstances."

He paused, then added, "Please convey my message to Lord Jia and Lord Xing: Cheng Yin... is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty. But please, Lord Xing, keep your word: after entering the city, do not harm my soldiers and civilians, and treat my men well."

"Rest assured, Captain!" Li Shu solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. "Lord Xing and Lord Jia are men of their word!"

As Li Shu, carrying Cheng Yin's defense map and promises, vanished like a ghost into the night of Jincheng, Han Sui in Guzang City was furious because of Zhang Heng's open disobedience and Cheng Yin's perfunctory delays.

"Rebellion! They've all rebelled!" He smashed his beloved jade paperweight, his roar echoing through the empty hall. "Mobilize the troops! Mobilize the troops for me! Have Yan Xing and Liang Xing assemble immediately! I will personally raze Longxi to the ground and tear that traitor Zhang Heng to pieces! And Cheng Yin too, deal with him too!"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" an old minister cried out in remonstrance. "Zhang Heng commands tens of thousands of troops, guarding the strategic pass of Longxi. A direct attack would result in heavy losses! Moreover, if we push him too hard, he might join forces with Cheng Yin, or... or invite foreign enemies, and then our fate would be sealed! It would be better to postpone our plans and instead divide and win him over..."

"Win them over? I, the king, still need to win over this bunch of insatiable ingrates?!" Han Sui roared like a mad tiger, the suspicion, fear, and anger of the past few days finally overwhelming his last shred of reason. "Send troops immediately! Anyone who dares to advise against it will be treated as an accomplice!"

Just as Han Sui was preparing to gather his main force and rush towards Longxi to cleanse his own house, a rapid deployment force led by Chen Wei, consisting of 5,000 elite cavalry and 2,000 Shenbi Battalion crossbowmen, quietly left the Xinghuo Fort border camp. Taking advantage of the complex terrain and the guidance of their bribed guides, they moved by night and hid by day, like a poisoned dagger, silently stabbing into the heart of Xiliang—their target was Longyou!

Jia Wen stood on the high watchtower of Starfire Fortress, the night wind ruffling his robes. He gazed at the deep darkness to the west, a cold yet resolute smile playing on his lips.

The fire has already been lit. Moreover, the King of Xiliang himself poured the oil on it.