usatvline Chapter 109 Super Northern King
Chapter 109 Super Northern King
Chapter 109 The Super Northern King (Part 3)
Yang'an Pass is located southwest of Yangping Pass, and the two places are more than seventy li apart.
Located at the foot of a mountain, Yang'an Pass is a strategic pass, impregnable by mountains and rivers. No matter which side the enemy comes from, they cannot advance without conquering Yang'an Pass.
Fu Qian also learned through Jiang Wei and Jiang Bin that the Wei army was about to launch a large-scale southward invasion, but he did not take any action.
Because he wasn't just cramming for battle at the last minute, but had been preparing for war all along and had never been negligent.
But faced with the news of a possible large-scale southward advance by the Wei army, the soldiers and laborers in the city still felt the biting cold from the north. Their banter and conversations dwindled, replaced by a somber and serious atmosphere.
Guanlingfu.
Inside the lobby.
Fu Qian, the Governor-General of Guanzhong, sat in the hall, exuding an imposing aura. In a good mood, he turned to his deputy Jiang Shu, who sat to his right, and said, "General Jiang, although the strength of our troops at Yang'an Pass is the same as that of Hanzhong and Lezhong, our situation is much better. If the Wei army attacks Hanzhong, Hanzhong and Lezhong will be isolated cities. We also have roads behind us, and the troops from Chengdu can come to our aid in one or two months."
Jiang Shu had fair skin and a gentle appearance, looking like a civil official. He was originally the military governor of Wuxing, but because of his poor performance, he was transferred to Yang'an Pass to serve as Fu Jin's deputy.
Of the 5,000 troops inside the pass, he led 2,000 elite soldiers.
Fu was initially worried that Jiang Shu would be difficult to get along with, but after getting to know him, he discovered that everyone had misunderstood Jiang Shu.
After arriving at Yang'an Pass, Jiang Shu maintained harmonious relations with his superiors and commanded his troops effectively, achieving remarkable success.
Fu Qian lamented more than once that "his reputation is hard to live up to," and then became very close to and trusted Jiang Shu. Jiang Shu also grew increasingly close to Fu. Now, the soldiers inside Yang'an Pass were in extremely high spirits.
Everyone believed that with Generals Fu and Jiang guarding the pass, there was nothing to worry about.
"General Fu is right," Jiang Shu nodded with a smile, echoing his sentiment. But his expression quickly changed, revealing worry.
"Why does General Jiang look so worried?" Fu asked curiously, then composed himself, cupped his hands, and said, "If I have made any mistakes, please correct me, General."
Jiang Shu immediately shook his head and said, "It's not because of the general." He sighed, his worry deepening, and said, "The general previously submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that he send troops to garrison Yinping Bridge and reinforce Yang'an Pass. But the court has not responded. We have a formidable pass here, which can hold them off for a while, but if the general doesn't return..."
"Alas." Fu Qian also sighed, feeling even more strongly that Jiang Shu was of one mind with him. The domestic situation was currently turbulent, with treacherous officials in power and government orders in disarray. He wondered what the court was thinking, that they hadn't taken any action in response to the General's request.
It wasn't like this before. Fu Jin reminisced about the time when Prime Minister Zhuge was in power, when the territory was peaceful and the country was strong.
Fu Qian put aside his distracting thoughts, his face hardening with determination, and said to Jiang Shu, "Things have come to this point, worrying is useless. General Jiang, as long as we do our job well and defend Yang'an Pass, we will be worthy of the Emperor and the late Emperor."
"Yes," Jiang Shu bowed in response.
Shortly after, Jiang Shu took his leave.
"The imperial court." Fu Qian stood up and walked out of the study, looking towards Chengdu, and sighed softly.
If all else fails, he will have no choice but to sacrifice himself for his country.
"Father, I will never disgrace our family." Fu Tong's portrait appeared in his mind, and his expression became even more resolute. He was very young when Fu Tong died and had no memory of it, but he always remembered his father's legendary life.
The Fu family consists only of generals who die in battle, not cowards who surrender.
"General, a man claiming to be the steward of the King of the North requests an audience. His name is Chen Dao." A bodyguard approached Fu Qian and said with a strange expression.
"The King of the North?" Fu Qian's face turned serious, his heart filled with apprehension, sensing the thorny nature of the matter. After a moment's thought, not daring to offend Liu Chen, he said, "Please come in."
"Yes." The guard bowed in response and turned to leave.
Shortly after, a bodyguard led in a burly man with dark skin. Before Fu could ask any questions...
Director Chen immediately bowed and said, "General Fu, I have been thoroughly searched and found to be unarmed. I have a few words to say to you, General. Please dismiss everyone else."
Fu Qian raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and then refused, saying, "Your Majesty is a vassal king, and I am a general in a remote area. There's no need for private conversation. If you have something to say, then say it now. If you have nothing else, please return."
Director Chen frowned, thinking that the king's status as a vassal king was both useful and not useful. After thinking for a moment, he said in a humble manner, "General, I have intelligence from Guanzhong."
Fu Qian raised an eyebrow again, looking at Director Chen with suspicion. How could the King of the North, based in Chengdu, possibly have intelligence on Guanzhong?
Could it be that the King of the North's business is so large that he has planted spies in Guanzhong?
He was skeptical but dared not be negligent, and he knew why Director Chen had ordered him to dismiss his men. If the information was confidential, it certainly shouldn't be overheard by others. Although he felt his personal guards would be safe.
"Go stand guard outside the door and don't let anyone near. You've both forgotten about what happened this time," Fu Qian said, raising his head to the two guards who had entered.
"Yes." The two guards bowed in response and turned to leave.
Director Chen let out a long breath, bowed to Fu Qian and said sorry, then strode forward, knelt on one knee beside Fu Jin, and whispered a few words to him.
"Who exactly are you?!" Fu Qian's expression changed upon hearing this, suspecting that Director Chen was a spy for Cao Wei. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, a sinister look on his face.
However, Liu Chen had hidden a large amount of military supplies in a nearby valley.
However, Liu Chen also reported to him that Jiang Shu had the intention to defect to the enemy.
Fu Qian was a veteran general, and his killing intent was not to be underestimated. But Chen Dao was not afraid at all, and instead laughed and said, "General Fu, you know the current situation of the court. My king had no choice but to smear himself to provide the supplies to you."
He paused, then continued, "As far as I know, my king has simultaneously transported supplies and able-bodied men to Lecheng, Hancheng, and Huangjinwei to help them defend their cities."
"Furthermore, I can tell you this. He Sui was killed by my king, and I was the one who carried it out. My king killed He Sui for the sake of the country."
As Director Chen finished speaking, he immediately straightened his back, his face beaming with pride and honor.
In truth, he had only recently learned Liu Chen's true colors. When he killed He Sui, he also assumed Liu Chen was after He Sui's wife's beauty. But even so, he was willing to do it because Liu Chen and Zhang Sheng had treated them very well.
Now he knows that Liu Chen killed He Sui for the sake of the country. Liu Chen has also prepared so many supplies to support the front lines.
The image of a wise ruler was formed in Director Chen's mind.
A greater ambition was also emerging: Liu Chen wanted to seize the throne.
Although he was willing to serve the greedy and lustful King of the North, he preferred to serve the wise ruler, Emperor Liu Chen, finding it an honor and a great sense of accomplishment.
Director Chen shuddered and said, "Besides, I'm right here. General, you can send someone to investigate Jiang Shu secretly. If it's true, then so be it. If not, General, you can kill me."
He was calm and composed, showing no fear of death.