PFC Chapter 38 Liu Bei Sends Troops
Chapter 38 Liu Bei Sends Troops
Four thousand of Liu's troops left the city that night, marching in a mighty force towards Hulu City. At dawn, Guan Yu's army arrived at the city walls.
After the army had set up camp, Guan Yu did not attack the city immediately. Instead, he sent his general Fu Shiren into the city to deliver an ultimatum. (The scene is in the county government hall.)
County Magistrate Man Chong sat high on his throne, his face solemn and grave.
Fu Shiren strode in, arrogantly declaring, "Listen up, Magistrate of Hulu County! My lord, General Yun Chang, has given you one hour to hand over a brat named Gu Cheng, or my general will raze Hulu to the ground!"
Man Chong showed no fear and said in a deep voice, "Guan Yu has quite the audacity to dare invade my land and lake region and even dare to ask me for people. Does he really not fear that Cao Cao's army will come and raze your Xiaopei to the ground?"
"Cao Sikong is very strong."
Fu Shiren sneered, "Unfortunately, he's far away in Xuchang. He can't help you with your immediate crisis. By the time his army arrives, your head will already be rolling!"
Man Chong's brows furrowed and his heart skipped a beat.
"I will wait for you here for one hour. If you do not hand over Gu Cheng to me by the time the deadline is up, General Guan will attack the city immediately!" Fu Shiren sat down proudly and stopped talking nonsense.
Looking at the arrogant Fu Shiren, Man Chong was furious and about to explode on the spot. Suddenly, he thought of something and couldn't help but hesitate.
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be afraid of Guan Yu, but now that the eldest young master is in the city, how can I let him put himself in danger..."
With this in mind, Man Chong had no choice but to endure for the time being and hurried to see Cao Ang. In the inner courtyard of the county government, Cao Ang was reading military books.
Man Chong rushed over and reported that Guan Yu had arrived and threatened to demand people. "Then Guan Yu wants Gu Cheng? Why?" Cao Ang asked with surprise.
"It is said that this man stole Liu Bei's betrothed wife." Man Chong cupped his hands and said, "But even so, I am an official of the court. How can I be threatened by the enemy and hand over the people of my county? I will refuse later and lead the soldiers of Hulu County to defend the city to the death for the court."
Changing the subject, Man Chong advised, "This humble official cannot allow the eldest young master to be in danger. I urge the eldest young master to quickly evacuate from the lake and land through the north gate and seek refuge outside the city as soon as possible."
"Damn it, the enemy is about to attack the city! As the son of Cao Mengde, how can I easily abandon the city and flee!" A hint of arrogance ignited in Cao Ang's eyes. He wanted to refuse Man Chong's persuasion and stand with the soldiers of Hulu City. But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered Cao Cao's instructions:
Your brother-in-law is crucial to my father's grand undertaking of unifying the world and restoring the nation; he cannot afford the slightest mishap! "My personal honor is minor; if anything were to happen to my brother-in-law, it would jeopardize my father's great cause..." Cao Ang weighed the options carefully, then gritted his teeth and left. Man Chong breathed a sigh of relief and turned to his subordinates, shouting, "Pass down the order! All the local militia are to go to the city walls and wait for the eldest son to leave. Then they will fight to the death to defend the city and die for the country!"
On Hulu East Street, the clanging sound of bricks being moved echoed through the courtyard of the Gu residence.
Gu Cheng was playing mahjong with Da Qiao, Diao Chan, and Zhou Tai under the shade of a tree. "Three of bamboo!" "Pong!" "Five of dots!" "Pong!"
"Six of Bamboo, self-draw, I win!" Da Qiao pushed the tiles over, smiling triumphantly, and spread her hands towards Gu Cheng and the other two. "Miss Wan'er, you're too amazing! You win every time! I've lost all my monthly allowance to you." Diao Chan complained softly, reluctantly pushing the rest of her money to Da Qiao.
Da Qiao then joked, "It's just good luck. Maybe after a few more rounds, I'll lose it all back."
Gu Cheng smiled and said, "Wan'er, don't be modest. You really have a talent for mahjong." "Thank you for your praise, young master."
Da Qiao was delighted to receive Gu Cheng's praise, and a blush of shyness swept across her face.
Zhou Tai urged, "Come on, hurry up and shuffle the cards. I don't believe I'm so unlucky that I can't win a single hand!" Laughter rang out, and the group continued shuffling the cards.
Mi Huan, who had been listening quietly for a long time, grew increasingly curious and couldn't help but get up and move closer. "Miss Mi, would you like to play a couple of rounds together?" Gu Cheng asked while setting up the cards. "What is this?" Mi Huan fluttered her eyelashes, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Gu Cheng said calmly, "This is mahjong, a game for self-cultivation and passing the time. If you want to learn, I can teach you." "Mahjong?"
Mi Huan looked blankly at him and murmured, "I've traveled all over the country since I was a child, and I've never heard of such a strange game." "Miss Mi, our young master knows a lot. You'll know how amazing he is once you spend more time with him." Diao Chan looked at Gu Cheng, her words full of pride.
The words "after spending a long time together" sent a slight jolt through Mi Huan, and her face flushed slightly. She couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Gu, what exactly do you intend to do with me—" Before she could finish speaking...
Xu Chu arrived, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master Piao, General Wei requests an audience. He seems to have something urgent to discuss." "He's an old acquaintance. Please invite him over." Gu Cheng didn't even look up and continued drawing cards.
Cao Ang strode in, his face grave. "Young Master Gu, there's no time to lose. You should set off immediately and come with me out of the city." Da Qiao and the others were taken aback and looked up at Cao Ang.
Gu Cheng dismissed the question, saying, "What happened that General Wei insisted I leave the city?" "Young Master Gu, I ask you, did you send someone to kidnap Liu Bei's fiancée?" Cao Ang asked in a deep voice.
"General Wei's information network is quite impressive." Gu Cheng glanced up at Mi Huan. "That's right, I did steal Liu Bei's bride, this Miss Mi." Cao Ang turned to look at Mi Huan, finally confirming that what Guan Yu said was true.
"Why would Young Master Gu do this out of the blue?" Cao Ang asked, puzzled. Gu Cheng replied calmly, "That big-eared scoundrel broke the rules and used his power to forcibly close my Gu family's salt shop. Naturally, I have to retaliate tenfold and teach him a lesson."
Cao Ang suddenly realized, and secretly praised, "My brother-in-law is indeed a man of quick temper and a true gentleman..." Despite his secret praise, Cao Ang sighed.
"Gu Zi's actions are not unreasonable, but Liu Bei is now furious and has sent Guan Yu with 4,000 troops to force the city to set up camp, demanding that the magistrate hand you over, or else he will attack the city."
"The city has no more than five hundred soldiers; I'm afraid they won't be able to withstand Guan Yu's ten times larger army attacking the city. Young Master Gu, you'd better come with me out of the city as soon as possible to avoid trouble."
Cao Ang revealed the truth.
Upon hearing this, Da Qiao and Diao Chan paled and looked nervously at Gu Cheng.
Zhou Tai also said in a deep voice, "Li Heng, a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. General Wei is right. Let's go out of Rucheng and avoid it for a while."
"My lord, I am not afraid of Guan Yu, but he has brought so many troops. We are outnumbered and should retreat from the city."
Xu Chu also offered his advice.
Gu Cheng remained calm and smiled at Mi Huan: "Miss Mi, it seems you've really swayed me. By taking you away, I've truly angered Liu Bei, to the point that he's willing to confront Cao Cao."
Mi Huan sighed bitterly, "I warned Brother Gu long ago that Liu Bei had lost face, and he wouldn't let it go easily. Brother Gu robbed me for a moment's pleasure, but he has put himself and all the people of Hulu City in danger!"
"Then, in Miss Mi's opinion, how should I respond?" Gu Cheng raised his head, looking as if he were humbly seeking advice.
Mi Huan thought he was afraid, so he sighed and said, "You have humiliated Liu Bei too much. Even if you hand me over, it may not be enough to quell his anger. In my opinion, Brother Gu's last resort is to leave the city and seek refuge immediately."
"Is that so? Then I'm not leaving."
Gu Cheng took a sip of wine, got up, and lay down in the rocking chair, looking completely relaxed. Everyone in the rocking chair changed color.
Cao Ang said urgently, "Young Master Gu, now is not the time to act rashly. Let's leave the city together." "General Wei, how many troops do you have under your command?" Gu Cheng suddenly asked.
Cao Ang paused for a moment before saying, "I only brought less than two hundred men this time." "You have two hundred, I have more than seventy, plus five hundred county soldiers, that's close to eight hundred men." Gu Cheng did some quick calculations and said, "Eight hundred men shouldn't be a problem defending Hulu County, right?" Cao Ang frowned and said, "Even if all the troops are combined, we can only hold out for two or three days at most. In the end, we'll be outnumbered and Guan Yu will break through."
"That's enough." Gu Cheng said slowly, holding up three fingers. "I guarantee that within three days, Guan Yu will be packing his bags and leaving!"
"Withdraw your troops within three days?" Cao Ang gasped, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Gu Cheng said calmly, "That Magistrate Man Chong is a master of defending the city. With General Wei's assistance, and if necessary, Zhongkang can also go up to the city to help fight. Don't you have the confidence to hold Hulu for three days?"
"No, holding out for three days is certainly no problem." Cao Ang nodded first, but then asked, "But what brilliant plan does Young Master Gu have that could make Guan Yu withdraw his troops within three days?" "General Wei, you don't need to ask any more questions. Just ask yourself whether you believe me or not," Gu Cheng said, looking directly at him. Cao Ang was startled and fell silent.
"Ever since I met my brother-in-law, he has always been incredibly shrewd. Seeing his confidence, he must have a foolproof plan..." Cao Ang pondered for a moment, then boldly declared, "Alright, whatever Young Master Gu says, I will believe. I will defend the city with all my might and give Guan Yu a crushing defeat!"
Having said that, Cao Ang took his leave.
"Youping, take your men and set off immediately..." Gu Cheng whispered to Zhou Tai.
Zhou Tai's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "I see. No wonder you're so confident, Li Heng. I'll go then."
Zhou Tai then took his leave. "Come on, let's keep playing mahjong." Gu Cheng sat back down and started shuffling the tiles again, seemingly ignoring Guan Yu's army outside the city. "Youping's gone, we're one short." Gu Cheng turned to Mi Huan: "Miss Mi, would you like to play a couple of rounds?" Mi Huan let out a long breath, finally snapping out of her reverie.
"Young Master Gu, I know you are extremely intelligent, but you have humiliated Liu Bei in this way. No matter what means you use, Guan Yu will not retreat until he has captured Hu County."
"Considering that we have some acquaintance, I advise you, young master, to leave Hulu." Mi Huan sat beside Gu Cheng, looking at him and advising him in a deep voice.
"Miss Mi, are you concerned for my safety, or do you want to come with me so that Guan Yu won't capture you and force you to marry that old geezer Liu Bei?"
Gu Cheng countered with a question.
This question caused Mi Huan's face to flush slightly, and she became flustered and shy, unsure how to answer. "You forcibly abducted me here, I don't care about your safety at all. Just think of it as me not wanting to marry Liu Bei." Mi Huan suppressed her embarrassment and pretended to be indifferent. "That's true, Miss Mi is probably too busy hating me right now." Gu Cheng smiled self-deprecatingly, but said, "But don't worry, that old ox Liu Bei wants to eat this tender grass, I will never let him have his way."
Mi Huan, who had been in a serious mood, burst out laughing at Gu Cheng's words. "What nonsense are you spouting, Brother Gu? What kind of old cow eating young grass is this..." Mi Huan quickly stopped laughing and pretended to be annoyed. Gu Cheng didn't bother to say anything more to her and just continued shuffling and arranging the cards.
"If he could make Guan Yu retreat without a fight, what kind of divine strategy would he have to possess? If he could really do it, he must be that legendary reclusive genius."
"Very well, I'd like to see if that strange man is really him!" Mi Huan glanced at Gu Cheng, her eyes no longer filled with the resentment of before, only with deep curiosity and speculation. (County government office)
Fu Shiren remained seated, his expression growing increasingly impatient. The night watchman's drum sounded outside; an hour had passed.
Fu Shiren stood up abruptly and shouted at Man Chong, "The deadline has passed! Gu Cheng, are you going to hand him over or not?" Man Chong frowned, took a deep breath, and prepared to confront him. Just then...
Cao Ang, his face contorted with murderous intent, charged in, sword in hand. "And who are you?"
Fu Shiren's eyes widened, and he demanded an explanation.
Cao Ang remained silent, his sword suddenly drawn, striking twice in quick succession. Blood splattered, and both ears fell to the ground. Fu Shiren screamed in agony, clutching his wounds and collapsing to his knees. This scene completely stunned Man Chong.
Cao Ang pointed his blood-red sword at him and shouted, "Go back and tell Guan Yu that if he has the guts, he should come and attack! I'll make sure he suffers the same fate as you!"
Fu Shiren's arrogance was shattered by this sword strike, and he dared not utter another sound. He hurriedly picked up his severed ear and scrambled away. Man Chong then came to his senses and exclaimed, "Why hasn't the eldest young master left the city yet? And he's cut off Fu Shiren's ear! This will surely enrage Guan Yu. We must attack the city immediately!"
"I'm going to teach him a lesson." Cao Ang's eyes burned with arrogance. He sheathed his blood-stained sword and said resolutely, "Let's go up to the city and fight side by side!" With that, Cao Ang strode out of the mansion.
Man Chong hurriedly followed, saying anxiously, "Young Master, you can leave the city defense to me. Young Master, you are of such high status, how could you—"
"You don't need to worry." Cao Ang raised his hand to interrupt his persuasion, confidently stating, "As long as we hold the city for three days, Guan Yu will definitely retreat." "Hmm?" Man Chong was taken aback, then asked in surprise, "Why is the eldest young master so confident that Guan Yu will withdraw his troops in three days?"
"Don't ask me why, I don't know either. In short, let's just believe in each other!" Cao Ang didn't explain further, mounted his horse, and headed straight for the city wall. "This young master is indeed courageous and admirable, quite like Cao Cao."
"But why is he so certain that Guan Yu will withdraw his troops within three days? Isn't that a bit too arrogant and presumptuous?" Man Chong muttered to himself, his eyes full of confusion.
After a moment of distraction, he had no choice but to follow Cao Ang up the city wall and out of the city.
Four thousand Liu soldiers were already lined up, their killing intent soaring to the sky.
Guan Yu stood at the front of the formation, his sword held horizontally, his eyes slightly closed, exuding an aura of utter disdain for the world. The city gate opened, and a rider galloped out—it was Fu Shiren.
"General Yun Chang, General Yun Chang..." Fu Shiren dismounted and knelt at Guan Yu's feet...
Guan Yu opened his eyes and saw Fu Shiren's gruesome state. His expression changed, and he demanded, "I ordered you to deliver an ultimatum, why are you in this state?"
"Reporting to General Guan, not only did they refuse to hand over Gu Cheng, they also cut off both of my ears to humiliate you!" Fu Shiren cried.