Chương 53: Guan Yu Slays Zhang Liang, Victory Banquet

On the battlefield, although the Yellow Turban army fought desperately, they could only struggle like cornered beasts in the face of overwhelming numerical superiority and the well-prepared Han army.

Zhang Liang himself was given special attention. Guan Yu seized the opportunity, spurred his horse, and charged into the enemy formation like lightning, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade drawing a cold and beautiful arc!

"puff--!"

A flash of light, and blood splattered five steps away!

General Zhang Liang didn't even have time to scream before he was cut in two, weapon and all! Guan Yu then slew him from his horse with a single stroke!

When the Yellow Turban army saw Zhang Liang being killed by an enemy general wielding a large sword, their morale plummeted, and they were powerless to resist.

"Second Brother, what excellent swordsmanship!" Zhang Fei exclaimed upon seeing this, somewhat unwilling to accept defeat.

"Hey! Second Brother, you're too quick! This head should have been given to Old Zhang!"

Dian Wei muttered, "Exactly, Second Brother, you need to change your habit of stealing kills!"

Guan Yu, holding a sword in one hand and stroking his long beard with the other, narrowed his phoenix eyes and said calmly:

"On the battlefield, everyone relies on their own abilities. Who told you to be a step too slow? How can you blame Guan for being quick?"

Liu Ce looked at these three clowns, not knowing whether to laugh or cry:

"Alright, alright, stop arguing! What's the point of fighting over Zhang Liang's head? Hurry up and clean up the battlefield! As for Zhang Liang's corpse..."

He paused, then gave a familiar "operation" expression.

"Same old method, handle it like Zhang Bao's case, completely distort it, then find an opportunity..."

"Quietly move them to the auspicious burial site where Zhang Bao is buried, so the two brothers can be reunited underground. Remember, be discreet and don't let a word slip."

"Understood!" The men immediately accepted the order and left.

Liu Ce stretched and smiled at his generals:

"Alright, problem solved! Let's go back to camp! The victory celebration can officially begin now! We'll drink until we drop!"

Inside Zhang Jiao's military tent in Guangzong City.

Zhang Jiao, lying on his sickbed, suddenly felt a strong palpitation and his breathing became difficult.

He listened intently, and the faint sounds of shouting and drumming that had been coming from outside the city had completely subsided, leaving the surroundings in a deathly silence that was unsettling.

"Ning'er..." he called weakly to his daughter who was watching over him by the bedside.

"Why is it so quiet outside? Has your third uncle... led his troops out of the city... returned?"

Zhang Ning put down the bowl of medicine in her hand, walked to the bedside, and replied softly:

"Father, Third Uncle led his troops out of the city at dusk, and has not yet returned."

Zhang Jiao's ominous premonition grew stronger. He forced himself to sit up slightly and asked urgently:

"Recently... have the government troops outside the city... made any unusual movements? Is there... any... new information?"

Zhang Ning thought for a moment and said:

"This afternoon, my daughter heard General Zhou Cang mention that Liu Ce, the Southern General who captured Quyang and killed my second uncle, has arrived in Guangzong at noon today and taken over Dong Zhuo's military power."

"Liu Ce is here!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale, devoid of any color.

He grabbed his daughter's hand suddenly, the veins on the back of her thin, bony hand bulging with the force, his voice trembling with terror.

"Such... such crucial military intelligence! Why... why wasn't I informed sooner!"

"Quickly! Summon Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao! Have them immediately muster all available troops in the city and send them out to meet your third uncle! Hurry!"

Seeing his father so agitated, Zhang Ning dared not delay. He quickly turned around and hurriedly ran out of the tent to deliver the order.

Not long after.

"Ning'er... come back... there's no need to go..."

Zhang Jiao's voice suddenly became extremely weak and desolate, carrying a sense of utter despair, as it rang out behind Zhang Ning.

Zhang Ning paused, then turned around in surprise.

Zhang Jiao lay limply on his sickbed, tears streaming from his sunken eyes and sliding down his gaunt cheeks.

He muttered to himself, his voice broken and intermittent:

"It's too late... It's all... It's too late... This is fate... Heaven is going to destroy my Taiping Dao... Heaven is going to kill my three brothers... Your third uncle... He's probably... He's already met with a terrible fate..."

Zhang Ning was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed to the bedside:

"Father! That's our third uncle! He's our only family! How can we just stand by and watch him die!"

Zhang Jiao closed his eyes, shaking his head in anguish, his breath growing weaker and weaker.

"Save them? How? Let Zhou Cang and the others... take the remaining brothers... and go to their deaths again?"

"That Liu Ce... since he dared to come... he must have made thorough preparations... We... have already been defeated... utterly defeated... Ning'er... accept your fate..."

After saying these words, Zhang Jiao seemed to have had his last bit of strength drained away, and he collapsed onto his sickbed.

His breath grew even weaker, and his face turned ashen, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

This is the ultimate end for a hero.

He knew that the last bit of strength and hope of the Yellow Turban Army had likely been extinguished with Zhang Liang's reckless attack.

Now, the only thing he can still think about is how to find a glimmer of hope for his daughter Zhang Ning in this seemingly hopeless situation.

……

It was midnight, but the Han army camp in Guangzong was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The impromptu victory banquet was lively, and the aroma of wine and meat dispelled the lingering stench of blood from the battlefield.

Deputy General Zong Yuan and Julu Prefect Guo Dian, with relaxed and grateful smiles on their faces, frequently toasted Liu Ce, who was in the main seat.

Zong Yuan, holding a wine bowl, said in a loud voice:

"General Liu, let me offer you another toast! If it weren't for your brilliant strategy and foresight last night..."

"We are afraid that not only will we not be able to celebrate our victory here, but we may even have already fallen victim to Zhang Liang's treachery, and our camp will be lost! We will never forget the General's kindness!"

Guo Dian quickly echoed, "Indeed, General Liu's military strategy is divine; we admire him to the core! It is truly our good fortune and the court's blessing!"

Liu Ce remained calm, showing little pride. He simply waved his hand casually, picked up his wine bowl, and said indifferently:

"You two are too kind. It was just my duty. Tonight's success was also due to the bravery of the soldiers, not my ability alone."

Having said that, he drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp.

Seeing their commander so humble, the other generals in the tent also stepped forward to toast Liu Ce, expressing their respect and obedience.

When it was Liu Bei's turn to stand at the end, he straightened his armor, stepped forward, held the bowl with both hands, and spoke with a sincere tone tinged with barely perceptible excitement:

"Liu Bei, leader of the righteous army, raises a cup to General Liu! Congratulations on your great victory over the enemy and for bringing glory to our army!"

Liu Ce looked at Liu Bei in front of him, a thought flashing through his mind, but he remained expressionless and drank a cup with him.

"system……"

【Ding……】 [Name]: Fang Yue Gender: Male Age: 23 [Strength]: 85 Commander: 71 [Politics]: 55 [Intelligence]: 58 [Appearance]: 69cm 【Ding……】 Name: Wang Shuang Gender: Male Age: 22 [Strength]: 88 Commander: 76 [Politics]: 57 [Intelligence]: 65 [Appearance]: 66cm After setting down his wine bowl, Liu Ce deliberately spoke in a tone that was both scrutinizing and encouraging:

"Liu Xuande, is that right? Hmm, I observe that you possess a composed demeanor, and your brothers are also extraordinary. Not bad, very good."

"The country is in dire need of talent right now. You should continue to work hard, fight bravely against the enemy, and you will surely have a bright future."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was deeply moved and immediately bowed respectfully, his voice trembling slightly.

"Thank you for your encouragement, General! I am prepared to do my utmost and live up to your expectations!"