Chapter 35

Chapter 669: If One Truly Desires the Fruit of Righteousness (真心得吃正果), How Can One Fear High Mountains and Deep Waters (何懼高山深水)?

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Wei Zai, upon being summoned by Luo Shi, arrived at the fortress in a single stride.

He was a soldier under Zhang Mu, but after Zhang Mu joined the Central Army, he came under Luo Shi’s command.

Since Zhang Mu and Luo Shi shared the same intentions, it was not wrong to consider Wei Zai as Luo Shi’s soldier now.

In fact, the current deployment of troops at Hangu Pass and Hanguan had some peculiar aspects.

Dong Zhuo had given Zhang Mu’s tens of thousands of Xiliang soldiers to Hanguan, but Dan Wai, who led them, was now with Luo Shi at Hangu Pass.

Zhang Mu had handed over all his troops, yet he was stationed at Hanguan instead of here.

This arrangement seemed to be inconsistent in some way. Of course, the fact that Zhang Mu and Dan Wai were stationed in different places, with their troops elsewhere, also indicated a deep trust in Luo Shi.

“General Luo, what is the matter?”

Wei Zai approached Luo Shi and bowed. At the same time, his eyes scanned the bodies scattered on the ground.

“Scholar Zixu, I need your military strategy.”

“Military strategy? What kind of...? Could it be that you want a way to delay the Guanxi Army at Hangu Pass?”

“Indeed, Scholar Zixu, you are a worthy strategist of the Central Army. As you said, our strategy is to delay the Guanxi Army at Hangu Pass. How can we delay their advance?”

Wei Zai’s expression stiffened at Luo Shi’s words. He had anticipated that Luo Shi would ask about this and had prepared several plans.

However, the opponent was Huang Boshun, and he thought that ordinary tactics would not work.

He clasped his hands together and said to Luo Shi, “General, I have prepared several strategies, but I am not certain if they will be effective.”

“I understand your concerns. But remember, Huang Boshun is just a man of flesh and blood, no different from us. He did not fall from the sky.”

Luo Shi tried to boost Wei Zai’s confidence. Wei Zai hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I have reviewed numerous strategies, including the ‘Thirty-Six Stratagems,’ and have come to a clear conclusion.”

“What is it?”

“Tricks will not work.”

By “tricks,” Wei Zai meant the Thirty-Six Stratagems. Luo Shi tilted his head.

“Why do you think so?”

“I have prepared many strategies and tried to predict whether they would work or not. I even simulated them in my mind, imagining you, General Luo, as the opponent.”

“And what was the result?”

“I concluded that if they wouldn’t work on you, they wouldn’t work on Huang Boshun either. Ordinary tricks would be useless.”

Since he had no personal connection with Huang Boshun, Wei Zai had no way of knowing his capabilities. All he knew was the reputation Huang Boshun had built up to this point.

Therefore, Wei Zai had assumed that Luo Shi was leading the Guanxi Army and reviewed his strategies.

“I cannot accept that you have no strategies at all. Scholar, present your best strategy. I want to show the Guanxi Army how formidable the Central Army’s strategists are.”

“Thank you for your praise. If I must present a strategy, it would be ‘Heavenly Change’ (天变). In fact, Scholar Bai Kai mentioned...”

* * *

Before Wei Zai could finish, Cai Yong interjected. He had also accompanied them to Hangu Pass.

He was merely a civil official and not a military strategist. However, he had joined Luo Shi on the dangerous battlefield because he could be of help.

Cai Yong, who had no martial skills to protect himself, could still read the weather and predict atmospheric changes.

“General Luo, I have informed Scholar Zixu about the weather changes.”

“Scholar, is there a significant change?”

“Not necessarily. It seems that there will be a heavy rain in the next two or three days.”

“Indeed! Hearing that makes my knees ache. It seems the rain will come.”

Luo Shi rubbed his knees and turned his gaze to Wei Zai.

“This doesn’t seem like a heavy rain... Can we turn this into a strategy?”

“I have thought about using the terrain of Hangu Pass to our advantage. With the rain coming, I want to turn the path of the Guanxi Army into a muddy road.”

Wei Zai cast his eyes toward the soldiers gathered below. Luo Shi and Dan Wai followed his gaze and looked down. There, soldiers were assembled.

“General, I plan to spread a lot of fine soil around the western gate of Hangu Pass to turn it into a muddy road. The soil and the soldiers to move it are already prepared.”

“All we need is the rain.”

“Exactly. If they bring siege weapons, the muddy road will slow them down, and their attacks on the gate will be different from usual.”

“Explain in detail. You wouldn’t have mentioned it if you weren’t prepared.”

* * *

“Luo Shi... Luo Shi... Luo Shi...”

Huang Boshun kept repeating Luo Shi’s name. Shi Yuan asked, “Are you concerned because the opponent is General Luo?”

“It is indeed awkward to face an old friend in battle, but once he is the enemy, I will not show him any mercy.”

Huang Boshun had already seen Luo Shi’s flag fluttering on the third floor of the watchtower at Hangu Pass. He knew that Luo Shi had returned to the court as the commander of the Central Army, but facing him as an enemy was a strange feeling.

“How did a famous general, once on par with the Lord, end up in such a state? Tsk! Just look at him.”

Shi Yuan pointed to the crumbling Hangu Pass. To Huang Boshun, the current state of Hangu Pass was a mess.

The damaged areas had been repaired, but only with mud bricks. Moreover, there were not many soldiers on the walls.

Although Hangu Pass was once considered impregnable, its current state was vastly different from when it was known as the most dangerous pass in the world.

Huang Boshun was curious how Luo Shi would defend Hangu Pass with weak walls and few soldiers.

“Let’s start attacking the gates of Hangu Pass.”

As if on cue, Ma Teng and Han Sui stepped forward. Both were silent, but their eyes, fixed on Huang Boshun, showed their eagerness to lead the charge.

However, Huang Boshun shook his head.

“You have disappointed me many times. Hangu Pass may look weak, but it is defended by Luo Shi. He is not someone to be taken lightly.”

Huang Boshun did not trust Ma Teng and Han Sui. The Red Eyebrows were a cavalry unit and not suitable for sieges, and Jiang Yiduan was to be saved for the attack on Luoyang.

“My lord, give the Ma family a chance to redeem their honor.”

“My troops have not had a proper battle in a while. Isn’t it time to give them a chance?”

As Ma Teng and Han Sui requested to lead the charge, Shi Yuan whispered to Huang Boshun.

“My lord, give both of them a chance. Let them take turns attacking Hangu Pass.”

Huang Boshun nodded, and Shi Yuan continued.

“Send General Han first.”

“Ma Teng is better for a direct attack.”

“I understand, but if you follow my strategy, it will be beneficial.”

Huang Boshun nodded for Shi Yuan to continue.

“Generals Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying are renowned warriors. They will likely challenge the enemy to a duel.”

“They will do the obvious. But I don’t think Luo Shi has a general capable of facing them.”

Huang Boshun expected that even if Yan Xing or Cheng Gongying challenged a duel, Luo Shi’s generals would not come out.

“Among Luo Shi’s generals, there is no one with great prowess. I heard that Gong Sunzan met a tragic end after falling out with Lü Bu, and he was betrayed by his reckless student, Liu Bei.”

“Indeed, I advised against taking in that black-haired beast... Anyway, since Luo Zijian’s two students are no longer with him, he will not accept a duel. Why do you suggest sending Han Sui first?”

“If they do not accept the duel, the morale of the Hangu Pass army will plummet. Conversely, if they do accept, it will prove that the gate is not blocked from the inside. Wouldn’t it be good to confirm this?”

Shi Yuan was curious about the situation east of the Hangu Pass gate.

To predict the enemy’s actions, one must think from their perspective.

Shi Yuan imagined himself defending Hangu Pass. If he were in that position, he would try to buy more time by blocking the gate with rocks and soil. He needed to confirm if Luo Shi had the same idea.

“Good strategy. Do as you wish.”

* * *

“Luo Shi, you old man! Open the gate and come out on your knees! If you don’t, I’ll turn Hangu Pass into your grave!”

There was no trace of manners in Yan Xing’s words. He called Luo Shi’s name casually and provoked him.

Han Sui, watching from behind, rubbed his temples.

“Because of that guy, I might not be able to live as I wish. Even if he