Chapter 37

Chapter 671: If One Truly Desires the Fruit of Righteousness (真心想吃正果), Why Fear High Mountains and Deep Waters (何懼高山深水) 3

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The forces there included the army of King Gochuk, Moktaepal, and the Zhang Fei army that had guarded Dongguan.

The number of Gochuk's warriors had decreased over time but still numbered one thousand five hundred.

The Zhang Fei army, having lost several hundred while guarding Dongguan, numbered slightly over two thousand. Combined, they totaled three thousand five hundred. Though a small number, it was a force that could be effectively utilized.

"Surely, you're suggesting an ambush on the supply units passing between Dongguan and Hangu Pass?"

"General, you are wise! The weakness of the Guanxi army is their long supply line. Huang Bosong abandoned Zhongtian because he was confident in defending the Wei River, which would protect the supply line from Chang'an."

"Then what about us...? What exactly am I supposed to do? I have no intention of idly wasting time here."

"General, there's no need to worry about that. You must cut off the supply line from Chang'an to Dongguan."

Only then did Lü Bu's expression noticeably brighten.

"Right, we can set out today... Where should we go?"

But Guo Jia held out his palm.

"Not immediately. We must conclude the matters here first."

"Are there more things to do here? Haven't we already received reports that the Guanxi army has passed Dongguan? They must have reached Hangu Pass by now."

"General, Huang Bosong is not an easy opponent. I dare say he is undoubtedly the strongest among all the enemies you have faced. Compared to Yuan Shao's Guandong army, the Guanxi army is even more dangerous."

Lü Bu frowned.

"Master, I don't deny that Huang Bosong is a formidable person. But if we overestimate the enemy and restrict our own movements, that is certainly not a good thing."

"I mean that even the same strategy would be several times more difficult to succeed against Huang Bosong."

Guo Jia spoke gently to ensure Lü Bu didn't misunderstand.

"Of course, if the General wishes to cut off the Guanxi army's supply line, it will certainly be achieved. No army, no matter how large, can block the General's path."

"That's a given. However, I, Lü Fengxian, have promised to entrust military strategy to the military advisor. Now that Master Guo is the military advisor, I will support Master Guo's strategy."

Lü Bu's words made Guo Jia bow to him.

Indeed, how many rulers valued the words of a military advisor so highly? It was a rare occurrence.

Lü Bu helped Guo Jia straighten up.

"Master Guo, what remains to be done here? Let's wrap it up quickly. Leaving things undone is very unsettling."

"Yes, General. The remaining task here is to maximize the use of our resources."

"Resources? Are you referring to the grain and weapons, silk and brocade that Huang Bosong couldn't take with him?"

"Those must be utilized, but the resources I'm referring to are people. There are the beauties sent by Huang Bosong, and there's also the 'Zao' of Fengyunzhaohua."

Guo Jia's words suggested thinking about how to use Zhang Xi and Zao Qinglong. However, Lü Bu's mind couldn't come up with a good plan.

"Since I lack wisdom, what do you mean by using them more?"

"I am temporarily taking on the role of military advisor in place of Master Jia. Therefore, I always think about how Master Jia would handle matters."

"In this situation, Master Jia would probably use the 'Gui Ji' strategy."

Lü Bu, having spent much time with Jia Xu, subconsciously used his habits as a broad framework for thinking.

"He would have planned to spread false information through Zhang Xi and would have fully utilized Zao Qinglong, not knowing that he had joined my command."

Lü Bu said this and slightly tilted his head.

"Well, that's the limit of my mind. Predicting the details is beyond my ability."

"The General's expectations and the strategy I have prepared are on the same track. However, I cannot disclose it immediately."

"Then don't do that. I can't tell if I'm with Master Jia or Master Guo right now."

"There are two reasons I cannot disclose it now. One is that if the conditions I intend are not met, the strategy cannot be used. The other is..."

Guo Jia trailed off and shifted his gaze elsewhere. Lü Bu followed his gaze.

* * *

"Choxian, how could you...?"

Following Guo Jia's gaze, Lü Bu saw Choxian standing silently. Lü Bu rushed over to embrace her.

But Choxian pushed him away, causing Lü Bu's eyes to widen.

"Why do you push me away? Are you still angry? Didn't I tell you that I didn't keep the beauties sent by Huang Bosong?"

"I am not doing this because of that. Isn't this a place for a meeting? It is inappropriate for a ruler to act this way in a public setting."

"What's the problem with me embracing my beloved?"

"It is a blemish for a ruler."

Choxian's firm words made Lü Bu sullen.

"Then why did you come to see me during the meeting? Is it wrong to come to a public setting to see your husband?"

"I have a request for the Lord."

"Isn't there a private chamber for private requests?"

"It's not a private request. Lord, I will go to Xiliang."

Choxian's words left Lü Bu speechless.

"Choxian, why...? Why are you going there? Surely you're not leaving me?"

Lü Bu's face showed clear signs of distress. Choxian clasped her hands together like a man.

"Lord, I will go to Xiliang to meet the Qiang warriors."

Lü Bu was greatly angered by Choxian's words.

"Who told you this? Who said such a thing?"

"Lord, I am also your loyal subject. There are things I must do, and if I can do them, I should step forward. How can I avoid high mountains and deep waters for the sake of the Lord?"

Her words reignited Lü Bu's fierce nature. He pushed up her chin with his finger. Her frail body could easily be pierced by Lü Bu's finger.

He didn't mean to kill Choxian, whom he cherished so much. He only wanted to remind her of how dangerous Xiliang was.

"Do you think you're invincible? Can you avoid arrows and survive sword strikes?"

"Only I can persuade them."

"Are you talking about the Western Qiang? Even if we set that aside, the Qiang warriors are shamans. How can you persuade them? It's impossible."

Lü Bu realized that he couldn't break her resolve with force alone. He spoke gently.

"Choxian. It's a long journey. Moreover, Xiliang is not only home to the Qiang but also to many other tribes you've never heard of. I don't want to lose you."

"I am a descendant of Wuliao."

"I didn't ask about your background."

"You must listen. If the Sima clan hadn't risen to power and pushed out the Taishi and Lin clans, I would have become the emperor's shaman."

The position of the emperor's shaman should have been in Taishi, as it was the place for reading the stars, studying geography, and recording history.

"A woman can only achieve a position by becoming the emperor's consort."

"That's only in the Han dynasty. As your beloved, I will not only serve you but also establish merit as your subject and demand a position in your realm."

"Why are you suddenly talking like this?"

"After learning about Zhang Xi, I couldn't stay idle. Even mere beauties are willing to risk their lives for their lord. How can I, your beloved, not pursue righteousness?"

Lü Bu, unable to refute Choxian's words, looked around the hall for help. But it backfired.

"I fully support Lady Chao's words. Our fangshi also want to establish merit and no longer remain mere observers. In such turbulent times, we must establish some merit to have a voice in General Lü's realm."

Shangshan Chao翁 also agreed.

"One cannot achieve righteousness by fearing high mountains and deep waters..."

Ji Da added.

"If the Han dynasty had granted the title of King of Western Qiang to Bitongjian, the Western Qiang's rebellion would not have continued endlessly. No matter how great the Confucian scholars are, how can they call it national learning if they abandon half the realm?"

By "half the realm," he meant women.

"Master Guo, what do you think? Do you also believe I should allow Choxian to go to Xiliang?"

"If there's even a small chance, it's worth trying. However, there's also the risk of losing your beloved. If Lady Chao can persuade the Western Qiang shaman, the benefits will far outweigh the life of one person."

Like Jia Xu, Guo Jia believed in using all available resources. Moreover, he knew Choxian's background and believed there was a good chance of success.

Choxian is a descendant of Wuliao, and Wuliao and Qin are inseparable. Since Qin has deep ties with the tribes in Yongzhou and Xili