Chapter 49: with translation of chapter title

Hmph, back then, Dong Zhuo that old thing, after seeing Fengxian's strength, feared that Fengxian would later betray him, so his son-in-law Li Ru came up with this nasty scheme.

The purpose is to ruin Fengxian's reputation, so that all the Marquis under Tian Xia dare not take him in.

Zhang Liao's tone was icy; evidently, he too found Dong Zhuo and company's actions utterly shameful.

Hiss—

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai also sucked in a breath of cold air; evidently, he too was shocked by this shameless act.

If it were up to him, he would absolutely never devise such a scheme against his own lord.

If this gets out and others learn you're such a person, who under Tian Xia would still rally to you!

Since ancient times, those who win the People's Hearts win Tian Xia; no one would think to tarnish their own reputation, yet Dong Zhuo and company did just that.

Someone like that actually almost succeeded in rebelling—who would believe that if it got out!

I've only told you this; you must absolutely not spread it—this matter still needs Fengxian to say it himself.

Zhang Liao, thinking of Lü Bu's temper, immediately gave Xi Zhicai a solemn admonition.

Come on, do you think I'm the kind of person who would go around blabbing? Rest assured!

Hearing Zhang Liao's admonition, Xi Zhicai promptly patted his chest and assured Zhang Liao.

That would be best; I'm afraid Fengxian would feel unhappy, and such a strong-willed person wouldn't want others to speak of his sore points.

Seeing Xi Zhicai's expression, Zhang Liao still felt uneasy and gave a further explanation.

Actually, I think this is simple: as long as Lu General tells His Majesty about this and asks for an Imperial Decree, the matter would be settled, right?

Xi Zhicai pondered for a moment, then said to Zhang Liao in puzzlement.

We already told Fengxian about this back then; he feared His Majesty wouldn't believe him.

Hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao also replied helplessly.

What's the issue? With His Majesty's Wise and Brave, can't he tell true from false?

In that regard, Xi Zhicai felt that, relying on Liu Bian's wisdom, he would undoubtedly not disbelieve Lü Bu.

This isn't from back then; it's just that we recently pledged allegiance to His Majesty, and afterwards we've been busy cultivating, so we delayed this matter…

Speaking of this, it's really not their fault; ever since Liu Bian passed on the Cultivation Method, everyone has been risking their lives to cultivate, leaving no time for anything else.

That's true too; not mentioning you lot, when I first learned about Cultivation, I was also shocked beyond measure.

After Cultivation, one becomes utterly unable to extricate oneself; the feeling of possessing great power is utterly captivating!

Regarding Zhang Liao's statement, Xi Zhicai also wholeheartedly agreed; thinking back, after he himself cultivated the Cultivation Method, he too had not been risking his life to cultivate.

As a civil official like myself is already like this, let alone those generals—they'll only become even more frenzied.

Alright, we needn't worry about Fengxian's affairs anymore; let him tell His Majesty about it later.

We should still hurry on our way, striving to reach Shangjun before His Majesty arrives in Liangzhou.

The two chatted a while longer, then Zhang Liao interrupted and got down to business.

……

Soon, Five Days passed in a flash, and Liu Bian's army also marched to Youfufeng; after another Three Days, they could reach Hanyang Commandery in Liangzhou.

As for Zhang Liao's side, being closer to Bing Province, he has already brought his troops to the gates of Shangjun City.

People inside the city, listen: I am Zhang Liao, Commander of the Bing Province Army of the Han Empire; come out, you Garrison Commanders, and speak.

At this moment, as a military commander, Zhang Liao rode forward and stopped at a point One Hundred and Fifty Steps from Shangjun City.

He coldly shouted at the soldiers of Shangjun City.

What do we do? How could the Imperial Court's great army arrive so quickly!

Yeah, wasn't it said they'd need Three Days to arrive? And with our two thousand troops, how could we resist their Five Hundred Thousand Troops!

Yeah, I don't know how General Niu Gao will handle this.

Better hurry and notify General Niu Gao to come!

The soldiers on the city gate, upon hearing that the comer was the Commander of the Bing Province Army, Zhang Liao, were greatly startled.

Upon seeing that the force was the Fifty Thousand Troops, they lost all thought of resistance and fell into panic.

Seeing no one respond, Zhang Liao impatiently shouted at the city gate: 'I, the Commander, give you Half a Quarter-Hour; if no one comes out to fight, I will order the Army to assault the city.'

After Half a Quarter-Hour, whether it's battle or surrender, you decide!

After Zhang Liao finished speaking coldly to the city gate, he turned back to the Army and waited quietly for the city's response.

At that moment, the city's soldiers finally reacted, immediately sending someone to summon Shangjun's Garrison Commander, Niu Gao.

Soon, the soldiers rushed into the Taishou Fu and loudly told Niu Gao, who was enjoying the dance of a few beauties: 'Sir, sir, something's wrong!'

The soldiers' voices were anxious and full of fear, even their tone sounded a bit hoarse.

Damn it, dare disturb my leisure; if you don't give me a clear explanation today, I, the Sir, will make you regret it!

Niu Gao, whose leisure was interrupted, slammed the table and angrily barked at the soldiers.

Then, he softly said to the few dancing girls: 'Ladies, wait a moment; after I, the Sir, deal with this eyesore, we'll continue, hehehe.'

Having said that, he again glared angrily at the soldiers and barked: 'Speak, what exactly happened?'

Report, Sir: the Commander of the Bing Province Army of the Imperial Court, Zhang Liao, leading the Fifty Thousand Troops, has already arrived at the city walls and is now calling for battle outside.

The soldiers hurriedly told Niu Gao the whole story in one breath.

What? How could it be so fast? This is the Fifty Thousand Troops; with our two thousand troops, we simply cannot defend Shangjun City—what are we to do!

Upon hearing that the Imperial Court's Fifty Thousand Troops had already arrived at the city walls, Niu Gao also instantly panicked.

Moreover, that Zhang Liao gave us only Half a Quarter-Hour to decide; if we haven't made a decision after that, he will order the Army to assault the city!

Seeing that even the Prefect Niu Gao was panicked, the soldiers also felt uneasy and conveyed Zhang Liao's words to Niu Gao.

What, that damned Zhang Liao actually gave us only Half a Quarter-Hour—what can you do in Half a Quarter-Hour!

Even if we sought help from the elder brother in Jinyang, we would need at least Five Days for reinforcements to arrive, and with only two thousand of us, we simply cannot withstand the city under siege by the Fifty Thousand Troops for five days.

Niu Gao, in his mind, in an instant thought of every possible method he could think of.

But these did not match the current actual situation at all; they were completely useless.

"Looks like there's no way out; I can only abandon Shangjun City and hurry away, otherwise, once the army enters the city, Zhang Liao will definitely not let me go."

In an instant, Niu Gao conceived the idea of abandoning the city and fleeing.