Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1279 Zhang Song's Encounter with Liu Feng on His Mission

The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in Chang'an City had not yet dissipated when Zhang Song packed his belongings and came to bid farewell to Ma Chao, preparing to go to Bazhong County to fulfill his mission.

"Wait a minute, Yongnian." Ma Chao smiled and picked up an urgent report from the table, unfolding it as he said, "You don't need to rush to Bazhong. Zhang Liao sent a battle report from Xudu that Liu Bei has led his army back to Jingzhou, and the battle in Yingchuan is going badly. Zhang Liao has retreated to Xudu. So, you only need to go to Xiangyang."

Zhang Song was taken aback, then laughed and said, "This saves me a lot of travel time, allowing me to relax."

Ma Chao put down the urgent report and changed the subject: "Yongnian, there's something I'd like to discuss with you. Li Yan came to Chang'an with you, and although he's been quiet and reserved these past few days, seemingly dressed as a scholar, I've observed that he possesses considerable strategic acumen and is no ordinary person. I'm considering having him oversee Luoyang; what do you think?"

Zhang Song's heart skipped a beat. Luoyang was a vital city in the Central Plains, a strategic location fought over by military strategists. Li Yan was merely a general who had recently surrendered, yet Ma Chao was willing to entrust him with the defense of such an important city. This magnanimity and trust were truly moving. He composed himself, cupped his hands, and said, "My lord has a discerning eye! Li Yan is indeed a man of both literary and military talent. His tenacity in defending Luoyang in the past is evident; and his insights into governance these past few days have also been unique. Letting him govern Luoyang is the most suitable course of action."

"You also think it's feasible?" Ma Chao laughed. "If that's the case, then it's settled. While you're on your mission to Xiangyang, I'll arrange for Li Yan to go to Luoyang to coordinate with Zhang Liao in Xuchang, forming a pincer movement."

Zhang Song quickly expressed his gratitude on behalf of Li Yan: "On behalf of Li Yan, I thank you for your high regard! If he learns of this, he will surely be grateful for your kindness and defend Luoyang to the death, living up to your trust."

Ma Chao waved his hand: "Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust. Li Yan is talented, so he should be given a stage to showcase his abilities. Luoyang connects Guanzhong and the Central Plains. With him there, Zhang Liao can feel more at ease in Xudu."

Zhang Song was filled with emotion. From Zhang Ren and Fa Zheng taking charge of Xichuan, to Dian Wei and Wu Yi guarding key locations, and now to letting the surrendered general Li Yan guard Luoyang, Ma Chao never cared about people's background or seniority, but only about their ability and character. With such magnanimity, it's no wonder he could gather talents from all directions.

"Then I will set off for Xiangyang immediately," Zhang Song said, bowing. "I will certainly not fail in my mission."

“Go.” Ma Chao nodded. “Be careful on the road. If you encounter any civil or military officials from Jingzhou, do not back down in your words, but leave some room for maneuver. After all, the current focus is still on Hebei and Xuchang.”

"Understood, sir." Zhang Song replied, his steps becoming much lighter as he turned to leave. He knew that his lord's series of arrangements, seemingly casual, were in fact meticulously planned: Zhang Ren and Fa Zheng were in charge of stabilizing the rear in Xichuan, while Zhang Liao guarded Xuchang and Li Yan was in charge of Luoyang in the Central Plains, supporting each other. His mission to Xiangyang was both to send signals and to observe the movements in Jingzhou.

After Zhang Song left, Ma Chao summoned Li Yan and informed him of his appointment to guard Luoyang. Li Yan was initially shocked, then bowed deeply, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "My lord trusts me so much, I... I would give my life to repay even a fraction of his kindness!"

Ma Chao helped him up and said gently, "The people of Luoyang have suffered from war for too long. After you take office, first pacify the people, then strengthen the city's defenses, and keep in touch with Zhang Liao. I'll be waiting for your good news in Chang'an."

Li Yan bowed deeply and turned to take up his post, his back as straight as a pine tree. The autumn wind blew through Chang'an, stirring the banners of the Liang Prince's Palace and also stirring up the winds and clouds on the map of Western Liang. A larger game of chess was quietly unfolding.

The journey from Chang'an to Xiangyang took seven or eight days, traveling at breakneck speed.

As the envoy of Xiliang, Zhang Song, holding a staff, sat solemnly in a decorated carriage. Outside the carriage, the Xiliang guards were gleaming in armor, their banners fluttering, and the large banner with the character "Liang" on it rustling in the autumn wind. The procession was ceremonial and dignified.

Wherever they went, farmers working in the fields would put down their hoes and stop to watch. They looked at the well-organized procession and the flag they had never seen before in Jingzhou, whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with both curiosity and awe.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhang Song watched this scene through the window, a surge of indescribable pride welling up within him. Back then, when he served as an official in Yizhou, despite his talent, he was often looked down upon because of his appearance; even Liu Zhang ignored his advice. But now, as Ma Chao's envoy, wielding the imperial staff and carrying a mission, he was respected wherever he went.

This wasn't due to his personal qualities, but rather to the growing strength of the Western Liang behind him, and to his unconventional and discerning lord who bestowed upon him this glory. The ruts rolled forward, crushing the dust on the road, as if crushing away all his past grievances and resentments.

He gently stroked the staff in his hand, the icy touch making him even more alert—this trip to Xiangyang was not only to convey the lord's message, but also to show the civil and military officials of Jingzhou the current state of Xiliang and the abundance of talent under the lord's command.

The carriage crossed a river bridge, and the outline of Xiangyang City could be seen in the distance. Zhang Song took a deep breath and straightened his back. The wind outside the carriage picked up, fluttering the banners and stirring the heroic spirit in his heart.

The wind on the walls of Xiangyang made the banners flutter loudly. The garrison commander looked at the brightly colored procession in the dust and smoke in the distance. He saw the large banner with the character "Liang" and the envoy's ceremonial guards in his sight. He dared not delay for a moment and went down the wall to the council hall.

Inside the governor's mansion, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Guan Yu were strategizing the Jingnan campaign around a sand table. A densely packed map lay spread out on the table; the mark for Runan Commandery had been crossed out in red. Pang Tong pointed to the location of Guiyang Commandery with his feather fan: "Zilong has already led three thousand elite troops to reinforce them. Judging by the distance, Liu Feng should be back in the next couple of days. The Jiangdong troops are stationed on the Guiyang border, seemingly menacing, but in reality, their supplies are running low, and they won't last long."

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and said in a deep voice, "Brother, Liu Feng seems calm and collected, but he's actually a mediocre talent..."

Just then, the garrison commander burst in, panting: "My lord! There are envoys outside the city requesting an audience, carrying the banners of Xiliang, saying... saying they are sent by the King of Liang!"

"An envoy from the King of Liang?" Liu Bei looked up abruptly, his brows furrowing instantly. Zhuge Liang paused, his feather fan fluttering, his gaze meeting Pang Tong's; both saw a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes. Guan Yu's hand on his sword hilt tightened slightly. Zhang Fei had suffered a great loss at Langzhong, and the Jingzhou army had just dampened Zhang Liao's spirits at Yingchuan, regaining some ground. Was this envoy's arrival in Xiangyang a gesture of goodwill, or did he have ulterior motives?

The air in the council chamber suddenly froze, and even the soldier models on the sand table seemed to tense up. Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Quickly, invite them in." But in his heart, he thought: Ma Chao sent someone at this time, choosing such a delicate moment; it's probably not that simple.

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Liu Bei's face showed a hint of surprise. Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong exchanged a glance; this envoy from Xiliang certainly had quite the airs. Guan Yu stood silently to the side, his hand unconsciously tightening around the sword at his waist, a flash of anger in his eyes.

Pang Tong scoffed and waved his feather fan, saying, "Ma Chao of Xiliang is indeed acting like a barbarian. Even an envoy is so arrogant. This shows the style of his subordinates."

“Shiyuan, you are mistaken.” Liu Bei waved his hand, his tone steady. “Although Ma Chao is the ruler of Xiliang, he is also the King of Liang appointed by the court. His envoy represents the dignity of a regional lord. Besides, although we suffered a loss in the Langzhong incident, it was because of my third brother’s reckless actions. It was indeed our fault.”

After saying that, he straightened his sleeves and said, "Yun Chang, Kong Ming, Shi Yuan, come with me to greet them."

At this moment, Zhang Song was sitting comfortably in his carriage at the city gate, waiting. Suddenly, he heard the sound of horses' hooves in the distance, mixed with the shouts of guards. He slightly lifted the light veil of the carriage curtain and saw a young general and several personal guards riding towards him. The general was tall and straight, but there was a hint of worry between his brows.

Upon seeing the young man, the city gate guards bowed and saluted, saying, "Greetings, Young General!"

Zhang Song's heart skipped a beat. Young General? Could it be Liu Feng, Liu Bei's adopted son?

The young man was Liu Feng. He reined in his horse, glanced at the Xiliang carriage parked at the gate, and frowned as he asked, "Why is the city gate so crowded? Who owns this carriage? Why isn't it going into the city or being moved?"

The guard hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to the young general, this is an envoy from Xiliang. He said... he said he was upset by our lack of courtesy and was just now angry. He is currently waiting for the lord to summon him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng glanced at the solemnly decorated carriage, then noticed the guards beside it, all with solemn expressions, hands on their sword hilts, a hint of wariness flashing in their eyes. He dismounted, walked to the carriage, and said loudly, "I am Liu Feng. My father is on his way to meet you. Since Your Excellency has come from afar, why not come with me into the city and wait for me?"

Zhang Song, inside the carriage, noticed the politeness in the man's tone, but remained seated and said calmly, "Young General, you are very courteous. However, as an envoy of the King of Liang, I must abide by the rules. Since your esteemed household is aware of etiquette, you will make the appropriate arrangements. We will wait here."

A hint of displeasure flashed across Liu Feng's face, but he couldn't show it. After all, the other party was an envoy from a vassal state, and he had the upper hand in terms of etiquette. He could only suppress his temper and stand aside to wait, while secretly thinking to himself: The people of Xiliang are indeed as tough as rumored; even an envoy is so difficult to deal with.

Hearing a hint of melancholy in Liu Feng's words from inside the carriage, Zhang Song deliberately probed, his voice coming through the curtain with a touch of gentleness: "Young General, you are Liu Jingzhou's adopted son. Now you are following Lord Xuande to establish merit and make achievements. You should be in the prime of your life. Why do you look so worried? I wonder what position you hold now?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face. He was already uneasy about the loss of Runan, and Zhang Song's blunt pointing out his worries made him even more uncomfortable, but he couldn't show it, so he could only say in a deep voice, "Previously, Father ordered me to guard Runan County, but Cao Cao personally led a large army to attack. After several fierce battles, we ultimately failed to hold it, and Runan has been lost. At that time, Father was far away in Xichuan, so I was ordered by the military advisor to go and relieve the siege of Guiyang. Now Father has returned to Jingzhou and appointed General Zilong to replace me, summoning me back to Xiangyang to report on my duties."

As he spoke, his tone betrayed his disappointment. The loss of Runan was a genuine mistake. Although there was the objective reason of Cao Cao's massive army pressing in, ultimately it was his own fault for failing to defend the territory. Judging from his second uncle's performance, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about returning to Xiangyang at this moment.

Zhang Song then changed the subject, saying with a hint of praise, "It is already remarkable that the young general was able to hold Runan for several months under the siege of Cao Cao's personally led army. Afterwards, he fought to relieve the siege of Guiyang. He has been working hard and tirelessly. Logically, Lord Xuande should reward him. Why does the young general look so worried instead?"

These words struck a chord with Liu Feng. He wasn't afraid of punishment itself, but rather worried that his father would look down on him, and even more so, that he would lose face in front of his uncles Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Especially since Guan Yu had never been particularly close to him, and upon returning to report on his duties, he would inevitably be asked about the events in Runan. Thinking of this, the worry between his brows deepened, but he only vaguely replied, "Losing territory deserves punishment, not reward."

Inside the carriage, Zhang Song listened to his words with a hint of doubt in his heart. This young general, as Liu Bei's adopted son, was no ordinary man, having managed to hold out for months under Cao Cao's attack. Yet, it seemed he hadn't fared well under Liu Bei's command, especially after the loss of Runan, which must have been a thorn in his side. He silently noted this down, but didn't press the matter further, simply saying, "Lord Xuande has always been kind and generous; young general need not worry."