Before entering the Bao-Xie Road, Bu Zhi turned back one last time and looked east.
On the Five Zhang Plains, old farmers were still bent over their fields. In Mei County, the streets bustled with people coming and going. And farther still, the towering walls of Chang'an could be faintly seen against the horizon.
As for the "Hou Su Lai Pavilion" that could no longer be seen at all, that went without saying. Bu Zhi felt that even if he lived another lifetime, he would never forget that place.
When he left Chang'an to return east, Lu Zijing had sent word through others, hoping to see him off. Bu Zhi had politely declined.
To be fair, Bu Zhi could not bring himself to speak ill of his former superior, Lu Su. In his heart, there was far more admiration than resentment, and more regret than blame.
Now that Lu Zijing was here, whether he would remain under the Left General was still uncertain.
But one thing was absolute.
Lu Su would never return to Jiangdong.
If Lu Zijing truly wished to display his talents and ambitions, then in Bu Zhi's mind, meeting again was worse than not meeting at all.
Facing east toward Chang'an, Bu Zhi cupped his hands in a distant salute. Then he lifted his head, straightened his back, and stepped calmly into the Bao-Xie Road.
Receiving the Left General's tacit approval was only the first step.
Next, he still had to go to Hanzhong, transfer onto the Han River, travel downstream to Jing Province, and remain there for a time. Letters needed to be written to Marquis Sun, and discussions held with those overseeing Jing Province affairs, Jiang Wan, Xu Shu, Guan Yu, and the others.
Just before fully entering the mountain road, Bu Zhi let out a faint sigh, barely audible.
"If only Marquis Sun would not place blind trust in Lü…"
The sigh faded as it fell, its final sound swallowed by the mountains.
At the same time Bu Zhi was returning through Bao-Xie Road, another group of messengers had already passed Shan County.
They detoured south at Xin'an, planning to pass Yiyang, cross Guangcheng Pass, and head straight for Jia County.
This was because, after verifying their identities in Shan County, they had been informed that since the fourth month of this year, the Chancellor had moved his army to Jia County and remained there ever since.
"Jia County lies north of Xudu," said Xiahou Ba, who was not yet twenty-four, his tone unconsciously puzzled. "Why is the Chancellor stationed there?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he understood the reason himself. A bitter smile appeared on his face.
But the escort commander opposite him showed no such restraint.
"If not for the defeat in Guanzhong and the loss at Tong Pass, why would the Chancellor need to move his army to Jia County at all?"
Xiahou Ba's face flushed with shame. He could not refute the statement.
In truth, everything he had seen along the way confirmed it.
Because of the loss at Tong Pass, the Chancellor had no choice but to divide his forces and station troops at Hongnong and Shan County, guarding against Liu Bei pushing out from Guanzhong.
Meanwhile, the fighting north of Jing had not yet ended. Despite having many troops, the defenders of Duyang City employed endless defensive methods, united from top to bottom. After holding firm for over four months, they still showed no sign of collapse.
Moving the army to Jia County was an attempt to manage both fronts at once.
But for the garrison troops in Shan County, it only bred resentment.
Seeing that Xiahou Ba did not respond, the escort commander grew even more contemptuous.
"If it weren't for the Chancellor's loyalty to old ties, just one capable general would be enough to hold Guanzhong for three to five months, at the very least."
In the end, Xiahou Ba said nothing. He turned around and left.
Pressed close to his chest were two letters, one written in his father's own hand, and another bearing the Left General's handwriting.
Both reminded him how critical this mission was. There was no room for reckless disputes.
Yet as he left Shan County, Xiahou Ba still turned his head back, his eyes filled with unconcealed disdain.
When Liu Bei's armies advance in full force, then you will understand my father's difficulties.
Having personally experienced the defeat in the Wei River valley, Xiahou Ba understood this better than most.
Against an army that wins without fighting, what use was individual bravery? What use was ferocity?
Battlefield victory lay in strategy, in shattering morale, in recognizing numbers, unity, and shared intent.
During his idle days in the surrendered-soldier camps of Chang'an, many former Cao troops had already sworn oaths, claiming that Imperial Uncle Liu was aided by immortals sent from heaven to restore the Han.
Fires built in winter along the Wei River. Chang'an falling in half a day. Fewer than a thousand casualties before and after. And Chang'an already showing signs of revival.
If this were not immortal assistance, how else could one explain it?
Xiahou Ba had once tormented himself over this thought, unable to find peace.
But his experience in Shan County brought clarity.
Let them experience Liu Bei's blade for themselves.
Traveling eastward, Xiahou Ba finally entered the main camp at Jia County.
By evening, he was granted an audience with Chancellor Cao.
The closer the relationship, the more important etiquette became. Xiahou Ba performed his formal salutations with precision, then stood quietly with his hands folded.
After carefully replaying his recent experiences in his mind, he heard the question from above.
"Did Zhongquan ever meet Liu Bei in person?"
"No," Xiahou Ba replied honestly. "I only saw him from a distance a few times."
As the commander's son, he had feared being used as leverage against his father. He had concealed his identity at every turn, yet it was soon exposed by those with ulterior motives.
Unexpectedly, Liu Bei merely sent someone to record his name and then left him alone.
If there was any special treatment at all, it was limited to a thick quilt delivered one night by a soldier, who said it was sent on his general's orders.
"And in Zhongquan's view," Cao Cao asked, slowly reading a letter by candlelight, "what kind of man is Liu Bei?"
"He appears like a benevolent elder," Xiahou Ba answered after a moment's thought. "But he lacks the Chancellor's commanding presence."
"Commanding presence…"
Cao Cao burst into laughter.
The laughter rang so suddenly that cold sweat crept up Xiahou Ba's spine.
Fortunately, the Chancellor made no further movement. Once his laughter subsided, his tone became firm and final.
"From the first day of the New Year until now, tell me everything you personally witnessed. No matter how small."
Xiahou Ba swallowed quietly, glancing at the untouched food on the table, then began to speak, recalling events while organizing his thoughts.
For Cao Cao, the defeat in Guanzhong was a fact he had already accepted.
Yet even months later, the battle remained filled with unanswered questions.
Thus, while constantly pressuring Guan Yu in northern Jing to prevent any unexpected moves, he also sent spies into Guanzhong day and night, seeking clarity.
What Xiahou Zhongquan had seen might illuminate those mysteries further.
As for Xiahou Yuan's letter proposing an exchange, trading Xiahou Yuan himself for the former Yi Province troops and the safety of Ma Teng's family, Cao Cao found the idea tempting.
But he had no intention of agreeing immediately.
Everything would wait until Xiahou Ba finished speaking.
For Xiahou Ba, this was also the first time he realized how many questions his adoptive uncle could ask.
Zhang He's troop movements. The defenses at Chencang. Daily marching speeds. Food rations. Winter supplies.
The weather in the Wei River valley. The retreat formations. Every sound heard at night. Every rumor among the soldiers.
Even after being captured, what he ate each day and what he saw each day, all were examined in detail.
By the time dawn drums announcing the fish-belly white sky sounded in Jia County's camp, Xiahou Ba left with legs slightly unsteady.
Thinking of the meal he had never touched, he hurried back, determined to fill his stomach and then finally rest.
But upon entering his quarters, he found someone already waiting inside.
Hearing movement, the man turned. Any hesitation in his eyes vanished instantly as he cupped his hands.
"Zhongquan's return is cause for joy. Being valued by the Chancellor is cause for congratulations. I have waited all night. Hunger and cold may be said to be my companions."
"Wei Huang!" Xiahou Ba exclaimed, stepping forward and clapping him on the shoulder.
"Why wait here so long? Now that I'm back, there will be plenty of time."
Wei Huang shook his head, his expression rigid.
"I am here in my capacity as Director of Justice of the Chancellor's Office."
"Please recount all words and actions in Guanzhong truthfully."