Ji Han Liu Zhang

Business as usual.

This was the feeling of General Zhang Ji who entered Chang'an City at the invitation of Li Jue and Guo Si.

As usual, when they heard that he was about to arrive, Li Jue and Guo Si stood at the gate, waiting for his arrival and went out to greet him personally.

This was the special treatment Zhang Ji deserved. Among all the generals in Liangzhou, he was the only one who led his troops here to help Li Jue and Guo Si. However, General Duan Wei of Ningji, who stationed his troops in Huayin, kept his troops in place, watched the fight from the mountain, and disregarded the friendship of the past.

In comparison, Zhang Ji was naturally treated with great respect by Li Jue and Guo Si.

"General Li, General Guo." Zhang Ji rode forward, dismounted at the gate, and bowed to Li Jue and Guo Si who came to greet them.

Li Jue and Guo Si, who came to greet Zhang Ji, both had smiles on their faces and greeted Zhang Ji warmly.

"General Zhang, please." Guo Si stretched out his hand and took Zhang Ji, leading him to the central military tent where matters were being discussed.

"Zhi Ran and I have prepared a banquet. Let's eat and drink well today, and then discuss matters... If it gets late, we can rest in the city. The three of us can sleep on the same bed and have a good chat at night. It would be a wonderful thing."

Guo Si's passion was like a furnace, pouring heat onto Zhang Ji.

"I have had this thought for a long time, but unfortunately the camp is busy with military affairs. After the discussion, I have to rush back early. Otherwise, there will be no one in the camp who can make the decision, and there is no telling what kind of chaos will happen."

Zhang Ji first responded, and then subconsciously refused. He didn't want to sleep on the same bed with Li Jue and Guo Si. How could these two muscular men compare to his wife Zou, who was gentle and kind, and was the best companion by his bedside.

What's more, for him, a man who had secretly surrendered to Liu Zhang, it was impossible for him to sleep peacefully in the city. Only when he slept in his own camp, with his children around him, could he have a good dream.

Guo Si didn't care about Zhang Ji's refusal. He still had a smile on his face and said cheerfully, "Your nephew Ah Xiu is very brave and a good commander. With Ah Xiu in charge of the camp, there is nothing to worry about... It's settled. Tonight, you, Zhiran, and I will sleep on the same bed and talk all night long."

"Although Ah Xiu is a young talent, if she wants to lead an army on her own, she still needs some training. Now she is unable to control the overall situation and dominate the camp." Zhang Ji made an excuse again.

"There is still a long time to come. After we defeat Liu Zhang, are you afraid that we won't have time to sleep on the same bed and talk all night long?"

"I'm afraid you'll be tired of sleeping by then." Although Zhang Ji declined, he didn't make the atmosphere too tense and he joked.

Guo Si was amused by Zhang Ji's words. He laughed loudly and said generously, "General Zhang is right. After we defeat Liu Zhang, we will have plenty of time to sleep together... But I, Guo Aduo, can pat my chest and promise that I will never get tired of you, General Zhang. I won't complain even if we sleep together for three to five days, a month, or even a year."

"Aduo, don't make promises too early. If you say too much, you'll easily burst the bubble... When the time comes, don't sleep with me for three or five days and then become resentful and abandon me to go find your beautiful wife and concubines." Zhang Ji responded with a smile.

After saying this, Zhang Ji and Guo Si hugged each other's shoulders and laughed, as if they were real brothers.

Zhang Ji and Guo Si were chatting happily in the front. Li Jue, who was one step behind them, had no joy on his face. He was as calm as an ancient well, without any ripples and the surface of the water was like a mirror.

Although Li Jue's expression was calm, there was a murderous aura hidden between his brows, a thick and insoluble murderous aura, and this murderous aura was directed at Zhang Ji in front of him.

As an old revolutionary, Zhang Ji was used to fighting on the battlefield and had developed some ability to sense danger. After sensing a vague aura of ill will behind him, he pretended to turn around and joked to Li Jue, "Zhi Ran, why are you walking so slowly and lagging behind others? Didn't you always walk ahead of me and A Duo in the past?"

"Anytime is a normal day. Today you are a guest. How can a host walk in front of a guest? That is not hospitality." The moment Zhang Ji turned around, Li Jue's calm expression was broken. Like a stone thrown into an ancient well, a smile appeared on his face and he responded to Zhang Ji enthusiastically.

"It must be an illusion." Zhang Ji threw away his perception just now. He stretched out his hand and pulled Li Jue: "What host family and guest family? You and I three used to work under Prime Minister Dong. We are like brothers. We are one family."

"Yes, yes, yes. Although you and I have different surnames, we have a close friendship, just like brothers. After we defeat Liu Zhang's boy and have an opportunity, we will find a good day and the three of us will become sworn brothers." Guo Si grinned and thought about becoming sworn brothers.

"That's great, why don't we just make it a deal, the three of us will become brothers with different surnames." Zhang Ji agreed immediately, and he greeted Li Jue, who had not spoken yet: "Zhi Ran, what do you think?"

"That's right, that's right." Li Jue nodded hurriedly, echoing Zhang Ji.

After saying that, the three people walked to the door of the central army tent, stepped into the tent, and sat down at the seats of host and guest.

"Zhiran went there in person and found out the movements of the Shu troops. Liu Zhang has been stationing his troops at Wuzhangyuan for some time." Guo Si was telling Zhang Ji about the military situation while inviting him to drink.

Zhang Ji nodded and said affirmatively: "With Zhiran here, I can sleep more peacefully at night..."

"Speaking of which, Hu Che'er, one of my subordinates, was ordered to investigate the enemy situation. He said that he had run into Zhiran on the road. When I heard Hu Che'er's report, I was thinking that with Zhiran on our side, Liu Zhang, a mere kid, was not worth defeating."

Zhang Ji raised his glass to greet Li Jue. Li Jue also raised his glass and nodded in response to Zhang Ji.

"That's right. As a general, Zhiran shared the hardships with the soldiers and worked together as one. Moreover, Zhiran personally did the scouting of the enemy's situation. How many generals could do what Zhiran did?" Guo Si praised Li Jue. While praising him, he patted Li Jue on the shoulder and highly affirmed Li Jue.

After three rounds of drinks, the group finished their meal. It was evening. The sun was setting and the weary birds were returning to the forest. From above the central army tent, the cries of returning birds could be heard from time to time. The sounds penetrated the tent cloth and reached the ears of the people present.

"I don't understand one thing or two. Liu Zhang has stationed his troops at Wuzhangyuan, lying motionless like a turtle. I'm afraid he is plotting something." There was a hint of worry in Guo Si's tone. After he finished speaking, he drank the hangover soup in the cup in his hand and burped contentedly.

"I agree with you." Zhang Ji, who was a participant in the military meeting, spoke up, "Liu Zhang stationed troops in Wuzhangyuan. First, it was to stabilize the situation. After all, the Shu army had just entered Guanzhong and had not yet established their trust. It would take time to win over the people of Guanzhong. Second, it was to create an opportunity to recruit the heroes of Guanzhong for his use. At present, most of the counties in the three prefectures have raised the flags of the Shu army."

"Ah." Guo Si sighed, "These Guanzhong nobles used to be respectful to me and Zhiran, and dared not disobey us. But once the Shu army set foot in Guanzhong, they all raised the banner of rebellion. They are really fickle villains who say one thing to your face and another behind your back."

Guo Si was indignant and complained. He pointed out a representative noble family: "For example, the Jingzhao Wei family rushed to send money and food to Liu Zhang, and served him more diligently than his own parents... It's a pity that the Wei family is the top of Guanzhong, but they don't have the stability of a noble family at all." "The outcome of our battle with the Shu army has not been decided yet?" Guo Si said viciously: "If we defeat Liu Zhang, I think there is no need for the Jingzhao Wei family to exist. I will exterminate all three of their clans to relieve Naigong's anger."

"Of course." Zhang Ji agreed with Guo Si on the surface, but he was disdainful in his heart. The outcome was uncertain at the moment. If he placed a bet now, he would win more chips. If he waited until the outcome was decided and then placed a bet, he would probably not be able to win even a penny.

"Aduo, you are right." Li Jue, who had been silent today, spoke up: "Some people are rushing to show their loyalty to Liu Zhang and accept the flag of surrender when things are still unclear. They are really not wise people. They don't know that victory or defeat is hanging by a thread. It's unknown."

"Hmph." Li Jue snorted lightly, his half-closed eyes vaguely fixed on Zhang Ji.

Zhang Ji listened to Li Jue's pointed words and felt the gaze he was casting at him. He suddenly felt uneasy, but he was a strong commander after all. He forced himself to calm down and kept his face calm. He forced a smile and said, "If you surrender to Liu Zhang today, you will suffer in the future.

After saying this, Zhang Ji laughed contentedly twice, but no one responded to him. Li Jue, Guo Si and others just stared at him coldly. Only his own laughter floated back and forth in the tent, and the atmosphere suddenly seemed a little weird.

So Zhang Ji only laughed twice and then stopped smiling. His expression became serious.

"I'm afraid some people don't think so in their hearts." Li Jue refuted Zhang Ji's words, and he said meaningfully: "Some people are afraid of falling behind, so they hurriedly surrender to Liu Zhang..."

"But he didn't know that he had exposed his true colors, and everyone else saw it clearly, while the coward who surrendered to Liu Zhang was still unaware of it."

Li Jue's words became increasingly simple and clear, and also increasingly understandable.

Zhang Ji pretended not to hear. He slowly stood up and said, "It's getting late. I can't hold my liquor. Besides, the affairs in the camp are complicated. So I'll take my leave now."

However, in response to Zhang Ji's resignation, Li Jue and Guo Si pretended not to hear it and did not respond.

Li Jue waved his hand, and dozens of soldiers rushed in from outside the tent and blocked the entrance of the tent.

"Zhiran, Aduo, what do you mean? I came all the way from Shan County to help you, and this is how you treat me?" Zhang Ji showed an unhappy look and said coldly.

"Don't pretend. When I met Hu Che'er, he told me everything he should and shouldn't say." Li Jue said confidently, but there was a hint of lack of confidence in his eyes.

After saying this, Li Jue's eyes kept scanning Zhang Ji's face, not missing any details.

Regarding the previous incident when he met Hu Che'er while scouting the enemy situation, he was preoccupied at the time and didn't notice anything. He said a few polite words and let Hu Che'er go. However, when he came to his senses, he was very suspicious and felt that something was not right.

Firstly, Hu Che'er was ordered to investigate the enemy situation, so why did he go out alone? As a captain, even if Hu Che'er was not surrounded by a large group of people, he should at least lead seven or eight riders to investigate. This was too unusual.

Secondly, when Hu Che'er bumped into him at the first turn, he seemed a little panicked. He thought at the time that Hu Che'er had a normal reaction as a human being. After all, anyone would be scared when suddenly encountering a group of people. But after calming down and thinking about it, he realized that Hu Che'er was clearly panicked by suddenly meeting him.

Li Jue returned to Chang'an City and felt more and more uneasy the more he thought about it. He was 60 to 70 percent sure that Zhang Ji had done some shameful things behind his and Guo Si's backs.

It is possible that Zhang Ji, like the nobles in Guanzhong, surrendered to Liu Zhang.

With this uneasy feeling, Li Jue sent Li Huan to invite Zhang Ji to the city to discuss military affairs before the incident broke out in the open. He also asked Guo Si to invite Zhang Ji to sleep in the city for one night to see how Zhang Ji would respond.

Seeing that Zhang Ji repeatedly declined and was determined to return to the camp outside the city, Li Jue thought that what he had guessed was 70% to 80% possible.

At this point, after Li Jue saw the uncontrollable panic on Zhang Ji's face through his words about frying fish, he grinned, his scarlet lips and white teeth reflecting each other, revealing a deep chill like thousand-year-old black ice.

"Zhang Ji, have you forgotten your origins? You are a Liangzhou native, but you secretly surrendered to Liu Zhang. This is simply tarnishing the reputation of Liangzhou people."

Li Jue directly called out Zhang Ji's name. He was now completely sure and confident that Zhang Ji had done something shameful behind his back.

"How can you say that?" After Zhang Ji was panicked at first, he suppressed his inner fear and forced an ugly smile.

"If I have any intention of surrendering to Liu Zhang, I will die by the sword."

Zhang Ji's eyes kept spinning, trying to find a way to escape, but now he was in the camp of Li Jue and Guo Si, and there was no possibility of breaking out. So he raised his finger to the sky and swore a solemn oath, hoping to gain the trust of Li Jue and Guo Si.

But Li Jue and Guo Si did not answer, but just stared at him coldly, like a hungry wolf staring at its prey.

……

Outside the city of Chang'an, Zhang Xiu, under Jia Xu's ominous premonition and advice, prepared for war.

So he distributed weapons, ordered the soldiers to put on helmets and armor, and prepare for battle.

Then Zhang Xiu paced back and forth restlessly. He judged the time by the degree of the setting sun, and looked outside the gate, hoping to see the returning figure of his uncle Zhang Ji.

But as time went by and the sun sank lower and lower in the west, Zhang Xiu's mood gradually fell to the bottom. Things were a little unusual. His uncle, who had gone into the city to discuss military intelligence in the past, should have returned by now. But until now, there was still no news from his uncle.

Zhang Xiu glanced at Jia Xu, who was resting with his eyes closed. He was worried that Li Jue and Guo Si might have noticed something as Jia Xu said, and his uncle's life might be in danger. (End of this chapter)