Chapter Twelve: Can the Sima Clan Really Be Trusted?

Zhuge Zhan's lips trembled slightly, hesitant to speak. He desperately wanted to ask who had betrayed Shu Han, but in the end, he only sighed deeply. This matter was too far-reaching; to inquire rashly now would only alert the enemy.

"I must go see Deng Ai," Liu Chen said, hands behind his back, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes as he smiled lightly. "That old general who nearly brought down our great Han surely has much to say at this moment."

Zhuge Zhan anxiously advised, "Your Majesty, Deng Ai is as stubborn as a stone; I fear..."

"No matter," Liu Chen smiled faintly. "The harder the stone, the more fitting the chisel."

In the dim prison cell, the embers in the brazier glowed faintly red. Deng Ai leaned against the stone wall, eyes closed, resting. Hearing the clinking of chains, he slowly opened his eyes and saw Liu Chen approaching alone, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "A defeated general—why would the King of Beidi personally visit me?"

Liu Chen sat cross-legged opposite Deng Ai, the flickering firelight casting dancing shadows on his sharp features. "General Deng’s military prowess is unmatched. Were it not for fate, I would be the one sitting here now."

A flicker of surprise crossed Deng Ai’s eyes, then he snorted coldly. "Is the King of Beidi here to humiliate an old man?"

"Quite the opposite," Liu Chen said, producing a jug of wine and two earthen cups from his bosom. He filled them and pushed one toward Deng Ai. "I have come to discuss the great affairs of the realm with you."

Deng Ai stared at the cup but made no move. "A defeated general dares not drink with His Majesty."

Unbothered, Liu Chen took a sip himself. "General, are you aware that Sima Zhao’s intentions are known to all?"

Deng Ai furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"The Sima family swore by the Luo River, then turned to slaughter Cao Shuang’s entire clan; Sima Shi deposed Cao Fang, and Sima Zhao assassinated Cao Mao," Liu Chen’s gaze blazed. "This entire family is truly the ‘loyal subject’ of Wei!"

Deng Ai’s fingers clenched the corner of his garment, but his face remained composed. "The Duke of Jin is the pillar of Wei..."

"Pillar?" Liu Chen suddenly raised his voice. "You rose from humble origins to become General Who Conquers the West through military merit. Yet, once the Sima family ascends the throne, will there be any place for humble origins in court?"

The words were like a sharp sword stabbing at Deng Ai’s chest. His face instantly turned pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Liu Chen pressed the advantage. "Have you ever wondered why Zhong Hui, a scholar, could stand on equal footing with you?"

"Zhong Shiji’s talents surpass most..." Deng Ai’s voice faltered.

"Hah!" Liu Chen sneered. "Old general, you have spent a lifetime in battle, now past sixty; Zhong Hui is not yet forty and commands all military affairs in Guanzhong. The credit for destroying a kingdom—how could it fall into the hands of a man from humble origins?"

Deng Ai suddenly raised his head, anger flashing in his eyes, but soon it dimmed again. The embers crackled sharply in the silent cell, the sound piercing the stillness.

After a long pause, Deng Ai sighed deeply. "What is it that Your Majesty truly wants?"

Liu Chen leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I want your help to restore the Han dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, a sharp light shone in Deng Ai’s eyes, but he shook his head bitterly. "Your Majesty must be joking. Shu Han is small and poor in people; how can it stand against Wei?"

"You are mistaken," Liu Chen’s eyes gleamed. "Though Shu is small, its terrain is treacherous. In the past, our founding emperor used Hanzhong as a base to build an empire. Though our Han is weak now, all are united. With your assistance..."

Deng Ai abruptly interrupted. "If Zhuge Liang were alive and Your Majesty still led Shu Han, perhaps there would be hope. But now?" He shook his head, eyes full of pity. "You should face reality."

Shu Han’s natural conditions were poor, the weakest of the three kingdoms. If they had held Jingzhou, there might have been hope, but now Jingzhou lay in the hands of Wei and Wu. Shu’s only path was northward—to attack Longyou, Liangzhou, and even Guanzhong, which remained unconquered.

Deng Ai was a clever man, stationed in Yong and Liang for years, well aware of Shu’s true strength. How could he possibly ally with Shu?

Moreover, after Zhuge Liang’s death, Shu’s leadership was fraught with infighting and corrupt officials. Jiang Wei’s northern campaigns drained Shu’s last reserves of hope.

No matter how brave Liu Chen was, under such circumstances, there was no chance to turn the tide and bring hope to Shu.

Deng Ai would rather die fighting than pin his hopes on Liu Chen.

"So, old general, you truly don’t wish to help me? Know that your son is also with me," Liu Chen sighed.

Deng Ai shook his head. "If I die, the court will surely provide for my children. If Deng Zhong and I surrender to Shu, the Deng clan will surely perish, and I will be remembered with eternal disgrace. Your Majesty, I have no choice, do I?"

Liu Chen calmly withdrew two secret letters from his sleeve and slowly unfolded them before Deng Ai. "General, do you recognize these?"

Deng Ai’s eyes widened, his face suddenly pale. He was intimately familiar with the handwriting on one of the letters, yet he had burned all such letters himself. How could they be before him now?

"This... this is impossible!" Deng Ai exclaimed, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

"Of course, they are fake," Liu Chen chuckled. "But your reaction has already told me the truth. Someone within Han has been in contact with you."

Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Deng Ai’s complexion turned deathly white. He stared at Liu Chen fiercely. "Your Majesty, are you deceiving me?"

Liu Chen re-sheathed the letters, his tone suddenly chilling. "In the desolate lands seven hundred li from Yinping, you led thirty thousand troops in a desperate gamble. Without an inside man, how dared you take such risks?"

Deng Ai’s breath quickened, but he closed his eyes and said nothing.

Liu Chen did not press further but leisurely drained his cup, then asked, "I’m merely curious—between Huang Hao and Qiao Zhou, which one is your inside man? Or... could it be both?"

Leaning forward, his voice was like a blade, eyes gleaming with deadly intent.

"Who is it?"

Deng Ai’s pupils constricted suddenly, his fingers clutching his robe tighter. The embers crackled sharply, sparks flying.

"Your Majesty’s words..." Deng Ai’s throat moved, voice dry. "Are perhaps too presumptuous."

Liu Chen unhurriedly produced two more secret letters from his sleeve and unfolded them with a smile. "Old general, do you recognize these?"

Deng Ai stared intently, his face instantly draining of color. He was familiar with the handwriting—at least one of these letters—but he was certain he had never seen these two before.

"Fake... how could this be?" Deng Ai exclaimed.

"To be honest, these two letters are forgeries," Liu Chen boasted. "I can forge any handwriting I’ve ever seen. This time, I even had a chance to study your writing."

Deng Ai’s face turned as pale as paper, his eyes filled with terror.