Chapter 35: Zhong Hui, Nothing More!

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“Are kings and nobles born to their stations? Your Excellency comes from a family that has served in high office for generations, renowned for its wisdom and valor. Why remain loyal to a man whose reputation is utterly disgraced? I have surveyed the fertile lands of Guanzhong stretching for a thousand miles, and the soldiers of Yong and Liang are all seasoned and formidable. This is the foundation upon which a true ruler may build his dominion. Heaven itself has bestowed it upon you!”

Liu Chen glanced at Zhong Hui. Seeing that Du Yu and Wei Guan had moved several yards away, he immediately began to persuade him.

At his words, a sharp glint flashed briefly in Zhong Hui’s eyes. He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes snapping in the evening wind, yet his gaze never left Liu Chen’s face.

“You are mistaken, Your Majesty.” Zhong Hui suddenly gave a soft laugh. “The Zhong family has served with loyalty and integrity for generations. How could I commit such an act of treason?”

Liu Chen advanced at an unhurried pace until he stood only three steps away. Lowering his voice, he said, “Why deceive yourself, General? The Sima clan’s ambition to usurp the Wei throne is known to every passerby. If you return to Luoyang, whether you are victorious or defeated, I fear you will not escape death.”

Zhong Hui’s brows drew together slightly, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of his sword.

Sima Zhao had murdered the emperor, and his reputation was foul. He desperately needed a victory to prove that Heaven’s mandate lay with the Sima clan, and so he had resolved to destroy Shu. Zhong Hui, too, needed a victory to demonstrate his ability and enhance his prestige, thereby supporting Sima Zhao’s campaign against Shu.

If they won, naturally both men would benefit. But now that they had been defeated, Sima Zhao would certainly preserve his own reputation by shifting all the blame onto Zhong Hui. His death would be all but certain.

“Do you truly mean what you say, Your Majesty?” Zhong Hui asked suddenly.

He had abruptly realized that Liu Chen was not merely trying to frighten him.

The corners of Liu Chen’s mouth lifted in a faint smile. “We can set it down in a treaty. If you establish yourself in Guanzhong, Great Han will become your brotherly ally. Together, we shall divide the realm.”

“The Prince of Beidi is being so kind?” Zhong Hui regarded him with suspicion.

“Of course not. You will have Yong and Liang, while I will take the three cities of Xicheng, Fangling, and Shangyong. I can also claim a share of the Sima clan’s foundation. It benefits us both.”

“Your Shu-Han can recover and rebuild while I bear the brunt of the Sima clan’s attacks,” Zhong Hui snorted.

“I hold Chencang, with the Dashan Pass at my back. Why should I fear an attack from the Sima clan?” Liu Chen shook his head.

A sharp glint passed through Zhong Hui’s eyes. Slowly, he drew the sword at his waist, its edge gleaming coldly beneath the setting sun.

“You have certainly made a fine calculation, Your Majesty,” Zhong Hui said with a cold laugh. “But do you take me for someone who can be manipulated at will?”

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Liu Chen’s expression remained unchanged. He merely raised a hand slightly, signaling the guards behind him to withdraw. Then he stepped forward and said in a low voice, “You misunderstand me, General. I do not seek to manipulate you. I am offering you a path to survival. Sima Zhao is ruthless and merciless. If you do not make your decision soon, disaster may already be at your door.”

The long sword in Zhong Hui’s hand trembled faintly, its tip scraping a thin mark across the stone paving. Narrowing his eyes, he studied the young scion of Shu-Han before him. The setting sun cast their shadows long across the wall, where they intertwined.

“Do you realize that if I seize you now and present you to Duke Sima, it will be a great achievement?” Zhong Hui suddenly lowered his voice, a dangerous note entering it.

Liu Chen threw back his head and laughed. “Do you take me for a helpless weakling? To be frank, even if Lü Bu himself were resurrected, he might not be my equal.”

In that, at least, he was not deceiving Zhong Hui. For the past month, he had felt his strength increasing day by day. Although he did not know how formidable Lü Bu had truly been, he believed that even if he was inferior to the man, the gap between them could not be very wide.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Zhong Hui’s eyes, but he said nothing. He turned Liu Chen’s words over in his mind and, on careful consideration, realized that there truly was room to act.

What did the Sima clan possess? At present, nothing. What gave them the right to become kings and emperors while he could not?

Moreover, Liu Chen’s reasoning was sound. His defeat in this campaign had ruined Sima Zhao’s plans and prevented him from becoming king. With an event of such magnitude, even as Sima Zhao’s trusted confidant, Zhong Hui could hardly expect to be spared.

“I understand your meaning, Your Majesty. However, I have a hundred thousand troops at my side. I wish to leave through Yangping Pass. Will you permit us to pass?” Zhong Hui’s eyes flickered.

Liu Chen burst into laughter. Pointing at him, he said, “Why toy with me, Shiji? If a hundred thousand troops pass through Yangping Pass, would it still belong to Great Han?”

He made no attempt to conceal his distrust of Zhong Hui.

Yet Zhong Hui showed no displeasure. He was suspicious by nature; if Liu Chen had obediently opened Yangping Pass, he would instead have suspected his motives.

“With Your Majesty at its head, Shu-Han may truly have a chance of survival.” Zhong Hui gave Liu Chen a long, searching look.

Liu Chen gazed toward Du Yu and Wei Guan in the distance and said quietly, “You appear to command a hundred thousand troops, General, but whether the soldiers under you are truly of one heart with you remains unknown.”

At once, a sinister darkness entered Zhong Hui’s eyes.

Liu Chen’s words had caught his attention. They made him realize that among those hundred thousand soldiers, many were still loyal to Sima Zhao. If he acted, those men would not support him.

Liu Chen looked northward and sighed. “The great generals of Cao Wei are dead. Sima Yi and Sima Shi have also passed away. Apart from you and Deng Ai, Cao Wei has scarcely any commanders capable of waging war. If you seize this opportunity and march north, you will be able to sweep through Yong and Liang.”

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Zhong Hui’s eyes lit up. Stroking his beard, he wore an expression of barely concealed satisfaction.

This was an age in which talent had withered. Zhong Hui suddenly realized that, apart from himself, Cao Wei seemed to possess no great commanders at all. If he occupied the region and commanded a hundred thousand troops, he could indeed become a power capable of dominating one side of the realm.

In an instant, a small seed of ambition grew into a towering tree.

Zhong Hui’s fingers tapped lightly against the hilt of his sword, producing a faint sound. He suddenly turned and gazed toward the endless mountains to the north, the flames of ambition flickering in his eyes.

“Your Majesty speaks the truth.” Zhong Hui’s voice was low and resolute, carrying a chilling edge. “The Sima clan has usurped power and acted in rebellion for far too long. My family has served with loyalty for generations. How can I continue assisting tyrants in their wickedness?”

The corners of Liu Chen’s mouth rose slightly. He knew that his words had taken effect. He stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhong Hui, nodding as he replied, “You are wise, General. Though Shu-Han is weak at present, we possess the natural defenses of Hanzhong. If we join forces, there is no reason we cannot establish a great dominion.”

Zhong Hui suddenly turned, his sharp gaze fixed directly upon Liu Chen. “But I require proof of Your Majesty’s sincerity.”

“Oh? What proof do you desire?” Liu Chen’s expression remained unchanged.

“First, Yangping Pass must be opened so that my army may pass through safely.” Zhong Hui raised one finger. “Second, I require Shu-Han to provide grain and supplies. Third, I want Hanzhong.”

At his words, Liu Chen roared with laughter, the sound echoing across the city wall. In the distance, Du Yu and Wei Guan could not help turning to look.

“You have quite an appetite, General!” Liu Chen reined in his laughter, his gaze turning cold and sharp. “Hanzhong is the gateway to Shu-Han. How could I surrender it so easily? As for whether you agree or not, that is your concern. What do your life and death have to do with me?”

He swept Zhong Hui with a glance containing a trace of disdain and contempt.

Zhong Hui was nothing special after all.

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