Chapter Five: The Strategy of Deng Ai

The night in Fucheng was torn apart by flames, and the cries of battle gradually subsided. Liu Chen stood atop the city tower, gazing at the ravaged streets. The captured Wei soldiers were being gathered and detained, while Shu troops cleared the battlefield. A night breeze brushed past his bloodstained battle robe, bringing a slight chill.

“Your Majesty, the remaining Wei forces in the city have been eliminated,” Yan Ming strode forward, his face still smeared with fresh blood. The massive mountain-cleaving axe in his hand gleamed coldly in the firelight.

Liu Chen nodded, his gaze fixed northward. “Deng Ai does not yet know Fucheng has fallen to us. This is our chance.”

“We advanced hastily, and many still escaped through the south gate. Deng Ai will likely learn of Fucheng’s fall soon,” Meng Qi expressed his concern.

“It doesn’t matter. We never intended to keep it secret for long,” Liu Chen said dismissively. “Continue flying the Wei flag and have the city guards wear Wei armor. Any Wei supply convoys arriving from Yinping or Jiangyou must be allowed entry. Then seize their provisions and detain the personnel temporarily.”

“Wise Majesty,” Meng Qi’s eyes brightened.

Yan Ming frowned. “Your Majesty, Deng Ai’s army is only three days away. If he senses something amiss...”

“That’s why we must hasten to fortify the defenses,” Liu Chen turned to address his generals. “Deng Ai commands thirty thousand troops; their daily consumption of supplies is immense. Within five days, disorder will arise in his ranks. Then, together with the Mianzhu garrison, we can trap and annihilate this elite Wei force!”

At these words, the generals’ eyes blazed with renewed fighting spirit. Since the northern campaign began, the Shu army had rarely felt so triumphant.

“Report!” a scout came rushing up to the city. “Your Majesty, a supply convoy has been spotted thirty miles north of the city, heading toward Fucheng.”

Liu Chen smiled faintly. “See? The opportunity has arrived. Has Zhou Feng been captured?”

“Your Majesty, yes. That rascal is asleep, clutching his concubine!” Meng Qi laughed heartily.

“Bring him up,” Liu Chen snorted coldly.

After a while, a squad of soldiers escorted Zhou Feng before Liu Chen. He wore only a thin garment and shivered in the cold wind.

“County Magistrate Zhou, we meet again!” Liu Chen smiled lightly.

“Your servant humbly greets the King!” Zhou Feng was stunned upon seeing Liu Chen and immediately fell to his knees.

“Rise,” Liu Chen said with disdain, a cold smile playing on his lips. “I lead the army to occupy Fucheng. Surely you understand the situation now.”

Hearing this, Zhou Feng instantly grasped the gravity of his predicament.

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Deng Ai led his army toward Mianzhu, but now his rear was cut off and supplies were running low. With Mianzhu’s stronghold blocking his path, he was trapped, and defeat was imminent within days.

“Your Majesty, it was not through my lack of loyalty but due to Deng Ai’s pressure. I sought survival in hopes of welcoming Your Majesty one day. NowI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.