Chapter Seventeen: The Three Men Decide on Their Military Deployment

  Five days passed and on August 12th, Ma Chao was led into Gao Shun's military tent by Zhang Yang.

  Ma Chao had previously asked Zhang Yang what was going on, and Zhang Yang said that Lü Bu wanted to see him. This startled Ma Chao - could it be that he had revealed a weakness during their martial arts contest? No, he had hidden himself quite well; however, now he could only take things one step at a time.

  He followed Zhang Yang into the military account, found that Lü Bu and Gao Shun were both there. Just as he was about to pay his respects, Lü Bu waved his hand, "No need for too much courtesy!" Ma Chao heard this and had no choice but to give up, then listened to Lü Bu say: "I invited you here today just to have a casual chat, don't be too nervous!"

  Want to chat casually? Foolish people would believe you, thought Ma Chao in his heart.

  Lü Bu finished speaking and glanced at Gao Shun, but he still had an expressionless face.

  "Meng Qi, I don't know where your family lives. Judging from your accent, you're not from our province, are you?" Gao Shun asked Ma Chao.

  "I am a man of Liangzhou Longxi, and my home is in Didao County, Longxi County." Ma Chao replied, and now his home was indeed there, which was not entirely a lie.

  "What business does Meng Qi's family run?"

  Zhang Yang furrowed his brow after hearing this, he didn't know why Lü Bu had called Ma Chao here, but now that he heard Gao Shun's question, he fully understood, however he couldn't say anything for the time being.

  "It's all thanks to our ancestors' hard work and the few acres of thin land they left behind, as well as grazing, that we've been able to make a living."

  "Meng Qi, why did you go to Bianzhou?" Gao Shun continued to ask.

  "Alas." Ma Chao let out a faint sigh. "To be honest, I've come to Pingzhou to visit relatives."

  "Meng Qi is a native of Liangzhou, why didn't he join the army in Liangzhou, but instead went to Bingzhou?"

  "I came to Pingzhou to visit relatives, only to find that my family had passed away long ago. With no other options, I joined the army, and fortunately, the skills I learned in the past few years helped me avoid being bullied. Although Liangzhou is my hometown, I heard that General Lü Bu of Pingzhou is a hero of our time, so I want to serve in the Pingzhou army!"

  Ma Chao spoke with a straight face, and people who didn't know him would easily be deceived. This kid even came to flatter Lü Bu, although Lü Bu still had no expression on his face, but in his heart he was very pleased.

  "Gao Shun wanted to continue asking, but was interrupted by Lü Bu."

  Lü Bu waved his hand, "Fuyi..."

  Then he said to Ma Chao: "Let's stop here for today, you can go down first."

  "No, I'll take my leave!" Ma Chao turned around and left the military tent.

  After Ma Chao left, Gao Shun asked Lü Bu, "Fengxian, why didn't you let me ask?"

  "It's true and can't be fake, he won't be a spy of Xianbei!" Lü Bu said confidently.

  "You didn't discuss with me beforehand either, what do you take me for?" Zhang Yang said in a bad tone.

  "Third Uncle, don't misunderstand. What we are going to do doesn't allow us to make any mistakes, being careful in everything is the only way to avoid big mistakes." Gao Shun explained to Zhang Yang.

  "But you're suspecting others without any basis, right? Since Meng Qi's brother arrived at the military camp, he has been working hard and helping me a lot. Would he be a Xianbei spy? Our place is usually so deserted that not even a bird can be seen, how could a Xianbei spy come here? You guys are just being too cautious!" No matter what Zhang Yang was like normally, when it came to friends, there was nothing to criticize.

  "He was suspicious from the start, it's not that we're being overly cautious!" Gao Shun also lost his temper.

  "Alright, Meng Qi brothers are brought by me, so you also want to talk to me? You guys are really...” Zhang Yang's words were interrupted by Lü Bu before he could finish.

  "Alright, stop arguing! We've already said that he's not a Xianbei traitor, so just drop it, Fuyi!"

  Lü Bu looked at Zhang Yang again, "Uncle Chi, it's not unreasonable to suspect him. First of all, there are very few people in our camp who are not from Pingzhou, and even if there are a few, we know them well, inside and out. But as for Ma Chao, we don't really understand him at all. Uncle Chi, you've only known him for over two months, and this guy's martial arts skills are pretty good, and he's still young, so it's hard not to suspect him. Fortunately, he's not a Xianbei spy, otherwise I would have killed him on the spot!" Lü Bu said, exuding his aura as a super warrior.

  Gao Shun and Zhang Yang also didn't say much after seeing the situation. They looked at each other, both shaking their heads in helplessness.

  "Let's just drop it and not argue about this again in the future. By the way, has Gao Er come back?"

  "Not yet, he won't be back today, but he will definitely return tomorrow!"

  "Let's first make a simple deployment of surprise attack, wait for Gao Er's return and then make further plans!"

  "Good!" Gao Shun and Zhang Yang replied in unison, then the three of them began a simple deployment.

  The initial deployment was as follows: Lü Bu led the Vanguard and Elite camps to advance towards Pohan Mountain, where the Xianbei king Tanshihuai was. Upon arriving at Pohan Mountain, a thousand soldiers were ambushed on the route that Tanshihuai must take when hunting. They waited for Tanshihuai's arrival, then launched a surprise attack with the goal of killing him, and would retreat if successful.

  But here, the biggest problem is how to avoid the Xianbei army stationed in Pohan Mountain, with a force of over a million, you can't even fill their teeth gaps with just a thousand people, no matter how elite they are.

  There's another problem, which is how to deal with the Xianbei tribes along the way. Can we blend in? If not, won't we be exposed too early? Before even reaching Pohan Mountain and the Xianbei royal court, we'll already be wiped out.

  Previously, Gao Shun had an idea, which was for the whole army to wear the clothes of the Xianbei army, in order to disguise themselves. This trick might not be a problem when dealing with one tribe, but every time they use the Xianbei army's banner, it's likely that someone will eventually see through the ruse. However, for now, there is no better idea than this. Such a risky tactic is also an unavoidable measure.

  All three of them were looking forward to Gao Er's early return, he had been in Xianbei Dahan Mountain for nearly three years and should have a lot of understanding about it, so the three of them pinned their great hopes on him.

  It wasn't until the third day, August 14th, that Gao Er finally returned from Tan Huan Shan.

  Entering the military tent, Gao Er said to Gao Shun: "My lord, Gao Er has returned, fortunately without disgracing your orders!"

  Guards had already been pushed away by Gao Shun, who held Gao Er's hand with one hand and patted his shoulder with the other. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Such actions might be common on others, but on someone like Gao Shun, they were truly rare to see.

  "How come you're back so late?" Zhang Yang asked.

  "I report to Your Excellency and the two generals, originally from Pohan Mountain to here should not take so many days. But in the past few days, when I just received your message asking me to return, I discovered a great secret..."

  Seven days ago, Gao Er received a message from Gao Shun that he was preparing to return, but before leaving, he went into the mountains to make a final check because Tan Shi Huai was originally going to enter the mountain to hunt.

  He inadvertently discovered a very remote mountain road, and he paid attention to it. After several days of investigation, he finally understood that this mountain road was another way into the Poplar Mountains, but because it led deep into the mountains, even the Xianbei people didn't know much about it, so no one took it. The road was overgrown with wild grass and wasn't easy to walk on.

  The Xianbei Wangting people had a few who knew this road, so Tan Shihuai sent a small team of 100 people to garrison at the entrance of the road. If there were troops coming to attack, they could set off wolf smoke as an alarm, and the troops stationed in the royal court would arrive quickly.

  It's obvious that although a hundred-man squad has been stationed here all year round, Tan Shihua doesn't take it seriously, otherwise he wouldn't have just sent a hundred people to guard it. Moreover, for decades, nothing has ever happened on this small road, and the Xianbei army guarding it has long since become lax.

  After understanding these, Gao Er Ma hurried back without stopping. On the way, he simply drew a simple map of the small road to Tanhuashan.

  When Gao Er took out the map, Lü Bu's expression was like a lustful man seeing a beauty. He opened the map and looked at it, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table, "Heaven is helping me! Heaven is helping me! Haha, haha, I can kill Tan Shuai with this! Gao Er, you will be the first to achieve merit!" Lü Bu said excitedly.

  Gao Shun and Zhang Yang also took a look at the map, and after looking at it, their hearts were also unable to calm down for a long time. It's really when you want to sleep, someone sends you a pillow, this is fate.

  "How did you find this little road in senior high school?" asked Gao Shun.

  It was an accidental discovery, that day I was checking the terrain in the mountains, and as I looked around, I found a tiger not far away. At that time, I was scared to death, fortunately, it hadn't discovered me yet, after I reacted, I turned around and ran, don't know how long I ran, until I came to a very secluded small valley nearby.

  In the past three years, I had never been to Pohan Mountain before. However, when I saw that there were Xianbei troops stationed in a small valley, with about 100 people, I felt that this place was likely to have a road leading outwards. So at night, I took advantage of their carelessness and sneaked into the small valley, finding that small path.

  And continued along the small road for five nights and four days, before finally leaving the small road. After coming out, I walked for a while longer until I met a Xianbei person, from whom I bought a horse and hurried back. During my rest, I drew this picture. Unexpectedly, after returning here, two more days and nights have passed.

  "If you lead us into the mountains again from a small path, can you still find the place where Tan Shuai hunted in the mountains?" Lü Bu asked urgently.

  "No problem, I've been particularly sensitive to directions since I was a kid. After entering the mountain, I can definitely find the place where Tan Shi Huai hunts!" Gao Er patted his chest and guaranteed.

  "Alright, it's all settled! You can go rest now, I'll have someone call you if anything comes up!" Lü Bu said.

  "No! I'll take my leave!" Gao Er left the military tent.

  "Heaven's will, heaven's will! Heaven has let Lü Bu take revenge into his own hands!" Lü Bu said to Gao Shun and Zhang Yang.

  "We mustn't be careless before entering the valley, we have to arrange our military deployment carefully to ensure that nothing goes wrong! This opportunity only comes once, if we miss it, it will never come again!"

  "That's right, Fu Yi is absolutely right!" This was a echo from passerby Zhang Yang.

  "Alright, let's plan carefully this time and make sure that old thief Tan Shouhui loses his head!"

  "First of all, we won't be marching on foot to Mount Pochana, have you prepared your horses?"

  "It's all ready, a thousand war horses will be delivered in a few days, this is our family's savings for the past few years!"

  From the time they first thought of making a surprise attack on Mount Sweat, the three of them had been slowly accumulating their family's resources. They had eliminated several groups of mountain bandits and then brought out all their savings to buy these thousand war horses, which were relatively cheaper than those from Pingzhou, or else the three of them would not have been able to afford enough war horses.

  "Alright, on September 1st, we'll ambush Tan Shi Huai in the mountains. We'll set out six days in advance! One person, one horse, let Gao Er lead us to the unnamed small road first, then take the unnamed small road into Pohan Mountain. After entering the mountain, first eliminate the garrison troops stationed at Xiaogoukou, then ambush on the must-pass route of Tan Shi Huai's hunting trip, and charge out to kill him as soon as he arrives!"

  "Alright, have each soldier bring eight days' worth of dry rations. I suppose that should be about enough. Do you have anything else to add?"

  "There's no need for further discussion, your deployment strategy is excellent, it's settled then!" Lü Bu said.

  "Today is August 14th, we will depart at the hour of Xu on August 25th, marching at night and resting during the day. This way, we can also avoid the other defending troops in Pingzhou." Gao Shun continued to say.

  "It's settled then. On the twenty-fifth of August, at the hour of You, let the soldiers have a hearty meal before battle, and at the hour of Xu, set out! Follow Gao Shun to march on the nameless small road!" Lü Bu said with a slap of his hand.

  Before departure, I will explain the action task to the whole army, mobilize everyone to fight to the death and kill Dian Wei! Success or failure depends on this battle!" Lü Bu continued.

  "We will definitely succeed! We've done so much and sacrificed so much, success belongs only to us!"

  Gao Shun firmly placed his hand on Lü Bu's, Zhang Yang also placed his hand on Gao Shun's, then Lü Bu placed his other hand on Zhang Yang's, and Gao Shun and Zhang Yang followed suit.

  At this moment, the military camp is unusually quiet, but beneath this calm exterior are three hearts united in their desire for revenge.

  In Gao Shun's tent, the three of them were studying their military deployment, while in Zhang Yang's tent, Ma Chao was idly gazing at the sky. Ma Chao was feeling uncomfortable in his heart, it was because a few days ago Lü Bu and Gao Shun had called him over to question him, and that clearly showed they didn't trust him. Although he had told lies, he hadn't had any malicious intentions, yet still he had to be "interrogated", it really was too infuriating.

  Fortunately, Zhang Yang said that the troops are about to be dispatched. Paohan Mountain, I haven't been there yet. Just thinking about it, Zhang Yang returned to the military account, he patted Ma Chao's shoulder, "Brother Mengqi, I'm back!"

  Zhang Yang looked at Ma Chao again, "I know that Mengqi brothers are wronged, but you also know that what we do is not trivial, so if there's anything that Gongjin and Fuyi have offended, please forgive them!" He then wanted to apologize to Ma Chao, who of course couldn't let him, and hurriedly pulled Zhang Yang back.

  "Is that what you're saying, Meng? Am I someone who doesn't understand anything? Just like you said, the things you've done, if not careful, won't do. I get it, really no big deal, don't need to say anything, we're all friends!"

  "Alright, since Mengqi brothers have all said so, I'd be pretending to be polite if I say anything else! Earlier, Fengxian, Fuyi and I discussed the military deployment..." Zhang Yang then told Ma Chao what Gao Shun had said.

  "What does Mengqi brothers think?"

  Ma Chao nodded in agreement, "Not bad, I couldn't think of a better deployment either. Gao Shun's military deployment is indeed very good." Ma Chao really admired Gao Shun, who was talented and skilled in training troops, but unfortunately had the same ending as Lü Bu and Chen Gong in the novel.

  "It seems that great minds think alike! We all agree that this deployment is good!"

  Ma Chao continued nodding.

  "A wish of many years is about to come true, and I'm afraid it will make Mengqi brothers laugh!" Zhang Yang's eyes shone with tears.

  A man has tears but doesn't easily shed them, only because he hasn't reached the heart-wrenching point yet. Don't be fooled by his usual joking and laughing with Zhang Yang, but in his heart, he has never forgotten about avenging himself.