The matter of borrowing the port was settled, but before launching a major battle, it was crucial to ensure the security of one's rear. Now, let's turn our attention to Taishan County.
After Sun Guan descended the mountain and surrendered, he made a pact with Guan Yu and Wei You regarding the attack on the mountain. Wei You then let Sun Guan leave through a side gate, creating the illusion that Sun Guan had escaped, in order to deceive the spies in the city.
Meanwhile, back in the mountain stronghold, Chang Xi and the second-in-command, Wu Dun, sat grandly in their chairs.
When news came that Sun Guan had been captured by the enemy after descending the mountain, both Chang Xi and Wu Dun were not worried but rather pleased, even wishing that Sun Guan would be executed in the city.
After all, Sun Guan, the fourth-in-command, had always been a reckless character, causing them trouble over the years. Lately, he had even started challenging them, which had already made Chang Xi resentful.
"Report! Chief, the fourth-in-command has escaped from Taishan County!" At this moment, a messenger brought in an unwelcome report.
Upon hearing this, Chang Xi was furious, "What? He escaped?"
"Are you sure he escaped and wasn't released by the soldiers?" Wu Dun, who was more cautious, quickly questioned.
The messenger shook his head, "I don't know for sure. The spies in the city reported that the fourth-in-command escaped during a guard change, so it doesn't seem like he was released."
"Where is he now? How long until he returns to the mountain?" Wu Dun asked, already understanding Chang Xi's intentions. If Sun Guan had indeed escaped, it might be best to kill him outside the city to eliminate any future troubles.
"He should be back within the time it takes to burn two incense sticks."
"Tch," Wu Dun sighed, "Big brother, I suggest that when the fourth-in-command returns, we call him to the Assembly Hall and set up an ambush with our men. If anything seems off, we…"
As Wu Dun spoke, he made a killing gesture, and Chang Xi responded with a drawn-out "hmm," agreeing with the plan. "Fine. This brat is becoming a real nuisance. I guess I, as the eldest brother, will have to be ruthless."
While they plotted, Sun Guan was already riding his fast horse back to the stronghold. When Sun Kang saw him return, the worry that had weighed on his heart finally lifted.
"Big brother! You're back! I was so worried that the government troops would capture and kill you!" Sun Kang rushed forward to take Sun Guan's horse, showing genuine concern.
Sun Guan laughed heartily, "Ha! That would never happen! I used my wits to persuade them. Make sure everything is arranged according to plan tonight. Only our trusted brothers should be involved. If anything goes wrong, we'll both be dead!"
"Don't worry, big brother! I'm sure that Chang Xi and Wu Dun are still in the dark!" Sun Kang beat his chest in assurance, but Sun Guan chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Ever since I set that fire during the chaos, they've been suspicious of me. Now that I've escaped from Taishan County, they'll only think I've made some deal with the government troops. They might be planning to get rid of me right now!"
Before he could finish, a small soldier ran up to the two of them, knelt, and reported, "Fourth-in-command, the chief heard you escaped and has arranged a banquet in the Assembly Hall to welcome you back!"
Sun Kang was stunned, but Sun Guan only smiled. "Alright, I understand. Tell the chief I'll be there shortly."
The messenger gave a nod and ran off. Sun Guan then sneered and said to Sun Kang, "See? They're already making their move."
"Those bastards! They're clearly setting a trap for you, brother!"
Sun Guan shrugged, "Don't worry, I'll handle them. You go ahead and prepare our men. When night falls, hang two lanterns at the gate. Our future depends on tonight..."
In the Assembly Hall, Chang Xi had arranged for thirty men to lie in ambush on either side. If Sun Guan showed even the slightest sign of betrayal, they would rush in and cut him to pieces.
"Big brother! Second brother!" Just then, Sun Guan strode in from outside, covered in dust and with several tears in his clothes, looking quite disheveled.
"Bring the wine!" Sun Guan didn't stand on ceremony and sat down in his seat, spreading his hands for a drink. A nearby bandit quickly opened a jar and handed it to him.
Sun Guan grabbed the wine jar and drank heartily, paying no attention to the strange looks Chang Xi and Wu Dun were giving him.
"Ah! That's the stuff!" In no time, Sun Guan had downed the entire jar, tossed the empty jar aside, and began lamenting to Chang Xi, "Big brother, I had such bad luck today. That damned enemy was incredibly strong. I underestimated him and got captured."
Chang Xi gave him a cold, forced smile, "I heard. You're lucky. So, how did you escape from the city?"
"Escape? Nonsense!" Sun Guan pretended to be angry, pointing at his torn clothes, "The government troops wanted me to act as their inside man. They plan to attack the mountain in a few days and promised to make me the governor of Taishan County afterward!"
"Oh?" Wu Dun raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Chang Xi. "Such a good offer. Why didn't you accept it?"
"Of course I agreed!" Sun Guan grinned foolishly, seeing the two men's gazes grow colder. He continued, "That fool believed me and actually untied me. I seized the opportunity when he wasn't looking, grabbed his sword, and wounded him before making my escape."
"I then found two of our brothers in the city. They showed me a secret passage, and I slipped out during a guard change. That's how I ended up like this, all battered and bruised."
Sun Guan finished his vivid story, but Chang Xi and Wu Dun remained suspicious. Wu Dun even coughed deliberately, signaling Chang Xi to act immediately, but Chang Xi was still hesitant.
"Big brother, you said you were throwing a banquet for me, yet there's no food or drink on your table—only on mine. Well, I won't stand on ceremony then!"
Sun Guan sat down and grabbed a roasted goose, devouring it without a second thought. He knew Chang Xi wouldn't dare poison the food, so he ate without fear.
Meanwhile, Chang Xi was caught in an intense internal struggle. He glanced at the hidden men on either side, who were already sharpening their blades, ready to strike at his command. If he gave the signal, Sun Guan wouldn't escape even if he grew wings.
However, seeing this foolish young man acting so guilelessly, Chang Xi hesitated. If he killed Sun Guan here, how would he explain it to the others later? How could he maintain his authority as the leader?
"Big brother...!!" Wu Dun whispered urgently, pressing Chang Xi to make a move. He was eager to draw his sword and finish Sun Guan himself.
Suddenly, Sun Guan, who had been eating and drinking heartily, let out a loud burp. His face was flushed from the alcohol as he stumbled to his feet, nearly falling over.
"Big... big brother... I've had my fill of meat and drink. I can barely stand. I'll go rest in the camp now. If you need me, just call," Sun Guan clasped his fists in salute and staggered toward the exit.
Wu Dun could no longer hold back. He stood up and shouted, "Old Fourth! Don't blame your brother for being ruthless. What I do today is out of necessity. When you see our third brother in the afterlife, tell him to wait for me—I'll come to apologize after I'm dead!"
With that, Wu Dun waved his hand, and the hidden soldiers rushed out, surrounding Sun Guan. Just as they were about to hack him to pieces, Sun Guan suddenly rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground.
This unexpected move left everyone dumbfounded. Chang Xi furrowed his brow and stood up. But then Sun Guan began snoring loudly, making the situation even more absurd.
Wu Dun sneered, "Fools are lucky. At least he's passed out, so he won't suffer. Cut him up!"
"Hold on!" Chang Xi ordered, stopping everyone. "We're all sworn brothers. Old Fourth may be a bit of a fool, but he's never harbored ill intentions toward us. If I kill him in the Assembly Hall today, how will I maintain my authority among the brothers in the future?"
"Big brother, hesitation will only bring disaster! Old Fourth is sly—how do we know he's not pretending? We should kill him now, before he has a chance to betray us. If we wait until he turns against us, it'll be too late!"
"Enough! I know what I'm doing!" Chang Xi said impatiently. He then pointed to two soldiers, "You two, carry the fourth-in-command back to his camp. No one is to speak of what happened here tonight!"
"Understood!" The soldiers bowed and obeyed. Wu Dun sighed heavily, his frustration evident as he stormed off.
Meanwhile, back in the camp, Sun Kang was growing increasingly anxious. It had been an hour since Sun Guan left, and there was still no news. Gritting his teeth, Sun Kang ordered his men to arm themselves, preparing to take action against the main camp.
Fortunately, at that moment, the two soldiers tasked with escorting Sun Guan arrived at the camp. Sun Kang quickly went out to meet them.
"The fourth-in-command got drunk, and we were ordered to bring him back. He's here, and now we'll take our leave," the two confidants said, taking the opportunity to glance around the camp. Seeing nothing amiss, they exchanged salutes with Sun Kang and left.
Sun Kang supported Sun Guan as they entered the camp, where the three thousand brothers were already prepared. Fortunately, they had blocked the view of the two confidants earlier, preventing them from noticing anything suspicious.
Sun Guan, of course, had only been pretending to be drunk. Once the gate was closed, he straightened up and sneered, "That damned Wu Dun—once my sworn brother, now determined to kill me. Tonight, I'll kill him with my own hands!"
"Big brother, just give the word. The brothers are ready!" Sun Kang clasped his fists and awaited Sun Guan's orders.
Sun Guan nodded and addressed the three thousand soldiers, "Brothers, you all know what we're about to do tonight! We're going to kill Chang Xi and Wu Dun, then join General Qin Longyang! "
"From now on, we'll have no worries about our future. We'll be eating the government's rations, and we won't have to live this life of licking blood off our blades anymore! Do you want that?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" The men shouted in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"Good! Second brother, take five hundred men and stay behind to guard the camp. After nightfall, hang lanterns at the gate to signal General Guan and Lord Wei at the foot of the mountain. The rest of you, follow me to ambush Wu Dun at his camp. We'll take them down in one fell swoop!"
"Understood, chief!"