Zhuge Liang Greets the Dying: The Pakmangpa Bridgehead Stand
There's a saying that Zhuge Liang comes to greet you right before death. Opposite the Pakmangpa bridgehead.
30,000 Wei troops had arrived. The fierce battlefield of Pakmangpa. Piles of rice carts and scattered corpses. The enemy seemed to be sizing up our numbers.
We'd agreed to secure the bridgehead and hold out there.
"Even if the enemy crosses, don't destroy the bridge. Send fifty cavalry into the woods to kick up dust and make them think there's an ambush."
Zhang Fei nodded.
"Got it! I know exactly what you mean."
I really hoped he did.
Behind the boastful Zhang Fei, Father approached and ruffled my hair with his thick hand.
"Lord Zhang, this is my daughter. See why my shoulders are puffed up?"
"This time, I'll admit it."
I raised my voice in a pleading whine toward the two who were acting all tough.
"Just hold them off until sunset, please. We have to endure right now. I'll find some way, somehow."
If these two could really hold the bridgehead for a full day, that'd be the best option for now. Our goal is just to hold out.
Let's be real: blocking 30,000 troops with 52 men? Impossible. But challenging the impossible makes these two shine brighter. Turning an impossible mission into I'm possible—that's what dazzles me so much. That's why.
Sensing their noble sacrificial spirit, I bowed deeply with all due respect.
"I'm counting on you."
I hate seeing anyone sacrifice themselves, and I hate sacrificing myself too.
These two men, so selfless and full of humanity despite their rough looks—how are they even real?
Deflated by the sight, I walked off with my head down. I didn't have the courage to face them.
"Leave it to us."
Zhang Fei's voice boomed from behind.
"You sick or somethin'? What's with the long face?"
Father's voice, pretending to be casual.
I left while praying in my heart... desperately hoping. 'Please hold on.'
I rode a messenger's horse back to the main camp.
On the way to the main camp.
So many corpses.
Some with eyes still open, some twisted in agony, others peaceful.
Bodies engulfed in flames were charred black.
Liu Bei and I had agreed to leave the corpses where they lay. They'd serve as obstacles to block the enemy.
In the end, we couldn't withdraw our forces.
Liu Bei's judgment was that we couldn't shake off the pursuit from Jo In's main cavalry force.
I agreed.
No matter how fast horses tire, people do too.
If the cavalry catches up, it's over.
That's why... we have to fight a defensive battle from our base.
"I'm back. Sorry to keep you all waiting."
Back at the command tent, I forgot my aching back and unfurled my scholar's fan.
Everyone was gathered.
Waiting here to hear my plan.
Zhao Yun wasn't present due to his injuries.
I spoke slowly.
"Cao Cao is full of suspicions, and Jo In understands that well. The moment this Pakmang bridgehead falls, the enemy will flood in like a tidal wave."
Liu Bei remained expressionless as he spoke.
"My brother is there, so it won't fall easily."
"Yes. I urged them to hold with their lives until sunset. My father... is there too."
Reading my face, Liu Bei gestured as if to pause the war council.
"...Excuse me a moment. Come with me, young lady."
Liu Bei pulled me aside behind the command tent. He must be worried sick himself, but he didn't show it.
"Did you see him? Is your father alright?"
"Yes. With the lord's concern, he doesn't know where to put himself."
"It's no easy feat to show such spirit amid this battlefield. I didn't show it outwardly, but I was pleased."
With Liu Bei's help, I got to see Father's face once.
Our father-daughter reunion didn't last long.
I saw him in the tent, but he scolded me afterward: "How dare a mere kid like you show your face out here?"
Zhang Fei admired my boldness and didn't punish me, even granting a chance to earn merit.
Thus, the kill-count battle between the two at Pakmangpa was set. Now I have to play my part. I pulled myself together.
"I'll share my plan with everyone, and Lord, you decide what we think."
Liu Bei's expression twitched slightly.
"I've seen how profound my young lady's strategies are, so I won't doubt your intentions. Speak freely to all."
Liu Bei walked back into the tent first.
Even using formal speech, he carries a heavy aura.
Today, his back especially looked imposing.
I quietly followed behind Liu Bei with my head bowed, re-entering the tent.
And cut straight to the point.
"We'll spread out snare lines wide to hinder the enemy's pursuit as much as possible."
My strategy.
Guerrilla tactics.
Nothing's more effective for blocking an advance, I think. A gamble? Sure.
Soldiers without proper formations in this era are just bandits with long spears and swords.
In short, my proposal is to fight like bandits, Late Han style.
"Why propose such a plan, young lady?"
Finally, someone questioned it.
Guan Yu.
I nodded as if understanding his point.
Better than silence—he's voicing his curiosity, and I'm grateful.
"We can't win a decisive battle. We have to fight to endure. Every soldier fought ready to die, which is how we encircled and annihilated Xia Hou Dun's army."
"Indeed. Your plan deserves admiration. But I don't understand. Strengthening the square formation and holding the high ground seems best."
I shook my head at Guan Yu's opinion.
I don't know why I thought that way at first.
I felt the horrors of Pakmang firsthand going to see Father.
If I were Jo In, would I enter Pakmangpa? No. Why force open that hellgate?
I changed my mind.
"No. The enemy won't enter Pakmang here. They'll disperse cavalry to target Xinyang—that's certain. We'll use the snare lines precisely against those cavalry."
Since I'd flipped, I stated my intent strongly again.
"The enemy absolutely won't enter Pakmangpa. When the bridgehead opens at night, set fire to our main camp to make them think we're retreating."
The enemy will swing around to take Xinyang, and we have to block their cavalry pursuit.
In the silence, Guan Ping raised his hand.
"Father. The young lady surely has some deeper intent."
"Ping! Hold your tongue! This isn't your place! If you're so confident in strategy, come up with your own plan!"
Guan Yu scolded his son.
Got it. I totally get it now. The silence so far stemmed from this man, Guan Yu. I could sense it implicitly.
"Why scold your son like that, Lord Guan?"
Guan Yu looked awkward, but it wasn't my business, so I continued.
"Everyone's input matters. I've heard Lord Mi Zhu knows Xinyang's supplies inside out. Bring all the silk you have."
"Understood, young lady. I'll open the warehouse."
Mi Zhu darted out of the war council tent like an arrow.
Then Guan Yu asked again.
"What for the silk?"
"I'm glad Lord Guan asks my intent. But your intensity overwhelms others, so please restrain it a bit."
Guan Yu softened his expression when I buttered him up.
Confirming his face, I continued.
"We stacked rice carts at Pakmang's entrance as a palisade substitute. So the enemy will hesitate to advance there."
No one objected, so I went on.
"Silk is tough and hard to see at night. The enemy will disperse cavalry to avoid our eyes, so they'll definitely move at night."
Assuming Zhang Fei and Father hold out, the enemy won't come before sunset.
I planned for night guerrilla warfare. Second option.
I proposed simple wire traps.
Not comparable to Vietnam War ones, but if cavalry charges at full speed, they'll snag or slow enough for serious damage if going fast.
This only works at night.
The enemy isn't stupid.
"We'll set fire to the main camp to make them believe we're retreating. Make them think it's a scorched earth withdrawal."
The enemy will move at night for sure.
I can't doubt myself after proposing it.
Guan Yu read my sincerity and nodded.
Silent approval.
"I've heard your plan to string silk across paths to lure cavalry. You're certain the enemy moves at night?"
"Certain. Lord Guan's doubt is valid, but they've already heard about Pakmang."
Guan Yu spoke skeptically.
I had to dispel that suspicion completely.
My best way: butter up the sworn brothers.
I can't allow even a sliver of doubt in this man.
He might charge ahead impulsively, so implanting certainty is key.
"Lord Zhang Fei will surely delay the enemy and withdraw under night cover. He'll definitely hold Pakmang until dawn—I don't doubt that, so I devised this."
Guan Yu's suspicious gaze faded.
Confirming his expression, I pressed on.
"Thus... the enemy will disperse cavalry to quickly seize Xinyang."
Guan Yu looked awkward at my response.
"But they'll spot the strung silk and hesitate to move swiftly. Even if they try the Lure and Annihilate Stratagem again, they won't cross easily. Surely..."
The Lure and Annihilate Stratagem draws in and annihilates the enemy. Guan Yu hit the nail on the head.
"Yes. But what will the enemy think seeing the silk? If we used Lure and Annihilate, our grand scheme is exposed."
"What's your intent, young lady?"
"Silk has no lethality. It'll make them even more cautious, definitely slowing their march to Xinyang."
Here's my thinking.
"As Lord Guan says, we'll deploy Lure and Annihilate. Whether it works or not doesn't matter. Holding until Jiangxia's army arrives is key. So what must we do? Buy time."
Guan Yu nodded, grasping my point.
"I understand your intent: deceive the enemy into thinking our plan is blocked, then act accordingly."
???
No, just buy time.
"Then tell this Yun Chang the next step. I can't fathom the depth of your foresight—share your aim."
???????
"Buy time... that's the answer."
"Buying time. Surely there's more to it."
Guan Yu huffed and stormed out of the tent.
Everyone sighed in relief and slumped into their seats.
For some reason, they'd all been standing—probably because Guan Yu was.
At least the message got through. Yeah.
The Wei forces at Pakmangpa began their advance. Dust rose, the ground shook.
"Lord Zhang. The enemy's swarming."
"Results speak for themselves. No need for this bet, right?" Kill-count battle. A wager between the two.
"Didn't you lose the drinking bet to me? As your little brother, I'll yield this time."
"Bullshit. Admit you lost now."
"Nah."
After some light banter before battle, the two turned to gaze across Pakmang simultaneously.
Jo In's forces faced off against Zhang Fei and Cheonma.
They'd even pulled back their fifty cavalry reserves.
Literally facing 30,000 alone.
"Here they come."
Zhang Fei's quiet mutter started it. The two sprang into action.
Instant declaration of war.
"You cowardly bastards! Come on over! First one across gets pickled!"
"Damn right! Lord Zhang said it—gotta do it. Hey, you old bastard sons! Fight with your eyes? Standing there with bows like bugs—what's that gonna do?"