396. Zhao Ang's Death

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As Han Sui exited the tent to prepare his detachment, Cao Ren addressed the remaining people in the tent. "Prepare our forces for a potential shift in strategy. Maintain pressure on Tianshui, but be ready to support General Han Sui if Zhao Ang proves his loyalty." The meeting concluded with Cao Ren saying that. On the other hand, Han Sui leads a small group of his most skilled and trusted men toward Tianshui, to infiltrate it with the help of Zhao Ang's messenger.

Within Tianshui, Zhao Ang and Wang Yi continued their preparations, unaware that they would have a group of guests that were entering Tianshui right now as they were continuing their preparations.

The two of them were in tandem, confirming with each official and general who was under the Tianshui government for the last time, to ensure that everyone would follow Zhao Ang to rebel against Ma Teng.

As they meticulously reviewed their plans and reinforced their ally's commitment, Wang Yi's keen eyes caught every detail, her strategic mind leaving no stone unturned with Zhao Ang helping her from the side.

Suddenly, a servant entered the room, bowing deeply. "My Lord, My Lady," he said with a steady voice despite the urgency showing in his eyes. "A small group of men has entered Tianshui alongside the envoy you sent to General Cao Ren."

Zhao Ang and Wang Yi exchanged a glance. Wang Yi's lips curved into a confident smile. "This is it, Husband. This shows that Cao Ren and his men were interested in our proposal, that's why they sent someone to meet us."

Zhao Ang nodded hearing the words of his wife. "Then let's prepare to meet them. Ensure they are brought here immediately, without anyone noticing about our movement especially Ma Teng, Ma Chao, and Pang De."

The servant bowed again and hurried out of the room. Zhao Ang turned to Wang Yi. "Let's make sure everyone is in the position that we assign them. We need to show Cao Ren's men that we have the power and support we claimed."

Several minutes later, the small group, led by Han Sui, was escorted into the room by the envoy. Zhao Ang greeted them. "Welcome General, I'm Zhao Ang Governor Of Tianshui, welcome to Tianshui. We are honored by your presence."

Han Sui, his eyes sharp and assessing, returned the bow. "I'm Han Sui, I'm sure that Governor Zhao already knew who am I. The reason I come here is to verify your claims and support your efforts to remove Ma Teng from Tianshui. Show me the extent of your preparations."

Wang Yi stepped forward, her presence attract everyone's attention. "General, we have ensured that key officials and generals within Tianshui are loyal to our cause. Allow us to introduce you to everyone who has shown us their support."

Her beauty and presence attracted Han Sui's eyes immediately, not that he was mesmerized by her beauty but the presence she had was like seasoned advisors.

"May I ask who you are? Please forgive me for being rude but I have never seen a woman with such a commanding presence," said Han Sui as he asks Wang Yi and Zhao Ang.

Hearing Han Sui's question, Zhao Ang let out a shy laugh forgetting to introduce his wife, " Ah yes I'm sorry that I forgot such an important matter, General Han Sui. This is My Wife, Wang Yi. She is the one who persuade me and helps me in preparing everything to support Lord Cao Cao's campaign for Tianshui."

Han Sui let out a loud laugh after Zhao Ang finished his words, never expecting that he would encounter such a thing. He praises Zhao Ang for having heaven's luck to manage to get such a smart and beautiful wife.

Zhao Ang thanked Han Sui for his kind praise and replied by saying that he felt that he had used the luck of his entire life by marrying Wang Yi, which solicit a blush on Wang Yi's face, who admonish him and told him to be serious.

After that, She takes a scroll that was filled with several officials and generals who had supported Zhao Ang by giving them their signature. Han Sui read the names one by one, and he then recognized some familiar names that were part of Ma Teng's commanding rank.

Han Sui observed closely, his initial skepticism giving way to cautious optimism. "Impressive. Your preparations are thorough. However, I must see evidence of your control over the city's strategic points."

Zhao Ang nodded. "Of course. Follow us, and we will show you the key positions that we hold within Tianshui, of course, unknown to Ma Teng and his generals."

As they moved through the city, Zhao Ang and Wang Yi led Han Sui and his men to various strategic locations with their personal carriage. They visited the city gates, the armory, and the barracks, each place showing signs of Zhao Ang's influence and control.

At each stop, Wang Yi provided detailed explanations of their plans and the roles of their allies. All of this impressed Han Sui, who could see the depth of the preparation that was pooled in their plan.

By the time they returned to Zhao Ang's residence, Han Sui's doubts had largely been dispelled. "You have indeed shown that you have significant influence and control over Tianshui. I will report back to General Cao Ren and prepare for a coordinated strike against Ma Teng."

Zhao Ang cupped his hand toward Han Sui. "Thank you, General. We are ready to act as soon as you give the signal. Together, we will liberate Tianshui from Ma Teng's control."

Han Sui nodded, respect evident in his eyes. "Your support will prove your loyalty to Lord Cao Cao, which I'm sure will be appreciated and ensure your position will remain the same."

As Han Sui and his men left under the cover of night to relay his findings to Cao Ren, unbeknownst to Zhao Ang and Wang Yi who was sure that no one would know of this meeting, doesn't know that Pang De caught wind of this plan.

Pang De was in a dilemma about whether to support Zhao Ang or stay loyal to Ma Teng, seeing how the situation continued to worsen for Ma Teng suddenly the letter in his hand was snatched by Ma Chao who suddenly appeared without him noticing.

Ma Chao read the content of the letter, which soon caused him to be enraged, "What?! This Zhao Ang doesn't know any shame! It was my Father who helped him gain this position, and this is how he repaid him?!"

"Calm down Young Lord, this could be a ploy that was done by Cao Ren to cause an internal dispute that will weaken us even more," Pang De tried to calm Ma Chap as inwardly he scolded himself to be caught by Ma Chao.

Ma Chao doesn't heed Pang De's words and immediately leaves to report his findings to his father, while Pang De can only stay as he looks at Ma Chao's back.

After spending several minutes, Ma Chao finally met with his father who was overseeing some renovation to the inner wall of Tianshui, which had some cracks due to the siege warfare against Cao Cao's Army.

With anger in his voice, he reported his findings to Ma Teng after taking him into a secluded area, "Father! I just received a letter that says Zhao Ang and his wife Wang Yi are plotting with Cao Ren to oust us from Tianahui!"

Surprised filled Ma Teng's mind when he heard what his eldest son had just said, "What?! Are you sure? Where is the letter?!" as Ma Teng asked for the letter, Ma Chao gave him the letter.

Reading the content of the letter, Ma Teng was angered by this never expecting that he would be like the story of a farmer and a snake, being bitten after helping the snake from its wound.

Even though his mind was filled with anger, a plan suddenly entered Ma Teng's mind and he soon shared it with Ma Chao, who was elated after hearing what his father had in mind.

Several days passed by, and Cao Ren who had received the report from Han Sui was satisfied with the result and decided today they would start the plan, so during the start of their attack on Tianshui.

Under Cao Ren's command, a signal was given to Zhao Ang and Wang Yi who were waiting every day after the meeting with Han Sui, and when they receive the signal they ordered their men to commence the plan.

Ma Teng and his army who were defending Tianshui from all sides, were suddenly attacked from behind which surprised Ma Teng's men and generals, but Ma Teng, Ma Chao, and Pang De weren't surprised by this.

Pang De who had decided to stay loyal to Ma Teng, put up heavy resistance both inside and outside of Tianshui, commanding his men with great valor and managing to defend Tianshui's wall without being pushed by either side.

Ma Chao on the other hand, let his vice generals defend the area he was in charge of and let a small contingent of his men toward his father, who also did the same thing as Ma Chao.

The two of them meet up and together head toward the area of the noble's residence, and this surprises many of the nobles who were hiding in their mansion as they never expected that Ma Teng would show up there.

This caused a commotion, asking why Ma Teng and Ma Chao were there and not defending Tianshui, but they were ignored by the two of them, and combined with the footsteps of Ma Teng's men, soon the commotion reached Zhao Ang's residence.

Zhao Ang and Wang Yi who was waiting for the news of their plan, hear the commotion and soon a servant enters the room telling Ma Teng and Ma Chao was approaching their residence, bringing a handful of men.

Hearing this, Zhao Ang and Wang Yi know that their plan was found out, and Wang Yi asks Zhao Ang what's should they do, and Zhao Ang immediately told Wang Yi to hide in their secret room, and when Wang Yi wanted to refuse they heard the sound of fighting on their residence.

Zhao Ang immediately takes Wang Yi's hand and shows her inside their secret room. When Zhao Ang managed to close the secret door, Ma Chao entered the room and the two of them came face to face. Zhao Ang immediately released his sword from the scabbard, but Ma Chao was faster using his glaive he beheaded Zhao Ang and all of this was seen by Wang Yi through the gap between the secret door.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 31 (198 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 825

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 96

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0