Chapter 13: I’m Revolting—I’ll Topple Your Cai Family!

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East Gate of Xiangyang.
“All troops mount the walls and prepare for battle! We don’t have enough archers and crossbowmen—send me another thousand crossbowmen immediately! Move quickly! Any delay in defending the city will be dealt with according to military law…”
On the city wall, Cai Hezheng brandished his horsewhip, shouting fiercely at his subordinates.
Cai Mao distrusted outsiders guarding the gates; all gates of Xiangyang were manned by the Cai and Kuai family members.
As the third-ranking leader of the Cai clan, Cai He was naturally in charge of the East Gate.
The Jingzhou soldiers, still half-asleep, were hurriedly forced by the officers to ascend the walls and prepare for battle.
The archers and crossbowmen carried arrows, while the infantrymen hoisted baskets of flying stones up the ramparts. Collisions occurred frequently, scattering arrows and stones everywhere, turning the scene into utter chaos.
Watching this disorder, Cai He’s anger flared uncontrollably.
“Wei Yan, why are you just standing there like a fool? Hurry up and bring your men to carry more siege towers onto the wall!”
With nowhere else to vent his frustration, Cai He took it out on the young military officer.
But Wei Yan remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the direction of the North Gate.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear my orders?”
“If you delay the military operation, I’ll demote you to a squad leader tomorrow!”
Recalling how Wei Yan had once defied him, Cai He’s anger intensified, seizing the opportunity to reprimand him further.
Wei Yan neither angry nor afraid; instead, a cold, meaningful smile flickered at the corner of his mouth.
In his line of sight, three signal fires had already risen above the North Gate.
That was the agreed signal to commence the attack with Liu Bei’s forces.
Liu Bei led his main army in a feigned assault on the North Gate, drawing Cai Mao and the main defending forces there.
Meanwhile, Zhang Fei commanded a detachment, using the cover of night to ambush outside the East Gate.
His mission was to lead a mutiny, seize the gate, and open the way for Liu Bei to storm into Xiangyang!
“General Cai’s orders, I have heard clearly. I will carry them out immediately,” Wei Yan said expressionlessly, saluting before turning sharply and walking away.
Cai He glanced contemptuously at Wei Yan’s retreating back.
“Dragging your feet like this, and yet you dare be arrogant? I think you’re only fit to be a squad leader…”
Muttering to himself, Cai He turned back to scold other subordinates.
Just as he turned, Wei Yan stopped, then spun around.
A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
“Swish!”
His long sword slid from its sheath.
Wei Yan lunged forward in a swift step, the sword pressed against Cai He’s neck.
Suddenly, silence fell all around.
The previously chaotic Jingzhou soldiers froze in place, eyes wide and mouths agape at the shocking scene.
A mere junior officer dared to rebel, pressing his sword against the neck of the Cai clan’s third-in-command!
Had he gone mad?

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“Wei Yan, what do you think you’re doing!”
Cai He’s face twisted with fury as he barked hoarsely.
Wei Yan said nothing but commanded coldly:
“I want you to order everyone to leave the city walls immediately, at once!”
Cai He would never yield so easily, shouting angrily:
“Wei Yan, are you out of your mind? What exactly are you trying to do?”
Wei Yan furrowed his brows, applying slight pressure with his hand.
The sword’s edge immediately cut a shallow wound across Cai He’s neck, blood seeping out.
Pain flashed across Cai He’s face, his expression instantly paling.
“I’ll say it one last time: order everyone off the city walls!”
Wei Yan’s tone brooked no argument; killing intent gleamed in his eyes.
Cai He faltered, trembling as he shouted in a shaky voice:
“Are you all deaf? Fall back from the walls at once! Immediately—”
The confused Jingzhou soldiers hurriedly retreated down the walls, disappearing like a tide.
Only Wei Yan’s five hundred men remained on the ramparts.
“Open the gates quickly, lower the drawbridge, light the signal fires, and welcome General Yi De into the city!”
All five hundred were local youths from Yiyang, loyal only to Wei Yan’s command.
The gates slowly opened, the drawbridge lowered, and a signal fire flared atop the wall.
Only then did Cai He suddenly awaken to the truth.
This young man intended to betray them, leading a mutiny to seize the gates and let Liu Bei’s army into Xiangyang.
It was clearly a prearranged conspiracy, executed on schedule.
“Well done, Wei Yan. How dare you betray your lord and commit such treason?”
The previously panicked Cai He ground his teeth and cursed fiercely.
Wei Yan sneered with disdain:
“Lord Jing Sheng’s body is barely cold, yet your Cai clan dares to force Liu Cong into surrendering to Cao Cao, handing over Lord Jing Sheng’s legacy to secure your own wealth and glory.”
“Shameless ingrates like you don’t deserve to speak of loyalty and righteousness before me, Wei Yan.”
Stung by the rebuke, Cai He was momentarily speechless, his face flushing red and pale in turn, unable to retort.
“I, Wei Yan, possess martial skill and talent, but because of my lowly birth and a past clash with you, I’ve been suppressed and sidelined by the Cai family.”
“I’ve long despised your Cai clan and your hollow display of power over Jingzhou. Today, I pledge my allegiance to Lord Xuande and will overthrow your Cai family!”
Wei Yan dropped all pretense and openly declared his intentions.
Years of pent-up resentment poured forth.
Cai He was stunned, trembling all over, rooted to the spot, helpless.
Meanwhile, outside the city,
Zhang Fei, hidden in the darkness, clearly saw the signal fire blazing atop the East Gate.

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The fire signaled Wei Yan’s success in seizing the gate.
“Xiao Bowen truly has an eye for talent—this Wei Yan is indeed a man worthy of great responsibility.”
“Even if he’s no immortal, he’s at least a half-immortal!”
Zhang Fei clicked his tongue in admiration, then vaulted onto his horse, pointing his serpent spear toward the East Gate.
“All troops, follow my orders! We will make a single, decisive push and storm into Xiangyang—”
One rider, one horse, charged out immediately.
Three thousand Liu Bei soldiers surged forth from the darkness, rushing toward the wide-open East Gate of Xiangyang.
The roar of battle thundered like lightning.
By the light from the walls, Wei Yan quickly spotted banners emblazoned with the character “Zhang,” his expression growing excited.
Cai He, however, was consumed by anxiety, trembling uncontrollably.
Everyone in Jingzhou knew Zhang Fei’s fierce temper.
At first, the Cai brothers had harbored deep suspicion toward Liu Bei, even plotting to assassinate him during a banquet hosted by Liu Biao.
Though the assassination failed and Liu Bei escaped under a pretext, the grudge remained.
What good fate would he have if left in Zhang Fei’s hands?
Cai He’s eyes darted around, noticing that Wei Yan’s attention was fixed outside, his guard lowered.
“Swish!”
Cai He suddenly drew his sword, deflecting the blade at his neck.
Then, with a single stroke, he felled a soldier, seized a warhorse, and spurred it along the city wall toward the North Gate.
“Do you still think you can escape?”
Wei Yan’s eyes narrowed as he hurled his long sword with a swift flick.
“Thud!”
The blade struck Cai He in the back.
With a horrible scream, Cai He fell heavily from his horse, crashing to the ground.
As he struggled to rise, Wei Yan strode forward, pulling the long sword from his back.
Blood gushed forth like a spring.
Cai He screamed again, pain nearly rendering him unconscious.
“I originally intended to hand you over to Lord Xuande for judgment, but since you won’t know your place, you’ve chosen death yourself, so I’ll grant your wish.”
Raising the bloodied sword, Wei Yan decisively brought it down.
Cai He’s eyes widened in terror as he cried out: “Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang, listen to me, just listen—”
His plea was abruptly cut off.
Cai He’s head rolled from his body.