In the sixth year of Jingyao, August, General Deng Ai led 30,000 troops from Didao to Tazhong; Governor Zhuge Xu of Yongzhou led more than 30,000 soldiers from Qishan to Wudu and Yinping Qiaotou; General Zhong Hui of Zhengxi led the main force of over 130,000 troops and marched towards Hanzhong from Xie Valley, Luo Valley, and Ziwu Valley.

With great momentum, the war was on the verge of breaking out.

When the 3,000 perfected steel long knives escorted by Shi Gangyu and Pu Yuan arrived,

Zhuge Liang was in the process of checking the soldiers with Jiang Wei.

The total military strength of Shu Han was no more than 100,000.

Apart from the garrison in various locations, the only main force was this 50,000 in Tazhong.

Once a young general, he had now become an old general with white hair and beard, understanding now why the Prime Minister had always been so cautious. Shu Han was not Cao Wei; if they lost one state, they had no other eight to fall back on. This was their last reserve and they could not afford to lose.

Armaments and armor were ready, and the first harvest of summer grain had already been stored.

Over the past thirty years of campaigns, he had said many things, from the initial ambition to revive the Han dynasty to eradicating its enemies, later to loyal service to the country and relieving the Emperor's worries.

In the end, some things he had stopped expressing.

The 50,000 Tiger Steps Army remained silent like him.

"Sima Zhao, under the guise of Wei, mobilized 200,000 soldiers, attacking Han from three routes."

The soldiers remained unchanged in their expressions, upon hearing this, they only took off their precious belongings and put them in cloth bags with their names on them, as per tradition. If they did not return, these bags would be sent back home by the armory officer along with their pensions.

"The three routes: Deng Ai's western route, Zhuge Xu's middle route, and Zhong Hui's eastern route with 100,000 troops. Their first target is Hanzhong."

They were about to charge towards Hanzhong.

The Tiger Steps Army on the left and right, with experience from two defenses of Hanzhong wars, automatically moved a step aside.

The central army remained on standby, after all, Deng Ai was a difficult opponent. This robust infantry was the only heavy armored phalanx in the Three Kingdoms able to resist cavalry.

There was no passionate pre-battle mobilization. After sixteen northern expeditions, the troops were loyal to their leader just as their leader was loyal to Shu Han.

The muster call was completed.

There was one more thing, something nearly unheard of in the past ten years.

Jiang Wei addressed these weathered soldiers.

This time, the Emperor sent some gifts for everyone.

Some gifts?

The generals watched as the young military advisor next to the great general directed the ordnance officers to bring over brand new spears.

Next came the long knives for the axe men.

Then the new armors for those who had reported damages in their gear half a month ago.

And a few vats of fish, splashing in the water.

Next were rolls of small pieces of silk fabrics.

There were words written on the silk, but most soldiers could not read.

Stepping forward as a strategist, Zhuge Liang raised the imperial edict high.

"The Emperor appreciates the loyalty and bravery of the generals, thus issued an imperial decree. This silk is recognition; each enlisted man, his family will have their taxes halved. Kill three enemies, and taxes are exempted for three years. The land acquired will be rewarded and distributed based on military merits. If one died in battle, compensation would not be spared!"

This time, the soldiers below remained silent, but their eyes lit up instantly.

The small and weak Shu Han had high taxes, "one of three males drafted," if a family had three males, one had to join the army, with four-six taxation, forty percent of annual earnings had to be handed over to the court, life was harsh for the people.

Soldiers who had no fear of death became strangely excited because of these rewards.

This battle was no longer for a distant and lofty emperor.

Nor was it for the long-followed old General Jiang Wei.

But for themselves! For their families! For the land!

Taxes halved!

Three years of tax exemption? A year's exemption per person, the soldiers rubbed their hands together with fiery madness in their eyes, they would fight until the day the emperor could collect no taxes!

At this moment, Jiang Wei drew his sword, the sharp blade unsheathed, catching a fish thrown into the air with his other hand. Without much force, the fish split into two.

Blood filled a water vat.

Jiang Wei scooped up a bowl of water, red with warm blood, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Follow me, to battle!"

Zhao Guang and Zhang Zun also followed suit, each killing an imperial fish, the vat filled instantly with bright red blood.

Slaying fish, drinking blood!

It was exhilarating.

Only the young Zhuge Liang was left: Eating, that's not the way to eat it.

Before he could speak, Zhuge Shang respectfully offered a bowl: "Strategist, please first."

Zhuge Liang took it, patted this good great-grandson, and drank it all in one gulp!

Smashed the bowl!

Refreshing!