"Don't tell me Cao Zhen was also defeated by the plague?" Sun Quan asked excitedly.
Hu Ke shook his head. "Liu Bei's army captured Chencang in the first month. After occupying Chang'an, Cao Zhen led a large army around Chang'an by way of Long Mountain, only to be blocked at the Wei River by Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. While the two armies faced off, Zhang Fei led his troops in defeating Liang Province Inspector Zhang Ji, seizing major cities in Tianshui Commandery such as Wangyuan and Ji County. With his supply route through Jieting cut off, Cao Zhen had no choice but to retreat to Anding."
"Hehe." Sun Quan let out a strange laugh, then wore an incredulous expression. "What sort of trash did Cao Pi deploy on the western front? I remember Zhang Ji was also a famed minister of the State of Wei, who made great contributions in helping Cao Cao pacify the Yong-Liang Region. Yet he still couldn't hold a city against Zhang Fei? Just how many men does Liu Bei have in Guanzhong? Don't the troops stationed at Tong Pass know to leave the pass and pin them down?"
"Uh... Zhang Fei may not have had many troops, but he had several insiders who could breach cities under his command. With Ma Chao, whose name shook Xiliang, there as well, Tianshui's Merit Officer Liang Xu, Registrar Yin Shang, and the rest all turned their coats at the crucial moment. Governor Ma Zun and Wangyuan's defending general Zhao Yu were both slain in battle. Zhang Ji was ultimately defeated and retreated to Longxi Commandery. In addition, Wei general Zhu Ling once left Tong Pass to support Cao Zhen, but was unfortunately stopped by Zhao Yun at Huayin..." Hu Ke's voice grew quieter and quieter.
Insiders, defections?