The numerous lords watched clearly as countless men perished under the volleys of repeating crossbows and catapults, a terrifying sight that chilled them to the bone.
"Lord Yuan, our losses are immense. Perhaps we should wait..."
"Nonsense! What losses do I have? It is merely the Third Legion that has suffered heavy casualties!" Yuan Shao's eyes blazed with anger. "Do you gentlemen wish to usurp my position? Do not forget that my reinforcements are on their way!"
The lords fell silent, sighing in resignation. A messenger, flustered and with a grave expression, hurried forward. "My lord."
The messenger hesitated, reluctant to speak. Yuan Shao's fury erupted. "Speak plainly! What is there to stammer about? Do you think I cannot bear such news?"
"Yes, my lord!" The messenger, drenched in cold sweat, trembled as he opened the bamboo slip in his hand. "This battle has resulted in a total of fifteen thousand three hundred casualties, with one hundred and thirty-two missing and immeasurable other losses."
Seeing Yuan Shao's icy demeanor, the messenger, disregarding everything else, dropped to his knees. "My, my lord!"
"How many enemies were killed?" Yuan Shao's face contorted in a ferocious sneer. "That Ye Feng must have suffered considerable casualties as well!"
The messenger remained silent. Yuan Shao drew his sword and placed it at the messenger's throat. "If you refuse to speak, this sword will escort you to the underworld!"
"Reporting, reporting to my lord, this time, this time we killed thirteen hundred and twelve enemies. The rest, the rest are unharmed!"
The moment the messenger finished speaking, the bamboo slip clattered to the ground. He knew only to kowtow, desperately begging for mercy. "I implore my lord, my lord, spare my life!"
"Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?" Yuan Shao's face was ashen as he asked coldly. "I will not tolerate anyone who speaks utter falsehoods!"
"I, I understand!" After a long pause, the messenger squeezed out a sentence. "But, but this is all true. I, I have not uttered a single lie!"
"You know perfectly well whether there is truth or falsehood," Yuan Shao interrupted the messenger. "If this news spreads, the soldiers' morale will be shaken. Do you understand?"
"I, I..." The messenger's scalp tightened, and he nearly went mad, banging his head heavily. "I, I don't know anything!"
Yuan Shao let out a cold laugh and waved his hand dismissively. "You may go. Remember your words today, or you will surely die a horrible death!"
"Yes, my lord!" The messenger retreated, his steps faltering. The next moment, his body suddenly fell to the ground, his eyes wide open!
Yuan Shao lightly shook the blood from his sword. "Only the dead can keep secrets forever!"
He surveyed his surroundings and saw the lords glaring at him with fury in their eyes. He forced a slight smile and spoke slowly, "Do you gentlemen believe my actions are inappropriate?"
Yuan Shu, who had always looked down on Yuan Shao, and even more so now that he had been made the commander, sneered and charged forward. "We lords came here to conquer Liang Province and claim a share of the spoils. We did not come to sacrifice all our elite troops!"
"Now that Zhang Miao has defected to Ye Feng, of the original eighteen lords, only a few of us have arrived. If we cannot succeed, why not return home? Why waste our time here?"
"Indeed, Lord Gonglu speaks the truth. We are short of food and supplies, and we cannot afford to waste time!"
"We implore Lord Yuan to agree and let us take our men and leave!"
The lords began to have thoughts of retreat. Yuan Shu wore a faint smile. They were all of the same Yuan family, yet Yuan Shao always managed to steal the limelight. He, Yuan Shu, would never allow it!
"If Lord Yuan lacks great strategy and vision, perhaps this seat should be given to someone else!" Yuan Shu probed cautiously. "Does Lord Yuan wish to yield?"
Yuan Shao feigned an air of nonchalance. "Even if I wished to step aside, I fear that Lord Gonglu lacks the ability to control his subordinates, and it would be too embarrassing."
"This world, after all, cannot contain two 'Yuan' characters. What? Lord Yuan does not trust me?" Yuan Shu spread his hands. "Or is this all orchestrated by Lord Yuan to cede the position to the General of Valour?"
"However, even if we shatter your plans, we will never let Lord Yuan have his way!" Yuan Shu said coldly, clenching his fists. "We will ensure Lord Yuan becomes a laughingstock!"
Yuan Shao casually tossed the seal aside and said coldly, "Whoever is willing to take this seal, feel free to do so. However, I will tell you this: the current Lu Bu obeys only me. If anything happens, it has nothing to do with me!"
Lu Bu was an absolute beast, and in the eyes of the lords, only Yuan Shao could subdue him. Now that Yuan Shao had spoken, he would undoubtedly stir up trouble.
In other words, if anyone wished to seize power, they would first have to carefully consider whether their subordinates could deal with Lu Bu.
"Is Lord Yuan truly serious?" Yuan Shu's eyes widened as he asked coldly. "If you do not wish to hand it over, why put on such a pretense? Just say so directly!"
"I have already handed over the seal. Whether any of you can take it is your own affair, and it has nothing to do with me!" Yuan Shao turned and left, not wanting the lords to be stunned. They did not want to be scapegoats.
More importantly, they feared Lu Bu consolidating his own power!
"I forgot to tell you all, Lu Bu has already taken the Tiger Tally. If all goes smoothly, it should be directly under my command!" Yuan Shao threw down a parting remark and turned to leave!
The lords felt a pang of anxiety and shot fierce glances at Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu gritted his teeth, not expecting to have made a misstep even at this point. "I implore Lord Yuan to resume command!"
Yuan Shao stopped his already slow steps and turned back with a slight smile. "My reckless expedition this time has already caused considerable losses to all of you. I truly do not have the face to continue my duties."
"Furthermore, I am but an old man now. I implore all talented individuals to handle matters!"
If he were to handle matters, he would handle them. If not, he would have to step down obediently. Such a good deal in this world! Yuan Shao muttered to himself, "I think Lord Gonglu would be suitable!"
Yuan Shu was furious, but at this moment, he dared not utter a word of sarcasm. He could only apologize. "Lord Gonglu was momentarily misguided. I beg Lord Yuan for forgiveness. Without Lord Yuan, this alliance will likely collapse. I implore Lord Yuan to resume command!"
"My old eyes are dim, and I am afraid I will make mistakes!" Yuan Shao pushed the responsibility aside, preparing to leave. "It would be best to elect someone else!"
Seeing Yuan Shao's refusal, the lords were incensed. Suddenly, someone spoke, "If Lord Yuan is unwilling, perhaps I shall do it. I will surely be able to conquer Liang Province!"
Both Yuan Shao and Yuan Shao held the esteemed title of "Four Generations and Three Dukes." For an unknown minor figure to wish to lead the lords was a grand joke!
They all scoffed and ignored him. Before they could speak, the sound of hooves echoed. "Lu Bu is here! Do not push them too far, or I shall take all your heads!"