Guangzhong, Shang Commandery, Xiliang military camp.
Fast horses from Jiangdong, like whirlwinds, trampled through countless muddy patches on the official roads. The rider on horseback faced the vast expanse of white blood mist, letting the biting cold wind whip against his cheeks, yet he urged his horse onward…
He exhaled white mist, melting the frost on his eyebrows, which eventually turned into icy water and dripped down, falling onto his dust-covered, weary face.
He arrived at the military camp skillfully. Guarding the gate was Ma Teng’s daughter, Ma Yunlu.
Seeing this female general… the rider on horseback seemed to see hope. With the last bit of strength supported by his willpower, he shouted, “Urgent report, urgent report… Urgent report from Jiangdong!”
Upon hearing the urgent report from Jiangdong, Ma Yunlu’s expression changed. She, along with a group of armored soldiers, hurriedly rushed forward. Someone grabbed the horse’s reins, and the rider abruptly dismounted, slanting to the ground, while others supported him.
Without hesitation, an armored soldier took a bamboo slip from his chest and handed it to Ma Yunlu.
Ma Yunlu asked, “You’re this exhausted? Is it very urgent?”
Her answer was a determined look.
Ma Yunlu did not delay further and hurried into the military camp.
At this moment… her father Ma Teng and uncle Han Sui were drinking with envoys sent by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Ma Yunlu directly handed the letter to her elder brother, Ma Chao.
Ma Chao was practicing swordplay… Upon seeing this urgent report and hearing the words “Urgent report from Jiangdong,” a hint of suspicion appeared on his face. He unrolled it, brought it closer to the lamp, lowered his head… and stared intently at the contents of the urgent dispatch.
Afterward, Ma Chao’s face turned pale, and then… devoid of color. His body involuntarily trembled, and after a sharp intake of breath, he raised his head in a daze.
“Yunlu! Something has happened, something big has happened in Jiangdong!”
He stood up abruptly and shouted, “Quickly, quickly… come with me to see Father!”
…
…
In the central army tent, amidst clinking cups, Ma Teng, Han Sui, and Shen Pei were drinking quite merrily.
Only Zhong Yao did not drink a single cup; he needed to keep his mind clear.
Similarly, he needed to abstain from foods that would cause internal heat. At his age, to be able to have a son, he had to learn to take care of himself.
“Hahaha… I didn’t expect Mr. Zhong to speak so little and have such a poor tolerance for alcohol, haha…” Fueled by a slight intoxication, Shen Pei teased, “Mr. Zhong, since you’re not drinking, you’re bound to be the clearest-headed. You must know that a month ago, Jiangdong went north to attack Guangling City, right? Fifty thousand troops, a full fifty thousand troops! Guangling City seems to have only four or five thousand defenders, and their retreat route was cut off by Liu Bei’s captured Xiapi City… Do you know about this, Mr. Zhong?”
“I know, of course, I know!”
Zhong Yao nodded.
“Haha, then tell us, Guangling City must have been breached by now. Young Overlord Sun Bofu and Liu Xuande of Xiapi City have led their armies north. How many more days until Xu Province falls completely? Ah… haha…”
Shen Pei continued to ask.
His words were filled with an unshakeable confidence.
It was evident that upon hearing his question, even Han Sui and Ma Teng, who had been drinking a lot, became more alert.
If… the situation in Xu Province had reached this point!
Then…
It would be unreasonable for them not to send troops to take a share of the spoils.
Unexpectedly…
Zhong Yao still waved his hand calmly.
“Prefect Shen, have you had too much to drink? If you had eaten a bit more, you wouldn’t be so drunk!”
“Haha… I’m many years older than you. I haven’t gained much skill along the way, but I’ve remembered one saying – hearing is false, seeing is believing! If a glib tongue were useful, then… why do we need spies? Why do we need informants? I think… General Han, General Ma… an urgent report should be arriving soon, shouldn’t it? It would be better for us to witness that wonderful moment together, wouldn’t it?”
Like playing Tai Chi, Zhong Yao and Shen Pei’s verbal sparring never focused on the same point.
For instance, Shen Pei always fabricated “stories,” but Zhong Yao would alternately discuss the “season” or expound on “great principles.” Shen Pei’s fists, no matter how hard, were like striking cotton, rendering him unable to exert his strength.
“Drink, drink…”
Ma Teng raised his wine goblet, trying to smooth things over…
Just then, outside the large tent, hurried footsteps could be heard, the shoes striking the floor with a resounding clang.
A moment later, an armored soldier’s loud announcement could be heard from outside the door.
“General Ma Chao, General Ma Yunlu has arrived…”
Hmm…
This announcement made Ma Teng pause slightly. Why were they here?
Ma Teng immediately asked in a low voice, “Mengqi? Yunlu? What’s the rush?”
Ma Chao’s expression was solemn. “We just received an urgent dispatch from Jiangdong… Something big has happened in Xu Province and Jiangdong!”
Jiangdong urgent dispatch?
Something big?
As soon as these keywords were uttered, Ma Teng, Han Sui, Shen Pei, and Zhong Yao all opened their eyes, their attention fully engaged. The urgent dispatch had finally arrived.
Ma Chao’s voice continued. “Sun Quan, the second son of the Sun family in Jiangdong, and Sun Yi, the third son, led fifty thousand Jiangdong troops to attack Guangling City in Xu Province. They fell into an ambush set by Guangling Prefect Chen Deng and suffered a crushing defeat… losing over half their forces! The entire river was filled with the corpses of Jiangdong youths!”
“Furthermore, Young Overlord Sun Bofu was assassinated on Dantu Mountain near Wujun in Jiangdong. He was hit in the face by an arrow and fell into a coma, his life or death unknown! Currently… the entire Jiangdong is in chaos. I heard that Cao’s army intends to march south from Guangling City in one go to capture all six commanderies and seventy-two counties of Jiangdong!”
“What?” Ma Teng and Han Sui both jumped to their feet.
This news was completely unexpected.
They knew how many defenders Guangling City had. Ma Teng and Han Sui were somewhat aware of it, but it was only four or five thousand people, right? Yet… even so… they were actually able to defeat the advancing Sun family army of fifty thousand?
Were Sun Quan, the second son of the Sun family, and Sun Yi, the third son, such useless individuals?
Instantly, a saying surfaced in Ma Teng’s mind: it is absolutely not advisable to have sons like “Sun Zhongmou” or “Sun Shubao”! Useless people are like pigs and dogs!
Of course… if the defeat at Jiangling could be attributed to Sun Jian’s two useless sons!
Then… what followed was even more unbelievable. How could the Young Overlord Sun Ce… be assassinated so abruptly?
This was too much of a coincidence!
If he hadn’t been assassinated… then he would have surely marched north again to restore the lost face for his second and third brothers, but… it was too coincidental!
Whether it was Ma Teng or Han Sui, they couldn’t help but associate Sun Ce’s assassination… with Cao’s camp, and with Lu Yu!
No wonder Zhong Yao was so unconcerned; it was because Cao’s camp had already made preparations, and Lu Yu had already factored the Sun family of Jiangdong into his plans.
Upon hearing this urgent report, the person whose expression was the most bizarre was none other than Shen Pei…
He weakly supported himself on the table, but his legs were already unstable. He cried out in his heart, “The Sun family of Jiangdong has failed me! Failed me!”
He wanted to curse loudly, but then he remembered…
He was in the Xiliang military camp, so he couldn’t appear too grief-stricken. The more grief-stricken he was, the closer he was to that boiling pot.
Unexpectedly…
“Oh…”
At this moment, Zhong Yao slowly stood up. He lightly tapped his forehead, looking wise and innocent, as if suddenly enlightened.
“My ears aren’t very good, Prefect Shen… What did this urgent dispatch say? It seemed to say… Jiangdong’s army was defeated? Young Overlord Sun Bofu was assassinated? Is that right? Ah…”
Uh…
As these words left his mouth, Shen Pei felt like crying. He felt as if he was about to burst into tears. This was kicking someone while they were down!
– Zhong Yao, I’ll curse your ancestors!
Shen Pei’s heart exploded with countless curses, but in the end, his eyes turned cold.
“Hmph”…
With a cold hmph, he didn’t bother to bid farewell to Han Sui and Ma Teng, and rushed out of the tent…
Just as he was about to leave…
Zhong Yao waved at him, repeatedly reminding him, “Prefect Shen, it’s dry and hot. Young man, don’t lose your temper so easily… Drink less, sleep more, go to bed early and wake up early to preserve your health!”
“Hmph… Hmph…”
With two consecutive cold humphs, Shen Pei exclaimed, “Aiya,” flicked his sleeves… and rushed out of the tent!
Ma Teng and Han Sui exchanged glances…
They understood each other tacitly.
Wait… the situation in the Central Plains could wait a little longer!
Interesting, the situation was becoming more and more interesting.
“Mr. Zhong is truly worthy of being the foremost calligrapher of our time, calm and composed, walking as if in his own courtyard. Han admires him, admires him!”
Han Sui cupped his hands and bowed to Zhong Yao, his words carrying much deeper meaning!
As for Zhong Yao, while stroking his beard, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart…
Heh heh, he Zhong Yao could always trust that young gentleman named “Lu Yu”!
This gentleman was worth his life’s gamble!
…
…
You Province, Wangjing City.
Originally.
Yuan Shao’s army of three hundred thousand marching south was a joyous occasion for Gongsun Zan; he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
But… in fact, when Qin Yilu arrived with a letter from Lu Yu to remind Gongsun Zan, for him, it was no different from a bucket of cold water drenching him from head to toe.
“General Qin? Is it that serious?”
At this moment, Gongsun Zan stood up, while Qin Yilu sat in the main guest’s seat. He slowly opened his closed eyes and said, “Young Master Lu’s letter was clear enough.”
“Most of You Province has now fallen into Yuan Shao’s hands. Wangjing is merely a solitary city. To the north are the Wuhuan of Liaoxi, and to the south, Yuan Shao can march north at any time. All these people bear an irreconcilable hatred towards Your Excellency, a hatred unto death. And most importantly, the hearts of the people!”
Saying this, Qin Yilu paused, his eyes sweeping over the letter.
“Young Master Lu repeatedly mentioned that General Gongsun executed many prominent families in You Province. This provoked resistance from more families, which is the biggest reason for losing to Yuan Shao… You Province cannot be held any longer, no matter what.”
Qin Yilu’s words almost completely elaborated on the content of Lu Yu’s letter.
Initially, Gongsun Zan didn’t feel much upon hearing it, but the more he listened, the more he recalled Lu Yu’s previous predictions, and his heart grew colder.
Yes…
If not for Young Master Lu’s prediction, perhaps the Wangjing Tower where he was currently standing would have been burned down by Yuan Shao in a tunnel!
The entire Wangjing would likely have turned into a sea of fire…
Even Gongsun Zan’s head might have been severed by Yuan Shao.
These events had happened not long ago… they were vivid in his memory!
“But… where should we retreat to? We can’t possibly go south to the Central Plains, can we?” Gongsun Zan retorted…
Yes…
When had he not considered fleeing this troubled land?
However…
To be blunt, Gongsun Zan was surrounded by enemies on all four sides. It wasn’t so easy to pass through Liaodong to seek refuge with his clan brother Gongsun Du!
Moreover, Yuan Shao’s brilliance lay in… his complete victory over Gongsun Zan in diplomacy. Yuan Shao and Gongsun Du had an alliance.
Alas…
In the end, this was all Gongsun Zan’s own doing. In order to eliminate Liu Yu’s faction, he had bloodily slaughtered the scholars of You Province, causing this trouble!
“Bing Province, Yanmen!”
At this moment, Qin Yilu said, “Young Master Lu has made all the arrangements. As long as General Gongsun agrees, the army can immediately retreat to Yanmen in Bing Province. There, Young Master Lu has stationed a legion. That place is also on the border… Yuan Shao’s focus is on Cao Cao, so his reach may not extend there. And… once General Gongsun and the Yanmen Legion find an opportunity, they will become a sharp blade to counterattack Yuan Shao and reclaim everything that has been lost!”
Hoo…
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan let out a long sigh.
It wasn’t because of Qin Yilu’s superb rhetoric, but rather… the plan he proposed was meticulous and feasible, which indeed reflected Lu Yu’s consistent intricate planning style.
However…
“General Qin? If I, Gongsun Zan, say something that may not sound pleasant…” Gongsun Zan’s tone suddenly became serious. “If I leave You Province, will I still be a regional lord?”
This…
Qin Yilu paused, thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
“Has General Gongsun not understood the situation?”
“If you are Gongsun Zan, a regional lord, then in the current situation, you and your forces are destined to die, because you have lost the hearts of the clans in You Province. And the clans of the Han Dynasty are ‘united.’ No matter where the clans are, they will not support a lord with such a ‘precedent of slaughter’! However…”
“If General Gongsun casts these aside and purely becomes a guardian of the border, a hero in the hearts of the border populace? Then… even if Young Master Lu hadn’t sent me to save you, the people would save you! This is what Young Master Lu mentioned in his letter – water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it!”
Huo…
What a line, water can carry a boat and also capsize it!
Gongsun Zan lowered his head slightly, closed his eyes slowly, contemplating, meditating…
Yes, from the moment he implicated and executed the scholars of You Province to eliminate his opponents, it was destined that he was not a good lord, nor could he become a lord supported by the clans!
Perhaps, a general stationed on the border was his best destination.
Hoo…
Hoo…
Long breaths, one, two, ten, twenty…
Finally, Gongsun Zan’s eyes opened.
“Good…”
He murmured a single word, then sighed, “Anyway, I, Gongsun Zan, have escaped death. Without Young Master Lu, I fear my head would have already been taken by Yuan Shao! Heh heh, then I shall obey Young Master Lu’s orders and retreat the entire army to Yanmen Commandery, Bing Province! I am just a little unwilling.”
“Unwilling? Is it Yuan Shao?” Qin Yilu asked…
“You could say that!” Gongsun Zan raised his eyes and looked towards the south.
If it were according to his nature, taking advantage of Yuan Shao’s southward march, he would have surely sent troops to attack Yuan Shao’s rear. He might not have achieved a great victory, but at least he could have made Yuan Shao pay some price and vented his anger.
And Qin Yilu seemed to understand Gongsun Zan…
Yes, as a general who had been cuckolded and was now working for others, he was someone who had experienced great sorrow and could best understand the feelings in such desperate situations.
“Hahahaha…”
With a shallow laugh, Qin Yilu said, “General Gongsun, actually… Young Master Lu’s letter also mentioned something else?”
“What?”
Qin Yilu said with a smile, “Young Master Lu has already gathered five armies to attack Yuan Shao’s rear? And General Gongsun’s route…”
Before Qin Yilu could finish speaking…
“Hahahahaha…” Gongsun Zan burst into laughter. “This is the day I have been waiting for… Let me be Young Master Lu’s ‘vanguard’!”
Saying this, he suddenly remembered something.
“General Qin? Which five armies did Young Master Lu gather?”
“That’s hard to say…” Qin Yilu shook his head and spread his hands… answering frankly, “The letter didn’t say…”
…
…
Xudu City, outskirts!
The three armies were arrayed… a full ten thousand troops were on standby.
Tap, tap, tap…
With strong, rhythmic footsteps, Cao Cao stepped onto the stone steps under everyone’s gaze and mounted the five-horse carriage.
General Xiahou En, holding the Heaven-Slaying Sword, handed it to Cao Cao.
On this five-horse carriage, the Heaven-Slaying Sword was unsheathed. Cao Cao commanded loudly, “Immediately dispatch troops to Xiapi City to exterminate Liu Bei! After eliminating Liu, we will engage Yuan Shao!”
– “Certain victory…”
– “Certain victory!”
– “Certain victory!”
The cheers of over a hundred thousand troops were earth-shattering.
A moment later…
The drums and horns sounded in unison, and the fluttering “Cao” banner unfurled. The sound of drums rumbled loudly…
Such magnificent momentum declared the determination to eliminate Liu Bei and also announced Cao Cao’s overwhelming hatred for Liu Bei…
…
…
Xu Province, Xiapi City.
The weather was fine today. At this moment, Liu Bei was standing on the city wall of Xiapi City. Sunlight shone down, casting dappled shadows on him.
“Alas…”
With a long sigh, Liu Bei lamented, “If the Son of Heaven knew that I had obtained Xiapi City, he would surely be overjoyed. But if he hears of the defeat of the Jiangdong youths at Guangling City, he will likely fall into despair!”
“My elder brother speaks wisely!” Guan Yu, standing beside him, his eternally stoic face moved slightly, said, “While Xiapi City falling into our hands is indeed good, the Jiangdong youths were unable to capture Guangling City, and Sun Bofu was assassinated, his life or death unknown… Mr. Xu’s original plan is likely to be shelved!”
The Mr. Xu that Guan Yu referred to was naturally Xu Shu…
And the plan that Xu Shu devised for Liu Bei was to ally with Jiangdong and march north to Xu Province, conquering all of Xu Province in one go, and then using Xu Province, the granary of the world, as a base to gradually nibble away at Cao Cao’s territory along with Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Han Sui, and Ma Teng…
Originally… this plan was foolproof.
But who would have thought that such a turn of events would occur in Jiangdong? This…
Zhang Fei, standing beside them, didn’t have as many worries. Instead, he smiled and said, “Why are you two elder brothers worried? In any case, we have gained Xiapi City, and we also have this army of thirty thousand from the Son of Heaven… plus the garrison of Xiapi City. We now have no less than fifty thousand men, and I am training them day and night.”
“That is true.” Guan Yu nodded. “The army’s appearance is not bad, and the morale is high!”
“Good!” Liu Bei praised, “Third brother not only possesses the valor of a fierce general but also the talent of a great commander… Continue training diligently. I estimate that within a month, Cao Cao will attack!”
As these words left his mouth…
Guan Yu’s expression darkened slightly.
Liu Bei beckoned, “Where is General Mi Fang?”
“My Lord!” Mi Fang stepped forward…
Liu Bei patted his shoulder. “It’s a bit of a task for you, but go to Ji Province and meet Yuan Shao. Deliver this letter to him! Firstly, convey the Son of Heaven’s imperial edict written in blood, telling him that the Sun family of Jiangdong has recently been defeated, and the only one who can now boost the morale of the allied forces is Duke Yuan! Secondly, tell him… as long as he raises his army and crosses the Yellow River to attack Cao Cao, I, Liu Bei, am willing to obey his command and serve as his vanguard!”
“Yes…” Mi Fang agreed and hastily withdrew.
Liu Bei’s expression grew even more melancholic…
Despite sending someone to contact Yuan Shao, Liu Bei felt something was wrong!
Yes… compared to Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu of the four generations and three dukes, the Sun family of Jiangdong was undoubtedly more trustworthy!
But…
The urgent matter was that Sun Ce had been assassinated, and the vanguard was gone. Now, who else could turn the tide and re-energize the allied forces except Yuan Shao?
Alas…
Alas…
For some reason, Liu Bei’s right eyelid kept twitching.
People say, the left eyelid twitching – wealth…
The right eyelid twitching – disaster!
…
…