Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 599: Riding Alone into the City
Many days later, in Zhongshan County, Shangquyang County.

Due to the approach of the Baibo Army, three major battles have taken place here in recent days. Although Gongsun Zan's troops repelled the offensive of the Baibo Army, leaving the other side's 70,000 troops helpless for a while, the city was still heavily guarded. Regardless of day or night, the four gates were closed and no strangers were allowed to enter or leave.

Twenty miles west of the city is the camp of the Baibo Army. Xu Huang and Qian Zhao have been frowning for the past few days. Gongsun Zan is a good commander and is not an incompetent person. He has three thousand elite cavalry under his command. Although their side has a large number of people and strong power, it is almost impossible to capture the city in a short period of time, or even recapture the entire Zhongshan County.

The two men were in the military tent, looking at the sand table of Shangquyang County in silence.

After a long while, Xu Huang punched the sand table hard: "How despicable! If you continue to delay like this, it will affect the master's plan. You and I will never forgive you."

Qian Zhao frowned, touched his chin, and stared at the sand table.

"To attack the heart of Jizhou from Yanmen, Zhongshan County is the only way. Although Yanmen is adjacent to Changshan, the mountains there are ten times more dangerous than those near Taiyuan County. It is extremely difficult to march. If we don't capture Zhongshan, it will be difficult to advance even a single step."

"Alas, I also know about this, but who could have thought that Shen Pei and Tian Feng would unexpectedly join Gongsun Zan without any warning? If I were to see them, I would tear them into pieces to vent my hatred."

In a rage, Xu Huang drew his sword and cut off a corner of the table.

"Oh? Who made Gong Ming so angry? Haha, he must be taught a lesson."

A laugh came from outside the tent. When Xu Huang and Qian Zhao heard it, their faces suddenly changed and they quickly ran out.

In Shangquyang County, the soldiers guarding the city on the city wall were in high spirits and guarding the city tightly. Suddenly, they saw a man on horseback coming quickly towards the city gate.

"Stop!" a soldier shouted.

"This city has been closed. No one is allowed to enter or leave at will. Leave quickly!"

The visitor stopped more than ten steps outside the door and looked up at the city wall.

"I am entering the city to discuss important matters with Gongsun Bogui. Please inform me."

"How dare you!" the soldier shouted.

"How dare you address my general by his name? I think you are a spy of the White Wave Army."

Hearing this, the man suddenly laughed: "Haha, if it comes down to it, he should have come out of the city to greet me personally when I came to see him. Now that I haven't pursued the crime of his neglect, what's going on? He won't even let me into the city?"

"Hey, you are really arrogant. You even dared to let my general come to greet you in person. Who are you?"

The man took his time and rolled the whip around his wrist. As he rolled it, he slowly said, "I am not a big shot. I am just an old friend of Brother Gongsun during the campaign against Dong Zhuo."

After rolling up the whip, he raised his head and looked upward again: "Please go and inform this gentleman that an old friend has come to discuss important matters. As for his name, he will know it when he arrives."

The soldier lowered his head and hesitated for a while, but finally ran out.

After a long time, a middle-aged general in full armor appeared on the top of the city wall.

"Who is looking for me? Which old friend is it?"

Liu He looked up and said with a smile: "Brother Bogui, do you still recognize me?"

Gongsun Zan saw the other person's face clearly and his expression suddenly changed: "General?"

"Haha, Brother Bogui has a good memory. It's me."

Gongsun Zan was startled and looked behind Liu He. He then asked, "Why is the general here alone?"

Liu He shrugged his shoulders and said, "This is a long story. I wonder if Governor Gongsun would allow me to come into the city to have a chat?"

Gongsun Zan slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, damn it! Quick, open the city gate!"

He hurried down the tower and went out to greet him in person: "The general has come in person. I am sorry that Zan failed to welcome him from afar. Please come into the city and talk."

Liu He smiled and said, "Haha, Brother Bogui, you are too polite. Please come in."

As soon as the two entered the city, a figure knelt down in front of Liu He and kowtowed repeatedly. "I deserve to die. I didn't recognize the great man. I offended the general. I deserve to die..."

Gongsun Zan frowned and said, "How dare you, you blind bastard, disrespect the general? Come, drag him away and chop him off."

"Ah... General, please spare my life..."

"Hey, Bogui, wait a minute." Liu He shouted.

"I came here alone, without any ceremonial guards or announcement of my name. It is natural that this man has never seen me and does not know my identity. I think he is loyal to his duty and guards the city gate very strictly. He is not guilty, but meritorious. It is no wonder that Bogui has such a loyal and brave man under his command, and his reputation and power are growing day by day."

Gongsun Zan felt very relieved after hearing his words.

"Well, since the general is pleading for you, I will pardon you. Go down."

The soldier kowtowed to Liu He repeatedly: "Thank you very much, General. Thank you very much, General. I will never forget your kindness..."

He kept kowtowing until Liu He and Gongsun Zan walked away.

In the hall, there was a surprised voice: "What? The Baibo Army is the general's army? This... How is this possible?"

Liu He looked at Gongsun Zan who looked incredulous and said seriously, "Indeed. Xu Huang and Qian Zhao were not bribed by me to turn against me, but they were all court officials from the beginning to the end. Many years ago, Yang Feng led his army to attack at night, and Xu Huang's brother Xu Yi was killed by Yang Feng. So after I killed Yang Feng and captured Xu Huang, this man immediately defected to me. At that time, I ordered him to lead 20,000 troops to station in Taihang Mountain, calling himself the White Wave Army, specifically to contain Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army, so as to prevent Bingzhou from being harassed by the Black Mountain Army when I advance into the Central Plains."

"As for Qian Zhao, he was robbed by bandits when he was transporting his teacher's remains back to Jizhou for burial. He was rescued by Xu Huang, who later took him under his command. The Baibo Army wiped out the two Zhangs, pretended to surrender to Yuan Shao, and attacked Yanmen. All of this was just a ploy to capture Jizhou."

"This..." Gongsun Zan's face was filled with shock, and he looked at Liu He again and again.

"The general's wisdom and strategy are truly astonishing. No wonder Yuan Shao, who was so powerful, was almost completely wiped out by the general in just two or three years. Zan really admires him very much."

After he finished speaking, his expression suddenly became stern, as if he realized something, and he looked at Liu He with caution.

"Why? The general came here to ask Zan to withdraw from Zhongshan County so that the Baibo Army can march straight in and allow the general to occupy Jizhou smoothly?"

Liu He couldn't help laughing when he saw him straighten up instantly.

"Haha, why is Bogui so nervous? If I came here for such a bold request, how could I dare to enter the city alone?"

Gongsun Zan's cheeks trembled when he heard this, and he forced a smile: "General, why do you say that? Zan has always been loyal to the court and admires you very much. How dare he try to murder you? This is no joke."

"Oh? Is that so?" Liu He raised his eyebrows and looked at him meaningfully.

"In that case, please withdraw your army from Jizhou so that the imperial army can successfully wipe out the traitor Yuan Shao. After that, I will ask the emperor to issue an order to hand over the land of Youzhou to you, so that my old uncle can return to the court to recuperate. How do you think?"

When Gongsun Zan heard this, he was delighted at first. Exchanging one Zhongshan County for the remaining half of Youzhou was certainly a good deal. However, the joy only stayed on his face for a short while before it faded away.

"Haha, the general is joking."

When Gongsun Zan said this, his eyes looked at his nose, and his nose looked at his heart, and he didn't look at Liu He.

Liu He's response was expected. After all, he always looked down on Liu Yu and thought that Youzhou was already in his pocket. The fact that he had captured most of the cities in the three counties of Youzhou in just six days was enough to prove this point. Why would he need to exchange Zhongshan County for it?
"Yes, yes, it is indeed a joke, but what I am going to say next is indeed true."

Seeing that Liu He's tone suddenly became serious, Gongsun Zan also became nervous. He clenched his fists tightly, and his palms sweated unconsciously.

If he were to ask himself honestly, he knew that his strength was far inferior to Liu He's. Precisely because of this, he had never dared to push Liu Yu too hard over the years. Even when Yuan Shao was fighting against Dong Zhuo, he did not participate when Yuan Shao wanted to summon the princes to attack Liu He who had already occupied Luoyang, because he did not want to offend the other party too early.

Youzhou and Jizhou were the territories he had always dreamed of obtaining. Once he gained control of the two states, he could fight for the world if he advanced, or at least have enough bargaining power when he surrendered to the imperial court, so as to seek wealth and glory for the rest of his life and for his descendants.

Therefore, if Liu He was really tough on him at this time, he would be in a dilemma. It would be wrong to agree, but if he didn't agree, they would have to break up, which would be even more troublesome.

But if I really have to force myself into a situation where I have no other choice, I have no choice but to keep Liu He here today.

(End of this chapter)