Han officials

Chapter 158: Two Brothers, Incompatible [4.7K]

On the Yi Si day of the second month of the first year of Chuping.

In the bright sunshine of the early morning, yellow clouds of dust were seen rising from the official road outside Hucheng Pavilion. In the yellow dust, a flag embroidered with the word "Cao" could be faintly seen fluttering in the cold wind. The gilded tiger head on the top of the flagpole also emitted a hint of cold light. In the middle, there was also a large banner with the words "Fenwu General Cao". Below it, a long team was slowly crawling like a winding python.

After seeing this scene, the clerk from Hucheng Pavilion knelt in the dust beside the official road from a distance.

Especially when they heard the sound of war horses clashing with swords, they subconsciously lowered their heads.

Even though he saw many soldiers stepping on the millet ears by the roadside, he dared not make a sound.

It was not until he saw a man who looked like a general approaching on horseback that he trembled with fear and saluted, "I am Bijie, the father of Hucheng Ting, and I pay my respects to the general!"

According to Han Dynasty regulations, in addition to the Tingzhang (Tingzhang), a Tingzuo (Tingzuo) would handle daily affairs. If the Tingzhang (Tingzuo) was absent, he would take over the duties of the Tingzhang. Furthermore, there were Tingzuo (Tingzuo), who were responsible for apprehending thieves and maintaining public order, and Tingfu (Tingfu), who were responsible for opening and closing the gates and sweeping the grounds.

However, looking at the frail old man in front of him, Cao Cao on horseback frowned slightly.

"Are there any other people here?"

The frail old man bowed with trembling hands upon hearing this and said, "General, they have all fled, and I am the only one left here."

Luoyang used to be the safest place in the Nine Provinces, but since the death of the previous emperor, it has become the most turbulent place in the world, which makes it impossible for these officials to endure it.

In fact, if it weren't for his disabled legs, he would have escaped as well.

After all, with hundreds of thousands of anti-Dong coalition forces blocking the gate outside Luoyang, even a small official knew what would happen.

It's really not worth their lives to work for those few buckets of salary.

Seeing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh softly, and looked at the old man in front of him and stopped talking.

At the same time, the scout's bay horse had passed through the layers of troops and arrived in front of Cao Cao's horse. He dismounted with a look of shock on his face and bowed down: "General, the Beimang Emperor's Tomb has been excavated, and the entire Yuan family has been exterminated!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Cao Cao on his horse was stunned.

Not to mention him, even Cao Hong standing beside him couldn't help but open his mouth wide, at a loss.

Upon hearing this, Jibei Prime Minister Bao Xin's face immediately turned red and he was furious.

Similarly, many military officers were shocked and could not help but whisper to each other, and the morale of the army was instantly shaken.

Fortunately, Cao Cao reacted quickly. Seeing this, he drew his sword and roared, "The traitor Dong has committed such treason! My men, follow me and enforce justice on behalf of Heaven, and restore order to the Han Dynasty!"

As soon as these words came out, Bao Xin drew his sword and raised his arm, saying:
"Everyone has the right to kill the traitors!"

Upon hearing this, everyone around them shouted in indignation.

"Rebellious ministers and traitors should be punished by everyone!"

"Rebellious ministers and traitors should be punished by everyone!"

"Rebellious ministers and traitors should be punished by everyone!"

But in just a moment, the soldiers who had been a little panicked before suddenly became united in their hatred of the enemy.

Seeing the angry expressions on the faces of the generals, Cao Cao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It was a close call, Dong Zhuo almost killed someone to establish his authority.

However, this cannot be blamed on Cao Cao's carelessness.

After all, the Yuan family of Runan was very famous, and almost everyone in the world knew about it.

Even many military officers under Cao Cao grew up hearing about the reputation of the Yuan family of Runan. Such a prominent family was executed by Dong Zhuo. One can imagine how shocking it must have been to ordinary people.

It was not until this time that Cao Cao had time to question the scouts in detail.

After hearing what the scouts said, he realized that Dong Zhuo had ordered the Inspector of the Capital to kill the Grand Tutor Yuan Wei and the Grand Coachman Yuan Ji yesterday, and to exterminate their entire clan, killing all the infants and women, leaving no one alive. The reason was that the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu had rebelled.

To be honest, this shocked Cao Cao even more than Dong Zhuo's excavation of the imperial tomb.

After all, Dong Zhuo was a disciple and former official of the Yuan family. How could he dare to risk the condemnation of the world?
Didn’t Dong Zhuo know that the one who first created the tomb burials would have no descendants?
If he kills the entire Yuan family today, will he still dare to trust his own students and former officials in the future?
For a moment, Cao Cao was even speechless.

However, Cao Hong, standing nearby, suddenly remembered something and immediately stepped forward, whispering, "Brother, this is a golden opportunity! With the Yuan family's execution, Yuan Benchu and Yuan Gonglu will surely not remain indifferent. If troops are dispatched from Henei and Nanyang, they can join forces with our army and lay siege to Luoyang. This way, our army will surely win this battle!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately came to his senses.

Looking at the high-spirited soldiers before him, Cao Cao hesitated for a moment before decisively saying, "Pass on my order. You must reach Ao Cang before sunset!"

As the order was issued, nearly 20,000 troops quickly accelerated and advanced towards Luoyang.

However, after Cao Cao left, the thin Tingfu was full of worry as he looked at the backs of the rebels.

After thinking for a while, he finally dragged his old body and left with his luggage.

After all, no matter who wins or loses, a few defeated soldiers can break his old bones.

Leaving home may mean life or death, but looking at the situation, staying here means certain death!

At the same time, as time passed, the situation in Luoyang finally became known to the outside world.

In particular, the nearby Henei County and Nanyang County soon learned the news of Yuan's execution.

……

Nanyang County, Yuan family's villa.

Yuan Shu drew his sword like a madman and started slashing around randomly. Soon, the servants and maids around him fell to the ground with screams and died.

Even so, Yuan Shu was still filled with rage. Covered in blood, his face was grim and he roared to the sky, "You bastard! I will chop you into pieces and turn you into minced meat!"

The strong resentment in the voice immediately frightened the servants around him.

After a while, an old servant finally stepped forward and reported, "Sir, everyone in Nanyang has come to offer their condolences. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu, who was furious, suppressed his anger and began to think.

Contrary to the impression of later generations that Yuan Shu was naughty and Yuan Shao was obedient, according to current views, Yuan Shu was the obedient good boy.

Because Yuan Shao's friendship with the party members was completely his own idea and had nothing to do with the Yuan family.

Initially, he was active outside as the son-in-law of the party leader Li Ying, and later he took on other identities.

In contrast, Yuan Shu developed in the officialdom in accordance with his family's arrangements.

Since his eldest brother Yuan Ji would take over as the head of the family in the future, he would honestly go to the army to develop his skills and become a helper.

Therefore, Yuan Shu was very clear about the interactions between the gentry and immediately discovered a problem.

It seems... he has become the undisputed leader of the Runan Yuan family?
This was not Yuan Shu's wild idea, but he was the only male descendant left in the main line of the Runan Yuan family.

Although Yuan Feng is the second child, because his eldest brother died young, the head of the Runan Yuan family is actually Yuan Feng's branch.

Even though Yuan Shao was adopted by Yuan Feng to inherit the family line under the name of his elder brother Yuan Cheng, he could only be considered a side branch.

Therefore, with all the Yuan family members in Luoyang being killed, Yuan Shu was the only one left in the main branch of the Yuan family in Runan.

In this situation, unless Yuan Shu took the initiative to give way to Yuan Shao, the followers of the Yuan family in Runan would probably only recognize Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shao may have a high reputation among his party members, but Yuan Shu has more advantages south of the Yellow River.

This can be seen from the reactions of the major aristocratic families in Nanyang.

When he thought of this, Yuan Shu's expression changed drastically.

There was the secret joy of suddenly taking over the family, but also the panic of being caught off guard.

But in the end, Yuan Shu changed his mindset and began to think from the perspective of the head of the Yuan family.

The first thing he had to do was, of course, to avenge this blood feud with Dong Zhuo!
After just a moment's thought, Yuan Shu made up his mind.

He said to his aide Yan Xiang with a murderous look on his face, "Write a letter to Sun Wentai immediately and order him to lead his troops to Nanyang for the alliance!"

Yan Xiang was stunned when he heard this. "Are you talking about...Sun Wentai, the governor of Changsha?"

It is no wonder that Yan Xiang hesitated. After all, he was only Yuan Shu's aide, not Yuan Ji or Yuan Feng's aide, and he was not clear about many things about the Yuan family of Runan.

However, Yuan Shu, the legitimate son of the Yuan family, knew clearly: "Who else could it be if not him?"

He said with a defiant look on his face, "When Zhu Gongwei returned home for mourning, who pulled him out of the corner of Luoyang? And when the Qiang rebelled in Liangzhou three years ago, who asked Zhang Boxun to take him along? It was me, my family, who gave him the chance to succeed!"

Even though the Liangzhou rebellion was not quelled, Sun Jian was still able to serve as the prefect of Changsha under the arrangement of the Yuan family. Later, he was able to make an exception and be granted the title of Marquis of Wucheng County, which was also due to the Yuan family.

So long before the chaotic times came, Sun Jian was already a disciple of the Yuan family.

This is not surprising. In the Han Dynasty, it was not uncommon for one person to have two sponsors.

At the beginning, the Yuan family saw that the situation in the world was becoming more and more turbulent, so they wanted to recruit some capable and good generals. This was the case with Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian.

With Dong Zhuo's death, the most capable warrior among Yuan's disciples became Sun Jian. The sound of the night watchman's clappers outside the window startled a flock of crows roosting under the eaves.

However, just as Yan Xiang was writing, Yuan Shu suddenly turned around and pressed his sword, saying, "No, wait a moment. Dong Zhuo is an old dog that can't be tamed. How can we be sure that Sun Wentai won't turn against his master?"

Hearing Yuan Shu say this, Yan Xiang immediately paused his writing and frowned slightly.

Indeed, Dong Zhuo was an ungrateful person, but wasn’t Sun Wentai also a fierce tiger from Jiangdong?

If you want to control tigers and wolves to serve you, there will inevitably be the risk of backlash.

The Yuan family of Runan suffered such a great loss at the hands of Dong Zhuo that even if Yuan Shu was a fool he should have been alert.

After pacing back and forth in the hall for a while, Yuan Shu suddenly said in a cold voice with a gloomy look in his eyes, "Tell Sun Wentai that Jingzhou Governor Wang Rui and Nanyang Prefect Zhang Zi have secretly allied with the traitor Dong and are trying to harm my family. Ask him if he can help me solve my problem!"

As soon as these words came out, Yan Xiang's pen tip couldn't help but tremble slightly.

But looking at Yuan Shu's gloomy expression, Yan Xiang thought about it and decided to keep silent.

It doesn't matter if his methods are a bit crude, but the Yuan family of Runan has the foundation for him to squander!
Looking at the receding figures of the Yuan family soldiers, Yan Xiang couldn't help but think so.

……

Not to mention how Yuan Shu was gritting his teeth and preparing for revenge.

Yuan Shao in Henei County naturally also received the news.

In the meeting room, lights flickered.

Yuan Shao's hands were shaking slightly as he held the Luoyang notice.

After a moment, Yuan Shao cried out in pain, "Uncle..." and then fell backwards, unconscious.

After a lot of effort, the doctor finally woke him up. After waking up, Yuan Shao suddenly pushed away his attendants and roared with bloodshot eyes, "The thief Dong slaughtered my entire Yuan family. God, I will wipe out all nine generations of his clan! Send a message to the troops, march out tomorrow!"

Seeing this, everyone in the hall suddenly didn't dare to persuade him, nor did they know how to persuade him.

Only Xu You, who was standing by, saw this and grabbed Yuan Shao's sleeve, saying earnestly, "Benchu, a gentleman does not raise an army when angry. You should put the world first!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yuan Shao's eyes suddenly narrowed.

But then he overturned the table with an angry look on his face, and cried bitterly, "How can you understand the pain that is tearing my heart apart!"

Seeing this, the left and right aides hurried forward to persuade him, and after a long time, Yuan Shao barely recovered a little.

However, like Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao immediately decided to take revenge.

And unlike Yuan Shu, who had just gathered a group of ragtag men, Yuan Shao still had some strength under his command.

Especially after learning that Cao Cao had sent troops to attack Ao Cang, Yuan Shao resolutely expressed his determination to send troops to attack Dong Zhuo and avenge his clan.

Seeing this situation, Yuan Shao's staff did not dare to stop him and could only brainstorm and make plans.

After some discussion, the Hanoi coalition forces finally came up with a specific battle plan.

First, Wang Kuang, the governor of Henei, sent his attendant Han Hao to lead 2,000 soldiers to garrison outside Mengjin Pass as a decoy and a bluff. Then Wang Kuang sent 5,000 Taishan soldiers recruited under his command to garrison Heyangjin, launching the real offensive.

Yes, Yuan Shao cried for a long time and shouted for revenge loudly, but in the end it was Wang Kuang, the governor of Henei, who took on the main task of sending troops, while Yuan Shao could only "helplessly" stay behind because of his small number of soldiers and generals.

Originally, Yuan Shao's staff had suggested that Zhang Yang and Yu Furuo, the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu, send troops together. However, when these two people saw that Yuan Shao did not send troops, they immediately found various excuses to shirk their responsibilities without any regard for their dignity.

As a result, the next day only Wang Kuang, the governor of Henei, led the troops with a high-spirited look on his face.

Of course, Wang Kuang was not a fool, and his ideas were similar to Cao Cao's.

Wang Kuang didn't even think about crossing the river. He just planned to test it out and then turn back.

In his opinion, Cao Cao was attacking Ao Cang anyway, so it shouldn't be too dangerous if he just tried to test it out.

He only needs to lead his troops on a tour to gain fame and make Yuan Shao and other members of the Yuan family owe him a favor.

Why not do something with such low risk and high return?

However, Wang Kuang did not know that when he sent out his troops, Cao Cao's side had already collapsed.

……

On the other hand, although Cao Cao was full of confidence when he set out, he didn't even reach Ao Cang.

After leaving Hucheng Pavilion, he could see Ao Cang City from afar. However, the 20,000 troops had just crossed the Bian River, and before he could reorganize his troops, a cloud of dust appeared in front of him, as if a large group of cavalry was coming. Seeing this, Cao Cao immediately felt nervous and quickly ordered a defense.

However, it was too late. Although the enemy seemed far away, it would only take a moment for the cavalry to attack.

As the smoke and dust got closer, the figures of the opposing cavalry finally became clear. They were seen waving the flag of "General Xu of the Central Army". Judging from the size of the cavalry, there were about 5,000 cavalrymen, including Qiang, Xiongnu, and Han people. But without exception, they were all well-equipped with strong armor and sharp swords.

Before Cao Cao's men could counterattack, the enemy launched a volley of archery on horseback.

After three waves of arrows, the Cao-Bao coalition forces suffered heavy casualties, and the enemy was approaching.

"Shoot! Quick, shoot! Where are the chevaux de frise? Set them up quickly."

In a hurry, Cao Cao quickly commanded his generals to meet the enemy.

However, this time and that time.

Now he is not commanding the Southern Army or the Northern Army, and the opponents are not the Yellow Turban bandits.

Although the coalition forces fired a wave of arrows, the other side smoothly broke up into small groups, splitting into dozens of arrow arrays and rushing towards Cao Cao's troops with a roar.
"Bang!" The warhorse of a Qiang cavalryman directly hit the Cao army soldier who was unable to dodge. The man was immediately knocked far away. Because his chest collapsed, he died in mid-air.

However, the Liangzhou soldier did not panic at all. Instead, he used his familiar horsemanship to steer his horse to a standing position, and then stepped down heavily with his hooves, stepping on another Cao army soldier, causing him to vomit blood and unable to recover.

For a moment, the Liangzhou army was like a wolf among a flock of sheep, and the Cao-Bao coalition forces that had just crossed the river were thrown into chaos.

It was obvious that their troops had four times the number of the enemy, but they were completely defeated by the 5,000 cavalry. Even though Cao Cao led the troops and shouted at them, it was of no use.

At this moment, the courage of the generals could no longer offset the huge gap in the quality of the army.

Cao Cao was actually well-versed in military tactics, so when he crossed the river, he was always on guard against being attacked halfway across.

However, he did not expect that the enemy did not attack when his side was in the most dangerous situation, but waited until the army crossed the river before launching a sudden attack, which caught Cao Cao off guard.

As Cao Cao behaved, the soldiers under his command and the new recruits he recruited became even more miserable.

If Cao Cao had focused on training his troops in the Suanzao Camp for half a year, he might have been able to turn the situation around.

But now, it's too late to save the situation!

Seeing Wei Zi being beheaded by a Liangzhou soldier and Bao Tao being pierced through the heart by arrows, Cao Cao, who was not far away, was immediately furious.

However, just as Cao Cao was about to fight to the death, Cao Hong on the side held him back tightly.

"Brother, it's too late, let's go!"

Seeing that the coalition forces had suffered heavy casualties and were completely unable to fight back, Cao Cao could only grit his teeth, rein in his horse, and flee under the escort of Cao Hong.

However, the Liang Province soldiers behind them were chasing too fiercely, and soon Cao Cao and Cao Hong were caught up. The personal soldiers around them either ran away or died in battle, leaving only the two of them to support each other.

However, what you fear will come true. After a while, the front hoof of Cao Cao's mount broke.

Seeing this, Cao Hong dismounted without hesitation and gave his mount to Cao Cao.

Cao Hong said with a resolute face: "The world can do without me, but it cannot do without you."

After saying this, he whipped the horse hard and then chased after it on foot.

Because there were too many fleeing soldiers and the two men had taken off their general uniforms, the Liangzhou cavalry chasing them did not pursue them relentlessly.

They were even too lazy to waste swords and arrows, and directly drove their horses to drive the remaining defeated soldiers into the Bian River to drown them. Judging from their familiar methods, it was obvious that they had done this many times.

Xu Rong, the main general in this battle, didn't even take action himself before the battle ended.

However, the Liang Province officers and soldiers under his command were somewhat complacent after easily defeating the Cao-Bao coalition. They immediately suggested, "Why fear such a ragtag group? General, why not just wipe out the Suanzao bandit camp?"

Only at this moment did Xu Rong frown slightly.

"No need to say more, the Grand Master has given the order to kill the bandits on this road!"

After saying this, Xu Rong said in a cold voice without any room for doubt: "Withdraw the troops!"

Looking at the scattered figures of defeated soldiers on the other side of the river, Xu Rong was actually somewhat glad that it was not Wei Zhe who came this time.

Otherwise, he really didn't know what to do in today's battle.

Thinking of this, Xu Rong looked worried despite having just won a great victory...
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[Finished before 12 o'clock, not bad, keep up the good work! ]

(End of this chapter)