Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 132 We urge Gongming to endure humiliation and serve as a hostage in Cao Cao's camp.
Do not be suspicious of each other, lest you fall into Fengxiao's trap?
As soon as Yang Feng said this, Sun Qing was the first to agree.

"Master Yang's mature and prudent words are unlike those of some rash and impulsive young men who easily fall into others' schemes."

As he spoke, he glanced at Cao Chun, his meaning clear.

Just as Cao Chun was about to speak, Xu Huang quickly stepped between the two. He also felt that it was not a good thing that the Yuan army had not yet arrived and that the two troops they had left were already in internal strife, so he also came to advise them.

"I have also heard about the mysterious strategist Fengxiao in Yuan's camp. I have only heard that Yuan often mentions him, saying that he has unfathomable schemes."

Now, by merely recounting some rumors about the Golden Terrace, he has caused us to distrust each other and create internal strife, which shows his capabilities.

The two generals decided to back down and say as little as possible to avoid thwarting his plan.

The two men, considering his relationship with Yang Feng, finally gave up, and the group discussed the matter further.

However, they had no choice but to hold their ground and seek reinforcements. They could only disperse and keep their troops firmly in place to guard against Yuan's army.

After returning to his camp, Yang Feng pondered his situation and became increasingly frustrated.

If Xu Huang had won, he would have been rewarded for returning to the capital with the momentum of his victory, relying on his old subordinate Xu Huang.

If Xu Huang were to be defeated, he would naturally surrender the city to Yuan Shikai, and might even have had a chance encounter at the Golden Terrace.

However, Xu Huang not only suffered a defeat, losing almost all of his troops, but also managed to rescue all of Cao Chun's forces.

This has put him in a predicament where he can no longer seek wealth and power by serving Yuan Shao, and he fears being harmed by Cao Chun.

The defenses cannot last long, and with no reinforcements from the imperial court, defeat is inevitable sooner or later.

If they retreat, they will be defeated and return to the capital, incurring Cao Cao's displeasure, and their fate will be uncertain.

The current situation has truly put him in a difficult position, leaving him with no way to advance or retreat.

Sitting alone by the candlelight, pondering for a long time, Yang ordered someone to summon Xu Huang, and they secretly plotted in the tent.

Upon seeing Xu Huang arrive, he feigned deep sorrow and let out a long sigh.

"Gongming, Gongming, you are so confused."

Why does Master Yang say this?

Seeing Xu Huang's confusion, Yang Feng asked him with a cold laugh.

"Now that we are trapped in Liang, do you think there are any reinforcements in the court?"

"The country is facing difficulties at the moment, and I'm afraid we will have to do our best."

"Without reinforcements, do you think we can hold out for more than a few days in the war against Liang?"

Xu Huang remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "It's nothing but dying for the country."

"Foolish! Blind loyalty!"

Seeing his behavior, Yang Feng quickly adopted a posture of anger at his lack of ambition and questioned him.

"Does Gongming think the Emperor hopes you will die for him in Liang, or does he hope you will remain alive and return to Luoyang to help him?"
Do you think that for His Majesty, the Liang Kingdom, which is fundamentally undefendable and destined to be lost sooner or later, is more important, or is it you, a loyal minister who has served the king and protected him?
Now, are you trying to protect something that His Majesty will lose sooner or later, at the cost of losing a trusted and important minister in the court?

Do you still believe that what you are doing is an act of loyalty to His Majesty, and one that is truly for His Majesty's benefit?

After saying this, Yang Feng sighed softly and offered words of comfort.

“Gongming! I have always known you to be a loyal and righteous person, but your foolish loyalty can only move yourself and cause His Majesty great distress.”

True loyalty requires enduring humiliation and hardship, persevering despite being criticized, and remaining steadfast in one's principles even when viewed with indifference by the world.

Could Gongming truly possess such loyalty and righteousness?

Xu Huang: "."

Xu Huang looked at Yang Feng in surprise, wondering if he had misjudged Yang Gong, just as he had done before when he had ignored Yang Feng's advice and insisted on sending troops.
Was Yang Gong actually such a loyal and righteous person?
"Does Master Yang's statement imply that he already has a plan to defeat Yuan?"

His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "If you have any ideas, I hope you will not hesitate to teach me, even if it means bearing the infamy and humiliation, I will never fail Your Majesty's high expectations."

"Yuan's army is too powerful; how can we defeat them?"

Yang Feng stroked his beard and shook his head, a deep, unfathomable look appearing in his eyes.

"My plan is not to defeat Yuan Shao, but to defeat Cao Cao."

What! ! !
Xu Huang was startled and almost drew his sword, his expression changing drastically.

"Is what Yang Gong meant by enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens actually a desire to betray his principles and join Yuan Shikai, to become a guest on the Golden Terrace?"
As expected, I know I will kill you!

No!
My loyalty to the Emperor is as clear as the sun and moon; I would gladly die for His Majesty!
Why did Gongming humiliate me?

"Today, I speak of defeating Cao Cao not for the sake of the traitor Yuan Shao, but in truth for the sake of the Emperor."

Yang asked Xu Huang to calm down and explain the situation to him in detail.

"Now our troops have been completely wiped out, and the Emperor's military strength in Luoyang has been reduced by half, while Cao Chun's troops remain intact."

With this shift in power, returning to Luoyang would mean the emperor's authority would decline further, while Prime Minister Cao's authority would increase.

Since Liang is destined to fall and cannot be defended, why not use Yuan Shao's treachery to cut off Prime Minister Cao's flesh?
Just as I said before when you wanted to lead the troops into battle, this time with you as the commander-in-chief, you only need to cause losses to Cao Cao's army, and our army will be safe.

Even if we lose the Liang Kingdom, we will still be considered meritorious and blameless in front of you gentlemen when we return to the court.

Why? Yuan's illness, though seemingly a serious ailment for the Han Dynasty, was actually a slow-onset disease.

The problem with Prime Minister Cao is seemingly minor but is actually quite serious! Although the emperor appears to be living peacefully in Luoyang, the court is actually entirely in the hands of Prime Minister Cao, and the disease is developing rapidly and dangerously.

If the Emperor's army gradually weakens and becomes increasingly powerful, while Prime Minister Cao's army grows stronger and more powerful, then will the Han Dynasty you are loyal to be the Emperor, the court, or Prime Minister Cao?
In contrast, Yuan Shao's treachery was immense; the loss of Liang Kingdom made little difference, and he was also counterbalanced by other warlords across the land.

"Now that this is merely a prefecture of the Liang Kingdom, to fight them to the death would be utterly unwise."

Xu Huang sneered upon hearing this!

It was that same old rhetoric again, trying to wear down Cao Cao's army so he could return to the court soon and give an explanation. Yang Gong was indeed the same Yang Gong he knew, unchanged.

With a formidable enemy at hand, how dare we betray our allies?
He wanted to see what kind of plan Yang Feng could come up with this time.

"Then, according to what Master Yang said, how should you teach me now?"

"I have heard that Yuan Shao previously defeated Liu Bei at Changping, and now the method he used to besiege Suiyang was to dig deep trenches and build high walls to trap and annihilate the enemy."

If you attack me now, you may also use this method. I suggest that you let General Cao lead his troops out of the city.

Both villages were fortified with deep trenches and high walls, forming a defensive position alongside Mengxian County, each occupying advantageous terrain and supporting each other.

If Yuan's army besieges Meng County, Cao's army will come to its aid; if Yuan's army besieges Cao's army, we and Sun Qing will come to its rescue. This way, Yuan's army cannot defend both sides, allowing us to hold out for a long time.

Xu Huang was stunned!

He had intended to mock and refute Yang Feng, but he found Yang Feng's words to be very reasonable and was speechless for a moment.

"What Lord Yang said makes sense, but the risks and difficulties of setting up a camp outside the city are far greater than those of holding it inside the city. I'm afraid General Cao is unwilling to do so."

"That is why I have come to invite you, Gongming!"
Currently, Meng County only has two troops, neither of which belong to General Cao. Should we send Sun Qing instead?

His defeated troops are already struggling to defend the city. If we let him leave the city and set up camp, it will probably be breached in an instant, and we won't even have time to come to his aid.

The only option is for Gongming to endure humiliation and, in the name of the commander-in-chief, enter Cao Cao's camp alone as a hostage and go with General Cao.

Only in this way can we dispel General Cao's doubts and prevent him from thinking that we are deliberately using this to deplete Cao's troops.

Xu Huang: "."

But didn't you just tell me that your real purpose was to wear them down so as to weaken Cao Cao's power?
(End of this chapter)