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

Chapter 174. There is a person whose name will shock you!
"My mind is made up. We shall return to the capital in triumph!"

Upon hearing this, before Zhou Yu could say anything more, Lu Xun stepped forward.

"The teacher is wise!"

This is a strategy of retreating in order to advance!
The reason why teachers are currently being besieged by Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and even Liu Biao is because they have won consecutive battles, leaving other warlords helpless and arousing their fear.

The reason why the feudal lords formed an alliance was because they feared their teacher, just as the six states feared the powerful Qin.

As Gongjin said, if we are determined to advance and forge ahead, we may be able to take over the entire territory of Yuzhou. However, if we push too far, the other states will inevitably follow the old example of the six states attacking Qin.

Instead of retreating to advance, let us seize five cities this year and ten more next year. Then we can give the feudal lords a night's rest. When they rise and look around, our army will be there. Even without fighting, the outcome of the battle will be decided.

It is like lighting a fire; if the firewood is not exhausted, the fire will not be extinguished. If we gradually reduce the fire, day by day and month by month, the feudal lords will be driven to ruin, and our army will always be victorious.

At this time, if the teacher retreats, Lü Bu and Liu Bei will fight over Xuzhou, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao will fight in the north, and Liu Biao will be trapped in Jingzhou out of fear.

The feudal lords have different intentions; without the threat of a teacher, they will fight each other. The teacher can remain in Huainan, taking a gradual approach to control them. This is not a matter of immediate conflict, but a long-term strategy.

Yuan Shu, seated on his throne, nodded slightly.

“Boyan’s words are exactly what I think. Chen State is facing Liu Bei and Lü Bu directly, and should still be guarded by Ji Ling and his 30,000 troops. We cannot move it lightly.”

As for the Liang Kingdom, where is General Yue Jin, the General Who Pacifies the East?

"The general is here!"

"I hereby appoint you to command 20,000 troops and oversee all affairs of the Liang Kingdom, in order to defend against the Cao traitors and protect the borders and the people."

"Do you dare accept the order?"

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask!"
Now that I have gained my lord's trust, how could I not be willing to die for him?

Yuan Shu was quite satisfied with this. Yue Jin had performed well during this period, and given the deep-seated hatred of the extermination of his clan, he intended to give him a chance.

However, we cannot let our guard down, so Yuan Shu gave another order:
Are Yuan Yin and Li Feng present?

"Chen is here!"

"Yuan Yin will serve as the military supervisor, and Li Feng as the deputy general. The two of you will assist General Yue in commanding the army, but you must not interfere in military affairs. Do you understand?"

"We, your humble servants, also understand the greater good and will certainly not delay Your Majesty's important matters!"

Yuan Yin and Li Feng were the first two confidants he came into contact with after his transmigration. They were also staunch supporters of the emperor's cause and had cultivated deep roots in Yuan's camp for many years, holding a high position.

With the two of them watching over Le Jin in command of the army, in case of any unforeseen circumstances, it's uncertain whether Le Jin, as an out-of-town commander, could even bypass them to mobilize the troops should he do anything wrong.

As trusted confidants, the two men were well able to understand and carry out Yuan Shu's will, which was: keep an eye on Yue Jin and be on guard, and as long as Yue Jin did not make any improper arrangements in military campaigns, they should not interfere.

After seeing that the two men had also received the order to leave, Yuan Shu called them again and said:

"Where is Boyan?!"

Lu Xun stepped forward to receive the order, "Your student is here!"

“Boyan, you have been with me every day during this time, serving by my side and receiving my instruction. You must have learned a lot, but you lack an opportunity to practice and gain experience!”

Yuan Shu took off the sword from his waist and handed it to him.

This sword is named: As If the Emperor Were Here!

During my return to Shouchun, you will serve as the military advisor to the Liang and Chen kingdoms, taking my place at the front lines, offering advice and strategies to the two generals, and acting flexibly and expediently as needed.

Le Jin and Ji Ling are renowned generals; you should heed their decisions and not act arbitrarily.

Having suddenly risen to a high position, you should remain humble and composed, and write to me on all matters, large and small, so as not to disappoint me.

For Yuan Shu, the only suitable strategists to oversee Chen and Liang at this time were Zhou Yu and Lu Xun.

In terms of ability, Zhou Yu was naturally the most suitable candidate, but in terms of closeness and confidant, he could not compare to Lu Xun, who was often by his side.

Zhou Yu is usable, but Yuan Shu cannot entrust him with important matters alone.

In contrast, Lu Xun, though still young, needed Yuan Shu to entrust him with his sword to solidify his position and influence.

However, following Yuan Shu in his campaigns and offering advice over the past year has allowed the naturally intelligent young man to gain considerable growth and experience.

The purpose of guarding Liang and Chen this time is merely to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, not to send troops into battle.

Moreover, with two great generals, Yue Jin and Ji Ling, in charge of the overall military situation, Yuan Shu would immediately lead a large army to his aid should any unforeseen circumstances arise and Cao Cao and Liu Bei invade.

Therefore, rather than letting Lu Xun play a role here, it is more accurate to say that Yuan Shu deliberately gave him a test, allowing him to leave his side and serve as a military advisor on his own, handling important matters.

Incidentally, he was also Yuan Shu's last line of defense in Chen and Liang, keeping Yue Jin under his control.

If Yue Jin were to remain blindly loyal to Cao Cao even at the cost of the extermination of his entire clan, and if he were to maintain this facade from beginning to end, and if Yuan Yin and Li Feng were unable to control him...

With the power to make decisions on the spot, Lu Xun could take Yuan Shu's sword, take command of the army, and, with the cooperation of Yuan Yin and Li Feng, seize military power from Le Jin, the parachuted commander-in-chief.

With this arrangement, the army consisted of 30,000 troops from the Chen Kingdom and 20,000 troops from the Liang Kingdom. The generals in charge were Ji Ling and Yue Jin. Yuan Yin and Li Feng were there to guard against Yue Jin, and Lu Boyan was there to offer advice and strategies.

At a time when both Cao Cao and Liu Bei needed to recuperate, it can be said that they were well-prepared to handle the situation.

The 30,000 Runan troops led by Xiahou Dun, Taishi Ci, Chen Dao, Xu Sheng, and Yang Hong in Yingchuan to the north were even more impregnable.

As for Lujiang in the south, although Zhang Xun led 20,000 Danyang soldiers back to Shouchun, the 20,000 Black Mountain bandits that Zhao Yun brought were left with Zhu Huan to guard against Liu Biao at any time.

Thus, Yuan Shu's permanent troops stationed in various important locations to guard against the various warlords reached 100,000.

This is also why he had to return to his army to rest and reorganize. At this time, Yuan Shu had fought many battles in Liang, and of the 70,000 main force he brought with him, only 40,000 remained.

At present, 20,000 men were assigned to Yue Jin to guard Liang State, while he himself led 20,000 men back to Shouchun. Together with the 20,000 Danyang soldiers under Zhang Xun and the 10,000 elite garrison troops in Shouchun, the total of 150,000 men was Yuan Shu's current total force.

At this moment, in the royal palace, Lu Xun was taken aback when he heard that his teacher was going to personally teach him the sword and instruct him to temporarily take charge of the affairs of Liang and Chen.

It should be noted that previously only Yan Xiang had received Yuan Shu's sword, and now that he was being given a second sword, how could Lu Xun not be moved to tears by the expectation and care shown towards his student? He bowed deeply in gratitude.

"I dare not refuse the gift from my teacher."

The student will do his utmost to manage all matters concerning Liang and Chen for the teacher, and will not dare to overstep the bounds in the slightest.

"Teacher, this departure is our last, and we know not when we will meet again. When you next lead your troops north, I will surely restore the Liang and Chen kingdoms to their former glory."

The teacher and student parted ways. Yuan Shu personally placed his sword in Lu Xun's hand, but Lu Xun bowed down and raised it above his head with both hands.

Do not disappoint me.

"only!"

The arrangements for Liang and Chen were carried out steadily under Yuan Shu's orders.

After everything was finished, he smiled and said to the King of Liang and the King of Chen, who were in the corner:

"Your Majesties may accompany me to Shouchun to celebrate the New Year together."

King Liang hesitated slightly, stammering.

"Well... the young prince has already been granted his fiefdom and may not leave without an imperial edict."

However, before King Liang could finish speaking, Luo Jun, the prime minister of King Chen, angrily rebuked King Chen in court!

"The General extended such a generous invitation, why does my king hesitate?"
"The Grand General, who holds absolute power, does he really need to write an edict?" Prince Liu Chong of Chen: "."

I didn't hesitate at all! I was just about to agree when he spoke first. Prime Minister, why are you reprimanding me like this?

Upon being rebuked by the court, Prince Liu Chong of Chen dared not hesitate and hurriedly bowed deeply in response.

"I am deeply grateful to the General for his decree and wish to travel to Shouchun to celebrate this festive occasion together."

The scene of the king and his prime minister singing in unison left the still-declining King Liang completely stunned.

No, are the dignified Liu family members of your Chen Kingdom, who were granted the title of king and prime minister, really so spineless?
Does that make my earlier refusal seem abrupt?
King Liang gritted his teeth, stared at King Chen and his ministers, and rebuked them in court!
"What King Chen said makes sense!"

"Just now, I was momentarily confused. I hope the General will not take offense. In truth, I have long admired the prosperity and wealth of Shouchun and am eager to go."

Yuan Shu: "."

He nodded silently, then led his army back in triumph.

Meanwhile, in Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

Wen Ping knelt below the hall for a long time, saying, "Reporting to my lord, I failed to capture Lujiang and also lost General Huang Zu and several thousand soldiers."

I deeply regret failing to live up to your high expectations, and have come here to apologize.

Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, kneeling beside him, relied on their close relationship with Liu Biao and had fought Jiang Qin to a standstill on the Yangtze River.

The reason for the later withdrawal was that Wen Ping's army had already been defeated and retreated. Therefore, he not only showed no intention of admitting his guilt, but also made sarcastic remarks.

“Mao said at the time that Yuan Shu’s power was too great to resist and could not be defeated by force. How could we easily become enemies with him just because Cao Cao had issued an edict while holding the emperor hostage?”

"Yes, they didn't listen to us earlier. Now not only have we wasted our efforts and supplies, but we've even lost General Huang Zu."

Kuai Yidu, what else do you have to say now?

Upon hearing this, Kuai Yue sneered and said:
"The defeat of these generals today confirms what I said before."

Yuan Shu's power is already secured. If we don't join forces with Cao Cao and Liu Bei soon and launch another large-scale attack, we'll be left with nothing but death once all the other warlords are wiped out.

"Kuai Yidu, our lord values ​​you highly and always heeds your advice. But what are your true intentions in saying this today?"

"Send another large army to attack? Do you wish for us to die in Lujiang like General Huang, or do you hope that all of our lord's troops will be wiped out in Lujiang?"

Faced with Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's interrogation, Kuai Yue stepped forward with unwavering righteousness.

"The struggle for supremacy among the feudal lords is an inevitable trend. If we do not act now, it will surely cause trouble later!"

In the main hall, Liu Biao silently watched the crowd argue, his eyes growing colder.

It wasn't until the ministers, who were debating whether or not to continue attacking Yuan Shu, noticed the change in atmosphere and their voices gradually lowered that he spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Noise! ​​Noise! ​​Noise!"

If we argue until tomorrow and until night, will we be able to kill Yuan Shu?
Do you think I don't know that Yuan Shu's power is too great and must be contained? Did I not listen to your orders to send troops?

Have you won the fight yet?
Should we join forces with Cao Cao and Liu Bei to continue the campaign? Didn't the latest military report from the north arrive some time ago?

Yuan Gonglu defeated 130,000 Liang troops with 70,000 men, beheaded Sun Qing, captured Mao Jie, and forced Xu Huang to retreat.

Even Yue Jin, whom Cao Cao sent to attack Yingchuan, became Yuan Shu's General Who Pacifies the East.

Liu Bei's trusted confidant, Jian Yong, even fell from the city wall after the fall of Suiyang to die for his loyalty.

What's the result now?
Wenping, tell me, even with him fighting like this in the north, you still lost?

Zi Rou! Another Dimension!
Tell me, with the war at this point, what am I supposed to use to fight? Am I supposed to wash my neck clean and wait in Jingzhou for Yuan Gonglu to draw his sword and kill me?

Seeing Liu Biao's bloodshot eyes and red gaze, none of the ministers dared to speak, except for Kuai Liang, who looked up at him.

"Although Huang Zu was defeated in this temporary setback, General Wen made a decisive move to save the soldiers. Our army did not suffer too much loss. Our lord may still have a chance to make a comeback. Why be angry?"
Although Yuan Shu was powerful, he was not yet capable of contending with several warlords on his own.

The reason he won one victory after another was simply that the feudal lords had their own agendas and could not cooperate, which allowed him to defeat them one by one.

Even with the might of the Qin Dynasty in the past, it dared not withstand the combined might of the six states. It still needed to form alliances with distant states and attack nearby ones, dividing and conquering them.

"Yuan Shu is not as powerful as Qin, and our lord is not as weak as the six states were. Why then do you feel fear and avoid them like the plague?"

After Kuai Liang finished speaking, Kuai Yue stepped forward and continued to speak.

"Anyone in the palace who says that Yuan Shu cannot be defeated by force, or who is afraid to fight, may be killed by the Lord, so as to set an example for all."

Everyone in Jingzhou can surrender, but our lord must not!

Even after we surrendered to Yuan, we were still relied upon by Yuan Shu to govern Jingzhou. If you, my lord, surrender to Yuan, where will he place you, a member of the Han imperial family?

There is no way to retreat now; we have no choice but to fight to the death!

Just as Liu Biao was speechless after what the two men had said, a messenger rushed in to report.

Report! Yuan Shu has withdrawn his troops and ceased hostilities!

He has withdrawn his troops from the north, leaving General Yue Jin, the pacification general, to guard the Liang state, and his top general to guard the Chen state, while he has led his troops back to Shouchun.

Upon hearing this, Kuai Yue was overjoyed and said to him:

"Our lord Yuan Shu has withdrawn his troops!"

This shows that he was not invincible. Under the siege of several warlords, he finally could not hold out and had to return to Shouchun to cease hostilities.

Kuai Liang also seized the opportunity to suggest, "My lord, you can take this opportunity to send a letter to Cao Cao and Liu Bei! Just say that Yuan Shu was afraid of your control from the rear, which is why he had no choice but to retreat."

Using this opportunity, I will request official titles from the court and demand money and provisions from the two men. If they refuse, I will threaten them by saying that I will no longer restrain Yuan Shu when he marches north, and then the two men will surely provide provisions.

"Zirou's plan is brilliant."

So Liu Biao listened for a long time and actually took the plan to heart.

"This time, in order to force Yuan Gonglu to retreat, I launched a military campaign, which not only cost me money and food, but also resulted in the loss of one of my generals."

Now that Yuan's army has indeed withdrawn, it would be unreasonable for those two not to allocate some provisions to us.

"My lord, what about joining forces with Cao Cao and Liu Bei to launch a large-scale attack on Yuan Shu?"

When Kuai Yue pressed him for details, Liu Biao frowned and sighed deeply.

"You speak of the advantages and disadvantages, how could I not know them?"
Unfortunately, it's not that I'm unwilling to send troops, but rather that I lack the strength.

Brothers may quarrel within the walls, but they unite to defend against external threats. Now that a formidable enemy is on the outside, how can the nine prefectures of Jingzhou and Xiangyang not join forces to resist it?
Wen Ping said that Zhao Zilong of Changshan had the ability to take the heads of ten thousand soldiers, and that he could kill Huang Zu in battle as easily as taking something out of a bag.

Now, all of you have discussed this matter together: in our Jingzhou, who can rival us?

"Huang Zhong from Changsha is good!"
He was exceptionally skilled in martial arts and was appointed as a lieutenant general by his lord in his early years, where he was known for his loyalty and bravery.

"Now we can order him to lead 10,000 men from Zhang Xian, the Prefect of Changsha, to come and aid us in this national crisis."

Seeing that Kuai Yue had remonstrated with one person, Cai Mao, not to be outdone, interjected:
"What's Huang Zhong? I know someone whose name will shock you!"

(End of this chapter)