Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 185 Rescuing Liu Bei's Mother, Gongsun Zan Entrusts His Wife and Son (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Zhang Yan was also frightened by Xu Shu's threat.

If they're so assertive even when borrowing troops, who's really the host and who's the guest?
Am I wrong for not borrowing troops?

The surrounding Black Mountain warriors were also completely bewildered.

I've seen people borrow troops before, but I've never seen anyone borrow troops so forcefully.

Is the commander really going to lend it?

All the fierce soldiers turned to look at Zhang Yan.

however.

As Zhang Yan's expression changed, her aura also gradually weakened.

After a while.

Zhang Yan gritted her teeth and blurted out, "How much do you want to borrow?"

Upon hearing this, both Shi Tao and his seven companions, as well as the Black Mountain warriors, looked at Zhang Yan in astonishment.

Weren't you very reluctant just now?
Why are you suddenly asking how much I need to borrow?
Deep down, Zhang Yan really didn't want to lend it.

Originally, they only planned to secretly seize grain while Liu Yu, Yuan Shao, and Han Fu were fighting Gongsun Zan, but now they also have to go to rescue Yuyang City.

The Black Mountain Army, though called an army, was really just a bunch of bandits.

For bandits to attack a regular army is like throwing an egg against a rock.

But if Zhang Yan hadn't refused to rescue Yuyang City, he would have truly been surrounded by enemies.

After Liu Yu, Yuan Shao, and Han Fu destroyed Gongsun Zan, they certainly wouldn't tolerate Zhang Yan. Apart from relying on Liu Bei, Zhang Yan had no other one to rely on.

Zhang Yan had no choice but to either sit and wait for death or save Yuyang City and gamble on a rich future.

Most importantly, all eight of Xu Shu's men are currently wearing armor. If Zhang Yan refuses to agree, Xu Shu himself could become the leader of the Black Mountain Army.

When the time comes, Xu Shu will say: "Follow me to save people, and you will all have a prosperous future." Some of Zhang Yan's former subordinates will surely leave with Xu Shu.

The reason they gathered in Black Mountain was not because of Zhang Yan's personal prestige, but because following Zhang Yan meant they could survive.

If following Xu Shu would not only ensure survival but also lead to a better life, who would be foolish enough to actually become a thief?

Zhang Yan was able to become a bandit leader not only because of his martial prowess, but also because he was smarter than ordinary bandits. He knew when to be pragmatic and when not to, and his grave would be overgrown with weeds by now.

"Commander Zhang is a truly straightforward man." Xu Shu ignored Zhang Yan's gritted teeth and said, "The art of war says that the strength of an army lies not in its quantity, but in its deployment. But I don't know much about military strategy, so the more the better."

Zhang Yan felt like she was going to vomit blood.

I thought from the first sentence that they were just borrowing a few hundred riders, but then they changed their tune and said the more the better.

“I have three thousand cavalry, all of whom I can lend to you.” Zhang Yan sighed and said, “But let me make this clear: these three thousand cavalry are all unarmored. They can be used for harassment, but they definitely can’t win a real battle. Saving Yuyang is one thing, but we can’t all go to our deaths.”

"Don't worry. I'm not confident that a bunch of thieves like you can defeat Liu Yu, Yuan Shao, and Han Fu." Xu Shu reassured Zhang Yan, then added, "Yuyang City cannot be defended. Our mission is to hold them off and provide cover, not to fight to the death."

Xu Shu was also self-aware and did not believe that he could fight against Liu Yu, Yuan Shao and Han Fu with Zhang Yan's small force.

The biggest disadvantage of bandits was their lack of armor.

In the heat of battle, the difference between having armor and not having armor is like night and day.

Why was Liu Bei often able to win with fewer troops?

Because Liu Bei's armor was superior, he was able to ignore the enemy's numerical advantage and achieve victories against overwhelming odds.

With Xu Shu's assurance, Zhang Yan felt relieved. As long as it wasn't a fight to the death, his three thousand cavalrymen could try their luck at Yuyang.

After agreeing, Zhang Yan stopped worrying about it.

Since we have chosen to borrow troops, we must do our best to rescue Liu Bei's mother, otherwise the troops will have been borrowed in vain.

Zhang Yan didn't dare to lend his troops to Xu Shu directly, and this time he even took the lead himself.

Three thousand cavalrymen set off from Heishan and galloped towards Yuyang.

And on the other side.

Feng Ji's plot to harm Han Fu gradually unfolded.

As Yuan Shao's most trusted strategist, Feng Ji's strategies were not only ruthless but also vicious.

Apart from Yuan Shao, Liu Yu, Han Fu, Qu Yi, Gongsun Zan, and even Zhang Jin, who persuaded Qu Yi, were all pawns of Feng Ji.

"Snapped--"

Liu Yu slammed Gongsun Zan's letter to the ground and angrily rebuked the bound soldiers in the tent: "A man cannot stand without integrity. I promised Gongsun Zan that I would not send spies into the city within fifteen days. How dare you break my orders? Who instructed you? If you do not speak, you will be beheaded and your head displayed to the public."

Liu Yu was furious.

Just five days before Gongsun Zan was about to surrender the entire city, Gongsun Zan sent a letter and a bound spy, angrily denouncing Liu Yu as a faithless hypocrite.

In chaotic times of war, any means necessary to win will be employed, because if you don't use them, someone else will.

However, Liu Yu always believed that he could influence the enemy with morality, and the surrender of Qiu Liju and others made Liu Yu even more convinced that he did not need to use tricks and schemes.

Liu Yu was already furious because Yuan Shao had secretly sent people to abduct Liu Bei's mother. Now, another spy has entered the city and ruined the agreement between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan.

The soldier cried out in protest, "Grand Marshal, I was only following orders. It was Lord Han who instructed me to go."

"Hmm?" Liu Yu stared sharply at Han Fu, his murderous intent undisguised.

Anyone who tarnishes Liu Yu's reputation is Liu Yu's enemy. If he can't touch Yuan Shao, surely he can touch Han Fu?
Han Fu originally just wanted to watch the show and assumed that Yuan Shao had sent people to cause trouble again. He was preparing to pretend to plead for Yuan Shao later, but he found that the soldiers had directly turned their spears on him.

Startled, Han Fu flew into a rage: "You scoundrel, how dare you slander me in front of the Grand Marshal?"

The soldier cried out, "Lord Han, you can't just stand by and watch me die! You told me that if I went to be a spy and deliberately let Gongsun Zan capture me, he wouldn't kill me and would send me back. But you didn't say I would be beheaded when I returned!"

Han Fu was even more shocked and so angry that her hands trembled: "Nonsense! When did I ever say that to you? You must be under someone's orders to frame me."

Han Fu then turned to Yuan Shao: "General Yuan, I have never offended you, why are you harming me?"

"Han Jizhou, what do you mean by this? Why would I want to harm you?" Yuan Shao feigned surprise: "I started the uprising with you, we jointly recommended the Grand Marshal for the appointment of officials, and we also assisted the Grand Marshal in the campaign against Gongsun Zan. What reason do I have to harm you?"

Han Fu said angrily, "It must be because you see that I have made too many contributions and are afraid that if the Grand Marshal persuades Gongsun Zan to surrender, I can become the Grand General and steal your limelight."

"Han Jizhou, you've gone too far." Yuan Shao's face turned cold. "My Yuan family has held high office for four generations. If I wanted to be a Grand General, I would have done so back at the alliance meeting. Why wait until today? Don't try to frame me just because I sent someone to kidnap Liu Bei's mother last time. How come I never realized you were this kind of person before?"

In the midst of the argument, Qu Yi suddenly spoke up: "There's no point in arguing now. Since Gongsun Zan is unwilling to surrender, let's fight until he does. Why don't we each attack one gate, and whoever wins will be the general?"

Han Fu snapped, "Do you even have a place to speak here?"

And whoever wins gets the title of general, are you afraid of not creating enough chaos?

“I think General Qu is right,” Yuan Shao sneered. “Since Han Jizhou believes that I sent these soldiers and that I am trying to compete with him for the position of Grand General, wouldn’t it be unfair to Han Jizhou if I didn’t compete? Tomorrow I will personally lead the attack on the West Gate. The East Gate will be left to Han Jizhou. As for the South Gate, I will ask the Grand Marshal to lead the attack, and the North Gate will be left to Qiu Liju.”

Before Han Fu could speak, Qu Yi replied, "If Governor Han Ji does not attack the East Gate, I am willing to attack it on his behalf."

Although furious that his plans had been ruined, Liu Yu knew that there was no way to take Yuyang City now except through a direct assault, so he could only agree to Yuan Shao's plan, saying:
"In that case, let's make a pact: whoever enters the city first will be the Great General."

Han Fu originally wanted to stop him, but then she saw Liu Yu glare at her fiercely, and she immediately felt annoyed.

Although Liu Yu did not express his opinion explicitly, he clearly believed the soldier's false accusation and was extremely upset.

Back in the tent.

Han Fu then flew into a rage at Qu Yi: "General Qu, do you also believe that the soldier was a spy I sent?"

Qu Yi coldly replied, "Lord Han, what's the use of saying all this now? The Grand Marshal has clearly stated that whoever enters the city first will be the Grand General. Tomorrow, I will personally lead the vanguard. As long as Lord Han enters the city first, what use will Yuan Shao's schemes be?"

Han Fu was very angry, but also helpless.

Given the current situation, the only way to contend with Yuan Shao is to first enter the city.

"In that case! We must break through the city first tomorrow!" Han Fu made up his mind.

Although he was a protégé and former subordinate of the Yuan family, Han Fu looked down on the current Yuan family.

Both Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao only rose to prominence because they were lucky enough to be promoted after Yuan Kui and Yuan Ji died. In the past, Han Fu would not have paid any attention to Yuan Shao.

Since Yuan Kui and Yuan Ji are dead, and even Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao can come out to command the four directions, why can't it be Han Fu?
Yuan Shao's camp.

Liu Yu's statement that "whoever enters the city first will be the Grand General" greatly pleased Yuan Shao.

After plotting for many days and allowing Gongsun Zan to survive for many more days, they finally found the moment to strike decisively.

"Yan Liang, Wen Chou." Yuan Shao looked at the two imposing generals before him, his tone becoming more heroic: "In tomorrow's battle, you two must be the first to break through the city. In the future, I will help you two become famous throughout Hebei. Do not disappoint me."

Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both extremely excited and readily agreed, "We are willing to die for our lord."

Yuan Shao laughed heartily, his gaze turning to Feng Ji: "Yuan Tu, this battle is now in your command. This time, you must ensure that Han Fu and Gongsun Zan both perish at Yuyang!"

Yuan Shao deeply resented Han Fu, his former protégé and subordinate, for vying with him for the position of Grand General.

This is like having a dog that one day stops biting strangers and instead bares its teeth at its owner. If you don't kill that dog, other dogs will follow suit.

The majesty of the Yuan family is awe-inspiring and cannot be disrespected.

In Yuyang City.

After expelling the spies, Gongsun Zan also understood the relationship between Liu Yu, Yuan Shao, and Han Fu.

Liu Yu was a gentleman who would not do petty things. If he had feigned surrender, he might have been able to save himself and Liu Bei's mother. However, Yuan Shao and Han Fu were not gentlemen and tried every means to escalate the conflict.

The only thing that Gongsun Zan was relieved about was that Qiu Liju had become much more obedient after being intimidated.

The Wuhuan people may seem strong, but they are actually all bark and no bite. They can only take advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains to gain some benefits, but they will not stand a chance if they really offend people to death.

Qiu Liju did not dare to conclude that Liu Bei would definitely lose.

According to the assassins, Liu Bei rose from a county magistrate to Grand Commandant, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Imperial Uncle in just over a year. Yuan Shao was forced to flee to Hebei because he could not compete with Liu Bei in Luoyang.

Whether he helped Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju or Liu Yu and Yuan Shao, Qiu Liju only wanted to gain benefits. If it was just about fighting Gongsun Zan, Qiu Liju could put in more effort, since the two sides already had a feud.

However, if Liu Bei's mother were added to the equation, Qiu Liju would not dare to exert too much effort.

There was no inherent enmity between Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, so there was no need to deliberately create one. Even if they were to create an enmity, they would first need to be certain that Yuan Shao could defeat Liu Bei.

With more power comes more people wanting to be the boss, and with that comes more cunning.

Although Xu Shu had never studied formal military strategy, his long experience as a wandering knight had given him a keen understanding of human nature. He could clearly see who was strong and who was weak, and who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Zhang Yan can intimidate, and so can Qiu Liju.

Gongsun Zan also knew that after driving out the spies, Liu Yu would change his attitude from persuading them to surrender to attacking the city.

In fact, Yuan Shao's spy, Gongsun Zan, had already been captured, but he had been trying to delay sending the spy away.

With Xu Shu's reinforcements still nowhere to be seen, Gongsun Zan has given up hope and is preparing for a final desperate gamble. If he wins, great; if not, he can only leave it to fate.

He then gathered Liu Bei's mother, Lady Wu, his principal wife, Lady Hou, and his eldest son, Gongsun Xu, together, and sent his cousin, Gongsun Fan, with elite troops to protect the three of them.

He further instructed Gongsun Fan, "I entrust my wife and children, as well as Xuande's mother, to you. If things go wrong, break out through the north gate. Qiu Liju will not dare to offend Xuande and will certainly not dare to stop you. Once you reach Luoyang, Xuande will surely protect my wife and children."

Gongsun Fan asked worriedly, "What about you, brother? Aren't you going to break through the encirclement with me?"

Gongsun Zan shook his head, his tone resolute: "If I break through with you, you won't escape. I am the governor of Youzhou; how can I let the rebels easily obtain Youzhou? Even if I die in battle, I will not let the rebels succeed!"

Gongsun Fan was about to speak again when Gongsun Zan waved his hand to interrupt him, saying, "No need to say anything more. Xuande and I are like brothers. Xuande's continued support of me despite his wealth and status proves that I did not misjudge him. But to ask me to abandon Youzhou and flee to Luoyang in such a sorry state is not my wish!"

Ultimately, Gongsun Zan had the pride of being born into nobility.

Although he was willing to be sworn brothers with Liu Bei, he was unwilling to rely on Liu Bei for a living after he fell on hard times.

For the sake of brotherhood, Gongsun Zan was willing to risk his life to save Liu Bei's mother and entrust his wife and children to Liu Bei's care.

For the sake of his noble birth, Gongsun Zan was unwilling to let Liu Bei see him reduced to such a state that he needed to rely on his brothers to survive.

Gongsun Fan knew his cousin's temperament, so he sighed inwardly and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

As the sun rises.

Liu Yu, Yuan Shao, Han Fu, and Qiu Li led four armies and began advancing towards Yuyang City.

Liu Yu's troops, led by Xianyu Fu and Qi Zhou, attacked the South Gate; Yuan Shao's troops, led by Yan Liang and Wen Chou, attacked the West Gate; Han Fu's troops, led by Qu Yi, Zhang He, and Gao Lan, attacked the East Gate; and Qiu Liju led his troops to attack the North Gate.

Having gathered intelligence, Gongsun Zan personally guarded the south gate, while Tian Kai guarded the east gate, Shan Jing guarded the west gate, and Zou Dan guarded the north gate. Gongsun Fan led an elite force to rest and recuperate, ready to break out at any time.

The heavy sound of horns rang out, and the city of Yuyang, which had been quiet for many days, was gradually filled with shouts of battle.

(End of this chapter)