Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Liu Dai, Zhang Miao, Qiao Mao... these people either looked at the sky, or at the ground, or at the face of the person opposite them, but they never looked at Yuan Shao.

Angry?

Of course I'm angry.

Hua Xiong's mouth could make you furious with his insults.

But as angry as they were, would they really let them send troops out? They'd have to think twice.

Yuan Shao knew perfectly well: he had Chunyu Qiong under his command, but Chunyu Qiong was his trusted general. If Chunyu Qiong were to fall into Hua Xiong's hands, who would he turn to for help? He was currently the leader of the alliance, but this position was based on the Yuan family's reputation, not on actual combat. If he squandered all his resources, who would still recognize him as the leader?

Cao Cao was also calculating: he had Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren... all capable warriors. But what was Cao Cao's status? He was the descendant of a eunuch, not even ranking among the warlords. He had painstakingly gathered these five thousand men; if he lost them, how would he survive in this chaotic world? Besides, Hua Xiong was currently riding high; whoever went up against him would die. He wasn't about to be a fool.

Needless to say, Yuan Shu was another one.

He was heartbroken after Hua Xiong killed Yu She, and couldn't sleep well for three days. Ji Ling was his only capable fighter left, his most prized asset, whom he absolutely couldn't send out.

What about Sun Jian? He does want to fight.

But when he escaped from Sishui Pass, more than 10,000 men were killed, leaving only 3,000. Zu Mao was dead, and Huang Gai and Zhu Zhi were both wounded.

He now wishes he could devour Yuan Shu alive, and he'd still want to serve the Yuan family? Dream on!

As for the others... a scholar like Kong Rong is good at talking, but actually putting him in battle? Don't be ridiculous, his old bones wouldn't be enough for Hua Xiong to chop down with one stroke.

Liu Dai, Zhang Miao... these people each had their own territory and their own agendas. Who would be willing to risk their lives for someone else?

An eerie silence fell over the tent.

Hua Xiong's curses drifted in from outside the camp, each word clear and distinct:

"A bunch of useless cowards! They dare to raise an army? Go home and farm! Stop embarrassing yourselves here!"

Yuan Shao's face alternated between pale and flushed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, unsure of which sword to press.

Just then, Yuan Shu suddenly spoke up:

"Gentlemen."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Yuan Shu cleared his throat, a "I have a good idea" expression on his face, and slowly said:

"I've thought of someone."

"Who?" Yuan Shao and the others asked.

Yuan Shu's gaze slowly fell on Liu Bei, who was sitting in the corner.

"Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, and his two brothers, Fang Yue and Wang Shuang, weren't they sent by Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan?"

He paused, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips:

"The generals under Liu Ce, the King of Yan—Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xue Rengui, Qin Qiong, Yuwen Chengdu…—are all formidable warriors, capable of taking on ten thousand men. Since Liu Bei was sent by the King of Yan, his two brothers must be equally skilled in martial arts. Perhaps…"

He drawled, "Why don't we let them go up and meet Hua Xiong?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

That's right! Liu Bei was sent by Liu Ce!

Everyone in the world knows how capable Liu Ce's generals are.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xue Rengui, Qin Qiong, Yuwen Chengdu... those names are terrifying just to hear.

Since Liu Bei was sent by Liu Ce, his two brothers must also be experts!

Winning would be best, since the credit will go to the Allied forces anyway.

Even if they lose, it's not a big loss, since it's Liu Ce's men who died, it has nothing to do with them.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Gonglu is right! Xuande, what do you think...?"

Liu Bei sat in the corner, inwardly cursing.

He had long seen through the ulterior motives of these warlords, and originally intended to keep a low profile and live a quiet life, since he had the provisions provided by Liu Ce and would not have to worry about food or drink.

As a result, that bastard Yuan Shu pushed him straight into the pit!

Before Liu Bei could even speak, Fang Yue and Wang Shuang had already straightened their backs.

Fang Yue patted his chest and said, "Little Hua Xiong is no problem at all!"

Wang Shuang went even further, tilting his head back so high you could almost see the back of his head, and said, "With Hua Xiong's skills, I could take him down with one hand!"

All eyes turned to them, their gazes filled with expectation, doubt, and a hint of "you two are just bragging."

Yuan Shao squinted and said, "Oh? So confident? What if you can't defeat Hua Xiong?"

Seeing his two brothers like this, Liu Bei felt a little uneasy.

He knew Fang Yue and Wang Shuang were indeed skilled, but Hua Xiong had already defeated several generals and was riding high on his momentum. If they really fought...

But what could he do now that things had come to this?

He gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yuan Shao, saying:

"Leader! If you can't defeat Hua Xiong, cut off my head first!"

Fang Yue and Wang Shuang's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing this.

This brother is risking his life to vouch for them!

The two shouted in unison, "Me too!"

The sound and the aura they exuded made you think they were going to kill Dong Zhuo.

Yuan Shao was delighted and waved his hand, saying, "Good! You have guts! Men, bring the wine!"

The soldiers brought out two bowls of wine and filled them to the brim for Fang Yue and Wang Shuang.

The two men took the wine bowls, drank them down in one gulp, and then smashed the bowls on the ground with a loud crash, scattering shards everywhere.

"Walk!"

The two turned and walked out.

At this moment, Yuan Shu spoke up again: "Gentlemen, why don't we go and see for ourselves just how powerful the Prince of Yan's men really are?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Only a fool wouldn't watch a show like this!

The group left the main tent together and walked towards the wooden wall at the camp gate.

Liu Bei followed behind, his heart filled with unease.

...

Inside the camp gate.

Fang Yue and Wang Shuang mounted their horses and stood side by side.

"Third brother, shall you do it, or shall I?" Fang Yue asked.

Wang Shuang grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and said, "Second Brother, I'll handle this! You stay and cover for me!"

"good!"

Wang Shuang pulled on the reins and spurred his horse forward.

Outside the camp gate, Hua Xiong was cursing until his throat was dry, thinking that he would curse a few more times before going back to drink.

Suddenly, the camp gates burst open, and two riders charged out.

Hua Xiong's eyes lit up. "Oh ho, so there really are people who aren't afraid of death?"

He reined in his horse, brandished his sword, and looked at the approaching figure.

Wang Shuang rode forward and stopped thirty paces away from Hua Xiong.

Hua Xiong pointed his broadsword and said, "Who goes there? State your name!"

Wang Shuang puffed out his chest and shouted loudly, "Listen up! Your grandpa, I am Wang Shuang, a military commander under the Prince of Yan! I've come to take your dog's life!"

Hua Xiong was stunned for a moment and said, "Prince Liu Ce of Yan!!!"

Wang Shuang proudly declared, "It's Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan of Youzhou! The one who defeated the Xianbei and destroyed Goguryeo..."

Hua Xiong's heart skipped a beat.

He had certainly heard of Liu Ce; he was a figure even the Prime Minister feared.

But this person in front of me... is that all?

Too lazy to waste any more words, he shouted, "Enough talk! Take this!"

With a squeeze of his legs against the horse's belly, the warhorse neighed and charged straight at Wang Shuang!

Wang Shuang didn't hesitate either, and charged forward with his gun!

"clang!!!"

Swords and spears clashed, sparks flew!