The Three Kingdoms: My Wife is a Great and Good Teacher

Chapter 248 Differential Treatment 4.3K

"Friends?"

Liu Zhaoqing didn't expect to meet Sun Ce by chance on the border of Chenliu.

Although it had been almost three months since they last met, both Liu Zhaoqing and Sun Ce remembered each other very well.

"Yes, it was she who suggested that I come to help father first, saying that I should investigate the terrain and situation before making a judgment." Sun Ce held his chin and frowned, "But there has been no news from father for a while, and I don't know when he will set out here. Don't let me catch up after the battle is over, that would be a pity."

After he finished speaking, Sun Ce saw Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun beside Liu Zhaoqing, the little girl at the back, and the soldiers who were coming one after another.

"Is the Marquis of Changping going to Chenliu for a meeting?"

Liu Zhaoqing nodded, looked at Sun Ce and said, "Yes, didn't General Sun bring his entourage?"

"I brought a few guards with me, but they are all resting in the county residence now."

"Is that so?" Liu Zhaoqing thought for a moment and said, "Then General Sun, do you need my help?"

Shaking her head, Sun Ce and Liu Zhaoqing just met by chance, and she currently had no interactions with Liu Zhaoqing. Although there were many things she wanted to talk about, the other party was obviously in a hurry, so Sun Ce certainly would not delay him.

"Marquis Changping has important matters to attend to, so you don't have to worry about me. I will probably return to Jingzhou after meeting my good friend, and then join my father in the anti-Dong movement." Sun Ce said with a smile.

"Father was very happy when he heard about the anti-Dong coalition. Even Ah Mou said that this was the beginning of restoring order to the country."

After exchanging some more greetings, Liu Zhaoqing led his troops away from Sun Ce and continued towards their destination.

It was just a chance encounter with Sun Ce, and the two were not as familiar as brothers and sisters. In addition, Liu Zhaoqing really wanted to reach the destination quickly, so it was impossible for her to bring a large army here and wait for her friend Sun Ce.

After Liu Zhaoqing's troops had gone far away, Sun Ce stood there, looking at the lingering dust raised by the war horses, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

"This horse is extremely strong and sturdy, with a mellow color. It doesn't look like a horse from the Central Plains or Xiliang... It seems to be a grassland horse?"

Born in a family of generals, Sun Ce knew a lot about war horses and could tell at a glance that the war horses in Liu Zhaoqing's team were of extraordinary origin.

"Not only that, his soldiers are all in high spirits, with fierce eyes. This is a team that can only be tempered through war."

A light, elegant and peaceful voice came from behind Sun Ce.

"Huh? When did you come?" Sun Ce looked at the person who came in surprise.

The person who came had a face as white as jade, and every frown and smile between her eyebrows seemed to be able to make everyone fall in love with her. Her red lips were as thin as cicada wings, and there was a faint smile on the corners of her mouth. Her waterfall-like black hair tilted as she bowed her head, revealing her snow-white neck.

"I encountered a small incident on the way and was delayed. I just arrived in Chenliu a moment ago. In order to meet you earlier, I didn't even have time to comb my hair and get ready before I came. I hope Sister Bofu will forgive me."

"You call this 'not having enough time to take care of it'?" Sun Ce rolled his eyes.

The person in front of him was dressed neatly and cleanly. Apart from his hair, his jewellery and face were perfect.

Besides, it is not a hundred years ago now. As more and more Tianci women awaken, some rules are slowly disappearing or changing.

For example, men with loose hair do not care about their image, but it is different for women. Nowadays, there are many female officials and generals who have loose hair.

Of course, in general, military generals either have short hair, tie it into a ponytail, or put their hair into a bun in their helmets. The reason is very practical, because it will affect combat.

Unless you particularly like to have long hair, you will keep long hair forever.

"Let's not talk about this. I have never seen you look sloppy. You deserve to be called the most beautiful woman in Jiangdong."

In response to this compliment, she shook her head: "To be known simply for 'beauty' as the common name in the world is nothing but a disgrace to me."

Sun Ce thought about it and nodded in agreement: "That's true... For you, 'beauty' is the least worth mentioning thing about you."

“However, the situation in the world now is just as you expected, surging like a river. I don’t know how many people will be washed down by the waves and turned into dry bones, and how many people will be able to ride the waves and jump onto the Dragon Gate.” Sun Ce suddenly sighed.

The friend smiled and said, "Who do you think can make the leap to the Dragon Gate?"

"Is there anyone who can make it to the top?" Sun Ce thought seriously. "Yuan Shao, the fourth-generation noble of the Yuan family, should be one of them. His reputation in Luoyang is getting higher and higher."

"Yuan Shao is ambitious but short-sighted. Although he can be a hero for a while, he can only survive under the Dragon Gate." The other party shook his head.

"Then there is the Yuzhou governor, Kong Zhu (zhòu). He is a famous scholar, and Yuzhou is one of the richest places in the world." Sun Ce said again.

However, the other party shook his head again: "Although Kong Jun is a famous scholar, and gentle and wise, he has no military talent and the ability to lead a sharp army."

Sun Ce was speechless and she put her hands on her hips.

"Well, then, tell me who in your opinion can make it to the top?"

The other party smiled without saying anything and turned to look not far away.

The smoke and dust over there had long since dissipated, and the person who left was nowhere to be seen, but Sun Ce knew who she was talking about.

"You mean...Liu Zhaoqing?" Sun Ce was surprised.

"He was born in a humble family but never fell into low status. He can be at ease in a prosperous place, but he can also keep his heart in a cold and hard place on the frontier. His character, talent and ability are all rare in the world. This is his chance to 'transform into a dragon'."

This comment shocked Sun Ce even more. After a long while, Sun Ce looked at this talented but beautiful friend with a curious look on his face:

"This is the first time I've seen you speak so highly of someone..."

"Sister Bofu, do you know why I was delayed on the road?" she said with a smile.

"what?"

"I met a friend who came from Youzhou, and he told me that Liu Yu was going to erect a monument for the dead soldiers."

"Erect a monument? Oh, I remember, it was the Battle of Wuhuan Mountain, right? Because of Yuan Shao, this incident spread even to Jingzhou. Marquis Changping was indeed brave, and he also enhanced the prestige of my clan." Sun Ce said.

"I thought so at first, but this monument was not erected for the Battle of Wuhuan Mountain, but for another, even bigger war."

"Due to the blockade by the princes in Hebei, this matter has not spread too widely, but it will not be long before Liu Zhaoqing's name will be famous throughout the world again with the news."

"What's going on?" Sun Ce was extremely anxious. "Why did you become like this?"

She remembered that her friend was not the kind of person who liked to keep people in suspense.

The other party smiled and then told the story.

After hearing this, Sun Ce was so shocked that an egg could fit into his mouth.

Then she felt a little regretful. If she had talked more with Liu Zhaoqing earlier, she might have been able to find out more details.

This performance also made her friends laugh and shake their heads.

-

On the other hand, Liu Zhaoqing didn't know these things.

He was still asking Zhao Yun beside him: "Didn't Wen Ruo say he was coming with Gongsun Zan? How come I haven't seen him for so long?"

Zhao Yun had no way to answer, how would she know where Xun Yu and Gongsun Zan were now.

But she could suggest: "How about sending someone back to Hebei to get some information?"

After thinking about it, Liu Zhaoqing shook his head.

"It shouldn't be a problem to leave this kind of communication to Wen Ruo. Although Gongsun Zan doesn't have many soldiers, it's enough to deal with things on the road."

"Let's hurry up, the soldiers are tired."

Liu Zhaoqing looked at the soldiers around him and said.

After Zhang Liao and others responded, Liu Zhaoqing's team continued to move forward, and soon they met a soldier in armor who came to support them.

It turned out that this man was a soldier sent by Yuan Shao to specifically support the princes. Under his leadership, Liu Zhaoqing and others' team headed towards a camp.

Soon we saw a series of tents, and a large number of soldiers and generals training outside.

When they saw Liu Zhaoqing, the generals and soldiers initially didn't know who he was under the banner of "Liu".

After all, there is no real "protagonist halo". Those who have not seen Liu Zhaoqing in person and don't know him, he doesn't have any distinctive characteristics, such as a halo or something.

But perhaps it was because the team Liu Zhaoqing brought was not large. A group of more than a thousand people might be treated as guests of honor in other places, but they were not enough among the princes who rebelled against Dong this time.

The generals and soldiers in training and some princes who were talking outside took a look at Liu Zhaoqing's team and paid no more attention to them.

In order to strengthen the anti-Dong alliance, Yuan Shao tried to win over both the big princes who controlled a state and had 20,000 to 30,000 troops, and the small princes who had only a thousand people and were the governors of a city.

And her selection criteria were also very strange. Many princes had already complained about it, but because the princes had not yet arrived and the alliance meeting had not yet started, no one questioned it.

While those people were paying attention to Liu Zhaoqing, Liu Zhaoqing was also paying attention to them.

He didn't recognize most of the male and female princes. It would be great if Xun Yu was by his side at this time. With her knowledge, she would probably be able to recognize most of these princes.

"We're here. Please place the soldiers here for the time being." The soldier leading the way stopped his horse, turned around and said to Liu Zhaoqing.

Liu Zhaoqing looked around and then frowned slightly.

Even Zhang Liao asked at this time: "This kind of place?"

As far as the eye can see, there are tattered tents, and even a few broken pots outside the tents.

"Although we are here to kill the bandits and not for an outing, it doesn't matter if the conditions are a little worse, but this place is too simple. I'm afraid my soldiers can't sleep well, right?" Liu Zhaoqing also spoke up.

The soldier was a little embarrassed when he heard that. He bowed and apologized, "This makeshift tent is a little shabby, but it's the best I can arrange for you."

"Best?" Zhang Liao, who was riding on his horse, snorted coldly.

"That's true..." the soldier said quickly.

"But I just saw a better tent in the north of the camp. Not only are the tents intact and spacious, but the ground is also flat and paved with stones." Zhao Yun looked at the soldier, "And most importantly, there is no one stationed there."

"Why don't you take us there?"

The soldier was speechless.

"Just speak frankly. I won't take my anger out on you." Liu Zhaoqing said.

He understood the helplessness of the little guys, and this pawn was definitely doing what he was told.

After hearing Liu Zhaoqing's words, the soldier was relieved. He bowed to him and told the truth: "Because... it is not for you, but for other princes."

"Other princes? What do you mean?" Liu Zhaoqing asked.

"It's... given to the provincial governors and governors who own a state." The soldier said bluntly, and then, probably because he was afraid that Liu Zhaoqing would draw his sword and kill him in anger, he immediately explained.

"Not only you, but other small forces will also be treated the same way. We cannot make the decision..."

Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun both frowned, and even the little girl who had been silent all the time looked at the soldier coldly, which scared the soldier very much.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Zhaoqing asked, "Is this what Yuan Shao meant?"

The soldier hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

If this is the difference, it was indeed set by his lord following the advice of his advisers.

After all, the alliance has just been established and has limited financial resources. Those big forces need to be treated more favorably in order to stabilize them and unite into the alliance.

But after he nodded, he found that the expressions of the two female generals in white and black armor beside Liu Zhaoqing became even colder.

There is no need to say much about the general in black armor. The general in white armor, who was originally quite kind, now frowned.

Although Zhao Yun has a good temper, if Yuan Shao deliberately let them live in such a place, wouldn't that be a clear bullying of his lord's lack of power? It could even be considered a "humiliation."

"My benefactor, Yuan Shao may really think that we are a 'small force'." Zhang Liao said coldly.

Liu Zhaoqing was silent for a moment, then said: "Wait here for a while, Zilong, you go with Zhou Cang and Liu Pi to comfort the soldiers and find some food for them."

"Wenyuan, come with me."

Liu Zhaoqing got off his horse and said to the soldier, "Take me to see your master."

"what?"

"Don't worry, I'll just bring a guard with me to ask about the situation. I won't do anything." Liu Zhaoqing smiled, "Besides, I'm quite familiar with your master."

After saying this, the soldier took Liu Zhaoqing doubtfully towards the largest tent in the center of the camp.

"That's the lord's tent." The soldier pointed forward.

Then he asked curiously, "By the way, I don't know where you are from."

“Hebei.”

"Hebei?" The soldier touched his head. "Is there any Liu family in Hebei?"

Liu Zhaoqing doesn't look like Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou.

"I came from Changping." Liu Zhaoqing nodded to the soldier after he finished speaking, "Thank you for your help. I'll go in first."

When Liu Zhaoqing and Zhang Liao walked towards the tent together, the soldier realized who Liu Zhaoqing was.

His body shook, then he stamped his feet and clapped his hands, his face pale: "It's broken!"

Although the policy of "differential treatment" was issued by the lord, the lord personally instructed that the person from Changping should also be "treated differently".