Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 398 The Yuan family is ruthless, don't blame me for being heartless!
October, Yuan's army camp.

As dusk fell, the troops had ceased fighting, and Xu You, having nothing to do, wandered around the camp.

Why is Yuan Tu in such a hurry?

Seeing Feng Ji's serious expression and hurried steps, Xu You became curious and went up to stop him.

Turning his head and seeing that it was Xu You, Feng Ji said in a low voice, "The military situation is urgent, and I need to report to you, sir."

"Your Excellency is currently washing up, why not inform him later!" Xu You said deliberately, sensing that there was something to hide.

Feng Ji hesitated for a moment, then said, "The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed."

"Could something have happened in Youzhou?" Xu You asked.

Feng Ji looked around, then pulled Xu You toward a secluded corner and said, "Since Ziyuan is an old man, I will tell you the truth. Tadun was killed, his troops were defeated and fled, and trouble has arisen in Youzhou."

"What?! Tadun has been beheaded!"

"Shh!"

Seeing Xu You's strong reaction, Feng Ji quickly grabbed his arm, signaling Xu You to lower his voice.

"Don't make a sound!"

Xu You looked incredulous and asked, "The Wuhuan and Gongsun's troops together number in the tens of thousands. Only Zhang Yu could defeat them. Who is it that has such ability?"

Feng Ji sighed and said, "It is Zhang Liao. He led his troops out of the mountains, personally beheaded Tadun, and, in coordination with the Youzhou troops, twice defeated the Wuhuan tribes. Now the Wuhuan have fled beyond the border, and Gongsun Zan has also been defeated by Zhang Liao. Gongsun Zan is currently besieged in Yijing and has written to you, my lord, for help!"

Xu You frowned and stroked his beard, his heart filled with worry!
"Does Yuan Tu have a plan?" Xu You asked.

Feng Ji shook his head and said, "The incident happened so suddenly, how could we possibly come up with a plan to solve it!"

"I will now report to Your Excellency!"

"I'll go with you!"

Feng and Xu, each with their own worries, hurried toward the main tent.

Inside the tent, Yuan Shao leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes to enjoy the maid's foot massage, looking quite content.

"My lord, Mr. Feng and Mr. Xu are requesting an audience outside the tent, saying they have military intelligence to report!" the attendant said.

Yuan Shao slightly opened his eyes, waved his hand, and said, "If there is no urgent matter, please ask the two to wait a moment."

"Yes, sir!" The attendant stepped out of the tent.

Soon after, Xu You burst into the tent. Feng Ji then pulled Xu You aside, and upon seeing Yuan Shao, they hurriedly bowed and apologized.

Yuan Shao looked displeased and said indifferently, "What military situation do you two have that requires you to barge into my tent without cause?"

Xu You glanced at the maid, cupped his hands to Yuan Shao, and said in a deep voice, "The situation in Youzhou has changed drastically, and I dare not fail to report this to you, my lord."

What changes have occurred in the situation in Youzhou?

Yuan Shao disagreed, saying, "Tadun besieged Ji County, and half of Youzhou surrendered. Do you really think Zhang Liao and a few thousand soldiers can change the overall situation in Youzhou?"

"Just as you say, my lord, Zhang Liao has beheaded Tadun and defeated Gongsun. Now Youzhou has surrendered to Zhang Yu!" Xu You said.

"roll!"

Yuan Shao, feeling annoyed, chased away the troublesome maid and asked, "When did this happen, and what are the details now?"

Feng Ji presented the letter, saying, "The Wuhuan have fled beyond the Great Wall, and Gongsun Zan's army was defeated at Liangxiang. Currently, Zhang Liao, in alliance with the forces of Youzhou, has besieged Gongsun Zan in Yijing. Gongsun Zan's request for aid and military report are here!"

Yuan Shao glanced at it only a few times before his brows furrowed deeply. He cursed, "Tadun is truly a fool! He led the elite Wuhuan troops, yet he died at the hands of Zhang Liao. An incompetent, reckless, and cowardly wretch!"

"And Gongsun Zan is even more foolish. Since he started fighting against Youzhou, he has won almost no battles. He is unworthy of being a regional lord!"

As he spoke, Yuan Shao, dragging his wooden clogs, paced back and forth in the tent, looking troubled.

Feng Ji coughed and said worriedly, "Now that things have come to this, Your Excellency must think of a solution as soon as possible!"

Yuan Shao sighed and said, "Zhang Yu has repeatedly defeated our army. First Yan Liang and Wen Chou, then Tadun and Gongsun. It will be difficult to defeat Zhang Yu now. If we can stop the war here, I will be satisfied."

Feng Ji advised, "Our army is still strong and we have hope of defeating the enemy. Your Excellency should not be discouraged. Moreover, Zhang Yu knows that the situation in Youzhou is favorable to him, so how could he easily let our army go?"

"Gongtu is right!"

Yuan Shao roused himself and ordered, "Summon all civil and military officials to the main tent to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy."

"promise!"

The attendant hesitated for a moment, then said, “My lord, Mr. Tian is exceptionally wise. Since the current situation is unfavorable to our army, we should invite Mr. Tian to the army camp for a meeting and allow him to atone for his crimes through meritorious service.”

Seeing this, Feng Ji seized the opportunity, subtly criticizing while openly praising, "I also think so. Tian Yuanhao is intelligent, and although his temperament is fierce, all the generals rely on him. Therefore, Your Excellency may have to tolerate Tian Yuanhao's offense for the time being. When he was in prison, he sighed deeply upon hearing the news of the victory in Youzhou; his indignation was perhaps evident in his words." "Hmph!"

Yuan Shao suppressed his dissatisfaction and said, "Tian Yuanhao is imprisoned, how could he be willing to offer me advice? Let Tian Yuanhao reflect on his actions and see if he can admit his mistakes and correct them."

"promise!"

Although Tian Feng was imprisoned, Yuan Shao had no intention of killing him. After all, Tian Feng was a meritorious official to Yuan Shao, and killing him casually would surely discourage others. Moreover, Tian Feng came from a powerful family, and Yuan Shao, whose base was in Ji Province, dared not lay a hand on him.

Shortly after, following Yuan Shao's orders, all the civil and military officials gathered in the main tent to discuss matters.

After sharing the intelligence with everyone, Yuan Shao asked, "Gongsun Zan has now sent a letter requesting aid and troops to relieve the siege of Yijing. What are your thoughts on this?"

“Yijing is the northern gateway. If Yijing falls, the troops from Youzhou will be able to advance unimpeded.” Meng Dai hesitated for a moment before saying, “In my humble opinion, Your Excellency should divide your forces to relieve the siege of Yi County.”

“Zhang Yu is watching us closely. If he knows that our army has divided its forces to go north, he will definitely take action.” Yuan Tan said, “Zhang Liao is brave and fierce. He first killed Tadun and then defeated Gongsun. He is a famous general in the world. If we send troops north to rescue him, we will not be able to lift the siege if we send too few troops, and it will affect the overall situation if we send too many troops.”

As he spoke, Yuan Tan looked at Yuan Shao, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, in my opinion, it would be better to gather a large army to fight Zhang Yu. After defeating Zhang Yu, the siege of Yi County will be lifted on its own."

Yuan Shao pinched his brow and said, "Zhang Yu's camp is well-fortified. If he holds firm and does not come out, how can our army do anything to him?"

“This…” Yuan Tan was at a loss.

Ju Shou stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then said, “Yijing is Gongsun Zan’s stronghold. It has a ten-zhang-high tower and stores a million jin of grain. Zhang Liao wants to conquer Yijing, but without years of continuous effort, he cannot succeed. Therefore, as the eldest son said, Your Excellency may temporarily ignore Yijing and focus on fighting Zhang Yu.”

After a pause, Ju Shou said, "The current situation is favorable to Zhang Yu. Your Excellency has sent a letter requesting battle, and Zhang Yu may be willing to fight. At that time, Your Excellency can arrange troops in advance and perhaps defeat Zhang Yu."

Yuan Shao did not reply, showing slight dissatisfaction with Ju Shou's opinion.

"Do Ziyuan and Gongtu have any insights?" Yuan Shao asked.

After pondering for a long time, Feng Ji found no good solution and had to shake his head and reply, "Forgive me for my lack of strategy. Yan and Zhao are under Zhang Yu's control. Unless our army can defeat Zhang Yu at Qinshui, we can only hold out for a long time and wait for Zhang Yu to retreat."

Xu You had a good plan. He stepped forward from the crowd, cupped his hands, and said, "I have a plan. I wonder if Your Excellency would be willing to accept it?"

“Speak freely!” Yuan Shao said.

Xu You stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Zhang Yu has divided his troops into three routes. Li Song is stationed at Changshan, and Zhang Liao is besieging Yijing. Therefore, in my opinion, Your Excellency would be better off sending elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Henan to intimidate the troops in Shanxi."

Yuan Shao frowned and said, "Ziyuan, why are you so insistent on sending troops to Hanoi? Zhang Yu is eyeing us covetously, and our detachments have been defeated by him many times in the past. How can we possibly win if we send troops to Hanoi?"

When the situation in Youzhou changed, Xu You advised Yuan Shao to send troops to Hanoi. Now that the situation is dire, Xu You's continued advice to Yuan Shao to send troops to Hanoi is something Yuan Shao cannot understand.

Xu You explained, “The art of war is to be controlled by others, not to be controlled by others. Zhang Liao is besieging Yijing in the north, Li Song is stationed at Changshan in the west, and Zhang Yu is eyeing you, my lord. Therefore, if you cannot devise a plan, you will inevitably be controlled by Zhang Yu. Sending troops to Hanoi is your only hope for victory. If you confront Zhang Yu, you will be defeated by him sooner or later.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao was displeased with Xu You's words that they would be defeated by Zhang Yu sooner or later, and said sternly, "Don't spread alarmist rumors. If we divide our troops in Hanoi, how can our army win? This plan must not be mentioned again."

Xu You retreated sheepishly, his resentment towards Yuan Shao growing.

As he spoke, Yuan Shao looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Gongsun Zan has a life-and-death feud with Bing and You. To save his life, he will surely defend Yijing and fight to the death. Now we should take advantage of this opportunity to engage Zhang Yu in battle, defeat the Shanxi army, and relieve the siege of Ji Province."

"No!" everyone responded in unison.

They chatted for quite some time, until late at night, before all the civil and military officials finally withdrew.

Because Yuan Shao could not use his strategies, Xu You was frustrated and could only sigh as he walked back to his tent. When he arrived at the tent, he saw the attendant he had sent back to Xindu a few days ago waiting at the tent entrance, his expression full of anxiety.

"What are you doing here?" Xu You asked.

Upon seeing Xu You, the servant knelt down with a thud and cried out, "I was ordered to return to the manor and deliver the master's letter to the madam. Knowing that Shen Pei was in charge, the madam followed the master's instructions and ordered the young master and servants not to go out and cause trouble."

"However, Shen Pei investigated past crimes, accusing the master of embezzlement and bribery, and the young master of allowing servants to seize land. Under these multiple charges, Shen Pei imprisoned the lady and the young master, and threatened to bring the master to justice. We hope the master will intervene to save the lady and the young master!"

Upon hearing this, Xu You was stunned, as if struck by lightning, and his body almost went limp.

He never expected Shen Pei to be so audacious, daring to target him, a veteran, during such a tense period of war. He had kept his family indoors to avoid trouble, yet Shen Pei still wouldn't let him off the hook.

"Shen Zhengnan!"

Xu You gritted his teeth, wishing he could kill Shen Pei.

"Our patriarch is a former official of Duke Wei. Could you please persuade Duke Wei to grant a pardon to the Xu family?" the attendant said.

Xu You, filled with anger and sorrow, said, “Tian Feng has made outstanding contributions, but he was imprisoned for offending Lord Wei because of his uprightness. Although I am a former official of the Yuan family, my arrogant attitude in the past has probably angered many people in Hebei. Moreover, Shen Pei was sent to Xindu by Lord Wei, which may have been on Lord Wei's orders. I plead with Lord Wei for leniency…”

Before he could finish speaking, Xu You let out a long sigh.

He didn't believe that Shen Pei would dare to detain his family without Yuan Shao's authorization, especially since he was a close associate of the Yuan family!
"What should we do then?" the servant asked in a panic.

Xu You sneered and said, "I wholeheartedly serve the Yuan family, but since Yuan Shao not only refuses to accept my plans but also sends people to punish me, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

(End of this chapter)