Tiger Guards

Chapter 715 Unkind Invitation
South of the Yi River, Yuan Shao's central army camp.

Zhou Yu arrived in a simple two-wheeled chariot. The road was slippery, so the simple two-wheeled chariot was more durable. It was pulled by two horses and was also easier to get out of trouble.

However, the riding experience was very poor. Zhou Yu could not sit in the carriage; he could only stand inside, gripping the front panel with both hands.

In early spring of February, Zhou Yu, with his fair complexion and clean beard, surveyed and examined the officers and soldiers of Yuan's army along the way with his bright eyes.

These officers and soldiers of Yuan's army were also vying to admire Zhou Yu's heroic figure, and all praised Zhou Yu's bravery and handsomeness.

In recent years, due to the frequent exchanges between envoys from various parties, they have made comparisons and evaluations of each other during banquets, resulting in the emergence of the "Four Gentlemen".

Based on appearance, temperament, literary and martial talents, the top spot naturally belongs to the rebel Zhao Ji; followed by Marquis of Qi, General Who Guards the East, and Governor of Qingzhou, Sun Ce.

Ranking third is Yuan Shang, son of Yuan Shao, Marquis of Ye, General-in-Chief, and Governor of Ji Province; Zhou Yu is ranked last.

Zhao Ji had no interest in this list, while people from Hebei were quite fond of it.

Even the officials and scholars of Hebei generally believed that the reason why Marquis Sun Ce of Qi was able to be ranked second was entirely due to his position.

The new Four Lords differ from the old version of 'Three Lords, Four Chiefs and Eight Talents'. The Four Lords version also begins to select good generals and capable ministers from all sides, and the ranking methods are also different.

For example, in Zhao Ji's case, Xu Huang, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Gan Ning, and Zhang He were known as the Five Fiends of the Time; Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Gao Lan, and Jiao Chu under Yuan Shao were renowned for their bravery and were known as the Four Pillars of the Army.

Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Feng Ji, Guo Tu, Shen Pei, and Xu You were among the six virtuous men, along with four capable ministers and four generals.

This is a list promoted by people from Hebei, and Sun Ce's civil and military officials were also included in the list.

Therefore, when Zhou Yu arrived at Yuan Shao's central camp, the roadside was filled with Yuan's officers and soldiers who had heard the news and gathered to watch.

Seeing this, Zhou Yu was not intimidated. He grabbed the railing with one hand and waved the other to the left and right, gesturing to the Yuan army officers and soldiers who were shouting the loudest.

The atmosphere was lively, and Zhou Yu, full of heroic spirit, was suddenly filled with a sense of generosity.

As they approached the gate of Yuan Shao's central army camp, the commotion gradually subsided under the pressure of the officers and soldiers on duty nearby.

The central army camp was directly opposite the main gate, about 120 paces away.

Upon hearing the sound, Yuan Shao came out of his tent and stared blankly at Zhou Yu, who had alighted from his carriage at the gate, wearing armor and blue and white sleeves for both civil and military use.

Seeing Zhou Yu's handsome appearance, Xu You stroked his beard and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being called the handsome Zhou Yu, his bravery and good looks are no less than yours in your youth."

"Ziyuan, you flatter me."

Yuan Shao immediately waved his hand: "I am far inferior to the handsome Zhou Yu. Thinking back to when I was this age, I was just the magistrate of Puyang. After the death of my parents, I was removed from office for six years. When I returned to office, I was already in my prime."

How can one's appearance in middle age be compared to that in youth?
Although there are individual differences among people, the vast majority of people's appearance deteriorates as they get older.

At this moment, Yuan Shao said these words, but his eyes were full of longing and a sense of approaching old age as he looked at Zhou Yu.

Tian Feng led the way out of the camp gate, leading Zhou Yu toward the central command tent.

Tian Feng was also beaming with smiles. Although the spring chill had not yet dissipated under the blazing sun, Tian Feng had already determined that his side was about to gain control of the land of Yan and Zhao and the hope of competing with the Zhao clan for supremacy in the Taihang Mountains.

The fourth year of Jian'an was a bumper year for Hebei, and they had enough grain reserves to starve Gongsun Zan to death.

Zhou Yu was also surveying Yuan Shao's central army camp. He saw that the camp was well-organized, the officers and soldiers were in high spirits and physically strong, and the flags and uniforms were clean and neat. The officers and soldiers on duty stood with their spears and halberds on their hands, their eyes fixed on the camp.

Further inside the camp, under wooden sheds, various siege weapons that had already been built were stored.

Zhou Yu occasionally smiled and responded to Tian Feng, while looking around and his opinion of Yuan's army rose again.

The distance of 120 steps was covered quickly. When Zhou Yu arrived at the front of the main tent in about 30 or 40 steps, Yuan Shao couldn't help but step forward to greet him.

Xu You, Guo Tu, and Ju Shou quickly followed. Xu You carefully examined Zhou Yu's face, then glanced at Yuan Shao's profile, his expression showing suspicion.

When Yuan Shao observed Zhou Yu up close, Zhou Yu bowed deeply with his hands clasped and said, "General."

"What do you think of our army's appearance, Zhou Yu?"

Yuan Shao stretched out his arm and pointed to the hundred or so officers and soldiers who had followed him. Zhou Yu smiled, looked around, and nodded: "This is a fierce and powerful army."

“Zhou Lang is mistaken.” Yuan Shao’s smile faded. “Compared to Zhao’s men, they are still somewhat inferior.”

Immediately, Yuan Shao solemnly said, "Now our two armies have joined forces to defeat Gongsun Zan at Xindu, and now we are taking advantage of our victory to besiege Yijing. Judging from his fate, he will be destroyed in no time. At such a time, our two armies should be fortifying their camps and preparing for battle. Why does the Marquis of Qi have the idea of ​​withdrawing his troops?"

Zhou Yu was not surprised by the leak of military intelligence, nor did he question Yuan Shao about how he knew his purpose.

Zhou Yu, also with a solemn expression, bowed and said, "General, as the saying goes, how can one allow others to sleep soundly on one's own bed? This time, leading the army across the river to assist in the battle, relieving the siege of Gongsun Zan in Xindu, and turning the tide of the battle against Gongsun Zan in Yijing, the balance of power has shifted. However, Zang Ba of Langya is a bandit who has long refused to submit to the king's rule. I have come not only to resign in person but also to request that you lend me troops."

"Borrowing troops?"

Yuan Shao paused, then turned to look at his advisors on either side.

Ju Shou, Tian Feng, and others were also surprised that at this critical moment, Zhou Yu was still thinking of borrowing troops from Hebei.

At this moment, Xu You stepped forward, bowed to Yuan Shao and Zhou Yu, and then stretched out his arms, saying, "This matter is of great importance. Please discuss it in detail in the tent."

"Very well, please, Zhou Lang."

"Please, Your Excellency."

After some polite exchanges, Yuan Shao and Zhou Yu finally stepped forward and took Zhou Yu's right wrist, leading him into the tent.

Inside the main tent, only the core military officers and strategists remained.

Yuan Shao, seated in the main seat, maintained his original opinion: "The Zhao bandit is now powerful, and Lü Bu is willing to be his henchman. This is not only a great threat to the state, but also a source of disaster for the people. These two bandits are fierce by nature and are most skilled in using cavalry. The Guandong and Hebei regions are mainly composed of infantry, making them difficult to resist on the battlefield. Only by annexing Youzhou and acquiring their elite cavalry can we make up for the weaknesses of our two families and contend with the two bandits Lü and Zhao."

Zhou Yu did not refute this, but echoed, "What you say makes sense, my lord. However, you have the ambition to restore our country, but I fear that once you have the troops of Youzhou, you will soar to great heights. For the sake of our lasting alliance, I implore you to send reinforcements to help my lord, the Marquis of Qi, to take control of Qing and Xu."

Having said all that, Yuan Shao's expression changed slightly: "Zhou Yu, are you determined to withdraw your troops?"

"To ensure the lasting alliance between the two countries, the troops must be withdrawn."

Zhou Yu spoke resolutely. Crossing the river to the north to participate in the war had already taken a great risk. If he were to help Yuan Shao annex Youzhou, then with the sweeping spread of power, there would be a tendency for him to reverse course and annex his allies.

Putting aside other things, people from Youzhou like Cheng Pu and Han Dang might be lured away by Yuan Shao.

In fact, Cheng Pu should not have become a general with an independent designation. Even a general with a miscellaneous designation is still an independent general's department, a high-level unit that can directly communicate with the imperial court.

Therefore, Zhou Yu suspected that Yuan Shao and the imperial court had some ulterior motives behind Cheng Pu's promotion from Lieutenant General to General Zhenwei.

Based on this speculation, he understood Sun Ce's order to withdraw his troops.

After all, the imperial envoy had arrived in Qingzhou. It was impossible for Sun Ce to accept the Marquis of Qi's decree himself and then refuse the appointment of Zhenwei General on behalf of Cheng Pu.
The downside of dealing closely with the imperial court is that, under the influence and temptation of official positions, one's original comrades-in-arms become unpredictable, and anyone could be lured away by the court.

Silence fell over the tent. Yuan Shao picked up his teacup, blew on it, and then looked up at Zhou Yu: "Young Master Zhou, I have a favor to ask. If you agree, not only will you be able to choose the provisions needed for the retreat, but you will also be able to select the reinforcements needed by the Marquis of Qi when he attacks Zang Ba. All the troops under my command, except for the Four Pillars, can be selected by you."

An unreasonable request.

While everyone was pondering, Zhou Yu readily asked, "May I ask what brings you here, sir?"

“My second son was captured by the traitor Zhao, and it has been three years now. I miss him terribly.”

Yuan Shao looked at Zhou Yu and said, "If you don't mind my appearance, would you be willing to become sworn father and son with me?"

Everyone was surprised. Zhou Yu did not refuse, but said, "I and the Marquis of Qi outwardly maintain the relationship of ruler and subject, but inwardly we are as close as brothers. Although we are nominally ruler and subject, we have the affection of brothers. This matter must be reported to the Marquis of Qi and await his decision."

Yuan Shao nodded: "This is only right. If you don't mind my old age, Zhou Lang, I will discuss the rest with the Marquis of Qi."

At this moment, Xu You coughed twice and spoke up: "My lord, today the world is divided between East and West. The two treacherous generals, Lü and Zhao, of the Western Army are both fierce tigers, yet they still form a blood alliance as father-in-law and son-in-law. Our army should do the same, forming a blood alliance to strengthen our bond!"

The alliance must be upgraded so that even if Yuan Shao is defeated and killed, his remaining followers can join Sun Ce and continue the fight.

Only by enhancing mutual trust can we avoid the instigation and self-interest of the emperor and ministers of the Xudu court.

Not only were Zhao Ji and Lü Bu unhappy with the ministers, but they were also very unhappy.

So far, Sun Ce has been given the title of Marquis of Qi, but Yuan Shao has not been given the title of Marquis of Wei, which shows that they are still trying to sow discord between the two families.

(End of this chapter)