The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 146 Yan Liang and Wen Chou wavered, Yuan Shao was so angry with Cao Cao that he vomited blood (1st update)
Liu Bei was also surprised by his quick shift between firmness and gentleness.

Liu Bei was worried that Guan Yu's usual temperament would cause Yan Liang to lose face and affect the recruitment and training of new soldiers, but he never expected that Guan Yu would show extraordinary magnanimity towards Yan Liang.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, a smile in his eyes, as if he had expected this all along.

Since receiving guidance from Zhuge Liang and studying the essentials of military and political affairs, Guan Yu is no longer the same as before; he is no longer a reckless brute who only knows how to act bravely.

Guan Yu knew that Liu Bei's great cause required a great deal of assistance from both civil and military officials, and he could not ruin the overall situation because of his personal grievances.

Although Guan Yu was motivated by a desire to vent his anger against Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he also understood the importance of striking a balance: he needed to demonstrate strength to intimidate the enemy, show courtesy to win their hearts, and pave the way for Liu Bei's subsequent combination of kindness and power.

And now.

By knocking the sword out of Yan Liang's hand with a single strike, he demonstrated his strength to intimidate the enemy.

Offering wine as a gift, or accompanying someone with wine, is a way of showing courtesy and winning their heart.

See this scene.

Liu Bei also rose from his seat, calmly poured a full cup for Wen Chou, and laughed loudly, "The Grand General once told me that General Yan and General Wen are pillars of Hebei. It is truly an honor to feast and enjoy myself with you two today. Why don't we drink this cup together?"

Feeling Guan Yu's humility and magnanimity, and Liu Bei's sincerity and openness, Yan Liang and Wen Chou exchanged a glance, both deeply moved.

Both generals couldn't help but sigh inwardly: General Zuo's magnanimity is truly that of a hero!

"We wish to drink with General Zuo." Yan Liang and Wen Chou did not hesitate, raising their cups and drinking them down in one gulp.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air once more, accompanied by the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments.

The initial tension and unease had long since vanished.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou not only relaxed their expressions, but also toasted Guan Yu, making the atmosphere even more harmonious.

Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang again, raised his cup in respect, and Zhuge Liang returned the toast with a drink; everything was understood without words.

Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan were secretly surprised to see this scene: Yan Liang and Wen Chou, who were usually so arrogant, had become so humble today.
That night.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both very drunk in their tent.

Ignoring everyone's advice, Liu Bei insisted on adding two more beds to his tent and personally sleeping in the same tent as Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

Although they knew that Liu Bei wanted to win their hearts, Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu dared not be careless. Guan Yu even stayed up all night on duty outside.

The next day.

When Yan Liang and Wen Chou awoke from their drunken stupor, they were shocked to find themselves sharing a tent with Liu Bei. Their shock was even greater than the night before.

Even though Yan Liang and Wen Chou were highly valued by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao never allowed them to share a tent.

It wasn't that Yuan Shao was afraid Yan Liang and Wen Chou would rebel, but rather that he believed Yan Liang and Wen Chou were merely military men, not scholars, and therefore unqualified to share a tent with him.

In this era, valuing scholars over warriors is the norm.

Whether it was Zhang Fei's respect for scholars or Zhang He's fondness for Confucianism, it all stemmed from the desire of military men to gain recognition from the scholar class.

In contrast, Liu Bei, though born into a military family, had already entered the ranks of scholars due to his background as a student of Lu Zhi, his admiration for benevolence and righteousness from Kong Rong, his gift of books from Zheng Xuan, and his unwavering support from the people.

With such a status and position, how could he sleep peacefully in the same tent as his former assassination enemy without any defenses?

How many people in this world possess such courage, magnanimity, and genuine respect for military generals? Liu Bei had long since realized this.

Noticing that Yan Liang and Wen Chou were still unconscious, Liu Bei calmly closed his eyes and waited.

This "drama" of getting back into the swing of things must come to a perfect end.

Seeing that Yan Liang and Wen Chou had woken up, Liu Bei naturally got up and said casually, "General Yan and General Wen were very drunk last night. I was afraid that the soldiers in the camp would be impolite, so I left General Yan and General Wen in the main tent."

He then instructed his personal guards to serve him hot water and food, showing great courtesy and meticulous care.

Faced with Liu Bei's generous treatment, both Yan Liang and Wen Chou began to waver in their belief in Yuan Shao's military orders: "The Left General is so kind and righteous, how can we truly be enemies with him in the future?"

After finishing their meal, Yan Liang and Wen Chou made excuses to leave, but they remained silent and walked heavily on the way back.

After an unknown amount of time, Yan Liangcai broke the silence with difficulty: "General Zuo's magnanimity and breadth of mind are beyond our reach. The road ahead may not be easy."

Wen Chou also sighed: "Guan Yu is braver than you and me, yet he is more humble than you and me. I didn't understand it at first, but now that I think about it, Guan Yu must have been influenced by the magnanimity of the Left General. The two of us are far inferior to him."

Yan Liang frowned: "We have both been deeply indebted to the General, and betrayal is absolutely out of the question. However, new recruits still need several months of training, and as they spend time with the Left General day and night, a bond will surely develop. When the training is complete, what choice will we have?"

Wen Chou remained silent for a long time before saying, "Cao Cao is watching us closely, but the Grand General and the Left General are unlikely to turn against each other in the short term. You and I should just focus on our duty of training the troops, and let everything else take its natural course."

Yuan Shao had no idea that his two most trusted generals would also be struggling with their own dilemmas because of Liu Bei. At this moment, a letter written by Cao Cao himself was placed on his desk.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the past, my brother stroked his beard and said arrogantly, "We will hold the Yellow River in the south, block the Yan and Dai tribes in the north, and unite the Rong and Di tribes. We will march south to contend for the world." Cao Cao once retorted, "If we employ the wisdom and strength of the world and govern it with the Way, there is nothing we cannot achieve."

Looking at it now, the elder brother has the power of a tiger, yet he discards wise men like weeds. How absurd!

Xu Ziyuan offered a surprise attack plan, but my brother dismissed it like trash, willingly acting like a wild bull fighting to the death at Guandu, waiting for the golden opportunity to slip away!
Shen Pei detained Ziyuan's wife and children, but his brother used "laws" as an excuse, chilling the heart of his strategist. When Ziyuan fled at night, he gritted his teeth and wept, saying: "Although Yuan Shao dislikes the powerful clans of Hebei, he treats our lives like straw dogs!"

Chunyu Qiong, with his heavy troops protecting ten thousand bushels of grain, actually abandoned his camp to fight, and was almost completely destroyed by my five thousand starving soldiers. How foolish you were in choosing your generals and commanders.
What's even more ridiculous is that when Zhang He and Gao Lan fought a bloody attack on the camp, my brother listened to slander and forced them to burn their oars and surrender!

Brother, you once criticized Cao Cao for having few soldiers and generals. Now Cao Cao has defeated a large army with a small force. Do you feel ashamed?

Cao Cao also heard that Xuande pacified six counties in Youzhou in two months, and Guan Yu killed Tadun in battle as easily as slaughtering pigs and dogs. Brother, you want to make heroes bow down, but who will bow down today?
In the past, Xiang Yu was defeated at Gaixia but still refused to cross the Yangtze River. Although he was defeated, he was still glorious and could be called a hero. Now, you were defeated at Guandu but abandoned your army and fled. You traveled two hundred miles a day like a fleeting shadow. You can truly be called a hero among horses!

Out of consideration for their past friendship, Cao Cao could not bear to see his brother die in despair on his bed.

I recall that when my elder brother Cao Cao was the governor of Dongjun, his seat was in Dongwuyang. This place of honor could be the place where my brother was buried.

Next April, Cao Cao will raise his flag on the river, cross the Cangting Ferry to the north, and hunt my brother at Dongwuyang!
I hope you can regain the heroic spirit you had when you pointed your sword at Dong Zhuo, fight Cao Cao to the death, and stop making a fool of yourself like a fleeing rabbit!
If you fail, brother, your wife and children will be taken care of. You need not worry!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Cao Cao was cunning and knew Yuan Shao's nature well.

On the surface, this letter seems to be about reminiscing about the past, but every word is like a poisoned blade, intending to kill Yuan Shao and even seizing Yuan Shao's family to show off its power.

Yuan Shao, who regarded Cao Cao as his younger brother throughout his life, was already filled with resentment and anger because of the humiliation at Guandu.

Upon rereading this extremely sarcastic and mocking letter, Yuan Shao was so enraged that he coughed up a mouthful of blood...

　I slept in late on Saturday, and here comes the first update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)