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

Chapter 157 The Black Mountain generals are terrified upon hearing of Liu Bei, Zhang Yan's choice (2nd update)
After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, there were more than twenty leaders of the Black Mountain tribes with titles, who were active in the valleys of Zhongshan, Changshan, Zhao County, Shangdang, and Henan.

However, over the course of more than a decade.

The leaders of the Black Mountain region were either dead, surrendered, or their territory was annexed, and they were no longer what they once were.

In particular, seven years ago, Yuan Shao led his troops into the Cangyan Valley of Luchang Mountain in Chaoge, where he killed Yu Du, the leader of the Black Mountain. He then marched north along Luchang Mountain and attacked Zuo Zizhangba and others, killing them all. Later, he attacked Liu Shi, Qing Niujiao, Huang Long, Zuo Xiao, Guo Daxian, Li Damu, Yu Digen and others, slaughtering their fortified camps and beheading tens of thousands. Only a few people managed to escape with their lives.

After this battle, the power of the Black Mountain generals was greatly reduced, and they were more afraid of Yuan Shao.

Now, however, things have turned around. Yuan Shao suffered a crushing defeat at Guandu, losing most of his elite troops and no longer being what he once was.

The leaders of the Black Mountain tribes felt they could avenge their previous defeats against Yuan Shao, so they responded to the call of Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu, and sent all their troops to invade and harass the counties.

But don't want to.

Yuan Shao actually sent Liu Bei to Changshan!
A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Liu Bei had already made a name for himself in the Youyan region ten years ago, and his fame grew even more as he moved around to various places.

He entered Zhuojun last August and swiftly pacified the six counties of Youzhou in less than two months.

The kings of Wuhuan were either killed or fled.

The once arrogant Wuhuan people of Youzhou were now terrified at the mere mention of Liu Bei's name!
The leaders of the Black Mountain tribes had allied with the Four Battalions of the Tu Ge and the Wuhuan of Yanmen to jointly attack Yuan Shao, and were also aware of the strength of the Wuhuan people.

Yuan Shao wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Wuhuan kings, but Liu Bei crippled them.

In comparison, even the Black Mountain leaders who had dominated the region for many years, such as Lei Gong, Da Mu, Fu Yun, Bai Que, and Wu Lu, were all terrified and unwilling to become enemies with Liu Bei.

When Gongsun Xu saw that everyone avoided Liu Bei at the mere mention of his name, he couldn't help but feel resentful: "Back then, when my father and I turned against Liu Yu, Liu Bei left without saying goodbye and went to Xuzhou. Now that I am about to take revenge, Liu Bei is helping Yuan Shao. He is an unrighteous man and truly hateful!"
Taking a deep breath, Gongsun Xu, unwilling to see the Black Mountain leaders who had just gathered disperse back to the mountain, feigned, "Gentlemen, there is no need to panic. When my father was alive, he was always on good terms with Liu Bei. I will go there personally and persuade him with our old friendship. I am sure I can get Liu Bei to join me in attacking Yuan Shao."

Commander Lei Gong looked doubtful: "What if Liu Bei is unwilling?"

Gongsun Xu's tone turned cold, and instead of answering, he asked, "You don't believe me?"

Lei Gong chuckled: "Believe it or not, it's not important. Let me make this clear: if Liu Bei insists on helping Yuan Shao, I will not go with you to fight Liu Bei."

The Black Mountain leaders, including Da Mu, Fu Yun, Bai Que, and Wu Lu, also echoed this sentiment.

Taking advantage of Yuan Shao's weakened state and his weakened forces, it was acceptable for them to plunder and invade various counties; however, none of the leaders wanted to directly confront Liu Bei, as it would be like throwing an egg against a rock and inviting trouble.

Zhang Yan glanced at the commanders on the left and right, then looked at Gongsun Xu, whose expression was unusual, and said calmly, "Let's try to persuade Liu Bei first. If Liu Bei refuses, we can discuss it again later. Besides, we don't need to confront Liu Bei head-on. If we can fight, we will fight; if we can't fight, we will defend; if we can't defend, we will retreat."

Upon hearing Zhang Yan speak, the other leaders fell silent.

Zhang Yan then apologized to Gongsun Xu, saying, "Liu Bei's slaying of the Wuhuan kings has made him famous throughout Youzhou, and it is only natural that people are afraid of him. I hope Brother Gongsun will not take offense."

Although Gongsun Xu harbored resentment in secret, he dared not show any real resentment. He pretended to be magnanimous and said, "Since everyone is willing to send troops to help me, how can I blame them? Let's follow Brother Zhang's advice and wait until I go to Changshan to persuade Liu Bei. We can discuss it again after I return."

After watching Gongsun Xu leave, all the generals on either side looked worried.

Lei Gong bluntly stated, "General, Gongsun Xu claims that his father, Gongsun Zan, was on good terms with Liu Bei, yet he repeatedly addresses Liu Bei by his given name without any respect. His attempt to persuade Liu Bei is unlikely to succeed." Bai Que added, "Since Gongsun Zan's death, General, in an effort to win over Gongsun Xu, you've addressed him as a brother. However, Gongsun Xu, relying on his family's long line of nobles, has always regarded us as mere country bumpkins. Although he respectfully addresses you as my brother, he harbors resentment. I don't trust him!"

Lei Gong and Bai Que spoke up, and Wu Lu and the others echoed them, taking the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with Gongsun Xu.

“Gossiping behind people’s backs is not the act of a righteous person! Do not speak of it again!” Zhang Yan said lightly, stopping the crowd’s complaints.

Over the course of more than a decade, Zhang Yan, who was initially a passionate young man who changed his name from Chu to Zhang in order to inherit Zhang Niujiao's will, has gradually had his edges smoothed out by the cruel reality.

The lives and future of more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians in Heishan rest on Zhang Yan's shoulders. Zhang Yan cannot only consider his own personal pleasures and grudges.

If they continue to be thieves, the more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians in Heishan will only perish!
But how easy is it for a group of thieves to change their origins?

Therefore, when Gongsun Zan sent Gongsun Xu to Heishan to ask for help, Zhang Yan saw an opportunity to change his status. He overruled the objections of others and mobilized all the able-bodied men to rescue Gongsun Zan.

Unexpectedly.

Before even reaching Yijing, Gongsun Zan committed suicide by self-immolation.

Zhang Yan had no choice but to retreat to Black Mountain again, and once again addressed Gongsun Xu as brothers, waiting for an opportunity.

Zhang Yan knew perfectly well that Gongsun Xu, relying on his family's noble lineage, looked down on the leaders of Heishan without Bai Que having to say it. However, in order to use Gongsun Xu's background and reputation to change the lives of more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians in Heishan, Zhang Yan pretended to turn a blind eye.

As long as the ultimate goal can be achieved, Zhang Yan is willing to endure some grievances.

A somber atmosphere descended upon the crowd.

Qu Shuai Fuyun suddenly spoke up: "I have heard that Liu Bei is a descendant of the Han Dynasty and is known for his benevolence and righteousness. Many of his soldiers are from humble backgrounds and have joined his ranks. Now he has established himself in Youzhou and is the current Left General. If Liu Bei can offer us official positions, why should we need to curry favor with Gongsun Xu?"

Lei Gong, Da Mu, Bai Que, Wu Lu, and other Black Mountain leaders were all interested.

"Floating Cloud, this is the first time I've heard you say something that makes sense since I've known you for so long," Thunder God laughed, his voice booming like thunder.

Apart from Zhang Yan, most of the Black Mountain commanders didn't have proper names.

Thunder God has a loud voice, big eyes, fast-moving clouds, white sparrows are auspicious, and five deer bring wealth.

(Note: Floating Cloud is one of Emperor Wen's nine steeds; White Sparrow is a celestial bird in Taoism; "Deer" is a homophone for "prosperity," and five deer symbolize "accumulating wealth and punishing injustice.")
Zhang Yan did not agree, and lowered her head to consider Fu Yun's suggestion.

Although Fuyun's words made sense, Zhang Yan did not understand Liu Bei. Moreover, Liu Bei was now under the protection of Yuan Shao. Zhang Yan dared not gamble with the lives and future of more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians of Heishan. He was even more afraid that Liu Bei would pretend to agree and secretly kill Zhang Yan and the leaders of Heishan.

Zhang Yan had seen far too many cases of killing their leaders and taking over their followers in the past ten years!
a long time.

Zhang Yan looked up, her gaze deep. She neither agreed with nor rejected Fu Yun's proposal, and said, "Let's wait for Gongsun Xu to return before discussing it. In the next few days, let's keep the troops under control to avoid any unforeseen complications."

Compared to Liu Bei, Zhang Yan currently trusts Gongsun Xu, who has been staying in Heishan for almost two years, more.

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(End of this chapter)