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

Chapter 212 Before Liu Bei even arrived, Xun Chen declared that he was no ordinary person (3rd update)
September, Shangdang.

The autumn sun shines obliquely, and a cool breeze blows gently.

Inside the council hall of the governor's mansion, civil and military officials including Xun Chen, Guo Yuan, Xia Zhao, Deng Sheng, Zhang Sheng, and Zhu Ao gathered.

An indignant voice rang out from the hall: "The General ordered us to harass Guanzhong, but Yuan Xi and Liu Bei have been slow to arrive, which is truly infuriating."

According to Yuan Shao's initial plan, Yuan Xi and Liu Bei should have arrived in Shangdang by the end of August.

However, because Liu Bei did not want to march in the sweltering heat or rush to harass Guanzhong for Yuan Shao, he deliberately delayed setting off in Zhuojun for a whole month.

Yuan Shao was afraid that if he pressed Liu Bei too hard, Liu Bei would simply give up. So he not only turned a blind eye to Liu Bei's delay, but also sent Yan Liang and Wen Chou to accompany him after Liu Bei "pleaded poverty".

Both Liu Bei and Yuan Shao felt that arriving in Shangdang at the end of September would not be a problem.

But the high-ranking official was not happy about it.

The provisions were ready, the troops in Bingzhou were assembled, Ma Teng and Han Sui had made contact, and even Hu Chuquan, who had returned to Bingzhou and reclaimed the position of Chanyu, agreed to lead his troops south to jointly take Hedong.

As a result, half of September had passed, and Yuan Xi and Liu Bei still hadn't arrived in Shangdang!

Seeing Gao Gan's indignation, Guo Yuan, the Attendant Gentleman, could no longer contain himself. He raised his head, clasped his hands, and eagerly volunteered, saying, "My lord! Why wait for those two faithless men? Bingzhou has strong and well-equipped troops, with capable generals and elite soldiers! This humble general is willing to personally lead a force as the vanguard to strike directly at Hedong! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

The high-ranking official looked up at Guo Yuan, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

After a moment's hesitation, Gao Gan slowly shook his head and said tactfully, "Constable Guo, please calm down. I know you are eager for battle, but troop deployment requires careful consideration. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, but Hedong is a strategically important location, and the Commandant of the Capital Region, Zhong Yao, is related to you as uncle and nephew. This raid is of great importance. Would it be better for you to remain in Shangdang to ensure a safe outcome?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Yuan's face changed drastically, turning from flushed red to ashen, as if he had been greatly insulted.

Guo Yuan's eyes widened in anger, and his voice suddenly rose, even becoming somewhat shrill: "Zhong Yao?! Hmph! Zhong Yao is Zhong Yao, and I am me! He is nothing but a coward who survived only by luck when he followed the emperor on his eastward return! If it weren't for the fact that all the high officials and ministers were killed or wounded in the chaos of war, would Zhong Yao have deserved such high rank and generous salary, and been granted a title and honors? Now, he has only become the Commandant of the Capital Region by flattering Cao Cao and taking advantage of Xun Yu's connections! How can such a scoundrel be worthy of being my uncle, Guo Yuan's uncle? I am always ashamed of him! How could I possibly ruin the General's great cause because of my relationship with Zhong Yao? What is the reason for your suspicion of him today, my lord?"

Although Zhong Yao was Guo Yuan's uncle, Guo Yuan did not consider family ties from a political standpoint. Moreover, Guo Yuan was proud of his background and his literary and martial talents, so he never took Zhong Yao seriously.

In Guo Yuan's eyes, his uncle Zhong Yao was a "useless" man who had almost drowned as a child, was mentally impaired, and was still a failure in his forties. During the Dong Zhuo Rebellion, he was even taken to Chang'an and only survived by kneeling down. He was promoted only because the officials suffered heavy casualties when the emperor returned. In the end, he was appointed as the Commandant of the Capital Region by relying on Xun Yu's connections to join Cao Cao. He was a vulgar man who only knew how to talk and had no real skills.

Every time Guo Yuan's aunt visited, she would complain to Guo Yuan's mother that Zhong Yao only knew how to study and practice calligraphy but didn't know how to manage a household. She often had to use her dowry to supplement the family income. If it weren't for the fact that the Zhong family of Yingchuan was also a wealthy and powerful clan, Guo Yuan's aunt would have wanted to remarry. From childhood to adulthood, Guo Yuan's impression of Zhong Yao was nothing but "useless."

Seeing this, Zhu Ao quickly chimed in Guo Yuan's defense: "Guo Yuan is the bravest commander in the army, with wisdom as deep as the sea. He possesses the strength of the ancient general Ben Yu and the wisdom of Liang and Ping! He is truly a rare talent! If Your Majesty is willing to entrust him with important responsibilities and grant him the authority to command troops, leading a strong army to take Hedong, he will surely be unstoppable and invincible!"

Flattery will get you everywhere, and Guo Yuan was thoroughly pleased with Zhu Ao's words of praise.

After listening to Guo Yuan's vehement defense and Zhu Ao's praise, Gao Gan did not respond immediately, but instead lowered his head and pondered.

Unlike Guo Yuan, who was eager to make a name for himself, Gao Gan first understood Yuan Shao's intentions.

Why did Yuan Shao send Liu Bei to Shangdang?

First, Liu Bei had fought bravely and skillfully in battle for many years in the north and south. Second, Yuan Shao wanted to take the opportunity to weaken Liu Bei's strength. This is why Gao Gan, even though he was dissatisfied with Liu Bei's delayed arrival, still waited for him in Shangdang.

Seeing that Gao Gan remained silent, Guo Yuan's heart burned even more fiercely. He pleaded again, his tone becoming resolute: "My lord! Hesitation only leads to more trouble! Young Master Shang is currently engaged in fierce battles with Cao Cao on the front lines in Yanzhou, at a critical juncture! We all know the General's intention to establish Young Master Shang as his heir! If our ineffective raids on Guanzhong lead to further setbacks for Young Master Shang on the front lines, how can we report back to the General? I hereby swear that if we fail to recapture Hedong this time, I am willing to accept military law and bring my head to face you!"

The loud voice interrupted Gao Gan's thoughts, but Gao Gan's gaze did not fall on Guo Yuan, but turned to the silent Xun Chen: "You Ruo, what do you think?"

Xun Chen, like Tian Feng and Xu You, was originally Yuan Shao's chief strategist in the Battle of Guandu. Later, Tian Feng was imprisoned and Xu You betrayed Yuan Shao and joined Cao Cao. Xun Chen felt ashamed to return to Ye City to see Yuan Shao after the defeat at Guandu, so he fled to Shangdang.

When Yuan Shao put pressure on Han Fu in the past, he sent Xun Chen, Zhang Jingming, Guo Tu, Gao Gan and others to persuade Han Fu. Therefore, Xun Chen and Gao Gan also had a lot of friendship.

Gao Gan understood that the defeat at Guandu could not be blamed on Xun Chen, so he appointed Xun Chen as the Chief Administrator and treated him with great courtesy.

As the high-ranking official questioned him, Guo Yuan stared sharply at Xun Chen, his eyes filled with urging, warning, and undeniable coercion, as if silently saying: If you dare to hinder my achievements, don't blame me for turning against you!

Xun Chen glanced at Guo Yuan, his expression unchanged, then turned to Gao Gan: "I understand your concerns, my lord. Liu Bei possesses the qualities of a hero, he is no ordinary man, and he will never be content to remain subordinate to anyone for long. His subordinates Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are fierce and brave, Zhuge Liang is resourceful, and many capable and ambitious men follow him. His delay in arriving is because he is unwilling to be driven and forced into a bitter battle by the General. If we merely defend Shangdang in vain, we will not only miss the opportunity to win, but we may also disrupt the General's plans."

After a pause, Xun Chen glanced at Guo Yuan again and said, "For now, what Guo Yuan just said is a good expedient measure. Your Majesty can first send Guo Yuan to lead troops, with General Zhang Sheng as his deputy, to lead elite troops to attack Hedong swiftly. If Hedong falls, we can then connect with Ma Teng and Han Sui in Guanzhong to the west, and press down on Hongnong to the south, shaking the entire Sili region! If Cao Cao hears that Hedong has fallen and Hongnong is in danger, he will surely send a large force to attack. In this way, the military strength of Yanzhou will be depleted, which will be the perfect time for Young Master Shang to make a name for himself."

Guo Yuan's gaze softened as he looked at Xun Chen, and he laughed loudly, saying, "Xun Zhizhong is right! When I conquer Hedong, I will also give Xun Zhizhong a share of the credit."

　The third update is here (the love-hate relationship between Zhong Yao and Guo Yuan is an unofficial historical account).
　　
　
(End of this chapter)