Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 198 General Xing Daorong of Lingling is truly unparalleled in the world!
That unspoken silence was heard amidst the sound of the bronze chime and the swirling clouds.

The nobleman, seated high above the clouds, gazed down at the young man kneeling below, lost in thought for a long time, and then chuckled softly.

This smile was like the sky opening up and the moon shining brightly, like clouds dispersing and rain clearing, like thunder turning into rain and dew, a sign of imperial favor.

“My son is joking. There are many dangers on the way to Jingnan. How could I bear to let you go alone into danger?”
Sun Quan, that ungrateful brat, has disregarded the Emperor's grace. I shall personally lead an expedition to capture him.

The troops in Shouchun are ready. Tomorrow, we will keep everything simple and hold an adoption ceremony for you.

Once the three armies are assembled, I, your father, will immediately raise an army of 100,000 to conquer Liu Biao.

We, father and son, should work together with one heart and one mind, and walk hand in hand.

Just like two years ago, they crossed the river together to rescue their mother and pacified Jiangdong in one fell swoop. The father and son will go to Jingnan together and shed blood in the nine counties.

Sun Ce bowed deeply, weeping as he reported:

"From this day forward, I will follow you, Father, and assist you in your great cause, even unto death!"

The following day, while the Sun family was filled with anxiety and the other powerful families were watching the show, to everyone's surprise, Lord Yuan held a grand banquet for his officials and, in front of everyone, adopted Sun Ce as his son.

After the ceremony of bowing and kowtowing was completed, Sun Ce took the ancient sword and cut the table in half, declaring that he would be irreconcilably opposed to Sun Quan and that the Sun family would also be at odds with Sun Quan!
As a result, the reputation of Yuan Gong's beloved son grew even more, and everyone in the world knew about him.

The Sun family members and their former subordinates, who had been in a state of panic and anxiety all night, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

None of them failed to appreciate Yuan Gong's kindness and generosity, and none failed to condemn Sun Quan as a shameless and despicable scoundrel!

Huang Gai followed Sun Ce in expressing his opinion, rebuking him as follows:
“Zhongmou is a man of great cunning and deep scheming. With his blue eyes and purple beard, he does not look like a subject. I regret that I cannot get rid of him sooner.”

Cheng Pu echoed, "For his own selfish desires, he abandoned his country and his family. If I had known this would happen, I should have killed him to set an example for the world, so as not to implicate others."

Even Madam Wu, her face streaked with tears, tightly grasped Yuan Gong's hand and sobbed:

“My son was unfilial and almost brought disaster to the family. Fortunately, Lord Yuan was wise and did not fall for the tricks of villains.”

The Sun family's loyalty is evident to heaven and earth; the great kindness of Lord Yuan is beyond repayment.

"Zhongmou, I'll pretend I never had this son!"

At that time, regardless of their inner thoughts, it was politically correct for the Sun family to criticize Sun Quan, at least on the surface.

After Sun Quan's defection and rebellion, and with Sun Ce being adopted by Yuan Ce, Yuan Shu and the Sun family not only did not become estranged, but the former Sun family members, who were originally somewhat estranged, were completely won over.

Yuan Shu immediately declared that he would send 100,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, and that the moment the troops were fully assembled would be the time to launch the uprising!
Only one person remained silent throughout the entire adoption ceremony, watching it without uttering a word until it ended.

Finally, when the bright moon was high in the sky, all the guests had left, and only one person remained at the table, Sun Ce found him with disheveled hair.

Where is Zhou Yu now, with his former elegance in white robes and heroic bearing?

He raised his cup and drank it all, then looked at Sun Ce who came to help him up and gave a cold laugh.

"Bo Fu? Hahaha, shall I call you Sun Bo Fu or Yuan Bo Fu from now on?"

"Gongjin, you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk. Although I've been drinking, I'm perfectly sober. You haven't been drinking, but you're already drunk to death in this land of pleasure."

"Gongjin, stop drinking. I'll take you home."

Zhou Yu flung away the hand that was trying to help him up, his bloodshot eyes filled with disappointment at his son's lack of ambition.

"Why didn't you ask me immediately when this happened yesterday? This is a trap, a calculated scheme, he's plotting against you."

Sun Ce nodded slightly, expressionless. "I know." He then reached out to help him up.

"You know? You know but you still don't come to ask me! He wouldn't dare kill the entire Sun family! He is Lord Yuan, whose benevolence is known throughout the Jianghuai region; he is the Yellow Heaven Responding Origin Manifesting Sage Dao Lord, who seeks peace for the people; and he is the head of a family that has produced four generations of high-ranking officials!"

He was neither Cao Cao, driven to hysteria by repeated betrayals and surrenders, nor Gongsun Zan, who was at his wit's end.

Even now, can't you see it? He is the most calculating person when it comes to gains and losses. For the sake of Sun Quan, he slaughtered the entire Sun family. For him, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages, and he would lose the hearts of the people.

He never does anything that would alienate people.

But once you are adopted and your surname is changed to Yuan, you will have little chance to be independent in the future.

As for the saying, "Your youngest son is often ill; you should encourage him," that's a joke. Who in the Yuan family would consider you one of their own? Let alone others, his suspicion of you has never diminished.

"Gongjin, I understand, I know all that you're saying."

But just like in the scene of the candlelight and axe sounds at Shouchun Palace that night, would he really not kill me?

You didn't see the fear and panic the Sun family had yesterday. My mother, my wife, my siblings, they were all watching me with bated breath.

Yes, he never does things that lose people's hearts, but if he does it even once, the entire Sun family will be wiped out.

Gongjin, I can't afford to gamble anymore, and I'm tired too.

How could Zhou Yu not know what Sun Ce was saying? He drank the wine in his cup to the brim, letting the liquid slide down his lips and wet his clothes, his face already streaked with tears.

"I remember when we first met in Jiangdong, we were full of enthusiasm and lofty ambitions."

My elder brother said that if he hadn't been controlled by Yuan Shu, he would have wanted to take over all six counties and eighty-one cities in Jiangdong and create an unparalleled achievement!

I was deeply impressed by my elder brother’s lofty ambitions. Although I was in Yuan’s camp, my ideals never wavered. Even in the face of adversity, I still did my best.

Unparalleled achievements, a powerful empire in Jiangdong—we remain steadfast, forging ahead with unwavering determination.

Even though I suffered all the scheming and suppression from Yuan Gong, and was feared and ostracized by him, I never gave up my lofty ambitions. But now, brother, you tell me you are tired?
Hahaha, then what about all the efforts and painstaking planning we've made before?
Sun Ce! Sun Bofu!

Did you know that the Zhou family were also protégés and former subordinates of the Yuan family? My uncle was appointed Prefect of Danyang by their recommendation.

Over the past two years, my family has repeatedly urged me to wholeheartedly assist Lord Yuan and seek advancement for the Zhou family.

I only used the excuse that you were Yuan Gong's most beloved adopted son, and that Yuan Gong had once told you, "Your youngest son is often ill, so you should encourage him," to stall them.

They then feigned that you might be able to inherit Yuan Gong's cause in the future, in order to build up your faction and win over the hearts of the people.

On the surface, they were fighting against Yuan Yao's faction, but in reality, they were plotting to lead their followers in a future rebellion.

Do you know how much pressure I've carried from my family all these years, how many times I've fought with Lu Boyan in the palace, and how I've worked day and night for the ideals and great cause you described to me when we first met?
"If we had known this would happen, wouldn't it have been better if we had joined Yuan Shu's side back then and been of one mind with him?"

Zhou Yu drank cup after cup of wine, his expression a mix of laughter and tears, his hazy, drunken eyes scanning Sun Ce with a look that seemed both familiar and strange.

"Back then, when my elder brother borrowed three thousand soldiers to cross the river and rescue our mother, we shared the same ambition and vowed to break away from Yuan Shu, establish a career in Jiangdong, and conquer the world!"
But is the elder brother of today still the elder brother?
Being adopted as a son-in-law is not enough, being a son-in-law is not enough, and even being adopted as a son today is still not enough!
Where does my brother's future lie? Yu can't see it anymore!
Those who are feared are given high positions, climb to the clouds, but will eventually fall. The higher my brother stands, the more trapped he becomes, and there will come a day when he can no longer tolerate you. I can almost see my brother being buried with him, his death imminent!

Seeing Zhou Yu drunk and out of control, pouring out his heart, Sun Ce helped him up, put his arm around his shoulder, and escorted him back to the Zhou residence step by step.

Under the moonlight, only their shadows, side by side, stretched longer and longer.

“Gongjin, Sun Ce is dead. Today, standing before you is Yuan Ce, the eldest son of Yuan Gong, a man from a family that has held high office for four generations!”

Young people should have lofty ambitions, but one cannot remain a child forever; it's time for us to grow up.

On this day, thousands of sails passed by outside Shouchun City, and the Chiang Kai-shek banner fluttered in the wind!

It was Jiang Qin who returned, along with a dozen or so large ships laden with cargo.

As the saying goes, "an army marches on its stomach," and upon his return, Jiang Qin immediately prepared the first batch of provisions and supplies needed for the 100,000-strong army.

Just as Jiang Qin was about to unload the cargo from the ship and ask his lord for credit and reward, he received a transfer order.

He was ordered not to disembark, but to take the provisions and supplies with him and join the 100,000-strong army to conquer Jingzhou.

Jiang Qin: "???"

No, my lord, I've been at sea for months, and they won't even let me off the ship. Is that right?
However, with the supplies sent by Jiang Qin, Shouchun, which was preparing an army of 100,000, was now fully equipped with troops and sufficient provisions!
On that very day, General Yuan Shu of the Han Dynasty immediately raised a great cause, issued an imperial edict, and proclaimed it to the world!
Liu Biao, a traitor to the Han dynasty, falsely claimed to be a member of the imperial clan, amassed military power, and overstepped his authority.

Their crimes are obvious and intolerable to Heaven; the waters of the Yangtze River cannot wash them away, and the bamboo of Mount Nan cannot record their crimes!
The Prefect of Changsha, Xian, had long governed the region well, was loyal to the emperor and loved his country. He could not bear to report the tyrannical acts of the local people, nor could he bear to report the conscription and militarism.

Therefore, he was ordered by the emperor to punish the disloyal and to attack Liu Biao for the sake of the people's livelihood. However, Liu Biao's power was too great, and he could not fight alone.

Your servant, General-in-Chief of the Han Dynasty, Shu, could not bear to see a loyal minister die for his principles in order to assist Zhang Xian's righteous act of suppressing the rebels.

Now, in accordance with the Emperor's will and the people's wishes, we have mobilized a million troops, crossed the river with our whips, quelled the grievances of the people, and rescued Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

All the people of the nine prefectures should submit to the king's rule as soon as possible, for when the king's army arrives, they will all enjoy peace and prosperity!

After the proclamation was read aloud, Yuan Shu ascended the platform to order the mobilization of troops, first dispatching 20,000 troops from the Black Mountain bandits.

Led by General Zhang Xun, and joined by the troops of Zhu Zhizhi, the Commandant of Lujiang County, and with Gu Yong, the Prefect of Lujiang, as the chief strategist, they advanced to attack Jiangxia.

Another 20,000-strong navy, commanded by Jiang Qin, was dispatched to patrol the Yangtze River, coordinate with various forces, and deal with the Jingzhou navy.

Finally, he led 20,000 troops from the Northern Expeditionary Army that had returned the previous year, 20,000 troops from Danyang, 10,000 troops from Heishan, and 10,000 newly recruited troops, and mobilized his main force to reinforce Changsha.

With a total force of 100,000, though claimed to be a million, they will advance by land and water, launching a two-pronged attack on Jingzhou today!

At this moment, although Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue had planned well and seized Linxiang, the capital of Changsha, in one fell swoop, they had also joined forces with Sun Quan to reclaim many counties in Jingzhou.

However, Zhang Xian had governed the area for a long time and was deeply loved by the people. He conscripted the people to defend the city to the death, waiting for the general to come to the rescue. The resistance was particularly fierce, and he was never able to achieve complete victory.

Zhang Xian had already raised the imperial edict, indicating that General Yuan was standing behind them, and called on the two prefectures of Lingling and Guiyang to rise up in rebellion.

The two prefects were originally Zhang Xian's former subordinates, and their hesitation stemmed from their fear that Liu Biao's power was too great and that Zhang Xian was no match for him.

Now, with General Yuan, who has won every battle and single-handedly fought against all the princes of the world, as their backer, the balance of power between the two sides has shifted dramatically!

He immediately bowed and knelt, ready to accept the imperial edict to suppress the traitors!
In a short time, all three prefectures in Jingnan rebelled, and Jingxiang was shaken.

Fortunately, due to Zhang Xian's previous delays, Xiangyang had already made preparations for this.

The governor of Lingling had just raised the banner of rebellion when he encountered an opponent he could not defeat no matter how hard he tried.

General Xing Daorong of Lingling!

General Xing Daorong's reputation was well-deserved; he had fought his way through Lingling without any rivals.

Unfortunately, the generals of Lingling, both high and low, often drank with him and feared his reputation. Now, they held the great responsibility of entrusting Liu Biao's life to them.

soon!
Before the governor of Lingling could react and was caught off guard, the counties under his command had already been successively conquered by Xing Daorong. After more than thirty battles, large and small, he had never been defeated.

In less than ten days, all the counties of Lingling had been subdued by Xing Daorong, and even the governor of Lingling could only stare at him in disbelief.

"General Xing, why have you changed your mind?"

Xing Daorong laughed loudly, "I am loyal to Liu Jingzhou, how could I associate with a traitor like you?"

"Nonsense! Liu Biao is the real traitor. We are acting on the Emperor's decree and under the General's orders to punish the traitor."

"If you kill me today, when the Great General's heavenly army arrives tomorrow, your deaths will be imminent!"

"Hahaha~"

Xing Daorong laughed loudly, "Yuan the traitor is not worthy of calling himself a general?"
If he doesn't come, fine. But if he dares to come, with this pear blossom axe in my hand, I'll make sure he doesn't leave alive!

After laughing, the axe that split the pear blossom fell, and the governor's head rolled to the ground!
In just over ten days, the rebellious Lingling County was recovered!

At this time, Huang Zhong in Changsha was still locked in a stalemate with Zhang Xian. Although he had the advantage, it would be difficult for him to break through in a short period of time.

Chen Ying and Bao Long of Guiyang were even worse. Their prestige in the Guiyang army was far less than that of Xing Daorong. They were only hunters by trade. They might be somewhat capable of hunting tigers, but they knew nothing about fighting.

Under the counterattack of the Prefect of Guiyang, these two men, who were ignorant of military strategy, were already showing signs of defeat.

Without comparison, there is no gap.

When this intelligence was sent back to Xiangyang, Liu Biao was shocked!
He recovered the entire territory of Lingling in just over ten days? General Xing Daorong of Lingling truly lives up to his reputation and is unparalleled in the world.

Just then, they were shocked to hear that Yuan Shu had mobilized 100,000 troops, claiming to have a million, to attack Jingzhou. This time, although everyone was surprised, they remained calm and did not show the same attitude as before when everyone was clamoring to surrender.

Firstly, since Wen Ping's defeat last time, everyone had anticipated this day and had made many preparations for troop deployment and recruitment.

Furthermore, the reason they lost last time was because they didn't have a general who could rival Zhang Xun, but this time they have General Xing Daorong, who pacified a prefecture in ten days.

Liu Biao immediately promoted Xing Daorong to a higher rank and title, and at the same time mobilized 50,000 troops that Xing Daorong had recruited from various places during this period. These troops, led by Liu Pan, were to join Xing Daorong's 10,000 troops in Lingling. Xing Daorong was appointed as the general commander and overall supervisor of the Jingnan campaign.

He then ordered Wen Pin to lead the remaining 20,000 troops, with the newly recruited brave warrior Wei Yan as his deputy, to defend Jiangxia to the death against Zhang Xun.

There was no way around it. Although everyone in Jingzhou knew how powerful Zhang Xun was, Yuan Shu's main force was clearly more terrifying than Zhang Xun's.

There is only one General Xing Daorong.

For now, all we can do is put Wenpin through the wringer and hope that he can withstand the pressure in Jiangxia and hold out.

(End of this chapter)