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

Chapter 205 The Eloquent Xing Daorong

Lingling County, outside Quanling City.

The group of people moved slowly, clearing a path through mountains and building bridges over rivers to pave the way for the main army behind them.

Under a large banner bearing the character "Yuan," Sun Ce, clad in embroidered robes and golden armor, led his troops.

After many years, he finally got the three thousand men he had longed for as his vanguard. However, just in case, Yuan Shu still ordered Xu Chu to stay by his side.

The troops that Yuan Shu temporarily assigned to Sun Ce were all his trusted elites from Huainan, handpicked by Yuan Shu. Their families and relatives were all in Shouchun.

If Sun Ce dares to make any move, not only will these troops not obey him, but Xu Chu could also take down Sun Ce in an instant with a single order.

But as long as Sun Ce doesn't do anything out of line and wholeheartedly plays the role of Yuan Shu's adopted son, these loyal soldiers of Yuan Shu will be his most valiant and elite troops.

At this moment, the army marched forward in a long line, with the "Yuan" banner fluttering in the wind. Unexpectedly, they saw a "Xing" banner waving, and a troop of ten thousand soldiers came to surround and kill them.

Sun Ce was a seasoned warrior, and his reputation as the "Little Conqueror" was well-deserved; though startled, he remained calm.

Seeing the enemy's overwhelming force, he and Xu Chu laid out their battle formation and arranged a defensive array, clearly preparing to await reinforcements.

Before long, a huge, fat and strong figure emerged from the enemy ranks.

It was Xing Daorong!
At this moment, he was wearing black iron chainmail, riding a swift and cloud-riding horse, and holding a pear blossom mountain-splitting axe that gleamed coldly.

Behind him, more than 10,000 men were arrayed in a forest, with axes, halberds, swords, spears, and banners obscuring the sky, surrounding Sun Ce's vanguard army in the center.

"Traitors! How dare you invade my territory?"

Who goes there? My axe does not slay nameless ghosts!

Xing Daorong reined in his horse and brandished his axe, his voice booming like a bell. Putting aside everything else, his imposing appearance and loud voice alone would have intimidated any ordinary man or horse.

Seeing this, Sun Ce dared not underestimate the man and replied coldly:

My father is Yuan Gonglu!

I am the son of Lord Yuan, a family that has produced three high-ranking officials for four generations. I am Yuan Ce, also known as Yuan Bofu.

"You reckless brute, now that you know my family background, why don't you surrender and give me your head? You'll regret it soon."

"joke!"

Xing Daorong spat as he spoke and chuckled.

"So it was you, the eldest brother that the Sun family brat was talking about, the one who recognized a thief as his father and had no loyalty to the emperor or his father."

I have no knowledge of any family that has been in high office for four generations or any family with a prestigious lineage.

I only knew that Sun Jian, the former governor of Changsha, was a fierce tiger of Jiangdong, with a lifetime of illustrious reputation. I never imagined that such a tiger father would have such a worthless son, whose life was ruined by you.

"Traitorous general! How dare you insult me?"

Enraged, Sun Ce brandished his spear, spurred his horse, and charged out to fight.

"Quickly announce your name, or you'll become an unknown ghost under my spear!"

"Hahaha"

Upon hearing this, Xing Daorong laughed loudly, "Tell me my name, and I'll give you a fright!"
I am Xing Daorong, the Supreme General of Lingling!

Today I have killed you, the stepson of the Yuan family. In the future, not only will I not be able to kill you, you little traitor, but I will also capture Yuan Shu alive and present him to my lord to demonstrate my heroic name!

As for you...?

Prepare to die!

"To die?"

Sun Ce laughed in anger, "Do you know that when I fought Guan Yu in Chen, even though he was brave enough to kill Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm, he was still defeated by me?"

When Cao Cao of Liang led an army of tens of thousands south, I led my troops to charge into the enemy lines, killed Luanti Aguda, the son of the Xiongnu Left Wise King, and captured the Xiongnu Left Wise King Luanti Huntuye alive.

Pursuing the fleeing enemy and routing the defeated forces, they routed 130,000 enemy troops!
"Today, you, a nobody, dare to tell me to die?"

"boast!!!"

After boasting, Xing Daorong loudly rebuked him!
His eyes widened in anger, he brandished his large axe, and his face turned red.

"Stop spouting nonsense!"
Everyone knows that during the Chen Dynasty, Guan Yu was defeated by Ji Ling in three rounds, and he was probably still injured, which is why you took advantage of him.

As for Liang's great victory over the 130,000-strong army, it was due to Yuan Gonglu's troop deployment. What does it have to do with you, you brat?
"He even killed the son of the Xiongnu Left Wise King with a spear and captured the Xiongnu Left Wise King alive? Since when has it become something to boast about when we, the sons of Han, kill mere foreigners?"

Ce was furious!
"Whether you're boasting or not, I'll tell you once I shoot you dead!"

"Choose me?"
"How dare you boast! Wait until I take your dog's head, then I'll go and crush that brat Yuan Shu!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sun Ce had already charged to the front of the battle, assuming that Xing Daorong was also about to ride out and fight him.

Unexpectedly, drums and gongs suddenly sounded from the enemy ranks, and with Xing Daorong's order, his ten thousand troops charged towards Sun Ce.

Sun Ce never expected that the enemy general opposite him, who spoke so arrogantly, would actually dare not engage in a duel.

Seeing the enemy army of ten thousand charging towards him, Sun Ce was no match for them. He cursed angrily while slowly retreating in front of Xing Daorong.

In contrast, Xing Daorong subtly shielded Wan Jun in front of him, smugly praising himself.

“You scoundrel, you have fallen into my trap without even realizing it, and you still want to kill me with your spear?”

"You boasted, but you didn't believe me. Today I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

Seeing that Xing Daorong was disregarding martial ethics and had sent a large army to attack, Xu Chu hurriedly led his troops to rescue Sun Ce. In an instant, the two sides clashed and fought fiercely.

Although Yuan's army was small, they were all elite troops carefully selected by Yuan Shu, and were led by two fierce generals, Xu Chu and Sun Ce.

Although the Jingzhou army was large, it had not fought in a long time and had no fierce generals to stop Xu Chu and Sun Ce's killing spree.

For a time, the situation reached a stalemate, with only the troops under both sides suffering casualties in the fighting.

Seeing this, even Xing Daorong, who had always protected his subordinates and was therefore no match for them under his axe, frowned slightly and thought to himself that something was wrong.

He originally thought that it would be easy for 10,000 men to fight 3,000 men, and even if he couldn't wipe out the enemy, it would be easy to drive them away.

After all, when the enemy soldiers saw that he had a large force surrounding them, they knew that defeat and death were imminent, and they should have fled in an instant.

As soon as Yuan Jun fled, he would immediately confirm the victory and return to Quanling City, where he could continue to spread the fame of General Xing.

But what's wrong with this Yuan army? You three thousand men saw ten thousand of us charging towards you, and instead of running away, you dare to fight back?
Seeing that Yuan Shu's army was stubbornly holding out despite heavy casualties, determined to entangle him in this place, and knowing that delay would lead to unforeseen circumstances and that Yuan Shu's main force was about to arrive, Xing Daorong was already anxiously urging them on:

Run! Run faster!
Three thousand men against ten thousand, we can wear you down eventually, what are you still struggling for?

Damn it! Nearly 20% casualties have been suffered, and you're still not running?!

However, on the scene, he remained calm and composed, wielding his great axe, while uttering the following words:

"You despicable scoundrel who has recognized a thief as his father, come out and face your death!"

Surrounded by thousands of troops and unable to reach Xing Daorong, Sun Ce was utterly bewildered: "???"

Xing Daorong: "Yuan Ce, you little thief! Where are you? Get out here right now!"

Sun Ce: "."

Xing Daorong: "Yuan Ce, don't run! Soldiers, charge! Don't let Yuan Ce escape. Follow me to capture this boy alive and present him to our lord!"

Sun Ce: "!!!"

Sun Ce's face turned red with anger. He used his spear to knock away the charging soldiers one after another, but his eyes were fixed on Xing Daorong in the distance!

Finally, after a fierce battle, a drum sounded all around, and Huang Gai, wielding his broadsword, charged out from the left!
"Young General, do not panic! Lord Yuan's army has arrived and will come to our rescue!"

Almost simultaneously, Cheng Pu, with his silver spear as white as snow, flanked from the right, shouting urgently.

"Young General, do not be alarmed, your old minister has arrived. Today I will surely help you capture and kill this scoundrel!" Xing Daorong was shocked to see this scene and knew that Yuan Shu's main force had arrived. He felt a chill run down his spine.

He remained outwardly calm, leading his personal guards in a charge back the way they had come, pretending to raise an axe to meet the enemy, and letting out a loud shout.

"Well done! You scoundrel, let's fight for three hundred rounds!"

Xing Daorong, as the number one general of Lingling, was famous throughout Jingzhou. Putting aside everything else, at least the pear blossom mountain-splitting axe in his hand and the swift and cloud-treading horse he rode were not undeserved!
Xing Daorong relied on this to dominate Lingling and never suffered a defeat.

This scene left Cheng Pu and Huang Gai stunned and speechless.

Cheng Pu/Huang Gai: "???"

If you want to fight for three hundred rounds, don't you dare run away!

We'd love to fight you, but our horses can't catch up.

Fortunately, Yuan Shu's main army continued to arrive, and the situation of being outnumbered and outgunned was easily resolved.

With the help of a large number of allied troops, Sun Ce was finally free to do something. His eyes were red as he urged his horse to chase after Xing Daorong.

Sun Ce rode a fine steed given to him by Yuan Shu during his previous battle with Guan Yu. Others might see that Xing Daorong's horse was too fast to catch up with, but he wasn't afraid!
With Cheng Pu and others leading troops to hold them back, and Sun Ce keeping a close eye on Xing Daorong and pursuing him relentlessly.

The two chased and fled, getting further and further away.

Seeing that the two sides were getting closer and closer, and that he could kill Xing Daorong with a single spear thrust, Sun Ce sneered.

"General Xing, don't run! Didn't you boast that you would capture me alive? Let's fight and decide who lives and who dies!"

Even at this moment, Xing Daorong maintained his composure as a general. He suddenly turned his horse around, raised his axe, and shouted:
"I am Xing Daorong, the Supreme General of Lingling. Do you really think that with my great reputation, I would only flee in panic?"

Everything before was just a ploy to lure you here alone, kid. You've fallen for their trap without even realizing it. May you rest in peace in the afterlife!

As soon as he finished speaking, the stout and strong Xing Daorong raised his great axe high, casting a huge shadow as if the axe was about to deliver a fatal blow.

Sun Ce was startled. Could it be a backhand axe, similar to a counterattack? Could a large axe also be used in this move?

Sun Ce was startled and quickly reined in his horse to escape.

But after he reined in his horse to dodge, there was no sign of Xing Daorong wielding his killing move.

The man had already taken the opportunity to escape, creating distance once again.

Sun Ce: "."

Seeing this, Sun Ce was so angry he wanted to jump up and curse.

Is there no one left in Jingzhou?
How could there be such a general?

The angrier he got, the more he chased after him; and the more Xing Daorong chased, the more he ran away.

Having finally caught up again, Xing Daorong seemed to have truly run out of tricks and had no choice but to use his real skills to fight with his axe!

Axes and spears clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

Although Xing Daorong was an excellent runner, he was also quite fat and strong, with the strength of an ox.

This pear blossom-shaped axe, weighing over a hundred pounds, was no exaggeration; it was exceptionally heavy, and each strike was powerful and forceful.

If it were an ordinary opponent, a few random swings from him would likely have broken bones and tendons, and they would have perished under his axe.

Unfortunately, he encountered Sun Ce, who was in a state of rage, using unorthodox tactics and seeking out weaknesses.

However, after only three blows, Xing Daorong, seeing that he was no match, jumped down, pretending to fall off his horse, and shouted urgently:

"Today I stumbled and fell from my horse; it is fate that has destroyed me, not that I am no match for it."

Sun Ce was even angrier and thrust his spear to stab him to death, but Xing Daorong stubbornly refused, saying only:

"I have a grand plan to tell Lord Yuan. You have received great favor from Lord Yuan, and you have not yet repaid him. If you kill me now, you will be letting down Lord Yuan's great cause, and it will be too late to regret it!"

Yuan Gong's great favor?

It would have been better if Xing Daorong hadn't brought this up; the more he did, the angrier Sun Ce became, and he was about to stab him to death with his spear.

Xing Daorong was shocked!
Why is this different from what he imagined?

Aren't you, Yuan Ce, Yuan Gong's most beloved stepson? Aren't you wholeheartedly loyal to Yuan Gong and determined to repay him for his great cause?
Why are you unmoved and still want to kill me?
Fortunately, Xing Daorong relied solely on his mouth throughout his life. He was eloquent and persuasive, and if one plan failed, he would devise another.

"I also know about Sun Quan's current situation in Liu Biao's camp!"

The spear came to a halt!

Although Sun Ce was also angry that Sun Quan had betrayed his country and defected to the enemy, almost causing the death of the entire Sun family.

But he didn't know how much of this was Yuan Shu's scheme, and besides, Sun Quan was his own younger brother whom he had grown up with; how could he really be so heartless?

However, on the surface, he remained righteous and spoke with resentment.

"Sun Quan is a traitor!"
They nearly wiped out my entire family; I wish I could take their heads and hang them at the east gate!

Xing Daorong was horrified upon hearing this, feeling utterly unlucky to have guessed wrong twice in a row.

However, amidst the fear, Sun Ce changed his tone and said, "But Father deeply hates this son and is especially wary of him. If there is any news about him, I will take you to report to him."

"If you dare to speak so eloquently and utter even a single falsehood before my father, I will kill you."

Xing Daorong repeatedly said, "I wouldn't dare."

Life's ups and downs happen too fast. He breathed a sigh of relief, having survived for the time being.

As dusk deepened, Xing Daorong's great axe was confiscated, its cold gleam dimmed, and Xing Daorong himself was bound with ropes and escorted by Sun Ce to Yuan Shu's military tent.

Upon entering the tent, they saw a man at the head of the table wearing a flat-topped crown and a bright yellow dragon robe representing the element of earth. He had a majestic and imposing appearance, and his eyes were sharp and piercing.

Xing Daorong dared not meet his gaze and, to everyone's surprise, prostrated himself on the ground.

"He was honored in Lingling, and fought in all directions for a long time. He only knew about the chaotic war between the feudal lords, but he never saw the holy emperor!"

Seeing Lord Yuan today is like seeing His Majesty in person; I now know that the Holy Emperor is right before my eyes.

If Yuan Gong had not ascended the throne, the world would have been in chaos, and what wrong would the common people have done?
"May Your Majesty prioritize the well-being of the people! Long live the Emperor!"

Yuan's men: "."

How come you, a prisoner of war, are more enthusiastic than us about my lord's ascension to the throne?

Yuan Shu's expression immediately changed.

"Arrogant and rude!"
I am a loyal and virtuous ruler of the Han Dynasty!

How dare you, a prisoner, spout nonsense, sow discord between the sovereign and the father, and conflate me with Cao Cao, a usurper and traitor?
about!

Capture this person!

Throw him out and behead him as a warning to others!

Xing Daorong: "???"

The rumors say that Yuan Gonglu's ambition to become emperor is obvious to everyone.
Moreover, you keep using the title "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor") and wear a dragon robe and crown. What kind of loyal and virtuous official of the Han Dynasty could look like you?

Rumors misled me!

What's going on today? My mouth, which has never failed in battle and has never made a mistake, has actually failed me one after another?
Fortunately, Xing Daorong was quick-witted and eloquent, and although he was startled, he remained calm and quickly changed his words.

"In his half-life of fighting, he has never seen anyone as loyal and righteous as Lord Yuan."

I have heard that you have a fondness for adopting sons. If you do not mind, I would like to become your adoptive father, and together we can work from within and without to assist in your great undertaking. I will then offer up the entire Lingling prefecture to you.”

(End of this chapter)