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

Chapter 224 Yuan Gonglu, a figure of great power throughout China!

"Excellent! With the full support of you two brothers, Bofu and Zhongmou, what is there to worry about in achieving our great cause?"

After Sun Ce brought Sun Quan back, Yuan Shu finally turned his gaze to Kuai Yue, who looked utterly disappointed in Sun Quan, and chuckled as he said:
"Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters. Why does Mr. Kuai act like a daughter?"
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Liu Jingsheng's defeat is inevitable. I have long admired your talent and reputation in Jingzhou. Why waste your efforts on a mere skeleton in a tomb and squander your talent for serving the country?

Even if you are truly loyal and righteous, Xiangyang is now a vast expanse of water, and tens of thousands of people are still suffering in misery.

What is your personal reputation compared to the well-being of the people? I urge you to prioritize the well-being of the people of Xiangyang and assist me in providing relief and pacification to protect Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

Kuai Yue: "."

After Yuan Shu finished speaking, Kuai Yue's expression became extremely complicated, and his gaze towards him turned strange.

Is Xiangyang a vast expanse of water? Are the people suffering terribly?

Right? How did Xiangyang end up like this?

Don't you know who caused this?
Now you're using this to morally blackmail me into joining you and helping you relieve disaster victims?
I have never seen such a shameless person in my life!
This person's shamelessness is even greater than Xing Daorong's!
He had previously thought that Xing Daorong was already a master in this field, but he never expected that there was always someone better. No wonder Xing Daorong was only an adopted son, while you were the adoptive father.

Seemingly noticing his strange gaze, Yuan Shu remained calm and composed, showing no sign of embarrassment.

"Flooding Xiangyang was not my intention."

This was Liu Ziyang's scheme, but the tactics were truly unknown to him.

"How dare he plot such a vicious scheme on his own! Rest assured, Mr. Kuai, once we have taken all nine counties of Jingzhou, I will surely rebuke him and make sure he never does such a thing again."

As Yuan Shu spoke, he looked up at Liu Ye, who was standing among the scholars behind him.

Shu was furious and rebuked him!

"Liu Ziyang, I trusted and relied on you so much, but I never expected you to do such a thing behind my back. You...you have really disappointed me."

Remember, never again attempt such a vicious scheme without my permission.

This time, I'll demote you to a minor official in charge of disaster relief, responsible for the relief efforts following this flood. You must personally oversee the relief of every single person to atone for your past transgressions.

Liu Ye: "???"

Good, good, good! No wonder Xu Chu could block the waterways and dig the riverbeds all by himself. He also wondered why Lord Yuan insisted on having him go with him.

They even went so far as to claim that they were calculating diversion and flood discharge channels to reduce casualties among the people, making it difficult for me to refuse.

So this is what was waiting for me all along?
Yuan Gonglu! Aren't you afraid that such acts of betraying your advisors and harming your own strategists will make me disheartened and give rise to disloyal thoughts?

Wait!
It seems that he was originally in Yuan's camp but his heart was with Cao, and he was full of ulterior motives.

This time, I was only reluctantly helped him manage the breach of the Han River because he used the plight of the common people as leverage.

Hiss~ Yuan Gonglu seems to be completely fearless. He has no fear of developing ulterior motives since he already has them. Am I, Liu Ziyang, going to suffer this loss in silence?

Not only that, it seems I also have to continue helping him treat the disaster victims to reassure the people of Jingzhou?

As for deliberately causing trouble in the rescue of disaster victims?
He knew that these people had fallen into this predicament because of him, and he thought of the pleading eyes that looked at him for their lives. How could he bring himself to do it? How could he not do his best to appease his conscience?
How hateful! Absolutely hateful!
So not only did he trick me, but I also have to clean up his mess.

Yuan Gonglu, you've gone too far!
Upon returning home, Ye wrote a letter to Shouchun, and from then on, Yuan Yao's studies and homework were doubled—no! Twice!
After we get back from the war, I'll personally check your work!

Not to mention Liu Ye, who dared not speak out against his anger, and did not even dare to glare at Yuan Shu, but only lowered his head and gritted his teeth, wanting to vent his anger on Yuan Yao's studies.

After Yuan Shu finished speaking, he looked at Kuai Yue again and said to him:

"Is Mr. Kuai satisfied with this punishment? If you have any further doubts, please feel free to speak them."

satisfaction?

Yuan Shu completely shirked responsibility, so what could Kuai Yue say?

He had said everything he could. Liu Jingsheng was now just a skeleton in his tomb, while a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on.

Even when it came to betraying his country and defecting to the enemy, which would damage his reputation, Yuan Shu thoughtfully prepared reasons for himself.

Kuai Yue did not surrender voluntarily, but surrendered for the sake of the suffering people in Xiangyang.

The conditions have already been laid out: Xiangyang is currently a vast expanse of water, and Yuan Gonglu needs his abilities to govern the country and assist him in managing it. In this way, the Kuai family can be saved.

Even regarding the negative impact of his surrender to Yuan Gonglu, the great demon king who flooded Xiangyang, Yuan Shu's words just now provided an open explanation to deal with public opinion.

How could someone as benevolent and righteous as Lord Yuan commit such a heinous and depraved act? It was all Liu Ziyang's fault that I was misled!

Yuan Gong was completely unaware of the situation; he was also a victim!

Kuai Yue: "."

Having understood the cause and effect of this situation, he was speechless at the man's shamelessness.

Yuan Gong's two statements had clearly outlined his own situation, his family's circumstances, his reputation, and his conditions. Unless Kuai Yue was a fool who blindly sought fame, he would know which option to choose.

Is he?

Kuai Yue smiled bitterly. This body never belonged to him alone, nor was he simply Kuai Yue representing himself; rather, he was Kuai Yue of the Kuai family.

Kuai Yue may act impulsively out of momentary pride, but the Kuai family cannot. Representing the Kuai family's thousand-year heritage, he must weigh the pros and cons and prioritize the family's legacy in everything.

In the end, he sighed softly and bowed deeply to Yuan Shu.

"Kuai Yue of the Kuai family pays his respects to his lord."

"Good! I am not happy to have gained Jingzhou, but I am happy to have gained Kuai Yidu."

As Yuan Shu spoke, he hurriedly ordered someone to invite him onto the ship. Once he stood behind Yuan Shu, he met Sun Quan, who had arrived earlier. The two, master and disciple, stared at each other, feeling quite awkward.

Sun Quan: You've come too.

Kuai Yue: Zhongmou has ruined me!
At this point, the battle was a great victory, and everyone was overjoyed when suddenly they heard a series of intermittent shouts.

"Yi Gulu Gulu Father!"
Godfather, gurgle gurgle, save me! gurgle, save me!

Righteousness. Gollum's Father."

Yuan Shu: "???"

Which of my adopted sons is calling me?

The crowd followed the sound and soon found a man clinging to the broken pieces of wood from the crashed boat beneath the ship. He was either sinking or floating. Who else could it be but Xing Daorong, who had shamelessly claimed to be Yuan Gong's adopted son?
Yuan Shu: "."

You're still alive? You're really lucky.

Considering that there might be another opportunity in the future to achieve merit through a near-death experience, Xing Daorong could be sent to fight to the death with the enemy.

After all, this kind of job can only be done by him. Look at people like Zhou Tai and Xu Chu, who were sent to carry out this kind of task. If they died, wouldn't we be heartbroken?
However, if we send some unknown, insignificant generals, it will be difficult to attract the enemy's attention.

In such a large camp, there wasn't even a general whose name could be called. Unless the enemy soldiers were stupid, they would know that there was something wrong with your escape.

But Xing Daorong is different! Everyone knows his reputation and knows that he is a great general who can hold down a region. With him staying behind to attract the enemy's attention, the enemy will not suspect anything.

When the mission is complete, if you survive, you can use it again next time. Even if you accidentally die while using it, it's still not a loss.

Yuan Shu had no qualms about using such shameless and fickle villains.

There's no need to worry that he might betray his country and defect to the enemy because of danger.

The reason is that once the details of the Battle of Jingxiang are revealed, given his reputation for repeatedly feigning surrender, and considering the precedent of Sun Quan and him feigning surrender respectively, I ask you, which of the lords in the world would still dare to employ Xing Daorong?

Who wouldn't be afraid that Xing Daorong had deliberately arranged this as a backup plan for greater benefits?
Thinking of this, Yuan Shu felt that in certain specific situations, Xing Daorong was also a sharp blade that could drag the enemy down with him. He nodded slightly and hurriedly ordered everyone to rescue him.

Having just arrived on the ship, and disregarding his violent cough, Xing Daorong, looking utterly disheveled, hurriedly went to Yuan Shu and kowtowed.

"My godfather, I almost didn't get to see you again!"

"Little Xing has lived up to expectations, using 8,000 troops to hold back 100,000 enemy soldiers without wavering, and has not disappointed you, my godfather."

Seeing him soaking wet and covered in snot and tears, Yuan Shu knew exactly what he wanted.
She gave him a deep look, then smiled meaningfully.

"Xiao Xing, you handled this matter well."

As for how to reward you, I imagine you wouldn't even consider a general's rank like the Four Expeditions or the Four Garrisons.

What! ! !
Four Expeditions? Four Garrisons?
Xing Daorong was so excited that he almost interrupted Yuan Shu to tell his adoptive father that he was not picky and that he was willing to take any position, even if it was Si'an or Siping.

However, Yuan Shu continued to explain to him, "I know exactly what you want in your heart."

Xing Daorong: No, you don't know, I only need one of the four generals from the previous campaign.

Then he heard Yuan Shu confidently tell him.

"What you desire most in your heart is nothing more than to become my adopted son."

"Considering your outstanding contribution this time, I can give you a chance."

Xing Daorong: "???"

The Four Generals? His Four Generals title is gone just like that? So he ruined himself by constantly clamoring to be Yuan Gong's adopted son? But if he could really become Yuan Gong's adopted son, it seems like not only would he not lose, but he could actually make a killing?
Before he could even express his gratitude, Yuan Shu abruptly changed the subject.

"But it's just an opportunity. You know, it's not easy to become my adopted son. Have you thought it through?"

Hearing these words from the side, Sun Ce wanted to roll his eyes. Yes, it was too difficult. A knife was held to someone's throat, forcing them to become an adopted son. They had no choice but to accept it.

As for Xing Daorong? After Yuan Shu put it this way, he couldn't possibly refuse to say he didn't want to anymore. He could only bow his head and kowtow, tears streaming down his face.

"Xiao Xing thanks his godfather for his great kindness. From now on, he will follow and assist his godfather."

"Don't pray so quickly. I told you, this is just one opportunity."

Yuan Shu ordered his men to help Xing Daorong up, and at the same time, he showed Xing Daorong a gold-colored paper book from a five-colored stationery book sprinkled with gold powder.

"From now on, this book will be your personal merit book, specifically recording your progress in accumulating merits to become my adopted son. When the merits are fully accomplished, it will be the time for us to recognize each other as father and son."

Zhou Yu: "."

This made Zhou Yu, who was standing nearby, pause in surprise. "Wait, why does this seem so familiar?" he thought. "It's similar to how I was working so hard to accumulate progress and establish myself as Bo Fu."

However, for some reason, the cumulative progress was always just a little short each time. As he accumulated more and more progress, Bo Fu became Yuan Gong's adopted son and was no longer needed.

And what about Xing Daorong?
Although I was slightly disappointed that I could directly become Yuan Gong's adopted son.

But what should this be called? A candidate for Yuan Gongyi's adopted son!

It's better than being rejected outright by Yuan Gong all the time. Now there's hope. As for accumulating progress...
Given Xing Daorong's abilities, he should be able to accumulate enough merits after a few more, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Zhou Yu: "???"

Seeing Xing Daorong's confident expression, Zhou Yu, the senior who had previously held a special record of merits, had doubts.

After settling the matter of Xing Daorong, Yuan Shu led his ships to rescue soldiers like Xing Daorong who had been swept away and were adrift in the water. Once he had gathered enough supplies, he turned his ships around and headed towards Xiangyang.

On that day, the army of 100,000 was flooded, and they marched into Xiangyang. Yuan Gonglu's power shook the whole of China!

At this time, Xiangyang City was flooded by the Han River, which overflowed its banks and caused widespread flooding. Many houses in the city were submerged, and the streets turned into rivers three feet deep, with all sorts of items floating in the water.

The ministers had already fled to Liu Biao's council hall to discuss the matter, and no one's face was not filled with panic.

"My lord! It's over, another 100,000 troops are gone!"

Gone in an instant!
He has destiny in his hands; no one can rival him!

"My lord, Yuan Shu has defeated Sun Quan, and both Sun Quan and Kuai Yue have surrendered. His army of 100,000 will arrive soon. Please make preparations as soon as possible."

"Plans? What other plans could there be? General Cai has conscripted all the men who could be sent out to fight."

There are only 5,000 garrison troops in the city, along with countless elderly, weak, women, and children, who have long been terrified by the previous flood.

"We're surrounded by water on all sides, with no way to go up to heaven or down to earth, nowhere to escape. Tell me, what other plan could our lord possibly have?"

Listening to the discussions among the scholars in the hall, Liu Biao looked dazed and almost couldn't believe it.

Gone again?
That's a full 100,000 troops!

The single word "again" almost perfectly encapsulates the bitterness he felt during this time.

The key is not just the large army, but also Huang Zhong, Xing Daorong, and even Sun Quan at this moment.

Why? If every general he places his hopes on surrenders, how can he possibly continue fighting?
Suddenly, as if grasping at a straw, he hurriedly sought advice from the crowd.

"Yes! And Cao Cao! And Liu Bei's allied forces!"

"Gentlemen, although we only have five thousand men, can we hold out a little longer? Shouchun must be in dire straits too. If we can hold out until Cao Cao breaches Shouchun, we still have a chance."

As he muttered to himself, his hopeful gaze fell upon Cai Mao.

"General Cai, your time to turn the tide has come! At this critical moment, only you can help me."

However, all he received in response was Cai Mao's deeply bowed head and a casual remark.

"My lord, let's surrender. We have already been defeated."

"Defeat? No! I didn't lose!"

I also have allies! Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Lü Bu, Zhang Xiu, these warlords of the nine provinces, and even the emperor, are all on my side.

Moreover, I have only lost three of the nine counties of Jingxiang, and the remaining six are still in my hands!

As long as I spare no effort, I can still raise another 100,000 troops and vow to fight Yuan Shikai to the death!
Surrender? You're going to surrender too? Cai Mao! Even you're going to betray me and abandon me?

(End of this chapter)