Ji Province, Lecheng County of Hejian Kingdom.
With Cao Cao’s arrival, Yuan Shao showed him the utmost respect.
Not only did he hold a banquet in his honor, but he also summoned many civil and military officials to accompany them.
After several rounds of wine and a feast of delicacies—
“Brother.” Cao Cao took a sip of wine, his face slightly flushed.
“I’ve heard that you’ve defeated Gongsun Zan several times recently. Why not advance into Youzhou and eliminate him once and for all? This is a heaven-sent opportunity!”
As Cao Cao’s words fell, the hall gradually grew quiet.
The assembled officials wore varying expressions.
Some looked eager for battle, while others fell into thought.
Yet all turned their eyes toward Yuan Shao.
“Ah, you are unaware of the situation, my worthy brother.”
At this time, Yuan Shao did not regard Cao Cao as any threat, so he spoke frankly.
“As Governor of Ji Province, it is my duty to repel Gongsun Zan when he invades my territory.”
“But if I were to march into Youzhou…”
“Then I would lose the moral high ground. Besides, the Governor of Youzhou is the imperial kinsman Liu Yu. He commands a hundred thousand troops and has earned the goodwill of the Wuhuan tribes through benevolent governance. His reputation is exceptionally high throughout Youzhou and beyond the frontier.”
“Therefore, although I wish to eliminate Gongsun Zan… I truly cannot do so.”
In reality, Youzhou was Liu Yu’s domain, and this fact disgusted Yuan Shao.
Whenever Gongsun Zan retreated into Youzhou, Yuan Shao found himself unable to pursue freely, burdened by countless concerns.
“I see.” Cao Cao nodded in apparent understanding.
“It seems I failed to consider the matter thoroughly. I never imagined that Governor Liu of Youzhou possessed such tremendous prestige throughout the Yan-Yun region.”
“Governor Liu is a close relative of the Son of Heaven.” A strange look appeared in Yuan Shao’s eyes.
“Though he lacks military talent, he is exceptionally capable in governing territory and pacifying foreign tribes. In today’s world, he is considered a man of immense virtue and prestige.”
“With such a Youzhou… How could I possibly be worthy of leading an army eastward against it?”
Yuan Shao wanted Youzhou.
In fact, he dreamed of obtaining it.
Yet Liu Yu’s prestige and status stood like an insurmountable mountain in Youzhou.
A mountain Yuan Shao simply could not cross.
After all, Yuan Shao had built his reputation upon honor and legitimacy.
He had been the leader of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition—a model loyalist.
And this image was one he could not afford to lose.
“Then how goes the war in Qing Province?”
Cao Cao’s expression turned concerned, as if he were genuinely worried about Yuan Shao’s predicament.
“Hahaha!” Yuan Shao laughed heartily.
“You need not concern yourself with the fighting in Qing Province. Tian Kai and Liu Bei have already been driven to Gaotang by your nephew.”
“As long as they cross the Yellow River… Qing Province will return to the authority of the Imperial Court.”
“Only, Liu Bei has two fierce generals under his command. They have repeatedly led raids against our rear forces. Ordinary officers are no match for them. Otherwise, Tian Kai would never have been able to reach the river.”
After saying this, Yuan Shao felt somewhat regretful.
At this point, he still did not know the names of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
Because the Guan Yu and Zhang Fei of today— Could hardly even be called rising stars.
They were essentially unknowns.
They commanded only small numbers of troops and had slain little more than minor officers.
Yet even so, their performances were already extraordinary.
“Tian Kai crossed the river?” Cao Cao fell into thought.
Unlike Yuan Shao, he was not so optimistic.
Even at its narrowest points, the Yellow River spanned several hundred paces.
And Qing Province lay in the lower reaches.
There were only two ferry crossings in total.
Even the narrower crossing was nearly a thousand paces across.
As long as Tian Kai and Liu Bei were not fools, and as long as Yuan Shao failed to seize Yan Province, the two could simply hold the ferry crossings.
Not for ten years, perhaps— But certainly for three to five years.
“Mengde, don’t worry—”
Yuan Shao noticed Cao Cao’s troubled expression and was about to reassure him when a young scholar-officer hurried into the hall.
Seeing the crowd of officials present, the young officer stepped forward and approached Yuan Shao.
With a grave expression, he lowered his voice.
“My lord, Lord Gongze has sent word from the front. The eldest young master recently crossed the river but was once again repelled by Tian Kai. More than a thousand troops were lost. He asks whether we should temporarily suspend operations against Qing Province.”
“I understand. You may leave.” Yuan Shao’s face darkened as he waved the officer away.
“Brother.” Seeing this, Cao Cao quickly spoke up with concern.
“Has something gone wrong at the front? If you have need of it, I can immediately send orders to Guantao and have my soldiers come to your aid.”
“Mengde, your kindness is appreciated.” Yuan Shao looked at Cao Cao and shook his head.
“Today is the banquet I prepared to welcome you. Let us not spoil the occasion by discussing such unpleasant matters.”
“Come!”
“Tonight, we drink to our hearts’ content. We shall not stop until we are thoroughly drunk!”
“Hahahahaha!” Cao Cao suddenly laughed as well.
Rising to his feet, he raised his wine cup toward Yuan Shao.
“Then let your foolish younger brother offer another toast to you, elder brother!”
“We all toast our lord!”
Seeing Cao Cao take the initiative to liven up the atmosphere, the assembled civil and military officials quickly followed suit, once again pushing the welcoming banquet to its peak.
“Haha! Drink, drink together!”
At the sight, Yuan Shao cast aside his earlier displeasure and joined Cao Cao and the others in drinking.
………………
Xu Province, Xiapi Kingdom.
Within a beautiful estate in the eastern part of the city, a handsome young man sat leisurely in a stone pavilion, plucking the strings of a zither.
He was tall and upright, dressed in blue-and-white brocade robes, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and strikingly refined features.
The melody drifted gracefully through the air.
Even servants passing in the distance could not help but stop and listen to the enchanting music.
Tap, tap…
At that moment, the faint sound of footsteps approached from afar.
The newcomer wore a green brocade robe and possessed a sturdy build.
He appeared to be around twenty years old, slightly older than the young man playing the zither.
As the man in green entered the pavilion, the music came to a halt.
“Gongjin has come from afar.” The newcomer smiled and bowed.
“Yet I have been occupied with household affairs and have failed to receive you properly. Allow me to apologize first.”
The young man playing the zither was none other than Zhou Yu, courtesy name Gongjin.
Though he had not yet reached adulthood, his father had passed away years earlier and had bestowed upon him his courtesy name before his death.
Born into a distinguished clan, Zhou Yu currently resided in Shu County, some three hundred li from Dongcheng, and had come here to visit a friend.
“Hmm, indeed, your hospitality has been lacking.”
Zhou Yu nodded with exaggerated seriousness before teasing:
“Then tell me, Zijing, what exactly has happened in your household that made you leave me sitting here by myself?”
“If you can’t explain it clearly… I’m not sure I dare keep a friend like you!”
The owner of the estate was the man before him.
His name was Lu Su, courtesy name Zijing.
Twenty-one years old this year, he was three years older than Zhou Yu.
Like Zhou Yu, Lu Su came from a wealthy and influential family.
Known for his generosity and public-mindedness, he enjoyed considerable prestige throughout Xiapi Kingdom.
“Haha!” Lu Su laughed.
“If Gongjin wishes to know, I don’t mind telling you.”
He then called out: “Bring the wine!”
As he spoke, attendants removed the zither and brought forth the fine wine and delicacies that had long been prepared.
The two ate and chatted together.
Before long, Zhou Yu learned the full story.
“Zijing,” Zhou Yu said, “if that’s the case, then Tao Qian will likely seek peace with Yan Province as well. The Yellow Turbans have produced quite a remarkable figure. Zhang Yuheng is truly no ordinary man.”
“I never would have imagined… That the commotion at the Xu Province Governor’s Office would be so great that even the Lu family had to contribute twenty thousand shi of grain and supplies.”
He had only intended to visit a friend.
Yet he had unexpectedly stumbled upon a major event and witnessed it firsthand.
He had seen the Yellow Turbans effectively extorting Xu Province, while the provincial administration swallowed its pride and frantically collected grain from all sides.
“I did contribute twenty thousand shi,” Lu Su replied, shaking his head.
“But of those twenty thousand shi, I’d be surprised if even five thousand actually end up in the hands of the Yellow Turbans.”
“As for those great aristocratic clans…”
“They’re simply taking advantage of the fact that the Lu family is easy to push around.”
Despite his words, Lu Su showed no anger.
Because there was simply too much to be angry about.
To the powerful scholar-gentry clans, wealthy local magnates like the Lu family were little more than targets to be manipulated at will.
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
