“I’m not going!”
Gongsun Zan’s face darkened as he declared, “If the imperial envoy wishes to see me, then let him come here. I will prepare a banquet and receive His Excellency with every courtesy.
But if you expect me to bow my head to that pedantic scholar— absolutely impossible! If that old fool Liu Yu dares to invade, let him bring his army!”
With a cold snort, Gongsun Zan flicked his sleeves and strode away.
The grudge between him and Liu Yu went back many years.
Deep down, he looked down on Liu Yu completely.
To make him humble himself before Liu Yu would be even harder than killing him.
Gongsun Ji and Gongsun Fan exchanged helpless glances.
After a moment, Gongsun Ji sighed.
“Brother Bogui and Governor Liu are both extraordinary men, rarely seen in this world.
Whichever of them governed Yan and Yun, he would be capable of protecting the people and gradually bringing prosperity to this land.
It is only regrettable that the realm is unstable and the imperial court has lost its authority.
The court cannot see the true situation in You Province, and has allowed two such remarkable men to wear each other down through internal conflict.
What a tremendous misfortune…”
“Alas…”
Gongsun Fan also let out a sigh before ordering the young officer to dismiss the envoys waiting outside the city.
The bright moon hung high overhead.
It was nearly midnight when the messengers finally returned to Liu Yu at the Provincial Governor’s Office.
Forget bringing Gongsun Zan back— they had not even managed to see him.
Upon learning this, Liu Yu was utterly beside himself with rage.
“Attendant Minister Duan, you’ve seen it for yourself!”
“That Gongsun Zan…!”
After a lengthy tirade, Liu Yu declared resolutely, “Zhao Gai! Issue orders to every commander immediately. Tomorrow, the entire army will prepare for battle. At noon, we march against Gongsun Zan!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Registrar Zhao Gai respectfully acknowledged the order.
“Lord Bo’an, perhaps you should—”
“Attendant Minister Duan, put your mind at ease.”
Liu Yu waved a hand, cutting him off.
“I seek only to punish Gongsun Zan himself. No innocent person will be harmed.”
“The hour grows late. I’ve already prepared guest quarters for the imperial envoy. Please retire early.”
Having said that, Liu Yu lifted a bowl of tea.
“In that case, thank you for your hospitality, Lord Bo’an.”
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Duan Xun rose, bowed respectfully to Liu Yu, and left the hall with a heavy expression.
…………
Noon, the following day.
Standing atop the command platform, Liu Yu publicly listed Gongsun Zan’s crimes.
After finishing, he prepared to lead the army on campaign.
“Your subordinate dares to ask that my lord reconsider!”
Just as Liu Yu and his generals were about to disperse to assume command, one officer removed his helmet, held it against his chest, stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and shouted, “Though Gongsun Zan has committed wrongs—”
The gathered generals immediately frowned.
The looks they cast at the man were openly hostile.
They had long despised Gongsun Zan.
Their lord had finally made up his mind.
Victory was within reach.
Yet someone still dared to stand up and oppose the campaign.
How could they not be furious?
“Cheng Xu, how dare you! Gongsun Zan wages reckless wars, allows his troops to become bandits, and furthermore—!”
“My lord! Cheng Xu is sowing disorder among the army!”
“I beg my lord to execute Cheng Xu and stabilize military morale!”
“My lord! This man’s intentions are treasonous!”
Voices rose one after another.
“Guards!”
As more and more generals knelt to demand Cheng Xu’s execution, Liu Yu fixed him with a grim stare.
Finally, through clenched teeth, he ordered, “Drag this man out. Behead him as a warning to the troops!”
“My lord, spare me!”
“I only sought to serve the court and act in your best interests!”
Cheng Xu’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
He had never imagined that his lord—normally so compassionate— would actually turn his blade upon a loyal subordinate like him.
“Take him away. Execute him publicly!”
Liu Yu looked deeply at Cheng Xu for a moment before withdrawing his gaze.
This man’s actions are simply too foolish, he thought.
The army was about to depart.
He had already publicly proclaimed Gongsun Zan’s crimes.
The arrow was already on the string, ready to be loosed.
For someone to suddenly jump out and attempt to halt the campaign— that was nothing short of courting death.
“My lord is wise!”
The military officers beamed with delight.
Another member of the peace faction had fallen.
Rubbing their hands together eagerly, they prepared themselves for a grand battle.
After that brief interruption, the army finally set out.
The two locations were separated by only fifteen li (about 7.5 km / 4.7 miles).
The road between them was flat and unobstructed.
Even an army of one hundred thousand men could cover the distance in no more than two hours.
“Lord Bo’an…”
Riding with the army, Duan Xun had never witnessed such a massive military formation before.
His face filled with anxiety as he asked, “Will this campaign… be a guaranteed victory?”
Liu Yu glanced at the army flowing forward like a mighty river.
His face brimmed with confidence.
“It’s a guaranteed win, Attendant Minister Duan. Put your mind at ease. Once I capture Gongsun Zan, I’ll hand him over to you to escort back to Chang’an.”
“Good, As long as it’s a guaranteed win.”
Duan Xun nodded nervously upon hearing those words.
With an army this large, he thought to himself, there’s no way they can lose.
…………..
As the setting sun dipped toward the western horizon, by the banks of the Ju River.
“That old fool Liu Yu has gone mad!”
Gongsun Zan stared at Gongsun Fan, his eyes filled with disbelief.
“Liu Yu has already mobilized his army!”
Gongsun Fan replied anxiously.
“His forces will surround this city in less than an hour. Elder Brother, you must make a decision quickly!”
They had never been particularly on guard against Liu Yu.
At the very least, they had never imagined that Liu Yu would actually lead an army against them.
As a result, it was only when Liu Yu’s troops were practically at their gates that they realized the gravity of the situation.
“We should flee.”
Gongsun Ji spoke up.
“Are there any boats in the city? If we can simply cross the Ju River, I doubt Liu Yu will continue the pursuit. Once we reach Tian Kai in Dai Commandery, Liu Yu certainly won’t dare act recklessly.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, my worthy brother.”
Gongsun Zan’s expression turned grim.
“My army has no boats available.”
He had originally chosen to build the city here because of its excellent location.
It was backed by mountains, bordered by water, and ideal for raising horses.
As for boats…
He, Gongsun Zan, wasn’t a fisherman.
What use would he have for such things?
Now, however, the drawback had become painfully obvious.
If the city was surrounded, their only route of escape would be over the mountains— a route fraught with hardship.
Fleeing through the mountains was highly unpredictable.
There was every chance they would die in the wilderness before Liu Yu’s soldiers ever caught them.
Unless they were truly facing certain death, Gongsun Zan had no intention of choosing such an escape.
“Let’s go outside and take a look first.”
Seeing the other two fall silent, Gongsun Zan turned and headed toward the city gate.
A short while later, he climbed onto the city wall.
By then, Liu Yu’s vanguard had already arrived outside the city, though they had yet to launch an attack.
“That old fool Liu Yu… How dare he!”
Looking at the countless command banners standing outside the city, Gongsun Zan’s eyes filled with both anger and gravity.
Although he and Liu Yu had long been enemies, and although he had often boasted about chopping off Liu Yu’s head, he had never actually acted on those threats.
Yet Liu Yu had beaten him to the punch.
“Elder Brother?”
Gongsun Fan looked toward him.
“Let’s wait and see.”
Gongsun Zan waved his hand.
“Liu Yu’s vanguard is only here to cut off our escape routes. Acting rashly would only make matters worse. I imagine that old fool Liu Yu still has something he wishes to say.”
Based on his understanding of Liu Yu, even with the enemy army already at his gates, Gongsun Zan did not panic.
Though he was considering retreat, he decided to wait a little longer.
……………
Near the beginning of the Shen Hour (around 3:00–5:00 p.m.).
Liu Yu’s main army had completely encircled the small city, forming battle lines outside its walls.
Protected by his officers and soldiers, Liu Yu rode toward the city gate.
Before he had even come to a stop, a booming voice rang out from atop the city walls, reaching the ears of Liu Yu and everyone below.
“Liu Yu, you old fool! How dare you turn your weapons against your own countrymen? Are you trying to rebel?!”
— The end of the Chapter–
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