Chapter 27: The Teacher of Benevolence and Righteousness

  Xiahou Yuan rushed towards Xuzhou while Yuan Shang turned around and headed south towards Runan.

  Xiahou Yuan was momentarily driven by his bravery and pursued Yuan Shang aggressively to the east, but as a result, he allowed Yuan Shang to suspect that Cao's army had an ambush in Xuzhou. If Cao Cao were to find out about this, Xiahou Yuan would be so furious that he would die from anger.

  So, organizational discipline is very important, the orders of superiors must be obeyed, comrades without organization and discipline are not good comrades. For cadres like Xia Houxuan who are so free and undisciplined, they must be seriously dealt with, otherwise they will suffer greatly sooner or later.

  Xiahou Yuan hastily pursued east towards Xucheng, while Yuan Shang marched south towards Yuzhou. The two armies' marching directions changed from a straight line to a 90-degree angle, intersecting but not meeting.

  On the vast plain of the border of Yu Province, a lone army of five thousand men galloped swiftly on horseback.

  In just three days, Yuan Shang's cavalry entered Yu Province from the eastern border of Yanzhou with a speed that could be described as extremely fast.

  If Xiahou Yuan's army marched at an average speed of a thousand miles per day, then Yuan Shang's marching speed would be estimated to be over 800 miles per day.

  As they were already entering the borders of Yu Province, Yuan Shang's heart was truly relieved.

  He looked up at the sky, it was almost noon. He glanced back at his soldiers, who were all exhausted and struggling to keep going. The horses too were showing signs of fatigue, making it difficult for them to continue.

  Yuan Shang, seeing the situation, immediately ordered: "Pass on the order to the three armies, rest the horses and cook meals! After we eat our fill and boost our morale, we'll march into Yu Province with high spirits!"

  "Promise!"

  The three armies heard the words and were overjoyed, the recent days of sudden attacks and running had indeed exhausted them. At this moment, they received Yuan Shang's order, the soldiers hastily reined in their horses, dismounted, and let the horses graze on the grass, while they themselves spread out a mat on the grass, lay down and fell asleep.

  For a moment, the army that was just rushing and nervous became as carefree as a shepherd boy, feeling extremely relieved.

  Yuan Shang was also sitting cross-legged on the grass, looking up at the sky and letting out a long yawn. The recent days of running had also exhausted him, and his wind chill had only just recovered.

  Anyway, they finally got rid of Xiahou Yuan's pursuing troops for the time being. Next, it depends on how their own side breaks through Cao Jun's obstruction and returns to Hebei.

  "Third Master, have some water."

  Gao Lan handed over a large cowhide pouch with a smile and walked over to hand it to Yuan Shang.

  "Thank you, General Gao, for your hard work."

  Yuan Shang took the leather pouch, tilted his head back and gulped down a big mouthful. Then he wiped his mouth with his hand and said with relish: "Refreshing!"

  He turned his head to look at the soldiers on his side, and saw that everyone was resting and sleeping soundly, but no one was cooking or eating dry rations. Yuan Shang couldn't help but feel a little strange.

  "General Gao, what's wrong with you soldiers? Why aren't any of you eating? Aren't you hungry?"

  Gao Lan's face suddenly turned bitter upon hearing the words, and he sighed: "After days of rushing about, eating wind and sleeping in the dew, who wouldn't be hungry? The problem is... Third Master, the grain we brought with us is already insufficient."

  "Is there enough food?"

  "What's going on?"

  Gao Bo let out a long sigh, shook his head and said: "Third Master, this time we originally planned to launch a surprise attack on Xu Du with light equipment. We reduced the amount of grain and supplies as much as possible, each person and horse only carrying enough rations for a few days. After completing the surprise attack on Xu Du, we thought we could quickly return to Baima Ferry, but unexpectedly we had to go to Xuzhou first, then take a detour through Yuzhou... The soldiers were able to save on grain and supplies, but now they are also at the bottom of their bags, not enough to eat."

  "No food... How can this be? We retreated from the Battle of Guandu because we didn't have enough food, and now we're launching a surprise attack on Xuchang without food again... This won't do, I need to think of a solution quickly!" Yuan Shang scratched his head, lowered it and began to ponder.

  At this time, Zhang Jue also walked over and heard the conversation between Yuan Shang and Gao Lan. He immediately offered a plan: "Third Master, at this critical moment, after we enter Yuzhou, why don't...ask the local villagers to borrow some grain and fodder, just to cope with the emergency, and wait until we reach Liu Bei's place before making further plans?"

  Yuan Shang heard this and shook his head, saying: "If it were just the three of us going to an ordinary family's home to freeload a reunion dinner, that wouldn't be a big deal. But we have 5,000 men, which ordinary family would dare to host us?"

  Gao Lan heard the words and smiled, saying: "Third Master, you didn't understand the meaning behind Yuanyi's words. This kid is good at speaking in a roundabout way and isn't straightforward... Actually, Yuanyi's meaning is very simple. Let's just find a village to plunder and loot. In these times, human life is not as valuable as a chicken. It's common for officials and soldiers to rob civilians. What's more, the people around us are all lowly citizens under Cao Cao's rule, not our fellow citizens of Ji Zhou. Plundering a few villages and having some fun won't hurt anyone..."

  "That's even worse."

  Yuan Shang interrupted him before he could finish speaking, saying: "This young master is leading a righteous army! Do you know how to write the two characters for 'righteousness'? The people of Hebei are human beings, are the people of Yanzhou not human beings? Liu Bei has been jumping around for half his life and has achieved nothing so far, but he is famous throughout the land. Do you know why? Firstly, he is a descendant of the Han imperial family, secondly, his prestige among the common people is too high, wherever he goes, the common people welcome him... The people are like water, water can carry a boat and also capsize it. Today they are under Cao Cao's rule, tomorrow they may be ours! We cannot do things that harm the people."

  Zhang Jie and Gao Lan exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with reverence. Together, they bowed to Yuan Shang, saying: "Third Master Yuan's righteousness is beyond us."

  "But then... General Gao's words reminded me..." Yuan Shang's mouth curled up, revealing a faint smile.

  Gao Lan stood up straight and said, "I wonder what reminded San Gongzi of?"

  "Let's think it over!" Yuan Shang slapped his thigh: "What you just said may not be reasonable, but from the starting point, it is still very feasible."

  Zhang Jie and Gao Lan exchanged a glance, both seeing some confusion in each other's eyes.

  He hesitated for a moment, and then Gao Lan slowly spoke up, "Third Master, didn't you just say... we are men of honor and righteousness, and cannot bully the common people?"

  "Of course, a teacher of benevolence and righteousness can't deceive the common people, but who says a teacher of benevolence and righteousness can't accept bribes from officials? Bring the map here! Let's take a look at which county is closest!"

  Zhang Jie heard the words and didn't react for a long time, it wasn't until half a day later that he suddenly came to his senses, hastily lifted his hand and took out the leather map from his bosom, unfolding it in front of Yuan Shang.

  "Yu Province... Yu Province..." Yuan Shang raised his hand, searched around in a circle, then suddenly pointed to a point on the map and laughed: "That's it!"

  Zhang Jie and Gao Lan heard the words and lowered their heads to take a look, only to see that Yuan Shang's pointing hand was pointing at "Nandun County" in the north of Yuzhou.

  Yuan Shang nodded with a smile: "Let's take it, Nandun County... Ah, not bad. It seems that it is less than 100 miles away from us, and we can arrive in two hours."

  Zhang Jie lowered his head and hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up: "Third Master... I have something unclear, and I hope you can enlighten me."

  "General Zhang has something to say."

  Zhang Jiong rushed to Yuan Shang, raised his hand and made a fist, saying: "Third Master, you just said that our Hebei army is a righteous and benevolent army, we don't rob the common people. This statement deeply moved me, your subordinate... However, if this matter of looting the county city were to spread, I'm afraid it would be even more notorious than looting villages. Third Master, please think thrice before acting."

  Yuan Shang heard this and smiled, shaking his head: "General Zhang, when did you also become as practical as General Gao? We're just going to Nandun County to have a meal with the county magistrate, who said we were looting...... Besides, our army's banners have all been put away, who knows if it was done by Hebei soldiers?"

  Zhang Jue heard this and had some doubts: "But, after all, the Guang Cang flag is not a good plan... The longer it drags on, the sooner or later this matter will be attributed to us by Cao's army."

  Yuan Shang nodded and said: "General Zhang is a deep strategist, truly a heroic talent... Alright, in a moment, pass the order to all the officers and men. Tonight, we will go to Nandun County to have a midnight snack. We won't fight under our own flag, but instead report under Liu Bei's name, saying that we are all his personal troops! Anyway, Liu Bei has a good reputation, so doing one or two bad things won't affect him much."

  Zhang Jie almost got a shock and exclaimed: "What?!"

  Yuan Shang looked at them curiously: "What's wrong, isn't this idea good?"

  Gao Lan wiped the sweat from his brow: "It's not that it can't be done, but if we do it, isn't it a bit too unscrupulous... Third Master, didn't you just say that we are men of honor and righteousness?"

  "That's right, we are of course the paragons of benevolence and righteousness. The one who is not benevolent and righteous is Liu Bei!"

  The night grew darker, and tonight's dark clouds seemed to be gathering in an unusual way. The already faint moonlight was even more desolate and eerie under their cover, making it a perfect "murderous night with a black moon and strong winds".

  Nandong County is located in the southeast of Yingchuan, adjacent to Dingcheng, with mountains and water, dense forests and lush leaves. The city is not large, the roads are flat, compared to the current war in the north, small Nandong County has a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

  However, with the arrival of Yuan's army, this peace is about to disappear.

  At this moment, the Yuan army was slowly advancing towards Nandun County, with extreme caution. The horses' hooves and mouths were tightly wrapped in cloth strips, for fear of making too much noise and startling the distant garrison soldiers.

  Within a hundred paces of Nandu County, Yuan Shang hastily raised his hand to order the troops to halt their advance. He then turned around and looked at Gao Gan, saying: "General Gao, are all your men ready?"

  Gao Lou nodded heavily and said, "Don't worry, young master. I have personally selected 50 brothers with agile movements. In a moment, I will lead them to climb the city wall myself. The Nan Dun district is only a small county of 100 li, and the city walls are not high. We can get in with just two or three climbs."

  "Good!"

  Yuan Shang nodded slightly and said, "Climb up the city wall, open the city gate, light a fire as a signal, and General Zhang and I will immediately lead our troops to occupy it. After General Gao opens the city, he will first lead 50 soldiers to seize the county government office. Be sure not to let the county magistrate escape!"

  "Third Master, rest assured, I will take care of everything myself!"

  Gao said, just as he was about to turn and leave, Yuan Shang spoke up again, calling out to him: "General Gao, when we take the county office later, don't forget to remind your brothers to remember their identities, or they might slip up."

  Gao Lan's face twisted slightly, and he nodded: "Third Master, rest assured, I understand."

  "What's going on?" Yuan Shang was obviously a bit worried.

  "We are the embodiment of benevolence and righteousness... All of us are soldiers under Liu Bei's command!"

  "True heroes see eye to eye! General Gao, you may pass!"