Chapter 43: Yuan Shao Rushes Back to Provide Aid (Part 2)

  Yuan Shao's war with Gongsun Zan lasted for a long time, and although it ended with Yuan Shao's temporary victory, anyone with discerning eyes could see that Yuan Shao had not gained much advantage.

  Not only was the location of the two armies' battle within Yuan Shao's sphere of influence, but also being ambushed by Gongsun Zan at Ping River Camp made Yuan Shao cry out in distress. If not for having the elite soldiers who could counter Gongsun Zan's cavalry, Yuan Shao would have been defeated even more miserably. Moreover, Gongsun Zan's plan to attack from behind had broken through Yuan Shao's main camp, although he won a superficial victory, at least it made Yuan Shao unable to expand his power northward for one or two years.

  In this war, the Xian Deng Camp, which was led by Yuan Shao's general Qi Yi, was known as the "Dead Soldiers" and relied on the rapid shooting of the crossbowmen and the mobility of the cavalry to achieve great strength. After receiving news that the Black Mountain bandits were attacking Ye City, they arrived in Ye City in less than three days as the vanguard of Yuan Shao's relief force, just before the city was breached by the bandits.

  The Black Mountain bandits, apart from Zhang Yan's elite troops, were ultimately just a mob. Even with their numerical superiority and overwhelming advantage in terms of military strength, they quickly retreated when faced with the vanguard of brave warriors who could take on hundreds alone.

  One by one, the bandits from Heishan, loaded with gold and silver coins, carrying sacks of grain on their backs, how could they be the opponents of the lightly armored vanguard? The miserable cries and killing sounds that had just subsided in the sky above Ye City rose again.

  The vanguard of the army was called the "Dying Warriors", their combat power was naturally not comparable to that of the Black Mountain bandits. With cold faces and light armor, they rode fast horses and wielded sharp knives, killing their way in and out of the chaotic Black Mountain bandits, leaving a trail of blood glow, dyeing the ground of Ye City red.

  "Haha, it's my father's army! You'd better let me go quickly and still have a chance to beg for mercy in front of my father. Otherwise, when the great army arrives, you bandits will not be able to escape!" Yuan Shang's face revealed a crazy look, and he shouted loudly at Zhang Yan with a serious expression.

  "Shut up!" The Black Mountain leaders quickly gathered around Zhang Yan after receiving the news of Yuan Shao's reinforcements. Yuan Shao's vanguard camp was famous in Hebei, and some even compared it to Lü Bu's elite troops. The Black Mountain bandits had also heard of the vanguard's bravery, and they all looked flustered, waiting for Zhang Yan's decision.

  Yuan Shang's intimidating words, however, caused a glimmer of sharp light to flash in Zhang Yan's eyes. Although Yuan Shao's reputation for doting on his youngest son had not yet spread, with Yuan Shang as her trump card, Zhang Yan was not nervous. In Zhang Yan's opinion, even if they were the first to enter the camp, they would still have a fighting chance, after all, there were only over a thousand of them, while the Black Mountain bandits had a solid five thousand or more, and even if they killed pigs, they couldn't kill that quickly, which was enough time to safely leave Ye City.

  But Zhang Yan felt very suffocated, now although Zhang Yan did not dare to confirm it completely, but in her heart she had already confirmed that the one who emptied the grain depot of Ye City was either Lü Bu's army or Zhang Yang's army. Otherwise, how could this be so coincidental? On this side, Lü Bu used the excuse of helping his old friend from He Nei to intimidate them for three days, while on the other side, at the time when the Black Mountain bandits broke into Ye City, the military supplies in the granary suddenly disappeared without a trace, making Zhang Yan suspicious.

  Furthermore, what Yuan Shang had just said, "you people", made Zhang Yan even more speechless.

  "Great General! Yuan Shao's cavalry is too strong, our brothers can't hold on much longer. Please make a decision quickly!" Newly defected from Black Mountain, Sui Guo's face was full of anxious intent.

  "Retreat!"

  "What are you doing? Aren't you afraid that my father will tear you to pieces?" Yuan Shang, who was being dragged away by the Black Mountain bandits, exclaimed in terror when he saw that Zhang Yan had no intention of letting him go.

  "Lord Yuan is our lucky charm, how can we abandon him lightly?" Zhang Yan's face revealed a sly smile, saying: "Besides, this time attacking Ye City, we didn't gain much benefit, but instead lost many brothers. Fortunately, we got you, and I think you will be worth a good price to Governor Gongsun."

  "No! No! No!" Hearing that Zhang Yan was going to give himself up to Gongsun Zan in exchange for a reward, Yuan Shang struggled immediately. Who is Gongsun Zan? He had just lost to Yuan Shao in battle and was already an irreconcilable enemy of the Yuan family. If he knew that Yuan Shang was Yuan Shao's most beloved son, wouldn't he have him tortured to death? "Leader! Your Majesty! Hero! You hand me over to my father, my father loves me the most, he will definitely pay a higher price, you believe me, believe me!"

  Yuan Shang's words moved Zhang Yan, and the black mountain generals under his command also showed a hesitant expression. Fundamentally speaking, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were the same to them, the black mountain bandits. Now that Gongsun Zan could form an alliance with the black mountain bandits was because there was a strong enemy like Yuan Shao. If Yuan Shao were defeated, the black mountain bandits would also become the next target of this ally, Gongsun Zan.

  Similarly, Yuan Shao previously looked down on the Black Mountain bandits because he came from a noble family and didn't think much of these commoners. Now that the Black Mountain bandits have captured Ye City, although it has enraged Yuan Shao, it also showcases their strength, and with Yuan Shao's son in their hands, they have gained the upper hand, making it possible for them to play both sides against each other between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan.

  "Let Lord Yuan and the two generals go, treat them well, don't be rude! We retreat!" Zhang Yan hesitated for a moment, and the idea of sending Yuan Shang to Gongsun Zan in exchange for rewards faded away. Sending Yuan Shang to Gongsun Zan would indeed gain him material support, but it would also greatly offend Yuan Shao, and as the leader of the Black Mountain bandits, creating such a powerful and unrelenting enemy was not worth it.

  "Bandits of Heishan! You raided my administrative office, captured my beloved son, seized my military rations, and plundered my horses. You are indeed good allies of the old man Gong Sun! I won't use your heads to sacrifice to the martyred soldiers of Ye City, it's really hard to dispel the hatred in my heart!"

  Yuan Shao finally returned to his own administrative office after the evaluation of the Ye City riot, facing the scarred Ye City, listening to the cries of his family members, Yuan Shao's anger finally reached its peak!

  "Your Excellency! Please calm your thunderous anger!" Advised Xun You, one of Yuan Shao's four great strategists: "The Black Mountain bandits, although they have an army of a million, occupying the strategic mountains and rivers, compared to Gongsun Zan, are just a minor skin disease. Your Excellency should now write a letter, make peace with Black Mountain, rest and recover, and observe those Liu Yu and others, who are timid and obedient, and not on good terms with Gongsun. Wait for the opportunity to change, Your Excellency can launch a surprise attack, send one or two capable generals, sweep across Qing and Ping's two states, combine the strength of three states, help Liu Yu destroy Gongsun, and then retake the million-strong Black Mountain army. At that time, the entire Hebei region will be under Your Excellency's control. Your Excellency must not lose the big picture because of a small matter!"

  "What you say is reasonable, I am well aware of it. However, my beloved son Yuan Shang was kidnapped by the Black Mountain bandits and his life or death is unknown, which causes me great pain in my heart and makes me unable to attend to matters. What good strategy do you have, Zhongnan?"

  "What Xun Yu said is indeed correct, but to avoid being too careless with the safety of the three gentlemen!" Yuan Shao's other advisor, Feng Ji, sneered.

  "What did Yuan Shu say to teach me?" Yuan Shao heard the implication in Gong Ji's words that there might be a way to save Yuan Shang, and a hint of joy flashed across his face as he hastily asked.

  "The Black Mountain bandits have gathered in the mountains and forests, claiming to be a million strong, but they have no land for farming to support themselves. As a result, they are plundering and causing trouble in all directions in the northern provinces of Hebei. Gongsun Zan has been summoned by the emperor with some small benefits, but this time, the chaos in Ye City was due to the bravery of our lord's vanguard troops. The Black Mountain bandits' elite forces have lost eight or nine out of ten men, which is exactly the opportunity for our lord to counterattack. I think that Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Mountain bandits, must be an extraordinary person if he can rally a million people. If he can be used by our lord, then Gongsun Zan would only be a minor problem." Xiang Ji looked at Shan Fu with a cold smile and said: "According to reports, after learning of the Third Prince's identity, the Black Mountain bandits not only did not capture him but also took him away. The meaning behind this is already clear to our lord. What they are worried about is that our lord will investigate the chaos in Ye City."

  "What Yuan Shao said is exactly what I mean!" After listening to Gong Ji's words, he nodded and said: "I have long wanted to recruit his troops, but unfortunately, there has been no opportunity. My son Xianfu has already entered the Hei Shan bandit camp alone, and now we need a eloquent person to go and negotiate, I wonder if Yuan Shao has anyone to recommend?"

  "My lord, what Gong Zhi said is actually a way to bring disaster!" Xun You saw that Yuan Shao was somewhat moved in his heart and angrily said: "At present, the city of Ye has just been broken, and the people's hearts are unstable. My lord is now adopting a policy of appeasement towards the Black Mountain bandits. I fear that the great families within the city of Ye will actually be opposed to my lord's prestige..."

  "What Zhongnan said is not unreasonable, but my beloved son Yuan Shu..." Yuan Shao hesitated and frowned.

  "My lord, what Lord Shi said is like the foolish man who worried about the sky falling! Xiang Ji looked at Shi with dissatisfaction and said: "At this time, the third son is suffering in the bandit camp. How can we, as lower officials, not rescue him? Is it beneficial to the people's hearts to recruit Hei Shan at this time? Doesn't Lord Shi fear that the third son being held captive by the bandits will be a great mockery of our lord's prestige?"

  "Alright, stop arguing!" Yuan Shao finally couldn't bear to forget about Yuan Chang's safety and said to Gong Ji: "Yuan Tu's plan is indeed reasonable. Xian Fu is in the bandit camp of Hei Shan, how can I let people say that I, Yuan Shao, am incompetent? The question is who should be sent there? Should it be you, Yuan Tu...?"

  "Your Excellency!" Gong Ji saw Shan Yu about to speak, knowing that Shan Yu was gloating over their misfortune. How could the Black Mountain bandits' camp be so easily breached? He hastily said to Yuan Shao: "I recommend two people, they will definitely bring the three young masters back safely!"

  "Ah? Yuan Shao spoke quickly!"

  "One of them is Xu You, Xu Ziyuan!" Xiang Ji said: "Although the Black Mountain bandits broke through Ye City, Xu You cannot avoid his blame, but he was able to slow down the advance of the Black Mountain bandits for nearly three days, holding on until the main army arrived, and Ye City suffered only minor losses in grain, money, and population, which can be seen that Xu You indeed used his heart."

  "Xu You's ability I know very well, he can lead the Black Mountain bandits to delay until our main force arrives, it's a great achievement!" Yuan Shao still held Xu You in high regard at this time, after all they were once sworn brothers. Although Ye City was eventually breached, as Feng Ji said, relying on Xu You alone and the soldiers under Hebei Zhang Yang, being able to hold off the Black Mountain bandits for three days was already quite difficult. After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Shao said: "If it's Zi Yuan, he can definitely bring Xian Fu back to Ye City, who is the other person?"

  "Lü Bu!" Gong Ji replied.

  "Lü Bu?" Yuan Shao frowned and said: "This man is of a changeable temperament, arrogant and unyielding, I don't like him. Last time Xu You brought my sincere intention to form an alliance with Lü Bu through marriage, but until now there has been no news, it's probably difficult to succeed! Moreover, this man has the heart of a tiger or wolf, it's hard for him to submit to others, this..."

  "Don't worry, my lord!" Xiang Ji's thin face broke into a confident smile as he said: "Lü Bu is currently in a difficult situation, and there are no wise strategists among his troops. Now that he is taking refuge in Hebei, he must be feeling anxious about his future prospects. He will certainly not refuse your kindness! Moreover, Lü Bu's strength relies solely on the several thousand soldiers under his command. With his martial prowess intimidating Black Mountain, you can ensure that Zhang Yan has no worries about his rear; rescuing the three princes is one advantage. Furthermore, with his daughter as a hostage, how could Lü Bu not be willing to die for your sake? This is another advantage! As for what you are worried about, my lord, if Lü Bu were to join your ranks, he would have to rely on you for troops, equipment, and supplies; at that time, he would be nothing more than a toothless tiger. If you still harbor doubts, killing him would not be difficult!"

  "Exactly as I wished!" Yuan Shao exclaimed loudly: "In that case, send a letter to Xu You at once, ordering him to hasten the marriage between our families and Lu Bu. With Lu Bu's military prowess and my own literary talents, we will use both might and persuasion to rescue Xianfu safely!"

  "Our lord is wise!" Gong Ji retorted with a glance at Xun Yu's ashen face.

  It must be said that whether it was Xun Yu or Guo Jia's plan, it was indeed very reasonable. If Qin Xu were present, he wouldn't dare underestimate the insight of the Three Kingdoms strategists either. However, Yuan Shao and his advisors would never have thought that under Qin Xu's manipulation, Lü Bu had already abandoned his intention to surrender to Yuan Shao. Moreover, this time the Black Mountain bandits' raid on Ye City would likely benefit one person the most - Lü Bu - which was also something Yuan Shao and company could never have anticipated.

  After Gao Zhan realized that something was amiss in Ye City, Qin Xu and more than 800 others, with nearly 3,000 war horses, were galloping towards He Nei.

  "You think Yuan Shao will shift his target from Gongsun Zan to the Black Mountain bandits temporarily because of the affair at Ye City?" Lü Lingqi asked with a tone of gloating over others' misfortunes.

  "It's not accurate to say, but Yuan Xiao San was caught by the Black Mountain Army. With Old Yuan's temperament, he's probably going to do something about the Black Mountain bandits." Qin Xu was struggling to adapt to the stinging pain coming from the tender skin on the inside of his thigh. This single-sided saddle without a right stirrup required him to use both legs to clamp tightly, or else he would fall off the horse. At this moment, he was deep in thought, pondering the design of future saddles, and spoke without thinking.