Chapter 57: The Alliance Conference's Mouth and Face

  The next morning, the eighteen vassals gathered in the grand tent. Today's task was naturally to elect an alliance leader. The eighteen vassals sat on both sides, with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the two brothers, at the head.

  This alliance leader is not easy to be, the eighteen vassals are all warlords who dominate one side, who will obey and who will not, besides, these vassals usually have contradictions with each other, some bordering vassals will naturally have some friction, this leader will have opinions no matter which one he takes care of.

  The night before the Allied meeting, it is estimated that each vassal had a small meeting internally, and Cao Cao was no exception. Cao Cao's think tank sat together, everyone expressed their own opinions. Cao Cao naturally wanted to be the leader of the alliance, after all, this anti-Dong alliance was initiated by Cao Cao. If he could sit on the throne as the leader of the eighteen vassals, it would definitely enhance his prestige.

  Cao Cao's proposal was unanimously supported by Xun Yu, Xun You, He Zhi and Guo Jia. After all, according to the understanding of the ancients, they still attach great importance to prestige and power, which is probably what is meant by the aura of a king or overlord. The ancients naturally attach great importance to prestige and power, after all, they have always emphasized the system of recommending officials through filial piety and integrity. For hundreds of years, it has been this way, so the aristocratic families occupy the dominant position, even if He Zhi and Guo Jia, who came from humble origins, also hoped that Cao Cao could ascend to the throne and sit in the position of the alliance leader.

  On the other hand, Zhang Liao, who has 21st-century ideas, naturally doesn't think so. Unbeknownst to him, leaving a thread for later use is good. If he takes this position as the leader of the alliance, he will naturally become Dong Zhuo's arch-nemesis and become his main target. Participating in this anti-Dong coalition is simply to gain greater benefits, but sitting on the throne as the leader doesn't fit Zhang Liao's or Cao Cao's future plans.

  Besides, can you be the leader just because you say so? Among many vassals, only Bao Xin from Jizhou might be Cao Cao's supporter. If Cao Cao wants to be the leader, would Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu be decorations? Probably most of these eighteen vassals support those two.

  Zhang Rui, like Cao Cao, expounded his own views and instantly pulled Cao Cao and others back from their ideals to reality. Indeed, he couldn't surpass Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu in terms of actual strength, nor did he have a louder reputation among the vassals than Yuan Shao. Since this was the case, why bother competing for the position of alliance leader? This position of alliance leader is like a hot potato; since Yuan Shao wants it, why not just push it to him and be done with it?

  "Gentlemen, please listen to me. A snake cannot move without its head, a bird cannot fly without its wings. Our alliance against Dong also needs a leader. Last night, Cao thought it over and over again, considering martial arts skills, moral character, family background, and actual strength, the only one who can be the leader is Yuan Shao, the governor of Bohai."

  Since Cao Cao had already made up his mind to yield the position of leader to Yuan Shao, he naturally had to think of a way to shift this position to Yuan Shao, and he himself had to be the first to recommend Yuan Shao, so that after Yuan Shao became the leader, he would strive for the greatest benefit for himself.

  Yuan Shao heard that Cao Cao had recommended himself, and his gaze swept fiercely over the crowd of strategists below. "Didn't you all say yesterday that Cao Cao would definitely contend for this position of alliance leader? It's really using a petty person's heart to measure another's intentions. Look at how Mengde is treating me - I had originally prepared a whole set of words to reproach Mengde, but it seems they won't be needed this time. If I can take the position of alliance leader this time, I will definitely not forget Mengde's kindness."

  The crowd of advisors behind Yuan Shao lowered their heads in shame, and Cao Cao indeed seemed to be acting for the greater good. It seems that they need to redefine Cao's character. Seeing his advisors' shame, Yuan Shao nodded at Cao Cao with satisfaction, who naturally responded with a smile. Benchu, this time you will think you have gained an advantage, but it's hard to say who has really gained the upper hand!

  Cao Cao finished speaking, and naturally some people were happy while others were worried. Those who were happy were naturally Yuan Shao, while those who were worried were Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu had always looked down on Yuan Shao since he was young. As a son born out of wedlock, why did he always stand above me? In terms of official position, I, Yuan Shu, was the great general of the Han dynasty, while Yuan Shao was just a small governor of Bohai. In terms of family background, I, Yuan Shu, was the eldest son born to the main wife of the Yuan family.

  Yuan Shu glanced at Yuan Yi, the governor of Yangshan, who was not far away. Yuan Yi stood up and said: "Everyone, I have something to say. The military prowess and character of the governor of Bohai are naturally nothing to be said, but in terms of family background, General Yuan Shu is the eldest son of the main room of the Yuan family, and in terms of official position, Yuan Shu is also the general of the Han Dynasty. I don't know who among you has an official position greater than that of the general? Therefore, I recommend General Yuan Shu as the leader of the alliance."

  Yuan Shao heard that Yuan Yi, with a governor of Bohai on his left and another governor of Bohai on his right, was calling himself, and he couldn't help but feel annoyed. If it weren't for the fact that he had offended Dong Zhuo at the time, would he have been appointed as just a small governor of Bohai? This Yuan Yi is really too presumptuous.

  Yuan Shao gave a glance at Liu Dai, the governor of Yangzhou, and Liu Dai slowly stood up and said: "Everyone, listen to me. Let's not talk about other things, official positions and family backgrounds are all nonsense. I only ask you one question, who dared to confront Dong Zhuo in the capital back then? Only Yuan Shu and Cao Cao did that. Now that Cao Cao also recommends Yuan Shu as the leader of the alliance, what else is there to discuss? The leader of the alliance must be a wise and brave person, who can lead us to fight against Dong's villainy. Apart from Yuan Shu, I don't recognize anyone else."

  The struggle for the alliance leader became more and more intense, and the original governor's recommendation gradually turned into a governor. This governor is not to be underestimated, even now it is a provincial long figure. Liu Dai's words are quite provocative, and originally neutral people like Kong Rong, Tao Qian, Gongsun Zan, and Sun Jian all nodded in agreement.

  Everyone in the big account is frowning, and one of them falls into Zhang Rui's eyes. For no reason, Zhang Rui is filled with disappointment towards the eighteen vassals. Although he didn't have much hope to begin with, the current situation in the big account is like a vegetable market, with both sides refusing to give in. If things go on like this, they'll probably start fighting soon. Being with such a group of people is really annoying.

  Zhang Rui walked to Cao Cao's side, whispered a few words, and then retreated again. Unbeknownst to Zhang Rui, his actions were still seen by Yuan Shao, who was now somewhat regretful. If he had known that the Han dynasty was in name only, he should have knelt down to plead with Cao Cao earlier. What did it matter for Zhang Rui's sake? However, he still had a chance. As the alliance leader, Zhang Rui would discover that Cao Cao and he were not much different after all. Haha!

  "Gentlemen, please stop arguing. Let's put it to a vote and settle this once and for all. Whoever gets the most votes will naturally become the leader." Cao Cao stepped forward and said after hearing Zhang Yi's words.

  Perhaps everyone thought this was a good idea and agreed to vote by show of hands. As a result, Yuan Shao naturally led Yuan Shu by a narrow margin of several votes and was jointly appointed as the leader of the allied forces. Yuan Shao was overjoyed and immediately ordered his soldiers to kill chickens and sheep to set up a grand banquet to entertain the eighteen vassals.

  The crowd, who had been arguing with red faces and ears, were now drinking and chatting together again. It was a huge irony. Zhang Rui turned around and walked out of the big tent. Cao Cao, as one of the hosts of tonight's banquet, was naturally busy and didn't have time to pay attention. He only saw that someone followed behind Gongsun Zan, the governor of Beiping, and also left the big tent with Zhang Rui...