Chapter 64: Gong Sunzhan's Thank You Gift

  Lü Bu entered the Tiger Trap Pass, and in their hearts, Dian Wei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Lü Bu were to come again, it would be difficult for the three of them to deal with him.

  All the vassals sounded the gong to retreat their troops and sat together in the big tent to discuss countermeasures against Dong Zhuo.

  "What is the actual strength of Yuan Shu?" This was not only a concern for Yuan Shao, but also for all eighteen vassals.

  "Return to the alliance leader, this Lyu Bu is indeed the most powerful person Wei Ping has ever seen in his life. His own strength has already reached the peak of a top-notch martial general, and his martial soul is also an extraordinary Fire Qilin. Just now you all saw it too, this extraordinary Fire Qilin has a kind of black flame on its body that can affect people's minds, it's not an existence that can be overwhelmed by numbers."

  Dian Wei would not naturally deceive the imperial court, Yuan Shao's intention was only to stabilize the military heart of the seventeen vassals, but who knew that Dian Wei was so honest and actually told the truth. The seventeen vassals below naturally discussed it in a flurry, saying that the enemy is so strong, how can we fight?

  Dong Zhuo hasn't even made a move yet, and just one Lü Bu is already so formidable, let alone tens of thousands of troops!!

  At this time, a messenger from Gongsun Zan rushed into the big account, whispered to Gongsun Zan for a while, "What? Is this true?" The messenger nodded.

  Gongsun Zan stood up and said to Yuan Shao: "Alliance leader, just received a report from the Liao Dong army, there are some rumors among the Xianbei people outside the pass, I'm afraid they will take advantage of my absence to raid the border. Bo Hai will lead his troops back tomorrow, swearing to defend the border, hoping for the alliance leader's understanding."

  "What Bo Xiao said is certainly Dong Zhuo's plan. Defending the border is crucial, and tomorrow we will see Bo Xiao off."

  Gongsun Zan got up and returned to the camp, while Yuan Shao saw that morale was low, so he encouraged everyone with a couple of words before announcing his solo return to the camp. Among them, Liu Bei was the most disappointed. Damn it, on the day when Ding Wei killed Hua Xiong, he rewarded us with so many things, and today we brothers also fought against Lü Bu, but he didn't even mention anything about rewards?

  Cao Cao understood the way of human relationships, and today Guan Yu and Zhang Fei indeed saved Dian Wei, so Cao Cao sent someone to prepare some good wine and meat to be delivered to Gongsun Zan's camp. Liu Bei and his two companions temporarily stayed in Gongsun Zan's camp, which can also be considered an indirect thank you to the two of them.

  Gongsun Zan received Cao Cao's reward and felt a bit uneasy, after all, the other party's general had just saved him, and then they still sent good wine and meat to entertain him. This Cao Cao was indeed a man of his word, from his treatment of Sun Jian and himself, it could be seen that he was much better than Yuan Shao.

  Tomorrow, I will leave. Shouldn't I go thank him? Such a hero like Gong Sun Zan, how can I not make friends with him? This idea is getting stronger and stronger in my mind. Gong Sun Zan usually decides on things that he cannot decide by asking his chief advisor Tian Kai, who knows that his own thoughts are in harmony with Advisor Tian Kai's.

  Gongsun Zan then took Yan Gang, Tian Kai and over a dozen attendants to walk towards Cao Cao's camp.

  "Brother Bo Gu, what wind blew you here?"

  "Brother Meng De, I'm truly ashamed to say that today your general's troops came to our rescue, and yet you still sent wine and meat to my camp to treat us, it really makes me feel deeply grateful!"

  "Brother Bó Kuí is so courteous, today facing Lü Bu, Brother Bó Kuí actually dared to charge forward on horseback, truly a model for us warriors! I, Méng Dé, ask myself if I have the courage of Brother Bó Kuí. Since childhood, I've admired heroes and aspired to be like Wèi Qīng or Huò Qùbìng, guarding the borders and expanding the territory of the Great Han. That's why Brother Bó Kuí's actions are truly worthy of my admiration!"

  Zhang Rui nodded in agreement, this Cao Cao really understands the way of being a person. Gongsun Zan spent his whole life among the nomadic tribes outside the pass and had put a lot of thought into it. Whoever has some achievements, who doesn't like others to praise themselves, especially when it's something they can do but others can't?

  Gongsun Zan was also extremely pleased, stroking his slightly short beard with his hand and walking towards the inner tent with a smile on his face. After everyone sat down, Gongsun Zan felt that he should also praise Cao Cao a few words, after all, he was a guest in someone else's camp to express gratitude, others had praised him, and he had to return it too.

  "Brother Mengde, please don't flatter me anymore. The whole world already knows about your feat of wielding the five-colored rod in Luoyang back then. Why do you need to be humble and praise me?"

  "Haha, alright, alright, let's stop boasting, Brother Bao. It's not often that you come to my camp, we can't waste this opportunity on self-praise. Servant, bring wine."

  Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan sat at the top, with Tian Kai and Zhang Rui sitting below them, followed by Yan Gang and Dian Wei. As for Zhang Rui and Xun's uncle and nephew, it goes without saying that they were already famous throughout the land. When Gongsun Zan saw a young boy of over ten years old entering Cao Cao's tent and taking a seat, he was amazed, thinking to himself that this child must be quite talented.

  During the banquet, the two sides made their respective toasts, and the wine feast went very harmoniously. Zhang Rui had been observing a small school at the last table in Gongsun Zan's camp, it seemed that this person was not doing well in Gongsun Zan's camp, Yan Guang and his subordinates seemed to be intentionally isolating him.

  It must be that this person's martial arts skills are too high, and Shi Gang is jealous of his talents, so he deliberately keeps him at a distance, burying his abilities. His superiors don't like him, who would dare to associate with him? Zhang Rui was even more certain about the name in her heart.

  "Thanks to you, General, for just saving me from that last attack. If you hadn't attracted Lü Bu's attention, I'm afraid Bei would be a dead man by now. Come, let me toast you."

  "Yes, thank you, Master Zhang has already spoken for us to our master. If there's anything needed in the future, just look for me, Yan Gang."

  Yan Gang and Dian Wei drank to the bottom of their cups, Yan Gang was indeed loyal, no wonder Gongsun Zan valued him so much, always treating him as his confidant, and Yan Gang had always been Gongsun Zan's number one general.

  "Mengde brother, Bo Zhuang saw that this heroic warrior is not an enemy of Lü Bu, but rather his horse is no match for Lü Bu's Red Hare. So Bo Zhuang temporarily prepared 500 fine horses, as the saying goes 'precious horses are given to heroes', hoping you won't decline." Seeing everyone drinking harmoniously, Gongsun Zan directly stated the purpose of this trip.

  "Only Brother Bo can be so generous, do you know the price of a good horse in the Central Plains? I thought Brother Bo was serious, don't try to back out after getting drunk!" Cao Cao knew well the value of a fine horse in the Central Plains, and this gift from Gongsun Zan was no trivial matter. Moreover, they were all precious horses, which would be of great help in establishing an elite army in the future.

  "What Brother Mengde said is not right. A great man's word once spoken, even a team of horses cannot catch up to it, how can one speak without keeping his promise? Moreover, Bo Pi also respects you, Mengde, for your character. I'll say something drunk, this alliance leader should be led by you, Mengde. Yuan Benchu is only good at talking nonsense, and he is far inferior to you."

  Gongsun Zan may have been really drunk, but people say that after drinking, one speaks the truth. If he wasn't drunk, how could he speak the truth? It seems that from now on, the war between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao won't be without reason. How can two people who don't get along with each other not have conflicts?

  "Bohu, you're drunk, don't say any more drunken words. Go back and rest early, tomorrow we'll return to the Bian Pass. Meng De hopes to still hear about the legend of the White Horse Hero." Cao Cao hastily interrupted Gongsun Zan's words, after all, Yuan Shao was still the alliance leader, if he found out about this matter, it would only affect the unity of the allied army.

  White Horse, where did you go? Ah, yes, how could I have forgotten this matter, I've got a way now. Zhang Rui looked at the last small school in Gong Sun's place, a sly smile appeared on his face, you can't escape my palm...