Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 9 The green hills remain, and the setting sun has reddened them many times!
Before dawn, torches flickered in the morning mist atop the walls of Shouchun City. After five days of preparation, Zhang Xun had already led an army of 50,000 to wait outside the city.

"drive!"

The sound of horses' hooves broke through the dust as the personal guards swept in. Who else could it be but Yuan Shu, the leader of the guards?

"Xilulu!"

A horse's neigh pierced the long, dark night. Its forelegs suddenly reared up, and Yuan Shu tightened the reins, spurred the horse, and looked south!

"Now the Han dynasty is in decline, the world is in turmoil, the nine provinces are divided and heroes are rising up. The traitor Liu Yao has seized Jiangdong, outwardly claiming to be a member of the imperial family, but inwardly acting like a jackal and tiger."

When King Wu attacked King Zhou of Shang, the grain from the Juqiao Bridge was distributed to the starving people; when Emperor Gaozu entered Guanzhong, he established three laws to appease the people.

Your subject, General Shu, is a loyal and virtuous official of the Han Dynasty!

By order of the Emperor and in accordance with the will of the people, we are hereby ordered to punish the rebels and to suppress the traitors!

Wherever the army went, there was only one order: [Those who kill civilians will pay with their lives!]

Those who err will be punished, and those who achieve merit will be rewarded. From the time our army was established until the time of the heroes of Jiangdong, those who have made outstanding military achievements will be granted titles and land; those who lead troops to welcome us will be promoted and receive higher salaries; and those who capture and present Liu Yao will be appointed generals and ennobled!

He shall be granted a title of nobility!

"May he be granted a noble title!!!"

Three pronouncements of nobility, and the three armies thunder in response!
Amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd, he drew an arrow, broke it in half, and threw it in front of the battle lines!
"Heaven above and Earth below bear witness, I dare not disobey my life, for I have such an arrow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his personal guards and cavalry followed him south, stepping over the broken arrow and raising clouds of dust!
Zhang Xun was the first to react, rallying his troops and shouting, "Follow our lord, eliminate the treacherous officials, restore the Han dynasty, and be appointed generals and ennobled!"

"Appointed as generals and granted titles! Granted titles! Granted titles!!!"

The army roared in unison, their voices reaching the heavens. As the army set off, only Sun Ce frowned slightly, gazing at the man commanding Yuan Shu's personal guards beside him.

"This man looks very heroic and extraordinary; I've never seen him before."

"I heard his name is Xu Chu. Our lord said he is like Fan Kuai reincarnated, and no one can defeat him."

Upon hearing the sound, Sun Ce looked over and saw that his accompanying military advisor, Yang Hong, had already walked up to him and was looking him up and down with a smile.

"Our lord personally went to invite him, and he was only welcomed into Shouchun late last night. It's normal that the eldest son doesn't recognize him."

The phrase "eldest son" carried a deep meaning, making Sun Ce's heart tremble.

"Thank you for your clarification, strategist. However, I am truly unworthy of the title of eldest son. I am already deeply grateful to my adoptive father for his favor and for making Ce Tian his adopted son. How could I possibly be ranked as a son alongside my adopted brother?"

"Sir, you may call me Bofu."

"Yes, Young Master Bofu."

Sun Ce: "."

“You should strive to do better. Everyone has heard that the lord treats you like his own son.”

Listening to these intriguing words and gazing at Yang Hong's ethereal figure in black robes and wide sleeves, Sun Ce remained silent for a long time, his mind still preoccupied with the matter of Xu Chu.

I wonder where Yuan Shu recruited such a fierce general? If he truly possesses the courage of Fan Kuai, even that desperate gamble will likely vanish.

Currently, he has no troops to help him outside, and Xu Chu is on guard inside. Others only think that Yuan Shu treats him with deep affection and loyalty, while Cheng, Han, Huang and others cannot understand his lofty ambitions. In such a situation, could it be that Heaven has truly doomed Sun Ce?

He let out a long sigh, feeling a pang of regret. He wondered where Gongjin was. If he had his help and they could devise a good plan together, how could their great undertaking not succeed?

After bidding farewell to Sun Ce, Yang Hong was summoned by Yuan Shu for advice.

"Our mission is to target Qu'a with our swords, to rescue Bo Fu's mother. What do you think, sir?"

Yang Hongchang bowed and expressed his sincere admiration.

"His motives are to save his mother, but in reality, he is plotting to establish his own empire. Your wisdom and intelligence are beyond my reach."

"We will do our utmost to help you conquer the six counties of Jiangdong and achieve your great cause!" "To subdue Jiangdong, it is far from enough to simply use force to suppress it. We must recruit all the talents of Jiangdong!"
"Sir, are you familiar with the two Zhangs of Jiangdong?"

Yang Hong raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "The two Zhangs? Are you referring to Zhang Zhao of Pengcheng, courtesy name Zibu, and Zhang Hong of Guangling, courtesy name Zigang?"

"Indeed, both of these men possess extraordinary talent, but they chose to live in seclusion in Jiangdong to avoid the chaos. Do you know where they live in seclusion, sir?"

"My lord wishes to go and invite them? This is a feasible move!"
Zhang Hong is in Guangling and Jiangdu, while Zhang Zhao is currently in Wu County, Wu Commandery. Both are highly talented and have a great reputation in Jiangdong. They are likely only pretending to be in seclusion, but in reality, they intend to serve in the government and are waiting for a wise ruler.

Yang Hong frowned in thought, a hint of worry in his eyes, while the bronze bell on his sleeve jingled softly.

They obviously think their lord is acting on a whim these days? Wait a minute? It seems like he's been like this before.

"."

He sighed helplessly and offered his advice.

"Although it is true that the lord is like a tiger with wings by acquiring these two men, it would be a mistake to go and invite them on the march and miss the opportunity to fight. We should prioritize stability and make a long-term plan. I hope the lord will think it over carefully."

"What you say, sir, is something I already know."

Yuan Shu thought that since Zhou Yu knew where the two Zhangs were living in seclusion and had recommended them to Sun Ce, and since his own power was so great and they were nearby, how could he not know? So he summoned Yang Hong to ask.

He smiled and nodded, looking south.

"Now, 50,000 troops are marching south, and they claim to number 300,000. Although their swords are aimed at Qu'a, I intend to take Guangling first, and then plan to conquer Wu County!"
When they reached Jiangdu, they invited Zhang Hong to be the governor of Guangling, and when they reached Wu County, they invited Zhang Zhao to be the governor of Wu County. Given their great reputation in the area, why didn't Guangling and Wu County surrender without a fight?

If Jiangdong governs Jiangdong, the momentum will be unstoppable, and the army will advance straight to Qu'a. My family has held high office for four generations, and our name is known throughout the world. Wouldn't the Jiangdong aristocratic families be tempted to change their minds and persuade Liu Yao to surrender?

Even if Liu Yao doesn't surrender, how can he possibly resist me in Qu'a, a city that has lost the hearts of the people?

Yang Hong gasped, muttering to himself, his eyes filled with infatuation.

"This plan is brilliant!"
The garrison in Guangling and Wu Commandery numbered only a few thousand, no match for our overwhelming military might. We will advance swiftly, first capturing these two commanderies, then employing the two Zhangs to govern Jiangdong, thus shaking Liu Yao's foundations.”

As he spoke, his gaze toward Yuan Shu became strange. "Has my lord been receiving guidance from a wise man lately? Why not invite him to meet me? I am not one to be jealous of talent. If we can work together to achieve your great cause, I will gladly accept a secondary position without complaint!"

Yuan Shu: "???"

My strategist! Is it possible that this was actually my own idea?

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking down upon the world!
"Far away, yet so close!"

"Since my lord is unwilling to speak, then so be it. It is a great pity that I cannot meet such a sage."

Yuan Shu: "."

"Do you have any suggestions to add to my plan, sir?"

"That one is tall."

"Hmm? I wonder if my sword is still sharp after being with Yan Xiang these past few days?"

"My lord's plan is truly ingenious!"

Yang Hong bowed deeply, feeling ashamed. He had insisted on claiming the master's strategy as his own. Sure enough, his lord was still the same lord. This feeling was so true!
"Well, if I had to offer a suggestion, I would recommend that Hong send more spies to Qu'a to deliver messages, collude with those inside and outside the region, and support the lord's plan to further shake the morale of Jiangdong. In addition, we must ensure that the supply of grain and provisions is secure, and we must not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains."

"Sir, you are truly my Zhang Liang."

Yuan Shu discussed the details with him along the way, and before they knew it, time had passed. When Xu Chu asked to set up camp, he suddenly turned around and saw the setting sun and the banners of his army fluttering in the wind, his troops heading towards the horizon!
"Slaughter pigs and sheep, and feed the soldiers to their hearts' content!"

The setting sun reflected in his pupils, turning his eyes bloodshot, and he sighed softly.

"The green hills remain, and the setting sun has reddened them many times!"

(End of this chapter)