Chapter 76: The Situation in the Central Plains Changes, the Gu Shizi Clan Takes Action

It seems that because he knew just how valiant Lu Bu was, Yuan Shao had truly spent a fortune this time.

It was under these very circumstances.

Xu You even chose to risk his own safety, personally traveling to pay a visit to Lu Bu.

Lu Bu’s mood had indeed been much better in recent days.

The successive charges had allowed him to vent all the resentment he had been harboring during this period.

Upon seeing Xu You, he wore a look of confidence and smiled faintly: "What? Does the rebel Yuan Shao know that he is no match for me?"

"Did he specifically send an envoy to sue for peace with me?"

He wore a look of arrogance.

Hearing this, Xu You’s expression did not waver in the slightest; he smiled faintly and said: "The General’s valor is peerless under heaven."

"My lord naturally knows he is no match for the General, but where did this talk of a 'rebel' come from?"

"Where did it come from?" Lu Bu’s mouth curled slightly, and he gave a disdainful laugh. "Does the envoy need this General to repeat Mr. Lu’s decree to suppress rebels in Qingzhou?"

Xu You still did not mind in the slightest; instead, he smiled faintly.

"The General is mistaken."

In an instant, Lu Bu’s brows twitched.

Xu You’s expression remained calm, and he continued to speak eloquently, appearing completely confident as he said indifferently: "Mr. Lu says my lord is a rebel, but when has my lord ever committed the acts of a rebel?"

"Ever since the time of the Spirit Emperor, the world has gradually fallen into chaos."

"First, Zhang Jiao started an uprising, and the flames of war spread across the Nine Provinces. It was Gu Shizi who took action, which allowed the heroes of the Nine Provinces to gradually gain fame."

"Could it be that the General truly believes that in such a situation, that young Son of Heaven can truly stabilize the state?"

"My lord, Lord Yuan, does this for the peace and well-being of the Great Han world."

"He chose to have an elder of the imperial clan serve as Emperor, yet this act is called the act of a rebel. Does the General not find that laughable?"

Xu You’s expression remained as relaxed and composed as ever.

Lu Bu’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper; as he looked at the Xu You before him, a flash of anger crossed his eyes.

"Is this what the envoy came here today to tell this General?"

He was becoming somewhat impatient.

For a man like him, he was simply too lazy to consider the excessive implications involved.

"General, do not be impatient. I have come this time to convey a decree from the imperial court on behalf of my lord."

Xu You smiled and bowed toward Lu Bu, saying: "The imperial court knows of the General’s valor and does not wish for the General to continue following the rebels."

"They wish to appoint the General as the Governor of Bingzhou..."

Before Xu You could finish, Lu Bu’s eyes lit up in an instant.

Xu You noticed this detail, and his confidence grew even stronger; the smile on his face widened. "General... this time, my lord also had me bring some treasures."

He waved his hand, and the men behind him immediately ran out.

A moment later.

Several armored soldiers carried in chests of treasures and walked in slowly, opening them directly in front of Lu Bu.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the camp changed abruptly.

Lu Bu stared at the chests of treasures, his eyes fixed.

Xu You saw all of this very clearly, and the smile on his face became even more composed as he continued to entice him.

"With the General’s valor, why remain a mere subordinate general?"

"As long as the General is willing to abandon darkness for light."

"My lord, Lord Yuan, can guarantee the General becomes the governor of a province, reigning supreme over the land of a province."

Lu Bu’s expression became increasingly complex.

Everything Xu You said had struck a chord in his heart.

What was he fighting for on the battlefield?

Was it just for those few words of praise from Ding Yuan?

The dissatisfaction he had felt all along suddenly welled up in his heart.

Lu Bu slowly turned his gaze to look at Xu You and asked in a deep voice: "What does Lord Yuan want me to do?"

Although he did not directly agree, his form of address had already changed from "the rebel Yuan Shao" to "Lord Yuan."

Hearing this, the smile on Xu You’s face grew even richer.

He first glanced left and right, then lowered his voice slightly and said: "That depends on how much merit the General... wishes to achieve."

As he spoke, Xu You lowered his voice even further, leaned directly toward Lu Bu’s ear, and whispered a few words.

In an instant, Lu Bu’s expression became dramatic.

"I ask the General to think it over carefully."

Xu You bowed his head and bowed to Lu Bu once more.

He then had the men put down the chests of treasures and headed out of the camp.

Lu Bu stood dazed where he was.

Watching Xu You’s retreating figure, then looking at the chests of treasures on the ground, his eyes grew increasingly complex.

"A great man stands between heaven and earth; how can he remain under another’s thumb for long?"

He muttered to himself.

Having said that, he picked up the strong liquor at his side once more and drank it down.

That very night, Lu Bu led several personal guards back to the main camp.

At this time, Ding Yuan was using the dim candlelight to look over battle reports from various regions.

With three parties attacking Jizhou, he naturally could not only look at the success or failure on his own side.

Yecheng was a strategic stronghold of Jizhou.

Moreover, Yuan Shao now had countless generals under his command; with just his small force, it was absolutely impossible to capture it.

Although Lu Bu was valiant, he could not break the city alone.

At this moment, footsteps were heard approaching in a hurry.

Ding Yuan looked up subconsciously and saw Lu Bu walk in with a flushed face.

Under the reflection of the candlelight, Lu Bu’s already somewhat red face appeared even more ghastly.

Seeing this, Ding Yuan frowned slightly and asked: "My son, what is the matter?"

"I am a man of great stature; how can I be willing to be your foster son?"

Lu Bu stared fixedly at Ding Yuan and shouted in anger.

In an instant, Ding Yuan was stunned and stood up subconsciously: "Fengxian, why have you changed your heart?"

"Hmph!"

Lu Bu did not waste any words; he instantly drew the sword at his waist and slashed directly at Ding Yuan.

With a "puchi" sound.

Ding Yuan had no time to react at all, and his whole body suddenly collapsed.

—The situation changed in an instant!

After murdering Ding Yuan, he immediately reorganized the Bingzhou troops and executed everyone who was dissatisfied with him.

He already had a very high reputation within the Bingzhou army.

Although Ding Yuan had never given Lu Bu any material rewards, he had given him infinite trust.

And Lu Bu was simply too valiant.

Over these past days, his performance on the battlefield was something everyone had witnessed with their own eyes.

Under these circumstances, the entire Bingzhou army actually followed Lu Bu and surrendered to Yuan Shao.

Yecheng.

Even Yuan Shao had not expected that a situation that was already a dead end would take such a dramatic turn.

Now, not only had one threat been resolved.

His own strength had even been greatly enhanced.

Compared to Ding Yuan, Yuan Shao was not stingy with his rewards at all; he directly replaced Gongsun the White Horse with Lu Bu as General of the North, and Zhang Liao and the others were also rewarded.

Once this move was made, it could be said that he had instantly won Lu Bu’s heart.

Yecheng.

"Bu has drifted for half a lifetime, only regretting not having met a wise lord."

"Lord Yuan’s great kindness."

"Bu will certainly go through fire and water, and will not refuse!"

Lu Bu knelt before Yuan Shao with a look of excitement, his tone exceptionally firm.

"Good!"

Yuan Shao laughed aloud, his face also glowing with health: "To gain the General today is like parched seedlings receiving sweet dew!"

As he spoke, Yuan Shao stood up, wanting to help Lu Bu up.

He had already witnessed Lu Bu’s valor.

Having obtained such a fierce general, how could he not be excited?

But Lu Bu waved his hand, stood up, helped him back to his seat, and bowed to Yuan Shao once more.

"Lord Yuan’s kindness, Bu will never forget."

"Coming to surrender now is not enough to demonstrate Bu's sincerity."

"Bu has heard that Gongsun the White Horse is still ravaging Zhongshan and violating the territory of Lord Yuan. If Lord Yuan trusts me, I am willing to serve as Vanguard Commander and go forth to engage Gongsun the White Horse in battle!"

Lu Bu was exactly that kind of person.

As long as you gave him a satisfactory reward, he was willing to risk his life.

The current Lu Bu was striving specifically for the position of Inspector of Bingzhou.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao's expression turned serious at once; he stared fixedly at Lu Bu, his eyes growing increasingly bright.

The strongest force under Gongsun the White Horse was the three thousand White Horse Followers.

These three thousand men were the elite of the elite among cavalry.

In a frontal charge, they could be called peerless in the world.

But thinking of Lu Bu's heroic bearing on the battlefield, Yuan Shao suddenly felt that these White Horse Followers were not so impossible to defeat after all.

He merely fell silent for a moment, then immediately nodded: "Good!"

"Since Fengxian has the heart to perform meritorious service and establish a career, how could I possibly hinder you?"

"Rest assured, Fengxian."

"If you can defeat Gongsun the White Horse, there will surely be a heavy reward!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Bu felt overjoyed; he simply loved this feeling of being able to establish a career at any moment.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately bowed to Yuan Shao once more.

"Understood!"

This sudden turn of events exceeded everyone's expectations.

Yuan Shao personally led his grand army and appointed Lu Bu as Vanguard Commander, heading once again to Zhongshan to engage Gongsun the White Horse.

Gongsun the White Horse was indeed too confident.

Successive great victories had caused him to completely lose his sense of awe.

Even after receiving news of the mutiny in Bingzhou, he did not take it to heart in the slightest.

It was under these circumstances.

—The fourth year of Han Prosperity, August.

Both sides engaged in a great battle once again within the borders of Zhongshan.

But the result of this time was completely beyond everyone's expectations.

Although the White Horse Followers were brave, they could not hinder Lu Bu in the slightest.

In this kind of frontal cavalry charge, Lu Bu was exactly like a god of slaughter, making it difficult for anyone to get near him.

He almost single-handedly.

Pierced directly through Gongsun the White Horse's formation and, amidst the ten thousand troops, cut down the great banner of Gongsun the White Horse's army, causing chaos within the ranks.

One battle directly rendered all of Gongsun the White Horse's previous advantages null and void.

The situation in Zhongshan was thoroughly stabilized.

Subsequently, Yuan Shao took advantage of the fact that Gongsun the White Horse's army was unsettled to launch a counterattack.

—End of August.

Both sides fought a great battle again at Lunu.

Gongsun the White Horse had originally been defending the city, but unable to bear the humiliation and provoked by Yuan Shao, he led his troops out to engage him in battle once more.

It was another crushing defeat.

The strategic town of Lunu was recaptured by Yuan Shao.

The defensive lines contracted again; Yuan Shao successively recaptured several cities and kept pressing forward.

—September 15th.

Both sides fought fiercely again; although Gongsun the White Horse tried his best to defend the city.

The two crushing defeats ultimately affected the morale of his troops, and the city was breached by Yuan Shao.

This forced the entire army of Gongsun the White Horse back into the borders of Youzhou.

And how could Yuan Shao let such an opportunity pass?

He did not have the slightest hesitation and immediately led his army to invade Youzhou, wanting to completely annihilate Gongsun the White Horse.

The situation had changed completely.

Yuan Shao, who had originally been in a precarious position, had reversed the situation within a few short months, once again displaying the appearance of a tiger ready to swallow the world.

The news spread rapidly in all directions like a rising tide.

Whether it was for Lu Zhi and Liu Bei in Qingzhou, or Cao Cao in Yanzhou.

This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

The situation across the entire Central Plains became even more inscrutable from this day on.

Liangzhou, Wudu Commandery.

Xiabian City.

Bursts of shouting erupted everywhere.

The city-defending general Qin Yang held a long saber, looked at the indifferent Gu Chen opposite him, and angrily scolded: "Junior, how dare you be so arrogant?"

"Less nonsense!"

Gu Chen could not be bothered to say more; without the slightest hesitation, he spurred his horse and charged forward.

Clang!!

The sound of weapons clashing exploded instantly.

The next moment, the seemingly robust Qin Yang was swept off his horse by Gu Chen's spear.

The sounds of shouting suddenly fell silent in that instant.

Everyone stared blankly at this scene, seemingly unable to believe it.

But after a moment of silence, the soldiers following behind Gu Chen erupted into thunderous cheers.

"The General is invincible!!!"

"The General is invincible!!!"

The shouts were soul-stirring.

Conversely, the defending troops within the city all had their expressions change drastically, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Gu Chen.

"Kill!"

Gu Chen had no more nonsense; he pointed his long spear, and the army behind him charged directly toward the massive city before them.

After completely stabilizing the situation in Hanzhong and spreading the news of the Imperial Seal.

He had led his army directly to Liangzhou to help Huangfu Song pacify the region.

This was a strategy he and Xun Yu had discussed together: using the strength of Hanzhong and Liangzhou to point their swords toward the Si and Bing provinces.

The current situation in the Central Plains was already in complete chaos; this was their best opportunity for development.

In fact, according to Gu Chen's vision, Huangfu Song should have pacified Liangzhou long ago.

He had originally wanted to charge directly into Si Province.

But visions are just visions; the reality was that Huangfu Song's situation in the entirety of Liangzhou was extremely difficult.

This had nothing to do with Huangfu Song's ability.

Liangzhou was already a place of chaos, especially after the remnants of Dong Zhuo returned, which only intensified the turmoil.

Originally, Gu Wei had wanted to pave the way using the prestige of the Gu clan.

After all, the fame of Gu Xi had always circulated among the Qiang tribes.

But he had not expected that a young general named "Ma Chao" would suddenly emerge.

This person was not only extremely brave but also held immense prestige among all the Qiang tribes, being called the "General of Divine Might."

This naturally affected Huangfu Song's offensive.

It was not that Huangfu Song had not thought of recruiting him, but he was ultimately not Gu Xi; how could he possibly make all sides submit?

It was precisely because of this.

To this day, Huangfu Song only occupied Hanyang Commandery in the entire Liangzhou region, and having no other choice, he had Gu Chen rush to Liangzhou to assist him.

The entire city was in chaos.

The death of the city-defending general had a fatal impact on morale.

Before half a day had passed, the situation was completely settled.

Gu Chen rode his horse directly into the city, then immediately sent someone to deliver the news to Gu Wei.

Gu Yi had been keeping a close watch on Gu Chen.

According to his judgment, even if Gu Chen could not compare to those top-tier famous generals, the gap would not be very large.

And the most critical thing was that Gu Chen was a well-rounded warrior.

Whether looking at it from the perspective of strategy or troop command, the current Gu Chen had no obvious shortcomings.

If one were to discuss comprehensive strength, the current Gu Chen could definitely be counted as a top-tier commander.

And this was not even his limit!

Gu Yi did not know how far a person like Gu Chen could progress in the current chaotic world.

But he could be certain that if one wanted to complete the reforms that Gu Xi had envisioned, this task belonged to none other than Gu Chen.

(End of chapter)