Chapter 268: Ninth on the Power Ranking, Assessment Complete!

Great Qing, Kangxi era.

Outside the Palace of Pure Clarity, Kangxi and several ministers and princes observed the ranking list together.

Seeing Yan Liang's achievements, Kangxi nodded: "His bravery is commendable, but his arrogance and lack of strategy lead to a path of death."

"For a commander, courage, strategy, and caution are all indispensable."

"Our Eight Banners elite troops once swept the world in their early years, also possessing both bravery and strategy."

"Yin Ti, Yin Rong, you must remember: a subordinate commander may be used for his ferocity, but must never be allowed to become arrogant and schemeless."

Crown Prince Yin Rong and Eldest Prince Yin Ti promptly bowed and affirmed.

Great Qing, Qianlong era.

In front of the Hall of Nurturing the Heart, Emperor Qianlong Hongli was gazing at the heavenly scroll together with He Shen.

Seeing Yan Liang slain by a sudden attack from Guan Yu, Qianlong shook his head and said to He Shen in Manchu:

"He Shen, look at this man: brave indeed, yet he does not understand the times, cannot discern advance or retreat, and ultimately brings about his own death."

"Thus a minister must not only have the ability to serve the emperor, but also possess discernment, knowing when to advance, when to retreat, and when to… remain silent."

He Shen, ever clever, immediately caught the hidden meaning—that the emperor was using an ancient analogy to enlighten himself!

He hurriedly put on a smiling face and replied fluently in Manchu:

"Your Majesty is wise and sees ten thousand miles! This servant, after seeing the heavenly scroll, is deeply moved."

"Yan Liang is like… like the folk saying about a 'two‑pronged stick', only possessing brute strength and no sense of the wind direction."

"Why could Guan Yu succeed? Isn't it because he knew… um… how to flatter and seize the right moment?"

"I, a foolish servant, constantly keep the emperor's teachings in mind; handling affairs requires not only effort but also heart and mind, especially understanding the holy intent—never speak out when one should be silent, and when one should extend a hand… must know the limits; one must never be like Yan Liang, used as a backdrop by others without realizing it, dying feeling aggrieved."

Qianlong was slightly amused by He Shen's words, which both expressed loyalty, self‑deprecation, and flattered him.

Then he said in Chinese: "You, your mouth is sharp, but… what you say does make sense."

"Yan Liang is a fierce general, regrettable. Guan Yu is a hero, worthy of respect."

"But this heavenly scroll's assessment is fair; it does not erase his bravery just because Yan Liang died in a pitiful way."

"It seems the Heaven's Way is clear in reward and punishment, judging merits and faults separately."

He Shen quickly added: "Your Majesty is right!"

"Heaven's Way is impartial! Just like you, Your Majesty, you are clear in rewarding and punishing us; merits are rewarded, faults… are lightly punished, giving us a chance to reform, right?"

He gave a slight test at the end.

Qianlong glanced at him, scolding with a smile: "Sly one! I see you still need to be dealt with! Watch the list properly, and stop jabbering!"

"Yes! The servant obeys the decree!"

He Shen replied with a grin, but felt a weight lift from his heart.

The emperor could still joke, showing he was in good spirits; this trial was considered passed.

He looked up again at Yan Liang's name on the heavenly scroll, muttering to himself:

"Brother, thanks, your misfortune gave old He a warning…"

Late Eastern Han, before the Battle of Guandu (when Yan Liang was still alive).

Jizhou, Ye City, Yuan Shao's residence.

Yuan Shao was holding a banquet with a group of strategists and generals.

When the heavenly scroll suddenly appeared to assess Wen Yang, he only remarked on how fearsome the younger generation were.

When he saw "Three Kingdoms Power Ranking, Ninth Place: Yan Liang", Yuan Shao was first stunned, then overjoyed, leapt up violently, spilling the wine from his golden cup.

"Yan Liang! He is my Yan Liang! Hahaha!"

Yuan Shao clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice shaking the roof tiles.

"My great general of the North, Yan Liang, his bravery surpasses all armies, known throughout the world! Ranked ninth, truly deserving of the name!"

"From now on, who dares to underestimate my heroic northern general!"

He looked around his subordinates with pride, especially glancing at the strategists Ju Shou and Tian Feng, whose faces were somewhat complicated.

These people had often said Yan Liang "has courage but no strategy", "cannot be entrusted alone"; now that Heaven's Way vindicates Yan Liang, what else can they say!

Yan Liang himself was so excited his face turned bright red, he sprang up, knelt on one knee before the heavenly scroll, and clasped his fists, saying:

"What merit and ability does this lowly general have to be favored by Heaven's Way!"

"I shall spare no effort, and sweep the world for my lord!"

His heart swelled with heroic zeal; his bravery was even acknowledged by Heaven's Way.

Cao Cao, Guan Yu… what need to be spoken of!

Wen Chou also rejoiced for his brother, loudly saying: "Brother, your might is great, this ranking is fair!"

Only a few clear‑minded ones like Ju Shou and Tian Feng, seeing on the heavenly scroll the evaluations of Yan Liang as "narrow‑minded" and "single‑man bravery", and the faint hint of "dies in Guan Yu's sudden attack", felt a thick shadow fall over their hearts.

Lord and General Yan are so self‑satisfied; this may not be an auspicious sign…

At the same time, Xudu, Cao Cao's residence.

Cao Cao, looking at the heavenly scroll showing Yan Liang displaying divine might, slaying his own generals, and defeating Xu Huang twenty times, wore a displeased expression.

Although he had long known Yan Liang's bravery, being so plainly listed by Heaven's Way still bruised his face.

Especially seeing his own generals' awkward state of "no one dares to go into battle" exposed to the world…

"Yan Liang… truly a tiger general."

Cao Cao sighed and said to Guo Jia, Xun You and the others beside him.

"If it were not for Yun Chang, the White Horse encirclement would be hard to resolve. Heaven's Way ranks him ninth, not without cause."

Guo Jia cleared his throat lightly, smiled, and said: "Lord, Yan Liang is brave, yet his flaws are as Heaven's Way says, obvious."

"A fierce tiger, though powerful, falls into a trap and becomes helpless. His future… seems already placed on this list."

He referred to the matter of Yan Liang being killed by Guan Yu.

A flash of sharp light lit Cao Cao's eyes, he gave a slight nod, said no more, but his regard and desire for Guan Yu grew a few more degrees in his heart.

At the same time, regarding the fierce general under Yuan Shao, his caution and … scheming increased a few more points.

Jiangdong, Sun Ce's camp.

Sun Ce, his blood boiling, said to Zhou Yu, "Gong Jin, look at this Yan Liang, truly unstoppable in bravery!"

"Twenty engagements defeating Cao's camp generals, impressive!"

"What a pity, it seems he died at Guan Yu's hands."

"This Guan Yu… could he perhaps be even above him?"

"This ranking list is getting more interesting!"

Zhou Yu, shaking his feather fan, said calmly, "Valiant generals emerge in abundance, each serving their own lord."

"Bo Fu, you and I should observe his strengths, examine his weaknesses; should we encounter the Hebei army in the future, we might defeat them using Lord Cao's methods."

"At present, our opponents are in Jiangxia and Jingxiang."

Sun Ce laughed loudly, "Well said! Whether it's Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, someday my Jiangdong lads will also claim a place on this world power ranking!"

Above the heavens, golden light began to flow and converge again.

The ninth, Yan Liang, with this power‑filled and regretful manner, shook the myriad realms.

Then, who will be the eighth?

Everyone's curiosity was taken to its peak.