Chapter 244: In the Hall, Zhong Yao Awkwardly Recommends Heroes

This day was destined to be long and tedious.

The battle at Changshe was of course the main event of the day, yet after the fire attack succeeded, the entire engagement fell into an entirely predictable state.

One could almost picture it: sixty thousand Han troops, under Zhu Jun’s command, pursuing and slaughtering westward all the way, while the bulk of the hundred thousand Yellow Turban troops would likely be cut down in the wilderness west of Changshe… a situation that would probably continue until the Han army reached the banks of the Qi River to the west.

In truth, the Qi River, lying several dozen li west of Changshe, seemed destined to be the dividing line of this campaign. Not only because the Qi River posed a natural barrier, but also because by the time the Han army reached the Qi River, the sky would have darkened. But the most important point was this: a few dozen li further west beyond the Qi River lay the Ying River, and Yangzhai City, the administrative seat of Yingchuan Commandery, stood right beside the Ying River, on its western bank.

In short, the walls of Yangzhai City were sturdy and tall, and it was fundamentally impossible for all one hundred thousand Yellow Turbans to be annihilated by the Han army. A core leader would surely lead tens of thousands of remnant troops across the Qi and Ying Rivers under cover of night. Therefore, nearly everyone believed that once the Han army reached the Qi River today, the battle would come to a temporary halt and swiftly enter its second phase within a few days — besieging the city and storming its fortifications!

It was not only the battlefield that was tedious; inside Changshe itself, things felt somewhat dull as well.

Gongsun Xun did not stage a heartwarming rendezvous with Huangfu Song at the Wei River to celebrate their revolutionary friendship. From the moment he reached the city gate, he kept up a stream of sarcastic remarks, and after entering the city, he outright refused the invitation to quarter together at the government offices. Instead, he led his several hundred White Horse Volunteers, bearing his staff of authority and ceremonial canopy, and took up residence in the great compound of the Changshe Zhong clan… Word had it that this White Horse General and the Zhong clan’s core scion, Zhong Yao (style name Yuanchang), hit it off at first sight and were going to pay a formal visit to meet the family that very day!

Such a maneuver was something only a man of Gongsun Xun’s age could pull off — Huangfu Song could not have done it even if he wanted to, and the Zhong clan, high and low, were left speechless. After all, the man was a full-fledged General with Staff of Authority, a former Grand Administrator of two commanderies, adorned in purple and gold. Now that the Partisan Prohibitions had been lifted and their own prospects were secure, could they really have the gall to twist his standard “courteous condescension to the worthy” into “deliberate fawning”?

If anyone had to fawn deliberately, it could only be the Changshe Zhong clan!

What was more, the gentry clans of Yingchuan were famous across the realm for their Legalist-leaning scholarship on the one hand, and equally renowned for their skill at self-preservation and family survival on the other.

They had not dared to miss even the funeral of Zhang Rang’s own father — how much less could they spurn such goodwill from a general who had just delivered their homeland from peril?

And so, by evening, the Zhong clan laid out a grand banquet in their hall, turning out virtually the entire family to entertain General of the Household of the Five Offices Gongsun Xun. Meanwhile, for several dozen li west of the city, blades and flames still raged, blood soaking the sturdy grasses… a contrast that stirred deep emotion.

Gongsun Xun felt no shame over this — on the battlefield, life and death stood opposed, victory and defeat decided by fate. What concerned him now were other matters entirely.

“My lord, if you ask about others, I might not be certain, but as for Xun Wenruo…” Zhong Yao, seated at the lower left, paused his cup and broke into a rueful smile. “During the tenure of the previous Grand Administrator, Lord Yin, I served as Commandery Merit Evaluator, and Wenruo was the Commandery Registrar. Moreover, although Xun You (style name Gongda) of the Xun clan was barred from office by the Partisan Prohibitions, Lord Yin still nominated him as Filial and Incorrupt — it was only that Luoyang never selected him as a court gentleman. These two, uncle and nephew — one a talent fit to assist a king, the other inwardly brilliant and thoroughly accomplished — may be called the finest in the commandery.”

Gongsun Xun nodded slowly. Filial and Incorrupt was the proper path into officialdom, but it was only a pathway, not an official post itself. That Xun You was barred from office by the Partisan Prohibitions had no essential connection to whether he could be nominated as Filial and Incorrupt.

But conversely, this also illustrated something: the Xun clan truly commanded the esteem of Yingchuan. Even knowing full well that Xun You could not take office, that Grand Administrator Yin still felt obliged to grant Xun Gongda a Filial and Incorrupt nomination worth its weight in gold; even knowing Xun Yu could rise no further, he still gave him a trusted post like Registrar to show favor.

Figures like these — if you could not win them, you could not win them. There was nothing more to say. And from the start, Gongsun Xun had never expected to easily secure these two top-tier talents of the Xun clan.

“Xun Wenruo is a talent fit to assist a king, and Xun Gongda is likewise an extraordinary man.” Gongsun Xun sighed. “But now that the Partisan Prohibitions are lifted, with the Xun clan’s high status, such men are bound to soar to the heavens sooner or later. It would be improper for me to trouble them… Your commandery teems with talent. Aside from Xun Wenruo, Xun Gongda, and the other able men of the Xun clan, are there truly no other figures?”

At this point, Zhong Yao understood perfectly well what the other party meant. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then named another person: “To be honest with you, my lord, back when Lord Yin was Grand Administrator, he greatly promoted the young talents of our commandery. It was not only the two Xuns — there was one other man he deeply trusted, and his ability and intellect likewise rank among the finest in our commandery… Has the General heard of Guo Tu, style name Gongze? He served as a Accounts Clerk under Lord Yin back then.”

Gongsun Xun was momentarily speechless… How could he possibly not have heard of this man?

However, precisely because he had heard of him, recruiting such a person was even more out of the question! Men like him — and Xu You — Gongsun Xun would be only too happy to see them all flock to Yuan Benchu’s banner. Such intellects — were they not a perfect match for Yuan Benchu’s pedigree of four generations of Three Excellencies?

“Aiya.” At this thought, Gongsun Xun hastily shook his head. “Though I have long admired Guo Gongze’s great name, he too comes from a high clan and a hereditary house — surely he has no lack of prospects. How could he possibly think well of me? Yuanchang, be serious. You served as Commandery Merit Evaluator for several years — which Yingchuan talent ever escaped your notice? Why not be candid?”

At these words, Lou Gui and Han Dang remained impassive, but Zhong Yao’s uncle Zhong Yu, along with several clan uncles, almost instinctively turned their gazes upon their nephew, the family’s pillar. And Zhong Yao once again broke out in a ceaseless sweat, which only baffled Gongsun Xun further.

After a pause, Zhong Yuanchang gritted his teeth, set down his wine cup, rose abruptly, strode to the center of the great hall, and performed a grand ceremonial bow before Gongsun Xun: “If my lord does not disdain me, I, Yao, am willing to toil in your service!”

Gongsun Xun was first stunned on the spot, then abruptly grasped the situation — and a flash of anger followed: “Does Brother Yuanchang think that because I am a military man from the frontier, if I cannot win men over, I will slaughter their entire clan?!”

Zhong Yao’s heart jolted in alarm, and he immediately bowed low once more: “My lord, where has your mind wandered? You executed Wang Fu and flogged Zhao Zhong’s bribe-seeking household to death — your name shakes the realm. I have long since submitted in admiration. And now, though there is an intent to shift credit for lifting the siege of Changshe to the General of the Household of the Right, can we not see clearly? This entire battle was won by my lord’s brilliant strategy, which has brought peace to the realm! For this reason, I both revere and submit to the General, and truly wish to contribute my strength to your cause — it is absolutely not out of fear!”

These words came out in a rapid torrent, showing how genuinely anxious Zhong Yao was. Yet after he finished speaking, Gongsun Xun, seated in the place of honor, remained silent for a long while. This left the bowing Zhong Yuanchang drenched in sweat like rain… He felt he had sweated more in this one summer than in his entire life.

“Ha!” After an unknown length of time, Gongsun Xun suddenly burst out laughing, prompted by Lou Gui’s meaningful glance and the silence of Han Dang and the others. “I overthought things, and Yuanchang has misunderstood as well… This time, I am not seeking to recruit high-born, famous scholars. I merely heard that Yingchuan is where the realm’s literary spirit gathers, and so I took the chance to find some private staff aides. A great talent like Yuanchang is destined sooner or later to be a pillar of the state — there is no need to trouble you! Otherwise, if I used you for a couple of years and grew so reliant on you that I could not bear to part, and then an imperial edict arrived summoning you to court as a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing or a Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate — tell me, at that point, would I let you go or not?”

Zhong Yao drew a deep breath but still did not rise from his bow: “In that case, may I ask what sort of talent my lord truly desires? Please speak plainly, my lord, and I will certainly find them for you.”

“I dare not aspire to high-born, hereditary clans.” Gongsun Xun gave a self-deprecating laugh. “But does your commandery produce talent only from high-born, hereditary clans? Are there no men of intellect from humble, solitary households? No men who bear hardship without complaint and can get things done? No men of manifest virtue who seldom boast of it, and whose reputations therefore remain obscure?”

Zhong Yao drew another long breath, still keeping his head lowered. Only after a long while did he raise his head under Gongsun Xun’s expectant gaze: “In reply to the General… there are!”

“I am eager to hear the details!”

“In Yangzhai there is a man, surname Zao, given name Zhi, style name Wengong. He has always possessed both talent and virtue.”

“Oh? But is the Zao clan not a prominent family of Yingchuan?”

“In reply to my lord, though the Zao clan may be counted among the commandery’s prominent families, it cannot be called a commandery-leading lineage, and Zao Zhi himself is merely from a collateral branch. Thus, though he served in the commandery office for several years, he was only a minor clerk in the Revenue Section, never able to obtain a prominent post. If my lord goes to recruit him, it should not be difficult… provided, of course, that he survives this calamity of war.”

Gongsun Xun nodded slowly: “You say he has talent and virtue — what exactly is praiseworthy about him?”

“In reply to my lord, though Zao Wengong was only a minor clerk in the Revenue Section, the actual operations of the commandery’s Revenue Section were all carried out by him.” At this point, Zhong Yao could not help but smile bitterly from below the hall. “There are matters here that I believe my lord understands… But the key is that Zao Zhi, no matter how his achievements were appropriated, never once grew angry, never once complained to anyone, and never once let the Revenue Section’s affairs be delayed. Truly, he bore hardship without complaint, endured suffering, and got things done. Had I not been Commandery Merit Evaluator, I fear I too would not have known his ability and virtue.”

Gongsun Xun was full of admiration. Though he had never heard this man’s name, Zhong Yao’s description almost instinctively reminded him of Wang Shuzhi. Would it not be excellent to bring such a man over to serve as Wang Xiu’s deputy?

Though this man was not among his original targets, talent — especially talent combining both ability and virtue — was never too plentiful!

Zhong Yao, observing from below the hall that Gongsun Xun’s expression had relaxed, breathed even easier and therefore continued: “There is another man, surname Xi, given name Zhong, style name Zhicai, also from Yangzhai.”

“What is this man’s skill?” Another name he had never heard — Gongsun Xun naturally had to ask clearly.

“This man can be discussed in terms of stratagems and planning!” Zhong Yao replied with a serious expression. “Xi Zhicai has studied the genuine Legalist teachings — the arts of human deceit and treachery, the methods of law, governance, and the cultivation of power… The General surely knows that our Yingchuan is the former territory of the Warring States Han clan, the birthplace of Legalism. Thus, men like him are actually not few, and Xi Zhicai is universally acknowledged as the foremost among them — perfectly suited to serve as a private staff aide.”

Gongsun Xun nodded slowly: “Such a man is indeed worth employing. However, as you said, Legalist learning is not scarce in your commandery. Clans like the Guo and your own Zhong clan are all renowned in this age for their transmitted legal scholarship. And yet this man is the foremost among them. That being so, why do you think I can easily recruit him, and keep him in long-term service?”

“In reply to the General.” Zhong Yao sighed. “First, although this man comes from a gentry background, his family has fallen into ruin — far worse off even than the Zao clan. Second, everyone in the commandery knows that he suffers the mockery of vulgar convention.”

Gongsun Xun was momentarily taken aback.

“Mockery of vulgar convention” meant being rejected and looked down upon by the common world and common people. In other words, Xi Zhong was a man widely ostracized… But this was interesting, because as had been mentioned several times before, Legalist learning was a semi-open, prominent school of thought in Yingchuan. No one would mock Xi Zhicai for that. So why was he ostracized?

Sure enough, after a brief pause, Zhong Yao cupped his hands and explained: “In reply to the General, Xi Zhicai is fond of drink and addicted to gambling. In the past, it was dice and chupu; later, after animal tiles appeared, he became even more obsessed, often playing through the entire night until dawn…”

Lou Gui could not help glancing at Gongsun Xun, but Gongsun Xun’s face remained expressionless as he listened quietly.

Zhong Yao grew more and more rueful as he spoke: “Yet the trouble is, his family fortunes have declined, and he does not manage his estate, so he simply eats away his patrimony. That he has survived until now is entirely thanks to the support of us former classmates… I, as well as Wenruo, all know he is a man of ability and often aid him, urging him to be more proper. But he always says that he cannot cultivate moral scholarship, that he has no future prospects anyway, and that he might as well ignore it all… He even says that if we bring up such talk while lending him money, he will sever all ties with us. To be honest with the General, what I worry about now is not that he met with disaster in Yangzhai, but that, nursing his frustration and resentment, he might have directly joined the rebels!”

Lou Gui glanced at Gongsun Xun again, and this time Gongsun Xun finally smiled faintly: “No matter. I have many wastrels around me. What Zibo did back in Nanyang was far more outrageous than this gentleman, and is he not now my trusted confidant? If such a man can survive this calamity of war, inviting him to serve as an aide to Zibo — would that not be just perfect?”

Lou Gui seemed about to speak but stopped. Glancing at the atmosphere in the hall, he could only nod helplessly in the end.

“Aside from Zao Zhi and Xi Zhong, does Yuanchang have anyone else to recommend?” Gongsun Xun continued to ask.

Zhong Yao began sweating again: “For mere private staff aides, are two men not enough for the General?”

“I have heard…” Gongsun Xun could finally hold back no longer. “That your esteemed commandery has a man called Guo Jia, who also suffers the mockery of vulgar convention. Might he be a member of the Guo clan?”

Zhong Yao’s expression turned peculiar.

Gongsun Xun immediately grew helpless as well: “I merely heard that he is still rather young?”

“Indeed!” Zhong Yao replied affirmatively. “He has just bound his hair! However, as the General says, he has been exceptionally intelligent from a young age, yet is as taciturn as Xun Gongda. At present, he is taking refuge with the Guo clan members here in Changshe. Would the General like to meet him?”

“No need!” At the words “just bound his hair,” Gongsun Xun felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly. “Once the war in Yingchuan is settled, I will send someone with some money. At that time, on my behalf, present him with a hundred jin of gold as encouragement. Tell him to study hard and make progress every day!”

Zhong Yao hurriedly assented.

“There is one more person.” Having already lost face, Gongsun Xun decided to be utterly shameless. “There is a man called Xu Shu — do you know him? Or perhaps he goes by Xu Fu? He should also still be young, perhaps somewhat dissolute… not from a great clan.”

This time it was Zhong Yao who looked utterly bewildered.

But just then, Zhong Yao's uncle Zhong Yu rose with an embarrassed bow: "General."

"You know Xu Shu?" Gongsun Xun was momentarily curious.

"Yes!" Zhong Yu answered awkwardly. "If the General had only given a name, I would never dare to guess, but the General said he was young, named Xu Shu, also called Xu Fu, a wastrel, and not from a great clan... then there is only one person! He is the son of the Shan family of our own Changshe county, childhood name Xu Fu, formal name Xu Shu. He lost his father young and lacked proper guidance; at just fourteen he wears a blade all day and plays the thief, stealing chickens and dogs... he has barely read any books, nor shown any scholarly talent. It's only a pity that his mother is learned and well-mannered, and has labored since his childhood to give him a basic education... I know his mother, so I know of this."

Gongsun Xun gave a long sigh and could only wave his hand helplessly: "When the time comes, I will send more money. Give him a hundred gold on my behalf as well, and tell him I also hope he will study hard and make progress every day!"

Zhong Yu hurriedly bowed and assented.

"So then," Gongsun Xun turned listlessly toward Zhong Yao, "Yuanchang, is there truly no one else in your portfolio?"

Zhong Yao had no choice but to bow sincerely: "In reply to the General, according to the General's requirements, there truly is no one."

"It seems you still fall short of Xun Wenruo by a few degrees of refinement," Gongsun Xun shook his head helplessly.

"In that case," Zhong Yao's heart stirred, and seeing that those around him were either family or the Volunteer officers Gongsun Xun had brought, he could not help but speak up on the spot, "why does the General not make a trip to Yingyin? Xun Wenruo and Xun Gongda are both sheltering at home, and four of the Xun clan's Eight Dragons are there as well... Even if my lord does not insist on Xun Wenruo or Xun Gongda pledging their service, asking them to recommend some talents would surely be acceptable, would it not?"

Gongsun Xun hesitated, but finally shook his head slowly and rose to his feet as he did so: "Let that be. Today's business ends here as well. Thank you for your hospitality; I shall go rest now."

The Zhong clan members dared not be remiss and hurriedly guided him away from the banquet to a specially vacated courtyard to rest, tactfully stopping outside the courtyard.

Gongsun Xun, with Lou Gui, Han Dang, and several guards, stepped into the courtyard. His expression had been fairly amiable earlier, but he suddenly halted before the house, and his face abruptly stiffened.

"Is my lord still angry?" Lou Gui immediately spoke up.

"I did not expect that after years of toil, the scholars of the Central Plains still regard me as a frontier martial man," Gongsun Xun's face showed neither pleasure nor anger.

"Perhaps word has spread of the day my lord forcibly conscripted the three thousand sons of the Li clan," Lou Gui tried to persuade him. "They have some misunderstanding."

"Put that way, it sounds as if I cannot tell the difference between local strongmen and the scholar-gentry," Gongsun Xun could not help but sneer. "How could I possibly use that kind of method to forcibly conscript the core sons of their Yingchuan Zhong clan? Still, their posturing here nearly stirred my killing intent. For a moment just now, I truly wanted to say: if you will not serve, then your clan shall perish!"

"My lord," Lou Gui sighed and spoke earnestly under the starry night, "the rules of this world may not be reasonable, and the morals of this world may not be right — and that is precisely why my lord wishes to scourge the realm. But so long as you cannot yet seize power to scourge the realm, you must abide by the rules of this world for a day longer. Great Yingchuan clans like the Xun, Zhong, Guo, and Chen are deeply intertwined and entrenched. If you truly use force, I fear you will lose the hearts of all the realm's scholars. And without the scholars, can the realm truly be governed by those local strongmen and sons of humble families alone? Many among them may indeed be muddled sorts, yet eight out of ten true talents still come from their ranks."

Gongsun Xun smiled awkwardly: "Do you think I do not understand this principle? These are words the three of us — you, me, and Ziheng — speak of daily. It is just that today I treated the Zhong clan with such courtesy and deference to worthies, yet they still regard me so. It truly leaves me stifled."

"My lord need not be troubled," Lou Gui then said slowly. "In my view, one reason is the Proscription, and another is the local custom of Yingchuan — the scholar-gentry here largely have a mentality of keeping themselves safe. Beyond that, my lord's virtue, after all, still lies in Hebei. Here you have only authority and force; it is only natural that they feel some fear."

Gongsun Xun nodded slightly, but could not help thinking of Ju Shou and Tian Feng, and also Ju Shou's younger brother Ju Zong. When he had gone to Zhongshan, this retainer with whom he had gotten along fairly well had voluntarily asked to leave... If his virtue truly lay in Hebei, how could that have happened?

Was what he had always felt he lacked precisely this virtue? And what exactly was virtue? And how was one to seize it?

Just as his thoughts wandered wildly, Lou Zibo beside him could not help but speak again: "This is where the literary spirit of Yingchuan resides. It is only natural that my lord does not wish to enter a mountain of treasure and return empty-handed. Since you feel unsatisfied having gained only two men, why not follow Zhong Yuanchang's suggestion and go meet this Xun Wenruo? Did my lord not say his discernment of men surpasses even Zhong Yuanchang's? I too am rather curious about this man — so young, yet praised by all..."

Gongsun Xun started to speak, then stopped, suddenly recalling something. He abruptly froze, then burst out laughing: "I know why Yuan Benchu treats me with such respect yet avoids meeting me! He actually takes me for Xun Wenruo!"

Lou Gui was baffled. No matter how you looked at it, you, Gongsun Xun, and Xun Yu were not the same thing at all, were you?

How could anyone confuse the two?!

On the other side, Zhong Yao returned to his room drenched in sweat. The first thing he did was wash his hands and wipe off the sweat, then he personally ground Wei clan ink, took out a Zhang clan brush, and spread out a sheet of Gongsun paper... Indeed, for Zhong Yuanchang, a hundred thousand Yellow Turbans besieging the city or the unbearable sweltering heat could never compare to the importance of quietly writing a few characters.

Or rather, whenever he could write a few characters, he could always quiet his mind. Moreover, Zhong Yao had a particular gift: in the half-quarter-hour after he finished writing, he was free of all desire, his mind always exceptionally clear, and his thoughts piercingly sharp... the so-called worthy man's clarity of understanding — nothing surpassed this.

Zhong Yao lifted his brush in silence and wrote freely. At first it was strings of names — from Gongsun Xun to himself, from Zao Zhi to Xi Zhong, from Xun Yu to Xun You, from Huangfu Song to Grand Administrator Wen, from Zhu Jun to Sun Jian, from Guo Jia to Xu Shu — as if he meant to write down every name he had seen, heard, or spoken of today. Then suddenly he stopped writing names and concentrated solely on writing Gongsun Xun's titles, name, teachers, native place, sobriquets, and experiences, as if composing a curriculum vitae for Gongsun Xun. And at the end, seeing that a large sheet of paper was nearly full, he pondered a moment, then wrote the eight characters: 'study hard and make progress every day,' exactly filling the entire sheet.

"Well?" Seeing his nephew toss the brush onto the desk, Zhong Yu, Zhong Yao's own uncle who was extremely close to him, could not help stepping forward to ask.

"This General Gongsun is indeed not of the martial man's manner; it is merely the forthright spirit of Hebei showing through," Zhong Yao said calmly, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at his own writing. "We truly misunderstood him. Moreover, he possesses considerable self-restraint and self-awareness, and will likely not do anything to our Zhong clan over today's matter... Uncle need not worry."

Zhong Yu let out a long breath.

"Not only that," Zhong Yao sighed again quietly, "this man harbors great ambitions and truly wishes to achieve something. He abandoned me and sought out those of humble origins as his personal retainers — not because he looked down on me, nor because he thought me hard to control, but because he knew that at this time, with his current fame, position, authority, and virtue, he could hardly win my heart, and so he did not force it... Uncle, faced with such a pragmatic stance, I truly am somewhat moved."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Zhong Yu's expression turned stern. "In our generation, we three brothers all wasted half our lives because of the Proscription. Now your father, your second uncle, have both passed away in dejection, and only I, this useless one, am left struggling to support the family. In the next generation, you alone have amounted to anything! Now that we have finally endured until the Proscription is lifted, how can we permit you to go off gallivanting with some general from Liaoxi? Even if a man like him might truly achieve something, it would be fraught with extreme danger. If you die, that is one thing, but what of our Changshe Zhong clan?"

Zhong Yao remained silent.

"If you truly have the inclination, then with your talent and virtue, once he has achieved his goals and you too have won renown and accomplishment, it will not be too late to associate with him then!" Zhong Yu again urged earnestly.

Zhong Yao smiled bitterly, and finally nodded slowly.

"That's good then," Zhong Yu was thoroughly relieved. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and headed straight out. "I will have the household properly entertain those Volunteers... Fortunately, with the fighting so frequent, he cannot stay long, or else the fodder and grain alone would eat us into poverty."

Zhong Yao's bitter smile deepened. He spread out another sheet of paper and resumed practicing his calligraphy, writing all the way until midnight, still tirelessly plying his brush, until his wife sent someone to urge him, and only then did he helplessly set down the brush, wash up, and go to bed.

Yet after lying there for a long while, Zhong Yuanchang tossed and turned, utterly unable to sleep. Finally, he could not help but sit up and earnestly ask the wife already fast asleep beside him: "Could it be that I truly am not as good as Xun Wenruo?"

Outside the window, insects chirped and frogs croaked, but no one answered.

The night passed without a word. The next day, just as the sky brightened, Huangfu Song again sent Yan Zhong to invite Gongsun Xun... As expected, the day before, Zhu Jun had pursued all the way to the banks of the Qi River, and then sent men back to the city to invite Gongsun Xun and Huangfu Song to cross the river together and discuss strategies for defeating the enemy.

Gongsun Xun said little. He directly took his leave of Zhong Yao, took the two letters of introduction the other had written, and set out with Huangfu Song to leave the city. It had to be admitted that Huangfu Yizhen, with his scholar-general's manner, truly possessed extraordinary bearing. Even after Gongsun Xun had mocked him so the day before, he remained exceedingly amiable along the way, so much so that it felt like being bathed in a spring breeze.

However, after the two generals' insignia, canopies, and staffs of authority had left the city in sequence, they rode side by side under the escort of their personal guards onto the previous day's battlefield. Along the way, wounded and dead Yellow Turban soldiers were unending on the path, and the two generals' personal guards ceaselessly delivered finishing blows along the route. At such a time, being bathed in a spring breeze always felt somewhat eerie.

After advancing less than twenty li, the corpses grew much fewer. Correspondingly, Han army soldiers and officers coming forward to request an audience grew more numerous, and groups and squads of captives also began to appear.

By the afternoon, when the two generals had advanced to the thirty-li mark, the main force of the Han army had already come into view, and even Zhu Jun had led all the army's senior officers forward to greet them... Interestingly, however, most of the officers under Gongsun Xun's command were not present here.

It must be said that Zhu Gongwei's attitude upon seeing Gongsun Xun now was completely different from before they had met. This man had always been one to speak plainly. Previously, he had felt that Gongsun Xun, by sitting by and not coming to the rescue, was suspected of opportunism and stealing credit. But now that the other party had voluntarily relinquished command authority and handed over the greater part of the credit, and had also saved his trusted beloved general Sun Wentai, he now felt somewhat embarrassed instead.

In fact, Zhu Jun was now considerably more sincere toward Huangfu Song as well.

To this, Gongsun Xun accepted it all with calm composure.

What else could he do? After yielding the credit, was he supposed to imitate Huangfu Song's manner and force others to praise his virtue, openly or covertly?

Thus, with surface harmony, the three generals arrived at a hastily erected tent. Inside, three high stools had long been set out, and all those in the army of Thousand-Bushel rank and above filed in, bowing and offering greetings. The military conference began as a matter of course.

"Gongwei," Huangfu Song, being the eldest, was ushered to the center seat. As soon as he sat down, he took the lead without hesitation and asked solemnly, "Did Bo Cai manage to escape across the Qi River?"

"He did indeed escape," Zhu Jun spread his hands and said. "In chaotic battle, everything depends on luck. Bo Cai had quite a few death-defying, brave warriors around him, so it could not be helped. However, the General of the Household of All Purposes' command is mostly cavalry, and as I understand it, last night several Youyan units among them leaped their horses across the river to pursue and search... Perhaps they might capture him, for all we know."

Gongsun Xun chuckled despite himself but said nothing.

The others in the tent also laughed at this... In truth, everyone knew that a few dozen li from the Qi River lay the Ying River, and beside the Ying River was the city of Yangzhai. Bo Cai had crossed the river under cover of night, and nine times out of ten, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, he should have been able to enter the city. As for those Youzhou riders, faced with layer upon layer of waterways, and at night at that, how could they possibly find Bo Cai?

Still, if people wanted to go pursue, you could hardly tell them not to, could you?

Huangfu Song also shook his head with a smile: "Such matters ultimately depend on luck. Let them go... For us, however, we must plan on the assumption that Bo Cai has entered Yangzhai."

"Indeed," Zhu Jun interjected solemnly. "Yangzhai is sturdy, tall, and well-stocked with granaries and armories. Once Bo Cai returns to the city, rallies his defeated troops, and fortifies this great city, I fear it will be difficult to take quickly. You and I must be prepared. Of course, now that our great army is massed here, we need not fear a siege!"

Gongsun Xun still said nothing.

Huangfu Song nodded slightly, then suddenly recalled something, and his expression grew serious: "By the way, Gongwei, how have you dealt with those captives? At this moment, you absolutely must not kill those who have surrendered!"

"I understand." Zhu Jun also grew solemn. "If we kill the surrendered now, the Yellow Turban rebels who fled into Yangzhai City will inevitably be roused to a common hatred, and then taking the city will be far harder… This is what is meant by 'do not press a desperate foe.' Therefore, we have barely managed to gather the prisoners of war."

Huangfu Song nodded again, but then could not help looking toward Gongsun Xun, who had remained silent all this while: "Wenqi, you have long been acclaimed a famed general, and have always been known for your many stratagems… Yangzhai City lies before us; do you have any clever plan?"

"What clever method is there for assaulting a city?" Gongsun Xun replied dismissively. "Especially a great city like Yangzhai… If Lord Huangfu has a stratagem, he might as well speak plainly."

"In truth, it is no great stratagem." Huangfu Song spoke with a serious expression. "In my view, we can refrain from crossing the river for now. Then we might first dispatch some local loyal and righteous men to feign being defeated Yellow Turban troops entering the city as inside agents, and by the way make contact with the great households and powerful clans within the city… When the moment is ripe, we will suddenly press the whole army forward, cross the Qi River and Ying River in one stroke, and launch a swift assault on Yangzhai. Perhaps we can take it in one surge!"

The many officers and clerks in the military tent nodded repeatedly, and even Zhu Jun nodded without cease… After all, this was indeed the most worthwhile plan to try at present.

And so, everyone offered their words, talking back and forth, adding bricks and tiles:

One said, the Yingchuan accent is inherently similar to that of Luoyang, so we might as well mix some elite soldiers from the army among them;

Another said, we should include some wounded soldiers among them, to make it more convincing;

Yet another said, he had taken in a batch of surrendered troops, and their leader seemed quite intent on redeeming past crimes through meritorious service, so we might as well boldly use real Yellow Turban routed troops!

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun nodded repeatedly as they listened, and the former, being adept at taking in advice, had in a moment put together a rather feasible plan.

However, just as the tent was buzzing with activity, a clamor suddenly arose outside, accompanied by the sound of hoofbeats. Huangfu Yizhen could not help frowning and immediately sent Yan Zhong out of the tent to investigate.

And after only a moment, Yan Zhong returned with a peculiar expression and brought back a tremendous piece of good news: "Reporting to the three generals, the Army Marquis under the General of the Gentlemen of the Household of All Purposes, Liu Bei Liu Xuande, has captured Bo Cai alive and is now outside the tent!"

For a moment, utter silence fell within the tent.

After a long while, Huangfu Song was the first to recover his senses and could not help gently stroking his beard and nodding: "Not bad. This is tremendous good news. If Bo Cai failed to escape into Yangzhai City, then Yangzhai will be much easier to take!"

"Indeed!" Zhu Jun also rose proudly, hand on his sword. "I say, at this moment there is no need for any further stratagems. Let the entire army cross the Qi River and Ying River immediately, and when the great army suddenly appears before the city at dawn tomorrow, perhaps the rebels will be thrown into panic and surrender on the spot! Even if they do not surrender, perhaps we can take the city in one stroke!"

"In that case, your subordinate wishes to be the vanguard!" Before the words had faded, a man suddenly strode into the tent. Everyone looked up and saw it was none other than the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Wentai, who had fought to the death without retreating the night before. His head was wrapped in bandages, yet his bearing remained imposing and heroic.

"Is Wentai still able to fight?" Gongsun Xun finally could not help speaking up on his own initiative.

"Yesterday morning I received such high praise from the White Horse General; if I could not fight now, would I not be betraying the general's praise?" Sun Jian answered proudly, raising his voice.

"In that case…" Gongsun Xun could not help shaking his head. "Summon my younger brother Xuande into the tent."

No one understood why, but Yan Zhong, standing at the tent entrance, quickly called Liu Bei inside.

"Three generals!" Liu Bei could not conceal the joy written all over his face and immediately bowed in salute.

"Xuande's fortune has arrived." Gongsun Xun also smiled. "I ask you… where and how did you capture Bo Cai?"

"Reporting to my lord!" Liu Bei puffed out his chest and answered. "Those men all crossed the river and headed straight for Yangzhai to give chase. I alone thought that Shen Zhengnan was a capable man and would surely take Yangzhai. Rather than competing with them, it would be better to go early to the road to Yingyang City in the south and wait by the stump for the hare! Sure enough, this morning, that wretch Bo Cai, because Yangzhai had fallen, dared not linger and fled straight for Yingyang! They had traveled day and night, men weary and horses spent, and I captured him in one fell swoop!"

These words were spoken with great force, yet they drew absolutely no reaction… From Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun down to the various army majors below, everyone merely looked askance, and no one spoke.

"Wait a moment." Yan Zhong beside him could not help frowning, hands clasped behind his back. "Yangzhai… what do you mean by Shen Zhengnan?"

Liu Bei finally sensed that the atmosphere was amiss and could not help looking, along with everyone else in the tent, toward Gongsun Xun, who sat at Huangfu Song's right hand.

Gongsun Xun shook his head with a rueful smile, then immediately rose and began walking slowly out while speaking slowly: "To be frank with you all, the night before last, when the entire army advanced, my subordinate Shen Pei Shen Zhengnan volunteered to lead two thousand troops disguised as Yellow Turban defeated soldiers to launch a surprise attack on Yangzhai and cut off the retreat… I have always trusted Shen Zhengnan's ability, so I granted him permission… It seems now that he has succeeded by a stroke of fortune!"

"Then we…" Sun Jian could not help turning his head to ask Gongsun Xun, who had already walked to his side. "What should we do now?"

"Why not rest for a while!" Gongsun Xun grasped the other man's hand and spoke earnestly. "Today my division's main camp should also cross the Wei River and converge here. We were just about to hold a banquet to celebrate Xuande's capture of Bo Cai. Wentai, why not bring your brave warriors and join us for a cup!"

With these words, Gongsun Xun patted the other man on the shoulder and strode proudly out of the great tent with Liu Bei, leaving behind only a tent full of feathers suddenly exploding into chaos.

—————I am the dividing line of a tent full of feathers—————

"In former times, the Grand Ancestor passed through Yingchuan and lodged at the residence of the Zhong clan. Zhong Yao attended upon him with all his heart. When the wine had warmed, the Grand Ancestor asked: 'Yingchuan is the literary heart of the realm and is indeed rich in famous scholars. Now my staff lacks men; can Yuanchang recommend anyone?' Yao thereupon recommended Xun Yu and Xun You. The Grand Ancestor heard this and said nothing. He then recommended Guo Tu. The Grand Ancestor again said nothing. Then he recommended himself. The Grand Ancestor sighed: 'Today I seek private retainers; why recommend famous scholars? Men like the two Xuns and Yuanchang would be summoned by the state within three days of joining my staff — of what use would they be to me?' Yao then had a great awakening and thereupon put forward the diligent and earnest man Zao Zhi and the legalist scholar Xi Zhong. The Grand Ancestor was then satisfied." — New Book of Yan, Volume 72, Biography 22

PS: 177k this month… is that okay?

(End of Chapter)