Chapter 361: Loyal and Brave as You Are, There Are Fewer Still

History often gives people a false impression.

For example, from He Jin's death to Dong Zhuo's deposing of the emperor, it was only five days in all, so people often overlook the fact that the Yuan clan briefly held political power during that time.

Another example: from the moment the Guandong coalition rose up, Dong Zhuo began considering moving the capital, and it took him only half a month to make up his mind, then just over two months to swiftly complete this action that caused countless deaths among officials and commoners. Thus, many instinctively assume the Guandong coalition had won a tactical victory and forced Dong Zhuo into doing it.

But in reality, that was not the case. This process, fraught with endless future calamities, was entirely under Dong Zhuo's control — he initiated it of his own accord.

And in the original course of history, during Dong Zhuo's relocation of the capital, the Guandong coalition almost entirely stood by and did nothing. Although there were men like Cao Cao and Sun Jian who wished to take action, they simply could not intervene. On the contrary, after Dong Zhuo completed the relocation, he turned back and remotely directed the various commanders in Henan to launch offensives — only then did the two sides formally begin to engage, and still Dong Zhuo won on all three fronts!

So, returning to the present, even though Gongsun Xun's arrival had placed immense military pressure on Guanzhong and Hongnong, the forces Dong Zhuo left in Henan were still thrashing those Guandong heroes with ease!

Of course, to be fair, being thrashed is no disgrace, nor does it signify anything in particular.

No one is born knowing how to wage war — from these Guandong heroes down to their soldiers, all were the same. It was merely a matter of losing a few battles, losing a few men, and enduring some desperate situations. Then, with their intelligence and the population and wealth of Guandong, they would quickly learn how to fight, how to command troops, and then become stronger and more battle-worthy than their opponents!

That said, while many years later these heroes might feel fortunate to have learned these lessons so early, returning to the present, to the very beginning, this process was inevitably disheartening for those involved.

As it happened, Cao Mengde and Liu Xuande had been outside Hulao Pass for a full two months without the slightest progress. This truly was not their fault, because it was not that they did not want to fight, but that they could not command the various lords gathered at Suanzao. So, facing a perilous pass like Hulao Pass, how were Cao and Liu, each with only a few thousand troops, supposed to attack?

A place like Hulao Pass... of course, just as Tongguan was called Taolin Fortress at this time, it could also be called Sishui Pass or Xuanmen Pass... in short, this place had the Songshan mountain range to the south, the Yellow River to the north, the strategic town of Chenggao at its back, and the Sishui River crossing before it — it truly was not a place easily taken.

For one thing, because the Sishui River lay before the pass, you could not even deploy your troops properly, nor could you swarm the walls like ants — so how exactly were you supposed to attack?

And so, last winter Lu Bu crossed the river and struck Yuan Shao, while Cao and Liu watched the wind and snow together outside Hulao Pass; Dong Zhuo moved the capital, and Cao and Liu watched the ice breakup together outside Hulao Pass; Gongsun Xun fought his way through Bingzhou and reached Hedong, and Cao and Liu watched the peach blossoms together outside Hulao Pass; even when Yuan Shao, having learned from his painful lesson, came to Suanzao to oversee the campaign, the two heroes were still outside Hulao Pass, continuing to enjoy the scenery!

However, once Dong Zhuo's various commanders in Henan joined forces to strike Sun Jian, Cao and Liu finally no longer had to cultivate their friendship, because the General of the Household garrisoning Hulao Pass, Cavalry Superintendent Hua Xiong, took the initiative to come out and fight.

This was, of course, understandable... whether new or old, Liangzhou men or Bingzhou men, all his colleagues were earning merit, while he, Hua Xiong, was stuck enduring hardship at Hulao Pass. This inevitably made this Liangzhou military officer, who had risen from Dong Zhuo's personal guard, feel rather unwilling.

Moreover, the laughable combat effectiveness the Guandong coalition had previously displayed also made him increasingly bold!

So, after properly arranging the defenses of Chenggao and Hulao Pass, this newly minted General of the Household, Hua Xiong, actually took the initiative to leave the pass. Every day he led only three thousand cavalry across the Sishui River, repeatedly issuing challenges to the more than one hundred thousand troops of the Guandong coalition!

The Guandong lords could not refuse the challenge.

After all, if an army of over a hundred thousand dared not accept a challenge from three thousand cavalry, they would truly lose all face. In fact, upon hearing the news, Yuan Benchu himself hurried from Suanzao behind the lines, preparing to personally oversee the battle, determined to secure this first victory since the campaign against Dong Zhuo began!

However, once the battle began, an awkward situation arose once more — Hua Xiong, leading his three thousand cavalry, rampaged across the plain east of the Sishui River with utter abandon, and the allied army of the lords could do nothing about him for the moment!

How so?

It was very simple. Hua Xiong was no fool; he could not possibly want to truly fight three thousand against one hundred thousand. In fact, he had specifically sent a letter of challenge to the coalition lords opposite him, stating very clearly: either five thousand infantry, or three thousand cavalry — he would accept battle, one engagement per day. But if they tried to gang up on him or fight in waves, he would not oblige! After all, with three thousand cavalry, he could cross the bridge and retreat back into the pass in a flash.

This was, of course, perfectly reasonable, and the Guandong lords had no intention of objecting... however, for several days in a row, the so-called famous generals of the various commanderies and kingdoms, leading all sorts of troops, were defeated one after another before Hua Xiong and his Western Liang iron cavalry.

By the time the alliance leader Yuan Shao arrived from the main camp at Suanzao, not only had they already lost four engagements, but two commanding officers had even been killed! Far from winning a victory, the Guandong coalition's morale only sank further.

"You gentlemen are truly capable!" In late March, during the morning hours, Yuan Shao sat upright in the main camp, looking disdainfully at those around him. "A mere three thousand men, and you can do nothing about them?"

The dozen or so lords seated on both sides of the great tent had varied expressions upon hearing this — some remained impassive, some sighed toward the heavens, and others sneered in response... this was not without reason. Ever since Yuan Shao became alliance leader, he had changed from his earlier courteous treatment of worthy men, at the very least becoming exceptionally arrogant toward these Guandong lords, and so many felt resentful.

"General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan!" Zhang Miao, who found Yuan Shao the most objectionable, was the first to speak up in protest. "Have you not heard Mencius' words, 'Those who flee fifty paces should not laugh at those who flee a hundred'? Applied here, it is perfectly apt."

Yuan Shao flew into a rage: "Is this the same thing?! Though I was defeated that day, it was after a fierce struggle where I was outmatched, and once my army turned back, we still forced Lu Bu to withdraw. But you — with a host of one hundred thousand, you cannot even select elite troops to defeat three thousand enemies? Utterly absurd!"

"How is it absurd?" Zhang Chao, the Grand Administrator of Guangling, could not help but interject to support his elder brother. "As was just said, we are all defeated generals, the fifty-pace man laughing at the hundred-pace man..."

"Do you think I am mocking your incompetence?" Yuan Shao laughed in extreme anger. "What I said earlier was that I feel some people are sitting back and watching the outcome, only wanting to preserve their own strength, with no desire for the campaign against Dong Zhuo to succeed! I am saying you harbor treacherous intentions!"

A chill immediately fell over the tent, and the two Zhangs' expressions turned solemn.

"One hundred thousand men." Yuan Benchu rose, hand on his sword, pacing back and forth in the tent while glaring at the seated lords and rebuking them loudly. "Is there truly no crack troops or strong generals? If you pool your resources, squeeze a little, you can always select three thousand elite soldiers, can you not? If you search carefully, ask around, there must be a warrior worth ten thousand men, is there not? In my view, losing four times in four days to Hua Xiong is not because you are incapable, but because some wish to use this as an excuse to continue dragging their feet, standing by and watching Dong Zhuo overthrow the Han... after all, if the Han does not fall, how can you people carve out your own territories and declare yourselves kings and overlords?!"

"General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan, watch your words!" Liu Dai, the Inspector of Yanzhou, cried out in alarm and rebuke.

"General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan, do not slander us with baseless accusations!" Zhang Miao, the Grand Administrator of Chenliu, whom Yuan Shao had been staring at pointedly, also hurriedly rose to refute, though he could not help but lack a measure of firmness. "It truly is not that we deliberately avoid battle, but that Hua Xiong is indeed fierce and brave, and moreover, the Western Liang iron cavalry is unstoppable in its rampage, truly difficult to subdue."

"Indeed." Zhang Chao, his face pale, also immediately rose to explain. "It is not that we do not wish to gather elite troops and strong generals, but truly, before the alliance leader arrived, there was no one to coordinate..."

"Nonsense!" Yuan Shao, hand on his sword, looked at Zhang Chao with a face full of scorn. "I am neither blind nor deaf. Two nights ago, Meng De hosted a banquet, imploring you to give your all, and also asking you for elite troops to combine forces, yet none of you agreed, angering Meng De so much that he swept his sleeves and left — is that false? And earlier, when the Inspector of Qingzhou, Jiao He, fell gravely ill, I sent Zang Hong to Qingzhou to investigate the situation, and you also made excuses and obstructed... making excuses before, and now lying to my face — what exactly do you two brothers intend? Could it be that you think you two are the dominant force here, with strong troops and horses, and have truly developed treacherous intentions?"

The Zhang brothers were momentarily flustered and anxious, yet had no words to reply... to be fair, their relationship with Cao Cao was actually among the best of all the various lords. However, because Cao Cao's status was low and his strength weak, and moreover because he was essentially Yuan Shao's spokesman, everyone was unwilling to follow his command — that was also a fact. As for Zang Hong, Yuan Shao wanted to poach him, and Zhang Chao was reluctant to let him go — that was only human nature!

And conflicts arose one by one, just like this.

"Benchu, you are overthinking it." At this moment, it was Cao Cao who rose and broke the impasse. "Meng Zhuo and Meng Gao are both loyal ministers of the state. Their earlier unwillingness to combine forces and gather elite troops, in my view, was not necessarily out of a desire to preserve strength, but rather a momentary underestimation of the enemy, thinking Hua Xiong could be easily captured... now that they know their mistake, presumably they are willing to join forces and defeat the enemy."

"Is that so?" Yuan Shao sneered without cease.

Although Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao were resentful, they truly did not wish to be branded with the label of 'harboring sinister intentions.' Moreover, while these two did have the fundamental desire to preserve their strength, they also genuinely had no intention of disregarding the greater situation. And so, after exchanging a glance, the two brothers ultimately swallowed their pride, nodded in agreement, and thus submitted to Yuan Shao, also indicating their willingness to commit all their elite troops to the effort.

Yuan Shao nodded with satisfaction and was about to turn back to speak from the main seat at the head of the tent, when he suddenly heard someone behind him voice an objection: "Hua Xiong is fierce and brave, we are incapable, and must combine forces to deal with him — this is certainly feasible. And Hulao Pass is a mighty pass under heaven; our troops are exhausted and thwarted, with no progress for months — this is also a fact. However, the alliance leader must also understand that in this world there are people even more laughable and more treacherous than us... those who sit on provinces and commanderies, claiming to campaign against Dong Zhuo, yet in reality have not sent a single soldier to the front lines, nor have we seen how they exert themselves for the greater situation of the realm! Today, the General of Chariots and Cavalry only chastises us — it inevitably leaves one unconvinced!"

Yuan Shao turned his head and saw it was Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei. He did not find it strange, and instead calmly returned to his seat, then slowly asked: "The Chancellor of Jibei surely cannot be referring to me, or to Tao Gongzu and the others? How can we control men like Tao Gongzu?"

"No!" Bao Xin shook his head and responded. "The men I speak of are Zhang Yang in Henei, Han Fu in Jizhou, and Yuan Shu in Nanyang... these three — I dare not say they have achieved no merit at all, but ultimately they have not come to the front lines, which makes it hard for people to accept."

Yuan Shao repeatedly shook his head: "Since I have arrived here, Grand Administrator Zhang of Henei has been responsible for the battlefront along the three fords north of Luoyang — how can you say he has not come to the front lines? As for Han of Jizhou and my younger brother, although they have not come before the army, the supplies and provisions for the troops in both the north and the south depend entirely on these two. Even the soldiers and officers of my own command, and the troops under Sun Wentai, rely entirely on these two for support in the rear... the Chancellor of Jibei is being too harsh."

"It is not that I am harsh, but that my heart is unconvinced!" Bao Xin sighed. "The Son of Heaven is in disgrace, the state is in turmoil. We men raised armies in the name of righteousness, yet for months we have made no progress. We have fought a few battles at last, but lost every one. If we do not let these three see for themselves, I fear that in the future they will look down on us for it."

"Then what do you intend to do?" Yuan Shao asked bluntly.

"I have heard that under the General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan's command there are reinforcements originally sent by Han of Jizhou. Could we be allowed to witness the brilliance of Hebei's famous generals?" Bao Xin also spoke bluntly. "Regardless of victory or defeat, as long as they go into battle, it will set people's minds at ease... and if they win, naturally nothing more need be said; if they lose, we will absolutely not shirk our duty, and will certainly commit all our elite troops and combine forces again — that would still be in time, would it not?"

Many in the tent hesitated.

Yuan Shao, however, was straightforward. Seated in the place of honor at the head of the tent, he looked around, then suddenly pointed at a general beside him: "General Pan, you are a top general of Jizhou, always highly valued by Han of Jizhou. Could you go and test Hua Xiong's mettle on our behalf, and also conveniently shut the mouths of the Central Plains lords, so they will no longer think that Han of Jizhou is merely a man of empty words?"

That general hesitated slightly and was about to respond, when someone beside him suddenly burst out laughing and stepped forward — it was none other than Xin Ping, Xin Zhongzhi, whose family was now in Jizhou while he himself served in Yuan Shao's staff.

"Gentlemen, you probably do not know," Xin Ping cupped his hands to all around. "This General Pan Feng, is a top general of Jizhou! If he takes action, though Hua Xiong be fierce and brave, he will likely be captured with his hands bound!"

The seated lords, as well as the generals and civil officials beside and behind them, all turned to look.

And Pan Feng, with no other choice, could only lower his head and give his pledge to Yuan Shao.

"Go prepare quickly!" Yuan Shao said lightly. "I brought over twenty thousand troops on this journey; scraping together three thousand elite soldiers should be no problem..."

Pan Feng had even less to say. He gave a slight salute with clasped hands, then turned and left.

Liu Bei, seated at the very last place, watched this man walk out the door and could not help but frown... he had his own sources and knew some of the inside story.

It was said that when Yuan Shao was defeated in Henei, his losses were severe. Correspondingly, Han Fu, who was responsible for providing Yuan Benchu with soldiers, armor, and warhorses, could not help but harbor secret resentment. Thus, while slightly reducing supplies, he also dispatched generals he trusted to personally lead troops over, with a clear intent to supervise and preserve the troops.

And this Pan Feng, it seemed, was one of those Jizhou generals who had arrived later.

Of course, although he understood that Yuan Benchu had the intention of using a borrowed knife to kill, Liu Bei's expression did not change in the slightest... because there was no need. If this Pan Feng truly had ability, he could at the very least retreat unscathed, could he not? And if he was incompetent — in this age of chaos under heaven, even if he did not die here, could a general still expect to keep on living?

Even setting aside generals, among all the lords gathered in this tent — some of noble birth, some deeply learned in the classics — a few years from now, how many will still be alive?

Only Yuan Benchu, born of a renowned clan, yet unexpectedly so fierce and ruthless — one hardly knows whether to admire him or be wary. And that Bao Xin — I heard that back in Luoyang he had already grown estranged from Yuan Shao over the matter of Dong Zhuo, yet now he cooperates so readily. I wonder if it is coincidence or if the two have reconciled. If it is the former, so be it; but if they have reconciled, then what does that make Liu Dai, the Inspector of Yanzhou? Has Liu Dai not been courting Bao Xin these days, seeking to plot against Qiao Mao, the Administrator of Dong Commandery?

With so many signs of internal strife, if things truly erupt, what will become of the grand campaign against Dong Zhuo?

A true man builds his deeds and establishes his legacy — how can he linger here long without advancing?

For a moment, Liu Xuande’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly his heart was secretly in turmoil.

As it happened, Yuan Shao was indeed well-prepared. In the morning he hastily settled on Pan Feng to answer the challenge, sent the letter of battle at noon, and by afternoon they were already able to fight… However, although Pan Feng was hailed as a top general of Jizhou, under the gaze of the Guandong lords watching from the heights, he was defeated in a single engagement.

His troops, just as in the previous times, scattered and fled back to the allied main camp. Facing such an enormous allied encampment, the Western Liang army did not dare pursue. Pan Feng alone was gravely wounded, and it is said that soon after being carried back to camp, he succumbed to his injuries and died.

By this point, Hua Xiong had won five consecutive victories, his momentum growing ever stronger, while the allied army sank deeper into dejection… Returning to camp, the lords debated heatedly, and for a time, morale was unsettled.

“Some top general of Jizhou — nothing more than this.”

“Have the troops of Hebei not been famed for centuries for their prowess in battle?”

“That refers to the Youzhou shock cavalry, most of whom are now under the command of the General of the Guards…”

“Enough. Pan Feng has already fallen in battle; further words are useless.” Yuan Shao spoke dismissively. “Success depends on human effort. Now we must unite sincerely, only then can we strive to resolve the matter at hand! What do you all think?”

“The alliance leader speaks truly,” someone sneered. “In any case, given the current situation, we cannot simply allow Hua Xiong to run rampant before the pass. If this continues, every last one of us here will be regarded by the world as no better than dogs and swine.”

The assembly could only force bitter, awkward smiles.

“Well said.” Yuan Shao also gave a dry laugh. “Therefore, I have resolved to commit all the elite troops of my own command. No matter who goes forth to fight, they may deploy them as they see fit. In short, we must do everything in our power to defeat Hua Xiong, and I hope none of you will be stingy with your soldiers. However, today from the high platform I saw with my own eyes that Hua Xiong and his personal guards are exceptionally fierce. I fear none but a match for ten thousand can easily withstand them.”

“Where would we find a match for ten thousand?” Another could not suppress a cold laugh. “Even those who claim to be a match for ten thousand are likely not to be trusted. Have you not seen those so-called top generals and famed commanders? Every one of them is a braggart.”

The assembly, half in self-mockery and half in mockery of others, broke into laughter for a moment.

“My command has a man long reputed to be a match for ten thousand.” Just as the laughter ceased, Liu Bei suddenly spoke, causing the tent to fall silent, no one knowing how to respond.

After a long pause, it was Cao Cao who asked curiously, “Brother Xuande, in the past few days we have not heard you speak up. Why do you volunteer for battle today? Moreover, your troops are all newly recruited soldiers from Danyang — how could you have a man ‘long reputed’ to be a match for ten thousand?”

“I did not volunteer before because I needed to carefully observe the true state of Hua Xiong and his troops,” Liu Bei answered calmly, his expression unchanged. “Over these past days, I have watched closely how they fight, and I have a rough grasp of the situation. Moreover, the moment for battle has now presented itself.”

“You mean…?”

“Indeed. Although Hua Xiong is fierce and his troops are truly elite, after five consecutive victories, Hua Xiong himself has long become unbearably arrogant. And after five days of continuous fighting, though his troops appear spirited on the surface, inwardly they are already exhausted… It is precisely the right moment to strike!”

“So that is how it is!” Seeing it was Liu Bei, Yuan Shao felt a stir in his heart. “Xuande has always campaigned alongside the General of the Guards and is himself skilled in warfare. Since you say the moment for battle has come, then it must be time to fight! However, regarding this talk of a match for ten thousand…”

“The title ‘match for ten thousand’ for this man did not come from me.” Liu Bei looked calmly at Yuan Shao at the head of the assembly and answered composedly. “It was spoken personally by my brother, Gongsun Wenqi!”

Yuan Shao could not help but assume a solemn expression. “May I ask which general this is?”

“Is it Guan Yunchang or Zhang Yide?” Cao Cao suddenly understood.

“It is my brother Yide.” Liu Bei did not conceal it. “I had thought he had already followed my brother on the campaign to Bingzhou. I did not expect him to still be in Qinghe, so I wrote to him seeking aid. Upon receiving my letter and learning I was here, he rode alone and arrived just two days ago!”

Cao Cao could not help but be overjoyed.

“However, the enemy has three thousand armored riders. Relying on Yide alone, it would be difficult to accomplish much.” Liu Bei abruptly rose, hand on his sword, and addressed Yuan Shao in a clear voice. “Alliance leader, I request three hundred elite cavalry from Hebei to serve as support and cover for Yide!”

Yuan Shao was writing something at his desk. Hearing this, he agreed without even raising his head: “If he is a match for ten thousand personally praised by the General of the Guards, then he is a true match for ten thousand… How could I refuse? What else do you need?”

“Brother Yuncheng!” Liu Bei then turned to Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei. “I once saw in your camp a detached colonel, called Yu Jin, styled Wenze. His three thousand troops are strictly disciplined and can be called elite. Might I borrow them for a time?”

Bao Xin recalled the promise he had made face-to-face the day before and naturally had no objection. “If it can defeat Hua Xiong, why would I begrudge a single officer? But I wonder how Xuande plans to fight? Since you have a match for ten thousand, why not gather three thousand elite cavalry and defeat him head-on? Why instead ask me for a mere unit of infantry?”

“If I sought only a single victory, I would have sent my brother Zhang Yide out two days ago!” Liu Bei answered proudly. “Tomorrow, I will behead Hua Xiong and seize Hulao Pass in the same stroke, to wipe away the shame of previous defeats!”

The lords, scholars, and officers in the tent all paled in shock and disbelief.

After a long while, Cao Cao was the first to break the silence: “Yide and Yu Jin going to behead Hua Xiong — I can roughly understand that, and I can roughly guess Xuande’s plan. But who will go to seize Hulao Pass? Is Hulao Pass so easily taken?”

“Naturally, I will go myself to seize it!” Liu Bei slowly drew the long sword from his waist, looking around with perfect composure. “Only, Brother Mengde, you absolutely must lend me Yue Wenqian and his two thousand troops.”

—————I am a dividing line with more experience than you—————

“In the first year of Chuping, the Guandong coalition rose to jointly campaign against Dong Zhuo. Reaching Hulao, the Commander Hua Xiong held the mighty pass to defend it, and with his fierce valor, repeatedly defeated the coalition. As days passed, the lords, commanding a hundred thousand troops, merely set out wine and sang loudly, daring not to speak of battle. Shao arrived from Henei and urged the army to fight, but after five days of successive defeats, the situation grew more dire. Just as morale was about to collapse, Bei rose, sword in hand, and volunteered to behead Hua Xiong and break through Hulao in a single day. Half the army was terrified, half were stirred by his spirit.” — From Dianlüe, Yan, annotated by Pei Songzhi

PS: Sorry, I fell asleep, and woke up with a cold… Fortunately, I finished writing.

(End of chapter)