Chapter 1777

Gongsun Zan deeply agreed: "Brother Wentai's words are very true. We must act immediately and deploy according to Mr. Gu's strategy. At the same time, we must strengthen the defense of the camp to prevent a surprise attack by Dong Zhuo's army."

Just as the two were deliberating, a soldier suddenly came to report: "Reporting to the two Generals, there seems to be unusual movement in the coalition camp. Xu You has quietly left the camp, and his destination is unknown."

Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian looked at each other, both feeling surprised in their hearts. Xu You leaving at this time—could it be related to Gu Yi's strategy? Or did he have other schemes?

Sun Jian pondered for a moment and said: "This man Xu You has always been cunning and resourceful. His departure at this time must be suspicious. However, we should still act according to Mr. Gu's strategy first. As for Xu You, let us send men to follow him secretly to see what his true intentions are."

Gongsun Zan nodded and immediately arranged for men to track Xu You. At the same time, he and Sun Jian began to deploy secretly according to Gu Yi's strategy.

……

On the other side, under the cover of night, Xu You crept along the way and finally arrived in front of Hulao Pass. Looking at the towering gate tower, he felt secretly smug. If he could successfully persuade Dong Zhuo on this trip, not only would he be able to perform a great service before Yuan Shao, but he might even use this opportunity to climb the great tree that was Dong Zhuo, and his future success would be within reach.

Just as Xu You was about to step forward to call out, a rain of arrows suddenly shot down from the gate tower. He was shocked and hurriedly dodged. Fortunately, the arrow rain was not dense, and he luckily escaped a disaster.

"Who dares to break into Hulao Pass at night?" a shout came from the gate tower.

Xu You steadied his nerves and answered loudly: "I am Xu You, a strategist under Yuan Shao's command, here specifically to pay a visit to Grand Tutor Dong to discuss important matters."

There was silence on the gate tower for a moment, then the drawbridge was slowly lowered, and a general led several soldiers down. They looked Xu You up and down, and after confirming there were no issues, they brought him up to the gate tower.

Xu You arrived before Dong Zhuo and bowed: "Greetings, Grand Tutor Dong."

Dong Zhuo squinted at Xu You and sneered: "Yuan Shao sent you here—for what purpose?"

Xu You felt a chill in his heart, but his face remained calm: "Grand Tutor, please observe clearly. Although Yuan Shao is the leader of the coalition, in reality, everyone has their own hidden agendas. I have come here to conspire in a great undertaking with you, Grand Tutor."

Upon hearing this, a flash of interest appeared in Dong Zhuo's eyes: "Oh? Conspire in a great undertaking? Tell me about it."

Xu You then laid out Yuan Shao's intentions as well as the purpose of his own trip. He claimed that Yuan Shao was extremely disappointed with the coalition and was willing to join hands with Dong Zhuo to pacify the world together. Of course, he also put forward his own conditions, which were that Yuan Shao hoped to receive the four provinces of Hebei as a fief after the war.

After listening, Dong Zhuo laughed loudly: "That brat Yuan Shao actually wants to join hands with me? Does he think I, Dong Zhuo, am a fool? However, your trip here is not entirely without gain. Go back and tell Yuan Shao that if he truly wishes to surrender, I, Dong Zhuo, can consider giving him a way to survive. As for the four provinces of Hebei, hmph, that depends on whether he has the ability to take them."

Xu You felt a chill in his heart, knowing that Dong Zhuo did not fully believe his words. But the purpose of his trip had been half achieved; at least he had successfully conveyed Yuan Shao's "intentions" to Dong Zhuo. As for how things would develop subsequently, that was not something he could control.

Xu You took his leave of Dong Zhuo and left Hulao Pass. What he did not know was that his every move had already been seen by spies within the coalition, who had quickly passed the news to Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian.

……

When Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian learned that Xu You had privately gone to Hulao Pass to conspire with Dong Zhuo, they were both shocked. They realized that Gu Yi's strategy might have already quietly unfolded, and Xu You's betrayal was undoubtedly a part of it.

"Ziyuan (Xu You's courtesy name) is actually this foolish! Does he not know that colluding with Dong Zhuo is a capital crime?" Gongsun Zan said angrily.

Sun Jian was much calmer: "Brother Gongsun, do not be angry. Xu You's actions must have a purpose; perhaps he is exactly a chess piece in Mr. Gu's strategy. We only need to act according to the strategy and wait to see how things develop."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan nodded. He knew deeply that this was not the time to be impulsive and that he must respond calmly. Thus, the two continued to deploy according to Gu Yi's strategy, waiting for the arrival of the right moment.

Meanwhile, in the coalition camp, the various lords were all indignant at Xu You's betrayal. Yuan Shao was even more furious; he had not expected that the strategist he trusted would actually betray him. But he also knew that this was not the time to pursue accountability; he had to stabilize the morale of the army as quickly as possible to prevent internal turmoil within the coalition.

However, undercurrents within the coalition had already begun to surge. Those lords who had secret dealings with Dong Zhuo began to panic, fearing their conspiracies would be exposed. Meanwhile, Gongsun Zan and Sun Jian secretly monitored their every move, preparing to deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment. ===== CHAPTER 1778 =====