Chapter Seventy-Five: The Gathering of the Lords

Just as the scout’s report had foretold, scarcely into the month of October, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun led their grand armies in a mighty procession to Guangzong. Upon hearing the news, Liu Yao instructed his men to escort them directly to the command tent, where Tian Feng had already arranged a welcoming banquet in their honor.

As for Liu Yao himself, he strolled unhurriedly towards the main tent, accompanied by Shi A and Guo Jia. When they stepped inside, he immediately saw that Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and the others had already gathered. Even Cao Cao had arrived early, and the entire group waited quietly within the tent.

Upon seeing Liu Yao enter, Huangfu Song and the rest quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Liu Yao waved a hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. Please, take your seats."

"Yes, Your Highness," they replied, each finding a place to sit as they pleased.

Settling into his own seat, Liu Yao surveyed the assembly before him. Setting aside Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and Cao Cao, he noticed four unfamiliar faces in the ranks—two were familiar, the other two entirely strange.

Liu Yao examined the two he recognized: one was handsome and imposing in black armor, exuding an air of command. The other, however, gazed upward with a look of arrogance and slyness.

He could not help but smile inwardly. "So these are Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. I should have known old Yuan Feng, despite knowing I would be commanding, would still send these two. Yuan Shao is tolerable, but I almost hope that fool Yuan Shu will cause a scene. Killing him isn't an option, but perhaps I could teach him a lesson—spare myself Yuan Feng’s constant opposition."

As for the two unfamiliar faces, one appeared to be in his thirties, a robust man eight feet tall with a massive saber at his waist. The other was a burly, middle-aged man, perhaps in his forties, with the gait of a tiger and the waist of a bear, his face fierce yet now somewhat bedraggled.

Though Liu Yao had never met these men, two names surfaced in his mind.

"Benchu, Gonglu," he said lightly, "it’s been quite some time since we last met. How is your esteemed father, Lord Yuan Feng?"

"Your Highness, my father’s health is well," Yuan Shao replied respectfully. Though the Yuan family and Liu Yao rarely saw eye to eye, Yuan Shao understood that now was not the time for discord. With Liu Yao as commander, any offense could be dangerous.

"Oh, that is good to hear. When time permits, I will pay him a visit. And for Lord Yuan’s sake, I will be sure to look after you and Gonglu," Liu Yao said, putting emphasis on the words "look after."

Yuan Shao shivered at the implication, already regretting getting involved in this affair. Yuan Shu, meanwhile, was seething with rage. Had it not been for Yuan Feng’s strict warning not to cross Liu Yao and to simply go through the motions, he might have already started a confrontation. In Yuan Shu’s eyes, the Yuan family’s bloodline was of the highest nobility—even Liu Yao was beneath his notice.

"And may I ask your names?" Liu Yao turned to the two unfamiliar men.

"Sun Jian, Sun Wentai, Colonel Who Breaks the Bandits (and Acting General Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhongying) pay respects to Your Highness," the two declared in unison, bowing.

"So it is indeed them," Liu Yao thought. From the moment he saw the two, their names—Sun Jian and Dong Zhuo—had come to mind. Still, he was puzzled as to why Dong Zhuo was present now that he himself was in command.

He glanced around the tent. Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu—if Liu Bei, who had just left, were here, nearly every powerful warlord of the late Han would be assembled before him.

For a moment, Liu Yao considered eliminating them all to avoid future trouble. But reason soon prevailed—if all these men died, the future would slip beyond his grasp, leaving him at a disadvantage. That was not the outcome he desired.

"So, the Tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Wentai, and Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhongying. I have heard of your prowess for some time. With the two of you here, taking Guangzong should be no great feat," Liu Yao said cordially.

"Your Highness flatters us," they replied in unison, Sun Jian’s face brimming with confidence, clearly assured of his own abilities. Dong Zhuo, in contrast, wore an expression of frustration and anger.

Sun Jian’s confidence was understandable—he had defeated Zhang Mancheng and had every right to be sure of himself. But Dong Zhuo’s look puzzled Liu Yao. Noticing the disheveled state of his clothing, Liu Yao suddenly realized, "Dong Zhuo must have suffered a defeat. No wonder he looks like that."

"General Dong, may I ask where you have come from, and why you are in such a state?" Liu Yao inquired.

"Your Highness," Dong Zhuo replied, embarrassed, "I was ordered by His Majesty to come from Luoyang and assist you here. As for my current state…"

At that, Huangfu Song spoke up. "Your Highness, allow me. General Dong encountered an ambush by the Yellow Turbans a hundred miles from Guangzong. General Zhu and I arrived in time to help drive them off. If General Dong appears somewhat battered, it is only because he fought bravely at the front."

Dong Zhuo glanced gratefully at Huangfu Song. He had helped preserve his dignity—after all, Dong Zhuo had been ambushed and suffered losses, barely escaping with his life.

Liu Yao, of course, saw through their exchange but chose not to expose it. "Dong Zhuo hasn't yet learned to value strategists—though he has that son-in-law, Li Ru. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lost so badly."

"Now that we are all assembled," Liu Yao addressed the group, "does anyone have a plan to break through Guangzong’s defenses?"

"What’s so difficult about that? Give me thirty thousand troops and I will take Guangzong with ease!" Before anyone else could speak, Yuan Shu blurted out.

"Oh?" Liu Yao looked at him with a mocking smile. "Gonglu, if you are so confident, then I shall give you thirty thousand men. Will you swear a military oath to succeed?"

"Err…" Yuan Shu was instantly dumbfounded, lost for words. He had only meant to talk big and show off his abilities—never expecting Liu Yao to take him seriously and demand a formal pledge. Now he was afraid. Lu Zhi and others had besieged Guangzong for three months with fifty thousand men to no avail. With only thirty thousand, Yuan Shu would be sending his troops to their deaths.

"Hmph, Gonglu, you’re the same as ever—full of empty boasts, with not a shred of real skill," came a gruff voice. Yuan Shu turned, furious, to glare at Yuan Shao.

"Yuan Benchu, so you say I can’t do it. Could you?"

Yuan Shao gave him a dismissive glance. "I have no solution either, but at least I don’t pretend I do."

"Yuan Benchu, you—"

"Enough!" Liu Yao slammed the table, silencing them. "This is a military camp, not the Yuan household. If you want to bicker, go home and do it there."

At once, both fell silent, cowed by Liu Yao’s authority. Huangfu Song and the others looked on with clear disapproval—except for Cao Cao. Most of them came from humble backgrounds and had little respect for pampered young lords who did nothing but boast.

"If it happens again, you will answer to military law," Liu Yao said coldly.