Free Web NovelChapter 281: With Benevolence Comes the People’s Loyalty
The sky was bleak, and the setting sun was descending in the west.
The cold, solemn orange light spread across the earth, and on the plains, the shadows of a defeated army were stretched long and thin...
Xun Huo and Cheng Yu began discussing the future strategy in the carriage.
Cheng Yu’s expression was grim, his face pale, and he said in a deep voice:
"Brother Wenruo, now that the city of Dongjun has fallen, Yanzhou is in great danger!"
"And with our lord campaigning elsewhere, our forces are very few. Now we can only consider how to use these few troops to protect the next important city in Yanzhou."
Cheng Yu’s analysis was very clear and thorough, with each point hitting the mark.
Their total military strength was less than ten thousand, and they had fewer than ten civil and military officers—how could they be a match for the renowned God of War, Lü Bu?
Moreover, after the recent battle, both Cheng Yu and Xun Huo were acutely aware that there was a top strategist in Lü Bu’s army who was not inferior to them.
Otherwise, they would have already captured that scoundrel Lü Bu, but unfortunately, they failed at the last moment!
Therefore, it was absolutely impossible for them to defend the entire region of Yanzhou with just ten thousand troops. They could only fight to the death to preserve one or two cities for their lord, Cao Cao, to have a place to retreat to.
Xun Huo, looking worried, raised his head to gaze at the desolate setting sun and slowly said:
"Now that Long Chen has sent Lü Bu to capture Dongjun, it means that the already unsettled Yanzhou will see even more hidden turmoil."
"The great families and common people of Yanzhou may also start harboring different thoughts."
"The most urgent task is for us to quickly seize a rugged city as our base. Only when our lord returns will we have the strength to counterattack the rebellious cities."
After a pause, Xun Huo’s gaze became as sharp as a speeding arrow, and he shouted:
"Juancheng!!!"
"Brother Zhongde, we must immediately head to Juancheng. As long as we can hold Juancheng, the land of Yanzhou will not easily change flags."
Juancheng is strategically located.
Juancheng County is situated on the Yellow River’s alluvial plain, with the Yellow River to the north and three tributaries—Jishan River, Linpusa River, and Juanyun River—within its borders.
With developed river and land transportation, a suitable climate, fertile soil, high agricultural output, and rich natural resources, it has all the advantages one could ask for. It has always been a place contested by military strategists.
As long as they could hold Juancheng, when Cao Cao returned, they would still have a place to regroup.
Moreover, Juancheng was rich in grain, well-equipped with weapons, and densely populated.
These resources would allow Cao Cao to quickly recover his strength.
After understanding this critical point, a trace of amazement flashed in Cheng Yu’s eyes.
He secretly sighed in his heart:
"Alas, when it comes to the big picture, I am not as good as Brother Wenruo."
"There is no time to lose; we must quickly advance to Juancheng. Lü Bu is currently dealing with the aftermath in Dongjun."
"Indeed, we must swiftly seize Juancheng. There are experts assisting Lü Bu’s army, and we must not let them get there first," Xun Huo replied.
With a clear goal in mind, the defeated army finally regained a bit of morale—though not much, it was enough to get them to Juancheng...
Meanwhile, on Lü Bu’s side, after capturing Dongjun, under the orders of strategist Guo Jia.
Long Chen’s army did not harm the populace and simultaneously began arresting those who had taken advantage of the chaos to commit crimes.
Such actions not only maintained order in the city but also won the hearts of the people, earning great support from the citizens of Dongjun.
After all, Cao Cao had not governed Yanzhou for long, and the people’s loyalty to him was not yet fully established.
This meant that he couldn’t mobilize the entire population to fight for him.
For the common people, as long as they could eat and wear warm clothes, it didn’t matter whether the ruler was Cao Cao or Long Chen.
What’s more, Long Chen’s name was more famous—his reputation was even more widespread than Cao Cao’s.
At a young age, he had already become the Champion Marquis and Great General of the Han Dynasty.
Who wouldn’t admire and respect such a person?
Moreover, Long Chen was known for his benevolence and virtue. Wasn’t Yangzhou thriving under his rule?!
If Yanzhou could also be governed by General Long, wouldn’t that mean good days were just around the corner?!
Therefore, the people submitted without resistance.
Even strategist Guo Jia was astonished; by rights, it shouldn’t have been so easy to calm the people’s hearts!
He was even preparing to implement the policies he had carefully thought out for reassuring the people!
But before he could put them into action, the citizens of the city had already submitted.
As for the warrior Lü Bu, he was even more astonished.
Lü Fengxian had fought battles his entire life, and except for the time when he defended the people of Bingzhou from external barbarian invasions, gaining their love and respect...
...the rest of the time, he was mostly hated by the people, especially after he entered the capital and served under Dong Zhuo.
He never imagined that after following Lord Long Chen, he would experience a resurgence of fortune.
Lü Bu couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.
And truly, being respected and admired by the people was a wonderful feeling—it brought a sense of accomplishment and meaning.
Clenching his fist, Lü Bu secretly vowed:
"Now, I finally understand."
"If the lord is benevolent, the people will revere him, and he will gain their hearts." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"If the lord is tyrannical, the people will despise him, and he will lose their hearts."
"My lord, I will surely help you sweep away all the rebels in the land and create glory for China!!!"
As a general who had defended against foreign invaders since childhood, Lü Bu always harbored a strong sense of patriotism, and now it was fully ignited by Long Chen.
...
Leaving Lü Bu and Guo Jia aside, let’s turn to Long Chen, who was far away in Xuzhou.
He was about to undress and go to bed when he suddenly received a system message.
"Ding!"
"The favorability of the five-star god general Lü Bu towards the host has reached 97."
Long Chen: ...
What the heck, I didn’t do anything! How did his favorability increase?
Could it be that little Fengxian has improper thoughts about me?!
But this is good, too. According to the system, when favorability exceeds 95, there will be no more thoughts of rebellion, and instead, he will always support me.
Originally, Long Chen was worried that Lü Bu might see him as a father figure and then take his life with a strike from his halberd, but now that his favorability was at 97, there was no need to worry about his loyalty.
"Reporting to my lord, the lady requests an audience."
A rough voice sounded outside the door.
Who else could it be but Dian Wei?
Long Chen got up from the bed, scratching his head in confusion, "Lady? Which lady? Aren’t my wives all in Yangzhou?"
To ensure the safety of Diao Chan, Da Qiao, and Xiao Qiao, Long Chen had insisted they stay in Yangzhou.
So why was Dian Wei saying there was a lady requesting an audience tonight?
Could it be that they had come?
"Granted!" Long Chen quickly responded.
Immediately.
The door was slowly pushed open.
A pale white gauze dress floated into the room with the wind.
An extraordinarily beautiful celestial being, untouched by the world, appeared before Long Chen’s eyes.
"Da... Da Qiao!!!"
Long Chen exclaimed in shock.
