Lord in the Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 285: Supervision

"Brother Bo Gui, I have come today with an unreasonable request," Liu Bei said, bowing respectfully.

He deliberately lowered his posture because what he was about to ask would require Gongsun Zan’s support, so it was only natural for him to be humble.

"Xuande, there’s no need for such formalities between us. We were close friends from our time as classmates. If you have a problem, just speak up," Gongsun Zan responded generously, extending his hand.

In ancient times, being close classmates indicated an extraordinary friendship, especially when they shared the same master, which made their bond even deeper!

"Brother Bo Gui, are you aware of the turmoil in Xuzhou? Cao Cao, the Inspector of Yanzhou, has slaughtered innocent people in Xuzhou, committing heinous atrocities!" Liu Bei spoke gravely, looking intently at Gongsun Zan.

"This... I am aware, but I regret that Youzhou is too far from Xuzhou; otherwise, I would personally lead my White Horse Volunteers south to fight!" Gongsun Zan sighed, his voice full of regret.

In his heart, however, he was wondering why his old friend Liu Bei had come today. What was his true purpose in bringing up the situation in Xuzhou?

Although Gongsun Zan also desired the fertile land of Xuzhou, the distance was too great, and he felt powerless to act. Moreover, the nearby Jingzhou Tiger, Yuan Shao, was a constant threat—one wrong move, and he could fall into the tiger’s jaws!

Liu Bei, knowing Gongsun Zan’s current predicament, was aware that he couldn’t leave Youzhou, nor would he dare to travel thousands of miles to Xuzhou, which is why he proposed his idea.

Liu Bei then cupped his hands and said, "Brother Bo Gui, I understand your difficulties, but I cannot stand by and allow the people of Xuzhou to be massacred by the cold-blooded Cao Cao! That’s why I’ve come today to borrow a few thousand soldiers from you."

"I will represent you in aiding the people of Xuzhou. Not only will this save lives, but it will also let the people of Xuzhou know that there is a righteous army in the north led by Gongsun Zan of Youzhou!"

What Liu Bei said was very well-crafted.

First, he highlighted the suffering of the people of Xuzhou and Cao Cao’s atrocities, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Then, he stated his purpose—not to borrow soldiers for himself, but for Gongsun Zan. He would represent Gongsun Zan in Xuzhou, rescuing the people of Xuzhou.

This would significantly boost Gongsun Zan’s reputation. In this era, reputation was extremely important—it could be used to recruit talented scholars and fierce generals and to stabilize the people’s hearts.

Because Youzhou and Xuzhou were so far apart, and since Gongsun Zan had most of his scouts in Jizhou to guard against Yuan Shao, he had no way of knowing that Cao Cao was already planning to withdraw his troops.

This was one of the reasons Liu Bei dared to ask Gongsun Zan for troops.

He was playing on the timing.

By the time Gongsun Zan realized what was happening, Liu Bei would already be on his way to Xuzhou with the borrowed troops.

Even if Gongsun Zan questioned whether Liu Bei had deceived him, Liu Bei could honestly say that he was unaware of Cao Cao’s withdrawal at the time.

This was a war without smoke and fire!

Gongsun Zan frowned in thought. What Liu Bei said was very tempting to him. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Moreover, even if he did lend troops, he wouldn’t need to lend too many—a symbolic gesture would suffice.

This kind of small investment with potentially large returns was something he was willing to do.

After all, in this era, reputation couldn’t be bought with gold or silver.

"Xuande, your resolve aligns perfectly with my intentions!" Gongsun Zan nodded after taking a deep breath. "I only regret that I’m tied down in Youzhou and can’t go with you. Otherwise, my White Horse Volunteers would surely cut a path through Cao Cao’s army!"

"Brother Bo Gui, rest assured! Though I lack great talent, I will do my utmost to represent you and strike fear into our enemies!" Liu Bei assured him.

"Excellent! With your words, how can I not lend you troops?" Gongsun Zan said enthusiastically, slapping his thigh. "I’ll lend you more than two thousand cavalry and infantry!"

Liu Bei’s mouth twitched slightly.

His old friend was too stingy—he had gone to great lengths to explain the benefits of sending troops, yet all he got was two thousand cavalry and infantry!

That wouldn’t do! With only two thousand soldiers, how could he possibly stand against Long Chen’s tens of thousands of troops?

So Liu Bei gritted his teeth and respectfully asked again:

"I hope Brother Bo Gui can lend another two thousand troops! You know as well as I do that Cao Cao’s soldiers are as fierce as tigers and leopards! Only two thousand men might not be enough to uphold your honor!"

"This... very well, very well! I’ll lend you another two thousand infantry, but you must ensure that Gongsun Zan’s name is feared, and let the world know that Youzhou has General Gongsun of the White Horse!" Gongsun Zan said, his face flushed with excitement.

Liu Bei naturally nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The purpose of borrowing troops had been achieved. Although it was a thousand men short of the five thousand he had hoped for, it was still enough for Liu Bei to establish himself in Xuzhou.

As Liu Bei was lost in thought, Gongsun Zan added, "Xuande, although I have lent you four thousand cavalry and infantry, there is no great general to command them. If I were to hand them over directly to you, I’m afraid the soldiers might not be willing to follow your orders."

"Therefore, I will also lend you a great general to help you defeat Cao Cao, so that you may return victorious as soon as possible!"

Gongsun Zan’s eyes flashed with a deep, calculating look.

This look sent a shiver down Liu Bei’s spine, causing his pupils to contract.

"It seems that his close friend Gongsun Zan is indeed no ordinary man."

The general he was sending was essentially a pawn that Gongsun Zan was placing by Liu Bei’s side, and this pawn would have a significant role, possessing the authority to command the army.

As long as this general remained in place or was not brought under his control, the four thousand troops would ultimately still be Gongsun Zan’s soldiers, not Liu Xuande’s.

Moreover, this general would serve as a supervisor over Liu Bei, ensuring that he truly led the army to Xuzhou to rescue the people and that he did so under Gongsun Zan’s banner.

In short, this general’s role was crucial.

A man under another’s roof must bow his head.

Liu Bei could only feign deep gratitude, looking at Gongsun Zan with a face full of emotion, clasping his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Brother Bo Gui, for your kindness. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude!"

Then, he changed the subject and asked, "May I know which great general under your command will be accompanying me?" frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Gongsun Yue!" Gongsun Zan replied firmly.

Gongsun Yue was Gongsun Zan’s younger cousin, known for his bravery in battle, though his martial skills were average. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, he was only considered a third-rate general.

But that wasn’t important. What mattered was that Gongsun Yue was Gongsun Zan’s cousin. This blood relation was enough to reassure Gongsun Zan in entrusting the four thousand troops to Liu Bei.

"Rest assured, in the army, Gongsun Yue will only be a deputy general. The command of the troops will still be entirely in Brother Xuande’s hands," Gongsun Zan said, seemingly noticing the doubt in Liu Bei’s eyes.

He knew that given his cousin’s limited abilities, commanding even a thousand troops would be a challenge, let alone four thousand.

And if the command of the army were truly left to Gongsun Yue, they might not even reach Xuzhou before being wiped out by the cunning Cao Cao.

However, sending his cousin could indeed play a role in supervising Liu Bei.

Seeing that Gongsun Zan had said so, Liu Bei could only clasp his hands and agree.

He couldn’t help but reminisce about the days when Zhao Zilong, the White Horse Silver Spear, was still with him. If General Zhao were still here, he could have taken this opportunity to ask to bring him along.

But alas...

*Sigh!*

Thinking of Long Chen, Liu Bei felt a wave of melancholy.

Despite years of struggle, he still had no true foundation, while that otherworldly Long Chen had already seized control of Yangzhou and held the Emperor in his hands!

Indeed, people can’t be compared to one another!

But so what! I may still succeed.

A determined glint flashed in Liu Bei’s eyes.

Three days later, the four thousand troops set out with Liu Bei on the road to Xuzhou.