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Chapter Seven XXVIII

December 15, 2024

Before Huang Gai had finished his words, Huan Kai, a military officer, stepped forward and spoke to them, saying, "I am an old acquaintance of Liu Biao. I am willing to be sent as an envoy to the city." Sun Ce granted his proposal. So, Huan Kai entered the city to see Liu Biao and explained in detail the purpose of his coming. Biao said, "By my order, the corpse of Wen Tai (Sun Jian) has been put and stored in the coffin here. You may release Huang Zu as soon as possible. Both sides suspend hostilities and refrain from invading each other again." Huan Kai expressed his thanks and then took leave of them. However, Kuai Liang stepped out at the foot of the stairs and said, "No! Never! I have a word with you about destroying Jiang Dong's troops so that no fragment of their armor will remain. First, decapitate Huan Kai and then employ a scheme against them." Indeed, Sun Jian perished in pursuit of enemies; Huan Kai met with misfortune during the peace talks. Want to know whether Huan Kai would live or die? The answer is in the next chapter.

Chapter Seven XXVII

December 14, 2024

Lu Gong intercepted those thirty knights as they tried to ride off and killed them all. Then, he set off fireworks as a signal in rapid succession. At the sight of the given signal, Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao led the troops dashing out of the city, respectively to carry out a brutal attack. Great confusion and chaos arose in the army of Jiang Dong. Huang Gai heard the great shouts going up the sky, thus directing his seamen to kill the enemy. However, he met Huang Zhu right against his face. Less than two rounds after their fight, he captured Huang Zu alive. Sun Ce was escorted by Cheng Pu as they hastened to find their way out. But, they were confronted directly by Lu Gong. Cheng Pu charged at him on horseback. Fighting against him in a few bouts, Pu thrust Lu Gong off the horse with a lance. Both armies fought against each other fiercely till dawn and then withdrew their troops, respectively. Liu Biao's soldiers returned to the city; Sun Ce retreated to the Han River. He was immediately informed of his father being shot dead, whose body had been lifted and carried into the city by Liu Biao's soldiers. Instantly, Ce burst into tears, crying uncontrollably. All the soldiers were also wailing and weeping for Sun Jian. Ce said, "My father's body was with them in the city. How can I return home without his corpse?" Huang Gai said, "We've caught Huang Zu alive here with us. Let's send someone to negotiate a truce and exchange Huang Zu for our lord's body."

Chapter Seven XXVI

December 11, 2024

Lu Gong took his advice, then tethered and saddled up his military horse. At dusk, the east gate was secretly opened for him. He led the mounted soldiers out of the city. Meanwhile, Sun Jian was in the tent. Suddenly hearing the battle cries, he hurried himself to mount his horse, leading over thirty cavalrymen out of the camp to observe the situation. A soldier came to report his findings, saying, "A company of horsemen charged through the siege, heading in the direction of Mount Xian." Jian immediately took a small group of about thirty knights to chase after the enemy without first discussing his move with all his generals. On the other hand, Lu Gong had already disappeared into the deep woods. The soldiers, lying in ambush up in the mountain and down in the woods, were waiting for Jian and his platoon to pass. Jian's horse galloped extremely fast, so he rode alone to catch up with the troops a short distance ahead. Jian shouted, "Freeze!" Lu Gong halted his horse and turned it around to fight against him. They exchanged blows for just one bout. Lu Gong immediately rode away and hit the mountain trail with Jian in hot pursuit. However, Jian lost Lu Gong and had no idea where he was. As Jian was about to ride up the mountain, he suddenly heard a loud knocking sound from a gong. Rocks were thrown down from the top, and the arrows were shot from different directions. Jian was smashed by rocks and hit by arrows. The cerebral fluids were instantly gushing from his skull. Both man and horse died in Mount Xian. Jian breathed his final breath and expired at the age of thirty-seven.

Chapter Seven XXV

December 8, 2024

After Liu Biao wrote a letter, he asked who would dare break through the siege to send it for him. Lu Gong, a valiant general, replied that he would go. Kuai Liang spoke to him, saying, "Since you are brave enough to take on this task, please listen to my plan. I'll give you five hundred troops. Bring those capable archers alongside to charge through the enemy's battle formation and then dash directly to Mount Xian. Sun Jian will surely pursue you with his cavalry. Send a hundred men up into the mountain to prepare boulders for the attack. Then, arrange another hundred bowmen lying in ambush in the woods. When the pursuers arrive, do not go straight to the designated place but circle the woods, leading them to the ambush through the paths of many twists and turns. Then, push down all the boulders and shoot arrows at once. If you succeed, set off fireworks to the sky in rapid succession. I'll send in reinforcements from the city. If no pursuers follow you, don't set off any fireworks. Continue your journey at full speed. Tonight, the moon is dim. You may ride out of the city at dusk."

Chapter Seven XXIV

December 5, 2024

Meanwhile, Sun Jian divided his soldiers into teams to besiege Xiang Yang City and attack it from four directions. One day, a strong wind rose suddenly. The pole with the flag of the printed word 'Commander' snapped off in half with the force of the wind. Han Dang spoke to Jian, saying, "It is not an auspicious sign. Let's withdraw troops after our victorious campaign for the time being." Jian said, "I've won almost every battle that I fought. The conquest of Xiang Yang City will be completed in a single day. How can we stop fighting just because the flagpole broke off in a gale-force wind?" Therefore, he refused to listen to Han Dang's advice and attacked the city more and more violently. On the other hand, Kuai Liang spoke to Liu Biao, saying, "While observing celestial phenomena at night, I saw a Commander Star falling. According to the demarcations between Jing Zhou and Jiang Dong, corresponding to the zodiac signs, the star should fall into the region where Sun Jian reigns. Master, please swiftly write a letter to Yuan Shao for help!"

Chapter Seven XXIII

December 3, 2024

Cai Mao led more than ten thousand troops to the outskirts of Xiang Yang City and deployed them around Mount Xian. Sun Jian directed the soldiers of triumph to charge at the city without opposition. Cai Mao rode out. Jian spoke to the army, saying, "This man is the brother of Liu Biao's second wife. Who can capture him for me?" Raising his iron-spined spear, Cheng Pu spurred his horse on and waged war against Cai Mao. After a few bouts, Mao was defeated and retreated. Jian urged his army forward to kill the defensive soldiers. Corpses were laid everywhere. Cai Mao fled back to Xiang Yang. Kuai Liang criticized Cai Mao for the crushing defeat because he refused to listen to his sound advice. Therefore, he should be beheaded by military law. However, Liu Biao declined to impose another penalty on Mao because Mao's sister was his newlywed wife.

Chapter Seven XXII

November 24, 2024

Huang Zu gathered the defeated soldiers and went to see Liu Biao. Zu said to him in detail that Jian's troops were irresistible. Hurriedly, Biao invited Kuai Liang over for a discussion. Liang spoke to him, saying, "We've just lost the battle, so the soldiers have no mood to fight now. To avoid Jian’s invincible forces, we can only protect our city against attack with deep ditches and tall ramparts. On the other hand, we can secretly send an envoy to ask Yuan Shao for help. Then, the siege of the city will be lifted." Cai Mao said, "The advice of Zi Rou (Kuai Liang) is bad. The enemy soldiers are now reaching the outskirts of the city, and they will cross the river very soon. How can we tie our hands with rope to wait for our deaths? Even though I am not talented, I’m willing to lead the troops out of the city to battle it out with them." So, Liu Biao agreed to his request.

Chapter Seven XXI

November 19, 2024

When Jian's army came ashore, Cheng Pu and Huang Gai immediately divided their army into two teams, charging against Huang Zu's military camp. Following them was Han Dang, who was encouraging his soldiers to advance. They attacked Huang Zu's camp from three directions. Eventually, Huang Zu suffered a complete defeat and had no choice but to abandon Fan Cheng and retreat to Deng Cheng. Jian commanded Huang Gai to keep the ships safe when he led the soldiers to pursue the enemy. Huang Zu directed the soldiers out to meet the advancing enemy and deployed them in the open fields. Jian also deployed his troops in a fighting position and then rode on to the standard. Wearing full battledress, Sun Ce raised his spear and halted his horse by his father's side. Huang Zu led two generals out of the battle formation. One was Zhang Hu from Jiang Xia, and the other was Chen Sheng from Xiang Yang. Flourishing his whip, Huang Zu abused, "Rats! Thieves from Eastern Wu! How dare you invade the border which belongs to the member of the House of Liu!" Therefore, Zhang Hu was ordered to challenge them to battle. Han Dang rode out from Jian's formation to fight. The two riders had been fighting against each other for more than thirty rounds since then. Seeing Zhang Hu becoming weak, Chen Sheng galloped his horse to help him. Sun Ce pressed down his spear when he saw Chen Sheng's sudden movement. Then he drew and aimed his bow and placed an arrow in it. Twang! The arrow was shot right at the face of Chen Sheng, who then fell off the horse immediately. Zhang Hu was astonished by his fall. Before Hu could come to his senses, Han Dong slashed half his skull with his sword. Coming at full gallop, Cheng Pu rode on to capture Huang Zu in front of the battle formation. Huang Zu quickly threw away his helmet, left his steed and retreated to the infantry from being recognized. Sun Jian seized the chance to kill the enemy troops in retreat by surprise. When he got to the Han River, he ordered Huang Gai to moor their ships along the shore.

Chapter Seven XX

November 12, 2024

Huang Zu ordered archers and crossbowmen to set up an ambush along the riverside. They shot arrows from different directions together when they saw the ships approaching. However, Jian commanded his troops not to act rashly but to lie hidden in the ships and to steer the ships back and forth to mislead the enemy. The ships sailed to the shore and left tens of times for three consecutive days. However, Huang Zu's soldiers only focused on shooting arrows at them until no more arrows could be used. On the other hand, Jian's soldiers pulled all the arrows off the ships. More than hundreds of thousands of arrows were collected. It was the day that a tailwind blew. Jian commanded his soldiers to shoot arrows together. Soldiers on the shore could not withstand a hail of arrows from Jian’s ships, and so they had no choice but to retreat.

Chapter Seven XIX

November 5, 2024

On Jian’s departure, Sun Jing led Jian's sons in a row to do obeisance before their father on horseback. He admonished his brother, saying, "Currently, Dong Zhuo is dictatorial. Our Son of Heaven is weak and incapable. Torn into pieces by the mighty warlords, the whole world is in complete chaos at the moment, and those warlords are wielding their hegemonic power in their own places. Generally speaking, Jiang Dong is relatively peaceful. Therefore, it is not feasible to mobilize heavy troops because of a trivial grudge. My brother, I hope you can consider my advice carefully before taking action." Jian spoke to him, saying, "Brother, please say no more. I am the one who is going to sweep aside the rebel forces of the world. How is it possible for me not to avenge myself on Liu Biao?" Sun Ce, Jian's eldest son, said, "Father, if you insist on going to war, I'm willing to go with you." Jian approved of his request. So, he boarded the ship with Sun Ce, heading for Fan Cheng to fight for a good fight.

Chapter Seven XVIII

November 4, 2024

Let's continue our story. Sun Jian had four sons, all of whom were borne by Madam Wu. The firstborn son was called Sun Ce. Bo Fu was his courtesy name. The second son was called Sun Quan. Zhong Mou was his courtesy name. The third son was called Sun Yi. Shu Bi was his courtesy name. The fourth son was called Sun Kuang. Ji Zuo was his courtesy name. The younger sister of Madam Wu was Sun Jian's second wife. She also bore him a son and a daughter. The son was called Sun Lang. Zao An was his courtesy name. The daughter was called Sun Ren. Afterward, Jian adopted a son from Yu Shi. He was called Sun Shao. Gong Li was his courtesy name. Jian had a younger brother. His name was Sun Jing. You Tai was his courtesy name.

Chapter Seven XVII

October 31, 2024

After Jian read the letter, he said, "Liu Biao is so unbearable. He used to cut off the escape route on my return home. There is no better time than now to avenge my defeat." So, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and other officials were called to a meeting in his tent. Cheng Pu said, "Yuan Shu is v ery tricky. He cannot be trusted." Jian said, "I shall revenge myself on Liu Biao. How can I expect Yuan Shu to help me?" Therefore, Huang Gai was dispatched to the riverside to arrange the battleships. Armaments, food, and fodder were loaded aboard ships, and the battle steeds were transported by big ships. They launched a military expedition on a set day. Spies along the Yang Zi River got secret information about Sun Jian's movements and reported the findings to Liu Biao. Biao was astonished and hastened to call the ministers and generals to discuss the imminent crisis. Kuai Liang said, "Don't worry. You may order Huang Zu to lead the soldiers of Jiang Xia as the vanguard, and my lord, you can lead the people of Jing Xiang as reinforcements. How can Sun Jian wage war on us after crossing the river and fording the lake?" Biao approved of what Kuai Liang had said. So, he ordered Huang Zu to prepare for war, and large troops against Sun Jian were immediately dispatched afterwards.

Chapter Seven XVI

October 22, 2024

Meanwhile, when Yuan Shu in Nan Yang heard that Yuan Shao had obtained Ji Zhou, he sent an envoy to ask for a thousand horses from his brother, but Shao declined his request. Shu raged. Henceforth, the two brothers had grudges against each other. Later, Yuan Shu sent another messenger to Jing Zhou, asking Liu Biao to lend him two hundred thousand packs of grain. Likewise, Biao refused his request. Shu felt resentment against Biao, so he secretly sent a letter to Sun Jian by courier. He proposed that they should launch a joint attack against Liu Biao and Yuan Shao. The letter was briefly said as follows: "Your Excellency, the former interception of you by Liu Biao was the idea of my brother, Ben Chu (Yuan Shao), who is now privately discussing with Liu Biao how to attack Jiang Dong with him. Sir, you should muster your troops to attack Liu Biao as soon as possible, and I will get rid of Ben Chu for you. We can avenge ourselves on our enemies together. Then, you can get Jing Zhou, and I'll take Ji Zhou. Please don't delay yourself and our action!"

Chapter Seven XV

October 16, 2024

Because of losing the battle, Yuan Shao took a defensive position around the town and refused to launch any offensive action. These two armies confronted each other for over a month. Someone came to Chang An and reported the situation to Dong Zhuo. Li Ru spoke to him, saying, "Yuan Shao and Gong Sun Zan are the heroes of this era, but now they are fighting at close quarters over the Pan River. It's advisable to forge an imperial edict in the name of the Son of Heaven and send it to them by messenger, bringing about a reconciliation between the two sides. They will be grateful for your help and follow the command accordingly." Zhuo was extremely pleased with the advice. The next day, Ma Ri Di, Grand Tutor, and Zhao Qi, Grand Coachman, were dispatched for the mission of reconciliation. Carrying the imperial edict, they first arrived in He Bei. Shao went out a hundred miles away from his camp to receive them. He did obedience again after the edict was read and obeyed commands accordingly. One day later, they went to Zan's camp to announce the imperial edict. Therefore, Zan sent a letter to Shao by messenger for the bilateral peace agreement. After completing the assigned mission, the two officials returned to the capital city and reported the result to Dong Zhuo. Zan immediately withdrew his troops after the victorious campaign and wrote a report to the court recommending Liu Xuan De for the post of Ping Yuan Chancellor. Xuan De took leave of Zhao Yun. Holding Yun's hand in tears, he couldn't stand the separation. Yun sighed, "I mistakenly believed that Gong Sun Zan was a hero, yet according to my recent observations, he is not much different from Yuan Shao!" Xuan De said, "Please condescend to serve at his camp for now. We shall see each other again." Then, they shed tears as they said goodbye.

Chapter Seven XIV

October 10, 2024

While talking, Shao suddenly saw Zhao Yun dashing to the front rows of soldiers. Yun stabbed several men consecutively before the archers could shoot arrows. All the troops thus retreated at once. Zan's soldiers chased them from the rear, so they found themselves completely surrounded by rows of enemies. Tian Feng spoke to Shao in a panic, saying, "Master, hide yourself behind a wall for the time being!" However, Shao struck the ground with his helmet and yelled, "A great man wishes to fight to the death in battle personally. How can he hide himself behind a wall and expect to live?" All the soldiers were thus encouraged by his determination and fought to the death in one accord. Zhao Yun tried to force himself through their battle formation but couldn't. Then, Shao's large reinforcements arrived by surprise. Meanwhile, Yan Liang also led his army to the spot. They joined together to attack Zhao Yun from both sides. Zhao Yun protected Gong Sun Zan to break through the siege and went back to the Jie Bridge. Shao seized the chance to urge his troops forward. As they rushed across the bridge in great haste, numerous soldiers fell into the river and drowned. Yuan Shao took the lead in chase of the fugitives. No more than five miles after he proceeded, Shao heard the battle cries from the back of the hill, and then a group of riders appeared suddenly. The three lead generals were Liu Xuan De, Guan Yun Chang, and Zhang Yi De, who got information about the fight between Gong Sun Zan and Yuan Shao while in Ping Yuan. Therefore, they came to help Zan in battle. Three of them were on three respective horses with three different types of weapons, charging directly at Yuan Shao. Shao was scarred out of his wits as if his soul had left his body. His treasured sword fell under the horse from his hand. He quickly turned his horse in the opposite direction to escape, and his soldiers risked their lives to help him cross the bridge. Gong Sun Zan also mustered his troops back to camp. Greeting Xuan De, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei with gratitude, Zan spoke to them, saying, "I would have had much more trouble if Xuan De had not come to my rescue." Later, he introduced Zhao Yun to these three warriors. Xuan De was fond of Zhao Yun with respect and admiration. So, he didn't want to let him go.

Chapter Seven XIII

September 24, 2024

Let’s resume our story. Yuan Shao first sent a scout to get information about the battle, and then he was informed that Qu Yi had hacked the flag-bearer general and pulled the flagpole. He was now chasing the troops in retreat. Therefore, Yuan Shao decided not to make any preparations for battle. He and Tian Feng led hundreds of soldiers with halberds and dozens of archers at his command to watch their victory on horseback. He laughed aloud and said, "Gong Sun Zan was such an incapable fellow.".

Chapter Seven XII

September 4, 2024

Gong Sun Zan turned his horse in the opposite direction and rode down the bridge when he saw the flag being cut off. Qu Yi speedily led the troops to dash straight against the rear force but accidentally came across Zhao Yun. Raising his spear, Yun galloped at Qu Yi directly. They exchanged blows in a few bouts, and then Zhao Yun thrust Qu Yi off the horse with a spear. Yun charged into Shao's troops and darted left and right on horseback as if nobody was there. Gong Sun Zan led his troops back to launch a counterattack against Shao. Shao's forces, therefore, ended in a crushing defeat.

Chapter Seven XI

August 28, 2024

Because Gong Sun Zan had just put Zhao Yun at his command, he needed to observe whether Zhao Yun was trustworthy or not, so he asked Zhao to lead other troops to be the rearguard and dispatched the great general Yan Gang to be the vanguard. Commanding the central force, Gang halted the horse over the bridge. By his side before the horse was erected a flag, upon which the character "Commander" was embroidered with gold thread and circled in red. The drumbeats were heard from seven to nine o'clock in the morning, but Shao's battalions remained still. Qu Yi ordered archers to crouch under the shields to protect themselves from the arrows shot by the enemy. Only when they heard the explosion as a signal could they shoot arrows at their adversaries. Yan Gang beat the drum and raised roars while charging at Qu Yi. Yi's soldiers still crouched and remained motionless even though they saw Yan Gang's soldiers approaching. Suddenly, an explosive sound was heard when Gang's soldiers were close enough. Eight hundred archers shot arrows together. Gang hurried to retreat. Wielding his saber, Qu Yi charged at Gang and hacked him off the horse at once. Zan's troops suffered a great fiasco. The brigades on both sides dashed to rescue Zan, but Yan Liang and Wen Chou commanded the archers to shoot arrows to check their reinforcements. Shao's troops advanced side by side and attacked enemies all the way up the Jie Bridge. Qu Yi arrived on horseback. He first beheaded the flag bearer and then hacked off the pole of the embroidered flag.

Chapter Seven X

August 16, 2024

The next day, General Zan divided his troops into two regiments, positioned on his left and right sides, both of which were as forceful as the wings of a bird. He had more than five thousand horses, half of which were white because he used to choose the white horses to take the lead when he fought against the Qiang tribe. Therefore, people called him "General of the White Horse." Henceforth, the Qiang people ran away whenever they saw the white horses, and then their number grew more and more. Meanwhile, Yuan Shao ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to be the vanguard, and each led one thousand archers and crossbowmen, respectively. They were also set apart into both right and left battalions. Shao commanded the battalion on the left to shoot at Gong Sun Zan's right regiment and the battalion on the right to shoot at Zan's left regiment. Qu Yi was commanded to lead eight hundred archers and fifteen thousand infantry soldiers in the formation. In the meantime, Yuan Shao led tens of thousands of the cavalry and infantry behind the rows following the center as reinforcements.

Chapter Seven IX

August 7, 2024

Gong Sun Zan climbed up the hill to see that young lad. Six feet and one inch tall, he had a broad face with thick eyebrows and heavy jowls. His demeanor was majestic and imposing to behold as well. He fought nearly fifty to sixty bouts against Wen Chou, but neither side prevailed. It was not until Zan's subordinates came to his rescue that Wen Chou turned his horse and rode off. The young lad didn't bother himself to pursue Chou. Zan hurriedly went down the slope and asked his name. The young man half rose out of the saddle as a gesture of courtesy, replying, "I am a native of Zhen Ding in Chang Shan. Zhao Yun is my name, and my courtesy name is Zi Long. Originally, I was under Yuan Shao's leadership, but then I realized that he had no heart to serve the prince and save the people. That's why I left him and wished to be at your command. I didn't expect to meet you here." Zan was delighted and took Zi Long (Zhao Yun) back to camp. He also organized the troops and prepared armaments for future battles.

Chapter Seven VIII

July 27, 2024

Before Shao could finish his words, Wen Chou had already spurred his horse and raised his spear, killing enemies all the way up to the bridge. Gong Sun Zan and Wen Chou exchanged blows on horseback over the bridge. Zan could not resist Chao's attacks in less than ten bouts after they fought. He was defeated and tried to escape. Wen Chou seized the chance to pursue Zan in retreat. Zan fled to his deployment, but Wen Chou galloped straight to the central force where the commander was stationed and dashed back and forth to destroy the formations. Four robust generals at Zan's command fought against him together. However, Wen Cho thrust a general dead with a spear off the horse, and the other three rode away as fast as they could when they saw their companion's tragic death. After Wen Chou forced Gong Sun Zan to leave the deployment, Zan had no choice but to flee to the direction of the valley. Wen Chou suddenly came at full gallop, crying, "Get off the horse and surrender immediately!" Zan's bow and arrows fell all over the place, and his helmet dropped onto the ground. He galloped through the fields with disheveled hair and turned to a hill slope. However, his horse suddenly bent his front legs while running, so Zan fell off the horseback and rolled down the hill. Wen Chou hurried to brandish his spear to stab Zan. At this juncture, he caught a glimpse of a young general appearing from the left side of the grass slope. Holding his spear, the young man galloped towards him.

Chapter Seven VII

July 5, 2024

When Shao got information that Zan's troops had arrived in Ji Zhou, he also led his troops out to meet the challenge. Both armies confronted each other at the bridge over the Pan River. Shao's forces were on the east side of the bridge; Zan's troops were on the west. Zan halted his horse on the bridge and yelled, "Traitor, how dare you betray me!" Shao also urged his horse to the bridge and pointed at Zan, saying, "Han Fu is a man without any talent. What does it have to do with you if he is willing to yield Ji Zhou to me?" Zan said, "I used to believe that you were a righteous man, so I supported you as a leader in the alliance. What you have done today proves that your heart is as evil as a wolf, and your deeds are as vicious as a dog. What face do you have to live on earth?" Yuan Shao raged, "Who can capture this nut?"

Chapter Seven VI

June 30, 2024

Meanwhile, when Gong Sun Zan knew that Yuan Shao had invaded Ji Zhou, he sent his brother Gong Sun Yue to see Shao, intending to take his share of the land from him. Shao said, "Please ask your brother to come here in person. I have something to discuss with him." Yue took leave of him and then returned. After proceeding less than fifty miles, a group of mounted soldiers suddenly appeared right from the side of the road, claiming, "We are the domestic generals of Chancellor Dong!" Instantly, Gong Sun Yue was shot dead with arrows from all directions. An attendant escaped from the scene of slaughter and fled back, reporting Yue's death to Gong Sun Zan. Zan raged, "Yuan Shao enticed me to launch a joint attack against Han Fu, yet after controlling the whole situation, he occupied Ji Zhou himself. Now, he even cheated me that it was Dong Zhuo who had shot my brother dead. How is it possible for me not to avenge my brother's death on him!" So he summoned all the soldiers from the headquarters to attack Ji Zhou.

Chapter Seven V

June 28, 2024

Several days later, Shao arrived with his troops. Geng Wu and Guan Chun went out with their swords drawn, intending to kill him. Shao's general, Yan Liang, immediately cut off Geng Wu's head, and another general, Wen Chou, hacked Guan Chun to death. Shao entered Ji Zhou and appointed Fu as General of Invincibility. Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and Feng Ji were designated to manage state affairs, so Han Fu was deprived of his office and power. Han deeply regretted the decision he had made. He left his family and rode to Chen Liu to seek Magistrate Zhang Miao's refuge.

Chapter Seven IV

June 16, 2024

Han Fu immediately sent Aide-de-camp Guan Chun to invite Yuan Shao to discuss the joint management. Chief Secretary Geng Wu admonished him, saying, "Yuan Shao is a single man with an isolated force who highly depends on our provision just as an infant lying on its mother's palms. Once she stops feeding the baby, it'll die of hunger instantly. Why bother making him the county magistrate? It is nothing less than ushering a tiger into a flock of sheep." Fu replied, "I used to be Yuan Shao's subordinate. I know I am inferior to him in capability. The ancients abdicated and yielded place to the virtuous people. Gentlemen, why are you jealous of him?" Geng Wu sighed, "Ji Zhou is doomed to be lost." Therefore, more than thirty officials resigned from their posts. Only Geng Wu and Guan Chun prostrated themselves outside the city, waiting for Yuan Shao's arrival.

Chapter Seven III

June 9, 2024

Shao was delighted to receive his advice. A courier was dispatched to send the letter. After Zan read it, he was pleased to know the plan of the joint attack to share Ji Zhou equally. So, he promptly mobilized the troops. However, Shao dispatched another envoy to reveal the secret to Han Fu, who hurriedly summoned Xun Chen, Xin Ping, and the other two counselors to discuss the imminent crisis. Chen spoke to him, saying, "Gong Sun Zan is now leading multiple soldiers of Yan and Dai to Ji Zhou without any opposition. His forces are too powerful to resist, let alone Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei are with him. It seems that Yuan Ben Chu is wiser and more courageous than we are. There are a lot of famous generals under his command. General, why don't you invite him to co-manage the state affairs with you? He will certainly treat you with abundant grace. Under the circumstances, there is no need to fear of Gong Sun Zan."

Chapter Seven II

May 25, 2024

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao sent troops to garrison He Nei. Food and fodder were becoming increasingly scarce. Han Fu, Governor of Ji Zhou, dispatched his men to provide grain for their military use. Advisor Pang Ji spoke to Shao, saying, "A great hero should be victorious over his enemies wherever he goes. How is it possible for him to wait for someone to send him food? Ji Zhou is a place with wealth taxes and vast farmland. General, why don't you take possession of it?" Shao said, "I have no idea how to do it." Ji said, "You can secretly send a letter to Gong Sun Zan demanding an attack on Ji Zhou and then occupy it. Two of you work together to attack Ji Zhou from both sides. Zan will surely mobilize his troops. Han Fu is a man without any strategic sense. He will ask you to manage the state affairs for him. How easy it is to put Ji Zhou under your control!"

Chapter Seven I

May 18, 2024

Shall we continue our story? Sun Jian was surrounded by Liu Biao's soldiers. Fortunately, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang came to his rescue. The three generals risked their lives to save him so that he could escape from the siege. However, half of his soldiers were injured or killed. They forced their way through the enemies and led the troops back to Jiang Dong. Henceforth, Sun Jian and Liu Biao resented each other.