"Who did you say? Gongsun Du?" Gongsun Zan of Beiping City received shocking news less than a month after the battle in Ji City. "Gongsun Du has declared himself king?"
Gongsun Zan repeatedly confirmed the news, and his subordinate Tian Kai nodded solemnly. "I've confirmed it. It's indeed Gongsun Du."
It turned out that the news came this morning. In Liaodong, east of You Province, Gongsun Du had recently declared himself the King of Liaodong, establishing his capital in Xiangping and allying with the Goguryeo and Fuyu people to set up his own regime.
While everyone's attention was focused on dealing with the invading Xiongnu, no one noticed that Gongsun Du had successively conquered several prefectures, including Xuantu, Lelang, and Daifang, unifying Liaodong under his control. His generals were promoted to nobility, revealing his rebellious intentions!
Due to its remoteness and mixed population of Fuyu, Han, and Goguryeo people, the Han court was reluctant to assign a governor specifically for Liaodong during the Eastern Han period. Therefore, Liaodong was entrusted to Gongsun Zan for administration.
Gongsun Zan, already overwhelmed with the few prefectures of Beiping, handed over the problematic Liaodong to Gongsun Du, a kinsman, as the prefect. He thought it would free him from the affairs of Liaodong, not expecting such a significant blunder.
With Gongsun Du establishing his regime, the court would surely blame Gongsun Zan. The only solution now was to quickly settle this mess!
"What an audacious Gongsun Du, eating the grain of the Han Dynasty and plotting rebellion!" Gongsun Zan slammed the table. "Call the generals in. I'm going to campaign against Liaodong!"
"Yes!" Tian Kai saluted and left.
It was the year 185 AD. The Yellow Turban Rebellion was nearing its end under the attacks of various forces. Although temporarily quelled, the chaos in the land persisted, with warlords continuing to fight for territory. The unrest was not only unresolved but was intensifying.
In Ji City of You Province, the court's emissary arrived with an imperial edict. Qin Longyang, fearing to neglect proper etiquette, quickly led his soldiers to kneel at the city gate to receive the decree.
"The imperial edict is here!" The head eunuch announced in a sharp voice. Although Qin Longyang was a modern person, he knew to kneel and listen.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Yellow Turban rebellion has been quelled. His Majesty summons Liu Yan, Inspector of You Province, to the capital to await his reward. This is the imperial decree!"
After the eunuch finished reading the edict, Qin Longyang remained silent, and the surrounding generals showed displeasure.
"Your servant accepts the decree!" After a moment, Qin Longyang deliberately prolonged his words as he stepped forward to receive the decree.
The eunuch looked at the young man before him with a hint of confusion and displeasure.
"Who are you? Where is Inspector Liu Yan?"
"To answer, Lord Eunuch, the Yellow Turban Army caused chaos in You Province, and with the Xiongnu raiding the borders, Inspector Liu Yan worked himself to illness and passed away in the city a month ago. Before his death, he temporarily entrusted the position of Inspector to me."
Qin Longyang explained honestly, but the eunuch sneered, "Is that so? Why was this not reported earlier? His Majesty summoned Inspector Liu Yan to the court; he did not ask for a mere boy to come."
Qin Longyang's loyal soldiers showed fierce looks at this. They had fought hard to bring peace to You Province, only to get nothing in return?
"Lord Eunuch, please forgive my impertinence," Qin Longyang, though displeased, smiled and approached the eunuch with courtesy. "I have the Inspector's seal, entrusted to me by Liu Yan on his deathbed, with witnesses to prove it. I ask the Lord Eunuch to explain this to His Majesty."
Qin Longyang took out a heavy jade piece from his sleeve and placed it in the eunuch's hand. The eunuch felt it and immediately beamed. He didn't expect this young man to be so generous.
"Please remember my name, Qin Longyang."
"Of course, of course!" The eunuch grinned widely. "Lord Qin Longyang, I will surely put in a good word for you when I return to the capital."
"Thank you, Lord Eunuch!" Qin Longyang courteously helped the eunuch onto his horse, greatly improving the eunuch's impression of him.
The eunuch, having accepted the bribe, quickly found an excuse to leave for the next destination. Qin Longyang, however, wore a gloomy expression.
"What a corrupt official! Why didn't you let us kill him, my lord?" Liao Hua, who once served under the Yellow Turbans, despised the eunuchs and officials.
Qin Longyang waved his hand, "We must not act rashly. Though he is a court official, we must escort him safely out of You Province. If a court envoy were to be harmed here, none of us could bear the blame."
If this jade could secure his smooth career, so be it. But with the Ten Attendants still holding power in the court, he had to give them benefits, lest he be sent to a desolate place.
"My lord, what are your plans?" Guan Yu stepped forward, implicitly asking if they should go to Luoyang.
Qin Longyang shrugged lightly, "Since His Majesty has summoned me, as the Inspector of You Province, I must go."
He continued, "Yuan Jian, select a hundred smart brothers. We'll depart for Luoyang this afternoon."
"Yes!" Liao Hua responded with a gruff voice.
"I'll be away for about a month and a half. I leave all matters in You Province to you. Remember, think carefully and don't act impulsively!" Qin Longyang reminded them.
"We will obey your command!" The generals saluted in agreement.
"My lord!" As they turned to return to the city, Sun Lang ran over with a letter. "A letter from Gongsun Zan of Ji Province!"
"Gongsun Zan?" Qin Longyang was surprised. "What does Gongsun Zan want with me?" He took the letter and read it, revealing a slight smile. The generals gathered around.
Qin Longyang raised the letter, "Gongsun Du, the Prefect of Liaodong, has declared himself the King of Liaodong. Just when the Emperor is about to reward merits, he rebels. Gongsun Zan wants to borrow our Youbeiping Prefecture troops to suppress Gongsun Du. It seems he will be busy."
"Gongsun Zan? Liaodong is under You Province's jurisdiction. It's our responsibility to quell the rebellion. What does it have to do with Gongsun Zan?" Gao Lan asked, puzzled.
Wei You explained with a smile, "Liaodong was originally entrusted to Gongsun Zan, but he found it too vast and sparsely populated to manage, so he recommended Gongsun Du as the Prefect. Now that Gongsun Du has rebelled, it's connected to Gongsun Zan."
"I see! No wonder Gongsun Zan is in a hurry." The generals understood, but Qin Longyang pondered.
"My lord, what are your plans?" Sun Lang asked.
Qin Longyang feigned ignorance, "What plans?"
"Liaodong is in chaos. Why not seize the opportunity to attack before Gongsun Zan? This way, we can expand our territory. If Gongsun Zan retakes Liaodong, we'll be surrounded by him," Sun Lang pointed out keenly.
Indeed, looking at the current situation, the ownership of Liaodong was crucial. If Gongsun Zan captured it, he could attack You Province from both sides, putting Qin Longyang at a disadvantage.
"Haha," Qin Longyang laughed. "No rush, I want to see how this play unfolds. The court's envoy will arrive in Beiping in less than half a month. I want to see how Gongsun Zan explains himself."
"We'll mind our business and not act rashly. Also, as Gongsun Zan requested, withdraw the troops from Youbeiping and let them have the place."
Qin Longyang waved his hand, finalizing the plan. Although the generals didn't fully understand, they nodded.
...
The next day in Beiping, Qin Longyang informed Gongsun Zan of his agreement to lend him Youbeiping. Gongsun Zan immediately gathered his soldiers for the campaign.
"Qu Dan, Tian Kai, Shan Jing, hear my command!"
"We are here!" The three generals stepped forward, heads held high, hoping to be appointed as the main generals.
"After the army arrives in Youbeiping, I order you three to lead five thousand White Horse Volunteers to attack Liaodong immediately!"
"We obey!"
"Second brother, third brother!"
"Here!" Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Yue stepped forward.
"You two will lead three thousand elite troops and march through Xu Wu Mountain into Liaoxi Prefecture!"
"Yes!"
"I will lead twenty thousand troops from Jun Mi. We must win quickly and capture Gongsun Du within fifteen days!"
Within fifteen days, this was Gongsun Zan's last chance to redeem his reputation. The court envoy would arrive in half a month's time, and if he could eliminate Gongsun Du before then, the court might record another great merit for him. This was the primary reason Gongsun Zan decided to mobilize his entire force.
After assigning the tasks, Gongsun Zan's massive army assembled at Youbeiping, then divided into three formations to advance towards Liaodong according to the plan. Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Yue led their troops from Tuyin, crossing Mount Xuwu into Liaoxi Prefecture, causing the defenders to flee in panic. The Prefect, Huang Xin, upon seeing the "Gongsun" banner, fled straight into Liaodong.
The Gongsun forces captured Liaoxi with almost no casualties, greatly boosting their morale. Upon hearing the news, Gongsun Zan laughed heartily, "A bunch of mere mice. At this rate, I can crush Liaodong and capture Gongsun Du within ten days, let alone fifteen!"
"Long live the Lord!" the generals and soldiers echoed.
Meanwhile, in Xiangping, Gongsun Du glared angrily at the battered Huang Xin, who had fled back in disgrace. Clearly harboring murderous intent, Huang Xin knew he was doomed and quickly begged for mercy.
"You abandoned such a large prefecture of Liaoxi and still have the nerve to come back alive?" Gongsun Du slammed the table and was about to order his men to drag Huang Xin away for execution when a strategist quickly intervened.
"My lord, I believe that General Huang is not only innocent but has done us a great service."
Hearing this, the other soldiers began murmuring among themselves, and even Gongsun Du looked slightly displeased.
"Strategist, Liaoxi is lost, and Liaodong is in imminent danger. Gongsun Zan has brought an army of fifty thousand men. Do you have any strategy to repel the enemy?"
The strategist slowly raised his head, revealing none other than Xi Zhicai, who had once served under Qin Longyang! Now, he had become Gongsun Du's strategist!
With a knowing smile, Xi Zhicai said, "My lord, there's no need to worry. Although Gongsun Zan's troops are numerous, they are worthless."
As he spoke, Xi Zhicai stood up and pointed to a spot on the map on the table, explaining, "After General Huang's retreat, Gongsun Zan's army did not take control of the towns and counties in Liaoxi but instead continued to advance towards Liaodong. This shows their eagerness for a quick attack, and if they want to launch a swift assault from Liaoxi to Liaodong, they must pass through this route!"
Seeing where Xi Zhicai was pointing, Gongsun Du suddenly understood and smiled broadly, "Eagle's Beak Gorge! So, the strategist had already planned this when he suggested building a pass there!"
Months ago, at Xi Zhicai's suggestion, Gongsun Du had constructed a pass at the natural barrier of Eagle's Beak Gorge between Liaoxi and Liaodong. Though unsure of its purpose then, Gongsun Du had complied. Little did he know that Xi Zhicai had already anticipated today's battle.
"In this case, General Huang's retreat has actually served as a lure to draw the enemy in, turning his actions into a greater merit than fault!" Gongsun Du laughed heartily.
Huang Xin, feeling as if he had been granted a new lease on life, repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.
"General Huang, your hard work will be rewarded. I'll first credit you with a major merit. After defeating Gongsun Zan, you will be promoted and granted titles!" Gongsun Du said generously with a wave of his hand.
Not only was he spared death, but he was also promised rewards. Huang Xin was moved to tears, deeply impressed by the strategist. The other generals eagerly volunteered for the front lines, but Xi Zhicai only smiled mysteriously, as everything was going according to plan.