Setting aside Qin Longyang for now, let's turn our attention back to Beiping in Youzhou. It had only been a week since Gongsun Zan left with a small contingent to head towards Luoyang, and Gongsun Fan had already started summoning generals to mobilize troops and supplies under the orders of the Young Master. The military commanders couldn't stop him, so they called for Advisor Guan Jing.
When Guan Jing saw Gongsun Fan already dressed in armor and helmet, he realized the latter was serious. "Young Master! What are you planning to do?"
Gongsun Fan shot a glance at Guan Jing and said irritably, "To punish the rebel army, of course. My father has been fighting on the battlefield for many years and is now forced to bow and scrape before a eunuch. As the Young Master, how can I watch him swallow this indignation? As long as Gongsun Du lives, Beiping will never know peace!"
"But when the Lord left, he specifically instructed that no one was to dispatch troops to attack Liaodong without his orders. We recently suffered a crushing defeat, and the troops' morale has not stabilized. We can't fight again so soon!" Guan Jing advised earnestly.
"Enough!" Gongsun Fan shouted impatiently. "I was also on the battlefield that day; you don't need to remind me how brutal it was. If not for my second uncle covering my retreat, he wouldn't have been killed by the enemy. If I don't avenge him, how can he rest in peace?"
"My father was defeated at Yingzui Gorge due to bad luck. But I have a foolproof plan; I will definitely take Yingzui Gorge. I want my father to see the strategic prowess of his son!" With that, Gongsun Fan flicked his cloak and strode out, leaving Guan Jing to lament in frustration.
"Like father, like son. These two will ruin decades of family heritage!" Guan Jing sighed, knowing Gongsun Fan was determined to attack Yingzui Gorge. There was no choice but to seek external aid!
Meanwhile, Wei You, who had been negotiating with Yufuluo, successfully completed his mission and returned to Ji City escorted by Sun Lang.
"Lord Wei, did Yufuluo agree to our terms?" As soon as Wei You returned, Guan Yu, Gao Lan, and others surrounded him with questions. They had been anxious during his absence, fearing something might have happened to him, which would have left them in a difficult position.
Fortunately, Wei You returned safely, and it seemed the situation was favorable!
Wei You stroked his mustache with satisfaction. "Generals, no need to worry. Yufuluo has agreed to join our forces. Once we join hands with Yufuluo to eliminate the Xiongnu tribes, our army will be invincible in the north!"
Hearing this, the soldiers' faces lit up with joy. The youngest, Zhao Yun, stepped forward and said, "Lord Wei, the Xiongnu have always been unpredictable. What if Yufuluo betrays us?"
"Hahaha, General Zilong, though young, you are astute," Wei You nodded. "You are right, which is why we must seize this opportunity to control Yufuluo, ensuring he doesn't dare play any tricks!"
Seeing Wei You's eyes suddenly sharpen, everyone stood straight, awaiting his orders.
"To my knowledge, Hu Chuquan, to prevent rebellions from the Wuhuan and Xianbei, has kept the families of their leaders in their original capital cities," Wei You produced a parchment map, highlighting a small town named Moqiu City.
"Moqiu City was the former capital of the Xianbei, where Yufuluo's family is being held under guard by Hu Chuquan's trusted men." Everyone understood Wei You's plan—to "liberate" them and hold Yufuluo's life in their hands, preventing him from betraying them.
"This mission is crucial. Who will lead the troops?"
Leading an army into the heart of Xiongnu territory, capturing a town without a trace—it was more than difficult; the success rate was slim.
Even Guan Yu and Gao Lan furrowed their brows. As Tong Yuan was about to volunteer, Zhao Yun stepped forward first.
"Lord Wei! Zhao Yun volunteers to lead the troops!" Wei You hesitated; Zhao Yun was young and favored by the Lord. Any mistake could cost him dearly.
"Master Tong Yuan, allow me to go instead," said Tong Yuan, seeing Wei You's dilemma.
"Mr. Tong Yuan is over fifty but still eager to serve. I, Guan, am not afraid of death. Let me go; I will take Moqiu within fifteen days!" Guan Yu also volunteered.
Gao Lan and Sun Lang followed suit, all eager to lead the mission. Wei You smiled, "Any of you could easily take Moqiu. How about Master Tong Yuan and his disciple lead five thousand cavalry over Yanshan to attack Moqiu, while General Sun Lang takes ten thousand troops to meet Yufuluo in the north?"
"Lord Wei, what about us?" Guan Yu and Gao Lan wanted to fight too, but Wei You waved them off, then turned to a smiling general.
"General Huang Shao?"
After being subdued by Qin Longyang, Huang Shao had joined Qin's ranks for nearly a year but had yet to achieve any notable success. The soldiers looked down on him.
"Ah!" Huang Shao was relieved not to be called upon but was surprised when Wei You addressed him.
"General Sun Lang will be leading the army, and the responsibility of logistics falls to you."
"This... understood." Huang Shao had no choice but to accept.
Guan Yu and Gao Lan were displeased, not understanding why Wei You entrusted logistics to a surrendered general.
"General Yun Chang and General Yun Tai," Wei You finally addressed Guan Yu and Gao Lan, "you will stay in the city to train the troops. Another tough battle is coming soon."
"Understood!" They didn't know what Wei You had planned, but they had to obey.
...
When Gongsun Zan asked Qin Longyang for land, Qin Longyang, out of gratitude for Gongsun Zan saving his life, not only ceded You Beiping to him but also Yuyang Prefecture. Gongsun Zan was pleased and stationed Liu Bei in Yuyang.
Now, Liu Bei had established himself in Yuyang Prefecture. Although it was a small prefecture, it allowed Liu Bei to gain a foothold, though he couldn't fully realize his ambitions due to the surrounding counties belonging to Qin Longyang.
For the past month, Liu Bei had been recruiting soldiers and personally visiting the fields to understand the people's needs. He did his job as the Prefect of Yuyang well, earning the people's praise. However, Zhang Fei was unhappy.
Since arriving in Yuyang, Liu Bei had him work in the fields, and Zhang Fei's hands were calloused. Despite his grumbles, he couldn't complain much since he acknowledged Liu Bei as his elder brother.
But when Liu Bei assigned him to cultivate more land, Zhang Fei was so angry that he refused and handed the task to a minor official, returning home to practice with his spear.
"Where's the wine? Bring the wine!" Zhang Fei shouted after exercising in the courtyard. Deputy General Zhang Ju entered with a forced smile, "General, you don't know. The Lord ordered all your wine to be confiscated."
"What! After working up a sweat, how can I not have wine?" Zhang Fei pulled out a silver ingot from his pouch and tossed it to Zhang Ju, "Go to the nearest tavern and buy some wine and a few pounds of spiced beef. Let's drink together!"
"This... General, please spare me. If the Lord finds out, no excuses will save me."
Zhang Ju smiled bitterly. He had once been the Prefect of Yuyang but was now Zhang Fei's deputy. Enduring Zhang Fei's drunken rages had been terrifying, as he often nearly got skewered.
Hearing this, Zhang Fei's anger flared. He walked over to Zhang Ju, slapped him hard, and sent him to the ground.
"You coward! Dare to bear the same surname as me? I'll kill you right now if you don't stop invoking the Lord's name!" Zhang Fei grabbed a spear, ready to strike.
Zhang Ju, terrified, knelt and begged for mercy. "Have mercy!"
"Yide!" a familiar voice called from the door. Zhang Ju sighed in relief, turning to Liu Bei for help.
"Yide, stop this!" Liu Bei seized the spear from Zhang Fei, who sulked and sat down with folded arms.
"Go." Liu Bei helped Zhang Ju up.
Zhang Ju, grateful, fled.
"Yide, you've got some nerve!" Liu Bei scolded Zhang Fei. "I'd heard rumors of you abusing subordinates. Now I've seen it with my own eyes!"
"This..." Zhang Fei muttered, "Brother, I just wanted some wine. He refused, and I lost my temper..."
"Ridiculous! I ordered them not to give you wine. Even if he went to the street, no one would sell it to you!"
"Brother, you don't understand. Wine is my lifeline. Forcing me to quit is worse than death!"
"Enough! You don't appreciate my efforts." Liu Bei shook his head. "You find farming too hard and can't quit drinking. As a commander, you must control your pride and impatience, or you'll suffer for it!"
"Brother, I've had enough of Yuyang. I even dream of fighting. I fell out of bed dreaming of war! If this continues, let's just stay in Yuyang and farm forever!" Zhang Fei fumed.
"Yide, you just want to fight, don't you? Well, I'll tell you this: you don't have to farm for the next few days. I'll give you three days to sharpen your weapons and prepare your troops. In three days, we'll have a battle to fight!"
"Really, big brother? You better not be kidding me!" Zhang Fei's eyes nearly popped out with excitement at the prospect of battle, as he grabbed Liu Bei's shoulders.
"Of course it's true. I'll say this now: if, in three days, the troops you bring out are disorganized and undisciplined, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Don't worry, three days. In three days, I'll definitely give you a pleasant surprise!"