Chapter 75

Just as the news from the scout had reported, not long after the beginning of October, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun led their armies in a grand procession to Guangzong.

Upon receiving the news, Liu Yao had someone guide them to the main tent, where Tian Feng had already prepared a welcoming banquet.

As for Liu Yao, he walked slowly towards the main tent with Shi A and Guo Jia.

As soon as Liu Yao and his group entered the main tent, they found that Huangfu Song and the others had already arrived. Cao Cao had also appeared early, and the group was quietly waiting inside the command tent.

Seeing Liu Yao, Huangfu Song and the others hurriedly came forward to pay their respects, saying, "We pay our respects to Your Highness."

Liu Yao waved his hand and said casually, "No need for formalities. Please, everyone take your seats."

"Understood." Everyone found a seat and sat down casually.

As soon as Liu Yao sat down, he began to observe the people in front of him. Excluding Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and Cao Cao, there were four more faces, two familiar and two completely unfamiliar.

Liu Yao looked at the two familiar faces. One had a handsome appearance, wearing black armor, looking quite imposing. The other had his head raised, with a look of arrogance and lewdness on his face.

Seeing these two, Liu Yao couldn't help but laugh inwardly. "Aren't these Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu? I didn't expect that old man Yuan Feng, knowing I was the commander, would still send these two. Yuan Shao is still somewhat acceptable, but I really hope Yuan Shu, that bumbling fool, doesn't cause any trouble. I can't kill him, but I'll give him a good lesson. That way, that old man Yuan Feng won't keep opposing me."

As for the other two unfamiliar faces, they looked to be in their thirties, about eight feet tall, with a robust build, and a six-foot-long saber at their waists. The other one, if the first was robust, was a big fat man, looking to be in his forties, with a tiger-like gait and a bear-like chest, his face full of ferocity, though he looked somewhat disheveled now.

Although Liu Yao had never met these two, two names immediately came to his mind.

"Yuan Benchu and Yuan Gonglu, it's been a long time since we last met. How is your father, Lord Yuan Feng?" Liu Yao said casually.

"Your Highness, my father is in good health," Yuan Shao replied respectfully. Although the Yuan family and Liu Yao were not on good terms, they still knew the gravity of the situation. Moreover, Liu Yao was now the commander, and offending him could lead to serious consequences.

"Oh, that's good. When I have time, I will definitely visit him. And for Lord Yuan's sake, I will certainly take good care of you two, Yuan Benchu and Yuan Gonglu," Liu Yao said with a narrowed eye, emphasizing the words "take good care."

Yuan Shao was startled, feeling a bit regretful about getting involved in this mess. As for Yuan Shu, he was already seething with anger. If it weren't for Yuan Feng's repeated warnings before they left, telling him not to offend Liu Yao and just go through the motions, he would have already confronted Liu Yao. In Yuan Shu's eyes, the bloodline of the Yuan family was the noblest, and even Liu Yao was not to be taken seriously.

"May I ask for your names?" Liu Yao then turned to the two unfamiliar men and asked.

"General Sun Jian, Sun Wentai, and General Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhongying, pay our respects to Your Highness," the two said in unison, bowing to Liu Yao.

"Indeed, it's them," Liu Yao thought. When he first saw them, the names Sun Jian and Dong Zhuo had already come to mind. Now, it was confirmed. What Liu Yao didn't expect was that Dong Zhuo would still be here even with him as the commander.

Liu Yao then scanned the tent. Good grief. Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and if we add Liu Bei, who had left earlier, almost all the powerful warlords of the late Eastern Han were sitting in front of Liu Yao.

Liu Yao was even considering whether to eliminate all of them to avoid future trouble. But quickly, a voice of reason suppressed this crazy idea. If they all died, the future situation would be out of his control, putting him at a disadvantage, which was not what Liu Yao wanted.

"Indeed, you are the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Wentai, and Dong Zhongying, Dong Zhuo. I have long heard of your reputations. With your assistance, taking Guangzong will be no problem," Liu Yao said politely.

"Your Highness is too kind," the two said in unison, bowing. Sun Jian's face showed confidence, clearly believing in his own strength, while Dong Zhuo looked troubled and angry.

Liu Yao could understand Sun Jian's confidence, as he had defeated Zhang Mancheng and had the right to be confident. But Dong Zhuo's expression was hard to understand. Seeing his disheveled appearance, Liu Yao suddenly realized, "Dong Zhuo must have suffered a defeat. No wonder he looks like this."

"General Dong, may I ask where you came from and why you look so disheveled?" Liu Yao asked curiously.

"Your Highness, I received the emperor's order to come from Luoyang to assist you. As for this..." Dong Zhuo hesitated, looking embarrassed.

At this moment, Huangfu Song spoke up, "Your Highness, let me explain. General Dong encountered an ambush by the Yellow Turbans a hundred miles outside Guangzong. Zhu Jun and I happened to arrive just in time, and together we repelled the Yellow Turbans. General Dong's disheveled appearance is due to his bravery in battle."

Dong Zhuo looked at Huangfu Song with gratitude. Huangfu Song had preserved his dignity, as he had indeed suffered an ambush, with significant losses, and had almost been killed.

Liu Yao, of course, saw through their actions but chose not to expose them. He thought, "Dong Zhuo must not have valued his strategists yet. He has Li Ru as his son-in-law, otherwise, he wouldn't have suffered such a defeat."

Liu Yao then asked the group, "Since we are all here, does anyone have a plan to capture Guangzong?"

"This is no problem. Give me thirty thousand troops, and I will definitely take Guangzong," Yuan Shu, the bumbling fool, stood up and said before anyone else could speak.

"Oh?" Liu Yao looked at Yuan Shu with a mocking smile. "Yuan Gonglu, if you are so confident, I will give you thirty thousand troops. Are you willing to sign a military order?"

"Um..." Yuan Shu was stunned, unable to say a word. He had only said it to show his capability, but he didn't expect Liu Yao to agree and even ask him to sign a military order. He was terrified. After all, Lu Zhi and others had failed to capture Guangzong with fifty thousand troops over three months. How could he, with only thirty thousand troops, succeed?

"Hmph, Yuan Gonglu, you're still the same, all talk and no action," a deep voice said, reaching Yuan Shu's ears.

Yuan Shu immediately flew into a rage, glaring at Yuan Shao. "Yuan Benchu, even if I can't do it, can you?"

Yuan Shao glanced at Yuan Shu and said disdainfully, "I admit I can't do it either, but at least I won't be as reckless as you."

"Yuan Benchu, you..."

"Enough!!!" Liu Yao slammed the table, stopping their argument. "This is a military camp, not your Yuan family estate. If you want to argue, go back and do it there."

For a moment, both were silenced by Liu Yao's outburst. Huangfu Song and the others looked at them with disapproval. Except for Cao Cao, the others were from humble backgrounds and despised the arrogant, useless young masters from noble families.

"Next time, you will be punished according to military law," Liu Yao said coldly.