145 Yuan Shao Returns to Yecheng

Aristocratic clans are nothing more than weathercocks, shifting whichever way the wind blows. In the eyes of these powerful families, clan interests supersede everything else.

With Yuan Shao holding court in Yecheng and ruling the north, those interests had already been carved up to everyone's satisfaction. However, if Yecheng were to fall into Cao Cao's hands and come under his control, that division of interests would inevitably have to be redrawn.

Without a doubt, once interests were redistributed, the noble families of Yecheng would inevitably see a portion of their wealth and influence carved away. After all, Cao Cao had his own retinue of loyal aristocratic families. Naturally, from the perspective of Yecheng's elites, it was far better for Yuan Shao to remain in control.

Now that Su Ming had seized Yecheng, these clans were all adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Until they could ascertain Su Ming's true strength, they certainly wouldn't dare to make any rash moves. Yet the moment they learned that Su Ming commanded a mere eight hundred men, they would undoubtedly move swiftly to retake the city and return it to Yuan Shao.

The aristocratic clans in Yecheng were numerous, and when one combined their retainers, estate guards, and private armies, the total force was by no means small. If these families were to unite, Su Ming might well struggle to hold the city. As the old saying goes, conquering a realm is easy, but holding it is hard—this was precisely the truth in such a situation.

Those who had fled in panic amidst the chaos of the previous night were the die-hard loyalists of Yuan Shao, terrified of being purged. The moderates who remained behind formed the largest and most troublesome faction to deal with.

Su Ming rubbed his chin in deep thought. To stabilize these aristocratic clans, the first priority was to put on a show of grand deception—making them believe that the army which had breached Yecheng was massive.

Having figured this out, Su Ming instructed Zhang Liao: "Wenyuan, take our brothers, fly numerous banners, march out of the city by night, and re-enter by day. Create the illusion of an abundant and well-stocked army."

Turning to Xu Qian, Su Ming continued, "Second Master Xu, I must borrow your family's private militia. Have them don armor and follow behind Wenyuan's men to serve as auxiliary troops."

"Understood!" Zhang Liao cupped his fists in acknowledgment.

Xu Qian replied without hesitation, "No problem at all. The Xu family will give General Su our full cooperation."

The tactic Su Ming was employing was one that Dong Zhuo had used years ago. Back when Grand General He Jin was locked in a struggle with the eunuchs, he had summoned Dong Zhuo to the capital. By the time Dong Zhuo arrived, He Jin had already been murdered by the eunuchs, allowing Dong Zhuo to seize control of the imperial court. Initially, Dong Zhuo had brought only five thousand troops into the capital.

Dong Zhuo knew that attempting to control such a sprawling capital with a mere five thousand men was utterly unrealistic. To overawe the civil and military officials and master the imperial city, he had to project the illusion of an endless military force. His strategist, Li Ru, had devised a brilliant scheme: have the soldiers slip out of the city covertly under the cover of night, then march back in broad daylight under the gaze of the populace. By repeating this cycle, it created the appearance of a vast army pouring into the city in an endless stream.

The strategy Su Ming was utilizing now was the exact same one Dong Zhuo had once deployed in Luoyang. Once this method was put into motion, followed by spreading rumors within the city about a crushing defeat for Yuan Shao's forces, seizing total control of Yecheng would be a straightforward task.

Meanwhile, along the road leading toward Yecheng, countless armored soldiers bearing fluttering banners were pressing forward. Atop the central commander's grand standard, a sweeping, dragon-like character for "Yuan" was emblazoned.

This army belonged to none other than Yuan Shao, who was making his weary return to Yecheng. Beneath the great standard, a middle-aged man in full armor sat atop a tall steed. Though his presence remained imposing, he looked deeply exhausted.

Ever since the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao had been anxious to return home, his mind fixed entirely on reaching Yecheng. At this moment, he bore a striking resemblance to Gongsun Zan from years past. Back then, following his defeat at the Battle of Jieqiao, Gongsun Zan had retreated to his city of Beiping and constructed the Yijing Pavilion, only to eventually set fire to the tower and perish within its flames.

For a fleeting second, a chilling thought crossed Yuan Shao's mind—he felt as though he might be the Gongsun Zan of this era.

Shaking his head vigorously, Yuan Shao instantly cast the ominous thought from his mind.

"I am Yuan Shao, not Gongsun Zan! A temporary military defeat signifies nothing. I still possess Youzhou and Qingzhou, Yecheng, and half of Ji Province!"

"Cao Mengde will never find it easy to defeat me. Once I return to Yecheng and recuperate for three to five years, I will surely triumph over him!" Yuan Shao resolved inwardly.

At this moment, Yuan Shao remained utterly unaware that he had already lost Yecheng. The city had transformed into a trap, simply waiting for him to walk right into its jaws.

"Report!"

Just then, a scout came galloping furiously toward them. Reaching Yuan Shao's side, he tumbled from his saddle and fell to his knees, crying out in panic, "My Lord, disaster has struck!"

"Liu Xuande fled with our fifty thousand troops! Without firing a single arrow or swinging a single blade, he abandoned the right flank."

"As a result, our rear defense line collapsed entirely. General Ju Yi has been captured alive by Cao's forces, and General Gao Lan's whereabouts are unknown!"

Upon hearing the scout's report, Yuan Shao's vision darkened, and he nearly fainted from rage.

"Hoo! Hoo!"

"Hoo, hoo, hoo!"

After taking several heavy, ragged breaths, Yuan Shao roared in fury, "That big-eared thief has ruined me! The big-eared thief has ruined me!"

"If I do not kill that big-eared thief in this lifetime, I will never purge the hatred from my heart!"

Right now, the depth of Yuan Shao's hatred for Liu Bei was scarcely less than his hatred for Cao Cao.

In his mind, Liu Bei was utterly devoid of honor and integrity! Back then, when Liu Bei had been defeated by Cao Cao in Xuzhou and wandered like a stray dog without a place to turn, not only had Yuan Shao taken him in, but he had treated him with utmost courtesy and entrusted him with high command. Never had he imagined that at such a critical juncture, Liu Bei would drive a fatal dagger into his back.

Had Liu Bei not fled with the fifty thousand soldiers stationed on the right flank, the defense line tasked with blocking Cao Cao could never have collapsed so easily, nor would the valiant general Ju Yi have been captured.

Hearing this news, Zhang He's expression grew gravely solemn. First, he was deeply worried for the safety of his sworn brothers, Ju Yi and Gao Lan. Second, he was profoundly concerned for the safety of his lord, Yuan Shao.

After all, they had not yet reached Yecheng! Furthermore, Zhang He knew that under Cao Cao's command existed an elite cavalry force known as the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. With their defensive lines shattered, Cao Cao would surely dispatch troops to hunt down Yuan Shao in order to eradicate the root of the threat. If Cao Cao's elite cavalry caught up to them, they would be in dire peril.

"Yuanhao, what do you think we should do now?" Yuan Shao hurriedly asked his strategist, Tian Feng.

Tian Feng stroked his wispy goatee and replied, "The utmost priority at present is to escort Your Lordship safely back to Yecheng, and then summon the two young lords from Youzhou and Qingzhou to bring reinforcements for your protection."

"However, if we wish to return to Yecheng smoothly, we must remain heavily guarded against the Cao army pursuing us from the rear."

"General Junyi, you must remain behind as a rearguard. Should Cao's forces pursue us, ambush and annihilate them on the spot."