BSI Chapter 114 Ineffective Deterrence
Chapter 114 Ineffective Deterrence
Li Zhao didn't disturb the two of them and just sat there quietly.
Both of them are renowned generals of their time, and their abilities are extraordinary.
People like them naturally have their own code of conduct.
Sensing the sincerity and good intentions of both sides, Lü Bu lowered his guard.
He then cupped his hands and said, "My lord, news has arrived from Jinyang: that old scoundrel Yuan Shao is making a move!"
As they were talking.
He took out a bamboo tube from his pocket, pulled out a parchment scroll from it, and respectfully handed it to Li Zhao.
Li Zhao reached out and took it, quickly reading through the contents. A smile crept onto his lips. "Just as I expected, that old scoundrel Yuan Shao is truly confident enough!"
"What's wrong?" Zhao Yun asked.
The parchment scroll was handed over, and Zhao Yun accepted it naturally.
Lu Bu witnessed this scene, and his last bit of vigilance vanished.
It seems the rumors are true; Zhao Yun and his lord have a very good relationship.
"That's not right, is it?" Zhao Yun frowned slightly, then glanced at Lü Bu.
Is this person trustworthy?
"I dare not say anything else!" Lu Bu said, emphasizing each word.
"But Zhang Yang will never be disloyal to me or to our lord!"
"If he wasn't willing to work for us, he wouldn't have seen this letter!"
Li Zhao nodded and said, "He's a loyal and trustworthy person!"
"Then I don't understand, what makes Yuan Shao so confident that he can confirm that Gongsun Zan will ally with him?" Zhao Yun asked.
This is certainly not his fault; Yuan Shao's actions were indeed incomprehensible.
He and Gongsun Zan were sworn enemies, and in their struggle for territory, he completely annihilated the other's forces.
At this critical moment, he actually thought of joining forces with the other side to deal with Li Zhao.
No normal person would ever think of such an idea!
"Actually, it's quite easy to understand..." Lu Bu chuckled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"Yuan Shao valued his family background most; in his mind, everyone would submit to the power of the Yuan family!"
"So even if they've fought each other, as long as he's willing to make peace, the other side will definitely agree!"
"Isn't this the reason he ended up like this?"
In a sense, Lü Bu understood this kind of arrogance very well!
He used to be obsessed with his martial prowess, believing that he was invincible and could do whatever he wanted.
He threatened to kill at the drop of a hat, but what a tragic end he ultimately met.
Zhao Yun fell silent...
If that's the case, then no one can guarantee what choice Gongsun Zan will make.
If it really comes to a life-or-death situation, what should we do?
"Let's see what he chooses!" Li Zhao glanced at Zhao Yun.
"If he makes the right choice, I'm willing to spare his life!"
"To live a peaceful life for the rest of my days, no longer entangled in anything in this world!"
"However, once a choice is made, everyone must pay the price for that choice!"
Having said all that, Zhao Yun gave him a deep look, his expression full of gratitude.
Hopefully... Gongsun Zan will be smart enough to make the right choice, even just once!
……
Youzhou.
Ji County.
Gongsun Zan sat alone in the main hall, drinking wine cup after cup.
He is now unkempt, his expression is full of fatigue, and he has long lost his former spirit.
He seemed to have been greatly affected since the defeat in that great war.
Besides drinking and having fun, he would spend his days on the drill ground in the military camp, venting his boundless energy in front of the pile of weapons and equipment.
For him, it seemed that nothing in this world mattered anymore!
Just then, footsteps sounded outside.
A soldier quickly approached, respectfully bowed, and said, "Reporting to the General, an envoy from Bingzhou has arrived!"
"Where did you say?" Gongsun Zan asked, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, as he tilted his head back and drank another bowl.
"Reporting to the General, this is the envoy from Bingzhou!"
"Get him out!"
"promise……"
The soldier dared not question it and immediately turned and left.
Given Gongsun Zan's recent temper, anyone who dares to speak recklessly will lose their head.
But just as he reached the door, Gongsun Zan's voice came from behind him, "Wait!"
"General!"
"Bring that man here, and don't let anyone near him!"
"promise!"
Not long after.
A middle-aged man with delicate features and a fawning smile appeared before Gongsun Zan.
at this time.
Gongsun Zan, carrying a jar of wine, staggered to his feet.
When he got closer, he tilted his head back and took another sip, letting the wine spill onto his chest and soak a large area of his clothes.
"Who are you? Who sent you?"
"I, Huang Ping, have been entrusted by my lord to bring you a gift, General!"
Huang Ping always wore a smile, but the more he did so, the more disgusted Gongsun Zan felt.
I wanted to slap him right then and there and kick him out!
"Who is your lord?" Gongsun Zan asked him coldly.
"The Yuan family, with four generations of high-ranking officials, who else does the general think could be involved?"
"Who do we have here..." Gongsun Zan sneered, "Just another defeated general who was beaten by Cao Cao!"
"You've got some nerve coming here. Aren't you afraid I'll take your head?"
The strong smell of alcohol hit them, and Huang Ping's smile became somewhat stiff.
He knew, of course, how dangerous this trip would be, but fortune favors the bold.
If I succeed in this task, I will be rewarded handsomely when I return.
Originally, he was just an insignificant clerk, but after returning, he would have a voice.
"I believe the general will not make a move!" Huang Ping tried his best to remain calm.
"snort!"
Gongsun Zan casually tossed aside the wine jar in his hand and drew a long sword from the side.
Then he placed the handle directly against Huang Ping's neck, "Say that again?"
Faced with that undisguised murderous aura, even Huang Ping, who was usually calm, couldn't help but tremble.
"General, please don't overthink it. My lord meant no harm and is willing to compensate you for all your losses!"
"Even if it's for the sake of our common threat, General, you can't be so impulsive!" Huang Ping quickly said.
"A common threat?"
"That Li Zhao seized Qingzhou, and now he's extending his reach into Jizhou!"
"If things continue like this, what will happen next? The general is a wise man; he should understand my lord's meaning!"
"I have brought not only a large amount of grain, cloth, and money with me, but also a promise from my lord."
"If the general is willing to cooperate, my lord will petition the court to restore the general's status as governor of Youzhou!"
"After we completely eliminate Li Zhao, we will give half of Bingzhou to the general!"
"I hope the general will seriously consider this..."
After saying these words, he slowly closed his eyes.
Whether I live or die... it all depends on this!
But he still made the wrong bet!
Just a few breaths later, a chill ran down my neck.
When he opened his eyes, he saw blood gushing from his neck and quickly collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"What is this..." Gongsun Zan spat and casually tossed the longsword aside.
……