vstars Chapter 136: Emperor's News and Liu Yu's Dilemma
Chapter 136: Emperor's News and Liu Yu's Dilemma
During an extremely fierce battle, Liu Bei, relying on his exceptionally sharp eyesight, struggled to identify the blurry figure in the distance. Suddenly, he was startled to find that it was Gongsun Zan! Almost at the same time, Gongsun Zan, who was fighting bravely on the battlefield, also spotted Liu Bei.
Gongsun Zan shouted, "Xuan De!" Liu Bei responded with a cry of "Brother Bo Gui!" Gongsun Zan immediately ordered, "Hold!" Liu Bei hurriedly ordered Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to halt their attacks, and the soldiers on both sides quickly retreated. Gongsun Zan looked at Liu Bei and said, "Xuan De, let's meet privately tonight." Liu Bei nodded and replied, "Okay, Brother Bo Gui, tonight." Then, the two men left with their respective troops. It turned out that Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan had once studied together under Lu Zhi, and though time had passed, a special familiarity between them remained. In the midst of this fierce battle, the two men recognized each other almost instantly, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in their hearts. The past experiences when they studied together seemed to flood back into their minds at this moment. However, they were now on a battlefield filled with smoke, so they could only put aside these complicated thoughts for the time being and wait for a private meeting at night to have a good chat.
In the evening, under the close protection of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei hurried to the place where he was going to meet Gongsun Zan.
As soon as Liu Bei saw Gongsun Zan, he quickly stepped forward and said eagerly, "Brother!"
Gongsun Zan came forward with a smile and said, "Xuan De, long time no see! It's been a long time!"
Liu Bei also sighed: "Yes, brother, it has been a long time since we last met."
Liu Bei calmed down a bit and asked solemnly, "Brother, I have always had a big question in my mind: why did you fight with Liu Yu?"
Gongsun Zan sighed deeply and said, "Xuan De, you don't know. The situation here is complicated. In fact, the emperor and Lu Zhi are in Youzhou."
Liu Bei was extremely shocked, his eyes widening as he asked, "What? The Emperor and Master Lu are in Youzhou? How is this possible? This is too unexpected!"
Gongsun Zan said seriously, "It is absolutely true, Xuande. This is absolutely not a lie."
Liu Bei was stunned and couldn't help muttering to himself: "This... This is really beyond my expectations. I didn't expect it to be like this."
Gongsun Zan then added, "Furthermore, Liu Yu has ulterior motives and has deliberately blocked many important news from Youzhou, preventing outsiders from learning."
Liu Bei suddenly realized and frowned, "So that's how it is... No wonder I always felt that many things were strange."
After Liu Bei pondered for a moment, his eyes became firm and he said in a resolute tone: "Brother, since that's the case, then I have decided to stand by your side and help you deal with Liu Yu with all my strength."
Gongsun Zan was touched and patted Liu Bei on the shoulder: "Okay, Xuande, I feel much more at ease with your help."
Upon hearing the news, Liu Bei quickly relayed it to Yuan Shao. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei followed Gongsun Zan to the camp without hesitation, nervously and eagerly preparing to meet the emperor and Lu Zhi. The moment they entered the camp, Liu Bei's eyes were filled with respect for Lu Zhi. He walked steadily and solemnly, each step conveying respect for his mentor.
Lu Zhi was overwhelmed with emotion as he watched this disciple, whom he had initially been less optimistic about, arrive. He recalled every moment he had spent with Liu Bei, the teachings and expectations they had given him over the years. He could still see Liu Bei's dedication to knowledge and justice in his eyes.
Afterward, Liu Bei and his companions finally met the Emperor, Liu Bian. In this solemn occasion, Liu Bei appeared exceptionally respectful. He carefully saluted the Emperor and then began to recount his origins and clan ties. His voice was steady and resolute, as if demonstrating his loyalty and resolve to the Emperor.
Liu Bian listened intently to Liu Bei's narration, hanging on every word. When he heard about Liu Bei's clan kinship, a flicker of surprise and curiosity crossed his eyes. He immediately ordered Lu Zhi and others to conduct a thorough investigation. After some investigation, they discovered that Liu Bei was actually a generation older than Liu Bian.
Liu Bian was secretly delighted, realizing this was a rare opportunity. Without hesitation, he addressed Liu Bei as "Uncle Emperor." At that moment, Liu Bei and the other two were filled with surprise and emotion. They felt an unprecedented sense of respect and honor, as if their years of hard work and perseverance had finally been recognized. Liu Bei's heart was filled with gratitude, knowing this was the emperor's care and favor.
The current emperor, at this moment, desperately needed to recruit trusted aides. This was because he was currently on the run, completely dependent on Gongsun Zan for every aspect of his life. Liu Bei, on the other hand, had long been adrift, and although he claimed to be a relative of the Han royal family, he had never truly earned their recognition. However, it was the emperor himself who addressed Liu Bei as the emperor's uncle. This recognition from the emperor was far more direct and powerful than even the imperial family's. From that moment on, Liu Bei's status as the emperor's uncle was firmly established. Both the emperor and Liu Bei, at that moment, thought the same thing, and they both smiled that inscrutable, enigmatic smile.
Amidst the turbulent times, Yuan Shao's sphere of influence was perpetually on the verge of a revolution. When Yuan Shao received crucial news about the Emperor, relayed by Liu Bei, it ignited a fire within him, greatly inspiring him and boosting his spirits. He pondered the key to this, realizing that if he could successfully secure the Emperor's support, he would possess an invaluable scepter within this chaotic situation, possessing absolute power. Using the Emperor's name, he could legitimately campaign against Dong Zhuo, gaining the moral high ground and securing even greater support and resources.
These thoughts swirled in Yuan Shao's mind, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was a rare opportunity that he absolutely could not miss. So, after a fierce ideological struggle and weighing of the pros and cons, Yuan Shao steeled his resolve and immediately reneged on the solemn agreement he had made with Liu Yu. His eyes revealed a look of determination and resolve, without a trace of hesitation or hesitation.
Yuan Shao then deployed his forces with swift resolution, dispatching his most capable generals: Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Ju Yi. These formidable generals were renowned for their formidable valor. Leading their elite forces, they launched a relentless and ferocious assault on Liu Yu. For a moment, the cries of battle shook the earth, and the flashes of swords and sabers shone across the battlefield, seemingly ripping the very fabric of the world apart.
Meanwhile, Gongsun Zan was also attacking Liu Yu. Caught between these two fronts, Liu Yu was in a precarious position. Already in a relatively weak position, facing the combined might of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, the situation became even more difficult. His army struggled to withstand the ferocious enemy assault, their defenses steadily being squeezed, and their territory gradually being eroded. Liu Yu was filled with anxiety and frustration, searching for a solution, but in such a pressing situation, every decision seemed difficult and crucial.
Yuan Shao's move undoubtedly dropped a bombshell in these turbulent times. All factions closely watched the developments and changes in the situation. Yuan Shao himself knew that this was a crucial step towards greater power, and he must give it his all without fail. In this moment of uncertainty and crisis, the entire situation became even more confusing, and the future was filled with unknowns and challenges. Liu Yu's fate, too, seemed uncertain under the onslaught of this storm.
In such a difficult situation, Liu Yu was filled with regret. He regretted why he had allowed the hidden desires within him to drive him, leading to his current situation and the unbearable price he had to pay. His heart was filled with pain and self-blame, but reality did not allow him much time to regret.
Faced with a fierce attack from both Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, Liu Yu's army struggled mightily to hold on. In desperation, Liu Yu sued for peace, hoping to end the brutal conflict and secure a respite for himself and his forces. However, both Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan ignored Liu Yu's pleas. Each had their own agenda and ambitions, each seeking to demonstrate their loyalty and selflessness before the emperor in order to gain greater political capital and advantage.
Yuan Shao was obsessed with consolidating his power by decisively defeating Liu Yu, thereby furthering his plan to install the emperor and claim credit for his achievements. Gongsun Zan, on the other hand, had his own agenda: to enhance his own status and influence through this war and demonstrate his capabilities to the emperor. Both viewed Liu Yu as a stepping stone to their own advancement, completely ignoring his pleas for peace. Faced with their resoluteness and ruthlessness, Liu Yu seemed helpless and insignificant, as if caught in an inescapable vortex. He could only watch helplessly as his impasse spiraled downward, powerless to avert it. The situation spiraled out of control, and Liu Yu's fate hung in the balance, like a candle in the wind.