Three Kingdoms: Let Yuan Shen be great again

Chapter 54 I, Liu Bang, am sending money.

Sun Ce's encirclement was being set up much faster than Yuan Yao had imagined.

This is thanks to Sun Ce's past behavior; he had offended people from all directions, and everyone was already seething with resentment, but they dared not speak out because he was too powerful.

With Hua Xin taking the lead and Yuan Yao, who had just defeated Sun Ce, joining the fray, other warlords were naturally willing to lend a hand.

Anyway, even if you don't help, you'll still get beaten up by Sun Ce in the future, so you might as well strike first.

In May of the fifth year of Jian'an, at the invitation of Hua Xin, Yuan Yao personally led a team upstream along the Yangtze River, passing Pengli Lake, which was later called Poyang Lake, and entered Yuzhang County from there.

Logically, given his status, he shouldn't have personally ventured into dangerous territory. However, firstly, Yuan Yao had gradually established his personal authority within the Zhong clan, and once he took charge, no one could stop him. Secondly, Yuzhang was very close to Wancheng, and a large part of Penglize was located within Lujiang County, so it wasn't that dangerous.

Moreover, Yuan Yao had Guan Yu, a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men, by his side.

After Guan Yu's failed attempt to reach Hebei, he harbored considerable resentment towards Yuan Yao. However, his two sisters-in-law only listened to their best friend and not to him, so he had no choice but to remain in Huainan, counting down the days until Liu Bei went to Runan, so that he could rush there as soon as possible.

Yuan Yao was fully aware of this, so he used the excuse of helping Liu Bei accumulate resources in advance to induce Guan Yu to serve him. Each time Guan Yu fought, he could be converted into a certain amount of money and grain, which could be taken to Runan in the future.

Returning to the present, Yuan Yao is currently located in Pengze City, east of Pengli Marsh, which will be an important point in resisting Sun Ce's invasion.

Here, Yuan Yao met Hua Xin's envoy, Liu Yi, the clerk of Yuzhang Commandery, and another somewhat unexpected person.

That was Liu Ji, the sixteen-year-old eldest son of Liu Yao, the former governor of Yangzhou.

After being defeated by Sun Ce, Liu Yao was forced to flee to Yuzhang, but he died not long after. Most of his followers were recruited by Taishi Ci, who had surrendered to Sun Ce, while the remaining few hundred continued to follow Liu Ji in Pengze.

Seeing Sun Ce invade Yuzhang, Liu Ji, burdened by the hatred of his father's death, and hearing that Hua Xin had contacted surrounding heroes to form an anti-Sun alliance, decided to do his part and show his support.

Yuan Yao casually exchanged pleasantries: "Young Master Liu, at such a young age, dares to confront a formidable enemy like Sun Ce. Truly, a hero emerges from among the young."

Liu Ji said with a stern face, "Young Master Yuan is no less impressive."

Huh?

Yuan Yao glanced at Liu Ji.

Why does this kid get such a cold shoulder when I try to say nice things?

Upon further reflection, Yuan Yaocai recalled that while Sun Ce was indeed Liu Ji's enemy, Yuan Shu seemed to be... in a similar situation.

Strictly speaking, when Liu Yao died, Sun Ce had not yet formally broken away from Yuan Shu's control, so the debt should at least be split between the two.

But fate is so strange. In order to fight against his enemy Sun Ce, Liu Ji had no choice but to cooperate with Yuan Yao, the son of his enemy.

Yuan Yao didn't care what Liu Ji thought, nor did he bother to explain the ethical relationship between him and Yuan Shu regarding their father-son relationship. After exchanging a few polite words, he went to talk to Liu Yi.

Yuan Yao: "Liu Gongcao, has Lord Hua said anything?"

Liu Yi: "No, it's just..."

Liu Yi hesitated, then turned and glanced behind Yuan Yao, his implication quite clear.

You, the dignified Grand Commander of the Zhong clan and the ruler of Huainan, how come you only brought a thousand men?

Yuan Yao had already prepared his explanation: "It is like this, our main force is deployed along the Yangtze River. If Sun Ce wants to attack Yuzhang by water, he will be intercepted by our army."

That's half true and half false.

Huainan does have some navy, but it's no match for the Jiangdong army. Going out there would be tantamount to throwing it away; there's no way they could intercept Sun Ce.

However, with such a large figure as Yuan Yao stationed north of the Yangtze River, Sun Ce had to be somewhat wary, which indirectly reduced the pressure on the naval attack.

Liu Yi naturally couldn't understand this point. Since things had come to this, he could only force a smile: "I hope Young Master Yuan will do his best. The survival of Yuzhang County depends on you."

"Don't worry." Yuan Yao assured him confidently, then steered the conversation to the true purpose of his trip: "I've heard that not far west of Pengli Lake lies Haihun City, where powerful local magnates hold their ground and don't take Lord Hua seriously?"

Having his sore spot touched on so directly, Liu Yi's expression became slightly unnatural: "A few troublemakers, nothing to worry about."

"No, it's a serious concern!" Yuan Yao said solemnly. "These people don't obey Lord Hua's orders. What if they respond to Sun Ce's attack and cause trouble in the rear?"

Liu Yi was startled: "Impossible, right?"

Based on Liu Yi's understanding of Haihun and other places, the local magnates there were indeed going too far. They openly established their own government offices, refused to accept the officials appointed by Hua Xin, and even declared that they would only submit to the court if it sent a real prefect.

However, to say that these people joined forces with Sun Ce seems a bit of an exaggeration; they didn't have that much ambition or strength.

"Liu Gongcao, do not be careless." Yuan Yao threatened him with alarmist words: "Back during the Huainan campaign, the local strongmen of Lujiang, Zhang Duo and Xu Qian, betrayed me and almost caused a disaster. With this lesson in mind, Yuzhang must be vigilant."

Liu Yi hesitated and asked, "Then, according to Young Master Yuan, what should we do now?"

Yuan Yao's true intentions were revealed: "To repel external threats, we must first pacify the internal situation! Before Sun Ce's army arrives, let's wipe out the rebels here in Haihun!"

"Ah?" Liu Yi was shocked and quickly said, "This matter is of utmost importance. Could you please inform the Prefect and we can discuss it before making a decision?"

"It will be too late by then!" Yuan Yao urged, gesturing for the evidence he had prepared beforehand to be presented: "Liu Gongcao, please take a look. I have intercepted several secret letters here. Sun Ce is already contacting the powerful clans of Haihun, trying to win them over to overthrow Lord Hua!"

"Is this really true?!"

"Of course! Ziming, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and get the letter!"

Yuan Yao turned around impatiently, only to see Lü Meng standing there dumbfounded.

"What's wrong?" Yuan Yao frowned slightly.

Lu Meng forced a smile and said, "Grand Commander, I'm dealing with the matter of the secret letter (I've already thrown it away)."

Yuan Yao: "I'm asking you about the letter?"

Lü Meng: "I will handle it actively (I'll find someone to write it right now)!"

Yuan Yao was speechless. He could only ask Liu Yi to wait a moment, and then went to Lü Meng's side to ask what had happened.

To ensure a legitimate reason for his actions and to at least give Hua Xin an explanation, Yuan Yao had several letters forged from Sun Ce to the powerful figures of Haihun, which he then had given to Lü Meng to carry before his departure.

As a result, a misunderstanding arose.

To avoid being exposed during the reconciliation, Yuan Yao deliberately omitted specific names and used vague wording, but those who were interested would naturally understand the actual meaning.

Unexpectedly, Lü Meng's literacy was so limited that he was still in the stage of attending literacy classes. When he received these letters, he thought they were written by Sun Ce to him, urging him to betray his country.

That won't do.

Knowing that Yuan Yao valued him highly, Lü Meng was not one to be ungrateful. He immediately handed the letter to Zhang Kai, who was in charge of the Central Bureau, to show his loyalty and unwavering loyalty.

Yuan Yao: "..."

Since things had come to this, he couldn't say anything. Seeing that Liu Yi was still waiting there, he could only try to appease him for the time being.

"Liu Gongcao, it's really unfortunate, I didn't bring those secret letters with me. I'll send someone to get them right away."

"Thank you for your trouble." Liu Yi said with concern, "This matter is of utmost importance. I must see it for myself to prevent Young Master Yuan from being deceived."

Yuan Yao laughed and said, "Liu Gongcao is right. The world is in chaos and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be. There are indeed many evildoers who swindle and cheat. I even received a letter from someone claiming to be Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, saying that he had just been resurrected and needed a sum of money, etc. It is really laughable."

Liu Yi ended the conversation: "Let's stop chatting. Let me help your army set up camp."

Yuan Yao then led the Zhong clan's army to the place Liu Yi had mentioned, not far south of Pengze City, to prepare to set up camp.

During the journey, Lü Meng suddenly leaned over and whispered, "Grand Commander, has Emperor Gaozu truly been resurrected?"

Yuan Yao's face was filled with shock: "So what if that's the case?"

Lu Meng was very worried: "We are irreconcilable enemies with the Han Dynasty. We must find a way to put him back in his grave, otherwise he will definitely threaten our great cause."

Yuan Yao: "You... never mind."