Mythical Three Kingdoms

”I’m simply taking advantage of the situation,” Han Xun replied dismissively before fallling silent. The army is upon us!

”The Chen Family Head’s Order is not with me; you needn’t bother yourselves with that thought. I am just an elder of the Chen Clan,” said Chen Shang, glancing around at the others. He no longer seemed annoyed, but made an effort to speak calmly. The current head of the Chen Family of Mount Tai is Chen Xi.

”Of course, the Chen Family need not worry, and Marquis Chen matters greatly to us as well,” Han Xun said, looking at Chen Shang. He then bent down and removed the jade pendant at Cheng Hui’s waist before standing up and turning to the other family heads.

”Alas,” Bai Ying heaved a sigh and was the first to hand over the bronze short sword from his waist to Han Xun. Once the first one did so, the other family heads also reluctantly handed over their own Family Head’s Orders.

”[Indeed, Bai Ying is problematic too, but with things as they now stand, let them do what they will.]” Chen Shang glanced at Bai Ying, not believing that the other family heads failed to understand this point. However, the fact that they handed it over so readily suggested they had their own ulterior motives.

”Sorry to say, but our Deng Family’s Head Order isn’t on me. Just so you know, I also don’t have anything on me that could prove my identity,” Deng Lun stepped forward and faced Han Xun. In these urgent times, some had obviously given this prior thought and had come without carrying anything at all.

”There’s no need to question the next few either. We had our suspicions when coming here, so I didn’t bring anything that could prove my identity. And tonight, no matter what happens, any clan member who dares to leave shall be subject to execution by the clan elders,” Deng Lun said, standing firm and locking eyes with Han Xun, showing not the slightest fear.

”Hmph, aren’t you afraid of dying here?” Han Xun swept his icy gaze over Deng Lun and the several family heads behind him.

At this point, Deng Lun felt somewhat relieved. He casually pulled over a chair and sat down, ”I could do you the courtesy of letting you tie us up, of course, you also have the option of slaughtering us. The aristocratic families can sacrifice anyone when it comes to life and death, including myself.”

Flash of anger showed in Han Xun’s eyes, but Deng Lun seated opposite to him was utterly nonchalant, showing no fear, and neither did the family heads behind him.

”General Hann, these men cannot be killed. Since they have offered resistance, let us bind them as they say and keep them here,” Wang Yu quickly stood up and spoke out, seeing that Shen Lun and the others showed no sign of fear.

To Wang Yu, the likelihood of victory that night was very high. At this juncture, it would not be to his benefit to weaken the strength of the Qing Xu Families. Later on, Wang Yu would need the Qing Xu Families to follow his lead and gain more benefits from Yuan Shao.

”Hmph,” Han Xun snorted and refrained from further action.

”Come, tie these fellows up and take them to the secret chamber. Is there anyone else like them?” Wang Yu quickly ordered the private soldiers standing guard outside.

A group of aristocratic family heads then came forward, calm; they only constituted about one-fifth of all the family heads present.

”[What a pity, Head of the Cheng Family was too hasty.]” Chen Shang silently turned his head, as if the door to the room practically didn’t exist.

As the door to the secret chamber closed, Deng Lun muttered to himself, ”Who gave you the confidence and blinded your eyes?”

”This is fine, we’ll just wait for the Chen Family Head to rescue us. Being tied up for a night is a small price to pay for greater benefits for the family. I wouldn’t mind doing this a few more times,” said the Head of the Shen Family, trying to make light of the situation.

”We’ll see at dawn. By then, all will become clear. Although, I don’t think Yuan Benchu has any chance of victory, not since Chen Zichuan settled here. Fenggao has been thriving. We shall wait until dawn,” another family head spoke up.

”Good, let’s wait then. I’ve realized that they have no interest in clashing with us. Since that is the case, why don’t we properly develop our family clan?” the Head of the Hann Family said indifferently.

These were all enlightened families. After realizing they couldn’t keep up with the pace of development of Mount Tai, they started to search for faults within themselves. They eagerly absorbed the knowledge and nutrition from Mount Tai, strengthening themselves for the future.

”Click.” The Head of the Zheng Family, Zheng Tai, severed the ropes binding him with a specially prepared bracelet and stretched leisurely, ”I actually think this is good news. From now on, let’s form an alliance among our families.”

”Zheng Gongye, how are you still able to move!” Shen Lun suddenly noticed Zheng Tai leaning against a chair, eating pastries.

”Hurry up and untie me, I’m about to be strangled to death.” ”I’m also about to be strangled to death.” ”When have I ever suffered this kind of torment!” ”You get free and don’t even bother to help!”

The fact that everyone had been tied up previously didn’t seem to matter, but as soon as Zheng Tai had managed to escape, the others immediately started making a fuss.

”I’ll untie you all right away.” In a flurry, Zheng Tai quickly released all the heads of the families, and then each one sat in the chair they had been tied to, starting to share Zheng Tai’s pastries.

”Immediately, I feel much better. Gongye, what was that thing you had earlier?” Deng Lun asked.

”Duke Wen shoved it to me,” Zheng Tai said, swinging the object that looked like a bracelet in his hand, ”Not bad for something my brother made, huh?”

”True to the reputation of Duke Wen, the master artisan,” one of the family heads complimented with a smile. Even at that time, Zheng Hun had already become quite famous, ”I don’t think the outcome needs to be said, Yuan Benchu is destined to lose.”

”So well prepared.” Shen Wen sighed.

”So, we just wait for the conclusion.” Deng Lun said with a satisfied expression.

The night, which should have been extremely peaceful after the curfew, became extremely noisy instead, filled with various shrieks and roars echoing through the streets of Mount Tai.

In the sky, the Cloud Qi grew denser and denser. From the shops of the families that had already sided with Yuan Shao, soldiers began to emerge continuously, and Hann Xun, having received the House Owner’s Order, started to mobilize the private armies of the aristocratic families.

Upon seeing the House Owner’s Order, some of the aristocratic family private soldiers followed without question, leading their troops immediately, while others descended into chaos. But soon, the chaos was suppressed by the increasing number of private soldiers from other families, who then seized control of the aristocratic family private soldiers.

Of course, there were also some families who refused to open their doors no matter how much one knocked. It could only be said that the heads of such aristocratic families were somewhat dull, but they were clear-headed about major issues.

In this situation, the middle and lower-ranking officers of Yuan Shao’s Army didn’t have much of a remedy. Once Hann Xun’s Signal Arrow was shot, all of Yuan Shao’s Army and the private soldiers gathered at one place, ready to launch a fierce attack on the core of Fenggao City, where the families of all the high-ranking officers and civil officials of Yuan Shao’s Army and Liu Bei’s Army were located.

With the assembly of the aristocratic family’s generals, servants, and private soldiers, following Hann Xun and Gongsun Du, besides the three thousand Yuan Shao’s Army soldiers, there were also several thousand aristocratic family private soldiers.

At the same time, in various regions like Mount Tai, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou, nearly all the families had retaliated because of Yuan Shao’s plan, whether they were unwitting or had knowledge without reporting it. However, compared to other regions, only the rebellion in Fenggao could be called grand! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommended tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)