Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

This time, Liu Yu could have pretended that Gongsun Zan never existed. After all, the supplies Gongsun Zan was using were from his own reserves. By logic, Liu Yu had no right to withhold anything from him. However, as the Governor of Youzhou, Liu Yu held the greatest authority in the region!

Now, Gongsun Zan found himself in a pitiful situation. Liu Yu weighed his own strength against the battered and bruised Gongsun Zan, who had been thoroughly beaten by Yuan Shao. Realizing that Gongsun Zan was in no position to retaliate, Liu Yu decided it was time to teach him a lesson in humility.

This showed that Liu Yu was not without his own cunning. Gongsun Zan had never given Liu Yu the opportunity to show this side of him before.

”My lord, General Gongsun has come to visit,” Wei You said as he slowly walked in, addressing Liu Yu. Wei You had always been a proponent of peace and felt helpless in the ongoing conflict between Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu. He had long hoped to mediate between them, but some things are beyond a person’s will.

”Let him in,” Liu Yu said calmly.

Though Liu Yu found Wei You’s ideals a bit naive, he was moved by the man’s sincerity. Moreover, Wei You was one of the few competent officials under him, skilled in governance. So, while Liu Yu wasn’t pleased with Wei You’s constant pleas for peace, he never punished him. Instead, he often used Wei You to showcase his own benevolence.

”Yes, my lord.” Wei You bowed and retreated, while Yan Rou, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.

”Huiwen, what is it?” Liu Yu asked as Yan Rou approached.

”My lord, Gongsun Bogui is merely a brute. He is here in Zhuo County with only a thousand soldiers. I am willing to eliminate him for you!” Yan Rou knelt on one knee and spoke earnestly. He greatly respected Liu Yu and was eager to rid him of this trouble.

”Absolutely not!” Liu Yu immediately stopped Yan Rou. In his eyes, both he and Gongsun Zan were loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty. Although they had different political views, they could not be slain lightly. Even if he was displeased, the most he could do was capture Gongsun Bogui and send him to Chang’an for the emperor’s judgment. Killing a minister without authorization was treasonous!”If that’s the case, my lord, may I capture Gongsun Bogui for you instead? We can list his crimes and send him bound to Chang’an. Although Zhuo County’s forces are not vast, we still have over ten thousand troops. How could Gongsun Bogui’s mere thousand remnants escape?” Yan Rou, understanding Liu Yu’s intentions, suggested a compromise. His confidence was palpable.

”No, no, it’s not time for that yet. If we act now and Gongsun Bogui somehow escapes, Youzhou will be thrown into chaos,” Liu Yu waved his hand dismissively. To him, Gongsun Zan was already a defeated man, so why take unnecessary risks?

Yan Rou stepped back, visibly reluctant but saying nothing more. His respect for Liu Yu stemmed from such noble conduct.

Gongsun Zan, his face dark with anger, pushed past Wei You and entered with his men. Seeing Liu Yu seated at the head of the room, Gongsun Zan’s fury flared, but his years of experience as an official allowed him to maintain a semblance of control.

”Greetings, Governor,” Gongsun Zan said with a bow, acknowledging that, at least in name, he was still under Liu Yu’s authority.

Liu Yu inwardly sneered but outwardly maintained a warm, elder-like demeanor. ”General Gongsun, you’ve worked hard. Please, have a seat. So, which Hu tribe did you exterminate this time?” He spoke as if inviting Gongsun Zan to sit, but there were no seats to be found.

Before Gongsun Zan could respond, Liu Yu, feigning forgetfulness, tapped his head. ”Oh, my memory isn’t what it used to be. There are no Hu people left in Youzhou, are there? I suppose you’ve started counting Han heads for merit now. Whose family did you destroy this time to claim your achievements?” Liu Yu’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

”Hmph! Why did you withhold my provisions, Governor?” Gongsun Zan took a deep breath to quell his anger, glaring at Liu Yu as he got straight to the point.

”Youzhou is a harsh and desolate place, with many displaced people. I wonder who caused their homes to be destroyed? I had no choice but to open the granaries and reduce military spending,” Liu Yu replied, meeting Gongsun Zan’s fiery gaze without flinching.

”My provisions were gathered by my own efforts. When did they become the property of the Governor?” Gongsun Zan roared in anger.

”I govern Youzhou. When did provisions become your private property? And when did the people of the Han Dynasty become your personal assets?” Liu Yu slammed his hand on the table and stood up. ”What right do you have to recruit so many soldiers? Just because of a fake decree from Dong Zhuo, you dare act this way? Do you think the Han Dynasty is without men?”

”Liu Yu, you scoundrel! How dare you!” Gongsun Zan, enraged, took a step forward as if he intended to strike Liu Yu. How dare he seize this opportunity to strip him of his power?

”Gongsun Bogui, prepare to die!” Yan Rou shouted, drawing his sword. ”Guards, arrest these traitors!”

”Cut down Yan Rou!” Gongsun Zan, his rage reaching its peak, drew his sword and lunged at Yan Rou, but was held back by Tian Chou. He roared his orders to his men.

The guards outside, hearing the commotion, rushed in and surrounded Gongsun Zan and his soldiers.

”Stop, stop!” Wei You shouted as he burst in, while Liu Yu, his face dark with anger, also ordered a halt.

”Huiwen, stand down!” Liu Yu glared at Yan Rou.

Gongsun Zan’s generals and Liu Yu’s guards stood off against each other, but thanks to Wei You’s mediation, the tension gradually eased.

”Gongsun Bogui, there will be no provisions for you! Because of your campaign in Jizhou, countless people in Youzhou have been displaced. Every grain of rice must go to aid the people!” Liu Yu shouted sternly. He knew that after today’s confrontation, reconciliation was impossible.

”Liu Yu, mark my words!” Gongsun Zan glared at Liu Yu before turning to his generals and issuing his orders.

”My lord, how could you come to direct confrontation with Gongsun Bogui?” Wei You asked bitterly after Gongsun Zan had left.

”Hmph! My lord, please allow me to mobilize the troops! After today, Gongsun Bogui will not rest until he takes revenge. We must prepare!” Yan Rou knelt before Liu Yu, his face filled with cold determination, clearly disdainful of Wei You.

”Go ahead.” Liu Yu said little, merely waving Yan Rou away. A hint of satisfaction flashed in Yan Rou’s eyes. He had long been displeased with Gongsun Zan’s constant troublemaking, and with Liu Yu no longer holding him back, he was ready to act. But before Yan Rou could leave, Liu Yu added, ”Do not disturb the people. Spare Gongsun Zan’s life and send him to Chang’an. As for his generals, those who surrender will be spared.”

”My lord, you are truly benevolent,” Yan Rou remarked before slowly exiting.

”My lord, must it come to this?” Wei You asked, despondent.

”Gongsun Bogui has gone too far!” Liu Yu shouted, throwing his cup in anger.