Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Yuan Clan Swallows Ji Province

After watching the three men disappear at the end of the road, the family returned to their residence. Not long after they sat down, Zhang Yu received a notification: all three uncles’ intimacy levels with him had surpassed ninety. Among them, Guan Yu had reached 91, Zhang Fei 92, and Liu Bei an astonishing 96. Both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had established the “Fellowship of the Heart” bond with him, which made it easier for them to accept each other’s views and opinions. As for Liu Bei, perhaps due to their kinship—just like the intimacy level of 100 with his parents—there seemed to be no special effect.

This reminded Zhang Yu of his sworn brother Zhao Yun; when their intimacy exceeded ninety, they gained the “Soulmate” bond, which allowed them to sense each other’s thoughts. After becoming sworn brothers, there was an even more wondrous effect: when on the same side or battlefield, each other's abilities would improve, with a chance for a significant boost. Clearly, the bonds and their effects varied depending on the people involved.

Looking at his reputation and experience points, Zhang Yu saw his reputation peak at 3,950. Only 1,050 more points would elevate him to the stage of “Renowned Far and Wide,” and he wondered what benefits that might bring. He didn’t pay much attention to his experience points, preferring to accumulate them slowly and use them as needed.

He had just recited the poem “Farewell to the Ancient Grassland,” a carefully considered choice. There were countless farewell poems in the system, though Zhang Yu could recite only a few. Yet this poem was undoubtedly one of them. The line, “Wildfires cannot destroy it, and with spring’s breeze it grows anew,” was a classic, its fame in later generations rivaling that of “Worry not that none know you, for the world will recognize you.” The entire poem seemed tailor-made for the recent farewell scene, making it perfect to use.

The best part was that Zhang Yu could recite the poem from memory—no need to spend any money! At last, he could take pride in his literary background. It was foreseeable that once this poem circulated, his reputation would experience another leap.

It was worth noting that Bai Juyi composed this poem for an examination at the age of sixteen, a testament to the precocity of the ancients.

Jizhou, Ye City.

Governor’s Residence.

“My lord, you must not!”

“That cunning Xun You wishes to take Jizhou without a single soldier or drop of blood—how could such luck exist in this world!”

“My lord, Yuan Benchu harbors ill intentions! Please reconsider your decree and think carefully before acting!”

Watching the three men before him, Han Fu leaned against the wooden chair and remarked leisurely, “This chair made by Jade Boy is indeed more comfortable than that barbarian stool.”

“My lord!”

“Enough!” The scholar before him was about to speak, but Han Fu raised his hand to stop him. “Gong Yu, Wen Wei, Bo Dian, your loyalty is known to me!”

Han Fu gave a bitter laugh and continued, “But I also know that the Han dynasty has lost all hope. In these times, only those with great talent and vision have a chance to claim the realm. I, Han Fu, admit I am not equal to Yuan Benchu. Since that is so, why not withdraw early and secure a legacy for my retirement?”

Ju Shou objected, “But Jizhou is prosperous, its people numerous, and its soldiers and provisions abundant. Yuan Shao’s current strength is nothing before us; how can you willingly surrender such a fine foundation?”

“If I am unwilling, what then? If not Yuan Shao, then Gongsun the Butcher will seize it; if I withstand Gongsun, then the villain Dong Zhuo, whose ferocity knows no bounds, will come. In these times, if you do not attack others, they will attack you! Rather than suffer through chaos, it is better to relinquish the burden early and enjoy a peaceful life.” Han Fu spoke with the calm detachment of one who had seen through the world’s turmoil.

“If the Peerless General were here, he would never let you surrender Jizhou!” Geng Wu spoke angrily.

Han Fu raised his head, his eyes reflecting nostalgia. “Did I not once desire to compete for the realm? Ha! If Peerless were still here, I would have Gong Yu and Wen Wei for civil affairs, Peerless Jun Yi for military, and you all for loyalty, along with countless soldiers—how could I lose Jizhou?”

For a moment, he was both laughing and crying, as if struck by a great blow.

“But now, aside from the Peerless General…”

“Without Pan Peerless, I am as Dong Zhuo is without Lü Bu! This ambition is no longer mine. Do not hold onto false hope; my mind is made up. Invite Yuan Shao into Ye.”

Outside Ye City, the banners bearing the character “Yuan” stood at the center of the army, flanked by the “Yan” and “Wen” armies. The flags fluttered fiercely. One man, clad in golden armor with a purple plume on his helmet, stood atop a high platform, gazing into the city, his presence unmatched.

Below, the generals were imposing, the scholars proud, and all the soldiers looked formidable, inspiring awe—truly a force to be reckoned with.

After a while, the city gates opened wide. Two martial generals led hundreds of armored soldiers in formation to welcome them; these were Geng Wu and Min Chun.

“My lord, the enemy lines the road with armored soldiers—there may be deception,” Feng Ji warned.

The golden-armored general’s expression was mocking, yet he spoke with boundless confidence: “Petty clowns! Follow me!”

Thousands of soldiers surged toward the city gates. Geng Wu and Guan Chun stepped forward, “Please, Lord Yuan, enter the city!”

“Very well.” Yuan Shao strode in with a laugh, flanked by two tiger generals. As they passed the armored soldiers, Min Chun suddenly shouted, “Kill Yuan the traitor, safeguard Jizhou!”

The clatter of drawn swords and blades was like a torrential downpour. The armored soldiers, taking advantage of their proximity, attacked Yuan Shao, who was surrounded and unable to maneuver at the gate.

“Like an ant trying to stop a cart—overestimating yourselves.” Yuan Shao smiled calmly, unfazed. Yan Liang and Wen Chou beside him immediately drew their sharp blades!

“Alas, my top generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou have not yet arrived.”

Years ago, before the Tiger Gate, Hua Xiong had boasted, and Yuan Shao had uttered this phrase—showing how highly he valued Wen and Yan.

And these two were no mere names! They wielded their weapons, plunging into the mass of armored soldiers like tigers among sheep, slaughtering at will.

“Villain! If only our Peerless General were here—” Geng Wu had not finished his sentence before Yan Liang struck him down with a single blow, while Wen Chou beheaded Min Chun. “Even if Pan Feng were still alive, what would my brother and I have to fear?”

Though the armored soldiers numbered in the hundreds, the Yuan family’s two generals possessed unrivaled bravery, and with the elite Yuan troops arriving, the attackers were soon driven back into the city.

With their commanders fallen, the battle quickly became one-sided. As Yuan’s army prepared to root out the remnants, Han Fu finally arrived in haste.

“Brother Wen Jie, I hope you are well.” Yuan Shao smiled, clasping his fists in greeting, seemingly unaffected by the rivers of blood before him—a stark contrast to Han Fu’s panic.

“Oh dear, oh dear! What is the meaning of this? Benchu, do not blame me—I never imagined they would do such—”

“Brother Wen Jie, you are offering the great cause of Jizhou; I am grateful, how could I blame you? I only ask you to have your soldiers come and clean up.”

“Of course, of course…”

In the year 191, Han Fu was forced to surrender Jizhou.

Having obtained the prosperous and well-provisioned Jizhou, Yuan Shao thereby embarked upon his grand ambitions.