Chapter Fifty-Two: Jade Gentleman Refuses Yuan Benchu

“Zhang Yu possesses no special talent; it is merely the mistaken praise of the world,” Zhang Yu replied with calm composure, only to hear the system prompt signaling a bond achieved. He quickly opened the notification and saw that his intimacy with Yuan Shao had reached 81, forming the bond of friendship.

Only then did Zhang Yu recall that when “Song of Hao Li” was first circulated, Yuan Shao’s intimacy toward him was already as high as 73. Yuan Shao was famously enamored of appearances, especially doting on his handsome youngest son, Yuan Shang, so much so that he debated replacing the eldest with the youngest. Having now seen Zhang Yu’s fine countenance, it was unsurprising that he felt favor toward him.

“You are far too modest, Young Jade. Praise does not arise without cause; there must be truth in it. At least in my view, your talent goes far beyond what others perceive.” Yuan Shao set aside the bamboo skewers he’d finished, squared his shoulders, and a proud aura surged forth, making Zhang Yu feel a hint of pressure and constraint.

Such innate bearing of a ruler was unmatched among those Zhang Yu had encountered since crossing over.

“Today I am free of restraint and feel at ease, so let me converse with you, Young Jade.”

“Gladly!”

A conversation it shall be. After all, I have two thousand years of insight—let’s see how I handle his questions.

“What is your view of the situation in Hebei?”

He launches straight into a difficult question...

Zhang Yu would not let him have his way so easily. Usually, anyone asking such a question already has their own thoughts. Better to send the ball back and observe.

“I am young and inexperienced. Perhaps you, Lord Benchu, might share your perspective?”

Yuan Shao smiled at this, raised his cup, and drank deeply. “Gongsun Bogui is my greatest concern.”

The fame of the White Horse General was so formidable that even the fierce and brutal nomads feared him. For Yuan Shao to expand in Hebei, countering Gongsun Zan was indeed a major challenge.

Yet Zhang Yu appeared confident. “Though General Gongsun is brave and arrogant for a time, his defeat is inevitable. From what I see in Hebei, only you, Lord Benchu, can unite it.”

“Ha!” Yan Liang, sword in hand, laughed derisively from the side. “Such bold words from a youth who’s never set foot on a battlefield! You’d hardly stand steady if you faced Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Regiment!”

Whose side are you on?

“Han Long, put him in his place!”

Yuan Shao found Zhang Yu’s words amusing, though he assumed they were mere flattery, and asked casually, “Why do you say so?”

“Liu Yu.” A master must speak concisely, leaving plenty of room for imagination.

The smile vanished from Yuan Shao’s face at the mention of that name, and his eyes fixed upon Zhang Yu like a hawk upon prey. “Go on.”

“You know better than I, Lord Benchu, that Liu of Youzhou and General Gongsun are opposed as fire and water, irreconcilable.”

Such intense conflict focused in the small region of Youzhou; it won’t be long before it erupts.

Yuan Shao’s gaze shifted again—not admiration for appearance or talent, but genuine respect for Zhang Yu’s ability.

“But should conflict arise, whichever of the two prevails and absorbs the other, their power will surpass mine in Jizhou. Why do you believe I can unite Hebei?”

“May I ask whom you think will win, Lord Benchu?” Zhang Yu countered, turning the question around.

“Liu Bo’an holds the advantage, but he is... too upright, almost pedantic. Unlike Gongsun Bogui, who stops at nothing; likely, Liu will lose.”

“If Gongsun Zan wins, what will he gain?”

“He’ll seize lands, take offices and titles, and perhaps sweep through Hebei in one surge.” Yuan Shao’s expression grew grave as he envisioned such a scenario.

“And what will he lose?”

“Lose?” Yuan Shao was puzzled.

“He will lose something more important than what he gains—popular support.”

“The will of the people!” Yuan Shao suddenly became clear-headed, as if clouds parted to reveal the moon.

Who is Liu Yu? He is the very man whom Yuan Shao and Han Fu wished to elevate to emperor.

He is a high imperial official, a champion of benevolent rule, beloved by the people, and a kinsman of the Han dynasty!

His lineage far surpasses Liu Bei in legitimacy; moreover, he holds significant influence among the tribes, and his prestige in Hebei is unrivaled.

And Gongsun Zan—what kind of man is he? If he wins, Liu Yu’s death is certain. With Liu Yu gone, the notoriety Gongsun Zan gained by slaughtering the nomads would hardly win the hearts of Hebei’s people.

Zhang Yu’s sense of pride ignited once more, recalling the assessments of Gongsun Zan in later generations. He stood, shook out his long robe, and exuded the flair of a man ready to command armies.

Ying’er and Yan’er sat quietly, absorbing their lord’s charisma. Yuan Shao regarded him as a treasure, and even Yan Liang and Wen Chou fell silent, sitting with the eighteen riders to listen as Zhang Yu spoke:

“In my view, Gongsun Zan has three weaknesses.

First, he has courage in abundance but lacks strategy—brave but not wise. In contrast, your command, Lord Benchu, is rich in counselors and civil officers. With a clever plan, you could easily manipulate his fierce troops.

Second, his life has been smooth; he cannot withstand adversity. Should you gain strategic advantage and pressure him, his upright nature may well lead him to abandon the game entirely, losing everything.

Third, his vision is narrow and he lacks tolerance for talent. The White Horse General holds grudges and repays every slight, harming any virtuous men whose reputation surpasses his own—such behavior is well known. With such a reputation, why should you fear him, Lord Benchu?”

Having said this much, Zhang Yu realized his bias was perhaps too obvious, but with the future ruler of Hebei before him, he could only apologize to his uncle.

“Excellent!” Yuan Shao rose, excited by Zhang Yu’s words. “I thought the Jade of Zhongshan possessed only literary talent, but you are unmatched in bearing and wisdom. I never imagined such a prodigy existed in this world—are you perhaps an immortal sent from heaven?

Your insight and strategy surpass even my own advisors. Today, thanks to your guidance, the road ahead seems clear and bright. Would you be willing to serve me?”

“Heavens, why!” Zhang Yu cried inwardly.

“Why do you offer me beauties I cannot pursue?

Why do you give me rulers with fatal flaws?

Where is Diao Chan? Where is Lord Cao? Can’t you give me something perfect for once?”

Though his heart roiled with turmoil, his face remained politely smiling. He repeated his familiar reply:

“I am still young, not yet come of age, a time to strengthen myself. My abilities are limited and cannot aid your great cause, so I have no intention to serve for now. Thank you for your favor.”

Though Yuan Shao, in this brief encounter, had not displayed the indecisiveness or shortsightedness later generations accused him of, history is not to be ignored. He must be careful not to expose his talent too freely in the future...

“You are mistaken, Young Jade! Did you not see that the Champion Marquis, at your age, was already commanding the desert and making his name on the battlefield? You are no child; your mind surpasses many adults—how could you not assist me? Or do you think I, Yuan Shao, cannot accomplish great things, and so you are unwilling to join me?”

“No, aside from personal reasons, I also refrain from serving because of my parents. Perhaps you do not know, but I was once dull-witted for some time, only recently recovering. My parents have long labored for me, and now is the time to repay their kindness and fulfill my duty as a son. I hope you understand, Lord Benchu.”

Filial piety was of utmost importance in the Han era. Hearing this, Yuan Shao abandoned his attempts to recruit Zhang Yu, though the way he looked at Zhang Yu grew ever more fervent, as if—

Like Liu Bei gazing at the cottage in Longzhong.