noffsinger Chapter 23 Tensions Rise! Is Xiahou Yuan preparing to shoot Yuan Shao?
Chapter 23 Tensions Rise! Is Xiahou Yuan preparing to shoot Yuan Shao?
"Send word to let Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan in!"
Yuan Shao gave the order without expression.
The messenger immediately accepted the order.
Xu You's plan to kidnap Cao Cao has completely failed.
But the talks between Yuan and Cao must continue.
Don't overthink it; Yuan Shao didn't intend for Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan to hold Cao Cao hostage.
It was just a way to boost morale.
Zhao Yun, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan were all skilled in martial arts.
Zhao Yun, in particular, killed Hua Xiong today.
During the talks between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Yuan Shao felt uneasy if he didn't have several fierce generals guarding him.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou were very famous, not only because they were Yuan Shao's retainers who had followed him for many years, but also because they were extremely loyal to Yuan Shao.
As for Gao Lan, he was a local from Bohai.
After Yuan Shao went to Bohai to recruit soldiers, Gao Lan led many soldiers to join Yuan Shao's cause.
In terms of martial arts, Gao Lan may not be as good as Yan Liang and Wen Chou, but he is definitely at least a second-rate level!
Historically, Gao Lan, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Zhang He were known as the Four Pillars of Hebei.
However, after Gao Lan joined Cao Cao, he did not fare as well as Zhang He, and almost became a marginal figure in a mascot-like manner.
And now.
Zhang He was still serving under Han Fu and had not yet defected to Yuan Shao.
This time, Zhang He remained in Ji Province as a military commander and did not participate in the coalition of warlords to attack Dong Zhuo.
Gao Lan naturally became the third most powerful general under Yuan Shao!
The three generals quickly entered the main tent and stood behind Yuan Shao.
Immediately afterwards, the guards brought Cao Cao, Su Yu, Zhao Yun, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan in from outside.
The moment he entered the tent, Cao Cao eagerly bowed to Yuan Shao and said:
"Brother Benchu, what important matter brings you to summon me so late at night?"
Yuan Shao gave a soft hum, while Xu You, standing to the side, sternly rebuked him:
"Cao Cao! What were your intentions during the day?"
Before he could finish speaking, Su Yu opened his folding fan, looked directly at Xu You, and retorted:
"Xu Ziyuan, who are you? How dare you speak to my lord like that?"
Seemingly surprised by Su Yu's words, Xu You stood frozen for three seconds before reacting and retorting:
"And who are you?"
"Don't you know that I, Xu Ziyuan, and Cao Cao were childhood friends?"
Xu You was right.
Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Xu You were truly old acquaintances.
But for Xu You, joining Yuan Shao was far more valuable than joining Cao Cao.
At present, Xu You considers himself Yuan Shao's chief strategist.
They held Cao Cao in even lower regard.
after all.
In his view, Cao Cao would inevitably be swallowed up by Yuan Shao in the future.
At that time, Cao Cao would be nothing more than a prisoner.
His status was far inferior to Xu You's, and even more so to Yuan Shao's.
Therefore, Xu You naturally had no reason to respect Cao Cao.
Cao Aman, Cao Aman, Xu You called him that so smoothly.
Moreover.
Let alone Xu You now.
Even Xu You, who originally joined Cao Cao and helped him defeat Yuan Shao in history, was still incredibly arrogant.
Upon entering Ye City, Xu You swaggered in front of everyone and recounted Cao Cao's embarrassing childhood stories, showing him no embarrassment whatsoever.
Then, Xu You angered Xu Chu and was killed by Xu Chu with a single blow!
But was Xu Chu punished?
Cao Cao only gave Xu Chu a symbolic punishment, which did not cause Xu Chu any real harm!
To put it bluntly, Cao Cao himself wanted to kill Xu You.
Everyone in Cao Cao's camp knew that Xu Chu listened to no one but Cao Cao.
If Xu Chu hadn't received Cao Cao's approval, even if he had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't have impulsively killed Xu You with a single blow!
In Su Yu's opinion, Xu You is a person who has talent but low emotional intelligence.
The Lord humiliates his ministers to death.
As Cao Cao's chief strategist, how could Su Yu allow Xu You to humiliate Cao Cao in front of him?
Seeing Xu You's rebuttal, Su Yu chuckled:
“Xu Ziyuan, my lord is a staff officer of the Allied Forces, whose status is far above yours.”
"And what are you?"
"Just a criminal wanted by the imperial court!"
Upon hearing this, not only Xu You, but also Yuan Shao's expression changed drastically.
Was Su Yu wrong?
Absolutely right!
Xu You once organized a group of assassins with the intention of killing Emperor Liu Hong.
After the plot was exposed, Xu You was ordered to be arrested by Liu Hong.
Later, with Yuan Shao's help, Xu You was able to escape Luoyang.
In other words, to this day, the charge of "traitor" against Xu You has not been removed.
Su Yu's accusation that Xu You was a sinner is entirely accurate.
"Ziyuan, apologize to Mengde!"
The one who spoke was Yuan Shao.
Seeing Yuan Shao's solemn expression, Xu You's heart skipped a beat.
He could humiliate Cao Cao, but he must never offend Yuan Shao.
The grasper has a short hand, and the eater has a short mouth.
Yuan Shao had incriminating evidence against Xu You and could punish him at any time.
Furthermore, Yuan Shao is now Xu You's lord, and they are no longer childhood playmates.
The change in status also brings about a significant disparity in identity.
Helpless, Xu You could only bow to Cao Cao and say:
"Mengde, I was being presumptuous just now. Please forgive me, Mengde."
Cao Cao waved his hand with a forced smile and said, "Ziyuan, why be so formal?"
"It's normal for us to joke around since we haven't seen each other for many years."
How could Xu You not sense the chill in Cao Cao's words?
Yes!
You, Xu You, are now merely a strategist under Yuan Shao.
Cao Cao, on the other hand, was a proper strategist for the allied forces, and the third most important figure in the allied army.
What right do you have to humiliate Cao Cao here?
Seeing Xu You reduced to a defeated quail, Su Yu raised his hand and pointed to Yan Liang and Wen Chou not far away, saying:
"Alliance Leader Yuan, if I remember correctly, these two generals are General Yan Liang and General Wen Chou, right?"
"Didn't the alliance leader say during the day that the two of them weren't around?"
"What... does that mean they can only appear at night?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, two hot-tempered men, instantly turned red with anger and drew their weapons on the spot!
unexpectedly.
The three generals beside Su Yu—Zhao Yun, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan—were also not to be outdone.
The Dragon Gallant Silver Spear, the Qilin Blade, and the Swift Thunder Bow were drawn in an instant!
Seeing Xiahou Yuan take out the Swift Thunder Bow, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan's eyelids twitched violently.
Horse riding!
What is this operation?
Who brings a bow and arrow to fight?
This is like several soldiers fighting in front, and Xiahou Yuan, the archer, suddenly launching a sneak attack.
If Xiahou Yuan had aimed accurately, one of the three—Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan—would have been rendered useless in no time!
Yuan Shao's eyelids also twitched violently involuntarily.
Is Cao Cao about to start a fight with him in his camp?
Just as the atmosphere was gradually freezing and almost reaching a point of no return,
Cao Cao suddenly clapped his hands and said:
"Brother Benchu, do you remember what you said before you left Luoyang?"
Yuan Shao frowned and asked in confusion:
"I remember saying many things back then, but I wonder which one Mengde was referring to?"
……