“Can a strategist really not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 318: Gongsun’s Downfall
“The Three Kings of Wuhuan?” Gongsun Zan was taken aback by this news, then he couldn’t help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity of it all.
These Wuhuan Kings were all under the rule of Tadu, who had even swallowed one of their factions. How could they possibly bypass Tadu to assist the likes of Zhang Liao and others?
If that were the case, Tadu would have probably ceased to exist by now.
Upon that thought, he mockingly addressed his subordinate, “I don’t see Zhang Liao having made any preparations during his three years at Juyong Pass. He’s completely oblivious to the annexations happening in the Liaodong vassal states and is foolishly thinking he could bluff me with the banner of the Wuhuan Kings.”
The subordinates he’d sent to relay the message had returned from the Binhai Road, passing through Pinggu County, which was still under their control.
But just as he finished his remark, he fell into deep thought —
Could Zhang Liao really be the kind of person to make such a hasty arrangement?
Years ago, during the three-way alliance with Tadu and Ke Biner, they had almost gotten trapped in a deadly ambush orchestrated by Zhang Liao. Ke Biner had even lost his life in that skirmish, snuffing out Gongsun’s chance of winning over the Xianbei factions.
In the subsequent battle on the Binhai Road, Zhang Liao had artfully scaled Mount Xu Wushan and saved Liu Yu, allowing him to return successfully to Qiao Yan and take the throne in Chang’an.
For years while stationed at Juyong Pass, Zhang Liao had consistently pursued a steady and methodical approach, gathering the reluctant populace from Guangyang and Yuyang, all while continuing Liu Yu’s peaceful policies in Shanggu County until he unexpectedly initiated a westward military campaign just before this autumn harvest.
The timing of his campaign and his relentless advance left no room for doubt regarding his confidence in this battle!
What reason would he have to play tricks under the banner of the Wuhuan Kings?
As soon as his subordinate walked away, Gongsun Zan’s expression turned grim.
Whether it was a ruse depended on who the general behind it was.
At that moment, it was hard for Gongsun Zan not to judge that apart from the Nanlou division, which had been annexed by Tadu, the other two factions had likely sought to ally with Zhang Liao in an effort to free themselves from Tadu’s oppression. They might have even elected a representative from the Nanlou division, showcasing the historical grandeur of their three kings under the Chanyu.
While they may not have managed to deal with Tadu on Liaodong’s soil, they had certainly become a threatening force against Gongsun Zan!
And when considering Budugen who might appear from the northern borders, it was clear that he was facing a perfect trap!
Gongsun Zan stared into the night outside, his heart a tangled mess.
Years ago, he had decisively allied with two partners to deal with Liu Yu and Bingzhou; he shouldn’t let this unexpected turn of events shatter him so easily.
Yet the current situation was indeed dire.
Yuyang had become a solitary fortress!
Even if Yuan Shao from Ji Province wanted to offer him support, he would first have to navigate the barricade stretching from Anle County to Hunu County, and the situation in Liaodong under Tadu was likely not as rosy as he thought.
What could he do to escape this predicament?
After pondering, Gongsun Zan summoned his subordinates and said, “Zhang Liao’s forces at Hunu County have raised the Wuhuan Kings’ banner to sow confusion. The garrison within the city must be sparse. I plan to elevate one of my capable generals to lead an offensive on Hunu County to expose their scheme and boost our morale. Who amongst you is willing to fight for me?”
He did not share his following speculations with his subordinates.
His reputation as the governor of Youzhou and past victories had led no one to suspect that his words were not entirely reflective of his own judgments.
Immediately, someone stepped forward to volunteer, eager to seize Hunu under the cover of night.
He praised the subordinate for their calm demeanor in crisis and sent them off from Yuyang County, but as he watched this team fade into the distance, a complex expression crossed his face.
This complexity revealed no hints to his subordinates. The general leading the charge toward Hunu and his troops were oblivious to the fact that they were mere pawns sent out by Gongsun Zan to test the waters, believing instead that they were going to reclaim Hunu County for their lord, shattering Zhang Liao’s string of victories.
But as they reached the foot of Hunu City, the quiet night was suddenly pierced by a rapid drum signaling mobilization, and the defenders atop the walls seemed to have anticipated their arrival, unleashing hundreds of arrows from the battlements.
After that first volley, the surviving soldiers turned to see cavalry emerging from the woods behind them, charging towards them lit by the flames roaring to life atop the city walls.
Bingzhou cavalry!
And a well-trained elite force at that!
Even the soldiers who usually obeyed orders without question could not mistake one thing amidst the chaos of marauding horsemen and battle cries —
This was clearly a trap that had been meticulously prepared, and not some flimsy facade!
Oh, dear lord, you made a grave misjudgment.
But perhaps, Gongsun Zan wasn’t entirely wrong in assessing Hunu City’s facade under the Wuhuan Kings’ banner.
In the cover of night, the hunt and the flight stained the pale moonlight with crimson.
The Bingzhou cavalry, primed for action, resembled ferocious beasts unwilling to loosen their grip on their prey.
Then, a group of infantry armed with torches erupted from Hunu, pursuing the fleeing Gongsun Zan troops across the wilderness.
Still, a few managed to escape amid the chase towards Yuyang County.
But when they returned at dawn, riding their war horses back to Yuyang, they encountered something horrifying.
What Gongsun Zan claimed about Hunu County being devoid of defenders under the Wuhuan Kings’ banner turned out to be a bold-faced lie; rather, it was Yuyang County that had become an empty shell without any guards!
He had already withdrawn from the place last night.
These soldiers who were sent to attack Hunu had no way of knowing what Gongsun Zan had used to persuade the troops to follow his departure.
They only saw that the majority of the population in Yuyang County remained blissfully unaware of their garrison commander’s overnight retreat and had no hint of upheaval.
But regardless of whether the populace was aware or not, what mattered now was that Gongsun Zan’s order to attack Hunu was not aimed at achieving victory but was rather a mere bait to offer him the chance to escape.
What kind of irresponsible lord would act this way!
Yet, Gongsun Zan felt no guilt over his actions whatsoever.
This was Youzhou— a land that aptly showcased survival of the fittest.
As long as he could break free from this encirclement and return to the territories of Liaoxi and Liaodong, he could eventually drive Zhang Liao and the others out just like he did to Liu Yu, who was not a local of Youzhou.
This retreat was merely a tactical withdrawal to come back stronger!
As for the soldiers he’d left as sacrifices, he would surely provide them with an account once he emerged victorious.
Thus, after his attacking troops set off, he quietly gathered his remaining subordinates and, under the guise of splitting forces to attack Anle County, made his way towards Pinggu.
He knew that while it might not be difficult to notice a large-scale withdrawal from Yuyang in the night, with a contingent already sent toward Hunu, it would not be easy for Zhang Liao’s troops to respond effectively in time.
This was a prime opportunity for his retreat!
However, those soldiers who realized Gongsun Zan was fleeing might not suspect that abandoning his subordinates wouldn’t yield him favorable outcomes.
As he passed through Pinggu City without making a stop and continued heading east, a force suddenly burst forth from the gaps in the northern wall.
A unit that had long been lying in wait!
“Is it just me, or is this absolutely bonkers?”
The Bingzhou cavalry, having endured a night of hiding, showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, they charged forward from both ends with an intensity that was downright spine-chilling.
Gongsun Zan spun around in a panic, spotting a particularly eye-catching figure in the midst of the troops.
The steed he rode was undoubtedly the finest of horses in the world, and the Fangtian Huaji in his hands gleamed like molten gold in the sunlight breaking through the clouds.
Who else could it be but Lü Bu!
What on earth was he doing here?
Gongsun Zan’s expression was beyond just horrified—it was pure dread.
He never imagined that Zhang Liao didn’t see “tricking Gongsun Zan into attacking at Fox Slave City” as the way to break the stalemate but instead used a strong offensive and signals from Fox Slave to force Gongsun Zan to abandon his defenses at Yuyang.
Over three years, Gongsun Zan’s behavior had been obvious enough for Zhang Liao to see right through him—selfish to a fault, and likely to flee when the tides turned against him.
Thus, the ambush east of Pinggu, near the border of Yuyang and Youbei Ping, was the real trap he had set for Gongsun Zan!
Anyone could potentially flounder in such an ambush, but not Lü Bu.
Once he entered the Youbei Ping territory, he had to pull back, or he’d be going against Qiao Yan’s orders.
This was the moment to take Gongsun Zan’s life!
But Lü Bu was probably feeling a tad exasperated by Gongsun Zan’s antics.
His famously elite White Horse Yisong didn’t show a smidgen of the overwhelming might it had during the Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun fiasco in Yuyang; instead, it merely seemed to make their retreat and escape faster.
The speed of the Youzhou cavalry in this frantic environment wasn’t too far off from Lü Bu’s cavalry, consisting of those impressive Dayuan horses. Plus, Gongsun Zan and his subordinates knew the Yuyang terrain much better than Lü Bu. The endless chase didn’t let Gongsun Zan shake Lü Bu off but neither did it allow Lü Bu to catch up.
“This kid is actually trying to outlast me?” Lü Bu grumbled, tightly gripping the Fangtian Huaji.
Chasing down the Xianbei chieftain back in the day wasn’t this tricky; Gongsun Zan was quite the runner.
Time and again, he thought about ditching the halberd for his longbow to simply shoot Gongsun Zan down, but years of battle instinct had Gongsun Zan dodging Lü Bu’s arrows or stretching the distance out of range.
But come on, when it comes to stamina, Gongsun Zan’s steed could never compare to the Red Hare!
After nearly half a day’s flight, Gongsun Zan felt his horse starting to slow.
Not just the horse; under the midday sun, Gongsun Zan sensed his own energy draining to the brink. Dizziness made shadows dance in front of his vision.
Just then, a sudden clatter of hooves pulled him back to alertness.
He lifted his gaze, and lo and behold, there was Tadu’s face.
In that moment, all fatigue vanished from Gongsun Zan’s mind, replaced by relief that reinforcements had arrived.
Admittedly, according to travel norms, his messenger to the Liaodong vassal states shouldn’t have reached Tadu at this moment, let alone brought Tadu to his side.
Or perhaps Tadu’s arrival didn’t indicate allies coming, but rather another group for encirclement.
But Gongsun Zan wasn’t in the mood to speculate when a single slip could mean death.
If he were to die at Tadu’s hands, at least he could say it was a family feud among Youzhou people instead of being cornered by the invading Lü Bu and Zhang Liao!
He fixed his eyes on that vaguely familiar face in the distance, feeling the scorching summer sun and the chaotic chase conjure hallucinations of a horse’s head floating above Tadu, with some stranger lurking behind.
What a bizarre scene, almost laughable…?
In an instant, Gongsun Zan suddenly reined in his horse, feeling a chill pierce through him.
Amid the clatter of hooves converging from both sides, he snapped back to reality.
Clear as day, he saw that Tadu’s head had been severed, dangling from the horse’s neck like some trophy, charging directly at him.
That wasn’t the only grisly sight—Tadu wasn’t the lone victim!
Heads of the Wuhuan, marked by their distinct features, hung from the front of every steed in this cavalry.
The sheer uniqueness of this would-be cunning tactic made it impossible for Gongsun Zan to spot any possible openings, sending a frigid shiver down his spine.
Tadu was dead; was there really any hope for him to escape?
Gongsun Zan didn’t know the answer.
He only knew that his instincts overrode his judgment, and without a second thought, he twisted his horse to dash south.
But before he could get too far, a chilling sound of bells echoed ahead.
What kind of sensation was this…?
The bells, hooves, war cries, and the fierce winds over Youzhou mixed into a quagmire that wrapped around him tightly.
Gongsun Zan couldn’t discern if he struck any opponent amidst his frantic attempts to retaliate.
But soon enough, he felt sharp pains erupting in his forehead, throat, and chest.
In the rush of these penetrating injuries, he couldn’t even grip his reins tight enough before tumbling off his horse.
What came next was a total loss of consciousness.
Because the war horse stomped over his chest, snuffing out his final breath like extinguishing sparks.
He was dead.
The battle swiftly drew to a close.
When the team charging in from the east burst into the fleeing troops, it felt like a butcher chasing helpless chickens and ducks.
The normally sea-patrolling Gan Ning rushed ashore after a scout reported Gongsun Zan’s movements, just in time to witness the slaughter, completing the netting of stragglers.
Lü Bu’s forces arrived from behind, intercepting this pursuit within the confines of Yuyang County, sticking to the orders given by Qiao Yan.
Outside Yuyang County, the only sounds left were the quiet rustling of war horses, retreating into a calm.
Witnessing this scene, the three converging groups collectively exhaled a sigh of relief after successfully fulfilling their missions.
But boy, they let that sigh out way too early.
When Gongsun Zan’s corpse was paraded in front of everyone after the battlefield was cleared, a rather serious question arose.
Almost everyone present, having fairly decent archery skills, had shot an arrow during the action to suppress this remaining faction, all vying for the glory of claiming Gongsun Zan’s life.
None wanted to see a comrade and competitor get the jump on them in this three-pronged encirclement.
With such precision, each of them struck their chosen target, resulting in Gongsun Zan sporting several arrows, all landing in vital spots.
For instance, Lu Lingju’s arrow, forged as an homage to Qiao Yan, lodged straight into Gongsun Zan’s forehead.
Gan Ning’s penchant for tricky angles delivered a shot right through Gongsun Zan’s throat, perfectly finding the gap in his armor.
Lü Bu’s mighty three-stone bow and Tai Shici’s powerful two-stone bow delivered one arrow through Gongsun Zan’s back and another into his side, piercing right through his lungs.
Looking at it this way, everyone seemed like the culprit responsible for Gongsun Zan’s demise.
Then, who should claim the credit for killing Gongsun Zan?
Two commanders, a father and daughter duo, held their ground firmly against each other and insisted their own was the standout contribution, setting the stage for further drama.
As Zhang Liao and Gongsun Du arrived, one from the west and the other from the east, they stumbled upon this awkward standoff over Gongsun Zan’s body.
Gongsun Du broke the silence, feeling the tension rise, “Why don’t we draw lots for it?”
