Chapter 305 Securing Bargain Chips (2/2)
…
Meanwhile, in Nanpi City.
Lu Zhi was sorting the prisoners as Xu Huang organized the troops to restore the order within the city.
The operation [Baited] contained a second phase of the process, which was [Anti-Xiongnu Coalition] plan.
The recent activities of Xiongnu were still Tong's primary attention as their expansion pace was too rapid. It destroyed the balance of the country and posted a threat to his long-term goal kingdom development plans.
The legions of Tong could not handle these massive armies of elite Xiongnu alone. He had to drag everyone into this mess with the excuse that neighbor country was invading them as the Han Dynasty was in peril.
Tong plotted to copy the incident of [Anti-Dong Zhuo Alliance] in history and use the troops of all lords to push back the Xiongnu Invasion!
But to get all lords to comply, it was a different story. All lords were known to be selfish and ignorant to the threat of the ancient Mongol archers. Tong had to prepare bargain chips to either bribe or force all warlords into actions.
Gongsun Zan, Sun Jian, Liu Biao, Liu Yan, and Cao Cao were nationalists, so they should have no problem convincing them.
However, Yuan Shao was different.
To force Yuan Shao into a temporary ally, Tong, Jia Xu, and Xun Yu formed a strategy. They plotted to create a chance to capture Nanpi in a sudden strike and capture all of Yuan Shao's family members as hostages without damaging Yuan Shao's soldiers.
Jia Xu began his moves by leaking false news and baited Yuan Shao's main troops away from Nanpi so they could occupy it behind their back, which was the [Baited] operation.
And the operation was successful.
They had achieved their goals, cornering Yuan Shao in Pingyuan and obtained a bargaining chip to use Yuan Shao's soldiers in the future war against Xiongnu, Yuan Shang, the fake Emperor!
The dominant figure in history had been turned into a cornered rat!
Not only Yuan Shang and other sons of Yuan Shao were captured, but Lu Zhi also met an acquaintance within the captives.
He was as fat as Dong Zhuo and had a broad face.
He Jin.
Standing before the tied He Jin, Lu Zhi grinned, ”It's been a while, Chancellor He.”
”You … Minister Lu!? You are working with the rebels!?”
”No, no. In my point of view, you are the rebel.”
”BLASPHEMY! I AM THE BROTHER OF THE EMPRESS! I AM A ROYALTY!”
”What kind of brother selling his sister to an outsider, I wonder?”
”I've never sold my sister! I did it for the sake of her future! I must find her the right groom so she can live a happy life!”
”Then, why did she flee to Julu in the first place? You should know.”
”Because she's an ingrate whore! She doesn't even know what's right and what's wrong for her! I did everything I could to make her a royal concubine and got her the title of the Empress! Look at what she did to me. Do you think that sow has a value without me!?”
Lu Zhi's eyes turned bloodshot. He slapped He Jin with the back of his hands.
The strike of a scholar might be weak, but it shamed He Jin.
”The throne is not someone's toy. It's a responsibility! How could you give it to Yuan Shao, you hypocrite!”
*PA*
Another slap landed on He Jin's face.
The chubby He Jin collapsed on the ground. The guards nearby also pointed their spear on He Jin's neck to prevent retaliation.
The actions of Lu Zhi did not escape the eyes of all his disciples, including Liu Bei, who was astounded by the other side of his mentor.
”M-Master. That's enough. He's a royalty's kin, you know?”
”Xuande. You have to be able to differentiate between a respectable man and a beast! This piece of rotten pig doesn't deserve a title from our country! Did you know, Xuande? He sold his sister, the Empress He, to Yuan Shao so he can marry her and become the next Emperor after Liu Ping!”
”W-What!?”
”You're still naïve, my disciple. The political world is wicked and a sinister world. To be honest, someone with your personality doesn't belong here. You should return to Ji and live your life peacefully.”
”…”
Lu Zhi ignored Liu Bei and communicated with He Xing with the clan chat.
Lu Zhi: ”Your Majesty, I've captured your brother. What would you like to do with him?”
He Xing: ”Kill him.”
Lu Zhi: ”He is still your brother. Are you sure?”
He Xing: ”A brother that sold his sister to a lustful beast. Kill him!”
Lu Zhi: ”Understood. Tong, what's your call?”
Tong: ”As Lady He has said. Get rid of that fool.”
Lu Zhi: ”As you wish.”
Closing the chat, Lu Zhi glared at He Jin, ”Our young master has given the order, kill the traitor that made Yuan Shang the fake Emperor! He Jin of Luo Yang, you have committed treason against Her Majesty. Your punishment is death by dismemberment!”
”YOU! YOU BASTARD LU ZHI!! I WILL HAUNT YOU IN HELL, I SWEAR!!”
The guards dragged He Jin away as everyone gazed at Lu Zhi with goosebumps. They had no idea that the mentor of theirs could be so ruthless.
”Take notes of today's events. If you wish to join our world of political struggle, be prepared to kill your friends and your former colleagues. Once you stand at the opposite side of your friends, your past friendship means nothing. Well, it's just an example and a warning, though. I doubt that one or two of you will actually fight each other in the future, right?”
Lu Zhi smiled at them. However, Zhao Yun, Tian Yu, Liu Bei, and all his brothers felt that it had a hidden meaning behind the warning.
Guan Yu was deeply shaken by such cruel actions and the resolution of Lu Zhi.
'I won't fight my brothers, ever!'
Jiang Man had another idea.
'That is certain. Who cares about friendship when everybody is using everyone else for their self-interest. As long as the interest aligns, enemies can be friends and friends can be enemies.'
Zhao Yun and Tian Yu did not disagree with Lu Zhi's teaching. They seriously took note and steeled their heart.
'For the sake of my belief, I will prepare my heart. I might fight Zhang Tong or Liu Bei in the unknown future, but I will not hesitate.'
Zhang Fei, however, did not pay attention at all. He was dozing as he stood.
”My dumplings … *nom nom*”