Chapter 379 Cracks Among Yuan Shaos Sons (1/2)
Chapter 379 – Cracks Among Yuan Shao's Sons
June 1st, 190 A.D.
Qiao Army of Cao Cao attacked Xiaopei County, which was defended by Zang Ba and Cao Bao of Yuan Shao.
Zang Ba and Cao Bao were once a subordinate of Tao Qian, and they were a part of Mi Zhu's faction. As they had been coaxed by Guo Jia beforehand, both of them opened the city gates and surrendered to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao's initial 30,000 soldiers increased to 45,000, but he was not satisfied.
Inside Xiaopei government hall, Cao Cao met with all former subordinates of Tao Qian.
Zang Ba and Cao Bao were the only generals in this city. Each commanded an army of 7,500 men, which had been transferred to Cao Cao's main force.
Wang Lang, a minor official, also served here.
In history, Wang Lang advised Tao Qian to form an alliance with Dong Zhuo after the anti-Dong Zhuo campaign, which both forces later reconciled with each other. Because of this action, the Han Court under Dong Zhou rewarded and entitled Wang Lang as the governor of Kuiji Commandery.
However, he lost his territories to Sun Ce afterward. Kong Rong, an old friend, sent a letter to invite him to Xuchang and served Cao Cao, and Wang Lang accepted. Under the Cao's banners, Wang Lang became one of the elite ministers that Cao Pi and Cao Rui respected.
Wang Lang held a role as Minister of Public Works under Cao Pi and was in charge of developing the country's domestic. After Cao Rui took over, Wang Lang's position shifted to Minister of the Masses, which was one of the three dominant titles along with Minister of Public Works and Minister of War.
As the butterfly effect had taken a full-swing, Wang Lang did not get his promotion. He still worked in Xiaopei as a minor official.
Pu Jing accounted for all names of the officials and generals that had surrendered. Once he noticed Wang Lang's name, he whispered to Cao Cao, ”Please make sure to keep Wang Lang in check. He's a friend of Kong Rong, so he can be used to draw Kong Rong over.”
Cao Cao clicked his tongue, ”Vice versa, Kong Rong can also pull Wang Lang over, right? Can we just get rid of him before he becomes a spy for Zhang Tong?”
”You shouldn't. Wang Lang is a talented individual. He seems useless to you right now, but he will shine when he is older.”
”Tell me about his achievements in your world.”
For a minute, Pu Jing narrated the up-and-down life of Wang Lang.
Listening to the tales of how Wang Lang became an important figure for his children, Cao Cao satisfied.
”Make sure he doesn't contact with Kong Rong.”
”Understood, my lord.”
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The sudden attack at Xiaopei was not the end.
Cao Cao's forces from Jibei, led by Cao Ren, detoured around Mount Taishan and sieged Langye County by surprise.
A similar incident occurred. Chen Gui and Chen Deng, who was Langye County's protectors, surrendered to Cao Ren without a fight.
As if Cao Cao had scheduled the attack, Xiaopei and Langye fell on the same day!
Seven days later, the news about the fallen cities reached Yuan Shao in Xiapi.
Instead of getting panicked, Yuan Shao was calm.
Inside Xiapi's main government building, Yuan Shao sat on the throne. Yan Liang and Tian Feng were by his sides while remaining 200 minor officials gathered in the room to discuss the invasion.
All Yuan Shao's subordinates and his sons argued how they should fight back against Cao Cao. All of them wanted to volunteer to be a commander in this campaign against Cao Cao.
The noise buzzed, yet Yuan Shao kept his silence.
Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang, and Yuan Xi kept making noises.
”Father, give me the cannon crews and 30,000 soldiers! I can squash those traitors like bugs!”
”Father, I only need 10,000 men and the cannons. Allow me to prove my worth to you!”
”Father, allow me to prove myself that I'm still your emperor son! I can kill Cao Cao with only cannon crews!”
Yuan Shao gazed at his sons and sighed. Although Tong was merciful enough to release all of his family members after all the feuds they had, Yuan Shao regretted that he did not have enough times to educate his sons.
Everyone was impudent and greedy. At this rate, the next generation of the Yuan Clan might be doom.
Tian Feng read through his lord's facial expression. He coughed.
”All cannon crews and cannons are for the defense of Xiapi. None of you can use it other than our lord.”
Yuan Tan bellowed, ”Silence, bootlicker! Had it not because of my father, you wouldn't have stood here today. Know your place! This is a family's business!”
Tian Feng's eyebrows twitched in anger, but he kept his cool.
”I merely followed the instruction and relaid his words. Simply put, my instruction just now was his words.”
At this moment, Yuan Shao rolled his eyes, ”We will not move from Xiapi. We'll fight them in a siege battle.”
Everyone stopped talking and looked at their lord. They bowed and acknowledged his decision.
However, all of Yuan's sons were not happy with this order. As they were still young and inexperienced in warfare, they thought that they would be invincible as long as they had cannons.
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After the meeting, Yuan Tan slipped out of the inner city to the military camp. His goal was the mercenary platoon under Miao Cai, aka Xiahou Yuan.
He met with Xiahou Yuan, Guo Jia, and Xu Chu in their command tent.
Without any introduction, Yuan Tan questioned them, ”How much does it cost to hire all of you?”
Xiahou Yuan raised his eyebrows, confused.
”And, who might you be?”
”Just answer my question. I have the money!”
Xiahou Yuan did not like Yuan Tan's attitude. He was about to chase the arrogant young man out, but Guo Jia stopped him.
Guo Jia cupped his fist and bowed to Yuan Tan, ”We're currently working under master Yuan Shao. Unless we have enough gold to pay for the termination of our contract, we can't serve anyone else.”