177. Yuan Shu's Stupidity And Gan Ning Arrives

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The next day, Sun Qian and Zhuge Jin embarked on their mission to try and persuade Kong Zhou and Lu Kang to submit to Lie Fan. They estimated that they would return bearing news in two months, so at that time anything could happen, especially at Runan which was Yuan Shu's Capital.

Yuan Shu was holding his court with his retainers, several weeks ago a man named Huo Zui pledged his allegiance to Yuan Shu, and became Yuan Shu's new favorite advisor.

It's like Huo Zui knew Yuan Shu the best, whatever he wanted to say or do Huo Zui always knew what to say. Huo Zui can also speak in a way, that Yuan Shu likes whatever word comes out of his mouth.

Huo Zui quickly became Yuan Shu's new favorite, and now he is beside Yuan Shu everywhere Yuan Shu goes, except for in Yuan Shu's residence of course.

Yuan Shu: "Everyone what should we do now that Cao Cao has controlled Yan Province and with him having a military alliance with Lie Fan, they are a big threat to my rule."

Yang Hong: "My Lord, we should hurry to eliminate Kong Zhou and Lu Kang, ensuring our rear is safe so that we would not be attacked from behind."

Yang Dajiang: "I agree with Yang Hong My Lord, we need to defend our rear, as there's a chance that Kong Zhou and Lu Kang will ally themselves with Lie Fan after we attacked them a couple of times."

Hou Zui: "My Lord I don't agree with what both Yang Hong and Yang Dajiang said, we should increase the number of armies we have. If both Cao Cao and a lie Fan decided to attack us, the number of men we have right now would be too small."

Yang Hong: "Hou Zui! We should conquer Kong Zhou and Lu Kang first, then we increase the number of our men!"

Yuan Shu: "I feel that what Hou Zui just said is in line with my vision, how many men we should increase in our army?"

Hou Zui: "We should increase them to about 300,000 men to 400,000 men My Lord! Lie Fan and Cao Cao have the same amount of soldiers combined together when they attacked us!"

Yang Hong and Yang Dajiang were outraged by Hou Zui's suggestion, and they immediately protested saying that the numbers were too massive, it would burden their treasury and supplies.

Hou Zui retorted them by saying that this is the ideal number they should have, Lie Fan and Cao Cao both have experienced armies and generals under their command, and if they don't have at least the same amount they will be defeated.

Yuan Shu feels that what Hou Zui said is true, he has seen with his own eyes the capability of Lie Fan and Cao Cao's soldiers and generals, so Yuan Shu immediately ordered Ji Ling and Han Hao to increase the number of soldiers to 400,000 men.

Yang Hong and Yang Dajianh immediately bowed to Yuan Shu, telling him to reconsider his order. Yuan Shu irritated by their protest, told them that the court was dismissed and for Hou Zui to stay.

The Generals immediately leave the hall and don't protest, as the increase of soldiers means that they will have more men under their command. Yang Hong and Yang Dajiang can only leave reluctantly while giving Hou Zui bad eyes.

Hou Zui doesn't care about them, he only waits for everyone to leave before he approaches Yuan Shu. He bowed to Yuan Shu, praising him for making the right choice, Yuan Shu just laughed saying that what Hou Zui suggested was what he actually wanted to do.

Hou Zui immediately complimented Yuan Shu, saying that he was truly a visionary to have thought of that. Yuan Shu just waved his hand, saying that only he had seen Lie Fan and Cao Cao's armies so that's why he always thought of increasing the amount of his army.

Yuan Shu then asked Hou Zui what he should do next, as he felt that only Hou Zui knew him the best. Hou Zui smiled and said that now he would increase the amount of money in their treasury and stockpile their supplies.

Yuan Shu asked him what should he do, to increase the amount of money and supplies he had, Hou Zui suggested that Yuan Shu increase the tax for the people slowly, and impose more tariffs on farm produce.

Yuan Shu nods his head, thinking that it makes sense, and agrees to do so. Hou Zui bowed and praised Yuan Shu, after that he said to Yuan Shu that he had something to give to him.

Intrigued by that, Yuan Shu told Hou Zui what is it and seeing that he had gotten Yuan Shu's attention, Hou Zui called for his personal page, which came into the hall bringing a small wooden compartment.

Hou Zui takes it and gives it to Yuan Shu, saying that he should open it and see the gift he has brought for Yuan Shu inside it, he feels that only Yuan Shu is worthy of the gift he brought.

Yuan Shu: "What?! This is?!"

Hou Zui: "Yes My Lord, it is what you thought of, I found this when I helped a dying woman when I traveled on the way here."

Yuan Shu: "Haha! I didn't expect that heaven to choose me for such an important responsibility! Looks like my Imperial Ambition will be realized!"

Hou Zui: "My Lord, we should lay low for a while, until we have enough men, money, and supplies before declaring yourself Emperor!"

Yuan Shu nodded his head, feeling what Hou Zui said made sense. He closed the compartment and held it like it was his baby, he smiled weirdly while looking at the compartment.

Meanwhile, Hou Zui sees Yuan Shu's reaction knowing that his mission is a success and that Yuan Shu is easier to fool than he realizes, He will report this Lie Fan and Jia Xu, that their plan was a success.

Far away from Runan, at the Yangtze River, 10 Ships were sailing, passing through Jing Province and entering Yu Province. At one of the Ships, a bronze-skinned young man wearing a hat with a feather on it was looking at the river.

Pirate A: "Captain Gan Ning, are we sure to visit this Governor Lie Fan? He is famous for killing bandits and rebels, well we are considered bandits!"

Gan Ning: "I'm sure, I have read some books from the hundred schools of thought and decided that we should stop plundering and pillaging as it would not sustain us in the long run."

Pirate B: "Then is the captain thinking of joining Lie Fan? He can be said to be one of the strongest people in the world right now, one of the men who defeated Lu Bu."

Gan Ning: "Let's see, if he is worthy to be My Lordi will serve him, if not we will join Liu Biao at Jing Province. Are all of my 800 brothers willing to join me?!"

Everyone: "Whoah!!!"

Gan Ning nodded satisfied with the answer, he then turned his head to look at the river. He was surprised when a man suddenly approached him, saying that he was sent by Lie Fan and that he had a letter addressed to him.

For Gan Ning, Lie Fan is a man that he probably will never meet, because of the difference in their status and birthplace, but he never expected Lie Fan to know his name and even send him a letter.

When Gan Ning opened the letter, he was invited to Guangling to see him, he was asked to show this letter to the Governor of Guangling Zhang Chao.

He was hesitant whether to accept this invitation, but after reading some of the books from the hundreds school of thought, Gan Ning decided to accept the invitation and see if Lie Fan's invitation was good or bad intention.

Now he is near Lujiang, and in about 20 days he will arrive at Guangling. If Lie Fan isn't a good choice for becoming his Lord, Gan Ning will go and serve Liu Biao, Governor Of Jing Province.

So 20 days later, Gan Ning finally arrived at Guangling. The Arrival of 10 large ships alarmed Guangling, where Zhang Chao led the Xuanwu army to face off against the unknown ships, and Ballista alongside Hwacha that was sent from Huai'An.

Gan Ning seeing the 30,000 army and strange siege weapons facing toward his ships, told his men to raise a white flag, and Gan Ning shouted to Zhang Chao, that they came in peace and he wanted to meet with Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao hearing this told his army to stay alert, while the ships began to harbors at Guangling's port. Zhang Chao accompanied by Zang Hong, Fang Yue, and Fan Chou go to the port with 100 men to meet with Gan Ning.

Gan Ning walked down from his ships with some of his men and came face to face with Zhang Chao. Both sized up each other, and Zhang Chao can feel an intimidating aura from Gan Ning.

Zhang Chao: "I'm Zhang Chao, the Governor Of Guangling. Who are you, why do you want to meet me, and what you come to Guangling?"

Gan Ning: "I'm Gan Ning, Gan Xingba! I come from Ba Commandery, and I come to Guangling under Governor Lie Fan's invitation. I was told to give this letter, and show it to a man and Zhang Chao."

Zhang Chao: "Hmm this is the writing of Master Jia Xu, so it should be true that you were invited by My Lord. Then I would like to welcome you, Gan Ning to Guangling, why didn't you wait at the Governor's Castle alongside me while we wait for My lord?"

Gan Ning agrees to Zhang Chao's Suggestion, he tells his men to stay on the ship and be on alert. Zhang Chao and the others ignore this, as they understand Gan Ning's suspicion.

From the looks of it, Zhang Chao and Zang Hong concluded that Gan Ning is some kind of a pirate. So Gan Ning and about 20 of his men followed Zhang Chao and Zang Hong to the Governor's Castle.

Zhang Chao told Zang Hong to send a letter to Lie Fan in Xiapi, that his guest had arrived and that was waiting for him. Zang Hong received the task, wrote the letter then sent it to Xiapi.

Lie Fan is in his office, doing some paperwork when Jia Xu enters his office and gives him the letter. When Lie Fan opened the letter, he was surprised and happy that Gan Ning had arrived at Guangling, he told Jia Xu to prepare his men and supplies as he would ride to Guangling tomorrow to meet with Gan Ning.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 24 (191 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 1.588.000

Renown:  605

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 8)

SP: 371.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 884 (+20)

VIT: 440 (+20)

AGI: 428 (+10)

INT: 435

CHR: 93

WIS: 359

WILL: 257

ATR Points: 0