Chapter 27: The Yuan Family of Four Generations and Three Dukes, ah!

...

Chen Xi was dragged up early in the morning by Guan and Zhang, as the Coalition Army's main camp had begun to beat the drums and raise the tents before dawn.

Guan and Zhang dragged a drowsy Chen Xi to the main camp.

Yuan Shao looked at the crowd with a gloomy face, "Gonglu, how exactly was your camp attacked by Lyu Bu last night!"

Yuan Shao's face was stern, and today, if Yuan Shu did not provide an explanation, he wouldn't mind making an example out of Yuan Shu. The importance of patrolling the camp at night was paramount, and yet, it was so easily attacked! Moreover, his most important two generals had fought to the death to save his life!

Now was not the time to talk about brotherhood or cunning schemes. Upholding justice was the only way to unite the troops!

"Last night, during Hai Hour, Lyu Bu attacked our camp. My general Ji Ling was leading his men on patrol and unexpectedly fell into an ambush, resulting in the annihilation of the patrol troops. If the Alliance Hierarch wishes, he can investigate the patrol records," Yuan Shu stood up and said solemnly.

There was a whispering buzz throughout the assembly. The patrol records were then presented for all to see. To Chen Xi's surprise, Yuan Shu hadn't tried to cheat or play any tricks; instead, he meticulously carried out his patrols, even setting up numerous hidden sentries!

"Zichuan, do you think this fat man might have prepared in advance, fearing the Alliance Hierarch would hold him accountable?" Guan Yu whispered.

"Probably not. It seems that Yuan Gonglu really didn't try to deceive us! Even though he's erratic, the generals under his command didn't slack off. Ji Ling is not bad," Chen Xi said squinting; he remembered records from certain books where Ji Ling was exceedingly loyal to Yuan Shu for some reasons and was quite capable.

"Since that's the case, you will not be punished. I have also seen Lyu Bu's bravery, and he is not someone Ji Ling can withstand!" Yuan Shao flipped through the records and looked up at Yuan Shu, who also had a gloomy expression, and nodded in approval.

"Thank you!" Yuan Shu was prepared to take the fall for Ji Ling's sake regarding the previous day's events, but he didn't expect Yuan Shao to let it go so easily, which was somewhat unfamiliar for Yuan Shu who had always been at loggerheads with Yuan Shao.

"Enough with the nonsense. Dong Zhuo has already arrived at Hulao Pass. If anyone still harbors the thought of shirking their duty after today, do not blame me for my ruthlessness!" Yuan Shao stood up, imposingly said, and then swept his gaze over several feudal lords who had been procrastinating.

[The transformation of Yuan Shao is simply unbelievable, the aura he exudes has actually subdued all the feudal lords!] Chen Xi stared at Yuan Shao in amazement, [Is this the true nature of a model leader? What a joke, after such a huge blow yesterday, he's radiating an even stronger spirit today.]

"Wen Tai, regarding the issue with your Great Glory, I, on behalf of Gonglu, offer my apologies. Since we have come together to defeat Dong Zhuo, would you be willing to put aside personal grievances? I believe Great Glory, too, would not wish to neglect the lives of the people of this world over personal enmity," Yuan Shao got up and bowed deeply to Sun Jian.

This time, even Chen Xi was shocked and stared at Yuan Shao; if Yuan Shao always maintained such demeanor and courage, with the heritage of 'Four Generations Three Dukes', the world would surely belong to the Yuan Clan!

Sun Jian also stared blankly at Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu was taken aback as well, but quickly came to his senses. The family teachings from the past once again surfaced in his mind. Yuan Shu also stood up, walked up to Sun Jian, "Previously, for my own selfish interests, I endangered Wen Tai and neglected your safety. I ask for your forgiveness here. Regarding the matter of Great Glory, you and I can settle it after we deal with Dong Zhuo. The chaos in the world is becoming apparent, and if Dong Zhuo prevails, it will lead to downfall and displacement of the populace. Please, Wen Tai, consider this carefully!"

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu gave Sun Jian enough face, leaving him no choice but to agree.

Sun Jian then stood up, looked at Yuan Shao, "Considering the welfare of the people of this world, I, Sun Jian, dare not show the slightest negligence. Let's put the matter of Great Glory aside for now. After we deal with Dong Zhuo, I will settle accounts with him, Yuan Gonglu!"

"Wen Tai's great righteousness!" Yuan Shao said with a smile, offering maximum face and opening up the conversation. Sun Jian had set aside his grudges to zealously attack Dong Zhuo, and afterward, if anyone dared to slight him again, Yuan Shao now had every reason to deal with them.

"Just for what you have done today, if you ever fall to my hands, I will treat your family well. If you fall to another's hands, I will take care of your family," Yuan Shu glanced at Sun Jian, the chivalrous heroism within him not yet faded, and these words almost slipped out unbidden.

Sun Jian looked at Yuan Shu but did not respond; he had never even considered such a day would come, confident as he was in his invincibility.

What Sun Jian did not anticipate was that he would soon fall back on Yuan Shu's promise, and indeed, Yuan Shu did take care of Sun Jian's family, even knowing that the Jade Seal was in Sun Ce's hands. Though he coveted it immensely, he refrained from seizing it by force.

"I never thought Yuan Shu could have a likable side, heh. These people all showed valor in their youth, probably why they've made it this far," Chen Xi observed the righteous Yuan Shu, who seemed a completely different person from the shamelessly arguing Yuan Shu he knew before.

"Hmph!" Sun Jian snorted coldly and took his seat, while Yuan Shao once again took his place as the main commander.

"All generals, heed my command!" Yuan Shao declared sternly, "Each detachment is to strengthen the camp's defenses, dig deep moats, set up caltrops, expand the camp, and intensify patrols. We must not have a repeat of last night's incident!"

"Understood!" All the feudal lords nodded.

"As for the rest, order all generals to gather at Hulao Pass. Today, we attack the city!" Yuan Shao, holding the general's order, exuded imposing authority.

"Understood!"

"Zichuan, what do you think of the Alliance Hierarch's actions today?" Liu Bei, leading all the cavalry, arranged them on the left wing, and, without encountering much danger on the road, he asked Chen Xi with a smile.

"If he could always maintain this demeanor, that would be quite the trouble," Chen Xi said, yawning. Though taken aback by Yuan Shao's performance, it was a shock rather than expectancy, and therefore, not something to fear.

Soon, all the feudal lords had their troops arranged properly, with the cavalry on both wings and the infantry in the center. Under Yuan Shao's oppressive aura, no one dared to insist on commanding their own troops. Yuan Shao made it clear, if anyone used this opportunity to usurp others' private troops, they would be attacked en masse!

Because of this, for once, the coalition army's commands were unified, and the command of the troops was entrusted to those most suitable for the job.

It must be said that when Yuan Shao united the Eighteen Feudal Lords as one, the combat power they unleashed was not to be taken lightly. Yuan Shao handed his sword to Sun Jian, "If anyone disobeys your command, use this sword to execute them, no matter whose family they belong to. If anything arises, come to me!"

When Yuan Shao entrusted his sword to Sun Jian, ordering him to command the infantry and spoke such words, Sun Jian was overcome with gratitude, almost ready to offer his heart and soul in loyalty to Yuan Shao.

"Defeat Dong Zhuo and wash the disgrace of this fierce tiger with the blood of the Xiliang Elite Cavalry." Not accepting Sun Jian's loyalty, Yuan Shao might have understood that his reach didn't extend to Yangzhou, but those indifferent words ignited a fiery spirit in Sun Jian.

Hearing this, even Chen Xi felt that Yuan Shao was deservedly a distinguished ruler of this era. Looking back at Ju Shou behind Han Fu, who was visibly inspired, Chen Xi knew that Ju Shou regarded Yuan Shao, brimming with an aura of domination, as a wise monarch. Unfortunately, this commanding presence of Yuan Shao could only maintain its intensity for a brief period.