Chapter 70: The Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong

  He gave a slap on the back and a date, publicly rebuking Lü Bu, telling the generals to be more restrained and not too arrogant. Liu Bei immediately handed over the vanguard task to Lü Bu again, and personally led 10,000 infantry and cavalry, including the Feathered Forest Cavalry, as the central army. Lu Zhi led 10,000 infantrymen as the rear guard, and the army of more than 20,000 rushed to Liang County at full speed.

  Liang County is only thirty miles away from Guangcheng Pass, but Liu Bei still dares not to be careless. He listed the military principles that Huangfu Song had told him into a table and remembered them one by one in his heart, following them strictly. He ordered Lü Bu to control the speed and not leave the central army too far behind, and also sent out a large number of cavalry as scouts to explore the situation within a hundred miles, especially around the back of Liang County, in case Yuan Shu led an army to reinforce it.

  For the first time, Liu Bian led his troops into battle. He couldn't help but feel a little nervous in his heart, but after so many days of preparation, he could at least appear calm on the surface. As he issued order after order and watched his generals depart to carry them out, he gradually felt as if he had grasped the sword that ruled the world.

  Riding the fiery Red Hare, Lü Bu led over a thousand elite cavalrymen from Pingzhou, full of confidence, as they charged out of Guangcheng Gate and made a beeline for Liang County.

  ……

  East of Liang County, Sun Jian was holding a grand feast.

  Sun Jian was very excited, just a few days ago, Yuan Shu appointed him as the governor of Yuzhou. The governor's salary is 600 dan, which is not as high as his previous position as a 2000-dan general, but in these chaotic times, the importance of an official position cannot be measured solely by its salary. With this new position, he can now enter Yuzhou with justification and mobilize its resources.

  Everyone knows that Yu Province is the largest province in the world, with a large population and strong forces. More importantly, Yu Province is the hometown of the Yuan brothers, and all the Yuan brothers want to put Yu Province in their own pocket and hand it over to the person they trust most. Yuan Shu letting him take the post of Governor of Yu Province shows that his previous actions have won Yuan Shu's trust.

  Wang Rui and Zhang Zi did not die in vain.

  Sun Jian did not actually want to kill these two people. Although Sun Jian was not well-read and not accepted by the scholars, he knew that the Yuan brothers' foundation was a noble family, killing Wang Rui and Zhang Zi would be no different from turning against the noble family. It's just that Sun Jian had no choice, if he didn't kill Wang Rui and Zhang Zi, the people of Jingzhou would not take him seriously, he wouldn't be able to raise enough money and food, nor have enough military strength, and it would be impossible for him to become a great general under Yuan Shu.

  He also knew that the representatives of these aristocratic families and powerful clans in front of him were not genuinely fond of him, but rather feared him. They smiled on their faces, but who knows what they cursed him for in their hearts? He could only pretend not to notice. It's better that someone fears him than no one takes him seriously at all.

  From then on, he embarked on a path of no return. He could only move forward bravely and never retreat.

  "Thank you, gentlemen, for seeing me off." Sun Jian stood up, raised his cup and smiled. His smile was heroic and radiant, but only those closest to him could see the helplessness in his eyes. "I, Sun Jian, though unworthy, have been appointed as the Governor of Yu Province. I will follow Yuan Shu as the alliance leader, eliminate evil for the country, and remove harm for the people."

  "May the general arrive at success!"

  "May our general's flag open to victory, attacking must conquer, and fighting must win!"

  The gentry were flattering each other, the scene was lively for a while, but it's unclear how much of it was true. However, Sun Jian also knew that the people present were mainly from Ru Nan and Ying Chuan, and Ru Ying had always been the foundation of the Yuan family. They must be hoping that the Yuan family would take over the world, so they could replace Nanyang and get more privileges and tax exemptions.

  Just as they were talking, Sun Jing hurried over and whispered a few words in Sun Jian's ear. Sun Jian raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, nodded, and quietly waved his hand: "Continue to scout, order Zu Mao and Huang Gai to engage the enemy. Yu Tai, get the army ready, prepare to launch a counterattack. We must take the initiative."

  "Yes." Sun Jing nodded in understanding and backed away.

  Sun Jian drained the cup of wine in one gulp, looked at the country gentry with a dubious expression and laughed: "Gentlemen, good news! Jian originally wanted to lead the army to attack Guangcheng first, but unexpectedly Lu Zhi came to his door voluntarily. Please gentlemen return to the city for the time being and wait for the good news. After Jian defeats the enemy and breaks through Guangcheng, he will drink with you again."

  Everyone who heard this couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. No matter how heroic Sun Jian's words were, they were worried in their hearts. Lu Zhi was a great Confucian scholar and had been the governor of Jiujiang, with excellent achievements, and had a good reputation among scholars. Lu Zhi was also a student of the Ma family, and this time when the Yuan family rebelled, Lu Zhi did not follow the Yuan family but stood on the side of the imperial court, which had already shocked many people. In recent days, Lu Zhi had been guarding Guangcheng Pass, but no one thought he was cowardly, they knew his military strength was insufficient. Now that he took the initiative to attack, it was natural that reinforcements had arrived, and whether Sun Jian could win was really a question.

  No one had the heart to drink anymore, and they all left as quickly as possible, lest they be affected by the fleeing soldiers.

  Watching the rural gentry hurry away, Sun Jian knew what they were thinking, and his smile remained on his face. He sat steadily there, seemingly not taking the approaching army to heart at all. The rural gentry saw him so calm and confident, and finally felt a bit more at ease, their departing footsteps no longer in such a rush.

  Until the last villager entered the city, Sun Jian finally stood up, wearing his helmet and armor, and mounted his red-maned horse. Sun Jing handed over an ancient-style war knife. As soon as Sun Jian took it in his hand, his demeanor changed instantly, as if an invisible aura spread out, making him look majestic and powerful, with a fierce killing intent, like a tiger descending from the mountain, causing all beasts to tremble.

  Sun Jing quietly looked at Sun Jian. He had always admired this elder brother. The Sun family was a wealthy household in Fuchun, Wu County, with a merchant background, and was considered to be of low social status. When Sun Jian wanted to marry a woman from the Wu family, he was rejected by the Wu family and had to resort to force. With such a family background, Sun Jian's achievement of becoming a 2,000-dan governor at the age of thirty was simply legendary, and it was no wonder that Sun Jing admired him.

  However, seeing Sun Jian's majestic aura, he was still very surprised. He stared at Sun Jian in a daze, suddenly thought of a question, and his heart skipped a beat.

  "Brother, you..."

  Sun Jian turned his face sideways, glanced at Sun Jing, and smiled warmly: "Youtai, what's wrong, why are you so surprised?"

  "Brother, is it... have you made some breakthrough?"

  Sun Jian nodded and let out a gentle sigh: "Not bad, I've already figured out my destiny, it's the White Tiger destiny. According to General Yuan, Ximen Xuan observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw that the planet Venus had entered Jingzhou, which corresponds to me."

  Sun Jing took a deep breath, and an indescribable joy almost brought him to tears. He knew what it meant for Mingwu to understand his own destiny. Before Mingwu understood his own destiny, Sun Jian could be said to be a hero, but after understanding his own destiny and corresponding with the Tai Bai star, he had the possibility of entering the realm of the gods. Compared to his future achievements, being a governor of 2,000 households was nothing.

  Sun Jing swallowed her saliva and said in a hoarse voice: "When was that?"

  "Three months ago." Sun Jian narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "The night when Luoyang was set on fire." He drew out half of the blade, looking at the knife body that shone like molten silver, and let out a light sigh: "May this knife once again display its divine power in slaying dragons, cutting down generals and seizing flags."

  Second update, seeking votes for Sanjiang, seeking recommendation votes!

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