Three Kingdoms, Myth

...

Chen Xi was dragged out of bed by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei early in the morning. There was no choice since the main camp of the allied forces began beating the drums and holding assembly at dawn.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei pulled a sleepy-eyed Chen Xi to the main camp.

Yuan Shao sat with a somber expression, looking at everyone, "Gonglu, how exactly did Lu Bu manage to raid the camp last night?"

Yuan Shao's face was stern. If Yuan Shu did not provide a satisfactory explanation today, he wouldn't hesitate to use Yuan Shu as an example. Night patrols in the camp were of utmost importance, yet they had been easily raided! And his most important two generals had to fight to the death to save his life!

This was no time to discuss brotherly bonds or schemes; only strict discipline could rally the troops!

"Last night at the hour of Hai (9 PM - 11 PM), Lu Bu raided the camp. My general Ji Ling led a patrol but was ambushed and the entire patrol was annihilated. If the alliance leader needs, you can check the patrol records," Yuan Shu stood up and said solemnly.

The room filled with murmurs, and soon the patrol records from last night were brought forward and made public. To Chen Xi's surprise, Yuan Shu had not shirked his duty at all. On the contrary, he had meticulously carried out the patrols and even set up numerous hidden posts!

"Zichuan, do you think this fat man might have anticipated the alliance leader's wrath and prepared in advance?" Guan Yu whispered.

"I fear not. Yuan Gonglu probably did not cut corners. Although he is unreliable, his generals were not lax at all. Ji Ling is a good man," Chen Xi said, narrowing his eyes as he recalled certain records. Ji Ling, for some reason, was extremely loyal to Yuan Shu and quite capable.

"In that case, you are not to be punished. I have seen Lu Bu's prowess myself; he is not someone Ji Ling could fend off!" Yuan Shao reviewed the records, glanced at the equally somber Yuan Shu, and nodded.

"Thank you!" Yuan Shu had been prepared to take the fall for Ji Ling's failure but was taken aback by Yuan Shao's leniency, which made the ever-contentious Yuan Shu feel somewhat uneasy.

"Enough talk. Dong Zhuo has already arrived at Hulao Pass. If any of you harbor thoughts of slacking off after today, don't blame me for being merciless!" Yuan Shao stood up, exuding authority, and cast a sweeping gaze over the lords who had been slack in battle.

[Yuan Shao's transformation is unbelievable. His authority alone is suppressing all the lords!] Chen Xi watched Yuan Shao in amazement, [Is this the demeanor of the model leader of the world? What a joke, after suffering such a heavy blow yesterday, he exudes even greater momentum today.]

"Wentai, on behalf of Gonglu, I apologize for the incident with Da Rong. Since we are here to fight Dong Zhuo, can you put aside personal grievances? I believe Da Rong would not want to see you abandon the people of the world for personal vendetta!" Yuan Shao stepped forward, bowed deeply before Sun Jian.

Even Chen Xi was stunned, staring blankly at Yuan Shao. If Yuan Shao could maintain this demeanor and spirit, with the backing of four generations of ministers, the world would surely belong to the Yuan family!

Sun Jian also stared blankly at Yuan Shao, while Yuan Shu was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. The family education from years ago resurfaced in his mind. Yuan Shu also stood up, walked to Sun Jian, and said, "Previously, I acted selfishly, endangering you. I ask for your forgiveness, Wentai. We can settle Da Rong's matter after defeating Dong Zhuo. The world is in chaos, and if Dong Zhuo prevails, the people will suffer greatly. Please consider this deeply!"

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu gave Sun Jian enough face that he had no choice but to agree.

Sun Jian stood up and looked at Yuan Shao, "For the sake of the people, I dare not slack off. As for Da Rong, we will deal with it after defeating Dong Zhuo!"

"Wentai, your righteousness is commendable!" Yuan Shao smiled, having given enough face and opened up the conversation. Now that Sun Jian had set aside personal grievances to fight Dong Zhuo, if anyone still dared to slack off, Yuan Shao would have ample reason to deal with them.

"Because of your actions today, if you are defeated by me in the future, I will treat your family well. If you are defeated by others, I will take care of your family," Yuan Shu looked at Sun Jian. The heroic spirit within Yuan Shu, which had not yet completely faded, made him blurt out these words.

Sun Jian glanced at Yuan Shu but did not respond. He never thought such a day would come; Sun Jian believed himself to be invincible.

Sun Jian didn't expect that he would soon rely on Yuan Shu's promise, and Yuan Shu did indeed take care of Sun Jian's family. Even though he coveted the Imperial Seal in Sun Ce's hands, he never forcibly took it.

[I didn't expect Yuan Shu to have such an endearing side. These people, when they were young, each had a heroic side, which is probably why they reached where they are now,] Chen Xi thought, looking at the righteous Yuan Shu, who seemed like a completely different person from the shameless Yuan Shu before.

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

"Generals, hear my command!" Yuan Shao's face turned stern, "Strengthen the defenses of the camps, dig deeper trenches, set up chevaux de frise, widen the camps, and intensify patrols. Last night's incident must not happen again!"

"Understood!" All the lords nodded.

"Everyone else, order the generals to gather at Hulao Pass. Today, we attack the city!" Yuan Shao, holding the command seal, exuded an aura of authority.

"Understood!"

"Zichuan, what do you think of the alliance leader's actions today?" Liu Bei, riding his horse, led all the cavalry to the left wing, asking Chen Xi with a smile as they set up their positions.

"If he can maintain this demeanor, then it will be quite troublesome," Chen Xi yawned. Although Yuan Shao's performance surprised him, it was shocking rather than routine, so it wasn't truly frightening.

Soon, the various lords set up their troops. The cavalry on both wings, infantry in the center, and under Yuan Shao's commanding presence, no one insisted on personally leading their forces. Yuan Shao made it clear that anyone taking this opportunity to encroach on others' troops would be dealt with collectively!

Because of this, the allied forces were united, and the troops were commanded by the most suitable generals.

It must be said, when the eighteen lords were united under Yuan Shao, their combat power was formidable. Yuan Shao handed his sword to Sun Jian, "If anyone disobeys commands, use this sword to execute them, no matter whose son they are. If there are any consequences, come to me!"

When Yuan Shao handed the sword to Sun Jian and issued such orders, Sun Jian was moved to tears and nearly swore his loyalty to Yuan Shao on the spot.

"Defeat Dong Zhuo, wash away your disgrace with the blood of Xiliang cavalry." Yuan Shao did not accept Sun Jian's loyalty, perhaps understanding that his reach did not extend to Yangzhou, but his indifferent words made Sun Jian's blood boil.

Even Chen Xi, who overheard, felt that Yuan Shao deserved to be called the leader of the world. Looking back at Ju Shou, who was standing behind Han Fu with bright eyes, Chen Xi knew that Ju Shou had taken Yuan Shao, in his kingly and domineering state, as a wise ruler. Unfortunately, this kingly and domineering Yuan Shao could only last for a short while.