My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Chapter 753

“Damn it! Damn it! Get out! Get out!” Gongsun Kang shouted with murderous rage and his sword drawn. The hall was already in ruins by his actions. No one dared to approach him lest they have a death wish.

His anger was the result of the news he received. The whole of Liaoxi was in ruins. Gongsun Kang had three elite armies. An Yixuan’s navy had been completely annihilated while Mo Ran’s Zhendong Army still had a few survivors that followed him out of Zhangyi County.

The worst one was Tuoba Hai. This guy was leading an army of heavily armored cavalry. Even if they could not win, the least they could do was escape. But in the end, the whole army was wiped out. The few lucky ones that escaped were like stray dogs while Tuoba Hai’s head was delivered straight to Gongsun Kang by Yangzhou’s army.

How could Gongsun Kang not be furious? The whole of Liaodong was in a mess and if news of his father’s death had spread, everything would fall into chaos.

Fortunately, Mo Ran took control Tuoba Hai’s infantries and fortified themselves in several cities waiting for reinforcements. It was at least good enough to prevent the enemy from striking straight into Liaodong.

“Liu Mang Liu Hanyang! This villain! And that damned Yang Chen! I want you dead!” Gongsun Kang roared as he smashed a valuable porcelain. This one was a tribute given by the King of Goguryeo.

Everyone backed away from the hall but Wei Kang, Gongsun Kang’s newly appointed leader of his personal guards bravely approached and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Gongsun Kang roared.

“Milord. Someone wants to meet you.” Wei Kang reported.

“No! Didn’t I already say I am not meeting anyone? Wei Kang! Are you deaf or are you treating my words like a joke? Men! Drag Wei Kang away and give him eighty lashes!” Gongsun Kang now disregarded everything. Even his new loyal lackey was being beaten.

“Milord! Please spare me!” Wei Kang shouted as his legs gave away in fear. Eighty lashes would kill him. Even being executed would be less terrifying as it would at least be fast. Eighty lashes was just torture.

“Milord. It is not that I am ignoring you. It is…” Wei Kang wanted to defend himself but Gongsun Kang was too angry to listen.

“Take him away!”

The other guards would not let Wei Kang go simply because he was their leader. They could only look at his sympathetically and take him away.

“Milord! This is not fair!” Wei Kang was full of despair. Is this where he was going to die? He was about to curse when someone suddenly interrupted.

“Wait!”

“Master He! Please save me!” Wei Kang was overjoyed. He felt like a drowning man suddenly finding a lifeboat.

“What are you waiting for? Take Wei Kang away!” Gongsun Kang repeated himself. To him, Wei Kang was nothing more than a pet dog. He could have as many of them as he wants and would never feel any regret in killing them.

“Your Excellency Zhongshu. Why are you so angry?” A calm voice asked.

Gongsun Kang frowned and turned when he realized it was not Wei Kang’s voice. He then squeezed out a smile. “Brother He Ping! It’s you!”

It was none other than He Ping, the Governor of Liaoxi sent by Cao Cao who visited. Since Gongsun Kang has the intention of joining Cao Cao, he showed respect to He Ping.

He Ping who saw the state of the hall realized that Gongsun Kang was in a bad mood.

“Brother He Ping. What brings you here?” Gongsun Kang forced a smile and asked.

He Ping had an actual reason to come. He was the Governor of Liaoxi and the province was in a bad state. It would be a dereliction of duty if he did not come.

“Your Excellency Zhongshu. Isn’t this the leader of your guards Wei Kang?” He Ping pleaded for Wei Kang. He had no reason not to as it would cost him nothing.

“Wei Kang. Withdraw!” Gongsun Kang knew that He Ping was pleading for Wei Kang. Though he was furious earlier, his mood has also calmed down. Killing or sparing this dog was all the same.

“Thank you Milord! Thank you Lord He Ping!” Wei Kang was overjoyed. He had never been so close to death.

“Get lost!” Gongsun Kang said impatiently to Wei Kang. Wei Kang then scurried away from the hall.

“What brings Lord He Ping here?” Gongsun Kang asked despite already knowing the answer.

“Your Excellency Zhongshu. Let us speak frankly. What is the current situation in Liaoxi?” He Ping asked. Was Gongsun Kang still trying to cover things up? It is already impossible at this point in time.

Gongsun Kang also realized that He Ping already found out about Yangzhou’s attack. He felt embarassed and replied. “Lord He Ping, rest assured. These Yangzhou troops are nothing but clowns. I will defeat them within a few days with my Liaodong’s military tactics.”

“Haha!” He Ping sneered. Who was the real clown here? One side had already taken control of half of Liaoxi County but Gongsun Kang was still so idle. He Ping had been busy and the fleeing soldiers have already brought back news. Famous generals like An Yixuan, Mo Ran and Tuoba Hai were all defeated. Yet Gongsun Kang was not worried?

He Ping observed the situation in the hall for a while and then asked. “Your Excellency Zhongshu. Where is General Wuwei?” He Ping suddenly remembered. The King of Liaodong was Gongsun Du. Where was he?

He Ping then noticed Gongsun Kang’s breathing quicken and his pupils constrict. “Father is old and in poor health. He is in no condition to meet anyone. Please forgive me.” Gongsun Kang who went through many years of education was able to quickly compose himself and clasp his fist.

“Oh. Lord Gongsun Du is ill?” He Ping was skeptical. Liaoxi was facing a crisis and three of Liaodong’s elite armies were defeated. This was a serious matter that the ruler of the land should be taking charge of regardless of the condition of his health. Yet, Gongsun Du was absent and Gongsun Kang made many actions over the past few days. He Ping began to have a suspicion but kept quiet and engaged in casual conversation with Gongsun Kang.

After a while, He Ping left. There was no point in staying since Gongsun Kang refused to have any serious discussion with He Ping.

Gongsun Kang ordered Wei Kang to escort He Ping out. Wei Kang was full of gratitude towards He Ping as He Ping saved his life. He Ping also patted Wei Kang on the shoulder and nodded in acknowledgement.

When Wei Kang returned, he found a note in his hand. Rather than open it, he went straight to Gongsun Kang to deliver his report.

Meanwhile, Gongsun Kang was pacing back and forth with the knowledge of He Ping’s arrival. He cared about He Ping’s opinions as He Ping was Cao Cao’s representative. “No. This must not stand.” Gongsun Kang shook his head. Yangzhou’s troops have already landed. He had to stop them before they crush Liaoxi. Otherwise, He Ping would report this to Cao Cao and Gongsun Kang would be seen as incompetent.

In desperation, Gongsun Kang ordered for fifty thousand men to be transferred from Liaodong to Liaoxi and to be placed under the command of General Mo Ran. Mo Ran is ordered to stop Yangzhou at all costs. Mo Ran will be given whatever supplies and equipment he needs. He was also allowed to bring the civilians to the walls to fight.

Gongsun Kang decided to go all in. He felt a bit of regret for not listening to his father’s words. Had he at least bought the equipment from Yang Chen at the cost price and treated Yang Chen better, he would not be in this situation.

“Milord! If you transfer all the troops away, what will become of our borders?” Wei Kang protested. Liaodong may be easy to defend but it still required people to defend it. They had already transferred Mo Ran’s and Tuoba Hai’s army over. Now they were transferring away all the border troops. Who would defend the borders?

“The borders? Guard them from who? Prime Minister Cao?” Gongsun Kang scoffed. He was already set on handing over Liaodong to Cao Cao anyway.

“But…!” Even a warrior like Wei Kang knew that it is better to be the head of the chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Only by keeping Liaodong would Gongsun Kang have power and status. Without Liaodong, Gongsun Kang was worth nothing.

“Who is the Lord here?” Gongsun Kang’s expression dropped. Wei Kang could only lower his head and leave.

Once Wei Kang left the hall, the other guards surrounded him with concern. “Leader. Are you alright?” They had seen Wei Kang almost executed but they were powerless to do anything.

“I am fine.” Wei Kang replied while forcing a smile. How could he be alright? He almost lost his life and was still terrified.

“The Lord is being unfair! What kind of wrong did you commit that he treats you like this?” One guard grumbled. “If only the old Lord was still alive.”

“Quiet!” Wei Kang quickly covered his subordinate’s mouth. If Gongsun Kang heard this, all of them would die. After all, it was Gongsun Kang that killed his father.

“There is no one else here. He won’t hear us!” Another guard added.

“Even then, we cannot speak of it!”

Seeing Wei Kang’s expression, the others decided to change the subject. “Leader. What order did the Lord give this time?”

“See for yourself.” Wei Kang said and handed over the written order.

The others immediately turned pale with fright upon reading it. “Leader. Surely there must be a mistake?” Border troops being transferred away and even the right to conscript civillians? This was madness. Were they abandoning the borders entirely?

“There is no mistake. This is the Lord’s orders.” Wei Kang shook his head. He tried to dissuade Gongsun Kang but Wei Kang could do nothing if Gongsun Kang refused to listen.

“Without troops at the border… What if the enemies attack?” The others were frightened. The borders would only have ten thousand men remaining after this order is carried out. What can they guard with so little people? Mo Ran and Tuoba Hai’s armies were stationed at the borders precisely because they needed to guard against Cao Cao’s army. But now, all of these were pulled away.

“Enemies? Does our current Lord have any enemies?” Wei Kang said bitterly. Gongsun Kang wished nothing more than to serve Cao Cao.

The others sighed knowingly. Gongsun Kang wants to become an official at Xudou but what about the rest of them? Gongsun Kang would become a civil official. He would not have any guards with him. In other words, the rest of them would ultimately become Cao Cao’s unwanted troops.

“With a Lord like this, we might as well join Prime Minister Cao!” One person commented. Cao Cao was still recruiting troops and the soldiers of Liaodong were strong and robust. Cao Cao would naturally favor these men. It would be better to apply for recruitment than to be forcible recruited.

Wei Kang did not answer them. He gripped the paper He Ping gave him in his pockets more tightly.

Liaodong was indeed worthy of being Gongsun Du’s territory. Gongsun Du had never lost once so all of his wealth had accumulated over the years. Now Gongsun Kang was unleashing all that wealth. Carriages full of food and equipment were being shipped to Liaoxi. All of this was a last ditch effort to fight Yangzhou to the very end. At the same time, He Ping also quickly wrote a letter to Nanpi

After defeating Tuoba Hai, Zhangyi County became the front base of the Yangzhou Army. Thousands of troops stationed there. Even Gan Ning paid a visit.

Yang Chen frowned as he looked at the map provided by An Yixuan and Dongfang Ming.

“Lord Yang Chen. When will the troops be dispatched?” Ling Cao shouted. Dongfang Ming frowned at this. How can someone be shouting during a meeting? Dongfang Ming already considered himself Yang Chen’s deputy general.

Yang Chen simply ignored Ling Cao. This was not the first time Ling Cao asked this question but Yang Chen’s only response had been to wait. This time was no different as Yang Chen simply shook his head.

Their scouts brought news that Gongsun Kang was ready to fight to the death. In front of Zhangyi City was Hongde City. This city has twenty thousand troops. Next to it was Geshu City that has ten thousand troops. There were also other cities and camps. Altogether, there were over fifty thousand men in total.

After defeating Liaodong’s army, Liaodong’s army had been reduced to about fifty thousand men. Yet there were about fifty thousand here. Could it be that Gongsun Kang was sending out everything?

Yang Chen’s guess was right. Gongsun Kang had already gone mad and was going all in.

Yang Chen could not afford to attack the enemy. If he attacked a city, Mo Ran could simply retreat while burning all the food. Mo Ran can then dispatch a seperate unit to attack and capture Zhangyi County. At that time, Yang Chen’s army would be without food and shelter. They would be defeated without fighting.

At the same time, Yang Chen had already signed a military order. He could not return to Yangzhou without Gongsun Kang’s head. After Cao Cao pacified Hebei, many opportunistic nobles have already begun turning to Cao Cao. Liu Mang would have already killed them all if he didn’t know that killing them accomplishes nothing. But everyone was also watching the situation in Liaodong to see how Yangzhou would act. Liu Mang had to use Liaodong as an example to show others that Yangzhou was not to be trifled with.

This put Yang Chen in a difficult position.

“General. How about we wait for reinforcements from the King of Shu?” Dongfang Ming suggested. He already learned from Gan Ning that Liu Mang had already sent another two armies to aid Yang Chen. The stakes were high since Liu Mang absolutely had to make an example of Liaodong.

Yang Chen frowned. He knew that reinforcements were coming but he did not want to wait. Their arrival would be proof of his incompetence. Despite thinking for a long time, Yang Chen was still unable to obtain a solution.

An Yixuan muttered to himself. “How could this happen? General Gongsun Du would not have made such a mistake. Is he going to surrender to Cao Cao?” An Yixuan continued to address Gongsun Du as General and Yang Chen did not bother to correct him. But Yang Chen understood where An Yixuan was coming from. If Liaodong sent all their troops over, their borders would be left undefended to Cao Cao. If Cao Cao attacked at this moment, Liaodong would be finished. The only explanation was that they were going to surrender to Cao Cao.

Yang Chen could not allow this to happen or the opportunists would take this chance to make a mess. That being said, Yang Chen could not do anything about it.

It was at this moment when Yang Chen’s eyes lit up. He could not do anything about Liaodong but what about Cao Cao? Killing with a borrowed knife!

“Ling Cao. Prepare to withdraw! Also give the order for General Gan Ning to meet us at Liaodong Port!” Yang Chen ordered.

“Huh?” Ling Cao was shocked. He had thought that Yang Chen had a good idea but now Yang Chen was retreating? Were they going to wait for reinforcements? Even then, why retreat? Shouldn’t they keep hold of Zhangyi City?

“Wait for reinforcements? Who said we are waiting for reinforcements? We are going to attack but we won’t be attacking Liaodong!” Yang Chen said to Ling Cao with a smile.

“We are not attacking Liaodong?” Ling Cao was even more confused.

“We will attack Cao Cao at Nanpi!” Yang Chen said to the others while pointing at the map. The spot he pointed at has shallow waters. If they could land there, they could reach Nanpi City after travelling a few hundred miles.

“Attack Nanpi City? Are you crazy?” One person objected. Even if Cao Cao’s army were resting, it was still a large force of at least sixty thousand men. This is not including the elites. If they could not defeat Liaodong’s troops, what chance do they have against Cao Cao’s elites?

“Who said we were going to fight him directly? We will launch a surprise attack.” Yang Chen said. No one would have thought of attacking Cao Cao at Nanpi City directly. The very thought of it was insane. That is precisely why Yang Chen was determined to attack it.