The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 103 Four Rumors

Just as the rumors reached their peak, another bombshell dropped:

Zhang He's troops, stationed in Hefei and serving as a natural barrier to the north of the Huai River, also broke camp and sped northward!

Overnight, banners bearing the character "Liu" appeared on the walls of Hefei.

Liu Bei dispatched Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to quickly take over the defense.

This move, seemingly filling a power vacuum, became, in the eyes of many, the final evidence of the complete collapse of the Yuan-Tan Group.

"Look! Zhang He has run away! Something really serious must have happened in Qingzhou!"

"Liu Yuzhou is going to take on a mess! But can he keep it going?"

"Does this mean they're abandoning Hefei altogether, or are they consolidating their forces to defend Wancheng to the death?"

……

The secret room of the Qiao family mansion.

After listening to his trusted family elders report the news from the outside world, especially the confirmed intelligence that Zhang He had returned north and Hefei had changed hands, Qiao Gong was deeply moved.

The last trace of hesitation on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a resolute expression.

"Yuan Tan...it seems he has truly been defeated, and may even be dead."

Mr. Qiao's voice was quite excited.

"Liu Bei is nothing but a tree without roots, relying on a mere empty reputation. How can he possibly gain a foothold in this chaotic world? Zhang He's abandonment of Hefei is clear proof of this! If we don't act now, when will we?"

The reason he didn't act immediately was because he was worried about the bravery of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Now that even these two have been transferred to Hefei, what use is Liu Bei, the only remaining heir?

A fervent glint flashed in his eyes:

"Sun Bofu of Jiangdong is the true master! The time for 'working together from within and without to achieve wealth and honor,' as Zhou Yu mentioned in his letter, has arrived! This is a golden opportunity to help the Qiao family reach even greater heights!"

"Send the order!" Lord Qiao stood up abruptly. "Summon all the clan's loyal followers, retainers, tenant farmers' private soldiers, and distribute weapons and armor! Tonight at midnight, follow me to Wan City! Our target is the Prefect's residence; capture and kill Liu Bei, open the city gates, and welcome the royal army!"

"Master, please reconsider!"

The elder reminded him,

"What if there's a trap..."

"That's enough!"

Qiao Gong interrupted him sharply, thinking to himself that this fellow was getting old and was becoming increasingly indecisive.

"My mind is made up! Yuan Tan is dead, Liu Bei is isolated, and Wan City is currently undefended. This is a golden opportunity! How can we let hesitation cause us to miss this chance? Go and prepare immediately!"

……

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was strong, with dark clouds covering the sky.

Just after midnight, countless torches suddenly lit up the area around the governor's mansion in Wancheng, illuminating the mansion as if it were daytime!

Footsteps, the clanging of armor, and shouts approached from afar, quickly closing in!

Dressed in a brocade robe and covered with leather armor, Lord Qiao rode his horse to the gate of the mansion, surrounded by a group of servants and private soldiers armed with sharp blades.

He reined in his horse and cracked his whip, pointing straight at the gate of the mansion:

"Liu Bei! Liu Xuande! A wise man knows when to yield! Yuan Tan is dead, Qingzhou is lost! You are nothing but a stray dog, how dare you occupy this lonely city? Quickly open the gates and surrender, hand over the city, and I might spare your life before Lord Wu out of consideration for our past camaraderie! Otherwise, I will destroy you all in an instant!"

The mansion gates were tightly shut. After a moment, Liu Bei's figure appeared on the wall. He was not wearing armor, only simple clothes, standing with his hand on his sword, his face calm and composed.

"Lord Qiao! Lord Yuan has treated you well, bestowing upon you a high rank and respecting your reputation! You have received the emperor's favor for generations, and as a Han subject, how dare you betray your lord for personal gain, colluding with Sun Ce to commit such a heinous act? Tonight's actions are intended to tarnish the Qiao family's century-old reputation and bring about the annihilation of your entire clan!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Gong burst into wild laughter.

"Liu Bei! You are nothing but a weaver of mats and a seller of shoes. How dare you talk about being a member of the Han imperial family, loyalty, and morality? In chaotic times, the strong rule! Yuan Tan, that brat, overestimated himself and has already been punished by Heaven! Sun Ce, a peerless hero, is the true wise ruler! You are so stubborn and incompetent. Even as you face death, are you still dreaming of being a loyal minister and a virtuous general?"

He cracked his whip and shouted sternly:

"My men! Liu Bei is at his wit's end! Charge in! Whoever captures or kills Liu Bei will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and promoted three ranks!"

With a roar, the private soldiers surged toward the mansion gate like a tidal wave, ramming and climbing it!

Inside the mansion, Sun Qian rushed to Liu Bei's side and said urgently:

"My lord! The walls of the mansion are low and offer no natural defenses. The bandit Qiao is powerful! It would be better to retreat to the inner hall and rely on the pillars and buildings to resist step by step, or break through through the side gate and join forces with Generals Guan and Zhang to devise a plan!"

Liu Bei abruptly waved his hand, resolutely refusing:

"No! Brother Xiansi entrusted me with the important task of Huainan, handing over Wancheng and all its people to my care! How can I retreat at the first sign of danger and abandon the city? Today, even if I die, I will defend this city and live up to my promise!"

His words were forceful and resounding, seemingly displaying blind loyalty, but in reality, he was perfectly discerning:

Qiao Gong's private soldiers and servants, who had never seen battle, were no match for his veteran soldiers from Youzhou who had survived countless battles! With the walls of his mansion, they could hold out for reinforcements and even launch a counterattack to win!

"Soldiers! Today is the day to serve Lord Yuan! Follow me and fight the enemy!"

Liu Bei drew his sword and charged ahead of his men towards the gate where the fighting was most intense!

With their commander acting in such a manner, the soldiers under his command were all inspired and unleashed astonishing fighting power. They fired their bows and crossbows in unison and thrust their spears wildly, driving back the private soldiers who had scaled the walls. Corpses quickly piled up in front of the mansion gate.

The battle was extremely fierce. Although Liu Bei's army was elite, it was outnumbered and surrounded by enemies on all sides, and was gradually compressed to the vicinity of the main hall of the government office.

Seeing this from behind, Qiao Gong's smug expression deepened, and he burst into loud laughter:

"Liu Bei! Do you see this? You are at your wit's end. Where are your reinforcements? Yuan Tan is dead, and the Qingzhou army has scattered! Your loyalty and righteousness are nothing but a joke! Surrender now!"

"Who says there are no reinforcements?"

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the east gate.

Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, a heavily armored army surged into the city!

The leading general, dressed in white robes and silver armor, wielding the Dragon Gallant Silver Spear, was none other than Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong!

"Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here! Traitor, prepare to die!"

With a clear whistle, Zhao Yun charged into the sheepfold like a tiger, his spear tip flashing, instantly felling several of Qiao family's private soldiers!

Behind him, the elite troops of Qingzhou surged forth like a tide, slashing with swords and thrusting with spears, their well-trained skills instantly turning the private soldiers besieging the main hall upside down!

The situation is reversed instantly!

The smile on Qiao Gong's face froze instantly, replaced by utter shock and disbelief! His finger trembled as he pointed at Zhao Yun, his voice distorted:

"Zhao...Zhao Yun?! You...how could you be here?! Yuan Tan is dead, the Qingzhou army has returned north, you...are you a man or a ghost?!"

Zhao Yun swept aside an enemy soldier and coldly snorted:

"Lord Qiao, you traitors have fallen into the trap set by our lord, Yuan Shikai! Our lord is wise; he foresaw that you cowards would take advantage of the situation! Your return north was a ruse, a trap to be set! Today is your death day!"

"What?! Yuan Tan... isn't dead? It was a trap?"

Qiao Gong was struck as if by lightning, his whole body trembled violently, and his face turned ashen instantly!

He suddenly realized that everything from the rampant rumors to Zhang He's return north was a huge trap set by Yuan Tan! The purpose was to lure him out on his own!

"It's over...it's all over..."

Qiao Gong muttered to himself, his fighting spirit collapsing instantly.

Seeing this, Liu Bei's spirits lifted, and he brandished his sword and shouted:

"Reinforcements have arrived! Soldiers, follow me and charge out to join General Zilong in punishing the traitors!"