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At this moment, Sun Jian's army marched through the mountains, surrounded by deep valleys, with the dawn yet to break and heavy dew weighing down the grass. Kuai Yue led his troops forward, banners fluttering and armor gleaming. He rode out to confront them, his voice cold and stern: "Sun Wentai, you claim to be a minister of Han, yet you secretly hoard the Imperial Seal. What is your intention? If you do not surrender the seal today, do not think you can take another step!"
Hearing this, Sun Jian was filled with rage and shouted back, "Kuai Yue! As a man of Jingzhou, how can you assist outsiders in blocking my return home? What reason do you have for this?" Kuai Yue sneered, "General Sun, it is not that we wish to make things difficult for you. The Imperial Jade Seal is a treasure of the realm that cannot be hidden away by an individual. If you have no ulterior motives, why fear a search? Hand it over quickly!"
Sun Jian raised his sword and commanded fiercely, "Huang Gai! Make this madman shut his mouth!" Huang Gai galloped out, wielding his Iron Whip and charging into battle. Cai Mao saw this and also drew his sword to meet him. The two generals clashed, their blades flashing like snow and the Iron Whip cracking like thunder as they engaged in fierce combat. After several exchanges, Huang Gai suddenly struck hard with his whip, hitting Cai Mao's protective armor with a loud crash. Cai Mao staggered and quickly retreated into his formation.
Seeing the enemy's retreat, Sun Jian laughed heartily: "Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, is that all you've got?" With a command from him, the army surged forward in pursuit, charging straight towards the mountain pass. However, just as they reached the back of the mountain, drums began to beat loudly and golden gongs rang out. Suddenly, banners appeared all around as Liu Biao personally led his troops to flank them and block the mountain road.
Liu Biao sat firmly on horseback, his expression imposing as he called out loudly: "Sun Wentai! If you truly are a loyal minister, why do you hide the Imperial Jade Seal? This act clearly suggests ulterior motives; hand it over quickly to prove your innocence!"
Sun Jian scoffed with disdain, raising his whip defiantly: "Liu Jing Sheng, I act with integrity! You listen to Yuan Shao's slander and dare to tarnish my name! If I were to hide this treasure, may I suffer divine retribution and die amidst chaos!"
Liu Biao remained unfazed and coldly replied: "If that is so, then hand over your baggage for inspection; otherwise, how can you prove your innocence?"
Furious, Sun Jian brandished his long sword and shouted: "You are merely a governor of one province; how dare you underestimate me, Sun Wentai? Today I will show you the might of the Tiger of Jiangdong!" With that declaration, he led his troops into battle.
Yet Liu Biao remained calm and waved his hand dismissively as he suddenly turned his horse to retreat. In confusion, Sun Jian suddenly heard shouts echoing through the valleys; hidden troops surged forth like a tide, surrounding him completely. Kuai Yue and Cai Mao led their forces in a fierce assault from behind; within the valley, blades flashed like snowflakes amidst thunderous cries.
Sun Jian turned sharply to see Kuai Yue pointing directly at him and sneered: "Sun Wentai, today is your last day!" With eyes wide in fury, Sun Jian drew his sword and shouted: "Brothers! Break through this encirclement with me and charge into the enemy ranks!" Leading the charge himself into the throng of enemies, blades clashed around him as blood spilled across the battlefield.
In the chaotic melee surrounding him, Sun Jian fought valiantly at the forefront like a fierce tiger through the woods, cutting down several enemy generals. However, outnumbered by overwhelming forces with arrows raining down like locusts and weapons surrounding him like a forest, Sun Jian's army began to falter as morale plummeted. Just when life hung by a thread, Cheng Pu charged into the fray on horseback shouting: "My Lord! Do not panic! We will cover your retreat!" He swung his Iron Spine Snake Spear with both hands to carve a bloody path through the enemy ranks. Huang Gai and Han Dang followed closely behind; Huang Gai’s Iron Whip cleaved through enemy shields while Han Dang’s Dadao flashed like a blade of light as he cut down several foes blocking their way.
Sun Jian's armor had already been pierced in multiple places by enemy arrows; blood soaked through his battle robe. Gritting his teeth as he rode on horseback he shouted back: "Cheng Pu! Huang Gai! Han Dang! I cannot let you die because of me!" Cheng Pu responded: "If my Lord dies, how can we live? Charge out now and return to Jiangdong to regroup!"
Huang Gai swung his whip to fend off the approaching enemy troops while shouting, "My Lord, if we die here, Jiangdong will lose its master, and countless lives will be lost without support! Our only chance of survival is to fight our way out!" He forcefully pushed away an enemy soldier, protecting Sun Jian's horse.
However, the enemy surged like a shadow, pouring down from the hills as Liu Biao's forces tightened their encirclement. Han Dang roared, "Follow me!" He plunged his sword into the gaps of the enemy lines, carving out a path for escape. Cheng Pu and Huang Gai flanked Sun Jian closely, sweat mingling with blood as their armor lay in tatters.
As they retreated to a narrow mountain path, Sun Jian finally escaped the main battlefield but turned back to see many veteran soldiers who had followed him for years lying in pools of blood. His eyes widened in fury, wishing he could turn back and fight. Cheng Pu quickly grabbed Sun Jian's reins, urging him, "My Lord! As long as the green mountains remain, we need not fear firewood! The people of Jiangdong are waiting for you; if you die in battle, who will support Jiangdong?"
Sun Jian remained silent for a long moment, gripping his long sword tightly before gritting his teeth and saying, "Let's go!" He turned away without looking back and galloped down the mountain path, leading the remnants of his troops back to Jiangdong.
That night upon reaching Jiangdong, Sun Jian stood by the riverbank, gazing at the starless night sky. He murmured to himself, "Liu Jing Sheng, this grudge cannot go unavenged!" Behind him, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang knelt on the ground and said, "My Lord, please rest assured. Once our forces regroup, we vow to avenge you!" Sun Jian slowly helped them up, his eyes still ablaze with anger. "This grudge must be repaid; Jiangdong cannot be humiliated by others!"
Meanwhile, Yuan Shao sat in his tent holding a cup of tea, his brow furrowed with worry over their predicament. The map of Henei on the table had been examined repeatedly without finding a solution to their supply issues. The strategist Feng Ji stepped forward with a glint of cunning in his eyes and whispered, "General, our troops are lacking supplies while Ji Province is rich like a treasure trove with countless resources. Why not consider taking it for ourselves?"
Yuan Shao set down his teacup and looked at Feng Ji with a hint of skepticism in his tone. "Ji Province belongs to Han Fu. Though he is weak, he is still an ally. How can I take it from him?"
Feng Ji smiled slightly and took out a letter from his robe. He gestured for a servant to light a candle and whispered, "Though Han Fu is an ally, he is incompetent and cannot hold onto Ji Province's fertile land. Why not send someone secretly with this letter to Gongsun Zan? Encourage him to invade Ji Province under the pretense of attacking Han Fu. Knowing he cannot resist alone, Han Fu will surely panic and request your assistance. At that point, you can take control of Ji Province without harming your ally or losing any soldiers—what could be better?"
Yuan Shao pondered for a moment as a spark of insight flashed in his eyes. "This plan sounds brilliant; however, Gongsun Zan is at odds with me. If he invades Ji Province, might he have ulterior motives?"
Feng Ji clasped his hands together and smiled calmly. "Though Gongsun Zan is not on good terms with you, he is highly ambitious. As long as you promise in your letter to share Ji Province equally after success, he will surely fall for it. You will then control the situation while Gongsun Zan becomes our pawn."
Yuan Shao picked up his teacup again and thought for a moment before suddenly slamming it down decisively. "Alright! Let’s go with your plan! Choose a clever person immediately to deliver this letter to Gongsun Zan. This matter must be handled carefully; we cannot let Han Fu catch wind of it."
Feng Ji revealed a satisfied smile and quickly withdrew to arrange for someone to carry out the task. Before long, a swift horseman was ready to set off under the cover of night, racing towards Gongsun Zan's camp.
The candlelight flickered in the tent as Yuan Shao's gaze remained steady. He murmured to himself, "If Ji Province falls into my hands, it is the will of heaven!"
By the time Han Fu received the urgent report, it was already late at night. Standing before his desk with a furrowed brow, he felt the words on the letter pierce his heart like daggers: "Gongsun Zan has led his troops from Yan and Dai straight towards Ji Province." In a flurry of panic, he summoned Xun Chen and Xin Ping. The flickering candlelight cast a heavy atmosphere within the tent.
Xun Chen frowned deeply and advised, "My Lord, Gongsun Zan's military might should not be underestimated. His forces from Yan and Dai are composed of fierce warriors, and with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—the Three Heroes—assisting him, no one can stand against them. To resist now would likely lead to disaster."
Upon hearing this, Han Fu's hands trembled slightly as he asked in alarm, "Are we truly to sit idly by and allow Ji Province to fall?"
After a moment of contemplation, Xin Ping spoke with a strategic tone, "My Lord, do not rush. The current plan should involve seeking assistance from wise allies. Although Yuan Benchu is ambitious, he is both intelligent and capable, with considerable power. If we invite him to jointly govern Ji Province, it will surely restrain Gongsun Zan's offensive."
Han Fu's expression wavered as he quietly questioned, "But what are Yuan Shao's true intentions? Will he seize this opportunity to take Ji Province for himself?"
Xun Chen replied calmly, "My Lord need not worry. If Yuan Shao were to jointly govern Ji Province, it would give him a legitimate reason to resist Gongsun Zan. This move benefits him, so he will naturally be inclined to accept. Meanwhile, you would still hold your position in Ji Province; your authority remains intact and the people will not resent you. Is this not the best course of action?"
Xin Ping softly agreed, "Indeed. Rather than being isolated and helpless, it is better to invite Yuan Benchu to share in the benefits; at least we can temporarily secure Ji Province. As for future matters, we can discuss them later."
Han Fu raised his head, a flicker of struggle crossing his eyes. He slowly nodded and sighed deeply, "If that is the case, I must invite Yuan Benchu to jointly govern Ji Province. I hope this plan can truly salvage our situation." He then ordered his trusted aide to prepare the documents and send them swiftly to Yuan Shao's camp.
As the candlelight danced in the tent, Xun Chen and Xin Ping exchanged glances, both silently acknowledging: This plan could not only break Gongsun Zan's momentum but also hand over the power of Ji Province to Yuan Shao; in the future, the fate of Ji Province would no longer be under their control.
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