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Han Fu finally made up his mind and dispatched Assistant Officer Guan Chun to welcome Yuan Shao. Chief of Staff Geng Wu learned of this and strode into the tent, his face dark as thunder, his voice booming, "My Lord, Yuan Shao comes alone, with insufficient supplies, relying entirely on our Ji Province for support. He is like a baby at the breast; if we cut off his food, he will starve immediately. If you hand over the authority of Ji Province to others, it is like inviting a tiger into the sheepfold, leading to our own destruction!"
Han Fu's expression darkened slightly, but he forced himself to argue, "I have known Yuan for a long time. Today, Benchu possesses great talent and ambition; few can match him in the world. I know I cannot compare, and as the ancient saying goes, wise men should know how to yield to the worthy. Why must you all be jealous?"
Geng Wu spread his hands in despair, "My Lord, if you truly hand over Ji Province so easily, not only will the city change hands, but the common people will also suffer unrest. The lifeblood of Ji Province is in your hands!" He bowed deeply until blood oozed from his forehead, yet he could not sway Han Fu's resolve.
Impatiently, Han Fu waved his hand and said, "This matter is settled; no need for further discussion!" Geng Wu, furious, sneered and said, "Ji Province is lost; Han Fu cannot be saved!" With that, he swept out in anger, taking more than thirty men with him as they abandoned their posts and left the city. Only Geng Wu and Guan Chun remained behind, lurking outside the city, waiting for Yuan Shao's arrival to strike.
Days later, Yuan Shao's army arrived outside Ji Province. Banners obscured the sun and drums shook the heavens. Han Fu personally ascended the city to welcome them; the gates swung open with a thunderous sound of hooves on stone. Yuan Shao smiled as he conversed with Han Fu when suddenly shouts of battle erupted at the city gates.
"Han Fu is incompetent; he harms the nation and its people!" Geng Wu and Guan Chun drew their swords and leaped out to attack Yuan Shao. Behind Yuan Shao, Yan Liang and Wen Chou shouted angrily and charged forward on horseback to meet the enemy. In a flash of cold steel, Yan Liang's long blade severed Geng Wu's head; Wen Chou swept his halberd horizontally, sending Guan Chun crashing to the ground along with his weapon, blood spraying from his neck.
Yuan Shao snorted coldly and rode into the city; Ji Province was finally under his control.
Once inside the city, Yuan Shao feigned kindness towards Han Fu: "My Lord’s noble act of yielding to the worthy shall not go unrewarded!" He then turned around and appointed strategists Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, Feng Ji, and others to key positions in Ji Province, systematically undermining Han Fu’s authority. From this point onward, Han Fu became a mere figurehead as Fenwei General.
Returning to his residence, Han Fu sat at his desk with vacant eyes. He murmured softly to himself, "I was wrong... I was wrong!" Before he could finish speaking, tears had already soaked his cheeks. That night, he abandoned his family and rode away alone from Ji Province to seek refuge with Governor of Chenliu Zhang Miao.
Gongsun Zan learned that Yuan Shao had successfully occupied Ji Province and was filled with indignation. He sent his brother Gongsun Yue with a letter requesting a division of land while secretly probing for information. When Yuan Shao received him in his tent and heard his intentions, he remained indifferent and smiled: "If your brother truly has sincerity, he should come see me in person so we can discuss this further." With that, he sent Gongsun Yue out of the camp.
As Gongsun Yue rode away and had not traveled fifty miles when he suddenly saw dark clouds gathering along the mountain path ahead; trees swayed on both sides as if ambush troops were lying in wait. Just as he intended to warn his accompanying soldiers, a sharp voice rang out nearby: "I am a soldier under Chancellor Dong! Who dares offend?" Before he could finish speaking, arrows rained down from among the trees. Caught off guard, Gongsun Yue's horse panicked; the soldiers could not withstand it either and fell into chaos. In an instant, Gongsun Yue was struck by several arrows and fell from his horse, blood soaking through his battle robe.
He fled back in panic to Pingyuan County where he found Gongsun Zan and knelt down in terror while crying out: "My lord! General Gongsun has been ambushed and died on the way! The enemy claims it was done by Dong Zhuo's soldiers!"
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan’s face turned pale with rage as he suddenly stood up and roared: "Dong Zhuo’s soldiers? Nonsense! When has Dong Zhuo's army crossed a thousand miles to here? This is clearly instigated by Yuan Shao to frame others! First he lured me into attacking Han Fu while seizing Ji Province for himself; now he plots against my brother! If I do not avenge this grudge, I refuse to be human!"
He slammed the table in anger and immediately ordered the entire army to assemble. The generals Tian Kai, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, upon hearing the news, all requested permission to act: "My lord, Yuan Shao is inciting our brothers to kill each other. This crime is unforgivable! We must mobilize our forces and confront him in battle!"
Gongsun Zan's eyes blazed with intensity as he spoke in a deep voice, "Let us march towards Ji Province and make Yuan Benchu pay the price!" He then appointed Tian Kai to lead the vanguard, while Liu Bei was tasked with escorting the supplies. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei took positions on the left and right flanks to protect the march, with Gongsun Zan himself leading the main force as the center.
Banners obscured the sun, and the sound of hooves shook the ground as Gongsun Zan's army advanced straight towards Ji Province. Everywhere they passed, the common people were filled with fear, spreading rumors: "Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are about to clash; Ji Province will surely run red with blood!"
At the banks of the Pan River, the two armies faced off, banners fluttering in the wind, cold light flashing as a murderous aura filled the air. Yuan Shao's troops were arranged in neat formations, clad in brocade robes and armor, their morale soaring; on the other side, Gongsun Zan's cavalry thundered forward, war drums booming as his White Horse Cavalry took position at the front, exuding an imposing presence.
Gongsun Zan rode to the center of the bridge, glaring fiercely at the opposite shore. His voice boomed like thunder as he shouted, "Yuan Benchu! You treacherous scoundrel! You used my hand to attack Han Fu while seizing Ji Province for yourself! Now you even conspire against my brother under Dong Zhuo's name. Aren't you afraid of having your back pierced by the world's scorn?"
Yuan Shao sneered coldly, spurring his horse forward and pointing at Gongsun Zan as he retorted, "Gongsun Zan! Han Fu is a man of no ability who willingly relinquished Ji Province to me; this is heaven's will and none of your concern! You neglect your duties at the border and instead disturb Ji Province—this is true rebellion!"
Furious beyond measure, Gongsun Zan raised his spear directly at Yuan Shao, his voice echoing like rolling thunder across both armies: "I once thought you were a man of loyalty and righteousness and even supported you as our leader. Little did I know you are a heartless wretch! Today I will make you understand that Ji Province is not your Yuan Benchu's burial ground!"
Yuan Shao's expression darkened as he turned his horse sharply towards his troops and shouted sternly, "Who dares to cross the bridge and take this scoundrel's head?"
Wen Chou's eyes glinted fiercely as he spurred his horse onto Pan River Bridge. His spear gleamed coldly under the sun, striking directly at Gongsun Zan like a venomous snake. Gongsun Zan furrowed his brows tightly and reined in his horse to meet him head-on; spear tip clashed against spear tip with sparks flying. The two horses crossed paths on the bridge amidst a flurry of spear shadows and glimmering points of light that were almost indistinguishable.
After more than ten exchanges, beads of sweat rolled down Gongsun Zan's forehead as his strength began to wane; his long spear techniques grew sluggish. With a cold laugh, Wen Chou suddenly thrust his spear toward Gongsun Zan’s shoulder. Gongsun Zan sidestepped just in time but swung his spear horizontally only to have Wen Chou leap aside swiftly, reversing his spear to threaten Gongsun Zan’s face. Realizing he was outmatched, Gongsun Zan let out a roar and retreated quickly behind his lines.
Seeing this opportunity, Wen Chou charged after him on horseback with fierce determination. Pointing his spear menacingly, he shouted, "Gongsun Zan! Dismount and surrender now! Do you still wish to prolong your life?"
Gongsun Zan was consumed by rage as he turned around to draw his bow and shot an arrow at Wen Chou but missed due to Wen Chou’s agile evasion. He quickly nocked another arrow; however, trembling hands caused it to veer off course and strike Wen Chou’s steed in the shoulder. Infuriated, Wen Chou bellowed angrily, "Such trivial skills cannot shake me!" He brandished his spear with a flash of cold light relentlessly pursuing Gongsun Zan.
As Zhan entered the battlefield, Wen Chou moved as if in a realm of his own, his spear dancing through the air while his horse galloped fiercely, causing gasps of astonishment wherever he went. Four fierce generals under Zhan's command charged out, raising their spears to confront him. With a thunderous shout, Wen Chou thrust his spear like lightning, piercing one general's chest. The man let out a terrible cry and fell from his horse. The remaining three, filled with fear, turned their mounts and fled in all directions.
Wen Chou's confidence surged as he spurred his horse to pursue Gongsun Zan. Zhan, glancing back and seeing Wen Chou closing in, felt a surge of panic. He squeezed his legs tightly against his horse's belly and dashed into the valley in a frantic escape. Wen Chou followed at a steady pace, observing Zhan's disheveled hair and fallen helmet, and felt a wave of disdain wash over him. He called out sharply, "Gongsun Zan, your fate is sealed! Today, I shall take your head!"
At that moment, Gongsun Zan's horse slipped, its front legs sinking into soft mud. Losing its footing, Zhan tumbled heavily from the saddle and rolled into the bushes down the slope. Seeing this, Wen Chou charged down the hill with determination, aiming his spear directly at Gongsun Zan's chest, his eyes ablaze with murderous intent. He coldly declared, "Today is your day to die!"
Just as Wen Chou's spear lunged toward Gongsun Zan's chest like a venomous dragon, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from the left side of the grassy slope: "You rogue! Do not be so arrogant!" Following this was a silver-white warhorse galloping forward with a valiant young man atop it. In his hands was a gleaming eight-foot silver spear that flashed cold light as it shot straight for Wen Chou. Startled, Wen Chou quickly raised his spear to defend himself; their weapons clashed with sparks flying.
Gongsun Zan scrambled up from the bushes, shaking off the dirt from his clothes as he looked toward the sounds of battle. He saw that the young man was tall and imposing with thick brows and large eyes, riding with an air of authority. The silver spear in his hands moved like flowing water as he engaged Wen Chou in an intense duel. Each thrust of his spear whistled through the air; every maneuver concealed deadly intent. Gongsun Zan couldn't help but exclaim, "This warrior is truly like a heavenly savior!"
The two fought fiercely for over fifty exchanges without either gaining the upper hand. Growing anxious, Wen Chou glanced back and saw Gongsun Zan's reinforcements arriving in waves, their shouts shaking the heavens. With a cold snort, he pushed back the young man with his spear and retreated into his own ranks, disappearing from sight in moments.
The young man halted his horse and watched as Wen Chou fled, his expression stern and seemingly unwilling to accept that he had not taken Wen Chou's life. Gongsun Zan quickly dismounted and hurried to the young man's side, bowing respectfully as he said, "If it weren't for your timely rescue just now, my life would have been forfeit! May I ask your esteemed name?"
The young man twirled the tip of his spear and clasped his fists together as he replied: "I am Zhao Yun from Changshan in Zhen Ding. I served under Yuan Benchu but grew disillusioned when Yuan Shao sought personal gain instead of loyalty to the emperor and saving the people. Thus, I left him to join your command. It seems fate has brought me here to meet you today."
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan's eyes filled with delight as he eagerly grasped Zhao Yun's hand and expressed his gratitude: "Your loyalty and righteousness truly earn my respect! With such a talent assisting me, how can I worry about our great cause failing?"
Zhao Yun smiled slightly and bowed slightly as he said: "I am willing to serve you with all my strength."
Gongsun Zan laughed heartily and immediately ordered his troops to regroup and return to camp while inviting Zhao Yun into the Central Tent.
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