dtnovels Chapter 245 Confident
Chapter 245 Confident
A bearded man stood up and said to Wang Lang: This bearded man named Yang Cheng is a general of the First Regiment of Wang Lang's First Division, and one of the people Wang Lang trusts the most.
A tall, thin man sitting on the other side said to Yang Cheng, "Old Yang, we always say you're brainless, but you don't believe us. Where did you hear Big Brother say he's going to fight?" "I'm just supporting Big Brother," the bearded man chuckled.
"Alright, enough with the nonsense. According to the latest intelligence, Yuan Shao's large army is already at the gates of Chang'an. That brat Gongsun Bo only has two regiments under his command; they won't hold out for long. We must come up with a plan as soon as possible," Wang Lang said.
"That brat Gongsun Bo, if it weren't for the fact that he's the old lord's nephew, we would have wiped him out long ago. He dares to occupy Chang'an with just two regiments, does he really think he's someone important?" Yang Cheng said disdainfully.
“General, I think Gongsun Bo is very likely to surrender directly,” Zhang Kang, the third general, said to Wang Lang.
"That's possible. Gongsun Bo is usually a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. With Yuan Shao's army of 60,000 to 70,000 men at the gates, it wouldn't be surprising if he surrendered."
Wang Lang nodded and said, "Yuan Shao has only recently entered Luoyang. Having lost Yanzhou, he urgently needs more strength to replenish his forces. Even if Gongsun Bo does not surrender, he will try to turn others against him."
"In other words, we will soon be facing Yuan Shao head-on."
“That’s right, that’s why I’ve gathered you all here. Whether we fight or make peace is up to you,” Wang Lang said.
"Brother, do you mean to surrender?" Although Yang Cheng didn't like to use his brain, it didn't mean he was stupid. He immediately understood the meaning behind Wang Lang's words. Yang Cheng said to Wang Lang, "Brother, we haven't even fought yet! Are you scared? This isn't like you!"
“Yes, General, what are we afraid of? Yuan Shao has more men, but we are not made of clay!” Zhang Kang said.
Guo also stood up and said, "Yes, brother, let's do it! Why surrender? We've worked so hard to build our current empire, why should we let Yuan Benchu benefit from it!"
"It's precisely because this foundation was hard-won that I'm afraid!" Wang Lang said. "Over the years, we've fought in the east and west, and finally we have what we have today. I don't know how many more brothers will die this time."
"Those of you here were among the first to follow Lord Lu in battle during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and it's been almost ten years now. We've worked so hard to get to where we are today, and this legacy has never come easily! I know that surrendering is a very difficult decision, alas..."
Wang Lang couldn't continue. He looked at his brothers around him, and all of them fell silent. They knew that what Wang Lang said was true. Having achieved their current status, none of them were willing to easily give up their wealth and glory.
Actually, it wasn't that everyone was unwilling to surrender; it was just that they were all worried about whether they could keep their current wealth and status after surrendering to Yuan Shao.
"Brother, if I disagree after you put it that way, I'd be ungrateful."
Guo asked, "But brother, will Yuan Shao accept our surrender?"
“Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao and lost Ji and Yan provinces. Now he has fled to Luoyang. He is in dire need of manpower. If we go there, we will definitely be given important positions.”
Before this, Wang Lang had already done some preparations. What he was struggling with now was who could act as a go-between. Going up and surrendering like this would make him seem too cheap.
"So, what do you mean, brother?" Guo asked.
“We need a suitable time and a middleman,” Wang Lang said.
Guo, the top henchman of Wang Lang, said, "Brother, I know someone. You've met this person before; he's the one who came here before."
"Are you talking about Feng Ji?" Wang Lang asked.
Feng Ji had visited Xianyang before, when Yuan Shao had not yet resolved the situation in Luoyang. Wang Lang refused Feng Ji's invitation at that time, but now it seems that Wang Lang was too hasty in refusing.
“That’s right, brother, it’s him. I don’t think there’s a better middleman than him,” Guo said.
Wang Lang said, "I rejected him back then, and now if we take the initiative to approach him, do you think he'll still accept us?" Guo said confidently, "Brother, don't you think about how many people we have under our command? If we give Feng Ji such a great achievement, would he refuse?"
"In that case, there is still room for negotiation," Wang Lang said.
……
When Feng Ji saw Guo?, he laughed inwardly. Back then, when Wang Lang rejected him, Feng Ji had been furious for a long time. In the competition to win over the forces in Yongzhou, he had lost to Xu You.
But Xu You had been smug for a long time and had been showing off in front of him for a long time. Now that such a great achievement had been delivered to his hands, how could Feng Ji not smile?
Feng Ji warmly invited Guo to sit down, then feigned ignorance and said, "I wonder what brings you here, Mr. Guo?"
Guo? He knew perfectly well that Feng Ji was saying this on purpose. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed to Feng Ji, saying, "Sir, I've come on behalf of my elder brother to apologize to you. Last time you visited Xianyang, my elder brother didn't entertain you well. Please forgive him."
As he spoke, Guo pushed a box on the table in front of Feng Ji. Feng Ji smiled and touched the box, immediately realizing that it contained gold.
Feng Ji smiled and said, "Mr. Guo, please speak freely. I will definitely help if it is within my power."
"Mr. Feng, my elder brother knows that Lord Yuan has come to Yongzhou to quell the rebellion, and he specifically asked me to come and ask him. We also want to do our part for the court. I wonder if Lord Yuan would be willing to accept us?"
"I see." After confirming Guo's purpose, Feng Ji became even more enthusiastic. He said to Guo, "General Wang wants to help Lord Yuan, which is naturally a good thing. However, General Wang previously refused Lord Yuan's invitation, so this matter is a bit difficult to handle."
"I've come to ask you for help, sir. I'm sure you have a solution."
Guo? He flattered Feng Ji. He had done his homework on the personalities and interests of Yuan Shao's advisors, especially Feng Ji's. Although Feng Ji loved money and liked to hear flattery, he was decisive and kept his promises. In addition, they had been in contact before, which is why Guo? came to him for help.
"Haha, you're smart," Feng Ji said. "Don't worry, I'll definitely take care of this after I've accepted your bribes."
Guo immediately expressed his gratitude to Feng Ji, who waved his hand and said, "We are mutually benefiting. Please tell General Wang that he should not forget me when he becomes successful."
“That’s natural! That’s natural,” Guo said.