I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 189 - 6: The Situation Changes Across the Land, Xuan De Leads the People Forward

Chapter 189: Chapter 6: The Situation Changes Across the Land, Xuan De Leads the People Forward

This is the limitation of the era.

Although Ding Yuan came from a humble background, he remained loyal to the Great Han.

His previous intention to return and assist Gu Xi was solely because he knew that helping Gu Xi meant aiding the Great Han.

But this time, under the explicit decrees of the court,

he couldn’t help but hesitate.

There was no other way because the charges against Gongsun Zan for conspiring against the royal house had been confirmed.

Regardless of whether it was Liu Yuu’s remaining forces or his son Liu He, after fleeing to Jizhou, they had publicized the matter widely.

For someone like Ding Yuan, this was a deadly weapon.

Bingzhou State.

Lu Bu looked displeased, asking Ding Yuan, "Foster father, why hesitate so?"

"If you truly wish to attack Jizhou, I will certainly clear the enemies for you, and wipe out Yuan Shao."

"Be patient, my son." Ding Yuan sighed deeply and waved his hand, "Gongsun Zan’s slaughter of the royal clan is indeed a real crime."

"If we attack Jizhou at such a time, wouldn’t we be colluding with him?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

With that, he sighed again, his expression conflicted.

"So, foster father intends to attack Gongsun Zan?" Lu Bu spoke without much thought, "If you have such intentions, I too can defeat the traitor."

"I’ve long heard that Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Righteous Followers are unparalleled in combat."

"I’d like to see if the White Horse Righteous Followers can withstand my spear, the Sky Piercer."

Lu Bu was filled with the spirit of battle.

Yet Ding Yuan shook his head again, "Absolutely not."

"Attacking Gongsun Zan would mean aligning ourselves with the likes of Yuan Shao."

"The world today is rife with rumors."

"The Yuan Clan and several noble families have even supported Liu Dai’s claim to the throne. How could I possibly align with them?"

Upon hearing this, a look of obvious dissatisfaction crossed Lu Bu’s face, "Foster father, what exactly do you intend to do then?"

"What do I intend to do?" Ding Yuan sighed helplessly, "As a minister of the Great Han, it’s only right to support the Han."

As he spoke, Ding Yuan seemed to feel his own hesitation, and his expression grew even more complex.

This is the limitation of the era.

Ding Yuan, such a person.

In the original history, for the sake of loyalty, put his life on the line, boldly challenging Dong Zhuo who had already invaded the capital.

Yet now, it’s this very ’loyalty’ that has trapped him in a dilemma.

This is the limitation of the era.

Not everyone can have the flexible moral boundaries like the Gu Clan’s descendants.

Lu Bu looked at Ding Yuan, the dissatisfaction and disappointment in his eyes growing stronger.

How could such an opportunity be missed?

Whether helping Yuan Shao or attacking him made no difference.

In Lu Bu’s eyes, this was a golden opportunity heaven-sent.

Just masses of dirt and clay figurines.

If he went, his bravery alone could achieve great merit; what is there to hesitate for?

He wanted to say more.

But seeing Ding Yuan’s complex expression, he felt an immense frustration in his heart, sighed softly, and simply walked out.

....

Such news could not be concealed.

Even Yuan Shao didn’t expect that this casual move would have such an effect.

He originally just wanted to divide and dissolve the internal forces of Gongsun Zan.

Unexpectedly, it had such remarkable utility.

In the main tent.

Yuan Shao swept his gaze over everyone, laughed loudly, and said, "The great trend of the world is with me, what do we have to fear?"

"In this battle, as long as we flatten Gongsun Zan,

we can directly take Youzhou State."

"Now, Yan Province is also in my hands."

"By then, with the combined forces of You, Ji, and Yan, and then taking Bing and Qing States,"

"we will have effectively half of the world; what major event can we not achieve?"

By this point, Yuan Shao was no longer hiding his ambition at all.

He was determined to retrace the path of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, thereby unifying the whole realm.

"Master is wise!"

On hearing this, everyone was excited, bowing to Yuan Shao.

Who wouldn’t be excited?

To paint a grand blueprint for one’s subordinates,

has always been a most effective tactic throughout history.

"Deliver my order!"

Yuan Shao slowly stood up, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, scanning the crowd, his voice powerful and resonant, "Prepare the three armies for battle, I will personally confront Gongsun Zan!"

"Yes!" The civil and military officials responded in unison, their voices like a bell.

In that moment, the morale among Yuan Shao’s troops soared.

The situation changed in an instant!

Gongsun Zan’s situation suddenly became difficult.

His attack on Jizhou was indeed too rushed.

Liu Yuu’s reputation in Youzhou was not low.

Yuan Shao’s tactics had already begun to incite dissatisfaction among those within Youzhou not fond of Gongsun Zan, impacting him as a result.

If the war were going smoothly, it would be one thing.

But now, the situation in Jizhou was unfavorable for Gongsun Zan.

Already, problems were surfacing here.

The trouble lay in that Gongsun Zan’s strongest force was the White Horse Righteous Followers, an elite cavalry.

Cavalry are not adept at besieging cities and capturing territory.

And when Yuan Shao returned to Jizhou, he quickly stabilized the situation there.

Now, with the situation changing abruptly,

it made Gongsun Zan’s predicament even tougher.

But could he retreat?

Clearly, he could not.

This attack on Yuan Shao had already ensured enmity between them.

If he didn’t seize this opportunity to eliminate Yuan Shao,

and allow Yuan Shao to fully regain strength and engage in a prolonged war of attrition, it would be a fatal blow to Youzhou, located at the frontier.

Furthermore, any retreat would definitely result in a sharp decline in his prestige.

Youzhou would surely descend into chaos.

Would Yuan Shao allow him the time to quell the rebellion?

Gongsun Zan was brave but not foolish.

He fully understood the current situation required a decisive battle with Yuan Shao!

If successful, then all obstacles could be overcome.