Lub Su and his companions' planning had actually all skirted around one point, that being Chen Xi. Although they were aware that soone had intercepted Chen Xi's supply line, they harbored not the slightest worry. This level of trust was becoming sowhat blind for them.
Compared to Liu Bei's situation, Yuan Shu had now fallen into trouble. After being driven to Jingnan and enduring great hardships, Liu Biao had successfully counterattacked Jingbei and steadied his stance. Only then did Sunx Ce barely arrive in Xiangyang of Jingzhou, and by that ti, most of the lands in South Commandery had already returned to Liu Biao's embrace.
"Hmph!" Sunx Ce pounded his fist on the table. "Liu Jiyu, you truly know not what's good for you, daring to seize Yuan Gong's territory!"
"Indeed, it is so. Our army now has to handle two large forces. It's better not to ntion Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou. Although he is indeed brave and decisive, if he had shown such boldness before the loss of Jingzhou, our task of taking Jing-Xiang would have been as difficult as ascending to the heavens," Pang Tong, seated behind and to the side of Sunx Ce, perford the duties of a military advisor in the capacity of a Docunt Assistant.
"Hmph, Kuai Yidu's capabilities are indeed extraordinary, repeatedly using offense as his defense, making it difficult for our army to break through," Chancellor Liaoo Li sighed and said. "Back then, our army was after all domineering over others, which inevitably led to certain shackles. But now our orders can be executed as if they were our own limbs."
"What Gong Yuan said is indeed reasonable. The biggest problem our army faced at the ti was not that we couldn't overco the enemy, but that we couldn't perfectly command our soldiers. And now, although Liu Jingsheng has stabilized his footing in Jingbei, with our army's absolute superiority, the enemy has virtually no chance whatsoever," Gu Yong said spiritedly, as they had already received news that Sunx Ce had been appointed by Yuan Shu as his successor.
"Bofu, who is your greatest enemy?" Pang Tong, having listened to the various responses from Sunx Ce's subordinate generals, asked.
"Liu Jingsheng, Kuai Yue, Cao Ren!" said Sunx Ce sternly, but without the teeth-gritting anger of the past. Weighed down by a heavy burden, he had matured much and at least knew when to remain calm.
"Then may I ask, what are Marquis of Wucheng and Yuan Gong's expectations for you?" Pang Tong asked, lowering his head in thought.
"Yuan Gong naturally values the world foremost, and his expectation for now is to inherit all he has accomplished and achieve hegemony," Sunx Ce said straightforwardly. "As for my late father, his expectation for should be to prioritize the family business and revitalize the Sunx Family."
"So now, the greatest way to revitalize the Sunx Family is to build it upon the world, to create a Foundation of Eternity," said Pang Tong calmly, his words exploding in Sunx Ce's ears.
"A Foundation of Eternity..." Sunx Ce murmured to himself.
"Yes, just so. Bofu, you need to set your sights on the world. You are already among the most powerful of the Feudal Lords, no longer that humble child living under others. All of us here, including myself, are your Ministers," Pang Tong said gravely, looking at Sunx Ce.
"Minister Liaoo Li pays his respects to the Lord!" Liaoo Li was the first to stand and bow deeply to Sunx Ce.
"Ministers Gu Yong, Yuy Fan, Ling Cao, Dong Xi, Jiangh Qin... pay their respects to the Lord," Pang Tong spoke and a flurry of people all stood up and bowed to Sunx Ce.
"To aim for the world, huh..." Sunx Ce's eyes brightened increasingly, and then he slowly stood up. "Gentlen, co walk with !"
After the ceremonial greetings, Sunx Ce finally understood his current situation. He was no longer that little nobody living under soone else's command; he had beco a Feudal Lord himself — no wonder, on his recent visit to Jingzhou, people like Liu Xun and Li Feng had shown him an additional asure of reverence.
It had to be said that Yuan Shu was quite the eccentric figure. While his generals were not particularly impressive, none could fault their loyalty. These n obeyed only Yuan Shu's orders, which was why even when Sunx Ce rose to power, the Yuan Family couldn't incite the top generals under Yuan Shu's command.
After helping his subordinates to their feet, Sunx Ce was thoroughly aware that he now represented not just an individual, but a power among the greatest in the land.
"Since the general aims for supremacy over the land, please let go of your hatred towards Kuai Yidu. After all, it was rely each serving their own lord — this man is truly an extraordinary talent of the land," Liaoo Li, who had been helped up by Sunx Ce, said solemnly after giving Pang Tong a sideways glance.
"No way!" Sunx Ce flatly rejected Liaoo Li's suggestion.
"Lord, Chancellor Liaoo speaks sense. Those who aspire to rule the land should not abandon the Foundation of Eternity over a personal vendetta. Back then, Guanzi shot an arrow at Duke Huan, almost killing him personally, but Duke Huan tolerated that arrow's grudge, which led to the rise of Duke Huan of Qi as the leader of the Five Hegemons," Pang Tong picked up the thread of the conversation imdiately.
Even though Pang Tong didn't understand why Liaoo Li was giving him a dirty look, his previous query had been along these sa lines: one must be magnanimous toward talented individuals, and there's no need to exterminate such a character just because of battlefield allegiances.
"We shall discuss this matter later!" Sunx Ce's face darkened, ready to chide him, but then he rembered Yuan Shu's earnest gaze and the words that Huang Gai and others had brought from his dying father. The rage within him turned into a heavy responsibility, and he forcibly swallowed what he was about to say.
After hearing this, Liaoo Li felt even more displeased with Pang Tong. Having a boy who had just reached adulthood openly act as a Docunt Assistant but actually serve as a military strategist was more than he could tolerate. In fact, if it wasn't for Zhou Yu's overwhelming strength, Liaoo Li would even be dissatisfied with him.
"Well then, if we are to discuss this later, let's discuss it later," Pang Tong, seeing Sunx Ce relenting, was pleased and sent a thankful look to Liaoo Li, who completely ignored him. At that mont, Pang Tong felt puzzled — hadn't they been cooperating well just before? What was going on with this guy?
It was true that both Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang had entered into service too early. Although their wisdom was great, they hadn't yet experienced the complexities of human relationships. They could understand many things, but when actually faced with them, so were still hard to grasp.
After all, since Pang Tong started out, he first encountered Zixu who resolved a major problem for him at no cost, and then t Zhou Yu and Sunx Ce, both of whom showed him no prejudice whatsoever. In Pang Tong's view, there were more good people in the world.
As for Sima Yi, when Hu Zhao took him to the Northern Frontier, it was to show Sima Yi the various facets of human life, including love, hatred, separation, and the fickle nature of the human heart.
In this respect, Hu Zhao was indeed an excellent teacher, but on the other hand, Hu Zhao's observation of worldly affairs and understanding of human nature focused on the darker aspects of human behavior. It wouldn't be surprising if the Sima Yi he taught turned out twisted, although this also involved the issue of tailoring education to the student's abilities.
"Now that our positions have been restored and we no longer have any shackles, I suggest we divide our forces into two groups to deal with Liu Jingsheng and Liu Ji Yu," Liaoo Li said, changing the subject from Kuai Yidu and turning to military affairs.
"Our army is indeed strong, and we should do exactly that," Pang Tong nodded in agreent. "Most of you have experience in fighting in Jingzhou and have often achieved victory. With such rich experience, it would be best to continue in this manner. I shall accompany the Lord to Tigu to deal with Yizhou." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for it on Qidian ), and your support will be my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian to read.)
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