The most arrogant in history

Chapter 203: Overthinking.

In fact, Gongsun Zhang was overthinking it.

This time, the alliance of princes took this into consideration first and agreed not to attack each other. Even the revenge for the murder of their father had to be put aside and all their efforts had to be focused on dealing with Niu Yeliang.

If Ye Kun assassinated Gongsun Zhang and aroused public anger, wouldn't he be hacked to pieces by other princes?

Similarly, Ye Kun also believed that Gongsun Zhang would not dare to plot against him at this time.

Unless you are a fool, you will not make a mistake at this time and make yourself a target of public criticism.

A banquet had already been prepared in the military tent in the main camp.

Ye Kun was very humble and let Gongsun Zhang sit in the first seat.

Gongsun Zhang smiled and said, "As the ancients said, the first to enter is the master. General Ye has conquered this stronghold, so you should be the master."

Ye Kun smiled and said, "Master Gongsun, you are joking. You are older than me and a member of the royal family, so you should be the priority."

The royal family of Dading State was surnamed Gongsun.

Gongsun Zhang is a relative of the royal family and the prefect of Yizhou. In terms of prestige, territory, and strength, he is superior to Ye Kun at the moment.

Ye Kun knew how to keep a low profile.

"Hahaha, in that case, I'd rather obey than be respectful." Gongsun Zhang was very happy and sat in the host seat.

After three cups, Ye Kun took the initiative to say:

"I captured this stronghold last night, but I didn't touch the food and fodder inside. I will leave it to Lord Gongsun to make the arrangements."

Gongsun Zhang was very satisfied with the respect he received. He waved his hand and said:

"These are all General Ye's spoils of war. They were obtained at the cost of the lives of his subordinates. How dare I touch them? General Ye, everything here is yours. I don't want a penny."

Being wealthy and powerful is different.

Ye Kun thanked him, continued to toast, and asked about some things in a roundabout way.

This time Gongsun Zhang led an army of 35,000 people, including almost half of the best soldiers and generals in Shu.

Originally, Gongsun Zhang could send troops from Hanzhong, but Hanzhong and Yizhou often fought and were always at odds with each other, so Gongsun Zhang took Ye Kun's marching route.

After three cups of wine, Gongsun Zhang relaxed and asked:

"General Ye, you and Shangguan Jifu are sworn brothers, why didn't you go together? I heard that Shangguan Jifu's troops are now with the troops of Jingzhou, right?"

Ye Kun said: "I received news that Shangguan Jifu and Lord Wei of Jingzhou met on the way and did not intend to be together. It's just like me meeting Lord Gongsun at this moment."

"Haha, in that case, my meeting with General Ye is destiny and fate."

"Ye Kun is young and inexperienced, so I will need your guidance in the future."

"General Ye, you don't have to be polite. We are neighbors, and it's only natural for us to be close to each other."

Gongsun Zhang intends to win over Ye Kun: "Dongba County has many mountains and little land, and the population is insufficient. General Ye, if you need anything in the future, just tell me. Yizhou has thousands of miles of fertile land and a population of one million, so it must have something."

Ye Kun and Shangguan Jifu’s territory is very special.

It is right between Yizhou and Jingzhou, with the Yangtze River to the north and Jiaozhou to the south.

If Ye Kun approaches Jingzhou, Yizhou will be threatened;

If Ye Kun gets close to Yizhou, the pressure on Jingzhou will double.

In this position, Ye Kun and Shangguan Jifu can jump left and right, making Jingzhou and Yizhou dare not press too hard.

It would be best to maintain the status quo and let Tianmen County and Dongba County serve as strategic buffer zones.

Ye Kun didn't care, whoever gave him milk was his mother, and he immediately clasped his fists and thanked her:

"Ye Kun is temporarily acting as the governor of Dongba County. He is safe and sound under the protection of Lord Gongsun. But there is no reward without merit. How can Ye Kun have the nerve to ask for something from the Lord?"

Gongsun Zhang smiled and said, "The whole world belongs to the king. We are all important officials of the court, shepherding the people on behalf of the emperor. Lord Ye is also a county governor appointed by the court. If he is in trouble, it is only right for me to help him."

Ye Kun smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Gongsun, for your righteousness. If I encounter difficulties in the future, Ye Kun will definitely go to you for help!"

We had a pleasant conversation over the meal.

After the meal, Gongsun Zhang waved his hand and gave Ye Kun fifteen oxen and fifty jars of fine wine, asking him to reward his subordinates.

Rich people are rich people. When Gongsun Zhang set out with his army, he brought a lot of live cattle and sheep.

Ye Kun was not polite either. He took the cattle and ordered his subordinates to slaughter it immediately and cook it into salted beef jerky to keep as dry food.

Ye Kun's soldiers and horses were not numerous, and almost everyone of them could get a pound of beef jerky.

What a good thing.

The army rested for a day and then set out again, approaching the small town of Qi County.

There were only 3,000 defenders in Qi County. When they saw Gongsun Zhang's army, they were so frightened that they fled without a fight and headed north in panic.

Gongsun Zhang and Ye Kun led their troops into the city.

The Bashu army had lax discipline. Once they entered the city, they began killing, burning, looting, and bullying women. Wherever they went, there was wailing.

Ye Kun couldn't bear it, so he secretly sent Huang Fulin and Wang Dagui to seize the territory and protect the people. At the same time, he gave advice to Gongsun Zhang:

"Lord Gongsun, the bandits in the small town have retreated, and the remaining ones are all citizens of Dading. They were all coerced by the bandits, and they hope that the princes will unite to eliminate the bandits and restore the country. Therefore, I think we should comfort the people and show Lord Gongsun's benevolence and righteousness."

Gongsun Zhang was stunned for a moment, then ordered: "Pass on my order, do not harass the people, otherwise you will be punished by military law!"

Ye Kun clasped his fists and said, "Lord Gongsun cares about the people, and uses both kindness and power. The people of China will surely be grateful."

Gongsun Zhang laughed and relaxed his guard against Ye Kun.

Compassion does not command troops.

You can't survive in this era if you are too soft-hearted.

Ye Kun’s words just now made Gongsun Zhang feel relieved and even happy.

He felt that Ye Kun was not as powerful as the legend said, and would be swallowed up by him sooner or later.

Ye Kun's words saved thousands of lives in the small town.

Wang Da Kui guarded the north gate and also let many civilians go, saving them from the clutches of the rebellious army.

After stationing the troops outside the city for one night, Ye Kun urged Gongsun Zhang to set off for the meeting place.

Leave early to prevent the people here from falling into the hands of the army.

As the saying goes, bandits pass by like a comb, and soldiers pass by like a rake. The army's destruction of the people is no less than that of bandits!

Gongsun Zhang lazily ordered the army to set off.

That night, we arrived in the northern part of Nanyang.

Ye Kun and Gongsun Zhang set up camp separately.

Shangguan Jifu also led his troops to join forces with Ye Kun.

Ye Kun took Shangguan Jifu and said with a smile, "Fourth brother, why did you come just now? I heard that you were with the Jingzhou army, right?"

"Don't mention it!"

Shangguan Jifu rolled his eyes. "Wei Dingshan led the army himself, and his second son Wei Kang followed the central army. Along the way, every time we met, he glared at me, as if he wanted to eat me. I was annoyed, so I left first and left Wei Dingshan's army behind."

Ye Kun nodded: "No wonder, Wei Kang has always been arrogant. He suffered a loss from us last time, so naturally he is unhappy with you."

"Brother Dalang, we have to be careful to prevent Wei Kang from causing trouble."

"I know." Ye Kun nodded:

"The meeting of the princes concerns the righteousness of the world. No one dares to cause trouble openly. Even if Wei Kang wants to find trouble, he may not have the chance."

The two men joined forces, chatting until late at night.

The Jingzhou army arrived early the next morning. Wei Dingshan personally led the troops and stationed them twenty miles away.

Ye Kun and Shangguan Jifu, along with some of their personal followers, went to Wei Dingshan's camp to say hello.

There was no other way. He was an elder and a great lord, so Ye Kun had to put himself in a difficult position.

Wei Dingshan was a good guy. When he learned that Ye Kun was coming to visit, he went out to greet him.

Ye Kun clasped his fists and saluted: "Master Wei, I am Ye Kun. Last time in Jingzhou City, I was disrespectful and assassinated Lu Biao. Today I come here to ask for death. I will leave it to Master Wei to decide."