Battle Royale of the Sinners

December, 188 A.D.

Cold winter hit China, and all military activities stopped during this winter period.

Yuan Shao relaxed in his city hall in Xiapi, enjoying the privilege of a liege. Unlike Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao had a proper manner and moral ethics. He did not have an orgy party like his brother but a civilized banquet of civil servants.

The party was a conservative one. Two beautiful ladies were plucking their zither while all participants enjoyed their food and wine on their table. No vulgar activity occurred here under Yuan Shao's watch.

Today, an envoy from Cao Cao visited them in the middle of a banquet inside the government hall. The visitor was none other than Chen Gong.

"My apologies for the unexpected visit, Lord Yuan. I'm Chen Gong, a humble servant of Cao Cao. I'm here as an envoy from my liege."

Yuan Shao squinted his eyes in suspicion.

'Isn't he the one that visited my idiot brother? Is he trying to ask me to attack Zhang Tong, too?'

Yuan Shao's intelligence agency was on par with Cao Cao. He had already learned about Cao Cao's meeting a few months ago and the negotiation in Luoyang.

In his mind, Yuan Shao concluded that Cao Cao was planning to pick a fight with Tong, so he did not mobilize his troops this year. He was waiting for Cao Cao to commit suicide by attacking Xiao Wu, then he would dispatch his men to claim Cao Cao's territories later.

"What can I do for you then, Sir Chen?"

"I'm here for a peace talk. Since you're busy here, I'll get to the point. We're hoping to form an alliance with you."

The music stopped, and all the participants stared at Chen Gong.

Tian Feng laughed and walked to Yuan Shao's side, whispering to him.

"Lord, this is as I had predicted. Cao Cao is about to kill himself because they underestimate Xiao Wu Army. We can simply save our men by watching two giants fighting each other to death, then we'll claim their territories later."

Yuan Shao nodded, "That's what I have in mind."

"Chen Gong will likely to ask us to join their attack, but I have another idea. Can you let me handle this?"

"Go ahead. You have my permission."

Tian Feng stepped away from Yuan Shao and walked to the front before Yuan Shao table, acting as his representative.

"Sir Chen, we have the same idea. We'll be happy to be your ally."

Chen Gong bowed in glee, "Thank you for your understanding! However, I've been entrusted with another task. May I ask for a favor from Lord Yuan?"

"Sure, ask away."

"Currently, Zhang Tong has declared himself as an emperor. He dethroned our empress Diaochan and emperor Liu that you supported. He is nothing but a tyrant that stole the throne from the righteous royalties, and he is expanding his force at a rapid rate. Since we have the same enemy, I wish to ask Lord Yuan a favor. Can you dispatch your men to attack Pingyuan with us? We will pay you compensation for your troubles."

Chen Gong brought up the hoax incidents when Cao Cao used Diaochan as a false empress while Yuan Shao erected one of his sons as an emperor. Although both sides knew that it was a façade, no one dared to point out the hidden truth.

Yuan Shao had a mocking smirk on his face as he found this ironic. Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao tried to compete for the dominancy and the initiative for the court power, but Tong shot both of them down with the real surviving empress He and her son.

Now, Tong was on the righteous side while they were the rebels, yet Chen Gong stated that Tong was a tyrant.

"Ah, I can never get bored of this," Yuan Shao laughed out loud, "Tian Feng, what do you think?"

Tian Feng turned around and cupped his fist, "It is indeed as Sir Chen has said. We are the righteous ones while Zhang Tong's ascension to the throne is an act of rebellion. We should work together and get rid of this person as soon as possible before more innocents suffer from the prolonged war."

Tian Feng faced Chen Gong again, "However, attacking Pingyuan will benefit us nothing. Instead, we will offer our assistance by attacking Beihai, north of Langya. Will this do, Sir Chen?"

Yuan Shao imagined the country map within his mind. Beihai was under Kong Rong's control, and he had joined forces with Tong. Furthermore, it did not have any legion protecting the commandery, so it was a better choice for their expansion.

Shouchun, Guangling, and Lujiang located south of Xiaopei and Xiapi. They were also Yuan Shao's targets. Since these regions were under the protection of weak lords, Yuan Shao saw these areas as dead meat that could be claimed at any time.

For now, weakening Tong and stealing his rich cities took priority.

Chen Gong narrowed his eyes. He lowered his head and hid his mocking grin behind his sleeves. Under the cover, Chen Gong thanked them.

"Thank you for your cooperation. I haven't told you yet. I've brought gifts, food supplies, and hired mercenaries to you as an advanced compensation. I hope you will like it."

Yuan Shao nodded, "Tell Mengde, I give my thanks."

.

After Chen Gong had stayed for the banquet as an etiquette, Chen Gong left the meeting. As soon as he returned to his residence, he found Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu, and Guo Jia inside, waiting for him.

Guo Jia, who had orchestrated this plan, looked like a child, sitting next to the two monsters. His 18-year-old face, 170cm tall, and a blue scholar robe were the perfect disguise as no one would have suspected that he was a strategist of an insane plan.

Xiahou Yuan was tall and muscular as if he was a professional wrestler in the modern-day. He had a full beard, and his hair was tied into a topknot. Both hands of Xiahou Yuan were full of blisters and hardened skins, which exposed the traces of his hard work.

Xu Chu was also a beefy man with a youthful face. However, his developed muscles hid under the fat of his body, making him look like a giant with a babyface. Should anyone mock him because of his fat or face, they would be in for some pain.

Both Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu were famous generals under Cao Cao in history. Now, they were with Chen Gong for a mission.

Chen Gong nodded at the two giants, "My task is complete. I'll be returning to Qiao."

"Will you be alright on your way back on your own?" Xiahou Yuan looked at Chen Gong with a concern.

"I'm fine. You take care of the mercenaries and wait for the signal."

"Aye. Tell Mengde to leave it to us."

Chen met his eyes with Guo Jia's, "It's your turn."

Guo Jia grinned, "Relax. I know what I'm doing."

"… I hope so."

Chen Gong packed his belongings and left the city. As for the trio, they gathered Cao Cao's 5,000 elites, who wore disguised leather armors and worn-out spears, into the military compound with Chen Gong's tokens.

Xiahou Yuan rubbed mud and dirt all over his body to make himself look like a thug. Furthermore, he had not taken a bath for weeks on purpose. His bodily smell was so strong that Guo Jia and Xu Chu had to pinch their nose when they were close to him.

Upon arrival at Yuan Shao's military camp, the guards inspected them.

"Who are you?"

"We're mercenaries from Cao Cao. Our lord told us that we have to work under Yuan Shao from now on."

The guards turned to their friends in confusion as they had not heard about this transfer. Before they could confirm it with their superiors, a person arrived to vouch for the disguised mercenaries.

Yan Liang, the only remaining great general under Yuan Shao, came here to check the new faces.

"Let them in. These people are Cao Cao's tributes."

"Tributes?" Yan Liang's subordinates were even more confused.

"Yes, a tribute. Cao Cao sold these slaves to our lord for an alliance. We're friends of Cao Cao now."

"OH!"

Yuan Shao's soldiers cheered and laughed while the disguised 5,000 men gritted their teeth in anger. Xu Chu was also on the verge of snapping, but Xiahou Yuan raised his hands, stopping them from ruining their masterplan.

Yan Liang also noticed Xiahou Yuan's action. He praised the mercenary leader in his mind as he approached Xiahou Yuan.

"Are you their leader? What's your name?"

"I'm Miao Cai. Who am I talking to?"

Miaocai was Xiahou Yuan's style name. However, he was using it as his fake real name.

"Who am I? I'm your boss, you stinking buffoon! Go and take a bath before I dump you in the latrine. And for the rest of you, come with me. I'll take you to your camp!"

Yan Liang kicked Xiahou Yuan's buttock with his full strength, sending him tumbling forward.

Noticing that Xiahou Yuan did not cry or collapse from his kick, Yan Liang liked this mercenary leader more.

'Come to think of it, I've seen this man before. Where have I seen it?'

Looking at the face of Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu, who stood out from the rest, Yan Liang had a sense of déjà vu.

In reality, Yan Liang had seen them in action in the battle in front of Hulao Gate. Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu had once dueled with Khan's clone soldiers.

'Bah, forget it. I got a good platoon in my army for free. What's there to think about?'

Yan Liang disregard the familiarity of their faces and continued guiding Xu Chu and the others into the camp.

Guo Jia, who followed along with them as the group's strategist, hummed and relaxed as if this undercover task was a walk in a park.

'Now then, where is Tao Qian's former subordinates I can exploit?'

.

Meanwhile, a group of envoy arrived in Ye City.

In Ye Palace, Tong sat on his throne with Liu Xie at his side as usual. They watched the visitor with a cautious glare.

Tong recognized this person and warned Liu Xie about it.

Standing at the side, Xun Yu frowned as he questioned the envoy's motive.

The envoy refused to kneel, but he bowed nonetheless, "Greetings, your majesty. I didn't attend your wives' funeral and the coronation ceremony. I hope you won't take this as an offense."

"Cao Mengde, stop the formality and get to the point. What are you doing here?"

Guarding next to the throne, Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci placed their hands on their sword sheath, getting ready to attack Cao Cao at any moment.

Everybody knew that Cao Cao was a powerhouse warlord and Tong's rival. They might not have quarreled with the other, but their borders connected. Sooner or later, they could be enemies.

Cao Cao laughed, "Can't I come to visit you? We're neighbors, so can't I come by to say hello?"

Tong glared at Cao Cao and glanced at the person behind his back.

"I would have welcomed you if you come here without an immortal tailing behind you."

Pu Jing, who came with Cao Cao as his bodyguard, smiled as he glanced around the throne room.

"Why are you so nervous? We're just here for a peace talk."

A sweatdrop dripped from Tong's face. His soul injuries had not completely healed yet, but an otherworlder with angelic wings appeared before him.

Li Feihong and others with wing powers were not present. Friday and Medusa were at Pingyuan.

Tong could not count on Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci right now as they had not matured enough to fight Pu Jing without wings.

Moreover, Tong could not use 100% of his strength at the moment. If they fought, he was not confident that he could protect his confidants in this room.

'This can get ugly.'

Mustering his courage, Tong touched a hidden shotgun behind his seat, "Tell me what your proposal is."

Cao Cao and Pu Jing grinned, "We want to form an alliance with you."