Mythical Three Kingdoms

The verification by Xin Pi and Zhu Ling did not take much time. Xu Shu had indeed left, and based on Xin Pi’s judgment, he concluded that Yuan Shao likely believed the time for battle was ripe, with Liu Bei mired in a desperate struggle and in need of reinforcements.

Under such circumstances, Xin Pi and Zhu Ling naturally entrusted the city’s defenses to their deputy generals, taking gifts in hand to personally visit the Cui Family that night to apologize.

In truth, all of this had been within Cui Yan’s expectations. There is a stratagem known as ”Feigning Retreat to Lure the Enemy,” and though Cui Yan might not possess extraordinary brilliance or cunning, once he resolved to act, he never wavered. Since he had already decided to side with Liu Bei, even without Xu Shu’s involvement, he would find his own way to establish ties with Liu Bei.

The three of them soon indulged in rounds of drinks, growing so inebriated that even Zhu Ling, a military general, ended up flat on the ground. With Xin Pi and Zhu Ling visiting specifically to seek forgiveness, Cui Yan drank enthusiastically, ensuring that his companions also consumed copious amounts of alcohol.

”Deru, reach out to Liu Bei for me. Among the relatives of the Cui Family, you’re the only one I truly trust,” Cui Yan said, nearly vomiting his guts but regaining clarity in his thoughts.

”I’ll go immediately,” Cui Lin nodded decisively. ”I’ve already ordered someone to carry both of them into the inner courtyard and lit calming, sleep-inducing incense. They should remain unconscious for at least five hours.”

”Well done,” Cui Yan said, his head spinning. He knew full well that, even if the situation took a turn for the worse, Xin Pi and Zhu Ling would have no suspicions upon waking up in the inner courtyard of the Cui Family. At most, they might even think highly of Cui Yan’s hospitality and virtue.

That very night, Cui Lin departed the Cui estate through a hidden passage, intending to establish contact with Liu Bei’s forces in Qingzhou. Unfortunately, by that time, Zang Ba had already left for the Bohai Sea, and there weren’t any generals in Qingzhou with the authority to privately mobilize a thousand troops.

With Cui Lin’s keen intelligence, it only took a glance at Zang Ba’s undisguised actions to discern deeper machinations at play. Suddenly enlightened, he spurred his horse and rushed back to Qinghe overnight, pushing both horse and rider to the limit, showcasing the terrifying speed and mobility of a lone messenger when sparing no expense.

By the time Cui Lin returned alone, it was early dawn. He went straight to the Cui estate to relay everything he had seen and heard to Cui Yan.

”You’re saying Zang Ba has already taken Bohai? How can this be?” Cui Yan asked in disbelief.

”It seems likely that Liu Bei has spies not only in Bohai but throughout Jizhou. That staged self-sacrifice years ago—perhaps it was all orchestrated for us, the Aristocratic Families of Hebei, and Yuan Shao to see,” Cui Lin said with a grave expression.

”If the Zhen Family has turned against Yuan Shao, Jizhou is lost. The Zhen Family is spread throughout Jizhou—this is no exaggeration,” Cui Yan said with a bitter laugh. If the Zhen Family indeed rebelled, even if Yuan Shao triumphed on the battlefield, he would still lose too much ground.

”The problem is that all families have reasons to rebel, except for the Zhen Family, which lacks any real motivation. Does the Zhen Family have a legitimate heir? No. Do they have any capable concubine-born sons? Also no,” Cui Yan answered his own query, highlighting why Yuan Shao had never bothered suppressing the Zhen Family. A family incapable of resolving its lineage issues had no one to rally around even if it rebelled.

Without resolving their lineage problems, rebellion served no purpose. Besides, the Zhen Family’s power rested with the women, who obviously avoided participating in power plays and instead stayed neutral as observers.

Given such a well-behaved family, Yuan Shao, provided he wasn’t entirely foolish, certainly wouldn’t resort to force. At most, he might try to ally with them through marriage, hoping to bind the Zhen Family to his cause—besides, they were wealthy.

But now, the Zhen Family had revolted—an utterly unexpected development, given they had no apparent reason to betray. This astonished Cui Yan, for as long as the Zhen Family maintained its neutral stance in Jizhou, any ruler of Jizhou would be compelled to treat them well—a family that governed the livelihoods of the ”First Among the Nine Provinces” was indispensable!

”We should act as well; there’s likely only one explanation—the Zhen Family is confident Liu Bei will prevail,” Cui Lin said, his anticipation lighting up his eyes as he looked at Cui Yan.

”We will act. The Zhen Family, despite its vast influence and lack of rebellion motives, has taken this step. As for our Cui Family, divided as we are, it’s only logical to have someone take the lead and test the waters. Take action immediately. Confine all the clan elders,” Cui Yan said in an eerily calm voice.

For a family that had developed to such a scale, it was long past the era of reckless bloodshed for marginal gains. Achieving steady progression was their ultimate aim. Thus, an impulsive move like the Zhen Family’s could not possibly stem from mere shortsighted greed—it had to be calculated!

After all, years ago, Zhen Yi had handed the position of family head to the Zhang Clan not only as a signal to other families to withdraw from the aristocratic power games but also because the Zhang Clan deeply valued the survival of the entire Zhen Family.

The current situation clearly showed that the Zhang Clan hadn’t changed; therefore, the shift could only lie in the broader political landscape. With this realization, Cui Yan decided it was time to strike.

By dawn the next day, the Cui Family’s private troops silently took over the entire city under the guise of a guard rotation. As for Yuan Shao’s Army, they were sent off with promises of rewards under Xin Pi and Zhu Ling’s names.

Promised money, food, and assurances of the Cui Family safeguarding the city defenses—and with both Xin Pi and Zhu Ling seen visiting the Cui Family—it raised no suspicions. Moreover, Wei Yan’s troops outside the city had withdrawn. Everything appeared normal. Thus, Cui Yan successfully seized control of the entire city, isolating and confining Yuan Shao’s troops throughout the city afterward.

By the time Zhu Ling groggily woke up, he found the city defenses already arranged by Cui Yan, with no signs of hostile forces. Feeling no reason to distrust Cui Yan, Zhu Ling casually ate some breakfast before going back to sleep.

When Xin Pi eventually woke up, Cui Yan used Zhu Ling’s earlier actions of arranging the defense while in a groggy state to explain the situation. Xin Pi, feeling equally dizzy, accepted the explanation without much scrutiny. After all, Xin Pi had always trusted Zhu Ling’s reliability.

By the time Xu Shu and Wei Yan arrived, Cui Yan had completed his takeover of Ganling. Upon seeing the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade, a rare hint of joy broke through Cui Yan’s otherwise somber and stern demeanor. The Cui Family of Qinghe had bet correctly!

Under such circumstances, Xin Pi and Zhu Ling were powerless. Before they could react, they were respectively captured by Xu Shu and Wei Yan, bound tightly, and rendered useless. At this point, Qinghe’s administrative center had fallen firmly into Liu Bei’s hands. Leveraging the Cui Family’s influence and authority in Qinghe, Liu Bei’s forces swiftly consolidated control over the entire Qinghe County.

At this moment, less than five hours had passed since Yuan Shao’s downfall, and Jizhou—the essence of Hebei—was already falling systematically into Liu Bei’s grasp. If Yuan Shao’s departed soul could witness this, he would likely sigh at the inevitability of his defeat.

After securing all of Qinghe, Xu Shu and Wei Yan immediately began registering and cataloging the city’s resources. Despite being only two men, with Yuan Shao’s death already disclosed and Cui Yan’s dominance ensuring obedience, the entire Qinghe complied with Wei Yan and Xu Shu’s directives without a hint of resistance. The so-called ”momentum of success” was fully evident here. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please consider visiting Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)