usatvline Chapter 74 Gongsun asks for transfer
Chapter 74 Gongsun asks for transfer
Liu Bei was still thinking about the opportunity with Gongsun Zan, unaware that Gongsun Zan had already found another way out.
Some people's success may seem like luck, but it is actually the result of behind-the-scenes efforts and hard work.
After discussing with Hou Chong, Liu Bei returned to his quiet and elegant private residence in the city.
He was sitting in the hall with Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Tian Yu, Xu Rong, and Wang Lie.
As they chatted about the subsequent reorganization of the army and the resettlement of the Xianbei, everyone spoke calmly, shedding the murderous and violent atmosphere of the frontier and gaining a sense of peace and tranquility.
Just as everyone was discussing the troop deployment for Yan Gang's assignment in Liaodong.
The guards outside the gate quickly entered and bowed to report: "My lord, there is a Liaodong commander, Mr. Gongsun Zhao, who requests an audience."
"He claimed to be Gongsun Bogui's cousin and said he had important matters to discuss with him."
Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.
Gongsun Zhao was a direct descendant of the Gongsun clan and enjoyed considerable prestige in the border region of Youzhou. His sudden visit was certainly not an ordinary one.
Liu Bei raised his hand and said, "Please come into the inner hall."
A moment later, Gongsun Zhao, dressed in a brocade robe and exuding an air of elegance, slowly walked in, his gaze sweeping over the generals in the hall.
Seeing that they were all Liu Bei's trusted ministers, he already knew that today's events were not easy, but he still smiled and bowed deeply to Liu Bei.
"Zhao greets Lord Liu."
"I have long heard of your mighty deeds in the northern frontier, sweeping away the Xianbei. Today I have witnessed it firsthand, and it is indeed true that your reputation is well-deserved."
Liu Bei rose to return the greeting and gestured for him to sit, saying, "Brother Gongsun, you are too kind. May I ask what brings you here today?"
Gongsun Zhao took his seat, and the maidservant served tea and withdrew. He didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point, stating his purpose.
"My lord, you are wise. I have come today to ask you a favor regarding my younger brother, Gongsun Zan."
"My younger brother has long served under you, my lord, and has received much kindness and care. I am deeply grateful for this."
"At present, the defense of Junmi County in Youbeiping Commandery is weak. My Gongsun family has already pulled some strings and wishes to request that my younger brother be transferred to garrison Junmi County. I have come here to ask for your permission, and I hope that you will grant my request."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Han Dang frowned, his gaze sharp as he looked at Gongsun Zhao, his tone tinged with coldness.
"Brother Gongsun, if he were truly to be transferred to guard a county, he should be seeking out the prefect. Why would you, the eldest son of the Gongsun family, personally come to our door to beg my lord?"
"I am a local of Lingzhi, and I am quite familiar with the Gongsun family's way of doing things, so I might as well speak frankly without holding back."
Han Dang's words exposed the truth, and Gongsun Zhao's smile froze slightly, followed by a hint of embarrassment. He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting again, and spoke with much more sincerity.
"Lord Yi has discerning eyes, and Zhao dares not conceal it."
"Besides transferring my younger brother to his post, I would also like to implore Your Excellency to grant my brother permission to take his six hundred White Horse Cavalry with him and his family to Junmi County."
"This matter is of great importance, and I must personally come to plead with you. I hope Your Excellency will understand."
These words shocked everyone in the room.
Six hundred White Horse Cavalrymen—I never expected the Gongsun family to have such ambitions. I've always heard that Gongsun Zan and his family are at odds, but I never imagined they would go to such lengths.
Liu Bei remained calm, showing neither joy nor anger, and politely declined, saying, "Brother Gongsun, the army is a vital asset of the state, not Liu Bei's private property."
"Moreover, where Bo Gui wishes to go should be determined by his own will."
"The six hundred White Horse Cavalry have followed the army into battle and are under my command, but this matter cannot be decided by my word alone, so I am afraid I cannot agree."
This was a blatant refusal, something Gongsun Zhao had anticipated.
After all, six hundred cavalrymen is a considerable force.
Gongsun Zhao had anticipated this, so he remained calm and immediately stood up to offer his compliments, praising him to the extreme.
"Your Excellency is a man of great wisdom and integrity, whose power resonates throughout the northern frontier. Furthermore, you are highly regarded by the governor. Your word is law in Liaoxi; who does not know this?"
"Regarding my younger brother's matter, all that is needed is for Your Lordship to nod in approval and allow these six hundred White Horse Cavalry to leave the camp."
"As for the rest of the court documents and military transfers, my Gongsun family will handle them all by ourselves, without implicating you, my lord, in the slightest."
He paused, then said with a hint of sorrow, "As for my younger brother Gongsun Zan, his mother has recently fallen seriously ill, and he has rushed back to his hometown of Lingzhi to fulfill his filial duties."
"Before leaving, I had entrusted Zhao with everything, and I have absolutely no objection to the transfer."
"Your Excellency is benevolent; surely you wouldn't want to prevent a filial son from fulfilling his duty?"
By pressuring them with the promise of filial piety and then using their personal connections as a safety net, the Gongsun family's scheme was extremely meticulous.
Just then, Wang Lie, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke, his gaze cold and clear, revealing the secret in one sentence: "Mr. Gongsun, there is no need to say more."
"Your Gongsun clan must have already established connections with Xia Yu, the Protector of the Wuhuan, and Liu Qi, the Prefect of Youbeiping, right?"
"His actions of luring away Gongsun Zan and demanding the White Horse Cavalry were nothing more than using filial piety as a pretext to seize military power."
Gongsun Zhao felt a chill run down his spine, and his whole body trembled violently!
He thought his words were well-thought-out and that he had not revealed any secrets, but he did not expect that Wang Lie would see through him at a glance after he had only said a few words.
Liu Bei's forces were renowned for their capable generals, with Wang Lie, a man of keen insight into human nature, and a host of generals who were skilled in battle. Their reputation was well-deserved, and they were far superior to ordinary border forces.
From then on, he dared not play with words or engage in pretense anymore.
Setting aside all formalities, he stood up solemnly, bowed deeply, and stated the exact price: "Sir, you are wise; I would never dare to deceive you!"
"To show our sincerity, the Gongsun family is willing to offer a thousand gold pieces and three hundred thousand bushels of grain to support your army, in order to compensate for the losses suffered by the White Horse Cavalry due to their departure from the camp. We hope that you, my lord, and all the gentlemen, will grant our request!"
A thousand taels of gold and three hundred thousand shi of grain are already astronomical sums, which shows that the Gongsun family is determined to acquire these six hundred White Horse Cavalry.
Wang Lie shook his head slightly, his expression indifferent, his tone leaving no room for argument: "The Gongsun family possesses the profits from the salt and iron industries of Youyan. A mere thousand gold pieces and three hundred thousand shi of grain are not enough to compensate for the value of six hundred elite soldiers."
"If you really want to exchange, in addition to money and grain, you need to add an iron mine in Lingzhi County and three salt fields owned by the Gongsun family in Linyu."
"In that case, this matter can be discussed."
Iron mines and salt fields are the foundation of a chaotic world, bringing in huge profits every day, and are also the lifeblood of strengthening the army and consolidating its foundation!
Gongsun Zhao's expression changed drastically, his teeth clenched, and he struggled violently within himself.
This industry is the foundation of the Gongsun family for a century. It would be painful to give up even one part of it, let alone an iron mine and three salt fields!
But he knew all too well that the White Horse Cavalry was related to the family's future plans and was the key to the Gongsun family's control of Youbeiping. If he did not give them up today, he would surely regret it in the future.
After a moment's hesitation, Gongsun Zhao gritted his teeth and nodded emphatically: "Very well! I will grant all your requests, sir!"
"The Lingzhi Iron Mine, the Linyu Three Saltworks, along with a thousand taels of gold and three hundred thousand shi of grain, shall be delivered in full within three days. I will not go back on my word!"
After saying that, he looked at Wang Lie and saw him slowly nod. The weight in his heart was finally lifted.
Wang Lie turned his head and nodded slightly to Liu Bei, indicating that the price was sufficient and he could agree to the matter.
Liu Bei raised his eyes and looked at Gongsun Zhao, who had a sincere expression. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly.
"Very well, it is only right and proper for Bo Gui to fulfill his filial duty."
"The Gongsun family gave generous gifts, which Liaoxi accepted."
"The six hundred White Horse Cavalry are permitted to accompany Gongsun Zan to Junmi County in Youbeiping, and their families are also allowed to travel with him."
"I agree to this!"