Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 288 - 276: Merits and Demerits

Let us talk about how Gongsun Zan, on his way northward, was extremely lucky not to encounter any of Yuan Shao’s pursuing troops. Even though he felt drowsy and listless on the road, he did manage to return safely to Youzhou. However, perhaps because he had suffered from fever for too long or suffered too crushing a defeat, he had clearly become prone to irritation, and his thinking was not quite normal.

"Lord, Taishi Ziyi and Gan Xingba have arrived," a messenger burst in, loudly reporting.

Since separating from Gan Ning, Gan Lan had headed directly north along the river, while Taishi Ci, without Gongsun Zan’s reservations, decided to follow the previously arranged route along the Zhang River once they had parted ways. He planned to ensure his own safety before attempting to rescue Gongsun Zan.

After all, Gongsun Zan’s departure without a word, although Taishi Ci was reluctant to dwell on it, still felt somewhat hurtful. Plus, as allies and not subordinates, Taishi Ci did not feel obliged to play nursemaid to Gongsun Zan. Let life and death be dictated by the Mandate of Heaven, he thought. Besides, in his effort to protect Gongsun Zan, Taishi Ci had already sustained serious injuries; he believed he had fulfilled his duty to the utmost.

Gan Lan traveled down the river, and by the evening of the second day, he had run into Taishi Ci. Although Taishi Ci was curious as to why only a few shabby boats had come to rescue him, he did not ask any unnecessary questions. He just transferred to the boat because in Jizhou, a land without a navy, boarding a boat meant complete safety.

While Taishi Ci might not have asked, Gan Lan knew what he must be thinking, so with a bitter smile, he recounted the events that had happened during this time. Listening to the tale, Taishi Ci was filled with surging emotions—three hundred men had burned the Handan Granary and retreated unscathed, forcing Yuan Shao to withdraw his troops due to a lack of provisions.

"And where is Xingba now?" Taishi Ci asked with curiosity.

"He took a hundred men to raid Yuan Shao’s main camp," said Gan Lan helplessly. Upon hearing this, Taishi Ci spewed out a mouthful of his drink. Was this something humans would do?

Just as Taishi Ci was about to ask more, one of the navy men approached, "Military Marquis, our brothers have spotted our leader’s ships approaching. No pursuers have been seen. The leader must have succeeded."

"General Taishi, please rest here; I’ll go welcome our Household General," said Gan Lan with a sidelong glance at the messenger, still unable to shake off his river bandit habits.

"I’ll join you to see Xingba," Taishi Ci said, setting down his bowl and eager to see what made Gan Ning, seemingly nonsensical yet astonishing in battle, stand out.

"Indeed!" Gan Lan bowed respectfully and then led the way for Taishi Ci.

"Lads, your supervisor is back! Welcome me!" Before Gan Ning himself appeared, his boastful voice had already resounded over the river surface.

Gan Lan was helpless; his young master was indeed too shameful, utterly disgraceful. Just when he had scolded his subordinates for not changing their bandit ways, he himself failed to show any demeanor befitting a high-ranking general.

"Xingba, come here so I can see what’s different about the man who burned the Handan Granary," Taishi Ci called out loudly.

"Hahaha, Ziyi is here too!" Gan Ning laughed heartily, somersaulted into the river, and with a few leaps, landed on the deck where Taishi Ci was sitting.

"I didn’t only burn Handan’s supplies; had it not been for Yann Liang blocking me, I would have taken down Yuan Shao! But even so, I sliced down his Command Banner. I am a man who, with a hundred horsemen, can challenge ten thousand troops!" Gan Ning proclaimed arrogantly, having returned safely from the raid and back on the boat, he was already thinking about how to recount the event to his brothers. After all, this was genuine battle achievement; it would be inappropriate not to boast!

"Impressive!" Taishi Ci gave Gan Ning a thumbs up. After all, he felt that if he were in Gan Ning’s position, he likely couldn’t have pulled off such a bold move.

"Thank you, thank you." Gan Ning waved his hand with a look of pride on his face. He was the type of person who enjoyed being stroked the right way, and he particularly loved praise without a hint of jealousy—especially from an expert like Taishi Ci!

As Taishi Ci watched Gan Ning’s unabashedly proud demeanor, he thought about himself and realized why Gan Ning was the one in charge and he was merely an excellent general; after all, although Taishi Ci commanded more men than Gan Ning, his accomplishments fell short. That was the difference!

"Eh? Where’s General Gongsun?" After boasting for a while, Gan Ning noticed that the other protagonist was nowhere to be seen.

Taishi Ci recounted the events of the past days, and Gan Ning’s brow immediately knitted in frustration. He wasn’t stupid—he just didn’t like to think too much. He could plainly see there was something off with Gongsun Zan.

"Forget it, let’s search along the river. If we can’t find him within ten days, we’ll head back to Youzhou. After all, the White Horse General has a huge stroke of luck on his side," Gan Ning said, clearly annoyed. His already unsatisfactory opinion of Gongsun Zan had just turned sourer.

Over the next ten days, Gan Ning searched meticulously, only to confirm that Gongsun Zan had not taken Taishi Ci’s words seriously. The routed troops and escapees he questioned all said that Gongsun Zan had headed north. Where could he go north? Surely back to Youzhou.

Gan Ning, a man of clear likes and dislikes, saw no reason to bother with Gongsun Zan any further if the man didn’t care for them. Without another word, he set sail for Youzhou to await news, alive or dead, he just needed closure.

"Let them in," Gongsun Zan said with a cold expression.

"Outer General Gan Xingba and Taishi Ziyi pay their respects to General Gongsun," the two said as they entered, bowing to Gongsun Zan.

"Ah, it’s the two generals. What brings you here?" Gongsun Zan asked mockingly, especially resentful towards Gan Xingba. If you were on the battlefield, why didn’t you burn Handan’s granaries earlier? Why wait until after my defeat to do it?

Gan Ning, sensing the malice from Youzhou’s generals, looked up and scoffed, "Not to mention the righteousness of our long journey to help, Ziyi saved your life from danger, and I risked my life to burn the Handan Granary to carve a path of survival for you. Yet, you departed without a word and now seek to deal with us?"

Gan Ning, a hothead, never knew how to sugarcoat his words. In his view, credit was credit, mistakes were mistakes—with merits came rewards, with errors came penalties. There was no reason to wrong a meritorious servant!

"How dare I! Where are my officers! Seize this madman!" Gongsun Zan was taken aback, his face flushed with shame and then burning with rage as he bellowed.

"Hmph! Who dares to make a move!" Gan Ning erupted with astonishing Inner Qi, which immediately suppressed everyone present. "Gongsun Bogui," he said coldly, "I was commanded by Lord Xuande to save your life, and Ziyi did the same. Don’t overestimate yourself. We have accomplished our military duty and plan to leave. Do you intend to stop us?" Gan Ning sneered, "Let me show you our true strength!"

Without waiting for Taishi Ci to stop him, with a casual flick of his hand towards the roof, the entire roof burst apart. Then, a ripple-like tremor directly demolished the whole building. Gan Ning, pulling Taishi Ci along, dashed out, leaving Gongsun Zan and the others buried inside. (To be continued. If you like this work, I invite you to visit to vote for it and give a monthly pass. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)