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Chapter 675: Dare to Ask Your Ambition
🕑 Added 2024-10-02 08:00:33 +0000 UTCGongsun Zan, upon seeing the figure in black, once again found himself in a state of confusion. Even now, he still didn't know what he should do. He couldn't manage the thick-skinned strategies of a warlord, nor could he be deceitful. From a certain perspective, Gongsun Zan was simply a straightforward military commander.
Shen Pei stood calmly before Gongsun Zan, having disguised himself as an emissary from Liu Bei. The guards, including Tian Kai, had confirmed that Shen Pei was alone and unarmed, and upon hearing that he had urgent matters to discuss with Gongsun Zan, allowed him to enter and speak privately.
Shen Pei had seen Gongsun Zan several times before, whether during his prime when he was sweeping across the land on horseback or after his defeat at Jieqiao when he was filled with rage. Now, however, the Gongsun Zan standing before Shen Pei exhibited a sense of inner struggle.
It was a struggle that Shen Pei couldn't quite pinpoint. It was different from the impulsive anger he had expected, and it lacked the melancholy of a hero in decline. Instead, it was the kind of confusion and struggle one feels when standing at a crossroads in life, unsure whether to step forward with the left foot or the right.
"Greetings, General Gongsun," Shen Pei said, offering a respectful bow that was neither servile nor arrogant.
Although Shen Pei was a subordinate of Yuan Shao, the Han dynasty had not yet fallen. While the imperial power had waned, the Liu clan still held significant influence. Even if Yuan Shao had other ambitions, he remained, in name, a servant of the Han. Thus, Shen Pei could not afford to be disrespectful. In fact, Shen Pei even admired Gongsun Zan for his principles.
"Sit. What brings you here on behalf of Xuande? And why are you alone?" Gongsun Zan asked after taking a long look at Shen Pei, his curiosity piqued.
"I am not here on Xuande's behalf, but for you, General," Shen Pei replied, taking a deep breath and getting straight to the point.
"And you are?" Gongsun Zan frowned. He didn't recall any of Liu Bei's men speaking to him in such a manner.
Shen Pei slowly removed his hat and pulled back the black cloak, revealing his face as he slightly bowed. "I am Shen Zhengnan of Jizhou, here to see you, General."
"Shen Zhengnan of Jizhou? Hahaha, so Yuan Benchu dares to send someone to Changli!" Gongsun Zan was momentarily surprised, then laughed aloud as he stood up, drawing his sword and thrusting it toward Shen Pei.
"Why wouldn't he dare?" Shen Pei remained composed, meeting Gongsun Zan's gaze steadily. If he dared to speak, he was confident he could leave unscathed. And if Gongsun Zan truly attacked, Shen Pei was prepared to retaliate, even if it meant sacrificing himself to eliminate this threat to Yuan Shao.
Gongsun Zan's fierce thrust missed as he hesitated upon seeing Shen Pei's calm demeanor.
"Hmph." Gongsun Zan sheathed his sword with a sneer. "If you had made a move earlier, you would have died by my sword."
"If I were to die by your sword, General, you would not emerge unscathed," Shen Pei retorted sharply.
"Bold words!" Gongsun Zan glared at Shen Pei. "No wonder Yuan Benchu can hold Jizhou."
"Jizhou has many men like me. Otherwise, I wouldn't risk my life just to advance my position," Shen Pei replied calmly, downplaying his importance as a mere foot soldier in Yuan Shao's vast army—at least in Gongsun Zan's eyes, Shen Pei was indeed a minor figure.
"You all, leave. Do not enter without my command," Gongsun Zan ordered, sheathing his sword with a sharp "clang" as his officers burst into the room. They had rushed in after hearing the commotion, but Gongsun Zan promptly sent them away.
"Out of respect for your courage, I'll spare your life. Leave now, and you might still live," Gongsun Zan said with a cold smile after dismissing his guards.
"My mission is not yet complete. If I return now, having risked my life to come here, it would be laughable. If that were the case, I might as well have not come at all," Shen Pei replied, determined to play the role of a minor official seeking to advance his position.
Gongsun Zan looked at Shen Pei, realizing the difference between himself and Yuan Shao. Even a minor figure under Yuan Shao's command was willing to risk death for his cause, while his own subordinates...
"Speak, though it won't change anything," Gongsun Zan said, deciding not to bother with a minor character. He and Yuan Shao were on the same level, and he wouldn't stoop to dealing with someone like this.
"What is your ambition, General?" Shen Pei asked, ignoring Gongsun Zan's dismissive words and beginning his attempt to sway him.
"Of course, to defeat the Xianbei, annihilate the Wuhuan, restore peace to the northern frontier, and proclaim the might of the Han, so that the Hu people dare not look south! To end the tradition of the Hu people plundering the Central Plains, which has persisted since the Shang and Zhou dynasties," Gongsun Zan replied with unwavering conviction, his voice strong and resolute.
"In other words, something like the achievements of Marquis Champion, who reached the northern frontiers, or the words of Chen Tang, who declared, 'Let their heads be hung on the streets of the foreign tribes, as a warning to all. Those who dare to offend the great Han, no matter how far, must be punished'?" Shen Pei, reassured by Gongsun Zan's immediate response, carefully phrased his next words.
"Exactly," Gongsun Zan agreed. He had always felt his description of his ambition was somewhat lacking, but Shen Pei's words struck a chord with him. This was how his ambition should be articulated—bold and grand.
"Chen Tang's words are perfect. That's exactly how it should be. If the Hu people dare to challenge the Han, they should be annihilated, and their heads should be shown to every tribe," Gongsun Zan said, expressing his admiration without hesitation.
In the past, Gongsun Zan hadn't paid much attention to Chen Tang, but after hearing Shen Pei's words, he realized that Chen Tang's statement resonated deeply with him. This was how things should be—righteousness should be backed by strength, and weakness was always a sin!
"If this is your ambition, General, have you ever wavered? In the harshness of the northern frontier, have you ever doubted?" Shen Pei continued, not attempting to persuade Gongsun Zan directly but instead engaging him in a discussion of his goals, as if they shared the same vision.
Gongsun Zan fell silent. Had he wavered? After a long pause, he finally looked up at Shen Pei with renewed determination. "From the beginning, my belief has never changed. What I thought was hesitation was nothing more than my delusions."
Seeing Gongsun Zan's resolve, Shen Pei felt completely at ease. This man was undoubtedly a staunch nationalist with an unyielding resolve.
"Then let me ask you this: If you could proclaim the might of the Han, what would you be willing to sacrifice?" Shen Pei asked seriously, knowing it was time to get to the heart of the matter.
"Proclaim the might of the Han..." Gongsun Zan muttered to himself before looking up at Shen Pei. "Tell me, what do you require? If it will let me fulfill that ambition, I, Gongsun Zan, will offer you my head to help Yuan Benchu advance his cause!"
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