Chapter 10, Cooperation

Upon hearing the name, Gongsun Zhi only realized the significance of the two characters "Zhang Liao" at the moment he put down his hand... the renowned general of Wei's Five Sons... whose might shook Xiaoyao Ford... If encountering a Yellow Turban leader made him aware that he had arrived in the late Eastern Han period, then meeting Zhang Liao truly allowed him to feel that he had stepped into this era.

The cloak brushed past, the figure turned back, and a voice was heard

Gao Sheng listened quietly, his face, which was crooked and askew, shook slightly, "I don't understand"

"It is the wolves..." The scabbard gently tapped against the horse's back as Gongsun Zhi gazed at the distant pack of wolves. "The coordination among the wolves and the command of the wolf king are all lessons for us to learn. Now that we have many short bows and arrows in our hands, I have a bold idea in mind, but it is not yet fully formed, so I will refrain from discussing it for now."

The morning light is as tranquil as water

Then you should convey the message to those who can make decisions. Gongsun Zhi turned around, his cloak billowing, and he pointed at the dead bandit below: "We are also seeking a living under the edge of the sword, all for survival. My brothers have died, and for those who are still alive, I will compensate them doubly, as who knows when they might also die. Zhang Liao, go back and tell those dignitaries that the Xiongnu have abducted countless common people, and I, Gongsun Zhi, will retrieve them. I will take the goods, but return the people to you, and you can claim the merits. How does that sound?"

I, Gongsun Zhi, naturally agree to this request of yours, but at present, I must take this group of common people back with me. According to the customs of the grasslands, they are captives of the Xiongnu. I have killed the Xiongnu, so they rightfully belong to me. If you wish to reclaim them...

The other party's rejection was originally within Zhang Liao's expectations, but he did not anticipate the clarity with which the other party expressed it. At this moment, he sighed and felt that the other party was a hero with no avenue to serve the country

In the vast and winding procession, a rider rushed to Gongsun Zhi's side: "Chief, if we continue to raid the Xiongnu, I fear there will be hardly anyone left by my side."

Gongsun Zhi clasped his hands and said: "Farewell"

Gongsun Zhi patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "In the future, our numbers will only continue to grow... Do not focus solely on the small benefits in front of you. After we return, let the brothers quickly wash off the wolf urine in the pond. It is better to have less interaction with wolves in the future, as they are merely beasts and may one day turn around and bite us."

"To bring back the common people, to retrieve the goods, and to ensure that people can still live, this is the true value—" Gongsun Zhi's tone was resolute and unwavering

Looking at the short-bearded young man bowing on horseback in front of him, after a moment of silence, Gongsun Zhi revealed a smile: "So it turns out General Zhang..."

The moving figure came to a halt, turned around, and Gongsun Zhi raised his finger: "... ... Here, the least valuable thing is life, and the most valuable thing is also life. You can exchange food for them."

Gongsun Zhi turned back to glance at the diminishing black dot, his expression unchanged as he let out a faint sigh in his heart. In the past, novels often spoke of recruiting famous generals... only when faced with reality did he realize that in this world, status has always been paramount; who would associate with a mere bandit? Reflecting on the novels he had read, Gongsun Zhi couldn't help but chuckle; how could an ordinary modern person compare in aura to those fierce generals and renowned warriors who had fought their way through life and death? He probably wouldn't even dare to meet their gaze.

Gongsun Zhi's voice echoed in the wind as he gazed at the people behind him

A certain person will return to inform the governor; if he agrees, Liao will come to see you again

He looked at the future general who was mounting his horse and spoke in a slightly softer tone: "Lord Zhang, how about we work together with one heart and one mind from now on? We brothers are risking our lives to provoke the Xiongnu. If the enemy surrounds us, I hope that, considering we are all Han people, you will come to my aid and rally the troops.

Uh... Gao Shengzheng was quite engrossed; after the voice finished speaking, he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful

Hundreds of common people were driven up in a throng, while a group of bandits gathered the weapons, bows and arrows, as well as the food and poultry left behind by the Xiongnu, packing them all up and escorting the people back towards the direction of the White Wolf Plain

Zhang Liao spoke in a humble tone, his hands clasped around the hilt of his sword, clearly remaining vigilant. Not far away, the gaze of a wolf was directed towards him, and the horses beneath him were restlessly stamping their hooves. He gently calmed the horse's head and continued, "Leader Gongsun is willing to kill outsiders, and his subordinates are so valiant. Rather than roaming the grasslands and tarnishing our reputation, it would be better to do some tangible work for the people."

How many people can a small bandit save? However, this moment truly requires the collective effort of everyone

"... ... Agree to them," he said

Not long after, as the sun slanted to the west, a request regarding the leader of the White Wolf bandits was presented to Guo Mian, the governor of Yanmen County. For a moment, the flickering candlelight cast a shadow, and the figure came to a halt

By now, he may no longer fear such an imposing presence, yet he has still temporarily set aside the idea of recruiting fierce generals and wise strategists... The identity is the greatest obstacle

Opposite him, Gongsun Zhi, draped in a long cloak, squinted his eyes and shook his head: "Although we are not bandits, engaging in some unsavory dealings, we still live freely and comfortably. This time, the Xiongnu have encroached, but we are merely fellow Han people. As for serving the country, I have always yearned for it, but you also know our status; we come from a tainted background. I fear that entering the officialdom would lead to criticism, and not only would it make it difficult for me to move forward, but my brothers, with their unruly nature, might also bring about disaster, which would only harm them"

Zhang Liao waved his hand to silence them, looking at the figure in the distance and asking, "How can the common people be treated as commodities... I cannot agree to that, especially since I am not in a position to make such decisions"

"Leader Gongsun, please do not speak recklessly. Liao is merely a county official from Yanmen and does not deserve the title of general." The figure holding the hooked sickle cupped his hands again, his short beard trembling, "... this group of Xiongnu has plundered the villages of the common people, leaving hardly one in ten alive. We did not expect to be intercepted by Leader Gongsun, and the people of Liao express their gratitude in advance."

Among these people, many have lost their families and homes. Perhaps some may wish to join us. After returning, you should send someone to gauge the situation. Furthermore, in this confrontation with the Xiongnu, I have learned quite a bit. What about you?

How can there be no one

The strong wind swept across the grassland, the tassels swaying. Zhang Liao looked sincerely at the figure opposite him, draped in a cloak. The two shadows faced each other, moving with the light for a moment. Then Gongsun Zhi made a slight movement, and the surrounding vigilant Han soldiers nervously raised their weapons, casting a glance at the crowd.

Zhang Liao closed his eyes and frowned, then turned back and drew out his hooked scythe, saying sternly: "Since you have done all these things, does that not render the border soldiers of the Han Dynasty utterly worthless?"

In an instant, he drove the sickle into the ground, dismounted, and was quietly reminded by the soldiers around him of the potential deception, which he dismissed with a wave of his hand. He strode forward, glanced at the bound commoners over there, and bowed respectfully to the other party: "Leader Gongsun, the common people at the border have already endured great hardships. I, Liao, hail from Mayi and am well aware of the difficulties involved. Aside from natural disasters, what remains are the man-made calamities. This time, with the Xiongnu invading several major counties at the border, many of the surrounding commoners have perished... Those who are still alive are the very roots of our Han border. I, Liao, request one thing from Leader Gongsun: when raiding the grasslands, please do not take their lives, and leave them a way to survive. Is that acceptable?"

Around them, the Han soldiers, filled with indignation, some directly drew their swords: "These bandits truly forget righteousness in the face of profit; we might as well engage them in battle."

Even though the current Zhang Liao has not yet gained fame, his imposing presence is gradually taking shape. The fact that he is able to converse with the other party up to this point is supported by the fierce determination within him. If it were back in the day when he was still a zookeeper, there was an occasion when he hosted a military commander; the way the commander looked at him felt like a thorn in his back, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.