The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 47 Seeking the Grand Tutor's Decision

Of course, Yuan Shao was merely indulging in wishful thinking at this point. All talented people in the world possess their own pride. With so many men under his command suffering repeated defeats, who would want to serve him? Of course, if Yuan Shao were to gain fame through his campaign against Dong Zhuo, many would likely be willing to join him. After all, the influence of powerful clans in this world is still immense. However, Chen Er's so-called talent selection examinations and educational reforms in the Northern Autonomous Region have begun to shake the foundations of these powerful clans. When the time is ripe, and Chen Er raises his arms and shouts, "We want the imperial examinations!" that will be the time when the knowledge monopoly and official monopoly of these powerful clans are broken.

In this sense, Liu Hong's selling of official positions was actually a kind of progress. At least he broke the monopoly of powerful families on officialdom. Although people from humble backgrounds still didn't have much of a chance, at least the wealthy had a chance, unlike before when it was entirely up to powerful families. From this point of view, Chen Er admired Liu Hong very much. Although he knew that Liu Hong's subjective intention was just to make money, this did not obscure the objective results.

Upon assuming the position of leader of the alliance, Yuan Shao's first act was to convene a mobilization meeting with all officers and generals of the allied forces. He declared that Grand Commandant Lu Zhi would personally command the battle the following day. At the meeting, Yuan Shao demanded that all forces hand over their musketeers to Lu Zhi to cover the attacking troops. Upon hearing that Lu Zhi would be in command, the other warlords did not hesitate and immediately handed over their military power to him. After all, Lu Zhi's reputation was trustworthy, especially compared to Yuan Shu, that spoiled brat. Everyone believed that under Lu Zhi's command, the army would be able to achieve a breakthrough.

The Xiliang army inside the pass had become somewhat complacent after their victories the previous days. Even Dian Wei, Hua Xiong, and Li Jue had become a little lax in their vigilance. Strangely enough, although Dian Wei and Hua Xiong's relationship wasn't very good, it wasn't too strained either. The three of them were even drinking together. Of course, this was mainly because Dian Wei had learned what restraint meant. After suffering a great loss at Zhao Yun's hands, Dian Wei understood that in this world, martial prowess couldn't completely determine a person's status.

"Come, Marquis Wen, let me offer you another cup!" The next day at noon, the allied forces did not attack all morning. Hua Xiong naturally assumed that the allied forces had been frightened yesterday and would not attack again today. At noon, he invited Dian Wei and Li Jue to drink. As Ding Yuan's adopted son, although Dian Wei used to be a soldier in Bingzhou, the conflict between Bingzhou and Xiliang in this world was not particularly deep. Although the soldiers of Xiliang were somewhat unfriendly to the former Bingzhou soldiers, they respected Dian Wei's martial prowess. In addition, Dian Wei had become more reserved since returning from Jizhou.

"General Hua, it's best not to drink anymore. If the Kwantung Army attacks the city now and we get drunk, we might lose the pass. Our godfather will definitely not forgive us." Although Dian Wei was fond of drinking and women, he still had self-control. A person who can become a super general must have very strong self-control. Otherwise, no matter how talented he was, he would not have achieved what he has today.

Hua Xiong said disdainfully, "Those women from the Kwantung Army, it's not that I look down on them, but they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Lord Wen yesterday. I was certain..." "Ugh...!"

Before Hua Xiong could finish speaking, urgent bugle calls sounded outside, signaling the start of the Kwantung Army's attack!

The cup that Hua Xiong had raised in mid-air suddenly fell to the ground. The three of them quickly sat up. Hua Xiong looked at Dian Wei and Li Jue in surprise and said, "Has the Guandong Army changed its ways?"

Li Jue had guessed some things, but he hadn't spoken until he said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Kwantung Army must have changed its commander."

Everyone knows that Yuan Shu was the previous leader of the Kwantung Coalition, which is one of the reasons why Hua Xiong and others looked down on the Kwantung Army. Yuan Shu's abilities were indeed not respected by everyone.

"Come, follow me to the city wall." Dian Wei grabbed his helmet and put it on, then picked up his weapon and walked towards the outside of the city wall.

Outside Hulao Pass, the Guandong Allied Forces had already formed ranks. The experienced Lu Zhi made a striking entrance, especially after finally bringing out the more than twenty powerful cannons he had acquired. Only then did everyone realize that Lu Zhi possessed such formidable weapons. Upon hearing this news in the Allied camp, Yuan Shu was furious! That damned Lu Zhi had kept it from him! Yuan Shu now harbored a deep hatred for Lu Zhi. In Yuan Shu's view, if Lu Zhi had brought out the powerful cannons earlier, the Allied Forces would have already won and breached Hulao Pass, and he wouldn't have lost his position as leader of the alliance.

"Damn it! Damn it!" Yuan Shu roared and drew his sword, hacking everything in the tent to pieces.

"Fire!" Lu Zhi gave the order, and more than twenty Shenwu cannons were divided into two groups and opened fire. With the guidance of the Youzhou army, the Bingzhou army's artillery was much more professional than the artillery under Yuan Shao's original command.

At this moment, Yuan Shao also had a different idea in mind. He called over a few trusted generals, whispered a few words in their ears, and sent them away. A few minutes later, these generals appeared around the artillery positions of the new Bingzhou army and silently watched the artillery performance.

boom! boom!

The twenty-odd cannons posed little threat to Hulao Pass. However, the fact that they were being attacked without being able to retaliate greatly affected the morale of the Xiliang army. Dian Wei, Li Jue, and others behind the ramparts then realized that the allied forces had such a hidden weapon. They were well aware of the power of the Shenwu Cannon, but the Xiliang army had not mastered the technology. The army only had a dozen or so cannons captured in Luoyang, all of which were used to defend Luoyang. A few cannons were traded to the Western Regions by Ding Yuan, who hoped to use the Westerners to manufacture their own Shenwu Cannons.

However, the Xiliang army is still far from being equipped with the Divine Cannon. Seeing that the Guandong coalition had changed its tactics, Li Jue said to Dian Wei, "Lord Wen, the Guandong army has suddenly changed its tactics and brought out the secret weapon, the Divine Cannon. Moreover, I noticed that Yuan Shu did not appear behind the coalition today. The banner of the Guandong army leader is still Yuan. I estimate that the Guandong army leader has become Yuan Shao. Although Yuan Shao has been defeated by Chen Er several times, his battle experience is far superior to that of Yuan Shu. I believe we should report this matter to the Grand Tutor as soon as possible and ask the Grand Tutor to make a decision."