"What do you think Gongsun Ming is?"
What was a fine dust-washing banquet turned into a Hongmen Banquet. Apparently, both the host and the guest had no intention of continuing the banquet. After a few songs and dances, it ended hastily, and Yuan Shang escorted Gongsun Ming and his entourage to another courtyard. After a short break, Yuan Shao summoned all his advisers to the study with a heavy heart. Without any pleasantries, he got to the main topic as soon as he opened his mouth.
"My lord, I have a clear vision. I think he is generous and righteous, and he has the style of an ancient chivalrous man."
During Xu You's two trips to Youzhou, not only was his song praised, but he also received a large amount of benefits from Gongsun Ming. Naturally, he wanted to speak for Gongsun Ming. No, as soon as Yuan Shao finished speaking, he was the first to stand up. , sang a hymn for Gongsun Minggao loudly.
"Ziyuan, don't try to mislead your master by making false claims. That little Gongsun is extremely treacherous and pretending to be generous. He must have some ulterior motive. His heart is treacherous. My lord must be on guard against it."
Xu You was very unpopular among the counselors. Naturally, no one was willing to agree with his words. However, Ju Shou, who had been criticized by Gongsun Ming before, was the first to stand up and sing the opposite.
"What you said is true. My son has a blood feud with me in Jizhou. He is willing to lower his profile this time. It would be strange if there is nothing fishy in it."
Guo Tu had always spared no effort in attacking Jushu in the past, but this time in order to cut off Yuan Shang's help, he expressed his support for Jushou in an uncharacteristically high-profile manner.
"Gongze, this is an exaggeration. I think Gongsun Ming's words and deeds don't seem to be false. It's useless to argue now. It's better to wait three or three days to see if the grain and salt he promised are actually fulfilled. There's no point in making any further arguments. Late."
Because he had suffered great losses under Gongsun Ming, Shen Pei actually disliked him very much. However, Yuan Shang insisted on recruiting Gongsun Ming for help, so he had no choice but to cooperate, but in terms of actions, obviously. Even though he was trying to comfort Gongsun Ming, he didn't say anything completely.
"My lord, I secretly think that Zhengnan's words are a great kindness. Whether Gongsun is loyal or traitorous will be revealed in a few days, so there is no need to rush to make a decision."
Feng Ji and Shen Pei had different thoughts. Although he also had no good impressions of Gongsun Ming, considering that Yan Liang and Wen Chou had already been attracted by Yuan Tan, in order to ensure that his side would not lose in the battle to seize the direct descendants, he was in favor of attracting them. Gongsun Ming used this, which can be seen from the fact that his words are obviously more positive than Shen Pei.
"Hmm...what does Yuan Hao think of this matter?"
Because Gongsun Ming's promise was too heavy, Yuan Shao's perception of him changed drastically. From the initial intention of getting rid of him, he unknowingly turned to taking it for his own use, but he still felt a little dissatisfied in his heart. Finally, he hesitantly asked the question to Tian Feng.
"The sages have said: A traitor is like a loyal person. This person is too deep in the city. He is really not a kind person. It is best to get rid of him as soon as possible!"
To be honest, Tian Feng still has a good impression of Gongsun Ming, but as the chief adviser, Tian Feng will not be emotional based on personal likes and dislikes, and he pointed out the reason why Gongsun Ming cannot stay.
"No, absolutely must not. Lord Mingjian, Gongsun Xu and the Black Mountain Bandits are entrenched in the north. If we in Jizhou kill Gongsun Ming, let alone the people in the world will criticize, it is the Black Mountain bandits who have occupied Youzhou, and in our Jizhou Either way, it’s a disaster, and you can’t act on your own initiative.”
Xu You was short-handed in holding people, and he had been fed too much by Gongsun Ming. He did not want to see Gongsun Ming come and go without waiting, and immediately raised his objections without waiting for Yuan Shao to express his opinions.
"Forget it, let's wait a few days before making a decision."
Yuan Shao always had a good reputation, and he did not want to attract criticism and ridicule from the people of the world for killing Gongsun Ming. In addition, Xu You's analysis was not unreasonable, and the murderous intention that had aroused in him disappeared in an instant.
"My lord is wise!"
The time is not yet ripe for the war with Cao Cao, and they can undoubtedly wait for three days. The counselors are not in a hurry to decide whether Gongsun Ming will live or die. After hearing what Yuan Shao said at this time, the counselors will not Any objections...
"Brother Wuhui is a true believer. I can give you so much luggage as soon as you ask for it. I admire you. On behalf of my father, I would like to thank you for your generosity."
The time in the western sky was not long, and it passed in a blink of an eye. When the western sun came down, although Yuan Shao hosted banquets every day, he never mentioned the matter of recruiting a son-in-law, nor did he discuss military affairs with Gongsun Ming. Instead, he flirted with both young and old. It seemed that he had great trust in Gongsun Ming, but after Lecheng actually delivered a large amount of grain and salt, Yuan Shao did not show up and only sent Yuan Shang to another courtyard to express his gratitude to Gongsun Ming.
"Brother Xianfu, please save my little brother's life."
Yuan Shang was extremely excited when he said it, but Gongsun Ming's face suddenly fell down, and he made a long bow and asked for permission with a trembling voice.
"This, where did you start talking about this?"
Yuan Shang did not expect Gongsun Minghui to say this at all, and was immediately dumbfounded.
"Oh, it's all my fault. In order to ensure that the Cao Cao thieves will be victorious, I have already supported it with all my money, but unexpectedly it has aroused the greed of some people, mistakenly thinking that Youzhou's rich and powerful people are about to kill the goose that lays the eggs."
Yecheng is a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, so Gongsun Ming naturally doesn't want to stay here any longer. The problem is that if he wants to divert the trouble to the south, he must not be able to abscond back to Youzhou. And if he wants to break the situation openly and honestly, he must arouse Yuan Shang's common enemy. Because of this, Gongsun Ming had prepared a large basin of dirty water, just waiting to pour it on Yuan Tan. Of course, such activities could not be revealed as soon as they came up. After all, Yuan Shang had to be lured into it step by step. Only then.
"Shouldn't we just let it go? My father has always been kind to others, so why would he do such an evil thing as killing a donkey?"
Yuan Shang had been accompanying his father these days and had not heard that his father wanted to take action against Gongsun Ming. Now he heard what Gongsun Ming said was strange and he did not believe it.
"As far as I know, the capture of Qingzhou was carried out by the eldest son and his troops. All the officials in the state were his confidants. Now that he has the support of Yan Liang and Wen Chou, his power is great. If he can capture Youzhou again, who can compete with him? Are you resisting?"
Gongsun Ming did not first say that the person who wanted to kill him was Yuan Tan, but put the comparison of strength between the Yuan brothers on the table, and the implications were really strong.
"Hmph! The dog thief is rampant, how can I let it go? Brother Wuhui, don't panic, I will go to my father for comment now!"
The ebb and flow of forces in the army was what hurt Yuan Shang the most. When Gongsun Ming exposed this, he was so angry that he couldn't help but swore. He went to complain to Yuan Shao.
"Hold on, brother, is this because he wants to trap my little brother to death?"
Gongsun Ming did not bring up these things to make Yuan Shang complain, but he had other motives. Naturally, he could not just sit back and watch Yuan Shang leave in such a rage. Before Yuan Shang could even take a step, Gongsun Ming was already there. He called out with a look of panic on his face...
