Chapter 105: Gongsun Zan’s Daughter, Gongsun Yue

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Cao Peng feigned surprise as he glanced toward the striking woman beside him. Inwardly, he thought, “I didn’t expect Gongsun Zan’s daughter to be quite attractive.” The woman noticed Cao Peng’s gaze but showed no shyness; instead, she gracefully cupped her hands and said, “I am Gongsun Yue. Thank you for what you just did!” A faint smile played at the corner of Cao Peng’s lips, yet his admiration for her grew deeper. Indeed, she was worthy of being Gongsun Zan’s daughter. Her words and actions set her apart from ordinary modest maidens—she seemed more like a spirited young woman. Suddenly, Zhao Yun spoke up, “By the way, may I ask your honorable name, sir?” Cao Peng smiled and replied, “My name is Cao Peng. By the orders of Chancellor Cao and the Emperor, I have come to campaign against Yuan Shao.” Zhao Yun was secretly surprised; he hadn’t expected such a young man to be under Cao Cao’s command. At this time, Zhao Yun had not yet joined Liu Bei and was not influenced by his chaotic ideology, so he felt no particular animosity toward Cao Cao. Gongsun Yue, however, said, “Yuan Shao now holds dominion over four provinces and commands an army of millions. Do you truly dare to campaign against him under such circumstances?” In her eyes, her father’s heroic reputation had been crushed by Yuan Shao. Thus, she regarded Yuan Shao as a formidable foe. Cao Peng laughed lightly, “You are mistaken, young lady.” Gongsun Yue thought he doubted the truth of Yuan Shao’s vast army and, growing a little angry, said, “I am sincerely warning you not to throw away your life needlessly. Why can’t you see reason?” Cao Peng shook his head and said, “You misunderstand me. I do not think you are lying. I believe the leader who controls four provinces must indeed have a million troops, but I am not afraid.” His bold claim caught Gongsun Yue’s attention. The young maiden asked with curiosity, “Why not?” Seeing this innocent and charming girl piqued his interest, Cao Peng deliberately teased, “Even with a million soldiers, they are nothing but a disorganized rabble, utterly insignificant in my eyes.” Gongsun Yue did not believe him in the slightest. Even her father had been defeated by Yuan Shao. Why should she trust this young man’s arrogance? “I thought you might have some profound insight, but it seems you are merely a brash youth!” In her eyes, her father Gongsun Zan was a strong man who had ultimately been forced to defeat and suicide by Yuan Shao, meeting a tragic end. How could this young Cao Peng be so arrogant?

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Before Cao Peng could reply, Dian Wei spoke up. “Young lady, don’t disbelieve him. Not long ago, our general decisively defeated Yuan Xi and personally slew Yan Liang, one of Yuan Shao’s top generals. Do you still think he is boasting?” Dian Wei’s words startled both Zhao Yun and Gongsun Yue. They knew of Yuan Xi, Yuan Shao’s treasured son, and Yan Liang was even more infamous, a terror of Hebei who, alongside his brother Wen Chou, was known as one of Yuan Shao’s twin heroes. Recently, during the conflict between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, it was this fierce warrior who slew many of Gongsun Zan’s generals. Of course, he had never fought Zhao Yun, who also had not been fully utilized by Gongsun Zan. Only when Gongsun Zan was defeated and driven to suicide did he entrust his last kin to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun, a man of loyalty and righteousness, led Gongsun Yue through countless battles, sustaining many wounds, yet never betraying Gongsun Zan’s dying wish. “I did not expect your lord to be so skilled in martial arts!” Although Zhao Yun had never taken Yan Liang lightly, he could not deny that the man was formidable. Yet this Cao Peng, who looked even younger, had effortlessly slain Yan Liang—truly a young hero! Cao Peng, basking in the praise, waved his hand dismissively. “A mere cutthroat, nothing worth mentioning!” Having said this, even he wanted to laugh. Only now did he understand why the famous Guan Yu had once boasted so boldly after his own rise to fame. Of course, Cao Peng had slain Yan Liang before Guan Yu could, so the glory now belonged solely to him. Gongsun Yue, still somewhat doubtful, asked, “Would this not be considered stealing someone else’s thunder?” Yet her gaze toward Cao Peng softened, no longer seeing him as just an arrogant youth.

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Their conversation took on a more gentle tone. Since Yuan Shao was her greatest enemy, anyone opposing him earned her respect. “General Zilong, since you have nowhere else to go, why not accompany me to Xuzhou?” Cao Peng extended a cordial invitation. Zhao Yun considered it briefly and thought it might be wise to follow Cao Peng for the time being. Yet he could not decide alone and turned to Gongsun Yue for her opinion. “Miss, what say you?” Gongsun Yue replied, “I leave the decision to General Zhao.” Though she spoke carelessly, Cao Peng detected a trace of loneliness beneath her words. Perhaps, as a woman, she felt helpless against her fate. When Gongsun Zan was alive, she had been protected and even feared by many generals—revered by the nobility, aristocrats, and powerful officers alike. Any alliance with her was like climbing the great tree of Gongsun Zan. Now, everything had changed. Gongsun Zan was dead, his forces crushed by Yuan Shao. As his daughter, she had become a hunted target. Zhao Yun had fought his way out, encountering not only Yuan Shao’s army but also aristocratic forces bent on troubling her. Now, she could only drift with the tide of fate. Sensing her troubled spirit, Cao Peng sought to comfort her: “Miss Gongsun, I see you are also trained in martial arts. Why not stay with my army for the time being? I shall return to Xuchang to meet the Emperor and denounce Yuan Shao’s treachery. The Emperor will surely not stand idly by and will issue an edict to punish Yuan Shao. When that time comes, I will personally lead the troops and ensure you are appointed a female general to fight alongside me and destroy Yuan Shao!” Unexpectedly, Cao Peng was willing to go to such lengths to help her. Gongsun Yue asked eagerly, “General, do you truly mean this?”