Chapter 52: When Words Fail Against Chen the Rogue, It's Best Not to Resort to Violence Either

Yuan Shu instantly transformed into a salted fish whose only talent was shouting "six."
"Ah, yes, exactly as Zining says; that's precisely what this general was thinking."
The young officer at Sun Jian’s side wanted to curse, but Sun Jian firmly held him back, then signaled to Cheng Pu and Han Dang. The two exited together.
"I am determined to quell the traitors, yet petty men persistently harass me. Such absurdity is laughable and truly contemptible. Since you all choose injustice, do not blame me for being unyielding. Twenty thousand sons of Jiangdong demand justice. Farewell!"
Yuan Shao hesitated, then stretched out his hand, saying, "Wentai, wait."
Sun Jian glanced back with a cold sneer, disdainfully replying, "Does the alliance leader intend to forcibly detain Sun Jian?"
"Wentai, you misunderstand. This is merely a misunderstanding."
"Oh?" Sun Jian raised his brows. "I am eager to hear your wise counsel."
"Yuan Shu judges others by himself and makes baseless accusations. It's ridiculous. Gentlemen, let us discuss this together."
Chen Cong couldn't help but laugh.
No wonder the villain Cao said Yuan Shao treasures his reputation in small matters and his life in great ones; when he wishes to win over Sun Jian, he refuses to take a clear stance. When he wants to step on Yuan Shu, he insists on dragging others along.
Every warlord present was sharp and a master of smoothing things over.
If they could reach a consensus, it would be as rare as the sun rising in the west.
If one truly wished to crush Yuan Shu, a single point would suffice—military law!
The eighth of the Seventeen Prohibitions: Sharp tongues and clever speech, stirring disputes among soldiers, causing discord—this is slander against the army. Offenders shall be executed.
The sixteenth: Misusing authority over funds and provisions, showing favoritism during rewards, causing resentment among troops—this is corruption in the army. Offenders shall be executed.
Reasonable and justified, one could execute him outright without anyone finding fault.
Without Yuan Shu, the Yuan clan could only continue to funnel political resources in his direction—what else could they do?
Forever hesitating and overthinking, no wonder he turned a great advantage at Guandu into a crushing defeat.
"In my view, the Rear General's actions are indeed improper, but Sun General's conduct can also easily invite misunderstanding. Perhaps we should sit down and talk things through; once the misunderstanding is resolved, all will be well."
Just as Chen Cong predicted, once Tao Qian spoke first, the entire atmosphere changed.
"Tao Gong’s mature counsel is for the nation. We have united to defeat the traitors for the public good. If some misunderstandings are cleared, all will be well. Wentai, do not overreact or do anything that would grieve friends and delight foes."
"Indeed, Wentai. We swore blood oaths as allies only yesterday; why must we now meet with swords, letting the traitors in Luoyang profit from our conflict?"
"This place lies fifty li from Si Shui Gate, and the roads are rough, so difficulties in transporting provisions are understandable. Fortunately, the Jiangdong warriors have returned; let the Rear General supply the missing provisions."
As soon as Gongsun Zan spoke, both Yuan Shao and Sun Jian’s faces darkened.
In truth, Gongsun Zan didn’t want to openly pick a side. Navigating between parties was the best principle.
Yet, unlike the others, Right Beiping was far too close to Bohai—how could he allow others to snore beside his couch?
With Yuan Shao’s growing power, a clash was inevitable. It was wiser to ally with Yuan Shu as a strong reinforcement.
Gongsun Zan steadied himself and pressed further.
He said, "The alliance leader claims that Gong Lu’s accusations are baseless, but if the gentlemen doubt it, I am willing to lead the vanguard. Whether the Rear General has withheld provisions will soon be clear."
Yuan Shu was overjoyed. "If even half a day’s worth of provisions is missing, I’ll present my head!"
With that, the two saluted from afar, nearly displaying their collusion for all to see.
"Enough!" Yuan Shao shouted sharply to stop them.

Gongsun Zan siding with Yuan Shu was intolerable for him, and now he absolutely could not let Sun Jian leave. Turning to Sun Jian, he said, "Wentai, do not be angry. Let us join forces to defeat the traitors; Shao would never let a righteous man’s passion cool. Your losses, Wentai, I will bear fully, and grant you five hundred warhorses to reward your loyalty and courage."
Sun Jian saluted, "The alliance leader’s righteousness is commendable. I have something I must say."
"Wentai, speak freely."
"Though Yuan Shu comes from a noble lineage, he is petty and jealous, acting in disgraceful ways and lacking virtue. He must not be put in charge of the alliance’s provisions."
"Oh?" Yuan Shao was delighted but concealed it, replying calmly, "May I ask what disgraceful acts you refer to, Wentai?"
"Keeping courtesans in camp."
"You’re lying!"
Before Yuan Shu could protest, Sun Jian clapped his hands, and Cheng Pu and Han Dang returned, escorting five women at swordpoint.
Caught red-handed, Yuan Shu fell silent.
Chen Cong muttered inwardly about such foolish allies—even Zhang Fei had more sense.
"Sun Jian, you wouldn’t randomly seize some courtesans to frame the Rear General, would you?"
"They were found in Yuan Shu’s camp. What does it have to do with me?"
"Who will testify?"
Chen Cong questioned Sun Jian, but behind his back he signaled to the women with his hands.
A seasoned frequenter of pleasure houses, he was well versed in their secret codes.
Palm upright for gold, palm down for copper; fingers for numbers, a shake for ten, two shakes for a hundred.
Chen Cong shook his open hand twice, and the women’s eyes immediately lit up.
Sun Jian, unaware, continued, "Cheng Pu and Han Dang both witnessed it."
"You and the Rear General are at odds; how could your officers be credible witnesses? Let’s ask those involved instead."
"Then ask!" Sun Jian turned to the courtesans, hand on his sword, "If any of you lie, beware for your lives!"
Chen Cong stepped between Sun Jian and the women, comforting them, "Don’t be afraid, sisters. See that man in the hall? He is the renowned Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu. You’ve surely heard of the Yuan clan, honored for four generations and three high offices. Speak truthfully; he will surely uphold justice for you."
The women were all shrewd and immediately understood Chen Cong’s hint.
They spoke up,
"We sisters don’t know how we offended that general, but we were taken here."
"He asked us to identify someone named Yuan Shu, but we don’t even know Yuan Shu—how could we point him out?"
"Please spare us, my lord! That general threatened to kill us if we didn’t do as he said."
Yuan Shu was dumbfounded…
Wuying was with him just this morning… How could she say she didn’t know him? Truly loyal!
Sun Jian was furious at their words, reaching for his sword to punish the women.
But facing Chen Cong, he had clearly overestimated his own martial prowess.
Before his sword could leave the scabbard, Chen Cong stepped forward and kicked the hilt, forcing the blade back into its sheath.
"What’s this? Your scheme exposed, and now Sun General is enraged?"
"Chen Cong, you scoundrel! You’ve gone too far—do you think my blade is dull?"

Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Huang Gai, and Sun Jian’s eldest son Sun Ce all drew their swords together.
Chen Cong twisted his neck and lightly tapped Tai’a, drawing it from its sheath.
He had guessed before entering the tent that a fierce battle was inevitable.
Sun Jian had entered with his sword and officers, yet the guards blocked Chen Cong at the entrance with the excuse of "no entry without permission."
But Cheng Pu and Han Dang came and went freely—why weren’t they stopped?
None of the other warlords brought their officers, yet Yuan Shao deliberately let in this raging Jiangdong tiger. The intention was obvious: to use Sun Jian to wear down Yuan Shu.
Chen Cong tilted his head slightly and asked behind him, "Rear General, I’m settling this for you—one officer for a hundred gold coins, five officers for five hundred. Is that fair?"
"Zining, what are you saying? A thousand gold! I’ll have it sent to you later."
"Rear General, you are generous."
His bold words, one against five, immediately provoked the young officers.
"You arrogant brat! Do you know your grandfather, Sun Ce?"
The blade gleamed coldly as Sun Ce lunged.
Yet, in truth, few masters at the end of Han wielded swords skillfully.
Recorded experts included Liu Bei, Ma Chao, Wang Yue, Shi Ah, Deng Zhan, and Cao Pi.
Sun Ce had strength and courage, but in swordsmanship he was an outsider.
His reckless thrust left his center wide open, making him easy prey, vulnerable to manipulation.
Chen Cong merely tilted his head, easily dodged the fatal strike, and, spinning, kicked Sun Ce, sending him rolling out of the tent before his feet touched the ground.
The three officers then attacked with drawn swords.
They were even less skilled than fifteen-year-old Sun Ce; their blades clashed against Chen Cong’s sword, producing sparks but lacking any force.
After parrying for a while, Chen Cong launched a fierce counterattack.
In a flash, he stepped forward and smashed the hilt into Huang Gai’s face, knocking him down.
He ducked beneath a sweeping strike from behind and, spinning, brought his elbow down to topple Cheng Pu.
Stepping forward again, he changed a thrust to a slap, using his blade to strike Han Dang’s wrist, making the seasoned warrior incapable of holding his sword.
Tai’a pointed forward.
From Sun Jian’s perspective, Chen Cong’s sword, elbow, arm, shoulder, and head all aligned as one.
Cold sweat broke out instantly.
Most generals merely wielded swords without true mastery; few possessed real skill.
With Chen Cong’s strength and superb swordsmanship, how could an ordinary general hope to compete?