Chapter 833: Different Beliefs

Compared to Zhou Yu’s relaxed demeanor on the Yangtze River, Kuai Yue was far more cautious. Despite having Huang Zhong, one of Liu Biao’s most capable generals, by his side, Kuai Yue remained extremely vigilant as he operated in Nan County.

In the ongoing confrontation between Kuai Yue and Liao Li, both had gained a deeper understanding of one another. From Liao Li’s perspective, while Kuai Yue’s strategies were ruthless and impactful, they couldn’t change the fundamental issue—Liu Biao’s inherent weakness. No matter how ingenious the strategies, they lacked the strength to deliver a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Kuai Yue had a growing respect for Liao Li’s intellect. Liao Li was quick to learn and difficult to deceive with the same trick twice. However, his pride often led him to seek revenge, which left exploitable flaws in his plans.

Because of this, Kuai Yue had always targeted Liao Li as the key to breaking through the defenses of Fanxiang, rather than focusing on the more steady but unremarkable Gu Yong or the somewhat mediocre Yu Fan.

Liao Li’s personality flaws were too obvious, and Kuai Yue was simply waiting for the right moment to deliver a fatal strike.

“A letter from General Zhou?” Liao Li looked at the letter in his hand, puzzled as to why one of his soldiers had brought it to him. Why would Zhou Yu send him a letter for no apparent reason?

“Bring it here, let me see,” Liao Li said casually. There was no special significance to his request—letters delivered by soldiers were typically intelligence reports, and as the city’s commander, it was his responsibility to review them.

The soldier hesitated for a moment but ultimately handed the letter to Liao Li. As Liao Li read through it, his dissatisfaction grew.

“Hmph, Zhou Gongjin dares to think so highly of Pang Shiyuan? That immature brat, yet he holds so much trust from his lord!” Liao Li scoffed as he closed the letter. He had respect for Sun Ce, but he didn’t believe himself to be inferior to others, especially not to someone like Pang Tong.

“So, Zhou Gongjin, you think retreating to Xiangyang and abandoning Yicheng is the best solution? I’ll show you how I, Liao Li, will defeat Kuai Yue and bring down Liu Biao in Nan County! Hmph, I am the true mastermind of Jingzhou!”

The more Liao Li thought about it, the more displeased he became. He quickly stowed the letter and dismissed the soldier. As for the contents of the letter, Liao Li had no intention of following its advice.

“Zhou Yu knows nothing of Fanxiang’s situation. He hasn’t even set foot here, yet he presumes to command me from the Yangtze River? Let me show him how my ingenuity can outshine his!”

With this in mind, Liao Li’s mood improved, and his ambition grew. “Zhou Gongjin is only valued because of his brotherly bond with Sun Ce. Sun Ce, being a man of loyalty, would never mistreat his subordinates. But if I can bring down Kuai Yue and Liu Biao to avenge his father’s death…”

A smile crept across Liao Li’s face as he realized the significant advantage he held in Jingzhou. Victory seemed within reach. “Kuai Yue has always been cautious, but this time, he’s exposed himself. I’ll seize this opportunity and capture him with ease. Only Liu Biao poses a real challenge.”

At this thought, Liao Li’s brow furrowed. “If I can only capture Kuai Yue but fail to bring down Liu Biao, my success won’t be complete, and my abilities won’t be fully recognized. Should I take a gamble and try to capture Liu Biao as well?”

Driven by jealousy and overconfidence, Liao Li made a reckless decision—to single-handedly bring down both Kuai Yue and Liu Biao. He had conveniently forgotten the numerous times Kuai Yue had outmaneuvered him in the past. All that remained was his belief that he was the most intelligent strategist in Jingzhou.

While chaos brewed in Jingzhou, in Yu Province, following Zhou Yu’s departure, Yuan Shu issued widespread proclamations, inviting talented individuals to his side, completely disregarding the disapproving glares of the aristocratic families. Even the Yuan family elders who had previously attempted to restrain him were now silenced by Yuan Shu.

Although Yuan Shu was often seen as capricious and inconsistent, when he set his mind on something, his resolve was unshakable. His determination was not easily swayed by others.

Just like at Hulao Pass, when Yuan Shu swore to protect Sun Jian’s family, he upheld that promise despite any danger or temptation. Once Yuan Shu made a vow, he would see it through, no matter the odds.

Now, Yuan Shu had resolved to reform the aristocracy. He sought to restore them to their former glory—not because of their lineage or birthright, but because of the responsibilities they bore and the honor they upheld. These were virtues that the common folk could only look up to with admiration, not fear.

Yuan Shu believed that aristocrats, as the bearers of civilization, had a duty to uphold the legacy passed down by their ancestors. Just as the Xuanyuan Cauldron once symbolized the unyielding spirit of the empire, Yuan Shu refused to kneel before it, standing tall with unwavering conviction. His ideals could not be swayed by any external force.

Some might say Yuan Shu was lost in his own delusions or that he was an obsessive fanatic. But no one could deny that he had the power and determination to pursue his vision.

What made Yuan Shu unique was that his ideals, though grandiose and seemingly unattainable, were something he would never compromise on. No matter how many people told him he was wrong, Yuan Shu would carry his beliefs to the grave without regret.

The role of the aristocracy in society was a subject too complex for even Chen Xi to fully articulate. However, Yuan Shu’s belief in the nobility’s duty was unshakable. Despite his flaws, he possessed a saint-like vision that aimed to restore the aristocracy to its former glory—a vision few could comprehend.

Yuan Shu held up the ideal aristocratic family, one that carved through the trials of history and helped forge the very essence of Huaxia. He demanded that today’s aristocracy live up to that standard, continually striving and sacrificing for the nation’s future. Any family that fell short of this duty, he deemed unworthy of the title and thus expendable.

Call Yuan Shu mad if you will, but his unwavering dedication to his ideals was terrifying. He would not hesitate to wield his sword in the name of his beliefs, no matter the cost. One moment, he could be speaking jovially with you, and the next, he might sever ties and cut you down without hesitation.

To Yuan Shu, it wasn’t personal. If you violated the virtues he held sacred, you were no longer an equal in his eyes but something lesser, undeserving of mercy.

In this way, Yuan Shu felt no guilt in his actions. Just as he now purged the aristocracy for betraying the honor their ancestors had fought for, he unleashed a wave of bloodshed across Yu Province with no second thoughts. This divergence in ideology was what set him apart.

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