My Father in Law is Lu Bu - Chapter 685

“General Huang?” The other generals were at a loss as they looked at Huang Gai staring at Han Dang. Why did the two of them end up like this?

“This…” Han Dang stammered as he could not understand. His eyes were wide as he stared at Huang Gai, hoping for an explanation.

Huang Gai then sighed. He too, hoped that the news of the Grand Governor surrendering was fake. However, this was the truth. Huang Gai could confirm this because Zhou Yu had already written him a letter. As Zhou Yu was injured, he could not come personally and wrote a letter to Huang Gai explaining the situation.

In the letter, Zhou Yu wrote about the promise Liu Mang made to him and the consequences. If this was just about bestowing a title to Sun Ce, then Huang Gai would not say much and also continue to rebel. The worst that could happen would be his death. However, Zhou Yu also wrote about the survival of the Sun Family. This caused Huang Gai to hesitate.

Huang Gai could still remember Sun Jian’s dying words. After getting ambushed and impaled by arrows, Sun Jian had told Huang Gai that there was no need to take revenge. Instead, he hoped that Huang Gai and the others would take Sun Ce and Sun Quan away and allow them to live in peace.

At that time, Huang Gai broke his promise because he was separated from Sun Ce and Sun Quan by Yuan Shu. Sun Ce had to carry the burden of his family on his own.

Sun Ce had to endure the humiliation. One called Huang Gai uncle the other called him an adopted father. There was also the guilt Huang Gai had towards Sun Jian. He decided to help Sun Ce fight in order to protect the Sun Family.

When Sun Ce and Sun Quan fought each other, Huang Gai could not get involved because he knew that regardless of who won, the real winner would be Liu Mang. Now, Liu Mang has given his promise not to kill Sun Ce and Sun Quan. On top of that, Liu Mang has allowed Sun Ce to continue leading the troops. If it is to protect the Sun Family, Huang Gai was willing to surrender.

“Gongfu. This is the King of Shu’s plot. How can you believe it?” Han Dang said to Huang Gai. Unknowingly to himself, he did not address Liu Mang as ‘that whelp’ this time.

“What else can I do?” Huang Gai smiled bitterly. If he chose to rebel, the Sun Family would definitely be destroyed. On the other hand, if he surrenders, there was still a chance for the promise to be true.

The whole thing was already beyond their control. They don’t even have the ability to negotiate with Liu Mang.

“Yigong. Go back. If you refuse to surrender, then just retire as a rich person. Remember not to become enemies with the King of Shu, Liu Mang.” Huang Gai was tired and waved his hand towards Han Dang. The reputation of a surrendered general can be given to Huang Gai alone. There was no need to involve Han Dang as well. Liu Mang wants Jiangdong’s generals to fall in line. Only Huang Gai had the prestige and talent to silence the stubborn generals. This villain role can be done by Huang Gai alone. That way, Han Dang can continue to have the reputation of someone who refused to surrender.

“Gongfu. Who do you think I am? We swore to share the same blessings and harships. Don’t tell me you are going to enjoy Yangzhou’s blessings and then abandon me now?” Han Dang replied loudly.

Han Dang was being sarcastic when he said Yangzhou’s blessings. However, Huang Gai felt gratified from this since it meant that Han Dang was unwilling to let Huang Gai’s reputation fall on his own and decided to accompany Huang Gai. Han Dang said Yangzhou’s blessings so that Huang Gai would feel less guilty.

“Do as you please.” Huang Gai smiled. It was rare to have a friend like this.

While they were all still talking at Huang Gai’s residence, they suddenly heard a loud banging sound and realized that the residence was surrounded. A group of fully armed soldiers entered the residence.

“What are you all doing? Do you know where this is? Get out now!” The Huang Family’s housekeeper shouted.

“I don’t know where this is but I know that I have to relay a command. If you obstruct us, we will kill you!” One soldier said coldly.

“I want to see who dares to behave so wantonly at the Huang Family’s residence!” The Huang Family was an influential military family. Even their housekeeper had several bodyguards. They all took out their swords and stood in opposition to the intruders. ṝ𝘈ꞐƟᛒÈŠ

“So you insist on obstructing us?”

“Hmph! This is not your Yangzhou!” One young man said towards Yangzhou’s soldiers arrogantly.

“Fine. I want to see if you can obstruct us! Take out your swords! You better remember. Kill those that obstruct us!” The general gave the order and the other soldiers all took out their swords.

“Young General!” The other generals of the Huang Family also took out their swords but it was obvious that they weren’t confident. The Yangzhou soldiers were fully armed while they only carried a sword.

“Hmph! They trespass into people’s homes. Does the King of Shu Liu Mang not care about the law?” The young general was unyielding but also lacked confidence.

“Stop!” At this moment, Huang Gai came out and shouted.

“Father!” The young general greeted happily. His father Huang Gai was the pillar of the Huang Family. His appearance would raise morale.

“Father! Look at them! They have intruded into our home!” The young general pointed at the Yangzhou Army’s soldiers. He was expecting to get his father’s praise but then he was suddenly slapped.

“Father?” Huang Gai’s son, Huang Bing, looked at his father in disbelief. Huang Bing was not like Huang She. Huang She was ignorant and incompetent but Huang Bing had learning ability. Though he was not outstanding, his performance as the next generation of warriors was satisfying.

Because of this, Huang Gai usually praised his son. At most, Huang Bing’s punishments were just verbal scolding. Huang Gai had never beaten his son up before, and definitely not in public spaces. Huang Bing wanted his father to give an explanation. Instead, he only heard his father coldly telling him to kneel.

“Father?” Huang Bing was even more confused.

“I am telling you to kneel. Did you not hear me?” Huang Gai said coldly to his son.

“Gongfu?” Han Dang wanted to plead leniency for Huang Gai’s son but Huang Gai simply raised his hand to stop his friend.

Seeing that Han Dang could not stop his father, Huang Bing knelt towards Huang Gai.

“Not kneel to me. Kneel to that general and apologize!” Huang Gai continued.

“No! Father, I refuse!” Huang Bing refused stubbornly. They were loyal officials and would not surrender for glory. How could he agree to kneel to the Yangzhou Army? They might as well kill him.

“Kneel or you will no longer belong to the Huang Family!” Huang Gai closed his eyes and said to Huang Bing.

Huang Bing could not understand what was going on. Why did his father become so strange? What he did not know was that Huang Gai was trying to save him. Times have changed. If Jiangdong’s ruler was still surnamed Sun, then Huang Bing could act this way. If Huang Gai had not received Zhou Yu’s letter, then Huang Bing could also act this way. Huang Gai would also praise his son. At worst, they just die together.

But now, Jiangdong’s ruler was Liu Mang. At the same time, he found out that his Lord, Sun Ce, could live. Huang Gai had no choice but to lower his head. Huang Bing’s actions could get him executed so Huang Gai was trying to save Huang Bing.

Huang Bing glared at his father. If this were to continue, something would definitely happen between the two.

Yangzhou’s general who had been watching this suddenly said. “General Huang. Forget it. This young man obstruct me simply because he doesn’t understand the situation.” If Huang Gai had not appear, things would have become bloody. Liu Mang’s objective in Jiangdong was to tell the generals that if they surrender, they would be rewarded but if they were to rebel, they would be killed.

Since Huang Gai had already stopped the rebellion, they could not kill anyone. The general from Yangzhou would also not be too picky and gave a compromise.

“I am sure General Huang understands why I am here.”

“Please speak.” Huang Gai replied politely.

“Good. Is Huang Gai and Han Dang present? Quickly kneel and receive the order.” The Yangzhou general said and took out a decree. Huang Gai and Han Dang also knelt down.

Both Huang Gai and Han Dang were conferred titles. The both of them could no longer lead the troops into battle. Instead, Liu Mang arranged for them to enter the Ministry of War and handle the registry. It was the same as being a staff officer with no authority. This job was to allow them to use their excessive energy1. Liu Mang was even waiting for them to start teaching at the military academy. There were many jobs with a minimum pay of two thousand coins which is also enough for their retirement.

The other generals were also assigned to different places. The ones that would enter the army would be sent to the academy where they gain new education. The ones that would not enter the army would be given to Li Yan. Li Yan would then arrange things to preserve the peace.

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