Chapter 87: Gongsun Zan
Inside the army's central command tent, when Xiao Wen arrived with Ma Chao, Gongsun Zan was already waiting nearby.
This general was quite handsome, clad in armor, with a longsword hanging at his left waist, a tassel tucked at his right waist, and a gilded helmet atop his head.
His entire body radiated the fierce aura unique to those who had spent years in the military.
Xiao Wen immediately threw a detection skill at him.
General: Gongsun Zan
Gender: Male
Rank: Great General of an Era (Tier 4)
Level: ???
Talent Attributes: ???
Faction: Imperial Court
Official Position: Zhonglang General
Weapon: Frost-Gilded Spear
Personality: Loyal, courageous, and values brotherhood.
The string of information fully demonstrated the strength of the man before him.
Gongsun Zan!
When Xiao Wen's gaze landed on Gongsun Zan, the latter's eyes also settled on Xiao Wen.
From this man, Xiao Wen could feel an overwhelming pressure.
It was a level of pressure he had never experienced before.
"I've already heard about what you accomplished in Zhuo County. I never expected that with your own strength alone, you could unite the people of Zhuo County and keep the Yellow Turban rebels outside the city."
"This level of capability has earned my admiration," Gongsun Zan said with a sigh.
Hearing those words, Xiao Wen remained extremely calm.
His gaze toward Gongsun Zan held neither joy nor sorrow, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.
"General Gongsun flatters me. You have defended the northern frontier against the Wuhuan and protected the borders of the Great Han. Such achievements are far beyond what this humble official can compare to," Xiao Wen replied.
When others praise me, I praise them back.
Besides, he still needed to find an opportunity later to take a look at Gongsun Zan's White Horse Volunteers.
Of course, viewing the White Horse Volunteers was not the most important thing.
Finding Zhao Zilong was his true objective.
After food and wine had been enjoyed, Gongsun Zan suddenly brought up another matter.
"There's something I wonder if you've heard about, brother?" Gongsun Zan lowered his voice and asked.
Xiao Wen raised an eyebrow. His heart remained calm, but confusion appeared on his face.
"What matter are you referring to, elder brother?"
"The Son of Heaven's policy! I've heard that now that the Yellow Turbans have become a major threat, His Majesty intends to abolish the current commandery administration and establish Provincial Governors."
"A Provincial Governor would be like a regional lord. They would possess the authority to raise troops independently and organize armies to combat the Yellow Turbans."
"I have to say, our Son of Heaven truly has remarkable courage."
Gongsun Zan sighed in admiration.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wen remained expressionless, though he immediately understood why Gongsun Zan had brought up the matter.
According to Xiao Wen's understanding from his previous life, the position of Provincial Governor was less a new office created by the Son of Heaven and more a result of the Starry Sky Civilization's Spark descending upon the world.
After the arrival of the Spark, the NPCs had become more lifelike.
And with greater intelligence naturally came greater ambition.
Driven by ambition, they wanted to seize control of the game world.
After all, from the NPCs' perspective, they were living people with thoughts, emotions, flesh, and blood.
Even General Gongsun Zan before him could not help but consider the future of his lord, Liu Qi, after hearing this news.
At present, Liu Qi had already become the Administrator of Zhuo Commandery.
Barring any accidents, once the Wuhuan Rebellion was suppressed, the position of Governor of You Province would likely belong to him.
Once he became Governor of You Province and gained the authority to raise troops, talented subordinates would naturally be indispensable.
And Xiao Wen was precisely the talent Gongsun Zan had set his sights on.
Recruit Xiao Wen, and he would also gain the one thousand Tiger Leopard Cavalry behind him, along with the fierce general Ma Chao.
However...
The old fellow was dreaming.
"Merely a product of the circumstances," Xiao Wen replied.
Just as he was about to continue the conversation with General Gongsun, a report suddenly came from outside.
A soldier hurried into the tent.
"What is it?" Gongsun Zan frowned and asked.
"Reporting to General, those people from before have returned. They wish to see the White Horse Volunteers and intend to recruit some men from the army. They also said... they also said..."
The soldier hesitated.
"What else did they say?" Gongsun Zan asked in a deep voice.
"They said that if their previous offer wasn't enough, they could offer even more! All for the sake of obtaining that squad leader from Changshan, Zhao Zilong!"
The moment those words were spoken, Gongsun Zan laughed in anger.
As for Xiao Wen, he naturally laughed as well.
Changshan Zhao Zilong.
So he really was serving in Gongsun Zan's army.
But judging by the situation, quite a few people were trying to recruit him.
Everyone was scrambling to obtain him.
Xiao Wen could not help but sigh inwardly.
At the same time, however, he felt somewhat fortunate.
At least General Zhao Zilong had not yet been recruited away.
That meant he still had a chance.
Gathering all of the future Five Tiger Generals would activate a certain hidden attribute.
If he could recruit Zhao Zilong as well, he would already possess two of the Five Tiger Generals.
As for whether he could eventually obtain all five, Xiao Wen was not worried in the slightest.
After all...
If fate grants it, it is my fortune. If fate denies it, it is my destiny.
With Liu Bei's template in hand, as long as no one recruited them first, the odds were still quite good.
"Are these people trying to test my limits? Do they really think I don't dare kill them?" Gongsun Zan roared, murderous light flashing in his eyes.
As that killing intent erupted, the aura around him surged to its peak.
"Why be angry, General? Who exactly are these people?" Xiao Wen asked.
Gongsun Zan snorted coldly.
"A bunch of fools. They insist on obtaining one of my squad leaders and claim they're willing to pay a fortune for him."
"At first, I thought they were Zilong's relatives or friends who had come looking for him. But later I discovered that Zilong doesn't even know them!"
"I don't know why they're looking for him, but trying to buy my brother with money? It infuriates me!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wen narrowed his eyes, excitement rising within him.
Those people's scheme had failed.
Which meant his own scheme now had a chance of succeeding.
"They truly are a bunch of fools! Gold is easy to obtain, but a capable general is hard to find. To think they would attempt to buy a general with money. Anyone who hears of it would be outraged!"
Xiao Wen immediately voiced his agreement, sounding as though he shared Gongsun Zan's indignation.
Soon after, he voluntarily suggested accompanying Gongsun Zan outside to see those money-obsessed fellows.
The two left the command tent together and arrived outside the camp.
There, more than a dozen players were waiting.
These players were representatives of major guilds, each carrying enormous sums of money in an attempt to recruit Zhao Yun.
However, when they saw Xiao Wen walking out behind Gongsun Zan, their expressions instantly became extremely ugly.
Why is he here too?!
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