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While Yuan Shu was convening with Yang Hong and Yan Xiang, Xun Yu in Yingchuan was growing increasingly troubled—not by personal matters, but by the situation unfolding in his homeland.
As a son of Yingchuan, raised within its borders, Xun Yu felt a deep responsibility for the region. The Xun family was a prominent local clan, and it was only natural to consider the long-term implications of current events.
The present circumstances left Xun Yu deeply uneasy. Though the gentry of Yingchuan had nominated Kong Zhou as their representative to raise troops against Dong Zhuo, weeks had passed with little action beyond issuing proclamations and recruiting soldiers...
This was utterly...
After much deliberation, Xun Yu resolved to visit Kong Zhou the next day to understand what the self-styled Inspector of Yu Province truly intended.
Kong Zhou's story was rather peculiar. Appointed Inspector of Yu Province the previous year, he had barely assumed office when Yuan Shu petitioned the court to strip him of the title and grant it to Sun Jian. Bafflingly, the court approved, ordering Kong Zhou to surrender his seal.
Resigned to his political demise, Kong Zhou prepared to comply—until the eastern gentry launched their anti-Dong Zhuo campaign. Seizing the opportunity, he retained the seal and remained in Yingchuan, where local elites rallied behind him as their leader in the coalition.
Yet to command an army, one needed an official title. Thus, Kong Zhou continued to style himself Inspector of Yu Province, justifying it with the seal still in his possession.
The next morning, Xun Yu arrived at Kong Zhou's residence with his name card. Unlike most commanders who lodged in military camps, Kong Zhou had rented a modest courtyard within Yingchuan's city walls.
A servant soon ushered Xun Yu inside, but the hall stood empty. The attendant apologized, explaining that Kong Zhou devoted the first two hours of each morning—without fail—to studying the classics. Xun Yu would need to wait briefly...
Indeed, faint recitations drifted from the rear study.
So be it.
Seated properly, Xun Yu listened as Kong Zhou's voice rose and fell, interspersed with admiring exclamations,
"...The Master said, 'The policies of Kings Wen and Wu are inscribed on bamboo and wood. When the right men exist, those policies flourish; when they perish, so too do the policies...' How profound! Governance hinges on men—to seek good governance, first seek worthy men..."
"...Thus, the noble man cannot neglect self-cultivation; to cultivate oneself, one must serve kin; to serve kin, one must understand others; to understand others, one must comprehend Heaven... Sublime! How many in this world attain such wisdom? Only knowledge, benevolence, and courage are the universal virtues..."
Xun Yu's heart grew cold.
What era was this? How could Kong Zhou, at such a time, still be engrossed in these texts?
It wasn't that the teachings were flawed—they were unimpeachable truths, universally applicable principles.
But...
Alas! Xun Yu sighed inwardly. He truly couldn't fathom Kong Zhou's mindset. Did the man genuinely believe the campaign against Dong Zhuo was already assured of victory?
This was simply...
Fortunately, the wait wasn't prolonged. Kong Zhou soon emerged from his study, beaming as he greeted Xun Yu. "Apologies for keeping Wenruo waiting!"
Xun Yu smiled. "Inspector Kong attends to weighty matters yet remains devoted to scholarship—truly admirable!"
Stroking his beard, Kong Zhou pontificated, "The pursuit of wisdom is like sailing against the current. Since childhood, I have devoted two daily hours to study—rain or shine—for nearly thirty years now..."
He had completely missed Xun Yu's implicit criticism, instead preening over his discipline.
"..." Xun Yu's eyebrows twitched, but he maintained his smile. "With Inspector Kong leading our forces to deliver Yingchuan from tyranny, your service to the realm embodies the sage's teachings—'to love learning is akin to wisdom; to practice diligently is akin to benevolence.' A model for us all!"
—Surely this was explicit enough!
Yet Kong Zhou accepted the praise at face value. "Merely fulfilling my duty—no need for such praise, haha..."
"..." Xun Yu lowered his head briefly, lips quirking. Was he truly being too subtle?
Unbelievable...
Abandoning nuance, Xun Yu asked directly, "Inspector Kong, what would you estimate are our chances of defeating Dong Zhuo?"
Hm? The abrupt shift gave Kong Zhou pause. Setting down his beard, he frowned momentarily before realizing Xun Yu's concern—that military preparations were being neglected...
But such worries were groundless! Dong Zhuo's tyranny had alienated all beneath Heaven. What further analysis was needed?
"Certain victory!" Kong Zhou declared. "Wenruo need not fret!"
Xun Yu was speechless. From what fathomless well did Kong Zhou draw such confidence? Just yesterday, he'd inspected the camp—chaotic, untrained recruits lacking even proper equipment...
Certain victory?
How?
Gathering himself, Xun Yu pressed, "With respect, Inspector, most of our troops are raw recruits without battle experience. This troubles me deeply."
Kong Zhou laughed. "Wenruo, you mistake the essence! An army's strength lies not in drills but in morale!"
"Morale?" Xun Yu cupped his hands. "I beg your instruction."
"Dong Zhuo ravages the realm—all under Heaven loathes him! Mencius said: 'Jie and Zhou lost the empire by losing the people's hearts. To gain the empire, win the people; to win the people, win their hearts.' This war turns on popular will! Dong Zhuo is today's Jie and Zhou—how can he not fall? As military texts state: 'One desperate man holds off a hundred; ten thousand resolved men sweep the land!' With righteous forces united against evil, how can victory elude us? Can a mantis stop a chariot?"
Xun Yu stared, dumbfounded. So this was Kong Zhou's reasoning—magnificently naive.
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