Chapter 46: The Campaign Against the Yellow Turbans (VII)

When the Yellow Turban leaders outside the city were beheaded and Zhang Jiao’s severed head hung from the flagpole, the Yellow Turban soldiers guarding the city walls saw these scenes, and their morale completely collapsed.

“All forces, attack the city! Break Guangzong!” At Lu Zhi’s command, the prepared Han army surged toward Guangzong’s gates.

This time, the cloud formation on the city wall could do nothing; even the soldiers’ accumulated cloud energy began to dissipate. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei felt the weakening of the suppression, and their inner energy flowed into their weapons. They couldn’t unleash massive shockwaves, but clearing the enemy ranks became much faster.

In an instant, the two carved out a clear space on the battlements, and the soldiers behind them charged forward, quickly seizing control of the wall.

“Surrender at once!” Guan Yu shouted. Now the cloud energy on the wall could no longer suppress his inner strength, and a slash of blue energy cleaved off the rooftop of a nearby arrow tower. That was the final straw. The first Yellow Turban soldier dropped his weapon, knelt, and surrendered.

Where one surrendered, more followed. Soon, swathes of the enemy capitulated, and the Han army swiftly took over the city walls.

The city gates opened, the army entered, and once again the Han banner fluttered above Guangzong.

There were few Yellow Turban followers left within the city; Zhang Jiao’s direct disciple, Zhang Baiqi, had already been killed by Sun Meng’s arrow. The rest were scattered bandits who had joined midway, and refugees forcibly swept up after the city’s fall.

Examining these groups, Lu Zhi ordered them separated—women and children set apart. Fortunately, thanks to Zhang Jiao’s long tenure in Guangzong, many refugee children had survived.

After tallying the spoils, Lu Zhi turned to Liu Bei. “Xuande, do you think we should leave some food and money for these refugees?”

Liu Bei had just opened his mouth to reply when Zuo Feng entered. “General Lu, you are mistaken! These people have followed the rebels—whether forced or willing, their status is that of criminals! Without the Emperor’s pardon, how can you distribute food and money to them?” He knew well that many wealthy families in Luoyang planned to seize this opportunity to buy more slaves and claim more land. How could these refugees be allowed to return to being free citizens?

“Then what are you suggesting? Watch them starve to death?” Lu Zhi’s eyes narrowed, his spiritual force unconsciously exerting pressure on Zuo Feng.

Zuo Feng immediately stepped back, head lowered, not daring to meet Lu Zhi’s gaze. After all, he’d just been picking out treasures for himself—something that needed Lu Zhi’s approval. “Brother Zigan, no need for anger! I am only stating facts. But since the court has put you in charge, I won’t say more. Just a reminder, His Majesty cares greatly about these spoils!” With a slight bow, he quickly withdrew from the tent.

Liu Bei said, “Teacher, Zuo Feng speaks the truth. Your compassion for these refugees is noble, but it will give the Ten Eunuchs and other treacherous officials a pretext against you!” He felt pain seeing the emaciated refugees, but even more so at the thought of Lu Zhi facing persecution.

“It’s settled! I serve the Han with loyalty. At worst, my merits and faults balance, and I’ll return home to teach. Go now! Soothe the refugees—don’t let chaos erupt in the city.” With a wave, Lu Zhi sent Liu Bei out.

On the other side, with less than five days left, Sun Meng found himself unsure what to do, having finished all the books Lu Zhi had given him. Unfortunately, he still hadn’t developed a systematic theory of cloud energy formations, though he had learned the basics of formations and their use.

As he walked through the city, Sun Meng suddenly heard a loud shout.

“What are you holding?”

The voice was so loud it could only belong to Zhang Fei!

Sun Meng flew over and saw Zhang Fei grabbing Zuo Feng by the collar. Zhang Fei’s face was flushed—likely from drink.

Nearby, a bag of jewels lay scattered on the ground. Clearly, Zuo Feng had tried to pilfer these treasures and was caught by Zhang Fei. Given his straightforward nature—and a few drinks—it was a wonder Zhang Fei hadn’t killed him outright.

“Yide, let him go first!” Sun Meng called out as he landed.

The shout sobered Zhang Fei somewhat, and his grip loosened, allowing Zuo Feng to breathe easier.

“General Sun, thank heavens you’re here! He nearly killed me!” Zuo Feng pleaded desperately to Sun Meng. After days in the camp, he knew what sort of man Zhang Fei was. And since his actions couldn’t be openly explained to Lu Zhi, he had to accept his fate and beg for mercy.

Sun Meng grasped Zhang Fei’s wrist. “Yide! You mustn’t kill him. Otherwise, not only you three brothers, but even the Marshal would be implicated!” He used a burst of inner energy to jolt Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei shuddered, his inner energy circulated, and the alcohol evaporated instantly. “Brother Sun, this wretch was stealing when I caught him. I say we report him to the Marshal!”

Zuo Feng, head bowed and gasping, looked at Zhang Fei with venom in his eyes. Then, raising his head, he begged, “Please, don’t tell Marshal Lu! I’ll return the goods immediately, isn’t that enough? Please, spare me!” His appearance was pitiful, but Sun Meng and Zhang Fei knew his true nature.

Sun Meng picked up the jewels and threw them back into the storeroom. He addressed the guards at the door, “Have you forgotten the Marshal’s orders? Without a warrant, no one may take anything!”

“Yes!” The two guards could only bow their heads. After all, they were mere soldiers, and Zuo Feng had used his authority to intimidate them.

Sun Meng understood their position and moved to Zuo Feng’s side. “Envoy Zuo, you broke Guangzong and killed Zhang Jiao—you were present, so you share in the merit. You must learn contentment, or you may seize fortune but not live to enjoy it!” He whispered this directly into Zuo Feng’s ear.

Zuo Feng shivered. Even as Chief of the Palace Gates, he was not more important to the Emperor than Sun Meng, a master. If he died, it would be for nothing.

“Yes, yes, General Sun, you’re right. I’ll go rest now.” Zuo Feng hunched his shoulders and hurried away.

“Bah!” Zhang Fei spat as he watched Zuo Feng’s retreating figure. “Such cowardice, yet he expects bribes! The court is ruined by these treacherous officials!”

Sun Meng patted Zhang Fei’s shoulder. “Some words are best kept private; saying them openly harms your elder brother.” Then he walked toward Lu Zhi’s quarters.

“Oh, Brother Sun, what brings you here?” Lu Zhi greeted him with surprise.

“Zuo Feng just tried to pilfer from the spoils and was caught by Yide. It reminded me—has Zhang Jiao’s legacy been found?”

“Zhang Jiao’s legacy?!” Lu Zhi suddenly stood up. “How could I have forgotten that!” He turned to Sun Meng. “Let’s check at once. That villain may have left some trap!”

Even after his breakthrough, Lu Zhi had overlooked this, which clearly was abnormal.

They went to the storeroom and checked the inventory. There was no “Essential Techniques of Peace.” They searched among the books, but found nothing—as if the scroll had vanished into thin air.

“It was likely taken by those who escaped. Who knows if a second Zhang Jiao will arise!” Lu Zhi sighed, frowning.

“I think it’s not so simple,” Sun Meng replied. “We killed Guan Hai and Zhang Baiqi—one Zhang Jiao’s guard, the other his highest disciple. Neither had it, nor did Zhang Jiao’s corpse. He must have used some secret method to hide it.”

At that moment, Liu Bei hurried in. “Teacher, Wan City is in urgent danger!”

“What! There are still Yellow Turban rebels causing trouble?” Lu Zhi frowned. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to send help, but the distance from here to Wan City was considerable.

“Teacher, let me take my troops and ride to their aid!” Liu Bei said quickly. Five thousand infantry, now mounted, was quite an advantage. Besides, Liu Bei believed the Yellow Turbans in Wan City were no longer a real threat.

“Brother Zigan, I’ll go with Xuande and his men!” Sun Meng added. He had planned to leave when his time was up, but since the task had appeared, he wouldn’t let it slip by.