Chapter Thirty-Eight, Each Spat Blood

  "In the past, Emperor Wu of Han abolished the Hundred Schools of Thought and solely promoted Confucianism. Only then were all industries prosperous, the country peaceful, and our great Han dynasty respected by all nations, reigning supreme over one region. Confucianism is the only and best choice for governing a country." The speaker was a young scholar in his twenties with a clear face and bright eyes. After speaking, he didn't forget to glance at Xu Feng sitting in the back, with both curiosity and fearlessness in his eyes.

  "What you said is absolutely right, I agree."

  "I also agree."

  Many students expressed their agreement with his answer and nodded in unison.

  Isn't that Xun Yu? Xu Feng was slightly startled, raised his head and took another glance at Xun Yu. Coincidentally, Xun Yu turned around to look back, their eyes met, and the two of them exchanged a gaze.

  Xun Yu, Cao Cao's first strategist in the early period, was called "my Zifang" by Cao Cao. He Yung, a famous scholar from Nanyang, was shocked when he saw Xun Yu and praised him as "a talent worthy of assisting an emperor". Guo Jia was also able to serve Cao Cao thanks to Xun Yu's recommendation.

  The strategy is astonishing, and the tactics are extraordinary. One of Cao Cao's five most brilliant plans, it established his reputation as the northern warlord.

  The first plan, Cao Cao led the army to conquer Xuzhou, but was ambushed by Lü Bu from behind. Cao Cao insisted on his own way and decided to eliminate Tao Qian first and then Lü Bu. Xun Yu strongly opposed this and proposed the guideline of "strengthening the foundation to control the world", avoiding the predicament of being surrounded on all sides.

  The second plan is to advise Cao Cao to welcome and present the Emperor, using the Son of Heaven to command the vassals, making Cao Cao take the initiative and reach a high point in politics.

  The third strategy, on the eve of the Battle of Red Cliffs, presented 'four victories and four defeats' to Cao Cao with great confidence.

  The fourth plan, after the official crossing, Cao Cao decided to conquer Liu Biao, Xun Yu once again put forward a suggestion, advising Cao Cao to annihilate the remnants of Yuan Shao and unify the north.

  The fifth plan, forcing out the public opinion, dispelled Cao Cao's idea of restoring the ancient nine-state system.

  In terms of strategy, he was in no way inferior to any other strategist. What's more, Xun Yu's ability to identify talent was unparalleled. A large number of elite talents were recommended by him to Cao Cao, laying the foundation for Cao Cao's dominance, including Xun You, Zhong Yao, Xi Zhi, Guo Jia, Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Du Ji, Hu Xiu, Wang Lang, Xun Yue and Xin Pi.

  However, this man was loyal to the Han dynasty. Even when Cao Cao wanted to face south and back north, claiming the title of emperor, he was refused by Xun Yu. Xu Feng sighed, such a person, even if he had the talent of Wang Zuo or the ability of Zhuge Liang, how could he be willing to serve under the Yellow Turbans? Unless in his dreams.

  Xun Yu saw Xu Feng sigh and was taken aback, unclear about what it meant, and couldn't help but lower his head to think.

  "What lofty views do you have, Xu Feng?" Seeing the crowd's reaction, advocating for Confucianism to govern the country, Sima Hui nodded repeatedly, extremely satisfied. He saw Xu Feng glance at Xun Yu, and with a flicker of his eyes, he threw the question back at Xu Feng.

  "Ah... what a high view!" Xu Feng was still in a daze and couldn't help but stare blankly.

  Everyone in the house burst out laughing when they saw Xu Feng making a fool of himself.

  "Hmm..." Xu Feng's face changed, his eyes like an eagle's, gloomy and terrifying, cold air pressing down on people. As Xu Feng scanned the room, everyone felt a suffocating atmosphere, the temperature dropping sharply, and the oppressed crowd didn't dare to breathe loudly. Those who had been mocking him shut their mouths, lowered their heads, and didn't dare look again, as if they feared Xu Feng's revenge.

  What a terrible killing intent! At this moment, Xun Yu had a deeper understanding of Xu Feng.

  "Banning the hundred schools of thought and honoring only Confucianism, haha, there are good points and bad points, right or wrong, it's up to you to make your own excuses, no need to say more." Xu Feng shook his head, without making any further comments. As a product of this era, Xu Feng had neither power nor influence, nor any reputation, so he didn't dare to speak recklessly and go against public opinion, the consequences would be unwise.

  "Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Master! Lu Zhi has been attacking for a long time without success. The imperial court is extremely angry and has already dismissed him from his post to be investigated. Now the large army outside the city is leaderless, which is exactly the best opportunity for our army to launch a counterattack." In Zhang Jiao's government office in Guangzong, upon hearing the report from the messenger, Zhang Jiao looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, "This is truly heaven helping me!"

  "By the way, how's the situation with the Yu Chuan battle?" For the past few days, he had been busy dealing with Lu Zhi and didn't know much about Zhang Jiao's situation with Bo Cai and others.

  "A few days ago, Bo Zhong was hit by Huangfu Song's fire attack and lost more than half of his men. He led the remaining troops to retreat to a dense forest outside Changsha, with an unfavorable situation."

  "Report, swift report from Yingchuan." Just then, a message arrived outside the door.

  "Come on in."

  "The Hui people's lord, great victory at Yingchuan."

  "Speak." Zhang Jiao was taken aback, hadn't Bo been defeated in battle? Where did this sudden good news come from?

  "Deputy General Zhou Cang's subordinate Xu Feng, within five days, successively captured Yingchuan and Yangzhai. Zhou Cang and others used the strategy of suspicious troops, and had already taken down Changsha, with all the government soldiers in the city either dead or wounded, not a single one escaped. General Bo Zai has led his troops to join forces with General Zhou Cang."

  "Ah... is this true? Tell me quickly, what's going on? Explain carefully, don't leave out a single word."

  After a while, after listening to the report of the messenger, Zhang Jiao laughed excitedly and said: "Heaven blesses my Taiping Dao, it's really a double happiness! Lu Zhi that old stubborn was removed, and the siege of Bo Cai was lifted. This Xu Feng is indeed the lucky general of our sect. I remember correctly, in the previous battle of Gaoping, it was his credit. This time, he won several battles in a row, and his merits cannot be ignored! Our sect leader must heavily reward him to stabilize the army's heart."

  "Report: Divine General Zhang Mancheng has fallen in battle."

  "Ah?" Zhang Jiao, who had just been overjoyed, heard such bad news and vomited blood on the spot. Zhang Mancheng was Zhang Jiao's own disciple, who had always been favored by Zhang Jiao and entrusted with important tasks, given the title of Divine Heavenly Messenger. Unexpectedly, he fell in battle just over a hundred days after the uprising began.

  "Who is it that has killed Man Chong?" Zhang Jiao slowly got up with the support of others, pointing at the soldier who brought the news and asked loudly.

  "He is Qin Song, the governor of Nanyang."

  "Damn Qin Lie, Man Cheng, as your master I will avenge you for sure. Come, pass on my order, recruit Xu Feng as my ninth great gate disciple, take charge of all military affairs in Yingchuan, and set out to attack soon. You must bring me back Qin Lie's head."

  Zhang Jue did not lose his mind, he and his two brothers were unable to extricate themselves, being besieged by the imperial court in Ji Province, they were quite passive. The Bo Cai troops had just suffered a heavy defeat, morale was low, Zhang Mancheng was killed, the three routes of the rebel army suffered one defeat after another, the only one who could be reused was Xu Feng, he alone won victory after victory, singing triumphal songs, Zhang Jue believed that Xu Feng was his ace in the hole, and would definitely bring about a turning point in the war, so he entrusted him with heavy responsibilities, also to stabilize the military morale, and boost the morale of the Yellow Turbans.

  "Report: Zhou Cang and others, last night, the four armies marched out together, and have already taken Changsha. They are now united with Bo Cai."

  Just after besieging Yangzhai, the camp was not yet set up, and the butt had not warmed up. Upon hearing this astonishing news, Huangfu Song was treated equally with Zhang Jiao, also spitting blood in anger.

  "We've been duped! We fell for Xu Feng's treacherous plan!" After a long while, Huangfu Song, who was helped up by the crowd, roared in a frenzied manner.