Chapter Thirty-Nine: Helpless Slash

  "Haha, it's really cool! Xufeng is indeed a master of clever plans. The hundreds of thousands of troops under Huangfu Song are being led by the nose, and I believe that old man must be furious to the point of vomiting blood now that we've taken down Changsha." In the government office of Changsha Prefecture, high-ranking officials gathered together, including Zhou Cang, Zhang Ba, Ma Yuan, Ma Wu, and others, all celebrating with cups in hand, overjoyed.

  "Yes, thanks to Xu Feng, otherwise we would have had a hard time escaping from Huangfu Song's clutches. This battle was all because of my own carelessness, I fell for the old man Huangfu's treacherous plan, resulting in the innocent deaths of tens of thousands of brothers. I'm ashamed before our leader, ashamed before the Yellow Turbans' generals... even if I were to die a thousand times, I couldn't escape this blame!" Bo Zhong's expression was somewhat downcast, after a long sigh, he picked up the wine jug, tilted his head back and gulped it all down, pouring the entire jug of wine into his belly.

  However, as a trusted general of the emperor, Zhou Cang and others did not dare to underestimate him. Zhou Cang hastily advised, "Xu Feng's brother said that General Bo is good at commanding troops, brave in battle, and has repeatedly repelled the siege of Zhu Yan and Huang Fu, making the imperial court fearful. However, he was careless for a moment and fell into the enemy's trap. Victory and defeat are common in war, so don't worry about it."

  "Oh? Xu Feng really said that." Bo Cai was very pleased, after listening, his eyebrows relaxed a lot, and there were also several more joyful colors on his face.

  "Big brother, look who's inside that prison cart?" Guan Yu pointed at a distant road with a prison cart on it and asked curiously.

  "What? General Lu Zhi, how can this be?" "Yun Chang, quickly follow me to see what's going on!" As soon as Liu Bei saw that the person being held in the prisoner cart was indeed Lu Zhi, his heart suddenly tightened, and a sense of foreboding filled his mind. The two men rode swiftly, day and night, and finally arrived at Juyue. They had originally planned to fight under Lu Zhi's command and earn merit, but unexpectedly, they were met with this scene instead.

  "Xuande, is that you?" Looking at Liu and Guan riding over on horseback, Lu Zhi, who was being held in a prisoner's cart with his hair disheveled, suddenly lit up with a gleam in his eyes.

  "Liu Bei hastily dismounted and knelt down in front of Lu Zhi's carriage, bursting into tears "Teacher, what is this?"

  "Alas, it's hard to put into words. It's all because of my straightforward nature as a teacher, I didn't bribe that scoundrel Zuo Feng, and he slandered me in front of the Emperor, saying that I was unlucky in battle and missed opportunities... Alas, the court wants to remove me from office and investigate, take me back to Luoyang for questioning. How hateful! That Yellow Turban rebel will surely rise again!"

  "Ah..." After hearing Lu Zhi's words, Liu Bei almost fainted. How unlucky he was! He had come to make a name for himself and gain some merit, but now there was no chance. His teacher Lu Zhi had been dismissed, so where could he go to 'serve the country with loyalty'?

  "Teacher, you are a pillar of the current dynasty, with countless merits. Once the imperial court investigates and clears up the truth, your reputation will certainly be restored..." Although disappointed in his heart, Liu Bei still tried to comfort Lu Zhi with kind words. Lu Zhi let out a long sigh and remained silent for a long time.

  "Make way, don't delay our journey." The soldier escorting the carriage impatiently shouted at Liu Bei. Liu Bei had no choice but to stand up and retreat to one side, his eyes reluctantly watching as Lu Zhi was taken away by them.

  "Big brother, what's to be done?" Guan Yu asked anxiously.

  "Alas... detestable Yellow Turbans, detestable Xu Feng. Although Lu Zhi has been recalled, the imperial court will surely send someone else to take charge of the war effort. Let's go and take a look; perhaps there will be an opportunity, or perhaps not." Liu Bei seemed to be consoling Guan Yu, yet also appeared to be consoling himself. The Yellow Turbans' rebellion was precisely the chance for him to establish his own merit, and if he missed it, Liu Bei understood that he would never have a chance to rise again.

  "Brother Feng, with so much wealth and grain, we've hit the jackpot!" Xue Cheng's eyes widened as he gazed at the treasure trove of gold, silver, grains, and provisions piled high in the courtyard. He couldn't help but lick his lips, his eyes shining with excitement. The others were equally thrilled, having never seen such a spectacle after days of battle. Xu Feng was also ecstatic, realizing that they had underestimated the wealth of the Yangzhai aristocratic families. Each household alone possessed tens of millions in wealth, and with six households, it was an astronomical sum.

  Many soldiers, not only had their eyes shining brightly, but also couldn't move their legs, and some even drooled, their greedy nature was completely exposed.

  Xu Feng's heart tightened, and he thought to himself that this was not a good omen. These people were mostly from poor backgrounds, and if they weren't strictly disciplined and constrained by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's religious rules, they would have already become a chaotic mess. Now that they knew about this wealth of grain and treasure, it would be strange if they didn't harbor suspicions. Moreover, if they were satisfied with their current situation, how could they possibly overthrow the imperial court or fight against the other feudal lords in the future? It was likely that even without external attacks, their own side would completely fall apart.

  "Brothers have been busy for several days, they are all tired, let them withdraw. Xue Cheng will bring your personal guards and the Tiger Guards of Dian Wei, you stay." Xu Feng waved his hand.

  "Ah..." Many soldiers heard Xu Feng's words, whispering in shock, some even secretly complaining. They stood still, reluctant to leave, their eyes fixed on the treasure piled up like a mountain.

  "Get down, didn't you hear the general's order?" Dian Wei bellowed loudly at the crowd.

  A thunderous shout, like a bolt of lightning, shook everyone's ears and made them tremble with fear. The crowd gradually dispersed in shock.

  "Hmm..." Xu Feng let out a deep breath and beckoned Tian Wei Xue Cheng to come closer, whispering some instructions in his ear.

  On the same day, Xu Feng had valuable things moved elsewhere and sent Xue Cheng to dig tunnels in the city, opening up secret passages leading out of the city. Firstly, to transport treasures and other items as quickly as possible, secondly, to prevent Huangfu Song and others from attacking the city. Dian Wei led 500 Tiger Guards to defend the original courtyard (the Tiger Guards were replenished after the battle).

  "Kill, charge!" That night, Xu Feng did not want to see things happen, but more than a thousand Yellow Turbans, holding torches and waving knives and guns, rushed into the courtyard where gold and silver treasures were stored.

  "Brothers, what are you still dawdling for? With these treasures, we won't have to suffer poverty anymore, and we won't have to fight anymore. Hurry up and grab them!"

  Thousands of people, in a burst of excitement, gazed at the wooden boxes in the courtyard, their eyes widening instantly, greedy saliva flowing from the corners of their mouths, and with a loud roar, they rushed in like wolves.

  "Ah... why is this box so light?"

  "Nothing, all empty boxes, we've been cheated."

  "How did it end up like this."

  "Clang, clang." Just as everyone was in a state of panic, the four iron gates suddenly emitted a loud clanging sound.

  Dian Wei led five hundred elite soldiers, who suddenly surrounded the four gates, everyone stood with their hands clasped together, their eyes fixed intently on the tall figure beside Dian Wei.

  Xu Feng turned around, his face twisted in a scowl. His heart was extremely uncomfortable at this moment. He had always hated infighting the most, but he couldn't help doing so now.

  "Let's get started." With a helpless wave of his hand, Xu Feng's eyes gleamed with a hint of ruthlessness.

  "Release the arrow." Di Wei turned around and ordered his Tiger Guards.

  "Alright." The crowd dispersed and drew out the bows and arrows from their backs, bending their bows and loading the arrows. Suddenly, a barrage of shots poured into the courtyard.

  "Ah... it's not good, we've been ambushed." As arrows rained down from the sky and shot into the courtyard, accompanied by waves of mournful cries, people in a state of panic and disorder fell to the ground one after another, with dozens dead or injured in the blink of an eye.

  Surrounded on all sides, with no place to hide or escape, these people could only silently endure, silently waiting for death. After several rounds of arrow showers, the courtyard was already filled with countless dead and wounded, bodies lying everywhere, corpses covering the ground, wails of grief unending.

  When the four gates were opened, those who survived saw Di Wentai holding a pair of iron halberds leading five hundred Tiger Guards with glittering swords and spears, charging in with an aura of killing intent.

  "Why treat us like this, we are all our own people."

  "Those who gather to riot will be killed, those who defy military discipline will be killed, and those who disrupt the morale of the army will be killed." Dian Wei ignored them, his cold voice spreading out.

  "Kill..." Five hundred Tiger Guards, swords drawn, blades unsheathed, expressionless, pounced forward.

  "Ka ka ka ka" In the face of Tiger Guard's bravery, the battle was almost without any suspense. These chaotic troops were like fish on a chopping board, unable to do anything but wait for death.

  Dian Wei wielded his twin iron halberds, showing no mercy, his face exuding a fierce and intimidating aura. He struck down without hesitation, his halberds dancing wildly in the air as he slaughtered with abandon. In his heart, there was only one person's command that mattered - Xu Feng. Even if Xu Feng ordered him to bring down the heavens, he would not hesitate for a moment.

  Half an hour later, when Dian Wei walked out of the courtyard again, he just faintly said three words to Xu Feng: "Killed."

  "Tell the brothers, tomorrow at three armies teaching ground gathering." Xu Feng let out a mouthful of stagnant air, said and waved his hand, walked straight away. Under the night sky, looking at the heavy footsteps, slightly hunched back, Dian Wei stood still for a while, until he saw Xu Feng's figure become straight, his footsteps becoming firm, only then did Dian Wei feel relieved to turn around and leave.