Chapter 7: Zhang Fei Goes Out to Battle

  "Feng Ge, what are you looking at?" Xue Cheng walked over and curiously asked as he saw Xu Feng staring blankly.

  Xu Feng shook his head and pointed at the city wall opposite him. "Do you see those three people standing on the tower over there? They're not ordinary."

  "They look quite robust, but even if they are brave and skilled in battle, we have 50,000 men on our side. If we all go together, even if they had three heads and six arms, they wouldn't be able to stir up any waves."

  Xue Cheng still had a look of disdain on his face, after all, whoever it was would be the same. The Yellow Turbans were not just one or two stars stronger than the defending soldiers, but several times more numerous than the enemy. It was unthinkable to lose from the first day of the siege, and this was almost the unanimous thought in the hearts of all the Yellow Turban soldiers.

  "Be more careful when the time comes." Xu Feng let out a soft sigh and reminded them again, after all, Xue Cheng and the others had been good to him, and he didn't want them to lose their lives in vain.

  A heavy footsteps sounded, and the two turned their heads to see that it was General Zhou Cang who had arrived. When he left, Zhou Cang's face was full of pride and joy, but when he returned, his face was gloomy and displeased. Xu Feng seemed to understand something, and snorted in disdain, probably thinking that Commander Cheng Yuanzhi was an incompetent fool who had slighted Zhou Cang.

  "Is the Big Head here to bring good news to Brother Feng? What did Commander Xu say, is he going to heavily reward our Brother Feng?" Before Xu Feng could stop him, Xue Cheng, this silly young man, started talking non-stop without even looking at Zhou Cang's face.

  Zhou Cang's already gloomy face turned even more awkward after hearing that, he glanced at Xu Feng, Zhou Cang's face was filled with guilt and embarrassment, he shook his head awkwardly "Ah... sorry brother, Qū Shuài he..."

  "Don't mind the title, I, Xu Feng, joined the Yellow Turbans not for personal gain or to indulge in wealth and power. The imperial court is corrupt and decadent, with greedy officials and lawless tyrants, causing the people to lose their homes and struggle to make a living. The Yellow Turbans are fighting on behalf of the people against the imperial court, so I deeply admire them and plan to follow the Master to sweep away the darkness and bring peace and prosperity to the world. As for official rank or power, I don't care."

  Xu Feng's words were powerful and sonorous, and after hearing them, Zhou Cang looked at Xu Feng with a gaze that suddenly lit up.

  "Xu Feng, good job, I didn't misjudge you. But, with merit comes reward, and if there's no recognition, it's hard to calm the troops' hearts. You might not mind, but others won't think that way. If rewards and punishments are unclear, wouldn't that confuse the troops and disappoint Master's high expectations? Don't worry, I have your matter in mind, let's finish this battle first."

  Zhou Cang's tone was somewhat helpless. On the one hand, he increasingly admired Xu Feng, but on the other hand, he was powerless against the incompetent and muddle-headed Cheng Yuanzhi. As the direct disciple of the sect leader and one of the thirty-six strategists, holding an important position and being favored by the sect leader, even if Zhou Cang had complaints, what could he do?

  Not only did Xu Feng's credit disappear for no reason, but the thirty or so war horses he had obtained were also taken over by Cheng Yuanzhi. He said that the cavalry lacked war horses, and in any case, Zhou Cang's troops were few and weak, and keeping them would be useless. This remark almost made Zhou Cang angry enough to quarrel with Cheng Yuanzhi on the spot. If it had been Xu Feng, he might have been able to hold back his anger, but perhaps in the commander's tent, they would have clashed directly, and Cheng Yuanzhi would have been knocked to the ground, venting Xu Feng's pent-up resentment.

  On the second day, Cheng Yuanzhi, eager to make a name for himself, waved his hand and led out 50,000 troops. At that moment, outside the city of Zhuo, drums and trumpets shook the sky, and the sound of conch shells echoed far and wide. The 50,000-strong army was like a mountain of soldiers and a sea of generals, with glittering knives and guns, shining helmets and armor, and tens of thousands of people shouting in unison, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere that shook the heavens. Seeing such a magnificent scene, Cheng Yuanzhi felt a surge of pride and joy, thinking to himself: "With such military might, taking down Zhuo City will be as easy as snapping one's fingers or spitting on it." When he finally captures Zhuo City, he imagines that the news will spread quickly and the Master will be overjoyed, and he will surely be richly rewarded.

  "Dong dong dong" facing the tide of troops outside the city, inside the city of Zhuo, there were three cannon shots, and a group of cavalry rushed out from the drawbridge. The three leading generals were none other than Liu, Guan, and Zhang, who had been closely watched by Xu Feng.

  Indeed worthy of being one of the Three Kingdoms' famous tiger generals, this bravery alone is enough to make people admire.

  Liu Bei sat in the middle, wielding a pair of swords with both hands. On his left was Guan Yu, holding a cold and gleaming Green Dragon Crescent Blade upside down. On his right was Zhang Fei, grasping an eight-foot-long snake spear. The three men's eyes were firm and resolute, their faces bearing a murderous aura. Although there were only five hundred soldiers behind them, they appeared calm and fearless.

  "The arrogant commander of Zhuo County, unexpectedly has the guts to come out of the city and accept death. Who will go into battle for me and capture these three people? I will heavily reward them." Cheng Yuanzhi rode on his blue-maned horse, with his hand on the saddle bridge, coldly sneering.

  "I will go." As soon as the words fell, a general emerged from the crowd, wearing a helmet and armor, riding a crimson horse, holding a pair of meteor hammers, with a disdainful expression.

  "Who is this?" Xu Feng asked curiously.

  "This is Deng Mao, the deputy general under Commander Qu's command. He has some skills, it seems he wants to take credit for himself." Zhou Cang said with a glance, his face showing discontent. The reason was that Cheng Yuanzhi led the army to attack the city, but didn't give Zhou Cang any assignment, essentially making them spectators, responsible only for cheering and supporting, making them like cheerleaders, Zhou Cang naturally wouldn't be happy about it.

  "This credit is probably not so easy to take."

  As expected, Deng Mao went into battle and didn't last a single round. He was struck by Zhang Fei's spear in the chest and fell off his horse, dying instantly.

  "Haha... Elder brother, second brother, I thought there would be many capable and good generals under the Yellow Turban Army's banner, but it turns out they're just a mob. Zhang Fei turned around, dragging his long spear, and rushed towards Liu Bei and Guan Yu with a big laugh."

  "Ah?" Deputy General Deng Mao was stabbed to death in one move, and anyone who saw it was shocked. The Yellow Turban Army, which had just been in high spirits, seemed to have been doused with a basin of cold water, and they all became dumbfounded, each one panicked and stunned like a wooden chicken.

  "Wow, I'm so angry!" Cheng Yuanzhi was furious and shouted loudly, "Come on, is there anyone else who wants to fight? Take down this black guy for me." Cheng Yuanzhi pointed at Zhang Fei and roared.

  "I'm coming"

  But one after another, five great generals were thrown off their horses by Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei rode his steed, galloping in circles and laughing wildly, "Yellow Turbans, although numerous, are just a bunch of chickens and dogs! Isn't there a decent one among you? Wow...!" Zhang Fei's loud cry was like a protest on behalf of the Yellow Turbans. His voice was thunderous, astonishing, and extraordinary, causing tens of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers to be stunned into silence.

  "Fighting alone is not a solution, hurry up and tell Commander Qiu to join forces and attack the city together." Xu Feng reminded urgently.

  "It seems that's all there is to it." As soon as the expert made his move, he knew whether he had any skills or not. Zhou Cang had fought so many battles and naturally could see Zhang Fei's abilities. Although he wanted to compete with his opponent, he also knew that if they continued like this, the army's morale would be lost forever.

  "General, why must you fight them one on one? Although they are brave and fierce, we have 50,000 strong soldiers on our side. If we attack together, no matter how strong they are, they will be powerless." Zhou Cang rode his horse forward, came to Cheng Yuanzhi's side, and reminded him in a low voice.

  "This is humiliating! I won't swallow this insult!" Chéng Yuǎnzhì said with a face full of indignant anger.

  "Think thrice, General." Chou Kung advised again.

  "No need to persuade me anymore, I will take matters into my own hands and definitely cut down this evil villain, otherwise it would be hard to dispel the hatred in my heart." Cheng Yuanzhi ignored Zhou Cang, shouted "Beat the drum to boost morale" and from the horseback bridge picked up a large knife, urged his horse to gallop and brandished his knife, charging towards Zhang Fei who was showing off his military prowess on the battlefield.