Chapter 24: Zhang Fei Joins

  Zhang Fei was not killed, and Xu Feng also let out a sigh of relief. In his heart, Xu Feng did not want him to die, even more so he did not want him to die at his own hands. He only hoped that after this time, Zhang Fei would reflect on himself properly, and hoped that next time they met in battle, he would not appear on the opposing side.

  After another four or five days of preparation, Zhang Jiao's messenger arrived. Upon hearing that Cheng Yuanzhi had been killed, Zhang Jiao was enraged and also felt disappointed at Cheng Yuanzhi's foolish actions. Taking into account the contributions of Zhou Cang and Xu Feng in breaching the city walls, he directly appointed them as the main and deputy generals of his army and conveyed his latest instructions: The forces under Yan Baihu were currently engaged in a fierce battle with Huangfu Song. As Yan was located near the capital, this battle was crucial. Zhang Jiao ordered Zhou Cang and Xu Feng to immediately mobilize their troops and march towards Yan to reinforce him.

  The two men did not dare to slack off, and after tidying up for a day, they broke camp and headed south to Yingchuan. When they heard that the Yellow Turbans were leaving, the elderly and common people in the city came out to see them off. The streets were packed with people, and countless civilians came to bid farewell, some holding eggs, others carrying wine and water. Many restaurant owners and shopkeepers even set up wine and delicacies along the road to send off the Yellow Turbans.

  "Two generals, thanks for your concern, I am representing tens of thousands of citizens in the city to come and see you off, please drink this cup to boost military prestige."

  "Please, General, drink this cup to boost the military's prestige." The people on the street, with excited faces, looked at Xu Feng and Zhou Cang, shouting in unison.

  "Fellow villagers, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, I Xu Feng will never forget the people of Zhuo County. The war is intense at the front, the imperial court's army has been continuously sending troops to surround and annihilate us, they don't let us have a moment's rest, wanting to completely exterminate us. Can we let them get their way? Fellow villagers, believe me, one day this world will be ours, on that day you will no longer suffer, no longer be bullied by others. I Xu Feng swear with my blood, if I betray this oath, heaven and earth will destroy me!"

  As he spoke, Xu Feng drew his sword from his waist, pushed the hilt, pressed the goose quill, and the precious sword came out of its scabbard. With a swift motion, he pointed it at his own arm, and with one slash, bright red blood flowed out along the sharp blade. The blood splattered, Xu Feng's face was resolute, his eyes filled with surging battle intent. Everyone present was deeply moved by this sudden scene. Xu Feng held his sword high, pointing it towards the sky, and shouted loudly: "The Blue Sky has died, the Yellow Sky shall rise!"

  "The blue sky has died, the yellow sky will rise." Twenty thousand Yellow Turbans shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and stunning people. Countless civilians were greatly inspired and couldn't help but respond loudly.

  "In the year of Jiazi, the whole world is auspicious."

  "In the year of Jiazi, the whole world is auspicious."

  After finishing, Xu Feng picked up the wine bowl and made a gesture to the people around him. He drank it all in one gulp, and Zhou Cang and others followed suit. The crowd slammed their bowls on the ground with a loud crash, and everyone's hearts were filled with determination to follow the leader, sweep away the chaos of the world, and save the common people.

  "With a wave of his treasured sword to the south, Xu Feng gave the order to depart. The three armies' officers and soldiers were in neat and orderly formation, although their clothing was disorganized and varied, but their footsteps were uniform, their faces solemn, inspiring reverence and awe, making one dare not look down on them."

  "General stay your step, General stay your step." Just passing by the city tower of Zhuo County, Xu Feng suddenly heard a familiar shout from behind him and couldn't help but turn around.

  "Sir, how did you come?"

  The newcomer was none other than Zhang Fei's old father, who at this moment was pulling on Zhang Fei's sleeve and hurrying over in a flurry.

  Xu Feng hastily dismounted and took two quick steps forward, meeting him with "Sir, what's this?"

  "General Xu... you are all good men, I have decided to let Zhang Fei follow you closely... even if he is just holding the reins and stirrups, it will be his good fortune. Let bygones be bygones for what happened before, I hope you can make him whole?" The old man said with a gasp.

  Let Zhang Fei lead the horse, Xu Feng didn't dare to. He looked at Zhang Fei with a suspicious gaze, and at this time, Zhang Fei was hanging his head, completely different from his previous heroic and unrestrained appearance, but rather like a soft and weak little sheep. Could it be that Zhang Fei had really been tamed by his old man? Xu Feng couldn't help but feel doubtful.

  "Sir, I have advised Brother Zhang many times before, but he had no intention of joining the Yellow Turbans. Your kind intentions, I appreciate them." Xu Feng shook his head and said with a sense of regret. In order to recruit Zhang Fei, this fierce general, Xu Feng didn't know how much effort he put in, but as a result, Zhang Fei was unmoved, and Xu Feng also gave up on that idea.

  "Yide, last night, how did you answer Father's words? Hurry up and kowtow to apologize to General Xu."

  "General Xu, I beg of you to accept my one bow. In the past, I have committed many wrongs and Zhang Fei has already felt regret in his heart. Please allow me to join the Yellow Turbans and make amends for my mistakes." With a thud, Zhang Fei actually knelt down, with a sincere expression imploring Xu Feng.

  "Ah..." Xu Feng was shocked and involuntarily looked up at the sun in the sky, could it be that today the sun rose from the west?

  "Are you really willing to surrender to our Yellow Turban Army?" Xu Feng asked suspiciously.

  "I agree." Zhang Fei replied seriously.

  "Really?"

  "Of course."

  "You didn't deceive me?"

  "What's with your ink marks? If you're going to take it, then take it. If not, forget it." Zhang Fei said impatiently, suddenly complaining discontentedly.

  "What a scoundrel! How dare you speak to General Xu like that?" Zhang Fei's father was enraged, his beard almost twisted sideways. He stepped forward and punched Zhang Fei in the face. This punch, although not painful or itchy, even if increased tenfold in strength, would not have made the fierce general Zhang Fei feel pain. However, Zhang Fei's expression changed, as if he had been startled. Xu Feng was taken aback - this Zhang Fei was indeed a filial son.

  "Haha, alright, since that's the case, I'll take you in. From this day on, you're just a regular foot soldier in my army. If you achieve merit in the future, you will naturally be rewarded according to your achievements. Are you willing?"

  Xu Feng was still half-believing and half-doubting Zhang Fei's surrender, so he let him be a small soldier. If he was truly loyal, he would naturally make achievements and be rewarded soon, which would also serve to shut the mouths of the three armies and prevent them from saying that Xu had shown favoritism.

  "You...?" Zhang Fei was about to curse loudly in dissatisfaction, but seeing his old man glare at him, he suddenly lost his temper.

  "My abilities, you've seen them too, yet you make me a small soldier... fine, I agree." Just as he muttered half a sentence, his old man kicked him in the butt, and Zhang Fei immediately nodded in agreement like a chick pecking at rice.

  "With your talent, if you truly devote yourself to me, why worry that you can't achieve great things and make a name for yourself on the battlefield?" Xu Feng comforted.

  "Alright, I'll tell you, I'm joining you because of your kindness to the common people and your genuine concern for them. If in the future you dare to do anything that betrays the trust of the people or harms the innocent, Zhang Fei will definitely kill you with a single spear thrust." Zhang Fei was still being himself, even when surrendering, he had to give Xu Feng a warning, Xu Feng nodded nonchalantly.

  "Generals and soldiers of the three armies, please accept my bow. In the past, Zhang Fei killed over a hundred of my brothers, including my brother Hou San. I wasn't pleased about it either, and I wanted to kill him to vent my anger. However, as they say, 'each side fights for its own master.' Zhang Fei's abilities are not bad, and he has sincerely surrendered to me. So, I'm willing to give him a chance, and I'd like to personally vouch for him. Brothers, you must understand that from now on, if we only act out of personal interests and disregard the bigger picture, who will still dare to surrender to us? When can the great cause of the Yellow Turbans be accomplished? I hope you all can appreciate my good intentions and don't make things difficult for him." Xu Feng bowed his hands to the stunned soldiers around him.

  "Please be at ease, General. We understand." Xu Feng's words had reached this point, and the crowd didn't dare to have any objections, hastily responding in unison.

  Kneel down and beg for your support, collect and recommend, more good deeds!