Chapter Seventeen, Take Them All Down

  "Come on, tie up Zhang Fei."

  Xu Feng waved his hand, and dozens of axe-wielding men charged over with a fierce momentum. Zhang Fei was about to struggle when he heard Xu Feng say, "Let these two go."

  "What? Big brother... why is this?" Zhang Fei cried out in confusion. In the time it took him to be stunned, he was rushed by the Yellow Turbans, who tied his shoulders and back, binding him up tightly.

  Liu Bei sighed helplessly and didn't dare look at Zhang Fei again. He gestured to Guan Yu, "Second brother, let's go."

  "Big brother, what's going on?" Guan Yu was also stunned, unable to understand why things had suddenly turned out this way.

  "Hurry up, or we won't make it." Liu Bei stepped forward and grabbed Guan Yu's hand, taking long strides as they rushed towards the distant mountain below.

  "Big Brother! Second Brother!" Zhang Fei shouted at the top of his lungs as he gazed after the two figures disappearing into the distance.

  "Stop shouting, Zhang Fei. Don't you understand by now? Use your brain, Liu Bei has already handed you over to me for disposal in order to save his own life." Xu Feng said coldly as he looked at the nearly crazed Zhang Fei.

  "I don't believe it... I don't believe it..." Zhang Fei shook his head suddenly, but after a while, until Liu Bei and Guan Yu's figures disappeared into the distance, Zhang Fei's eyes became somewhat dazed. Even though he didn't want to believe it, the fact was that they had escaped, otherwise, how could his brothers escape from so many Yellow Turbans?

  "We swear to honor Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Although we are of different surnames, once we have sworn brotherhood, we will be as one in heart and deed, rescuing each other from danger and helping each other out of trouble. We will serve the country with loyalty and protect our people with kindness. We do not ask to be born on the same day, month, or year, but we wish to die on the same day, month, and year. Heaven and earth are witnesses to this oath; if we betray it, may heaven and man join in punishing us!"

  Recalling the scene of three people swearing an oath in their own Peach Garden, the robust man, with eyes full of tears, sobbed uncontrollably, Zhang Fei's eyes were filled with despair and regret.

  "Take him away." Xu Feng waved his hand and the crowd escorted Zhang Fei, rushing straight towards Zhuo County.

  "Feng Ge, did you really let Liu Bei and Guan Yu go?" Xue Cheng asked in puzzlement.

  "Yes, I also want to see how much this brotherly love weighs in Liu Bei's eyes. Haha, as expected, don't worry, next time he won't be so lucky. Bring Hou San's corpse and let's head back to the city." Xu Feng glanced back at Hou San's lifeless body, gritted his teeth, mounted his horse, and galloped towards Zhuo County.

  However, after returning to the city, the scene that entered his eyes made Xu Feng's already cold face even colder. The Yellow Turbans who had invaded the city were looting everywhere, robbing and killing people, setting fires, and committing all sorts of evil deeds. They even openly molested women on the streets and bullied the weak... Xu Feng's eyes turned red with rage, his fists clenched tightly, without any hesitation, he charged forward and gave a hand signal "Take them all down."

  "General, this..."

  "What are you still hesitating about, take them all down. If there is any resistance, kill them on the spot without mercy." The cold voice seemed to come from the depths of hell, making people shiver. These Yellow Turbans were mostly led by Cheng Yuanzhi, with loose military discipline and no rules. As long as they didn't harm innocent civilians, Xufeng would not tolerate it. If things continued like this, the Yellow Turbans wouldn't need the imperial court to take action, they would collapse on their own. The imperial court had the support of aristocratic families, while the Yellow Turbans relied on the poor masses. Taking action against their own people was simply self-destructive, and Xufeng would not tolerate such a situation.

  "What are you going to do?" Those Yellow Turbans who were looting and plundering, seeing their own people come forward to capture them, immediately protested in discontent.

  "General Xu has given an order, take them all down, if there is any resistance, kill them all."

  "You guys are mistaken, we're all our own people."

  "Kill." In response, a cold and swift steel knife flashed, its blade gleaming with a bloodthirsty light. The man was dead before he could even comprehend what had happened.

  The Yellow Turbans who followed Xu Feng were like wolves and tigers, capturing or killing the Yellow Turbans who had been wreaking havoc in the city. The citizens of the city were all frightened out of their wits. What was going on? Were they fighting among themselves? Was it an internal struggle?

  But everyone was still very moved, after all, they no longer had to suffer from their harassment and persecution. Many elderly women who were disturbed stood on both sides of the mainland, curiously looking at the young man sitting upright on his horse, who had just issued orders and saved them. The youth, 16 or 17 years old, with a clean face, sharp features, thick eyebrows and big eyes, wearing armor and helmet, majestic and dignified, sat upright on his tall horse, calm and composed, yet exuding an aura of authority. His two bright and spirited eyes sparkled with cold light, making people afraid to look directly at him.

  "Xu Feng, what are you doing?" A general emerged from the opposite side, wearing black clothes and armor, with a black face and beard, resembling an iron tower, majestic and powerful, holding a large knife, it was Zhou Cang, the commander of the three armies.

  "I am enforcing military law, General. Are they acting this way under your orders?" Seeing Zhou Cang step out, Xu Feng felt somewhat disappointed. As the commander-in-chief, he shouldn't be like this, should he? In the past, wasn't Zhou Cang known for being extremely strict with military discipline?

  "They may have done something wrong, but it's just a matter of robbing some money and grain, startling the common people, no need to make such a big fuss about it?" Zhou Cang advised in a low voice. In the blink of an eye, dozens of Yellow Turbans were killed by their own people, and Zhou Cang felt that Xu Feng was being a bit excessive.

  "Huh... Why are the Yellow Turbans fighting? Isn't it to take charge for the people, overthrow the tyrannical government, and punish corrupt officials? If they kill greedy officials and evil bullies, I have nothing to say. But if they harm innocent civilians, even if it's just harassment, that's not acceptable. If this continues, what's the difference between our Yellow Turbans and the incompetent and corrupt government troops?" Xu Feng argued reasonably.

  "But..." Zhou Cang wanted to persuade him again.

  "Since the general insists on pleading for them, forgive me for my incompetence. This commander's position, you'd better ask someone else who is more capable. I bid farewell." Xu Feng felt a chill in his heart, and his tone suddenly became much heavier. It was no wonder that the Yellow Turbans were defeated so quickly - without discipline, nothing can be accomplished. No matter how well you speak, it's not as good as taking action. Many things require ruthlessness and mercilessness, without regard for personal relationships. Xu Feng understood that many of the Yellow Turbans who had won battles would act in this way, rushing to plunder and revel, whether they were officials or soldiers. They felt proud and self-satisfied after winning a battle, as if they were above the law, thinking that their actions were justified. But they didn't realize that iron discipline was essential to achieving ultimate victory.

  "Xu Feng, I'm not blaming you. Whatever, everything will be arranged by you. You handle this matter." Zhou Cang finished speaking, turned his horse around and disappeared into the distance with a clanging of horseshoes after a while.

  "General, we were wrong." Zhou Cang's words had no effect, and those who had just rioted and looted were all frightened, kneeling down to beg for mercy.

  "Take it down."

  Xu Feng did not hesitate. This was not the time to show mercy. Xue Cheng and others, regardless of anything, came up and subdued these rioting soldiers one by one.

  "Everyone, let's go to the drill ground." Xu Feng waved his hand and led the way on horseback towards the drill ground.

  "Zhang Fei looked at the scene in front of him and was shocked. Xu Feng was so ruthless to his own people?"

  "Go and take a look." Those onlookers, full of curiosity, plucked up their courage and followed the army to the drill ground.