Chapter Thirty-Five, Yingchuan Academy

  "Reporting to General, the battle of Yangzhai, we suffered heavy casualties and losses, with over 4,000 men killed or wounded. The Tiger Guard alone lost over 200 men, and now has less than 300 men left." Although they had successfully breached Yangzhai, Xu Feng couldn't muster up any excitement. This battle had been a swift and fierce one, but he had overlooked one terrifying fact: the strength of the aristocratic families. These aristocrats' private armies seemed ordinary at first glance, but each and every one of them was a skilled fighter, with robust physiques and ferocious combat skills. The result was that Xu Feng's forces had suffered over 50% casualties in this single battle.

  The influence of the aristocratic families, Xu Feng knew that the terror of the aristocratic families was something he also knew. He had only experienced a small part of it. The three aristocratic families monopolized official positions, and eight or nine out of ten officials in the Eastern Han Dynasty came from these powerful families. Commoners had no chance to rise up, and by controlling official positions, they controlled the upper echelons of society and public opinion. These powerful aristocrats naturally controlled the economic lifeline of the Great Han Dynasty. When both political power and economic power were in their hands, it was unimaginable for Xu Feng how difficult it would be for the Yellow Turbans to overthrow the Great Han Dynasty.

  However, for the poor people to turn their lives around, there is no other way but to overthrow the imperial court and restrict the powerful clans; otherwise, it's just an illusion.

  Mao can lead the poor masses to make revolution, encircle cities with rural areas, and he himself can also do it. Clans can be eliminated, but they can also be supported. Xu Feng doesn't believe that in the face of death by slaughter, clans are not afraid at all.

  "Brother Feng, although we've taken Yangdi, these clan lords and aristocratic families are still resisting stubbornly. I didn't expect their private soldiers to be so formidable..." Xue Cheng, covered in blood, came before Xu Feng and complained bitterly.

  "Heh heh, let them have a long memory, pass on my words, tell those aristocratic families that if they continue to resist stubbornly, what awaits them will be... I hope they can think it through and give up their resistance. As long as General Xu gets his money and grain, he can spare their lives. Those who resist..." Xu Feng waved his hand and made a downward chopping motion towards Xue City."

  "Brother Feng, I understand. Don't worry, within half a day, I, Xue Cheng, guarantee to purge the rebels from the city." After finishing speaking, Xue Cheng cupped his hands in respect towards Xu Feng and strode forward with big steps, heading towards the entrance of Yuan's residence.

  "The master of the house... Now that the Yellow Turbans have entered the city, what should we do?" The one speaking was none other than the original steward of the Yuan family, Yuan Cheng. Zhang Fei led five hundred soldiers and had already surrounded the four gates of the Yuan residence. Yuan Cheng came to report to the master of the house at the first opportunity.

  "Hmph, Xu Feng is just a junior, I reckon he wouldn't dare to touch me even with one finger. Our family is large and influential, with many relatives holding official positions in various provinces and counties. He's just a small-time Xu Feng, how could he possibly have the audacity to take action against our family?"

  Yu Jia's master, naturally has this confidence, because in his view, Xu Feng, even if he occupies Yang Que, does not dare to defy the heavens and openly challenge the powerful Board family.

  "Knock, knock, knock. Open the door." A series of urgent knocking sounds came from the gate, and soon, the other party, apparently impatient, directly smashed open the original family's gate with a giant log.

  "What kind of people?" The original family master looked at Zhang Fei and others who rushed in, disdainfully scolding.

  "General Xu has ordered that all money and grain in the Yuan family be confiscated and turned over to the public treasury. If there is any resistance, kill without hesitation."

  "Come on, bring it on, blast them away for me."

  With a loud "whoosh", the doors of the houses in the courtyard were pushed open one by one from inside, and hundreds of family guards holding knives and swords rushed into the courtyard, surrounding Zhang Fei and others. Each of them was spirited and eager for battle, with not a hint of fear on their faces.

  Zhang Fei smiled slyly, a hint of complacency flashing at the corner of his mouth. "I'll say it again: General Xu has given orders that anyone who is stubborn and resists to the end will be... killed."

  "Hmph, I want to find you General Xu. I'd like to see why he dares to take action against our family. Doesn't he know what the consequences will be?" The head of the Yuan family was so angry that his nose was almost crooked. This Xu Feng has a big nerve, coming here and wanting us to hand over all our money and grain. Does he think he's the emperor or something?

  "General Xu doesn't have time, he has already gone to Yingchuan Academy. I'll give you a stick of incense time, hoping that old fellow, you can think it over carefully and not do something regrettable."

  Just as Zhang Fei was besieging the Yuan family, Xucheng led his men to surround the Zhu family. As for the other wealthy families, they closed their doors and did not take the initiative to attack the Yellow Turbans, nor did they show any sincerity, apparently waiting and watching.

  Yingchuan Academy, located on the waist of a mountain in the suburbs of Yangdi, is surrounded by lush mountains and clear waters, with birds chirping and flowers blooming. Although war fires are raging across the north, leaving thousands of miles of scorched earth, this place remains a serene and idyllic haven. However, at this moment, a sense of killing intent has descended upon it. As soon as Xu Feng entered the city, he dispatched Dian Wei to surround the academy with his men. Yingchuan Academy is a den of tigers and dragons, gathering famous strategists and scholars from the Three Kingdoms. Xu Feng is well aware of its importance, and this net will undoubtedly catch many big fish. As for the clans in the city, such as Zhang Fei's family in Xucheng, Xu Feng doesn't worry about them at all.

  "Yongquan Academy." Iron brush and silver hook, the characters are strong and powerful, on the right lower corner of the plaque, a few small words - Mr. Shuijing.

  "See General." Seeing Xu Feng riding a horse and coming over, the guard at the gate, Dian Wei, hastily came to greet him with respect.

  "Dian Wei, are those scholars making any unusual moves? Are they gathering a crowd to cause trouble?" Xu Feng asked worriedly.

  "No, a group of bookworms, all honest and stuffy, are reading books and taking classes inside. My ears are almost calloused from listening." Di Wei pointed to the academy behind him, grumbling discontentedly.

  As expected, the sound of reading came out from time to time. Looking at Dian Wei with a hint of grievance on his face, Xu Feng couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Indeed, letting the straightforward and honest Dian Wei come to the academy was a waste of his talents. The loud sounds of reading were no different from monks chanting scriptures to him.

  "Alright, stop complaining, this group of bookworms isn't as easy to deal with as you think. You guard the outside, I'll go in and be right back."

  Dian Wei nodded, and was about to have someone lead Xu Feng's horse, but Xu Feng waved his hand and said, "This is a place of learning, we can't cause a disturbance. I'll walk there myself, no one is allowed to enter without my permission, and don't make any loud noise."

  Xu Feng finished speaking, dismounted his horse, adjusted his collar, and even handed over the reins to Dian Wei. After tidying up, he stepped inside.

  "General..." Dian Wei wanted to persuade again, but Xu Feng shook his head "Nothing will happen."

  "You are..." Along the shaded path of the academy, as soon as you entered a courtyard, you were stopped by the gatekeeper.

  "Yellow Scarf Xu Feng."

  "You are Xu... San... Guang..." Two gatekeepers shouted in fright and rushed inside to shout loudly, "The Yellow Turbans have arrived, Xu Guang has come."

  "What's with that?" Xu Feng let out a helpless sigh, his nickname sounded awkward to himself, it made him feel like he was feared by everyone, as if he looked like a devilish butcher.

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