Volume 1: Kyoto Winds and Clouds Chapter 41: For Fan Juan, Xia Houlan Takes Action

  Liu Zhang originally wanted to capture the bandits first, but the leaders of the thieves did not move. Liu Zhang and his men could not kill their way through either. At the narrow entrance of the mountain stronghold, even with their exceptional martial arts skills, it was difficult for them to break through hundreds of thieves to reach the leader. But when the three big bandit leaders came forward, that was like serving food to Liu Zhang and his men!

  The three bandit chiefs originally thought that Liu Bei and his men were just a bunch of kids, and didn't take them seriously. They didn't know that the fierce generals at the end of the Han Dynasty all started killing people from a young age. Like Lü Bu who participated in the sheep-grabbing competition with foreigners at the age of nine, and killed people by the dozen at twelve; Guan Yu beheaded his enemy's family at fourteen, Zhang Liao joined the army at fifteen, and Zhang Fei followed Liu Bei to fight against the Yellow Turbans at sixteen. Although it was not common for someone like Liu Bei to start killing bandits at thirteen or fourteen, it wasn't unusual either.

  As soon as they clashed, two of the three bandit chiefs were stabbed off their horses. Liu Zhang, Zhang Ren, and Zhao Yun each made a move that was a killing blow from the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix spear technique, the Phoenix Nods Its Head. Except for Zhang Ren's slightly inferior martial arts, who could only bring out seven spearheads, Zhao Yun and Liu Zhang were both a blur of spear shadows. The bandit chief's martial arts were slightly stronger, so he escaped with his life, but was shot in the thigh.

  "What kind of people are you?" The leader of the thieves was surrounded by Liu Zhang and two others in the middle, trembling with fear.

  "Halt, everyone who called you!" Liu Zhang coldly hummed: "Throw away the weapons in your hands, otherwise I don't mind killing you!"

  "Halt! All of you, halt!" The bandit leader shouted, and everyone looked towards Liu Zhang. It was seen that the bandit leader was surrounded by Liu Zhang's three men, the second and third masters were all lying on the ground, and the thieves suddenly fell into chaos, many people took advantage of the chaos to run down the mountain! The bandit leader was shocked, but he didn't dare move, so he could only look at Liu Zhang with a pitiful expression.

  "Why are you arresting people?" Liu Zhang asked in a cold voice: "I heard that you were originally just asking for food, but recently started arresting people, what do you want to do?"

  "It's none of my business!" The bandit leader said in terror, "A few days ago, we met a Taoist priest with a yellow scarf on his head at the foot of the mountain. He told us that as long as we could make contributions to the sect, when the true lord comes into the world, he would give us infinite glory and wealth! I didn't want to agree at first, but if I didn't agree, I would have been killed!"

  "A Taoist with a yellow scarf?" Liu Zhang was startled in his heart, he knew that this Taoist was mostly a Yellow Turban bandit, so he asked coldly: "Then where is the person you caught?"

  "The... The bandits all went to Guangzong City in Julu County! They said that the Great Virtuous and Good Master wants to redeem their sins!"

  "Great virtuous teacher? Zhang Jiao!" Liu Zhang gritted his teeth and asked: "Where did the villagers of Zhaojiazhuang send them?"

  "Our people here are also sent to Guangzong City!" The bandit leader cried: "Sir, great hero, I didn't want to cause trouble at first, but that Taoist priest is so powerful, I...I..."

  "Are you going to let him harm the people?" Liu Zhang coldly said: "Originally, you were just a coerced commoner, I can still give you an opportunity, unfortunately... be a good person in your next life!" As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Zhang's long spear pierced into the bandit leader's brow.

  Zhoa Yun saw Liu Zhang kill the leader of the bandits and frowned, asking: "Elder brother, shouldn't we keep him to ask about the whereabouts of the people from Zhao Family Village?"

  "If he's taken along, he'll probably try to escape at any opportunity. If we take the wrong road, it will be even more troublesome!" Liu Zhang smiled and said: "With the power of the government, why use the power of bandits? Shi Ah, after descending the mountain, order the governor of Changshan County to seal off the waterways and main roads in this county, and have him notify the Governor of Jizhou in writing. Of course, if the Governor of Jizhou is unwilling to help me, tell him that Liu Zhang has made an enemy of him!"

  "Big Brother!" Zhao Yun said with deep emotion: "Great kindness needs no thanks, I..."

  "Why say so much nonsense when great kindness doesn't need to be thanked?" Liu Zhang smiled and said: "We'd better hurry up and join forces with Huang Xiu, go chase after those thieves!"

  Liu Zhang and others went down the mountain, Shi A immediately went to Changshan County government office to pass on the order. Huang Xu had already rounded up those mountain bandits and handed them over to Shi A to escort away. The five of them led a thousand troops to pursue towards Guangzong. After receiving Shi A's order, the governor of Changshan County immediately reported this matter to the Governor of Jizhou and sent someone to seal off the roads.

  Hebei Governor Han Fu was also a member of the aristocracy. As soon as he took office, someone asked him to seal off Hebei's main roads and arrest the Taoist priests who wore yellow turbans. Han Fu didn't want to get involved in this matter because the Yellow Turban Taoists had considerable influence in Hebei, and it seemed that there were people backing them from above. It was said that some of the Ten Eunuchs believed in the Yellow Turban Taoism, but there was no evidence. Looking at the documents in his hand, Han Fu couldn't help but laugh, especially at the last sentence: "Liu Zhang is colluding with him!"

  "Wait! What a coincidence!" Han Fu had just thought of putting the document away and ignoring the matter, but he suddenly became interested in the name 'Liu Zhang'. Because in his memory, there was also someone named Liu Zhang, and this person was the nightmare of all the noble families in Luoyang.

  Han Fu was really unsure, if it was indeed Liu Zhang from Luoyang, he would have to take action. Otherwise, being targeted by Liu Zhang, even a big family like the Yuan family couldn't withstand it, let alone Han Fu, a son of an ordinary family. It's worth noting that Han Fu was born into the Yuan family and understood more deeply than others about Liu Zhang's past deeds in Luoyang!

  Changshan County Magistrate was not stupid either, he was afraid that Han Fu would be confused, so in the document, he carefully noted Liu Zhang's identity: Han Dynasty royal relative, Youzhou Governor Liu Yan's son! Han Fu thought for a moment, and in his memory, Liu Zhang's father was indeed Liu Yan. With this, he immediately confirmed Liu Zhang's identity. In order not to let Liu Zhang vent his anger on himself, Han Fu hastily sent orders to various states and counties, ordering people to intercept the Yellow Turbans. As soon as Han Fu's command came out, Ji Province became chaotic, those Yellow Turbans who kidnapped villagers couldn't leave or enter the city!

  "What's going on?" Zhang Jiao, who was busy deceiving and recruiting followers, suddenly heard that the governor of Ji Province had begun to restrict and arrest the Yellow Turbans. He broke out in a cold sweat and couldn't understand why the governor would be against him. Zhang Jiao wondered in his heart: "Could it be that someone has seen through my intentions?" For half a month, Zhang Jiao spent his days in fear and anxiety. If he had already had the strength to rebel, he probably would have risen up!

  After inquiring for half a month, Zhang Jiao finally knew the cause and effect of the matter. It turned out to be a family that joined the Yellow Turban Taoist sect, using the name of the Yellow Turban Taoist sect to recruit young men outside, and also recruiting some girls for the enjoyment of the family's children. The only problem was that the recruitment method had gone wrong, and it had also provoked Liu Zhang, the son of the governor of Youzhou.

  Since his subordinates had caused trouble, Zhang Jiao naturally sent someone to make amends. Of course, Zhang Jiao would not send someone to apologize to Liu Yan, but instead let people go to Luoyang to find the Ten Eunuchs, wanting them to speak for him. Generally speaking, as long as there was money given to the Ten Eunuchs, the governor and his son were nothing. However, this time the Ten Eunuchs, who had previously been able to be bribed with money, were unexpectedly very tough, which caught Zhang Jiao off guard. However, this couldn't be blamed on Zhang Jiao, as he really didn't know that the leader of the Ten Eunuchs, Zhang Rang, had a very good relationship with Liu Yan. Although they hadn't seen each other in years, Zhang Rang still thought about the young master who didn't treat him like a useless person.

  After careful consideration, Zhang Jiao panicked! This Governor of You Province, Liu Yan, was not an ordinary person after all! However, Zhang Jiao had no way out, and even if he wanted to curry favor with Liu Yan, there was no door open for him. After some thought, Zhang Jiao decided to go see Liu Yan in person, hoping that he would spare the Yellow Turbans. Of course, Zhang Jiao did not know that Liu Yan only wanted to save the people of Zhaojia Village to win over Zhao Yun and had no intention of taking action against Zhang Jiao. Without Zhang Jiao's rebellion, how could the Han Dynasty be in chaos, and how could he take advantage of it? Liu Yan was not willing to work for those two useless people, Liu Bian and Liu Xie.

  Liu Zhang and his six men led a thousand troops slowly towards Guangzong. On the official road, an old Taoist suddenly blocked their way.

  "Boundless good fortune!" The old Taoist bowed and said: "May I ask if you are indeed Young Master Liu in person?"

  "Who are you!" Liu Zhang looked at the old Taoist with a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

  "Zhang Jue, the humble Taoist priest, is being polite!" It turned out that the person who had stopped Liu Zhang was none other than Zhang Jue himself, who had come to make amends.

  Liu Zhang coldly smiled and said: "Great virtuous teacher? I'm currently on my way to rescue someone, no time to bother with you. After I've rescued the person, I'll slowly deal with your Yellow Turban Taoism!

  "Ah..." Zhang Jiao was shocked, if Liu Chao really had no intention of harming the Yellow Turbans, he indeed had no way out, after all, he hadn't made preparations for a rebellion yet. Zhang Jiao calmed down and asked: "May I ask, Lord Liu, my Yellow Turban sect has been distributing talismans and holy water everywhere, have we somehow offended you?"

  "I don't care about your charity! Even if you kidnap and extort, the authorities will deal with you!" Liu Zhang coldly sneered: "But your people actually kidnapped my brother's family members, it seems you're not afraid of anything!"

  "Boundless good fortune!" Zhang Jiao understood Liu Zhang's intention and suddenly felt a sense of relief in his heart. He smiled and said, "So that's it! In that case, why don't I take the young master to find those few young masters and misses, and then think about apologizing to Young Master Liu?"

  "It must be returned!" Liu Zhang coldly hummed: "I want it back perfectly intact, if a single hair is missing, don't blame me for being ruthless. I know what you're thinking of doing, but I'm too lazy to care about you, however, if you try to play tricks on me, that's unacceptable..."

  "Yes! Yes!" Looking into Liu Zhang's profound eyes, Zhang Jiao suddenly had a feeling of being seen through.

  Under Zhang Jue's leadership, Liu Bei finally found the small courtyard where the villagers of Zhaojia Village were imprisoned. In the small courtyard, Zhao Yun's brother and sister, as well as some villagers familiar with Zhao Yun, were all present, except that Zhao Yun's brother Zhao Lei was seriously injured. As for the people who took care of Zhao Lei and others, and those who captured the villagers of Zhaojia Village, they were handled by the guardian of Julu County.

  Save the crowd, Zhao Yun thanked Liu Zhang a thousand times, but among so many people, only Fan Qiong was missing! After Xiahoulán's careful inquiry, it was found that Fan Qiong had not been captured by these people. Since everyone has been found, and Fan Qiong's life and whereabouts are unknown, Liu Zhang and others naturally want to go back, and can't delay major events for a single Fan Qiong.

  Xiahou Lan was done, he had been infatuated with Fan Juan for a long time. Now that Fan Juan had mysteriously disappeared, how could he give up like this? So Xiahou Lan bid farewell to Liu Zhang and the others, and continued to search for Fan Juan. Liu Zhang and the others tried to persuade him in vain, and could only let him leave. The joy of everyone's rescue was tinged with a faint sadness at Xiahou Lan's departure.