Chapter 38: The Brave Warrior

  Bei Gong, De Yang Hall.

  The court discussion lasted for a whole two hours before they finally decided on the matters of suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

  Emperor Ling appointed Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun as Left and Right Central Lang General, Lu Zhi as Northern Central Lang General, mobilized the five camps of soldiers from the north and the three rivers cavalry, and at the same time recruited soldiers and generals to attack the Yellow Turban rebels.

  Huangfu Song and Zhu Ling defeated the Yellow Turbans in the area of Yingchuan and Chenliu.

  Lu Zhi then led his army northward and directly attacked the Yellow Turban rebels in their most turbulent area, Ji Province's Julu Commandery.

  Many Chinese officials also recommended their relatives and children to join the military as officers, in order to establish meritorious service and gain official titles and promotions.

  Zhang Rang bowed his head and said to Emperor Ling: "Your Majesty, I have two talented individuals to recommend."

  Emperor Ling of Han Liu Hong said, "Is there a virtuous person? Quickly recommend one."

  Your Highness and all officials responded with cold eyes, thinking that the eunuch party would again try to plant their trusted people in the military to control the army's power.

  Zhang Yang said: "Counselor Cao Cao is well-versed in military strategy, and during his tenure as the magistrate of Dongjun County, he has repeatedly achieved merits in suppressing bandits. He can be appointed as a Duwei; after I ordered Zhou Jian to take office and rectify the military preparations, he captured and exposed the treacherous rebels of the Taiping Dao, achieving great merit. He can be appointed as a Xiaowei."

  The Emperor Ling happily said: "Approved, quickly summon these two into the army of Huangfu Song, and together attack the Yellow Turban rebels."

  Zhang Rang was overjoyed and said: "Your humble servant obeys your orders."

  The civil and military officials all had a mind to oppose, but did not know how to open their mouths.

  Cao Cao, during his tenure as North Commandant and County Magistrate of Dunqiu, rectified the administration, achieved many merits, and gained a reputation in the imperial court.

  Although Zhou Jian was said to have attached himself to the eunuch party, he also came from a prominent family background. His ancestors and parents had all established extensive connections with people, and after taking office, it was said that he made great efforts to resettle refugees and did many good deeds for the people, achieving considerable merits, not being an incompetent person at all, so it's really not easy to oppose him.

  Zhou Mansion

  Zhou Hui hastily rushed into the study and asked Zhou Zhong, "Father, I heard that at the early court session, Jian's younger brother was recommended by Zhang Letian, and the Emperor issued an edict appointing Jian's younger brother as a Wuwei Colonel under General Huangfu Song to fight against the Yellow Turban rebels. Is this true or false?"

  "That's right."

  Zhou Hui let out a long sigh, thinking about how he had been struggling to make ends meet in Luoyang for the past few years, and fell silent for half a day.

  Zhou Jian had not yet worn a crown, and it was less than a year ago that he first served as county magistrate and then was promoted to colonel. This official promotion is indeed too fast.

  Having been in Luoyang for seven or eight years, I am still a small official of 400 stones, and this comparison is indeed a bit frustrating.

  "Your uncle mentioned in a letter three years ago that you were good at discussing the imperial court and the overall situation of the world, saying that the Taiping Dao would rebel by 1857 at the latest. Who would have thought that the Taiping Dao actually rose up this year?"

  Zhou Hui said calmly: "Father's meaning is..."

  "All right, there's nothing else, you can withdraw first!"

  Zhou Hui had no choice but to retreat and come out.

  Northern Army Camp

  The orderly hastily rushed into the main tent of the central army and said to Zhu Yun: "General, everything is ready."

  "Alright, pass on the general's order: tomorrow at three watches in the night, cook meals; at five watches, assemble the troops for drills."

  "Yes, sir."

  Zhu Huan suddenly thought of someone and said: "Now the Taiping Taoist rebels are causing chaos in the states and counties, the imperial court is summoning brave warriors from all sides to suppress them. Sun Jian, the governor of Xiapi, has always been known for his bravery, he can be summoned as a military advisor to assist General Zhou Yu in suppressing the rebels."

  "Understood."

  Zhu Huan waved his hand and his personal soldiers immediately left the tent.

  Post house.

  Zhou Sheng and another attendant had nothing to do, were playing a game of chess, when Chen Fang excitedly rushed in with quick steps.

  "Old Chen!"

  Zhou Sheng hastily dismissed his attendants and stepped forward a few steps, asking urgently: "How is it? Can the matter be settled?"

  Chen's face showed a joyful expression, saying: "It's settled, the Emperor has already issued an edict appointing General Du as the Colonel of the Valiant Martial Guard, to serve under the command of Huangfu Song, the Left Central Major General, to join the army in suppressing the rebels. You all quickly pack your bags and set off early."

  "Too good."

  Zhou Sheng and another attendant were also overjoyed, responded with a "yes", and hurriedly returned to the house to pack their luggage.

  Half an hour later, a group of over ten people left the post house and rushed out of Luoyang's east gate towards Jiwu.

  Chen Liujiwu, Xishan Pavilion.

  "Kill!"

  "Kill all these corrupt officials."

  "This Han family has made life impossible for us, let's kill those corrupt officials and join the great hero Liang."

  A mob of over a hundred people, armed with wooden sticks, iron shovels and hoes, rushed towards the pavilion, smashing against the thick wooden door that was tightly closed, while more than ten sturdy men climbed onto the wall, ready to jump in.

  In the Ting She Yuan, the Ting Zhang was leading more than a dozen subordinates, including clerks, servants and soldiers, desperately fighting off the rioters who were breaking in.

  There were also seven or eight rich household guards who happened to be staying in the pavilion and came forward to help, and three of them used thick wooden stakes to firmly prop up the large gate of the pavilion, preventing the rioters from breaking in.

  "Ah!"

  Amidst the cries of agony, a man who had rushed in was hacked to pieces by the chaotic knives.

  However, more rioters climbed over the wall and joined the melee, making the situation precarious.

  "Old Du, it's no good, everyone can't hold on anymore."

  The man in a short jacket had been stabbed in the back, his skin curled up to reveal a gruesome and terrifying wound, fresh blood gushing out like red ink, he was in so much pain that he let out a loud roar of despair.

  "Cut the nonsense, we have to hold on no matter what, or else everyone will die."

  Lao Du was the head of the pavilion, and upon hearing this, he let out a loud roar. Although he was scared to death, he still had no choice but to charge forward and fight with the rioters who were climbing over the wall. In his heart, he knew very well that if he fell into their hands, there would be absolutely no way for him to survive.

  To survive, I have no choice but to fight.

  More than half of the over ten people in the pavilion were old and weak, and there were less than seven strong men. Although they were all frightened to death, under the threat of death, they all picked up their weapons and fought to the death with the rioters who climbed over the wall.

  If it weren't for the rich man's guard helping out, I'm afraid we would have been hacked down by the rioters long ago.

  The seven or eight guards of the rich family were much braver than these soldiers and minor officials in the pavilion, and the seven or eight rioters who were cut down were all due to the credit of these guards. The people in the pavilion could only barely defend themselves.

  The rioters were cut down seven or eight at a time, but they did not retreat. With red eyes, they roared and rushed forward to fight to the death.

  These rioters were all shabbily dressed, with pale faces, and their weapons were a motley assortment, far inferior to the sharp cavalry sabres; they fought desperately but without any semblance of order, yet seemed to have fallen into a frenzy, refusing to stop until everyone in the pavilion was killed.

  Everyone couldn't help but feel a chill down their spine, unable to comprehend why this group of thugs were so desperate and reckless.

  Even several rich household guards with quick hands and feet couldn't help but feel secretly shocked.

  "This is terrible! How can this be good?"

  At the door of a west wing room, a forty-year-old fat man named Zuo stood at the door, anxiously stomping his feet. His intestines were regretful and almost turned green. If he had known that he would encounter a mob besieging the house, he would have left yesterday and wouldn't be waiting for death here today.

  This is terrible, being surrounded by rioters in the pavilion, once the rioters break in, I'm afraid my life will be in danger.

  "Sir, it's urgent."

  The leader of the guards rushed to the front of the fat man and said in a loud voice: "There are too many rioters, and they are not afraid of death. The only way now is to break through the siege and there will be a way out. Please follow me to kill out of the pavilion and break through the siege."

  The fatty said with a trembling heart: "The pavilion is surrounded by rioters, how can we break through?"

  The leader of the guards hastily said: "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely protect you and ensure your safety, without a single hair being harmed."

  The fat man was still hesitating and couldn't make up his mind.

  The leader of the guards was about to urge again when a loud shout suddenly erupted outside the pavilion, as if a thunderbolt had struck out of thin air.

  "Desperate bandits, still refusing to lay down their arms and surrender, what are you waiting for?"

  A thunderous roar that actually drowned out the shouts of killing and screams of over a hundred people, stunning everyone's ears as if they were thundering, only to see stars dancing in front of their eyes, their thoughts were confused for a moment, and they couldn't help but look pale with fright.

  The bodyguard of the fatty was also shocked and lost his color, what kind of person is this, with such a loud voice.

  Before everyone could come back to their senses, a series of miserable cries had already erupted outside the pavilion.

  Everyone in the courtyard didn't understand what had happened, but soon everyone saw an unforgettable scene.

  Boom!

  In a loud crash, the thick wooden door was like being hit by an express train, shattering into countless fragments and flying in all directions.

  All that was seen was a nine-foot-tall, ox-like ruffian holding a pair of large iron halberds, charging in with his whole body covered in blood. As the crowd looked over, this ruffian had just pulled back his right foot, which he had kicked out, and it was clear that the main gate of the pavilion had been kicked open by him.

  "Hiss!"

  Several of Fatso's guards inhaled sharply, what the heck is this, a human or a ghost?

  The gate of the pavilion was as thick as a thigh, but it was kicked open by this villain with one foot. What great strength he must have!

  When they looked out of the pavilion and saw the situation outside, everyone's face turned white, and they almost scared down.

  All that can be seen is the evil Han's passage, where the ground is littered with severed limbs and broken bodies. The few lucky rioters who have not yet died are lying on the ground, letting out desperate wails of despair before death. A group of iron-armored, stern-faced soldiers are chopping down the remaining rioters like they're chopping vegetables.

  Ah! Ah! Ah!

  A shrill and mournful cry soon echoed through the courtyard.

  When everyone came to their senses, they found that the remaining rioters in the pavilion had been slaughtered by the villain, and the originally fierce and fearless rioters did not have a single bit of resistance, no one could withstand the villain's attack.

  Dian Wei killed all the rioters in the Tingyuan Temple and shouted loudly: "Where is the head of the temple?"

  Lao Du hastily ran over with a stomach cramp and said anxiously: "The lower official is here, I don't know how the strong man should be addressed?"

  "Useless trash."

  Dian Wei glared fiercely at Old Du and shouted: "The lord is right outside, why haven't you gone to pay your respects?"

  "Which adult?"

  Lao Du looked puzzled and couldn't quite figure out what was going on.

  Dian Wei was too lazy to bother with him and hastily stepped forward, grabbing hold of Old Du as if he were a small chicken, and strode out of the pavilion in large strides.

  Everyone in the courtyard looked at each other in confusion, unable to understand who this villain was, and no one dared to speak up to stop him.

  Outside the pavilion.

  Over a hundred rioters were either beheaded or captured, with only a handful escaping.

  Two attendants led a hundred soldiers, who were sweeping the battlefield, collecting and burning the bodies, washing away bloodstains.

  Zhou Jian wore a brocade robe, with a silver cloak draped over his shoulders, standing on the other side of the official road with his hands behind his back. As he scanned the dozens of rioters who were tied up, a hint of sympathy flashed in his eyes, but was quickly replaced by a stern expression.