Chapter 8: Over a Hundred Followers

  "Big brother!" The dozens of men behind the big fellow saw their leader fall, and they all shouted loudly. Then more than 500 men divided into two groups and started fighting fiercely.

  "Help the leader of the other side!" Guan Xing shouted loudly as he saw the situation, and the three men who were preparing to watch the play, including Guan Yu, immediately rushed over to kill.

  The battle was without any suspense, and after half an hour, the fight ended with only over 160 people surviving. The more than 160 survivors knelt down to Guan Chen and others and said: "Thank you for your help."

  "Now who among you can take charge?"

  A dark-faced man stepped forward and said, "Young master, I am now the person in charge here. Please forgive my recklessness! We also decided to do this because of hunger."

  Guan Chen learned from the battle just now that this black-faced man and a man with scars on his face were quite skilled in martial arts, so he said in a low voice: "What's your name?"

  "Little man Zhou Cang, pays respects to young master!" Zhou Cang lowered his head and bowed.

  Guan Zhen heard the words and jumped down from the tiger, helped Zhou Cang up and said: "Zhou Cang, since things have passed, let's just forget about it. You are like us, forced by life. We plan to venture out together, do you want to follow?"

  "We'll follow you, young master!" Zhou Cang shouted, clasping his fists.

  "Good! Good! Welcome to join us. Ask your brothers under you, those who are willing to follow me and wander with no strings attached can come with me. Those who don't want to can disperse now, I'll give each of them one or two taels of silver."

  Guan Zhen's voice was loud, and all 160 people heard it clearly. Zhou Cang turned around and said: "The master's words are clear. Those who want to continue following the Heavenly Master can leave, those who want to stay with me will stand behind me, everyone is free to go or stay."

  After Zhou Cang finished shouting, he stood still facing the crowd. Then 110 men got up and came to stand behind Zhou Cang. The remaining 50 people did not move. Guan Yu looked at the 50 people in front of him and said: "Zhou Cang, here are 50 taels of silver. Distribute them among these people and let them leave. From now on, they must not rob travelers again. With their strength and health, they can earn a living by doing something else. At worst, they can make a living by hunting in the Taihang Mountains."

  "Thank you, sir."

  Zhou Cang took the silver ingot from Guan Zhen's hand and distributed it to the fifty people in front of him. He came to the young man with a scar on his face and said, "Cheng Yuanzhi, you coward, our benefactor has helped us avenge our brother, but you don't know how to be grateful! Do you want to go home and live a happy life? How long can this silver ingot bring you happiness?"

  Chang Yue Zhi heard this and apologized: "Cang Ge, I'm not ungrateful, but I fear that if Tian Shi is angered, it will be detrimental to our village."

  "How dare he! You foolish egg, if the Heavenly Master dared to do so, wouldn't it go against his moral principles? I ask you, do you think the Heavenly Master is formidable or is En Gong more formidable? Do you think the Heavenly Master can accomplish anything with a group of farmers? We're just here for a meal, what future do we have with the Heavenly Master? And does the Heavenly Master even know you? Is he aware that someone like you exists?" Zhou Cang fired off a string of questions, but didn't give Cheng Yuanzhi any silver and instead continued to hand it out to others.

  Cheng Yuan Zhi furrowed his brow and stood still for a moment, then came to Guan Chen's side and knelt down, saying: "Your subordinate Cheng Yuan Zhi pays respects to Your Excellency."

  Guan Chen's heart was moved after Zhou Cang called out Cheng Yuanzhi's name, and he had the intention of winning him over. This man was one of the few talents in the Yellow Turbans. Moreover, since the Yellow Turbans had not yet rebelled, he was a clean and untainted talent. Seeing Cheng Yuanzhi acknowledge his allegiance, Guan Chen joyfully stepped forward to help him up, saying: "Yuanzhi, quickly get up! You've finally made the right decision. From now on, we're all brothers, no need to be so formal."

  After Zhou Cang finished distributing the silver, the more than 40 people dispersed, and five people followed Cheng Yuanzhi to stay behind. Zhou Cang came to Cheng Yuanzhi's side and patted his shoulder, saying: "You finally figured it out, following the right master is very important."

  Guan Yu smiled and said to the two of them: "Zhou Cang, this person beside me is my brother Guan Yu. I order you from now on to follow him at all times, to carry his sword and protect him left and right. Are you willing?"

  Zhou Cang looked at Guan Yu and said, "Master, I have already seen your swordsmanship, and I sincerely admire you. I am willing to hold the reins for you, wield a knife to protect you on both sides, and I hope you won't despise me."

  Guan Yu looked at Guan Dun and said, "Younger brother, you're being reckless! I can wield this sword myself, my martial arts don't need a guard, and now I don't even have a horse, what do I need a groom for?"

  "Brother, you don't need it now, but you will later! I'm also making early arrangements for your sake." Guan Chen said with a smile.

  "Please let me take your sword for you, milord!" Zhou Cang loudly knelt down and begged Guan Yu.

  Guan Yu hastily helped Zhou Cang up, handing the sword over to him. Zhou Cang was only in his early twenties, similar in age to Guan Yu. Guan Yu had thought that Zhou Cang wouldn't be able to wield his sword, but instead, Zhou Cang lifted it with ease and praised: "Good sword! Only someone with your divine strength can wield it."

  Zhou Cang finished speaking and put his knife on his shoulder. Guan Yu wanted to speak but stopped, casting a glance at Guan Suo.

  Cheng Yu saw Zhou Cang become Guan Yu's personal attendant and immediately knelt down to Di Yan, saying: "Master, I also want to be your personal attendant."

  Dian Wei waved his hand directly and said, "Brother, I don't need a personal attendant, really, really not! Besides, my weapon can never leave my side! And I still want to be the lord's personal attendant, so you'd better not consider it."

  Guan Chen burst out laughing and said: "Is there a brother willing to swear to follow this black-faced Di Wei brother, to share his worries?"

  Twenty-four people stepped forward and said: "My lord, we are willing!"

  Guan Chen listened to the loud voice and knew that these people were all convinced by Dian Wei's military power. He nodded and said, "Then you twenty-four people will be Dian Wei's personal guards from now on. You must not have a second heart. Cheng Yuanzhi, you are Dian Wei's personal guard leader. I don't know what Big Brother Dian thinks?"

  "Yes, sir!" Tian Wei replied with a bow.

  Guan Yu nodded and continued: "Which of you brothers is willing to follow me?"

  "Understood!" Twenty-six people stood up at his words, and their voices were also extremely loud.

  Guan Chen nodded in satisfaction: "Good, Zhou Cang, you choose twenty-four people from among them to be the personal attendants of Big Brother. Which brother is willing to be the personal attendant of this White-faced Big Brother Chen Da?"

  "Understood!" More than 40 people stood up after hearing this.

  Guan Chen knew that this was because, firstly, Chen Da Ge looked handsome and, secondly, his whirlwind sword technique earlier was the most impressive, which is why so many people were convinced. Guan Chen said with satisfaction: "Chen Da Ge, choose twenty-five of them to be your personal guards, you decide who will be the captain."

  "Thank you, sir!" Chen Daobowed and clasped his fists in obedience.

  Guan Chen calculated in his heart: This time, a total of 115 Han men were obtained. The three brothers divided 75 people, leaving 40 people behind. Then Guan Chen looked at the remaining 40 people and said, "Brothers, from now on, follow me to make a name for ourselves in the world. I will never let you suffer losses. For now, we have fewer people, so let's temporarily settle on this. You are all the first to follow me, and I have taken note of it! Alright, let's continue our journey, with our target being Zhuo Zhou City."

  Everything Guan Xun did seemed perfect in Diao Chan's eyes, and she secretly vowed: no matter where Master goes in the future, I will follow him willingly and do my best to fulfill my duties.

  Guan Yu never expected that he and his elder brother would be able to gather such a powerful force on their way to Zhuo County. If they could also recruit Zhang Fei, with this force, they would quickly rise to prominence, so they hastened towards Zhuo County.