Chapter Thirty-One: The Great Army Unites

  That night, Zhang Rui led 500 cavalrymen in a surprise attack on the Yellow Turbans' main camp, achieving a complete victory. The bandit leader Ma Yuan Yi was killed, more than 3,000 were beheaded, and over 10,000 were captured. Another 7,000 or so escaped without a trace. Of the 500 men under his command, only twenty-odd were lightly wounded, with not one death. This battle made Zhang Rui's name resound throughout Puyang.

  "Wen Ruo, I originally thought that Zhi Bo's 500 men plus Zi and He could hold down Ma Yuan Yi, which would be fine. When my 5,000 iron cavalry arrives, we can directly trample these Huayang Yellow Turbans. Who knew that Zhi Bo defeated this wave of Yellow Turbans in just one day? It's truly a great gift for us!" Cao Cao said.

  "Master, this junior brother of mine is not an ordinary person! Don't be fooled by his casual speech and behavior, he's actually a man with a mind of his own. Although he seems to care about nothing, in reality, he's extremely proud inside. He may have a good impression of you, Master, but if you want him to truly acknowledge you as his superior, it'll take some effort. Fortunately, my junior brother values emotions deeply, so it's not impossible for you to keep him by your side." said Xun Yu.

  "If what you said is true, then both of us, Wen Ruo and I, are skilled in different areas. Wen Ruo excels in governance, while I excel in strategy. However, neither of us has the foresight of our young junior brother. I recall that when we first met, he predicted that a great chaos would befall us, but at that time, my uncle and I did not believe him. Now thinking back, our young junior brother indeed had exceptional vision." Xun Yu added.

  "Speed up the march, arrive at Puyang City before noon." Cao Cao fiercely swung his horse whip and galloped forward. Xun Yu and Xun You exchanged a smile and closely followed behind. Little brother, I'm sure you won't blame us uncle and nephew, great chaos is approaching, talent is crucial, let alone Meng De's literary and military talents are all excellent, it's really a rare wise lord. A thousand-mile horse is often found, but a Bo Le is not often found, I'm sure when you come back you will understand our kind intentions.

  In the original Taishou Mansion of Puyang City, Zhang Rui was hosting a banquet to reward all the generals and soldiers. Qingquan Old Master led the Puyang families to accompany them. The Yellow Turbans had been defeated and Ma Yuan Yi was dead. If you ask who is the happiest, it would be none other than these family heads.

  "Come on, brothers, this time everyone has made great contributions, showing the prestige of our Great Han Iron Cavalry. I, Zhang Rui, offer a toast to you all, let's drink!"

  Everyone touched their cups, and Cao Chun stood up and said: "This time we won a great victory, thanks to the military advisor's proper command, and that bandit leader also died at the hands of the military advisor. The greatest credit for this battle goes to the military advisor, let us all raise our glasses to toast the military advisor."

  Cao Chun, is this guy trying to drown me? Zhang Rui smiled helplessly and raised his wine cup for a toast with everyone. After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of dishes, a messenger rushed in.

  "Report, Military Advisor, General Cao, Lord and two Xun Military Advisors have arrived at the foot of Puyang City."

  Zhang Liao and Cao Chun hastily came out to greet them, opened the city gate, and saw that Cao Cao, Xun Yu, and Xun You all dismounted their horses, but did not intend to enter the city. The large army outside the city also had no intention of entering.

  Could it be that something big has happened? Zhang Rui thought.

  "Mengde brother, two senior brothers, why are you standing outside the city gate? You've traveled a long way and yet you seem to have no intention of entering the city. Has something big happened?" Zhang Rui said.

  "Zhi Bo is indeed a godlike man. I just received the military report, our army is outnumbered and Zhu Jun's unit was defeated in Yingchuan. Meanwhile, Yang Hu and Peng Tuo are taking advantage of their victory to besiege General Huangfu in Changsha, the situation is critical. General Huangfu ordered us to rush to his rescue immediately." said Xun Yu.

  "Zhi Bo, we didn't mean to disturb your family reunion, but the country is in danger and a great man should prioritize national affairs. Hurry up and pack, we're heading to Yingchuan," Cao Cao said.

  Zhang Rui knew that there was such a period in history, but he didn't expect it to come so soon. He had only been back for two days and had been busy with military affairs all along, without even having a good chat with Wenji before leaving again.

  Zhang Rui turned to Qingquan and said, "Father, you go back and tell Cai Dajia for me that now the army is in chaos, don't come back to Chenliu again. It just so happens that the Yellow Turbans have been defeated in Puyang, let's settle down there instead. We can talk about music and write letters together every day. Also, tell Wenji to wait for me, after I've eliminated the Yellow Turbans, I'll come back and marry her. Father, I'm leaving."

  Zhang Rui rode his horse, went to Cao Cao's back, and arrived at Cao Chun. From Cao Cao, he said that the reinforcements for Changsha had been gathered, and fortunately, 500 people were gathered in a short while.

  "Mr. Qingquan, don't worry, I, Cao Mengde, will take care of your son for you, let's go."

  Cao Cao led the team to rush to Changsha, Xun Yu, Xun You, Zhang Rui and Cao Chun closely followed. Ah! The cavalry is indeed a life of galloping.

  Changshe, the large camp of the Han army.

  "Has the order been sent to Cao Mengde to come and support us? Our army's food and grass are almost exhausted, if we can't enter Yicheng to replenish our supplies, even without the Yellow Turbans, we will all starve to death." asked Zhu Yan.

  "Alas, Gong Wei, who would have thought that at our age, we're still no match for a young man. According to reports, Cao Cao's military advisor Zhang Yi defeated Ma Yuan's 20,000-strong army with just 500 cavalrymen and beheaded the rebel leader Ma Yuan. We haven't even entered Yingchuan City yet, but we've been surrounded at Changsha. The main force of the Yellow Turbans' southern route is in our hands, if we can't break through Changsha, we'll truly have no face to see the Emperor." said Huangfu Song.

  "It's all my fault, I've dragged you down. If I hadn't been so reckless, things wouldn't have ended up like this. It's all because I was too careless. If we lose and retreat, Yongqiu City will be finished, and I, Zhu Jun, will truly become a sinner."

  "Gong Wei, don't be so pessimistic. We still have reinforcements coming and currently, even if Bo wants to annihilate us, it will take some time. We still have a chance. For now, we can only wait for Meng De's arrival or think of a way to break through."

  Inside the Yingchuan city, Xun Shuang was worshiping in the Xun family ancestral hall. "Ancestors and ancestors, bless my Xun family to be free from the disturbance and harm of the Yellow Turbans, bless those two young sons of mine to make a name for themselves, and also that unique disciple of mine." Alas, the matter of the great Han dynasty being in chaos was again spoken by him, but it's unknown how that child is doing.

  "Master, you are indeed here. That little brat Guo Jia didn't deceive me after all. News from Puyang has arrived, saying that Zhi Bo led five hundred cavalry in a night raid on the Yellow Turbans' main camp, achieving a complete victory and beheading the bandit leader Ma Yuan Yi. The siege of Puyang has been lifted." Ji Zhi Cai said.

  "Good, Zhi Bo has not disappointed me after all. The world is about to be in great chaos, and the star of change has already appeared. You have been following me for some years now, but after this period of time, I do not plan to continue teaching at Yingchuan Academy anymore. You also don't need to stay in the academy, and as for Little Guo Jia, you can both find a wise lord like other fellow disciples."

  "Master, Zhi Cai feels that his writing skills are not as good as Wen Ruo's, his strategic thinking is not as good as Gong Da's, and his tactics are not as good as Zhi Bo's. Zhi Cai still wants to continue following Master for a period of time." said Xi Zhi Cai.

  "Ah, Zhi Cai, this is all your modest talk. You and your fellow disciples each have your own strengths. Your use of strategy and tactics is no less than Zhi Bo's, while Feng Xiaozi always likes to take risks and often catches people off guard. You can already leave the temple." Xun Shuang said, then walked out of the hall.

  Zhi Bo, you have the best insight into the overall situation. Who should I surrender to? Zhi thought to himself.