022 Left Abundance

  Gao Teng had Liao Hua rewrite the report, simply writing "The bandits have been defeated, all Yellow Turbans have been pacified, please hurry to Xiyang to take charge of military affairs" and sending it quickly to Lu Zhi in Guangzong. The original report was then burned.

  In the following days, everything was calm. Gaofei stayed in Xiakou city, on one hand comforting those Yellow Turbans who had surrendered, and on the other waiting for news from Guangzong, and in an environment without computers, televisions or mobile phones, life was quite dull.

  This morning, as soon as Gao Fei got out of bed, he found that the sky outside was gray and overcast. Under the gloomy sky, the Han army's large flag on the city wall of Xiaoyang was blown by the strong wind, making a loud noise. Not long after, a bolt of lightning cut through the dense clouds in the sky, illuminating the winter sky brightly. Immediately afterwards, there was a loud rumble of thunder, and then raindrops began to fall from the sky, gradually becoming denser and eventually pouring down like an overturned bowl, forming a curtain of rain.

  "A long drought has met a sweet rain, it's also time for a big rain to fall!" Gaofei said to himself after looking at the suddenly changed weather.

  Turning around, Gao Fei took a glance at Zhao Yun standing behind him and asked: "Zilong, what day is today?"

  "Reporting to Your Excellency, today is August 1st." Zhao Yun bowed and said, "Your Excellency, with this strong wind and heavy rain, wouldn't it be better to rest indoors?"

  Gao Fei nodded and walked forward quietly, asking as he went: "Zilong, when was the express report sent out?"

  Zhao Yun said: "Three days ago, July 28th, the second day after the celebration banquet."

  "Three days? I'm afraid it's time to arrive in Guangzong. Zilong, these past few days I've been busy dealing with post-war matters and forgot something very important. After the heavy rain stops, I plan to invite Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others over, we'll exchange moves and give each other some pointers. Otherwise, it's too boring like this, what do you think?"

  "This idea of yours is not bad, ever since the last time I fought against Zhang Fei for hundreds of rounds, I have been feeling unfulfilled. It's rare to meet such a formidable opponent, and it's only right that we should engage in a fierce battle. Moreover, according to what Zhang Fei said, his second brother Guan Yu is also a peerless warrior with exquisite swordsmanship, and I would like to learn from him too." Zhao Yun's face showed a hint of joy as he spoke slowly.

  Gao Fei smiled and said, "My martial arts skills are lacking, I'd like to exchange moves with you two, let you point out my mistakes. This way, even if Guan and Zhang aren't here, we can still practice together and not be too bored. What do you think?"

  "What adults say is true."

  "Zi Long, anyway, I'm bored now. This rain won't stop for a while. You're good with guns. I have a set of gun moves and would like to ask you to give me some pointers."

  "Is it... is it here?"

  Gao Fei nodded and said: "Right, this hall is still quite spacious, as long as we slightly move these decorations away, it will be fine."

  "Alright, then let's start moving these tables and chairs."

  As soon as the voice fell, Gao Fei and Zhao Yun moved away these decorations, emptied the hall, just enough to play with guns and sticks. Gao Fei had someone bring his dragon gun from the room, and immediately began to show off. Zhao Yun stood on one side, watching carefully. Whenever Gao Fei played to a brilliant place, Zhao Yun would shout loudly. After Gao Fei finished showing off his entire set of spear techniques, he stopped.

  "Just from this set of gun moves, the adult's martial arts skills are quite impressive. However, there are a few places in this set of gun moves that are lacking, it is clear that the adult has not yet mastered this set of gun moves and seems to have missed out on several moves. This greatly limits the adult's progress in their martial arts training." Zhao Yun watched intently, stroking his chin, standing in one corner of the hall like a martial arts master, savoring every detail.

  Gao Fei nodded after listening, because he often recalled the person who taught him marksmanship with a covered face in his mind, and the memory was very clear, indeed missing a few moves. He smiled: "I didn't expect your eyes to be so unique, you actually saw this. Unfortunately, the professor who taught me marksmanship later disappeared without a trace, I don't know where to find him either."

  "Sir, this set of spear techniques is powerful and vigorous. Even if you omit those few moves, you can still dominate the battlefield. For ordinary people to be able to exchange ten or more moves with sir, that's already quite formidable. However..."

  "It doesn't matter what you say!"

  "However, when adults encounter a real master, they often become their own fatal weakness."

  "Is there a way to make up for it?"

  "If the master can learn those last few moves, I estimate that his martial arts skills will reach a new level. Master, my spear technique and yours are completely different, so it's impossible to compare, but I did notice some shortcomings. However, I heard that you once fought Zhang Fei for over 50 moves without a clear winner, and Zhang Fei is one of the true masters I've seen in recent years. This shows that your martial arts skills are not ordinary. Please don't mind my previous nonsense."

  Gao Feng knew that Zhao Yun was comforting him, but if they really fought, he would probably still lose to Zhang Fei. After all, he always lacked the last few moves of gunplay, and when he used them, it wasn't quite smooth enough. He smiled and said to Zhao Yun: "Zilong, bring your Crescent Moon Spear, let's exchange a few blows!"

  Zhao Yun obeyed the order and immediately began to exchange blows with Gao Fei in the hall, which also served to alleviate his boredom. When he made a move, he was afraid of hurting Gao Fei, so every time it came to a critical moment, he would hold back three parts of his strength. Gao Fei wasn't stupid either and could naturally sense it, but he just didn't say anything about it.

  The heavy rain poured down all day, and the yard was filled with water. The earth that had been nourished by the rain became muddy and impassable, and the ancient roads without any paving immediately turned into a vast expanse of marshland. On the second day after the sun came out, after a day of sunshine, the ground gradually dried up, and Gao Fei, who was bored with nothing to do, called all his men together to gather on the training grounds, where they compared their skills, honed their martial arts, and passed the time.

  In the following three days, there was nothing major in the city. Gao Feng and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Zhou Cang, Lu Heng, Guan Hai, Liao Hua, Pei Yuan Shao, Xia Hou Lan, Bian Xi and others exchanged moves with each other. Those who were stronger than him would point out his weaknesses, while those who were weaker he would instruct, not only gaining a lot of practical experience in battle but also holding several horse battles, making his horsemanship even more skilled.

  On the fourth day, Lu Zhi led a team of personal soldiers and accompanied Huangmen Shilang Zuo Feng to Xiayang. As soon as the news reached Gao Fei's ears, he hastily arranged everything. During these nearly eight days of getting along, he thoroughly understood the strengths of his subordinates and ordered Pei Yuanshao, who was skilled in cooking, to prepare a good wine and dishes to entertain Zuo Feng.

  Gao Fei personally welcomed Lu Zhi and Zuo Feng at the gate of Xiayang County, and led them into the county government office with great respect. He walked behind Lu Zhi and Zuo Feng, bowing his head and flattering this noble guest from the imperial court.

  Inside the county government office, the tables in the main hall were already set with wine and dishes, wafting a fragrant aroma that tantalized the hungry Lu Zhi and Zuo Feng.

  After the three sat down, Zuo Feng stroked his belly and revealed a greedy expression. He said slowly: "Ah, they say being a soldier is hard work, but now that I see Commander Gao's feast, I realize that being a soldier isn't hard at all. On the contrary, you can even make a lot of money. General Zhonglang, don't you agree?"

  From the moment Gao Fei saw Lu Zhi standing by the city gate, Lu Zhi's face always had a few points of disdain, as if he was more ashamed to sit at the same table with greedy people like Zuo Feng. He let out a cold hum, didn't say anything, picked up the wine cup in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.

  Gao Fei observed the expressions and colors, seeing that Zuo Feng also had some resentment towards Lu Zhi. He guessed that it was probably because Zuo Feng did not get any benefits from Lu Zhi in Guangzong. Seeing Zuo Feng's unsatisfied face, he gulped down a cup of wine and hastily stood up, first filling Zuo Feng's cup with wine, then Lu Zhi's, and slowly said: "The two gentlemen have traveled far and must be very tired. This wine table is personally invited by me to have the most famous chef within a hundred miles prepare the dishes, please savor them."

  Zuo Feng heard Gao Fei's politeness and smiled, picking up the long chopsticks in front of him. He said loudly: "Since you are the best chef within a hundred miles, I'd like to try your cooking and see if it can compare with the chefs at Baiyun Pavilion in the capital."

  After finishing the sentence, Zuo Feng picked up the chopsticks in his hand, clamped a piece of fragrant five-flower meat, put it in his mouth and chewed it. After he finished eating, he put down the chopsticks in his hand and said seriously: "It's oily but not greasy, the taste is not bad, but compared to the dishes in Baiyun Pavilion in Beijing, I'm afraid it will be much inferior. However, in a place like Xiayang that is not eye-catching, you can actually find such a good cook, which is also pretty good."

  Gao Fei took the opportunity to flatter and hastily said: "What you said is right, this is a desolate mountain wilderness, how can it be compared with the capital? I knew you were coming, so I specially searched around and even arranged for your accommodation, hoping not to disappoint you."

  Zuo Feng turned his head to look at Gao Fei, seeing that he was young and yet seemed to understand etiquette. He stretched out his hand to gently pat Gao Fei's back, saying with a smile: "You're quite eloquent..."

  "Hmm!" Lu Zhi cleared his throat softly, his eyes filled with disdain for Zuo Feng. He said softly to Gao Fei, "Zi Yu, General Zuo has hands and feet, you're not his slave, why do you need to serve him like this? Isn't it losing the face of our military?"

  "What are you talking about, Lu Zigang?!" Zuo Feng angrily exclaimed after hearing this.

  "It doesn't make sense!"

  Zuo Feng coldly snorted and immediately stood up, asking Gao Fei in a chilly tone: "Where is my residence?"

  Gao Fei immediately called out from outside the door to Xia Houlan, saying: "Take Lord Zuo back to his room to rest. Also, instruct Pei Yuanshao to prepare a delicious dish and have someone deliver it to Lord Zuo's room!"

  Xiahou Lan immediately replied: "Yes!"

  Zuo Feng shot a venomous glance at Lu Zhi and turned away with a flick of his sleeve.

  Lu Zhi also showed no weakness, and glared fiercely at Zuo Feng. After Zuo Feng left, Lu Zhi stood up and shouted loudly to Gao Fei: "Gao Fei! How can you lower yourself to serve such a greedy little man?"

  Gao Fei said: "Sir, calm down. I did this for you too. The other day, the person I sent to deliver the good news to you came back and told me about what happened between you and Zuo Feng. Zuo Feng is a petty man, since he took bribes from you, why do you need to treat him with courtesy? Just give him some gold and send him off..."

  Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhi suddenly burst out: "Give him? I won't give him a single penny! I command soldiers on the front line to fight and quell the Yellow Turbans, it's a meritorious deed for all to see. Why should I fawn over some eunuch official? Zi Yu, let me advise you, there's no point in discussing anything with this kind of person, it's better not to have any dealings with him at all. Today the general is tired, so let's just leave it at that for now. I see that you're handling things well in Xiangyang, so I don't need to worry about it. Tomorrow I'll return to Guangzong!"

  As soon as the words fell, Lu Zhi turned around and was about to leave. He had just taken a step when he stopped and turned his head to say to Gao Fei: "By the way, in the Battle of Guangzong, you made great contributions by beheading Zhang Jiao. The imperial court has already issued an order to reward you with 1,000 catties of gold, which is temporarily stored at my place. After you return to Guangzong, come to me to collect it!"

  Gao Fei shouted "Yes!" and immediately rushed out to call Zhao Yun who was standing outside: "Zilong, send Lord Lu back to his room!"

  Zhao Yun walked in at the sound of his name, bowed respectfully to Lu Zhi, and immediately said: "Sir, please follow me!"

  Gao Fei saw Lu Zhi following Zhao Yun and walked away, took a look at the table of wine and dishes, thought that he couldn't waste them either, so he called all his personal soldiers guarding outside the door to come in.

  A dozen people stood in two rows, facing Gao Fei and said in unison: "Greetings, sir!"

  Gao Fei pointed to the table of wine and food, saying to the dozen or so personal guards: "You have all been following me around, standing guard at night, you have all worked hard. I too have been busy with military duties and haven't had a chance to reward you in time. Today this table of wine and food is just a token of my appreciation for you, enjoy it well, and I hope in the future you will continue to work diligently."

  A dozen or so personal guards suddenly felt a strange sense of emotion, and immediately chorused: "Thank you, sir, for the reward. We will definitely serve you faithfully from now on!"

  Gao Fei nodded and immediately walked out of the hall, followed by the sound of his personal guards devouring their food. A faint smile appeared on his face. After leaving the hall, he headed straight for a separate courtyard in the county government's rear garden, where he had specially prepared accommodations for Huang Men Servant Lang Feng. Seeing Xia Hou Lan just coming out of the door and closing it behind him, Gao Fei hurried over and asked in a low voice, "Have the wine and dishes been served?"

  Xiahou Lan said: "The things that the adults have entrusted to me have all been taken care of, the wine and dishes have already been served, and Lord Zuo is having a good time."

  Gao Fei smiled and said to Xia Houlan: "Go, let Liao Hua and Lu Heng bring over the prepared things!"

  Xiahou Lan bowed and said: "Yes, sir. I will go inform Liao Junhou and Lu Junhou immediately."

  Gao Fei tidied up his clothes and walked to the door, stretched out his hand and knocked on the door, shouting: "Zuo Daren, subordinate Gao Fei requests an audience!"

  "Gaofei? You... do you have something to say? If it's about Lu Zhi, then please go back!" Left Feng's words were a bit muffled and unclear, seemingly because his mouth was full of food.

  Gao Fei said: "Don't worry, sir, it's absolutely not because of Mr. Lu's matter, but my own private affair!"

  The room had been quiet for a long time, and after a while, Zuo Feng opened the door to see Gao Fei standing in front of him, dressed neatly, and said: "Since it's private, please come in and talk about it!"

  Gao Fei said: "Yes!"