Zi Long (1)

  From the fissure in the clouds, from that orange-yellow edge lined with the sun, sunlight becomes a broad fan-like beam of light, slanting down.

  The Niutou Ridge under the dawn has turned into a piece of ash, and the fierce battle overnight left thousands of charred corpses. The remaining fire had just been extinguished, and the entire camp was still emitting faint smoke, which had smoked half of the surrounding sky black.

  "General, the battle has come to an end. Our army has lost over 400 men, captured 23,000 enemy soldiers, 5,000 were burned to death in the great fire, and 1,500 died in the chaos of battle." Fei An walked up to Gao Fei's side and reported the entire situation on the battlefield to him.

  "Hmm, where's Zhang Bao?" asked Gao Fei.

  Fei An said: "Zhang Bao led his troops to flee, and Zhang Junhou has already chased after them."

  Gao Fei nodded and said slowly: "Since Zhang Fei has chased after him, he will definitely be able to capture him. Pass down the order, the army will advance towards Xiacheng City."

  "Promise!"

  After the order was given, Fei An and Guan Hai led the Han army to escort the captured Yellow Turbans slowly towards Xiakou City, while Gao Fei took Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Lu Xiang and 200 light cavalry to rush to Xiakou City first.

  At around nine o'clock, Gao Fei and the others arrived at Xiakou City with a large crowd. They saw that the gates of Xiakou City were wide open, and the Yellow Turbans inside had all removed their yellow headscarves, lining up on both sides of the road to welcome the Han army into the city. From outside the city to inside, everyone's face showed a hint of joy, as if they were celebrating their return to the bosom of the great Han dynasty.

  At the forefront of the welcoming team, Liao Hua stood with Pei Yuanshao, Bian Xi and others, waiting respectfully.

  Looking far away, Liao Hua only saw a Han army rushing over in a majestic manner, and he immediately ordered the drums to be beaten.

  The sound of gongs and drums rose rapidly, followed by the Yellow Turban soldiers on both sides shouting in unison: "General Gao is mighty! General Gao is mighty!"

  Gao Fei saw this scene, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. When he rode to the city gate, Liao Hua, Pei Yuanshao, Bian Xi and everyone else knelt down together, shouting in unison: "We meet General Gao!"

  Such a formation, such a welcome, as if Gao Fei had really become a general. He turned his head to look at the people behind him, except for Liu Bei's expressionless face, everyone else was filled with inexplicable joy. Last night's fierce battle had exchanged for today's city, and the dead could also rest their eyes. Their hard work was also worth it.

  He dismounted and walked straight over, personally helping up Liao Hua, Pei Yuanshao, and Bian Xi. He hastily sized them up, and according to the description given by Guan Hai, he said to Liao Hua, who was standing in the middle: "You must be Liao Yuanjun?"

  "General, I am Liao Hua!" Liao Hua was about 1.68 meters tall, not too high, with a black mole on his cheek and piercing eyes that shone with cleverness when he spoke.

  "It's said that Shu has no great generals, and Liao Hua is just a vanguard. I'm afraid this is just a prejudice against Liao Hua. Whether it's military strength or intelligence, compared to those famous Three Kingdoms heroes, he naturally falls short. But from his plan to surrender the city this time, Liao Hua still has some clever ideas. It seems that I have gained another capable assistant." Gao Fei looked at Liao Hua with satisfaction and secretly praised him in his heart.

  Gao Fei sank into thought for a moment before saying: "I've heard about your situation from Guan Hai, Liao Hua. From now on, the three of you will follow me."

  "Thank you for your kindness, General!" Liao Hua, Pei Yuanshao and Bian Xi said in unison.

  "Hold on... I'm not a general yet, just a former military advisor, you can just call me sir." Gao Fei said.

  Liao Hua said, "Although it is not now, it will be soon. General, you have killed Zhang Jue and Zhang Bao, defeated Zhang Bao, and pacified the Yellow Turbans in Hebei. You will surely receive praise from the imperial court, promotion to a higher rank, and enfeoffment as a marquis or appointment as a high-ranking official. We are just congratulating you in advance."

  Gao Feng listened and felt that although Liao Hua was young, he was very eloquent. He smiled and grasped Liao Hua's hand, saying: "If it weren't for your support in the city this time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to pacify the Yellow Turbans so smoothly. Your contribution is indeed the greatest this time, sparing both sides from war. I will definitely report to the imperial court and let them reward you."

  "The general's kindness is appreciated, but as a former Yellow Turban rebel, even if I achieve merit, it's not certain that I'll receive an award. As long as the imperial court can pardon my past crimes, that's enough. Besides, I've already surrendered to the general and from now on, I'm his man. The general hasn't received any reward, how could I dare to overstep?" Liao Hua hastily bowed and said.

  No sooner had he finished speaking than a mounted soldier was heard galloping from the northwest, shouting "Urgent report" all the way.

  Gao Fei hastily went forward to meet him, and the cavalryman rode his horse quickly to Gao Fei's side. Without even dismounting, he loudly shouted: "Sir, it's not good! Zhang Junhou...Zhang Junhou he...he..."

  "Zhang Fei?" Gao Feng looked at the tense cavalry and suddenly realized the urgency of the situation, hastily asking, "What happened to Zhang Fei? Did he fall into Zhang Bao's ambush?"

  The cavalryman dismounted, knelt on one knee, took a deep breath, and said with his fists clenched: "Sir, Zhang Bao is dead, but he was killed by a man in white. When General Zhang asked for Zhang Bao's head, the man refused to give it to him, and they started fighting each other from morning till now, neither gaining the upper hand. General Zhou tried to persuade General Zhang to stop, but failed, so he sent his subordinate to report to you, sir!"

  "What did you say? From morning till now?" Gao Fei was extremely astonished. He thought Zhang Fei was a top-notch general, and the one who could fight with him until now must also be a top-notch general. So he hastily asked, "Where are they now?"

  "Northwest direction, within the borders of Zhen Ding in Changshan!" The cavalry replied.

  "Is it really Changshan? Could it be Zhao Yun? If it's really him, then I must go and subdue him."

  Gao Fei turned his head to the crowd and said, "Brother Xuande, please ask you and Lu Su to stay behind and work with Liao Hua to deal with the matters of Xuchang City. Brother Yunchang, come with me."

  Liu Bei's heart also rippled, he knew Zhang Fei's martial arts skills, and thinking that someone who could fight with Zhang Fei until now without a victor must also be a hero. He didn't want to miss this opportunity to meet a hero, so he hastily said: "Sir, my third brother has a violent temper, except for me, I'm afraid no one can persuade him to stop fighting. I think it would be better to let Yunchang stay behind, and I will accompany you instead."

  "No! You stay, Yunchang will go with me. Brother Xuande is a great talent, he must be more suitable for handling these matters than I am! Brother Yunchang, let's go!"

  "General, I think it's better for me to stay behind and let my brother go with you..." Guan Yu seemed to understand Liu Bei's feelings and saluted with his fist.

  "High flying is not waiting for Guan Yu to finish speaking, he shouted: "This is a military order! It's settled like this, and anyone who speaks more will be beheaded without pardon!"

  Liu Bei and Guan Yu exchanged a glance, and under duress, they replied in unison with the others: "Yes! We will obey orders!"

  The shouting stopped, and Gao Fei and Guan Yu immediately mounted their horses and led a hundred light cavalry towards the northwest direction of Changshan Zhen Ding, leaving behind Liu Bei and Lu Heng, Liao Hua and others who were very dissatisfied in their hearts.

  Lu Xun saw Gao Fei, Guan Yu and others riding away quickly, so he cupped his hands and said: "General Liu, your intention is already very clear. Let's follow Liao Hua and others into the city to make arrangements!"

  Liao Hua hastily said: "Two nobles, please enter the city!"

  Liu Bei, after all, is still Gao Fei's subordinate and does not dare to openly defy his superior. He turned around and bowed with his fists to Lu Heng, Liao Hua and others: "Let everyone wait for a long time, enter the city!"

  Gao Fei took Guan Yu and a hundred cavalrymen to gallop swiftly, although there was some jolting, but it did not affect Gao Fei's joyful mood at all.

  On the road, he saw a look of displeasure on Guan Yu's face and guessed that it was probably because he had just swept Liu Bei's face. Guan Yu secretly resented himself and asked: "Is Brother Yunchang angry with me for what happened earlier?"

  "I dare not!" Guan Yu replied very coldly.

  Gao Feng smiled and said, "There's nothing to dare or not dare about, I've seen it all. It's just that earlier I was indeed a bit inhumane. However, please think about it, Cloud Long brother - if I hadn't done that in front of so many people, how would those newly surrendered Yellow Turbans have listened to my orders later on?"

  "I will understand later!" Guan Yu's reply was still very cold.

  Gao Fei thought for a moment before continuing: "Yunchang, you said that the person who can fight with Yide and still hasn't been defeated is better than you?"

  As soon as he heard about martial arts, Guan Yu's spirit lifted, and he said slowly: "Well... actually, I've never really had a proper match with my third brother, so it's hard to say."

  Gao Fei nodded and smiled, "Now that the Yellow Turbans in Hebei have been pacified, after we meet up with Yide brother, let's return and have a friendly competition to see who's better. What do you think, Yunzhong brother?"

  Guan Yu nodded and said, "Sir, actually I would like to have a match with you. When I saw you and my third brother competing earlier, I could tell that neither of you had used your true strength. Being able to exchange blows with an expert is indeed one of life's greatest pleasures!"

  Gao Feng laughed and said: "Alright then, when we get back, let's have a competition. If there's anything lacking, please instruct me, Yun Chang!"

  "Thank you for your kind words, sir," Guan Yu said with a smile.

  Gao Fei heard Guan Yu laugh and immediately said: "A smile can make you ten years younger, Yunchang brother's smile is very good-looking, it's better to smile more in the future."

  Guan Yu nodded and said, "Thank you, sir, for your praise!"

  A group of people continued on their way, and Guan Yu was also chatting and laughing with the others, gradually dispelling his earlier displeasure.

  Entering the Changshan territory, under the leadership of the cavalry, Gao Fei and others entered a mountain path, and from afar, they heard Zhang Fei's loud roar and the sound of clashing weapons.

  Zhou Cang stood on the mountain path, his eyes fixed intently on Zhang Fei and the white-robed youth's duel, not daring to be distracted in the slightest. Today, he finally saw what it meant to be a master. He was watching intently ahead when he suddenly heard someone shout "The general has arrived" behind him. He hastily turned around and saw that the soldiers on the mountain path had cleared a way, and Gao Fei walked out from that path.

  His face lit up with joy, and he hastily went forward to greet him, clasping his fists in respect: "Your subordinate pays respects to Your Excellency!"

  Gao Fei grunted and walked to the front, seeing Zhang Fei and a white-robed youth fiercely fighting. The narrow mountain path, less than three zhang wide, had become their battlefield, with stunned Yellow Turban soldiers on both sides.

  The scorching sun was like fire, and Zhang Fei had already taken off his outer garment, revealing his bare upper body. His robust arms, sturdy chest, and full waist all showcased every inch of muscle on his body, while the veins on his entire body bulged out, occasionally letting out a loud roar like thunder, and his whole body was covered in sweat.

  Gao Fei saw that the white-robed youth's white robe was tightly wrapped around his body with sweat, his skin was fair and delicate, he was over eight feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, as if the rough lines of a divine brush had perfectly outlined his facial features, handsome but not effeminate, masculine but not coarse, just the right amount of muscle that didn't appear too bulky or too thin, truly a beautiful man.

  "Is this not Zhao Zilong, the hero of Changshan?" Guan Yu saw that Zhang Fei and the young man in white were evenly matched, so he called out loudly, asking tentatively.

  The voice entered the white-robed youth's ears. The person heard someone calling out his name, and loudly responded: "It is I!"

  "Zhao Yun! Indeed it's Zhao Yun! Too great, haha!" Gao Fei's face showed extreme surprise, almost to the point of dancing with joy. Rushing into the midst of the fighting crowd, he shouted, "Stop! All stop! We're all on the same side, don't fight anymore! Yide, Zilong, both of you stand down!"