Chương 32: Defeat the Enemy, Zhang Chun

They marched for several days in a row.

When Liu Ce set up camp at night, he kept thinking about whether he should take out the more than two thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry hidden in the system space.

But then he thought, "Never mind, that's enough! If I bring too much, His Majesty in Luoyang won't be able to sleep!"

Then, he cursed inwardly: I'd love to release them all! But if a prefect commands three thousand heavy cavalry, Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, will probably send eunuchs to deliver "wine" to me overnight!

(Liu Hong: "Does the Imperial Brother perhaps wish to sit on the dragon throne?") Upon reaching the border of Zhongshan Kingdom, a scout arrived on horseback with news:

"My lord! The capital city of Zhongshan is besieged by tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans, and the defenders on the city walls are about to collapse!"

Liu Ce's eyes lit up. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to level up and gain reputation?

Cheng Yaojin leaned closer, winking and saying, "My lord, I can smell the aroma of meat!"

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "You think you have a good nose! Tell the brothers, cut down the Yellow Turban rebels, and then we'll go into the city for stewed meat!"

He immediately ordered: "All troops, march at full speed! Prepare for the charge!"

At this time, the main city of Zhongshan was on the verge of collapse.

The Yellow Turban soldiers clung to the city walls like ants, and the defenders fell with screams of agony.

Zhang Chun, the prime minister of Zhongshan, stood with his armor stained with blood, barely able to stand by leaning on his sword. His lieutenant cried out, his voice trembling with tears:

"Sir! The west wall has collapsed, and the brothers only managed to plug it with their own bodies! We really can't hold on any longer!"

Zhang Chun looked at the yellow flags covering the mountains and plains outside the city and gave a bitter laugh:

"Can't hold out? Then burn the city to the ground! We will never let these traitors humiliate our Han territory!"

(Zhang Chun: I haven't even rebelled yet, this great Han Dynasty won't allow such a powerful person to exist.) Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves, like muffled thunder, echoed through the heavens and earth.

A black line rolled in from the horizon, faster and louder!

The defenders on the city wall stared in disbelief as eight hundred Xuanjia Iron Cavalry surged forth like a torrent from hell, causing Yellow Turban soldiers to fall and their horses to tumble wherever they went.

Liu Ce took the lead, sweeping out with his Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, sending five or six Yellow Turban soldiers flying like scarecrows.

Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade stirred up waves of blood, while Zhang Fei's Serpent Spear was used to stab enemy generals.

Zhao Yun's silver spear flashed like a dragon, aiming straight for the throat; Dian Wei's double halberds danced like a whirlwind; and Qin Qiong's tiger-head spear and Cheng Yaojin's Bagua axe were wielded with both hands.

This isn't a war; it's clearly seven killing gods reaping the harvest!

With a single charge by the eight hundred Xuanjia soldiers, the Yellow Turban army was instantly thrown into chaos. Heavy cavalry against light infantry was like a tank crushing a bicycle!

Zhang Chun, standing atop the city wall, stared in disbelief: "What... what kind of heavenly soldiers and generals are these?"

The lieutenant replied in a trembling voice, "My lord, look at the banner, it's Liu Ce, the Prefect of Zhuojun! The emperor himself recognized him as his 'younger brother'!"

Zhang Chun gasped in shock. He had heard of Liu Ce's bravery, but he hadn't expected him to be this ferocious! He then pounded on the city wall:

"Open the city gates and attack from both sides!"

Liu Ce was now fighting with unbridled abandon. With a sweeping motion of his Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, three Yellow Turban spearmen were cut into six pieces, spear and all! His black horse reared up, kicking away those blocking his path, and he used the opportunity to observe the battlefield: Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade is used to cleave the commander's flag, while Zhang Fei's Serpent Spear is used to charge into dense formations.

Zhao Yun's silver spear slays a minor leader, Dian Wei's double halberds carve a bloody path, Qin Qiong rescues besieged infantry, and Cheng Yaojin howls as he chases after fleeing soldiers.

The six players created an effect of controlling the battlefield like a massive army!

The Yellow Turban Army completely collapsed. Some knelt down and begged for mercy, while others abandoned their armor and fled into the mountains.

Cheng Yaojin swung his axe, ready to give chase, but Liu Ce stopped him:

"Know your place! Don't pursue a desperate enemy!"

He secretly rejoiced: the battle record was already glorious enough. If we continued to fight, it would make us seem too bloodthirsty and affect our image as a kind and benevolent "relative of the Han imperial family".

Turning around, he saw that Zhang Chun had already opened the city gate to welcome him. He quickly wiped his face and put on a calm expression.

Zhang Chun strode forward, his eye twitching as he bowed. The eight hundred cavalrymen behind Liu Ce stood silently, the stench of blood making one want to vomit. He forced a smile and said:

"General Liu is truly a divine being! If you hadn't arrived in time, the Kingdom of Zhongshan would surely have become a ghost town!"

Liu Ce dismounted to help him up, feeling the cold sweat on the other man's palm. He sighed inwardly; this old man now acted like a loyal minister, who knew that in a few years he would join forces with the Wuhuan and declare himself emperor? But he remained polite:

"Zhang Guoxiang's defense of the isolated city is truly a testament to loyalty and courage! I was merely fortunate to be there at the right time."

"System, generate..."

【Ding……】 Name: Zhang Chun, courtesy name Zishu Gender: Male Age: 37 [Strength]: 72 Commander: 78 [Politics]: 74 [Intelligence]: 75 【Charm】: 68 [Appearance]: 69cm ……

At the celebration banquet that evening.

Zhang Chun repeatedly offered toasts: "General, as His Majesty's younger brother and wielding immense power, the suppression of the Yellow Turbans is just around the corner!"

Liu Ce chuckled to himself, thinking to himself, "You won't give me, your 'royal brother,' any face when you rebel in the future."

After the banquet, Zhang Chun probed, "General, where do you intend to go next?"

Liu Ce put down his wine glass: "Let's go meet Zhang Jiao's main force. I heard they're causing quite a stir."

Zhang Chun's eyes flickered slightly, but he could only sigh and say, "I hope the general will soon restore peace to the world."

When he took his leave the next morning, Zhang Chun handed him another cartload of gold and silver, saying, "This is a small token of my gratitude for the general's life-saving kindness."

Liu Ce readily accepted the gifts, then turned and distributed them all to the soldiers, deliberately saying loudly:

"Brothers! This is money Zhang Guoxiang gave us to buy wine! We must remember the kindness of the Zhongshan Kingdom!"

Zhang Chun's lips twitched as he watched Liu Ce lead his army away. Cheng Yaojin muttered to himself:

"My lord, this old fellow doesn't seem like a good person!"

Liu Ce sneered, "Of course he isn't, but now that the truth is out, who will help us shield ourselves from the court's open and covert attacks?"

In the morning light, the shadows of the Xuanjia cavalry stretched long, resembling a black dragon stretching its claws.

Unbeknownst to Liu Ce, at that moment atop Zhongshan city walls, Zhang Chun was gazing south and murmuring:

"The power to hold the imperial insignia, the elite army... how long will this Han dynasty descend into chaos?"

His hand unconsciously reached for a secret letter from the Wuhuan leader on the table.

……

a few days later.

Liu Ce and his "all-star hunk group" were wandering around the territory of Zhongshan State, pondering whether to go to Guangzong to chat with Zhang Jiao or go to Yingchuan to rekindle the spark with Bo Cai.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said they also had ideas... After that... the seven of them almost started a military debate on the march.

At this moment, the scout rushed over, tumbling and crawling:

"Report—My lord! Wuji County is surrounded by 50, 000 Yellow Turbans! Their banners bear the character 'Zhang,' and they're a dense, black mass, like a locust swarm!"

Liu Ce reined in his black horse, stroked his chin, and muttered:

"Surname Zhang? Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang were in Guangzong, Zhang Bao was in Quyang... This is the territory of Zhongshan State, within the territory of Zhongshan State... Could it be Zhang Niujiao, the one in history who was killed by a hail of arrows?"

Liu Ce paused, then muttered to himself:

"Wuji County, wow, the Zhen family! My eyes lit up immediately. That's a top-tier wealthy family in the Three Kingdoms period, richer than a country! And..."

"Historically, Zhang Niujiao loved to rob wealthy families, so this time he must have his eye on the Zhen family's warehouse."

(Zhang Niujiao: No, no, no, there are women too. Liu Ce: You're courting death.) Cheng Yaojin jumped up, swinging his axe: "Who cares about Zhang Niujiao or Li Niujiao! My lord, my axe says it's hungry!"

Liu Ce immediately slammed his fist on the table and gave the order:

"All troops assemble! The Xuanjia Iron Cavalry will lead the charge, followed by the infantry! Let's go meet this 'General Zhang,' who only bites at the fattest targets! Extra treat today!"