Chương 58: Zhang Jiao Makes His Final Arrangements

Finally, Liu Ce looked at his generals and said:

"As for the north gate, I will personally lead my 8, 000 troops to attack it, launching a simultaneous attack on all four gates so that they cannot defend both ends!"

"We obey the general's orders!" All the generals responded in unison once again.

After the military council concluded, the entire Han army camp sprang into action, functioning like a massive war machine.

The craftsmen's camp was filled with the clanging of metal as they hurried to build or repair siege ladders; soldiers were wiping their weapons and inspecting their armor; and the civilian laborers were busy moving arrows, stones, and provisions.

The air was thick with tension and excitement; everyone knew that the decisive moment was about to arrive.

Meanwhile, in Guangzong City, at Zhang Jiao's residence.

The atmosphere was completely different from the bustling activity outside the city; it was filled with sorrow and deathly silence.

Zhang Jiao lay on his sickbed, his face ashen, his breath as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.

His daughter, Zhang Ning, with red and swollen eyes, held his withered hand tightly.

Zhang Jiao slowly opened his eyes, looked at his daughter, and forced a weak but reassuring smile:

"Ning'er... last night, your father... went to meet with Liu Ce."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ning abruptly raised her head, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion:

"Father! How... how could you risk going to see him yourself? He... he's our mortal enemy!"

Zhang Jiao gently squeezed his daughter's hand, signaling her to calm down, his voice broken but unusually clear:

"Going to see him... is to... find a way for you, and... for... these Yellow Turban brothers who followed their father to the very end... to survive."

He paused for a long time, gathering his strength, before continuing:

"Your father... has already reached an agreement with Liu Ce... I... will give you to him as a concubine... in exchange for his promise to protect you for the rest of your life..."

At the same time, he also promised to... accept the Yellow Turban soldiers who were willing to surrender, giving them... a way to live, and a piece of... arable land.

Zhang Ning was struck dumb, jerking her hand back, her voice trembling with tears and resistance:

"No! Father! I won't allow it! That Liu Ce, he killed my second uncle and also caused the death of my third uncle!"

He is our mortal enemy! How could I marry him! I can't do it!

Looking at his agitated daughter, Zhang Jiao's eyes were filled with love, helplessness, and determination. He struggled to raise his hand, wanting to wipe away her tears:

"Ning'er... you... listen to your father, Liu Ce... possesses the Purple Star astrological configuration... he is... the man destined by Heaven..."

The day my father suffered a backlash for deducing heavenly secrets... I already knew... this was Huang Tian's... final calamity... and also... his only chance of survival!

Only he... can protect you... protect these brothers in this chaotic world!

As your father... I don't have many days left to live... I know my own body... For your sake to live well... and for the sake of these... the remaining Yellow Turban brothers... you must marry him!

You've grown up... you're sensible now... you must learn... to let go of hatred... don't... keep it in your heart... that will hurt yourself... and everyone else..."

Seeing his daughter's tear-streaked face, Zhang Jiao felt a pang of pain in his heart. With his last strength, he gently wiped away her tears, his voice becoming softer yet weaker as he spoke:

"And... the heads of your second and third uncles... Liu Ce... did not send them to Luoyang to claim credit."

What he sent was... a fake. He... has properly buried the bodies of your second and third uncles in a... beautiful and scenic place.

This person... perhaps... is not entirely cold-hearted... in a way... still retains a shred of compassion.

Upon hearing this news, Zhang Ning's sobs paused slightly, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Zhang Jiao concluded, "Ning'er... learn to let go... only then can you... truly... live on... carrying hatred is too tiring..."

Zhang Ning listened to her father's almost dying plea, and saw the undeniable love and desperate arrangements in his eyes.

Thinking of the Yellow Turban soldiers in the city, their faces pale and yet still holding firm, the resistance in my heart gradually melted away like ice and snow, and the immense sorrow and sense of responsibility ultimately overwhelmed my personal hatred.

She suddenly threw herself into her father's arms and burst into tears:

"Father... I promise you... I promise to marry him... I will take care of the Yellow Turban brothers for you... I will let go... I will try to let go... Waaah..."

Upon hearing his daughter's promise, Zhang Jiao finally broke into a completely relaxed smile, as if he had accomplished the last and most important thing in his life.

"Good... good child... that's... I can rest assured now..."

He gently stroked his daughter's hair and continued to give his final instructions:

"After I die... you will have... the Taiping Yaoshu... and the Yellow Turban token... and... a map recording the locations of the Yellow Turban's buried assets...

Keep that token for yourself... as a keepsake...

"The Essential Techniques of Peace and the map... give them to Liu Ce... then... wait... for Liu Ce to come and meet you... out of the city... everything... is up to him."

He paused, his tone carrying a final word of advice, and also a father's worry:

"And... Ning'er, after you marry him... you must learn to... be content with your lot. If Liu Ce doesn't come looking for you, then... don't try to compete with him, don't... bother him."

Remember... restrain your temper, be careful with your words and actions... as long as you're safe and sound... living a peaceful life is better than anything else...

Zhang Ning buried her face in her father's increasingly cold embrace, sobbing uncontrollably, and could only nod vigorously.

After giving his instructions, Zhang Jiao whispered to Zhang Ning:

"Ning'er... go and call... Zhou Cang in."

Zhang Ning walked out crying. Soon after, the burly Zhou Cang strode in and knelt on one knee before the bed.

"Great Teacher! You called me?"

Zhang Jiao looked at his loyal subordinate and said weakly:

"Zhou Cang... I... have already betrothed Ning'er... to Liu Ce as a concubine... and entrusted... the remaining Yellow Turban brothers... to him... Right now... only he... can protect you... can ensure the brothers... survive..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cang abruptly looked up, his face filled with shock and reluctance:

"Great Teacher! This... this is unacceptable! What about Liu Ce...?"

Zhang Jiao interrupted him, his tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:

"This is my... final order! You... must obey!"

He stared into Zhou Cang's eyes.

"Ning'er... after marrying Liu Ce... you and Pei Yuanshao... will lead those two thousand Yellow Turban warriors... to go with her..."

Your mission... is to protect Ning'er... and also... obey Liu Ce's orders... serve him... and earn a future for yourselves! Understand?

Looking at Zhang Jiao, who lay dying on his sickbed yet with burning eyes—the leader he had sworn to follow to the death—tears welled up in Zhou Cang's eyes. He kowtowed heavily, his voice choked with emotion yet resolute:

"Yes, Your Majesty! I obey your command! I will protect Miss with my life! I will follow General Liu's orders!"