Chương 61: Taking stock of the losses, heading to Xiaquyang

At the same time, he also took the time to carefully take stock of the losses of his own troops since the uprising in Zhuojun.

He was quite satisfied with the result. The eight hundred Xuanjia Iron Cavalry, with their superior protection and combat power, had fought in battles large and small without a single casualty. Only about one or two hundred of them suffered minor injuries, which they recovered with proper care.

The infantry suffered greater losses, having participated in numerous sieges and frontal battles, but they were replenished along the way by continuously recruiting and selecting surrendered Yellow Turban soldiers.

The total troop strength not only did not decrease, but there was a slight surplus, and the overall combat effectiveness remained at a high level after integration and training.

After finishing these miscellaneous tasks, he summoned Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin to his tent.

Liu Ce looked at them and gave new instructions:

"Uncle Bao, I have an important task for you."

Qin Qiong immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute: "My lord, please give your orders!"

"You take Yide and Zhijie with you," Liu Ce continued.

"Commander all our main forces—including the Xuanjia cavalry and all infantry, as well as the Yellow Turban prisoners who need to be escorted to Zhuojun, set off immediately and return to the Zhuojun headquarters."

Qin Qiong replied without hesitation, "Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhang Fei and Cheng Yaojin were furious when they heard this and started shouting.

Zhang Fei: "Brother! Let me stay here too! You're going to Luoyang, it's sure to be exciting, I want to go and see for myself!"

Cheng Yaojin: "That's right, my lord! Let us go to the capital with you and enjoy the sights!"

Liu Ce straightened his face and said, "If everyone comes with me to Luoyang, then who will assist Uncle Bao in leading the army?"

Who will guard and escort so many prisoners? What if something goes wrong on the way? Zhuojun is our foundation; we cannot afford to lose it!

The two wanted to argue, but Liu Ce interrupted them directly, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"This is a military order! No further discussion is permitted!"

Seeing Liu Ce's resolute attitude, Zhang Fei and Cheng Yaojin could only weakly reply:

"Yes... Elder brother (my lord)."

Seeing that the two had given in, Liu Ce's expression softened. He took out the map of the Yellow Turban Rebellion's legacy left by Zhang Jiao from his robes, handed it to Qin Qiong, and solemnly instructed him:

"Shubao, after you have safely escorted the prisoners back to Zhuojun and completed the handover, immediately take Yide and Zhijie with you."

According to the locations marked on the map, they split up and dug up all the buried money, grain, and valuables, then secretly transported them back to Zhuojun.

This matter is of great importance; please proceed with extreme caution and ensure secrecy and security!

Qin Qiong accepted the map with both hands, sensing its weight, and solemnly said:

"Rest assured, my lord! Qin Qiong will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Early the next morning, Qin Qiong, Zhang Fei, and Cheng Yaojin mustered their troops and, escorting tens of thousands of Yellow Turban prisoners, embarked on their grand journey back to Zhuojun.

A day later, Liu Ce summoned his deputy general Zong Yuan and said to him:

"General Zong, I have some personal matters to attend to and need to leave Guangzong for a day or two."

"The army will be temporarily led by you and Prefect Guo. Rest here while awaiting the imperial decree. Zilong will remain to assist you in military affairs."

Zong Yuan immediately bowed and accepted the order: "General, rest assured, this humble general will certainly perform his duties to the utmost!"

Subsequently, Liu Ce calmly retrieved another two hundred fully armed Xuanjia Iron Cavalry from his "system space".

He led his two hundred iron cavalry, escorting Zhang Ning, Zhou Cang, and others, as well as Zhang Jiao's coffin, away from Guangzong and headed for Xiaquyang.

After a day of fast travel, the caravan arrived outside Xiaquyang City.

Guided by Guan Yu, they arrived at a secluded valley far from the official road, nestled against the mountains and facing the water.

The area is lush with vegetation and has a tranquil environment. Two unassuming earthen graves have been built side by side here, without tombstones. These are the resting places of Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang.

Liu Ce, along with Dian Wei and Guan Yu, dug another grave next to the tombs of Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang.

Without elaborate ceremonies or excessive mourning music, Zhang Jiao's coffin was carefully placed into the pit, covered with soil, and a new tomb was formed.

The great and wise teacher who once dominated the world and stirred up the winds of change finally rests here with his two younger brothers, which can be considered a kind of reunion.

After everything was finished, Zhang Ning knelt before his father's grave, silently burning paper money, tears streaming down his face.

After a long while, she stood up, turned to Liu Ce who had been standing quietly to the side, and said softly:

"Thank you... thank you for fulfilling my father's last wish."

Looking at her haggard yet resolute profile, Liu Ce sighed and said:

"No need for thanks, this is what I should do. Your father entrusted you to me before he passed away, so naturally I must fulfill his last wish, let him be laid to rest and reunite with his brothers."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Ning's tears fell.

It seems that the long-suppressed sadness, grievances, helplessness, and pain of losing loved ones finally erupted uncontrollably at this moment.

Liu Ce was immediately at a loss—he was most afraid of women crying. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward and gently hugged Zhang Ning, patting her back:

"Cry, it'll make you feel better."

Zhang Ning's body stiffened at first, but then she seemed to have found a safe haven to rely on for the time being. She buried her face in his sturdy breastplate and began to sob softly.

Liu Ce didn't say much, but gently patted her back, offering silent comfort.

She cried for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before Zhang Ning's sobs gradually subsided and her emotions slowly calmed down. Only then did she somewhat shyly break free from Liu Ce's embrace and turn slightly to the side.

Liu Ce waited until she calmed down a bit before asking:

"Will you stay with me from now on, or go to Zhuojun first?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ning remained silent for a moment, seemingly undergoing a difficult mental preparation.

Finally, she raised her head, her gaze still carrying sadness, but now with a hint of calm and resolve. She said softly:

"I... I'll go to Zhuojun and wait for you to come back."

She chose to temporarily distance herself from the conflict and needed time to process all of this dramatic change.

Liu Ce nodded, respecting her choice:

"Alright, Zhuojun is my home base. It's very safe there. Magistrate Zhao and the others will take good care of you."

He then turned to Guan Yu and said, "Yun Chang, then I'll trouble you to make this trip."

You will lead one hundred Xuanjia Iron Cavalry to escort Miss Zhang, along with Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and the two thousand Yellow Turban Warriors, back to Zhuojun. Ensure their safety.

Guan Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute and accepted the order, his expression solemn: "Brother, rest assured, I will definitely escort my sister-in-law safely to Zhuojun!"

His natural way of calling her "sister-in-law" clearly indicated his acceptance of the relationship between Liu Ce and Zhang Ning.

Zhang Ning felt a little uncomfortable when she heard this address, but in the end she did not refute it and just silently lowered her head.

Liu Ce was also taken aback for a moment, then smiled and didn't correct him, which was taken as tacit acceptance of the title.

Soon, Guan Yu mustered one hundred Xuanjia cavalry to guard Zhang Ning's carriage, along with two thousand Yellow Turban warriors led by Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, and set off for Zhuojun.