Chapter 46

At the beginning of the uprising, the masses responded one after another. In the seven major states, whether they were local magnates or refugees, even the city guards and officials joined the Yellow Turban Army or became believers, spreading the doctrines far and wide. The people were forced to rebel by the officials, and had no choice but to rise up. Tens of thousands of starving refugees raised the banner of righteousness, taking desperate risks to join the Yellow Turban uprising. In a short time, the scale of the Yellow Turbans exceeded a million.

Among them, the wealthy merchants who were believers sent food and clothing, and the Yellow Turban Army, with food and clothing, developed at an extremely fast pace. The cities they faced were all conquered. The city guards, who had previously lived in peace, were no match for these newly risen, highly motivated Yellow Turbans. They fled in all directions without even fighting. Some even opened the city gates to welcome them. Once the Yellow Turbans entered the city, they burned down the government offices, and the corrupt officials and powerful families, who had been tyrannical and done countless evil deeds, were terrified by the arrival of the Yellow Turbans. They fled like dogs with their tails between their legs.

As for those who ran too slowly, they were killed. After killing the corrupt officials and the powerful families who had done countless evil deeds, their properties were distributed to the people. Because of this, the people were even more devoted to the Great Virtuous Teacher, willing to serve him until death. Within ten days, the seven major states saw countless cities fall, and over a hundred local officials were killed. The war quickly spread, and the whole country was shaken.

In the Luoyang Imperial Palace, the civil and military officials stood on both sides, all in a state of panic. Emperor Ling urgently summoned the civil and military officials to discuss the Yellow Turban issue. Liu Hong did not want to die with the powerful families, so the Yellow Turbans had to be suppressed.

Liu Hong, squinting his eyes, casually said to the civil and military officials below, "My dear officials, the Yellow Turban uprising is on a grand scale. Do any of you have any good ideas?"

For a moment, everyone was silent. This was a million-strong Yellow Turban army, not something these officials, who were only interested in comfort and power, could solve.

Seeing the civil and military officials who were not speaking, Liu Hong was furious. "Do none of you have the courage to step forward? What good are you if you can't even do this for me?"

"Your Majesty, the Yellow Turbans are powerful, and the court has few troops. We should issue an edict to the aristocratic families in each state to raise their own troops to defend against the Yellow Turban rebels," said General He Jin. Although Liu Hong disliked He Jin, he still agreed with his view. "Good, good, let it be as the General says."

"Your Majesty, the court also needs to send several generals to suppress the Yellow Turban rebels," He Jin added.

Liu Hong nodded and said, "Approved. Is there any official willing to share my burden?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go," said two people as they stepped forward.

Liu Hong looked at them and said, satisfied, "With General Zhu and General Huangfu leading the way, I am reassured."

"Your Majesty, I recommend one person who can also quell the rebellion," said Ma Riji.

"Who is it?" Liu Hong asked.

"Lu Zhi, Lu Zigang," said Ma Riji.

Liu Hong feigned realization and said to Lu Zhi, "Zigang, you quelled the rebellion in Changsha for me two years ago. Are you willing to share my burden now?"

"I am willing to go," said Lu Zhi.

"Your Majesty, I also recommend one person who can certainly quell the rebellion," said Cai Yong as he stepped forward.

Liu Hong, seeing Cai Yong, knew exactly who he was talking about. "Is it Liu Yao, my son?"

"Exactly!" Cai Yong nodded.

"Good, my son is brave and valiant. He defeated the Wuhuan a few years ago, and there has been no trace of the Yellow Turbans in the territory he governs in Youzhou, which shows his capability. With him leading the charge, the Yellow Turbans will certainly be quelled," said Liu Hong confidently.

"No, absolutely not, Your Majesty," a familiar and detestable voice interrupted. Liu Hong knew immediately it was Yuan Feng.

Liu Hong glared at him with a dark face, saying nothing, just waiting for him to continue.

"Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince is brave and valiant, he is far away in Youzhou. It will take at least a month for him to come and go, and we may not have that much time," said Yuan Feng. He was the one who spread the news of Liu Yao's hostility towards the powerful families, so he had to find a way to cause trouble for Liu Yao.

"Oh," Liu Hong laughed in anger. "So according to your suggestion, you can quell the entire Yellow Turban rebellion within a month. Then this task will be given to you, Yuan."

"Me, I..." Yuan Feng was speechless. If he had the ability, he would have sent someone to claim the credit long ago. His two sons, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, were not capable of such a task.

Liu Hong snorted. "If you can't do it, get out of my sight. Don't think I don't know your schemes."

Liu Hong, seeing this, no longer looked at Yuan Feng and immediately ordered He Jin to be the Grand General, leading the Left and Right Imperial Guards to camp at the capital pavilion, to prepare weapons and defend the capital. He also set up commandants at various key passes such as Hangu Pass, Dagu, Guangcheng, Yique, Huanyuan, Xuanmen, Mengjin, and Xiaopingjin. He issued an edict to all regions to strengthen defenses, prepare for battle, train soldiers, and gather militia to resist the rebels.

On the other hand, he sent elite troops to suppress the unrest in various regions. Lu Zhi, leading the deputy general Zong Yuan, was responsible for the northern front, engaging the main force of Zhang Jiao. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun each led an army, controlling the Five Camps, the Three River cavalry, and newly recruited elite soldiers, totaling over 40,000, to suppress the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan.

Finally, he issued an edict ordering the Grand General of the North, Liu Yao, to send troops from Youzhou to quell the Yellow Turban rebellion.

Ten days later, the edict from Luoyang finally reached Youzhou.

"Lord, there is news from Luoyang," Juzhou said anxiously as he rushed into Liu Yao's study and handed him the urgent report.

Liu Yao quickly read through it and burst into laughter. "Gongyu, pass my order to convene a meeting."

Soon, all of Liu Yao's subordinates gathered. "Everyone, the court has sent a message, ordering me to set out immediately to quell the Yellow Turban rebellion. This is a great opportunity for us to earn military merit and gain population," Liu Yao said with a laugh.

"Ha ha ha, great, I've been bored to death these days. Lord, you must not leave me behind this time," Zhang Fei said, laughing first.

"You fool, I won't forget you," Liu Yao said with a smile.

"Lord, how many troops do you plan to take with you this time?" Tian Feng asked.

Liu Yao thought for a moment and said, "Sending a large army is a burden on the people and the state. Our Youzhou has finally had a few years of peace. I don't want to add to the burden. So this time, I will only take 5,000 men from the Charge Camp and 5,000 from the Assault Camp, along with my 1,000 personal guards."

"Lord, isn't that a bit too few?" Juzhou asked, worried.

Liu Yao laughed. "Ha ha ha, no problem. The men in these two camps are true elites, and with their equipment, they are capable of fighting ten to one. The Yellow Turbans are just a mob, far inferior to regular armies. A force of ten thousand is enough to eliminate them."

Juzhou swallowed hard, thinking about the terrifying equipment of the Assault Camp and the Charge Camp, and began to mourn for the Yellow Turbans.

Seeing no one object, Liu Yao said, "Since that's the case, I will lead the army personally. Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Gao Shun will accompany me. Tian Feng will be the military advisor to assist me in planning."

"Whatever Lord commands," they all said in unison.

"After I leave, all affairs in Youzhou will be handled by Gongyu. Please take good care of it," Liu Yao said.

"Please rest assured, Lord. I will take good care of Youzhou," Juzhou said firmly.

Page AD starts

Page AD ends