Chapter 60

Cao Cao couldn't help but twitch his lips. He had come here to snatch military achievements, but now he hadn't even managed to get a single feather. Instead, he had to celebrate someone else's success. He was extremely frustrated. However, the few people in front of him all held positions much higher than his, so he naturally couldn't offend them. He bowed to Liu Yao and said, "Thank you, Your Highness." Then he casually found a seat and sat down.

"Now that the Yellow Turbans in Changshe have been pacified, I wonder where each of you plans to go next." After everyone was seated, Liu Yao asked first.

"Where do you plan to go next, Your Highness?" Huangfu Song countered. He was joking; if he wasn't careful and chose the same route as Liu Yao, he wouldn't have any achievements to claim. Zhu Jun and Cao Cao also looked at Liu Yao nervously, knowing that if they went on a campaign with Liu Yao, they might not even get a taste of the soup.

"Me?" Liu Yao paused, and then, under everyone's expectant gazes, he said, "I plan to stay in Changshe for a while, to rest and recuperate, and also to deal with the remaining Yellow Turbans around Changshe."

"Phew." The three of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The benefits in Changshe had already been exhausted, and they didn't want to stay here any longer.

"Then the remaining Yellow Turbans in Changshe will be left to you, Your Highness. I plan to head to Runan. Although Peng Tuo is dead, there are still six or seven thousand Yellow Turbans there, and I plan to go and suppress them." Huangfu Song said.

Zhu Jun, hearing that Huangfu Song had chosen Runan, thought for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, I will head to Wan Cheng. Zhang Man is currently entrenched in Wan Cheng, and I want to lend him a hand."

Finally, it was Cao Cao's turn. But now Cao Cao was frustrated. A higher rank could crush a person, and these three were not just one rank higher. They naturally had the right to choose first. However, now, both Runan and Wan Cheng, where the most Yellow Turbans were, already had people going there. His five thousand troops would be of little use even if they went. As for the smaller places with fewer Yellow Turbans, the small achievements there were not worth his attention.

Cao Cao shook his head helplessly and said, "With two high-ranking officials in Runan and Wan Cheng, I believe it's just a matter of time before the rebellion is quelled. I won't go to join the fun. I plan to head to Guangzong to assist Lord Lu Zhi."

Liu Yao glanced at Cao Cao and secretly praised him, "Cao Cao is indeed a remarkable person. His ability to assess the situation is truly commendable."

"Good. Since that's the case, I wish you all a smooth journey and hope you can quickly pacify the Yellow Turbans and revitalize our great Han. Cheers." Liu Yao raised his cup to invite them.

"Cheers!!!" Everyone raised their cups together. The victory banquet ended quickly, and after a short while, everyone was already drunk, so they had to end it hastily.

Three days later, in Yingchuan Commandery. Liu Yao, along with Shi A, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong, and a thousand of his personal guards, headed for the Yingchuan Academy. The thousand guards were stationed five miles outside the city, while Liu Yao and the four others slowly entered the city.

Two days earlier, Huangfu Song and the others had already led their troops to their respective destinations. As for Zhang Fei, Gao Shun, and Tian Feng, they did not follow, as Liu Yao had sent them to clear out the Yellow Turbans who had escaped in the last battle. Tian Feng was handling some affairs in Changshe and couldn't leave.

Liu Yao's purpose in coming to Yingchuan was undoubtedly to find Guo Jia and Xi Zhong from the Yingchuan Academy. If these two could assist him, his future endeavors would have a greater chance of success.

However, as soon as Liu Yao and his group entered the city, they were drawn to the scene in front of them. A large crowd was gathered in a circle, seemingly watching something.

Curious, Liu Yao walked up to take a look. He found that more than fifty people dressed as servants had surrounded a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen, each holding weapons like knives, spears, and bows. The teenager was already tied up, and a man in luxurious clothing was standing nearby, looking at the teenager with a face full of hatred. Two servants were holding whips, ready to beat the teenager.

Liu Yao couldn't help but frown. According to Han law, private punishment was not allowed, and these people were clearly breaking the law.

At this moment, Liu Yao saw an old man in the crowd looking at the teenager with a sad expression. He walked up and asked, "Old man, do you know what's happening here? Do you know that teenager?"

The old man sized up Liu Yao for a moment, seeing his luxurious clothing and the guards behind him, and realized he was not an ordinary person. He dared not hide the truth. "I suppose you are from far away?"

Liu Yao nodded.

The old man's sorrow deepened, and he told Liu Yao the story. It turned out that the teenager had helped the poor and killed a notorious young thug. The man in luxurious clothing was the thug's father, Zheng Jian, the head of the Zheng family.

However, these details were not the most important. The most important thing was that the teenager's name was Shan Fu, who was actually Xu Shu. Xu Shu was a great strategist, and Liu Yao had already made up his mind to save him.

Liu Yao turned to Shi A and said, "Shi A, bring my personal guard into the city."

"Understood." Shi A quickly left.

"Hmph, daring to kill my son, I'll make you wish you were dead." Zheng Jian said with a twisted face. "Beat him!!"

The two servants obeyed and were about to whip Xu Shu.

"Stop!!" Liu Yao stepped forward and shouted.

Zheng Jian turned to see a handsome young man and two guards behind him, and angrily said, "Who are you? Daring to interfere with my business, do you want to die?"

Liu Yao ignored Zheng Jian's words and asked, "Don't you know that private punishment is illegal?"

"Ha ha ha ha, illegal?" Zheng Jian laughed maniacally. "Let me tell you, here I am the law. If you meddle, you'll be the one in trouble."

Seeing Zheng Jian's arrogance, Liu Yao was furious and kicked him away. He coldly said, "You're not qualified to threaten me."

Liu Yao's strength was considerable, and Zheng Jian couldn't get up from the ground for a long time. Two servants helped him up, and Zheng Jian managed to say, "Kill them, I'll take responsibility."

The Zheng family's servants, who had done such things many times, immediately drew their weapons and attacked Liu Yao and his group.

"Fine, fine, fine." Liu Yao laughed in anger. "Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, don't be merciful with these scum, kill them all!!"

Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun immediately drew their swords and attacked the servants. Liu Yao also drew his sword and joined the fight.

These servants were no match for two top warriors and Liu Yao's extraordinary strength. Several were killed in just one exchange.

"Murder! Run!" Someone shouted, and the crowd that had been watching scattered in all directions, disappearing in an instant.

However, while Liu Yao was fighting, Zheng Jian, unnoticed, took a bow and arrow from a servant, drew it, and aimed at Liu Yao.

"Lord, be careful!!" Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun noticed the situation and shouted in alarm, but it was too late to help.

Liu Yao heard their shouts, turned around, and saw an arrow less than ten feet from his chest. It was too late to dodge.