Chapter 48

Liu Bei, with the large characters “Imperial Auxiliary Army” on his chest, walked out.

When Huangfu Song saw him come out, he hurriedly asked, "Xuande, do you have a good plan?"

Liu Bei thought to himself, "I have a great plan." He bowed and said, "A few days ago, the general mentioned capturing the sister of Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Mountain Army. Zhang Yan and his Black Mountain Army are significant within the Yellow Turbans. I believe that if we use Chu Feiyu to exchange for them, the Yellow Turbans will definitely agree."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked enlightened.

Qin Feng was also enlightened. Previously, he had been so worried about how to save Chu Feiyu that he had been stuck in a rut. In fact, there was no need to rescue her; they could exchange her. "This plan is good. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao will be sent back, and my wife will be returned. Everything will be back on track. As for what happens next, we’ll deal with it when the time comes."

Seeing the expressions of the others, Liu Bei felt delighted but was also afraid that Huangfu Song might not use it, so he pressed, "What does the general think?"

Huangfu Song felt it was a good idea and stood up, saying, "We will do as Xuande suggests and use Chu Feiyu to exchange for Cao Mengde and Yuan Benchu." He then said to Qin Feng, "Zijin, your military achievements have been reported, but they were delayed due to the Cao Mengde incident." He also said to Liu Bei, "If we can rescue Cao Mengde and Yuan Shao, we will certainly request rewards for you!"

With the matter resolved, everyone was pleased and left the tent. The generals, including Qin Feng, continued to train their troops, while the prisoner exchange was handled by specialists.

Liu Bei, overjoyed, patted his thigh repeatedly and returned to his tent. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu greeted him and, seeing their elder brother’s joy, asked, "Elder brother, you look so happy. Has something good happened?"

"Not just something good, it’s a great thing!"

Zhang Fei glared, "What’s the good news?"

Liu Bei explained, "Like this... and this... Even famous generals like Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were at a loss, and even Qin Zijin had no idea. But your elder brother thought of a brilliant plan: use Zhang Yan’s sister to exchange for Cao Cao and Yuan Shao."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged glances, feeling that such a plan was not as solid as achieving merit on the battlefield and probably wouldn’t be a great achievement.

However, Liu Bei saw through it. He observed their expressions and said, "Think about it. The Yuan family has had three generations of high officials, and Cao Cao’s family is connected to the Ten Attendants. By saving these two, we will become their benefactors. With the support of the Yuan family and the Ten Attendants, our achievements will be guaranteed!"

Guan Yu’s face turned serious, "Elder brother, it’s best not to get involved with eunuchs."

Seeing his displeasure, Liu Bei hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, Second Brother is right. I’ll listen to you."

Guan Yu, hearing this, stroked his long beard and his eyes showed a hint of joy.

On the other side, Qin Feng also returned to the main tent, elated. If everything went smoothly, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao would be saved, and with them, historical events would be preserved and developed. Moreover, his wife would be saved, and he would have someone to continue their past relationship, someone to enjoy in the evenings, and two more peaks to play with during the journey.

That afternoon, news came back. The messenger entered Huangfu Song’s tent, and soon the drum for gathering the generals sounded.

On the east side, Qin Feng heard the sound and pointed to the center, "There must be news, and it must be good news!"

On the west side, Liu Bei also heard the sound and pointed to the center, "There must be news, and this is the decisive moment!"

Shortly after, the two met at the entrance of the tent.

"Xuande, please!"

"Zijin, you go first."

Qin Feng walked into the tent without a word, and Liu Bei followed, muttering, "Is Qin Zijin on drugs? I’ve accomplished a great feat, and he’s so happy?" In Liu Bei’s view, he and Qin Feng were “good rivals,” and if one succeeded, the other’s achievements would be diminished, so he couldn’t understand it.

Liu Bei didn’t know that Qin Feng was about to be at a loss, but Liu Bei’s cunning plan gave Qin Feng a new hope of riding his sister, which made him very happy.

In the tent, before everyone arrived, Qin Feng saw Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun’s faces and felt a jolt, "I hope there’s no change."

Liu Bei was also nervous, "Their faces are so dark. Did something happen?"

Soon, after three drum beats, everyone gathered, and Huangfu Song threw Zhang Bao’s reply, angrily saying, "The Yellow Turbans are despicable. They only agree to a one-for-one exchange, not a one-for-two."

"Ah?" Everyone was shocked.

A one-for-one exchange was clear: the one who was exchanged would live, and the one who wasn’t would die.

Who would live and who would die?

No one could die!

Qin Feng punched his fist, "I knew it wouldn’t be so easy."

Seeing his action, Liu Bei thought, "No wonder Qin Zijin is so happy. He must know it won’t work and is mocking me." However, Liu Bei completely misunderstood Qin Feng, who, this time, was on the same side as him.

Unfortunately, it seemed that heaven hated Qin Feng and Liu Bei being on the same side, so more complications arose.

Seeing no one speak, Liu Bei, who wanted to achieve merit, immediately made a choice and said, "General, if not, let’s exchange for Yuan Benchu."

Everyone’s eyes immediately widened, including Huangfu Song’s. Huangfu Song suddenly became furious, first ordering his guards to close the tent door, and then, once only those involved were inside, he started to scold, "Nonsense! We must save both!"

These words were deeply meaningful, and Qin Feng immediately understood, followed by everyone else.

Including Zhu Jun, everyone thought that General Huangfu Song’s words were reliable and insightful. If they were to save, they must save both; otherwise, they wouldn’t save either. They could say they tried their best but failed. This would leave room for negotiation. If they saved one and the other died, they would offend everyone involved.

A general said to Liu Bei, "Xuande, you can’t offend the Three Excellencies Yuan family, and you can’t offend the Ten Attendants, who are even more ruthless than the Yuan family."

Liu Bei shuddered, thinking, "That’s true. How many scholars were destroyed by eunuchs during the Partisan Prohibitions." He hurriedly bowed to Huangfu Song and apologized, "Liu Bei is dull. The general’s instruction is correct."

With this, the matter became difficult again.

For several days, Qin Feng was in a dilemma, thinking about how to save his wife and how to save Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

Saving his wife was a must, and saving Cao Cao and Yuan Shao was essential because they were the main drivers of the Three Kingdoms history.

Yuan Shao advised He Jin to bring in external troops, resulting in Dong Zhuo’s arrival and the chaos in the court. Cao Cao issued a proclamation to punish Dong Zhuo, leading to chaos in the world.

Without these two, the Han dynasty might have been revived after suppressing the Yellow Turbans. Even if it didn’t, it could have lasted another ten to twenty years, which Qin Feng couldn’t bear.

A sage from the future said: "One either dies in silence or bursts forth in silence." Clearly, Qin Feng was not the type to die. Under pressure, he actually came up with a good idea. It could save his wife and perhaps also save Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

However, it would be dangerous. But Qin Feng would risk his life for his wife; not risking it wouldn’t make him a man.

Therefore, when everyone was frowning and sighing, Qin Feng, to save his wife, stood up and said with great righteousness, "Like this... and this... Qin Feng is willing to risk his life to save Mengde and Benchu!"

Huangfu Song and the others were greatly shocked and looked at Qin Feng with new respect, seeing him as a truly loyal and brave man. If they knew he was doing it for his wife, they would have been furious.