Chapter 64

It was the first night after Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's surrender.

In Qin Feng's tent.

Qin Feng lay on the bed, while on the other side, a double bed held Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, who were clutching their crotches and groaning in pain.

"This Qin Zijin is too despicable. But to think he could come up with such a plan to save us, he truly is cunning and deceitful!" Yuan Shao winced in pain and whispered.

Cao Cao, lost in thought, said, "We shouldn't always blame him. As Brother Zijin said, if we didn't take such drastic measures, how could we gain the trust of the Yellow Turbans? He did this to save us." Suddenly, he remembered Qin Feng's words of frustration and felt guilty, "Alas, we couldn't withstand the torture and surrendered..."

Although Yuan Shao somewhat agreed with Cao Cao, he still said, "Save us? Is this how one saves people? Ouch!" He clutched his crotch and groaned, "It's a good thing this Qin Zijin came up with such a despicable plan!" Hearing Cao Cao's words, he added, "Don't blame yourself. Even if it were Qin Zijin, he wouldn't have been able to resist. 'Ants carrying sausages,' what a vivid description, what a good name!"

Cao Cao shook his head and sighed, feeling extremely guilty about his surrender. He struggled to get up and said to Qin Feng, "Brother Zijin, I think we should leave under the cover of night to avoid any unforeseen events."

Although Qin Feng was lying down, his mind was still active. He summarized the situation and said, "Brothers, we've finally gained the trust of the Yellow Turbans; we can't easily let this opportunity slip away. If we can work from within the Yellow Turbans, we can easily eliminate them here!"

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were startled. Yuan Shao hurriedly said, "Brother, there are only three of us, it's too few to accomplish anything!"

Qin Feng smiled and said, "Bo Ji told me that the Yellow Turbans will launch a new attack tomorrow, and we three will have to 'serve' on the front lines. During the battle, I will find a way to send a message and look for some allies." Seeing the reluctance on Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's faces, he added, "Brother Mengde, Brother Benchu, your capture is already known to the world. If we just return like this, your futures will be ruined!"

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were shaken. Qin Feng continued, "Of course, if we can defeat the Yellow Turbans here, it will be a great achievement. Not only will it make up for our mistakes, but the court will certainly reward us."

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao exchanged glances, knowing that Qin Feng was right. This time, they had no choice but to follow Qin Feng and take action.

Cao Cao tried to reassure Yuan Shao, saying, "Brother Zijin is highly strategic; following him will be the right choice."

Yuan Shao, still clutching his crotch, said resentfully, "Yes, his ability to harm others is unmatched, but who knows if his military strategy is the same?"

The next day.

In the middle of Changshe, an endless plain stretched out, where a massive army of twenty thousand soldiers marched with earth-shaking steps, the sound of war drums echoing. Flags fluttered, and the glint of weapons reflected in the sunlight, shining in all directions.

On the western side of the battlefield, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun led the imperial army of fifty thousand. In recent days, the court had sent another ten thousand troops. The imperial army could not afford to lose; if they did, the rebel forces would link up with the Yellow Turbans in the southern commandery, threatening the capital from three sides.

Before the imperial army, the flags waved, but the most eye-catching were the banners of "Imperial Auxiliary Army Liu Bei," "Imperial Auxiliary Army Guan Yu," and "Imperial Auxiliary Army Zhang Fei."

The flags themselves were not special, not large, and not flashy. All the attention came from the words "Imperial Auxiliary Army," a term that had never been used before, making people take notice.

On the eastern side, the Earth General Zhang Bao and the Human General Zhang Liang led fifteen thousand Yellow Turbans, their presence overwhelming. Before their ranks, flags waved, including those of Zhang Bao, Zhang Liang, Bo Cai, Peng Tuo, and Bo Ji. Three additional flags appeared: "Black Mountain Army Qin Feng," "Yellow Turban Cao Cao," and "Yellow Turban Yuan Shao."

The thunderous drumbeats of both sides suddenly fell silent, followed by a deafening cry of battle.

"Charge!"

"Charge!"

"Charge!" Both sides shouted to intimidate the other, their voices shaking the heavens and moving the spirits.

With this, the prelude to the battle was over.

On the Yellow Turban side.

Zhang Bao inserted his拂尘 (duster) into his waist and drew his sword. Zhang Liang, Bo Cai, Peng Tuo, and Bo Ji followed him out of the ranks, stopping about twenty paces away. The four lined up, with Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang at the center, and flag bearers behind them.

Zhang Bao looked around and noticed three people were missing. He turned and gave Qin Feng a meaningful glance, waving his sword to signal, "Bring Cao Cao and Yuan Shao forward."

Inside the ranks, Qin Feng nodded slightly and whispered to Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, "Remember what I taught you. Observe more, speak less."

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao looked at their own army across the field and smiled bitterly. Once they stepped out, they would be seen by Huangfu Song and others, facing ridicule and condemnation.

Qin Feng led the way on horseback, and Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, with no choice, followed.

Thus, three more large flags appeared beside Zhang Bao.

Suddenly, a loud gasp came from the imperial army side, clearly not from a single person. The imperial army saw the flags of Qin Feng, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao and gasped in shock.

"What's happening?"

"What's going on? The battle hasn't even started, and you're already scared!"

"General Qin, General Cao, and General Yuan have all surrendered!"

"What? How is that possible!!"

"How is it not possible? Look, their flags have all been changed to the Yellow Turbans. There's no need to guess."

Qin Feng had repeatedly distinguished himself, Cao Cao had gained fame with the five-colored cudgel in his youth, and Yuan Shao was a direct descendant of a family with three generations of high officials. In the imperial army, they were all well-known figures. Therefore, when the imperial army learned that the three had surrendered to the Yellow Turbans, the fifty thousand soldiers were stunned, their faces changing.

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's faces also changed, while Liu Bei looked ecstatic. He quickly said to Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, "See? I told you, Qin Zijin is not a good person. Clearly, he failed to save Cao Cao and Yuan Shao and was captured, submitting to the Yellow Turbans' tyranny!"

"Your lord has surrendered, a coward!" Zhang Fei coldly said to Xu Chu and Dian Wei.

Guan Yu, in his characteristic manner, stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei's bodies trembled, their faces changing dramatically, unable to speak.

Liu Bei seized the opportunity to extend an olive branch, saying, "Generals, Qin Zijin may seem righteous, but he is actually despicable. You have all been deceived by his false righteousness!" He pointed to the "Imperial Auxiliary Army" flag behind him and spread his arms, "Why not join me in the Imperial Auxiliary Army, to serve the country and bring peace to the people, brothers..."

"Phew, you can dance by yourself, but I, Dian Wei, will never dance with you." Dian Wei spat, angrily saying, "Our lord will never surrender to the Yellow Turbans!"

Liu Bei did not get angry, adopting a compassionate look and half-crying, "Liu Bei understands your pain, and my heart aches too, but we must face reality. Generals, join me in the dance!"

"Phew!" Dian Wei and Xu Chu spat, refusing to dance with Liu Bei.

The reality was that Qin Feng had surrendered, and the flag of the Black Mountain Army behind him left no room for doubt.

Xu Chu's massive waist quivered, and Dian Wei's beard trembled. Both looked at Qin Feng with red eyes.

"Why! Why did our lord do this!" Xu Chu gripped his Tiger-Wing Minghong saber, his eyes glistening.

Dian Wei held his Eight-Direction Twin Iron Halberds, looking at the familiar figure in the distance. He suddenly made a shocking decision and shouted, "Where our lord is, I, Dian Wei, will be!"

Xu Chu suddenly realized and smiled, "Brother Dian, you're right. Why think so much? Where our lord is, we will be!"

Liu Bei, hearing this, was shaken and felt a twinge of envy. Looking at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he couldn't help but wonder if they would do the same for him one day. But Liu Bei quickly dismissed the thought, "Hmph, I, Liu Bei, am not like Qin Zijin; I will never end up like this!"