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As night fell, the large tent of Zhu Jun was brightly lit, illuminating the interior and exterior as if it were daytime. Inside, Zhu Jun sat at a table with a map spread out before him, surrounded by several generals standing solemnly, the atmosphere tense. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were also present nearby, their armor still on, stained with blood and dust from the battlefield.
"The prolonged siege of Yang City is proving fruitless, and Zhang Bao is a stubborn foe. If we do not resolve this quickly, we may face unforeseen troubles," Zhu Jun said, his gaze fixed on the map as he lightly tapped his finger on the markings around Yang City, his brow furrowed.
At that moment, a scout hurriedly entered the tent, kneeling on one knee to report, "General, I have confirmed news regarding Huangfu Song and General of the Household."
Zhu Jun looked up, his eyes brightening slightly as he urged, "Speak quickly!"
The scout clasped his hands and replied, "Huangfu General of the Household has achieved a great victory at Quyang. The court, having suffered repeated defeats under Dong Zhuo, has appointed General Huangfu to take command of the troops. By the time he arrived at Quyang, the bandit leader Zhang Jiao had already died from illness. Zhang Liang took command of his forces and engaged General Huangfu in battle around Quyang. General Huangfu won seven consecutive battles and ultimately beheaded Zhang Liang on the battlefield. The bandit army was routed, with most surrendering. General Huangfu then opened Zhang Jiao's coffin, desecrated his corpse, and sent his head to Luoyang to demonstrate national strength."
Hearing this news, everyone in the tent showed expressions of joy. Zhu Jun remained composed and signaled for the scout to continue.
The scout continued, "General Huangfu's victory has garnered praise from the court; he has been promoted to General of Cavalry and appointed as Ji Province Governor. He also reported that Lu Zhi was innocent of any wrongdoing, and the court has reinstated him to his original position. As for Cao Cao, due to his contributions in battle alongside General Huangfu, he has been appointed as the Prefect of Jinan and will soon return to take up his post."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Jun set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as he nodded slightly. "If that is the case, then the chaos in Quyang has been quelled. General Huangfu has cleared out the northern bandits; now is indeed an excellent opportunity for us to launch a full-scale assault on Yang City."
Liu Bei stepped forward and clasped his fists in acknowledgment. "What you say is absolutely correct. Zhang Bao has lost his reinforcements; Yang City is isolated and defenseless. If we can intensify our attack now, we can surely settle this in one decisive battle."
Guan Yu nodded slightly and added solemnly, "With Black Magic defeated, the Yellow Turban Army can no longer shake our morale with their schemes. If we can strike swiftly now, breaching the city will be within reach."
Zhang Fei laughed heartily, slamming his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear down onto the ground. "General, why not let me lead a team to attack first! That little thief Zhang Bao is nothing but a paper tiger; watch how I make him panic!"
Zhu Jun considered this for a moment before standing up and walking to the map to point out several locations. "Zhang Bao has long been besieged at Yang City; the morale of his troops must be low by now. Our forces are surrounding them from all sides; we just need to apply a little more pressure. Mr. Xuan De will remain as vanguard to hold down the eastern gate; Yun Chung will attack from the west while Yi De strikes from the south. I will personally lead our main force through the northern gate for a coordinated assault; we must capture it in one fell swoop."
Just then, another scout rushed into the tent, kneeling breathlessly as he reported urgently, "General! There are changes within Yang City!"
Zhu Jun's expression sharpened as he demanded urgently, "Speak clearly!"
The scout wiped sweat from his brow and lowered his voice. "Zhang Bao's subordinate Yan Zheng is discontented and has secretly contacted our forces. He claims that Zhang Bao has no chance of victory but refuses to negotiate for peace, causing unrest among his troops. Yan Zheng has indicated that if our forces intensify their assault, he can take advantage of the chaos to assassinate Zhang Bao and surrender the city!"
At this revelation, everyone in the tent looked astonished. Liu Bei's gaze shifted thoughtfully as he said solemnly, "If this plan succeeds, Yang City could fall without a fight. However, we must consider whether Yan Zheng's words can be trusted."
Guan Yu, hearing this, calmly asked the scout, "Did Yan Zheng specify why he suddenly rebelled against Zhang Bao?"
The scout clasped his hands in salute and replied, "Yan Zheng secretly conveyed that Zhang Bao has lost the hearts of his troops due to Black Magic's influence, leading to consecutive defeats. The soldiers are exhausted and supplies are running low. He believes that Zhang Bao is stubborn and lacks strategy; continuing to resist will only lead to the city's destruction, so he intends to seek another way out."
Zhang Fei burst into laughter, slapping his knee as he said, "With an internal traitor helping us, why delay any further? Let’s storm the city tomorrow; we can strike from within and without, it will be a swift victory!"
However, Zhu Jun raised his hand to stop him, his gaze carrying a hint of coldness. "We must not be too trusting. If Yan Zheng has ulterior motives and our army rashly attacks, we could fall into an ambush and suffer heavy losses."
Liu Bei nodded in agreement. "General's caution is indeed wise. It would be better to send trusted spies to confirm Yan Zheng's intentions. If he truly is an internal ally, we can make a swift decision."
Zhu Jun pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "Xuan De is right. Command the scouts to re-enter Yang City and confirm the internal situation. Additionally, put the entire army on alert and prepare for an assault on the city at any moment."
As night deepened like ink, the winds howled through Yang City, dim lights flickered weakly, and the streets lay silent. However, within Zhang Bao's camp, chaos reigned. Inside the tent, Zhang Bao's face was pale, his left arm wrapped in blood-soaked cloth, his eyes filled with panic and unwillingness. His personal guards knelt on the ground, trembling as they reported, "General, Zhu Jun's forces have surrounded the city from all sides. The morale of our troops is low, and our supplies are nearly depleted... I'm afraid... I'm afraid we cannot hold the city much longer."
Zhang Bao slammed his hand on the table in fury. "Foolish! With Tian Gong's protection, what do I have to fear from these Imperial Army? We just need to set up our formation again; we will surely crush the enemy!"
"General!" At that moment, Yan Zheng strode in from outside the tent, his gaze sharp and his tone laced with a hint of restrained urgency. "The enemy has besieged us for too long; morale within the city is crumbling. If we do not make a decision soon, not only will we fail to defend the city, but your life will also be in jeopardy!"
Zhang Bao banged his sword on the table with fierce intent in his eyes. "Yan Zheng! Are you questioning my abilities?"
Yan Zheng sneered coldly, his expression frosty. "I do not doubt your destiny as a general; I only question whether those deserters will open the gates to welcome the enemy first!"
Hearing this, Zhang Bao was enraged and was about to explode when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down in shock, he saw a dagger deeply embedded in his heart. Zhang Bao's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Yan Zheng. "You... you dare betray me..."
"Betray?" Yan Zheng gritted his teeth and said softly, "Zhang Bao, your stubbornness has dragged down all the citizens of this city. You refuse to surrender; do not blame me for sending you on your way!" He pulled out the dagger and pushed Zhang Bao down to the ground. Zhang Bao struggled for a moment before finally falling still.
Yan Zheng quickly removed Zhang Bao's helmet and turned to command his confidant: "Quickly take this to the city gate; open it wide to welcome the Imperial Army into the city!" The confidant clasped his fists in acknowledgment and hurried away.
As dawn broke with a faint light, Zhu Jun's army was already prepared for action. Suddenly, a scout galloped back with news: "General! The gates of Yang City are open! Yan Zheng has beheaded Zhang Bao and comes with his head to surrender!"
Zhu Jun was overjoyed at this news and immediately ordered the entire army to enter the city, accepting surrendered soldiers and stabilizing the situation. Liu Bei stood alongside Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as they watched Zhu Jun lead his troops to receive Zhang Bao's head. Liu Bei's gaze was profound as he quietly spoke to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei: "With the Yellow Turbans causing such chaos, there is finally hope for resolution. But peace across the land cannot be achieved overnight." Guan Yu nodded gently while Zhang Fei hefted his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear with a long sigh: "Let any chaotic forces come; we shall fight them without hesitation!"
After the fall of Yang City, as the flames of war began to subside, the city lay in ruins. Among the shattered houses, the common people huddled in corners, still in shock. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans were either dead or had surrendered, while soldiers scoured the battlefield for any signs of life. Zhu Jun stood atop the city gate, gazing down at the devastated city below, feeling no joy in victory, only a heavy sense of pressure. He turned to Liu Bei beside him and said, "Mr. Xuan De, although Yang City has fallen, the world is still not at peace; the chaos is far from over."
Liu Bei slightly cupped his hands in acknowledgment, his gaze deep and contemplative. "What you say is true, General. Although the Yellow Turban Rebellion appears to be waning, the people's hearts are scattered, and remnants abound. With even a slight misstep, sparks could ignite once more across the land."
As his words fell, a messenger rushed in, kneeling on one knee with a face full of panic. "General, bad news! The Yellow Turban remnants Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong have gathered tens of thousands, burning and looting along their path, claiming vengeance for Zhang Jiao. They have now taken Wan Cheng!"
Zhu Jun's expression changed drastically upon hearing this; he slammed his hand on the table with force. "Indeed, the chaos is not over! These bandits dare to be so audacious!" He rose abruptly and turned to Liu Bei. "Mr. Xuan De, if these bandits return with such force and we do not swiftly quell them, it will surely lead to further suffering for the people."
Guan Yu stepped forward and spoke coldly, "General, since there are orders, we must set out immediately and not give these bandits any chance to breathe."
Zhang Fei tightened his grip on his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear and grinned with excitement. "Perfect! I am most adept at dealing with these cowardly remnants! General, just give the word and I will go to Wan Cheng to take their heads!"
Zhu Jun nodded coldly, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. "Good! Send out my military orders: command the entire army to break camp immediately and take advantage of the Yellow Turbans' unsteady footing to completely annihilate them!" He paused briefly before adding in a solemn tone, "Mr. Xuan De, you will lead the charge at Wan Cheng. Han Zhong is known for his ferocity and commands the main force of the bandits; are you willing to face him?"
Liu Bei clasped his fists in response. "Xuan De accepts this order; I will not fail your expectations." He turned to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and said, "Yun Chung and Yi De, this battle is of great significance; the bandit army will fight desperately as if they are cornered animals. We three must respond cautiously and never underestimate them."
Guan Yu's gaze was steady as he nodded calmly. "Rest assured, brother; Yun Chung will not disgrace our mission."
Zhang Fei laughed heartily and declared proudly, "If it's Han Zhong we're facing, leave him to me! These so-called fierce generals won't last even ten exchanges against me, Zhang Fei!"
Zhu Jun waved his hand to signal for the soldiers to prepare their troops. In less than half a day, Zhu Jun's army was fully equipped and ready to march southward toward Wan Cheng under a canopy of banners that blotted out the sun.
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