Chapter Sixty: Xu Shu of Yingchuan

Cao Cao could not help but twitch at the corners of his mouth. He had come here to seize military glory, yet he hadn’t managed to gain even a single hair’s worth. Instead, he was to celebrate the achievements of others. His heart was full of frustration. However, the ranks of those before him were much higher than his own, so he could not afford to offend them. He saluted Liu Yao, “Thank you, Your Highness,” and casually found a seat.

“Now that the Yellow Turbans at Changshe have been pacified, may I ask where you gentlemen intend to go next?” Once everyone was seated, Liu Yao was the first to speak.

“What route does Your Highness plan to take next?” Huanfu Song countered. He was joking, but there was a real concern: if he wasn’t careful and chose the same path as Liu Yao, he wouldn’t get any credit at all. Zhu Jun and Cao Cao were both nervously watching Liu Yao. If they marched with him, they feared they wouldn’t even get the scraps.

“Me?” Liu Yao paused, then said under their expectant gaze, “I plan to stay at Changshe for a while longer, to rest and deal with the remnants of the Yellow Turbans near the city.”

“Phew.” The three men simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. The spoils at Changshe had already been picked clean; none of them wanted to linger here.

“Then I’ll leave the remaining Yellow Turbans at Changshe to Your Highness. I’ll head to Runan. Although Peng Tuo is dead, there are still sixty or seventy thousand Yellow Turbans left there. I plan to eradicate them.” Huanfu Song declared.

Zhu Jun, hearing this, pondered briefly and said, “Since that is the case, I will head to Wan City. Zhang Mancheng is entrenched there, and I wish to lend my aid.”

Finally, it was Cao Cao’s turn. But now he was even more frustrated. Rank crushes the lower, and theirs was not just a single step above his. The three naturally had the privilege to choose first. Now, Runan and Wan City—places with the largest numbers of Yellow Turbans—were taken. Even if he brought his five thousand troops, they would amount to little. As for the smaller places with fewer Yellow Turbans, he looked down on the paltry credit to be gained.

Cao Cao shook his head helplessly, “With you two at Runan and Wan City, I believe pacifying those areas is only a matter of time. I won’t join the fray. I plan to head to Guangzong and assist Master Lu Zhi.”

Liu Yao glanced at Cao Cao, secretly admiring him, “Cao Cao truly is a remarkable figure. His ability to judge the situation is impressive.”

“Very well, then. Allow me to wish you all a smooth journey, swift pacification of the Yellow Turbans, and the revitalization of our great Han. Cheers!” Liu Yao raised his cup.

“Cheers!” The group responded in unison. The celebration ended quickly; after a short while, everyone was too drunk to stand and the feast was hastily concluded.

Three days later, in Yingchuan Commandery. Liu Yao, accompanied by Shi A, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and a thousand personal guards, made his way to the Yingchuan Academy. The guards were stationed five miles outside the city, while Liu Yao and his three companions entered at leisure.

Two days earlier, Huanfu Song and the others had set off toward their respective destinations with their armies. Zhang Fei, Gao Shun, and Tian Feng did not accompany Liu Yao, as they had been dispatched to clear out scattered Yellow Turban remnants from the previous battle. Tian Feng remained in Changshe to handle certain important affairs.

This trip to Yingchuan was for one purpose: to seek out Guo Jia and Xi Zhong at the Yingchuan Academy. With their assistance, Liu Yao’s great enterprise would be all the more assured.

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As soon as Liu Yao and his companions entered the city, they were drawn by the scene before them. A large crowd had gathered in a circle, apparently watching something.

Curious, Liu Yao strode forward for a closer look and saw more than fifty men dressed as household servants surrounding a boy of sixteen or seventeen. Each held weapons—knives, spears, bows. The boy was tightly bound, while a richly dressed man stood nearby, his face twisted with venomous hatred. Two servants, holding long whips, moved to strike the boy.

Liu Yao frowned. According to Han law, private punishment was forbidden, and these men were clearly breaking the law.

At that moment, Liu Yao spotted an elderly man in the crowd, his face etched with sorrow as he watched the boy. Liu Yao approached and asked, “Old man, do you know what’s happening here? Are you acquainted with the boy?”

The old man examined Liu Yao for a moment, noting his fine attire and the guards behind him. Realizing Liu Yao was not an ordinary person, he dared not refuse. “I assume you’re a traveler from afar?”

Liu Yao nodded.

The old man’s grief deepened as he explained the situation: the boy had helped the lonely and destitute, and killed a notorious villain. The richly dressed man was the villain’s father, Zheng Jian, head of the Zheng family.

This was of little consequence. What mattered most was that the boy’s name was Shan Fu. Shan Fu was none other than Xu Shu—a talent fit to assist a king. He must be saved. Liu Yao was resolved.

He turned to Shi A, “Shi A, bring my guards into the city.”

“Yes, sir.” Shi A sped off.

“Hmph! You dared kill my son. I’ll make you beg for death, yet be unable to die!” Zheng Jian snarled. “Beat him!”

The two servants moved to whip Xu Shu.

“Stop!” Liu Yao stepped forward and shouted.

Zheng Jian glanced over, seeing a handsome youth with two guards behind him. He barked, “Who are you, daring to interfere with my affairs? Do you wish to die?”

Liu Yao ignored him and retorted, “Are you unaware that private justice is illegal?”

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“Hahaha! Illegal?” Zheng Jian laughed wildly. “Let me tell you, here I am the law. If you meddle, you’d best watch your life.”

Seeing Zheng Jian’s arrogance, Liu Yao’s rage boiled over. He kicked Zheng Jian hard, sending him flying. Coldly, he said, “If you want my life, you’re not qualified.”

Such was Liu Yao’s strength that Zheng Jian was left kneeling, unable to rise. Two servants rushed to help him up. Zheng Jian, barely able to speak, ordered, “Kill them! If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.”

The Zheng family servants were no strangers to such deeds. They drew their blades and rushed at Liu Yao and his companions.

“Very well.” Liu Yao’s anger turned to grim laughter. “Han Sheng, Zi Long, show no mercy to these scoundrels—strike hard!”

Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun responded immediately, drawing their swords and charging. Even Liu Yao joined in.

These household servants were no match for two elite warriors and Liu Yao’s formidable strength. In a single clash, several fell dead.

“Murder! Run!” Someone shouted, and the crowd that had gathered scattered in an instant, vanishing from sight.

But as Liu Yao pressed the attack, Zheng Jian, unnoticed and full of hatred, grabbed a bow and arrow from a servant. He drew and fired, sending an arrow straight toward Liu Yao.

“Master, look out!” Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun cried in alarm, but it was too late to help.

Liu Yao, hearing their shouts, turned to see the arrow less than ten feet from his chest. There was no time to dodge.