Chapter Fifty-Four: Military Authority is Life

As the destination finally appeared before him, Xu Kang realized that if he dared advance any further, the Han soldiers standing in strict formation atop the city walls would greet him not with words, but a hail of arrows. After all, in their eyes, he was nothing more than a Yellow Turban rebel.

He would never foolishly reveal his identity outright, either. The current situation was far too tense—even had he been the commanding officer, he would not have trusted anyone so easily.

“Damn it, this is supposed to be my own city, and now I can’t even go home. What kind of mess is this? Well... it seems I’ll have to make long-term plans.”

With that thought, he immediately ordered Zhao Hong and the others to relay his command: everyone was to withdraw three miles and set up camp, putting distance between themselves, the city of Changshe, and the other Yellow Turban forces.

By nightfall, the new camp had been established. Soldiers kindled fires and cooked their meals, busying themselves in a bustle of activity. Xu Kang retreated into his tent, deep in thought about how to arrange a meeting with Lu Zhi.

For him, meeting Lu Zhi was not difficult. A ten-meter-high city wall could keep out Zhang Jue and the Yellow Turbans, but it could not stop him.

What he pondered was the manner in which he should present himself to Lu Zhi—how to gain his recognition and, after that, lie low and win effortlessly. That was the crux of this journey.

The simplest method would be to produce his official seal in Lu Zhi’s presence. As soon as he revealed his identity and the county magistrate’s great seal of Changshe, Lu Zhi would have no choice but to acknowledge him.

Then, he could focus on maintaining order in the city, boosting morale and cheering on the people. When victory was won, a share of the credit would naturally be his. In the future, with careful management, he might even become a renowned scholar of his age.

Perhaps, after a few years, the common folk would sing ballads in his name, spreading his fame throughout the land. The thought alone was enough to delight him.

Yet, there was a downside: he would have to surrender his command of the troops.

With the Yellow Turban uprising raging, Emperor Ling of Han had authorized all the provinces and counties to raise their own armies to defend themselves—effectively granting local officials unprecedented military power.

The warlords who would later carve out their own domains all began to rise in this very period.

Initially, Xu Kang had not given it much thought, but as he gazed at his ten thousand elite soldiers, it suddenly struck him—was he truly willing to hand over this hard-won force to someone else?

Of course not!

In these troubled times, a general’s life depended on his army. Losing his men would mean becoming meat on someone else’s chopping block, to be carved up at will.

Would Xu Kang ever trust his fate to someone else? What a laughable idea!

Had that been his nature, he would never have spent millions to buy his office in the Western Garden, would not have journeyed so far to support Changshe, nor led his sweating soldiers in desperate battle against the Yellow Turbans.

All of this—for what? Simply to seize control of his own destiny.

Hand over his command? In his dreams!

At this realization, a steely glint flashed in his eyes.

“Everything else is negotiable, but I will never surrender my army. Anyone who tries to take my men will pay with his life!”

With his mind made up, Xu Kang grew calm as still water. His thoughts, once chaotic, became perfectly clear.

He lifted the tent flap and called to the soldier standing guard outside.

“Go and find Zhao Hong or Zhang Cheng. Tell them to bring Peng Tuo here.”

“Yes, General!” the soldier replied, quickly running off. Before long, Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng appeared, leading Peng Tuo into Xu Kang’s tent.

The moment he entered, Peng Tuo grinned at Xu Kang.

“Heh heh, is the young general finally letting me go? I knew you were a man of your word... but about what you promised me...”

“Peng Tuo, Chief, there’s no need to worry. I always keep my promises!” Xu Kang replied, laughing as he threw a friendly arm around Peng Tuo’s shoulders.

“As I said, once I met Lu Zhi or Lord Huangfu Song, I would set you free. Only, I’ve run into a bit of trouble and cannot meet Lord Lu just yet. So, Chief Peng, I must ask one last favor of you. I hope you won’t refuse.”

“Heh, of course!” Peng Tuo agreed without hesitation. “Just name it, young general! If I can do it, I won’t let you down!”

“Excellent! I knew you were a straightforward man—so I won’t stand on ceremony.”

With that, Xu Kang’s smile vanished. In an instant, he drew his sword and brought it down in a single stroke.

“Lend me your head for a while!”

A fountain of blood burst from Peng Tuo’s neck, staining the side of the tent a vivid red.

Three or four seconds passed before Peng Tuo’s headless body finally collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

The sound jolted Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng back to their senses.

“Lord, you—”

They seemed to want to say something, but before they could, Xu Kang—sheathing his sword—raised a hand to silence them.

“That’s enough; save your words for later. I’m going to change my clothes. Clean this place up and wrap Peng Tuo’s head for me. I’ll need it when I go to see Lord Lu Zhi.”

He turned and left the tent, retrieving his black official robes and boots from his spatial satchel. Finding a secluded spot, he quickly changed, then returned to the tent.

By this time, Peng Tuo’s body had vanished. Several soldiers were covering the bloodstains on the ground with dry earth. When they saw Xu Kang enter, they bowed respectfully.

“General!”

Xu Kang nodded, then turned to Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng. “Where is it?”

“Here!” Zhao Hong replied, handing him the bundle containing Peng Tuo’s head. “My lord, should I come with you?”

“No need,” Xu Kang said with a smile, waving his hand as he took the bundle. “I’m just going to see someone—it’s nothing major. Besides, you’re such a big fellow, I couldn’t possibly bring you along.”

“Huh? Couldn’t bring me along?” Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng exchanged puzzled glances. “Lord, what do you mean?”

Xu Kang only chuckled again, offering no explanation. Carrying the bundle, he strode out of the tent.

Watching him go, Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng glanced at each other and hurried after him. But as soon as they stepped outside, a violent gust of wind forced them to close their eyes.

When the wind died down, Xu Kang was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, a piercing cry of an eagle echoed from the sky above.

“Kyuuuuu!”