Chapter 121: The Unstable Yellow Turbans

Donglai Commandery, Huang County.

The thatched cottage had been replaced by a sturdy earthen house, its solid appearance offering a sense of stability. Inside, a muscular young man was speaking with his mother.

"Although you and Kong Beihai have never met, he has shown me great care since you left home. He has been more attentive than even old friends or kin. Now that he is besieged by rebels, you should go to his aid," the old woman urged.

"I understand, Mother. But I have only just returned from Liaodong, and I wished to spend some time with you..."

"My health is excellent. But Kong Beihai is in dire straits. You possess great martial prowess and will surely be of use. At this time, one must prioritize righteousness; only then will you live up to the name your father gave you."

"I shall obey, Mother."

***

In Duchang County.

The fires of war were ready to ignite, and undercurrents surged. The corpses beneath the city walls grew in number, the glow of fire and the crimson of blood reflecting one another. The granaries within the city were gradually emptying, yet the moth-like rebels outside seemed not to diminish in the slightest.

Despite such a perilous situation, the scholar in the city’s administrative office showed little panic or distress. He merely thought to himself how wonderful it would be if the golden expanse outside the walls were crops in the field rather than enemy camps...

As he sighed, a minor officer entered the hall to report.

"How is the situation?"

"Reporting to the Chancellor: the rebel army shows no sign of withdrawing; instead, they are gathering in even greater numbers."

"Ah, let them be. Duchang is no small city; once the rebels realize they cannot take it, they will withdraw."

Waving his hand dismissively, Kong Rong picked up the bamboo slips in his hand. They contained the latest news just received from the west via the courier station.

"I wonder what new work the Marquis of Wuji has produced... Promoting the seven-character verse is no easy task." Kong Rong shook his head, focusing his attention, but a single line caused his brows to furrow deeply.

"'Feeling ashamed to seek shelter, I recall Zhang Jian...' This is truly... Ah, Master Yuanjie, to think that even at your age, you are looked down upon by a rising star of the literary world."

When Kong Rong first read the line, he felt disdain and even indignation, but upon closer reflection... it didn't seem entirely wrong. Zhang Yu had risen to fame and held a revered position, yet he was willing to assassinate the tyrant Dong Zhuo for the sake of the common people, regardless of his own life. In contrast, when Zhang Jian was being hunted, he fled from house to house; dozens of those who sheltered him were executed, his entire clan was slaughtered, and the commanderies through which he passed were devastated.

Furthermore... Kong Rong’s own brother had been executed by the authorities because of that very affair.

And the most critical detail was... the one who had opened the door for Zhang Jian was Kong Rong himself.

When Zhang Jian fled to the Kong household, he came seeking his good friend, Kong Rong’s brother, Kong Bao. But Kong Bao was not home. What was to be done?

Fear not; the sixteen-year-old Kong Rong had stepped forward: "Please, come in! Although my brother is not here, I am master of the house enough to take you in!"

Later, when the authorities came to make arrests, the Kong brothers and their mother all vied to take the blame, but it was Kong Bao who was ultimately named by the imperial decree to pay the price with his life.

This story teaches us that if you eat someone else's pear, you must eventually pay it back.

Holding the scroll, Kong Rong felt those old memories resurface. Unable to continue reading, he decided to step outside for some fresh air.

"Report!" A guard rushed up as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard.

"What is it?"

"A heroic warrior has arrived outside the city. He calls himself Taishi Ziyi and has come to assist you, my lord!"

"Taishi Ziyi!"

Kong Rong had certainly heard the name. The incident where Taishi Ci had destroyed the official seal had left a deep impression on him; he knew this man was a talent of both wisdom and courage.

Come to think of it, Kong Rong was truly a kind-hearted man. Just as he had welcomed Zhang Jian into his home, he had, upon hearing of Taishi Ci’s deeds, frequently sent messengers with gifts to inquire after his mother.

Yes... truly to inquire after her.

"How many men did he bring?"

"Reporting to the Chancellor, he is alone."

"Alone—"

Before the guard could finish, soldiers from the other end of the street were already escorting a man toward them.

Kong Rong craned his neck to look. The man was imposing, radiating a spirit of martial prowess, with two well-groomed mustaches on his lips and fresh bloodstains still lingering on his armor.

"Taishi Ci of Donglai. I have long heard of the great Kong Beihai, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness toward my mother. I have come today specifically to assist you!"

Donning a smile, Kong Rong bowed and helped him up. "I have long heard of Ziyi’s loyalty and courage. Come, I shall host a banquet to welcome you myself."

"There is no need for the Chancellor to trouble himself over such small matters. The urgent task now is to repel the rebels! I saw that the Yellow Turbans are well-disciplined; the one leading them cannot be a mere mediocrity. Moreover, their camps are secure and echo one another—a sign that they intend to wage a prolonged war."

"Indeed. I have already sent men in all directions to seek aid; I trust reinforcements will arrive soon," Kong Rong replied, his expression unchanging.

"Chancellor, it is not my place to boast, but with the current formation of these rebels, they cannot be broken by ordinary means. Reinforcements... are truly unlikely. In my humble opinion, rather than waiting for uncertain aid, we should take the initiative and strike!"

"Ah, have I not tried to strike? It is simply that my strength is insufficient. Even my top general, Zong Bao, was killed by the rebels."

"If you trust me, Chancellor, I am willing to lead an army to break the rebels for you!"

"Let us discuss it further, let us discuss it further." Kong Rong raised a hand to stop him. "Someone, go and prepare a banquet! Today, I shall properly entertain Ziyi!"

***

Outside the city.

"General, why do we not attack the city?"

"If we attack now, even if we manage to take Beihai, we will suffer heavy casualties." The burly man in the seat of honor sighed. "This battle is the final opportunity for our Yellow Turbans to establish a foothold in the world."

"General, forgive my bluntness, but why do we not join Zhang—"

"Zhang Yan? Heh, are you close with him?"

"Reporting to the General... I am not."

"Do you know how much respect he still holds for the Great and Wise Master?"

"This..."

"It is precisely because the Black Mountain forces have grown too quickly that I fear Zhang Yan is no longer the Chu Feiyan of the past. A man’s ambition always changes with his strength. When I, Guan, was tilling the fields, how could I have imagined that today I would be leading an army to besiege this fortified city?"

"The General is far-sighted; I admire you."

"Besides, if it were only I, Guan, it would be fine; we are both Yellow Turbans, and it would not matter if I gifted him more power. But if his intentions are impure, what would become of the Young Master?"

***

"Hahahaha! Yulang, we are truly destined to meet; to think we would encounter each other here!"

Destined? Your formation is so orderly, you might as well have been lining up to welcome me. If this isn't intentional, then it's sinister!

"Hehehe... Commander Yan, what great fortune have you come to seek here?"

"I heard you earned quite a lot in Chang'an, Yulang. So, I, Yan, decided to take a trip to Chang'an myself to see if I could make a name for myself in the world!"

Zhang Yu felt uneasy. He couldn't tell if Zhang Yan was just casual or truly insane; this forced familiarity was deeply awkward.

"You jest, Commander Yan!"

"Haha, indeed I do. However, it is true that I would like to ask you for a few things, Yulang."

"Oh?"

"Your reputation for having talent that fills eight out of ten measures of the world is known to all. I have come specifically to ask you for a poem to fulfill a lifelong wish!"

First asking for wine, then for a poem—is this the Great Commander of Black Mountain, or just a fanatic fan?

"He's sick... he's truly sick..."