Dong Zhuo's brows furrowed slightly at the words; it was another protracted battle, which could only be met with a helpless sigh.
He had thought that Qu Yang was a soft persimmon, easily breached, but only after arriving with his troops did he realize that Zhang Bao was no less capable than his elder brother, Zhang Jiao.
Especially these Yellow Turbans, who could grow braver with each battle, their morale high, while his own side's morale dropped the longer they fought.
So, after a brief discussion, the Generals found no good strategy.
Dong Zhuo then ordered the Generals to rest well, following Li Ru's advice to focus on encirclement.
Inside Guangzong City, a startled cry suddenly echoed from the backyard of the General's Mansion!
"Oh no, oh no!"
"The Great Virtuous Teacher is dead!"
The maid attending him rushed out of the courtyard and shouted loudly to the surroundings!
This instantly caused panic among the surrounding maids, servants, and others.
Just then, a sharp blade plunged directly into the maid's abdomen, blood gurgling out, her eyes filled with pain.
The blade was pulled out, and a bloody corpse immediately fell down.
Yellow Turban General Gao Sheng, holding the sharp blade, scanned his surroundings fiercely and said coldly!
"Anyone who dares to make noise will be executed without mercy!"
After saying this, Gao Sheng, disregarding the surrounding chaos, rushed into the room!
He saw Zhang Jiao lying motionless on the bed, eyes tightly closed.
Gao Sheng felt a sense of trepidation, and after slowly approaching, he reached out and lightly felt for a breath, finding none.
His heart trembled, and he stumbled back a few steps.
Just then, the other Yellow Turban Generals rushed in one after another, all witnessing this scene, their hearts a mix of emotions.
They never expected that the Great Virtuous Teacher who led them in the uprising would die in just a few months.
The entire room fell silent, the surrounding Generals constantly pondering, some filled with fear, worried that with Zhang Jiao dead, the Han Army would attack the city.
Some were excited; after Zhang Jiao's death, they could climb higher.
Soon, a clamor gradually arose, and several people quickly said!
"Since the Great Virtuous Teacher is dead, let's flee quickly! This Guangzong City is not a place to stay long. If the Han Army finds out, our lives won't be safe!"
"Yes, yes, yes, let's escape quickly while the Han Army doesn't know!"
Some other Generals' eyes flashed with cold light, and they shouted coldly!
"There are over a hundred thousand troops in the city, and with the city as a stronghold, the Han Army can't possibly breach it. Why should we flee?"
"The most urgent task is to select a General to command the three armies, inherit the will of the Great Virtuous Teacher, and lead us to create new glory!"
As soon as these words were spoken, many Generals' eyes showed greed, and they all nodded in agreement!
"Yes, we must choose a General to command the three armies and resist the Han Dynasty!"
A thin, middle-aged General quickly stepped forward, patted his chest, and declared loudly!
"I think I can do it. I've always treated everyone well, so I should rightfully inherit the will of the Great Virtuous Teacher!"
A burly General, hearing this, showed disdain in his eyes.
He immediately stepped forward and cursed!
"Wu Yi, with just your three to five thousand troops, how can you be worthy of inheritance? No matter what, it should be me, Li Dang, who inherits it!"
"I command twenty thousand troops, and I was previously the most highly regarded by the Teacher. Does anyone here object?"
Gao Sheng snorted at this, immediately stepped forward, and said coldly!
"I, Gao Sheng, object! Although you have many troops, I am the Teacher's personal disciple, so it should rightfully be me who inherits!"
Li Dang's eyes flashed with cold light, and he sneered!
"What if you object? Although you are a personal disciple, we followed the Teacher in conquering the world. How can a mere disciple be compared to that?"
Soon, the room filled with noise, constant curses, and even fighting among themselves.
Many also quietly left the room, already thinking about how to escape.
None of the twenty-odd people paid any attention to the cold Zhang Jiao lying on the bed.
In just half a day, the news of Zhang Jiao's death spread like a storm.
Hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turbans in Guangzong City trembled with fear.
If Zhang Jiao had been in the city, they would have felt secure, but now that even their leader was dead, how could these subordinates not panic?
Many Generals even led their troops to fight each other in order to contend for the position of Teacher.
Order quickly completely collapsed, and many people began to flee in groups, not daring to stay in the city and seek death.
In the valley encampment, Liu Jin was sitting on the ground, engrossed in reading the Spring and Autumn Annals he had borrowed from Guan Yu, finding it very interesting and absorbing.
He occasionally nodded and sighed, thinking, 'As expected of my second brother's Spring and Autumn Annals, some of the explanations have a unique flavor.'
Just then, urgent footsteps were heard outside the main tent.
Zhao Teng, his eyes filled with excitement, pushed aside the tent flap and shouted loudly!
"Big Brother, good news!"
Liu Jin, hearing this, calmly put down the Spring and Autumn Annals in his hand and asked in confusion!
"What is so urgent?"
Zhao Teng swallowed, and said excitedly!
"Big Brother, a scout from the city sent word that Zhang Jiao is dead, and many Yellow Turban Generals in the city are fighting amongst themselves, seemingly trying to contend for Zhang Jiao's position. Chaos has already broken out in the city!"
"Not only that, but many Yellow Turban soldiers have opened the city gates and are fleeing Guangzong City!"
"This is the perfect time for us to lead our troops and attack Guangzong City!"
Liu Jin was delighted to hear this; after waiting so long, Zhang Jiao had finally died.
Moreover, the chaos in the city was even worse than he had imagined, and all this was thanks to that battle where Zhang Liang was slain.
One must know that in his previous life, when Zhang Jiao died, Zhang Liang had managed the overall situation in the city, commanding the three armies, and everything was as stable as a mountain, without so many ambitious individuals.
Now, with no one in charge, all sorts of monsters and demons had emerged, vying for power.
Without any hesitation, Liu Jin immediately ordered!
"De Hu, inform all Generals to come to the main military tent to discuss this matter."
After receiving the order, Zhao Teng immediately bowed and withdrew.
Liu Jin walked back and forth in the main tent, hands clasped behind his back, a look of excitement on his face.
Given the current chaotic situation, Guangzong City should be captured today.
With this achievement, his enfeoffment and appointment as a General would be just around the corner.
His merits were already no less than those of Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and others.
He clenched his hands tightly, his face filled with excitement.
Soon, footsteps outside the main tent gradually sounded, and Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Han Dang, Xu Rong, Zhang He, and others arrived one after another.
Their faces were all excited; they had already heard from Zhao Teng before coming.
Seeing this, Liu Jin did not hesitate and quickly ordered!
"Zhang Jiao is dead, and the city is in complete chaos. This is our time to attack!"
"Zhang Fei and Han Dang will lead two thousand men to attack the West City Gate. Xu Rong and Zhang He will lead two thousand men to attack the South City Gate. Cheng Pu and Wei You will lead two thousand men to attack the East City Gate."
"As for the North City Gate, it will be left open, leaving a gap."
"Guan Yu will lead five hundred cavalry to guard ten li away. As soon as any Yellow Turbans exit the city, he will lead the cavalry to sweep them away."
"Have you all understood?"