After everyone was seated, Liu Jin didn't waste any words and spoke directly:
"News has come from the county that Zhang Jiao and his two brothers, the three leaders of the Way of Great Peace, have raised an army in rebellion. Their followers in various prefectures and commanderies have responded, sweeping across Jizhou and now spreading towards Youzhou."
"The County Magistrate has ordered me to lead my troops into the city to defend it, to prevent the surrounding followers of the Way of Great Peace from gathering and attacking the city."
Upon hearing this, the people in the tent were all shocked, some even disbelieving.
The followers of the Way of Great Peace were not strangers to them; they often saw them drawing talismans to help the common people, and their presence was felt in every village.
They never expected that Zhang Jiao and his two brothers, the leaders, would actually raise an army in rebellion. The followers of the Way of Great Peace were spread throughout the Han Dynasty, numbering at least a hundred thousand.
Adding the incited common people, there could be millions. If they all rose in rebellion, the entire Han Dynasty would be engulfed in flames.
After Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Han Dang, and the others calmed down,
their eyes were filled with joy. With the world in chaos and rebels everywhere, it was the perfect time for martial men like them to kill enemies and earn merits.
Liu Jin saw that his Generals were not afraid, but instead filled with excitement, and he nodded in satisfaction.
If they feared these Yellow Turbans, it would be difficult for them to achieve great things and impossible to establish themselves in this chaotic world.
He immediately waved his hand and declared loudly:
"Gather all the troops in the army and quickly proceed to Yi County city to set up camp!"
The Generals all responded in unison, beginning to gather their respective troops. A cacophony of sounds arose as they moved in an orderly fashion towards the city gate of Yi County.
At this moment, at the city gate of Yi County, County Magistrate Fan Fang's face was filled with anxiety.
It was impossible for him not to be panicked in his heart, as Yi County was close to Jizhou, and now the rebel leader Zhang Jiao and his two brothers were stirring up trouble in Jizhou, which could affect this place at any time.
Not only that, but in the surrounding villages and towns, there were many followers of the Way of Great Peace. Hearing of Zhang Jiao's rebellion, they would likely gather and begin to attack the county seat.
Currently, Yi County could only rely on the one company of troops from the camp outside the city to stabilize the chaotic situation.
After waiting for a moment, he saw hundreds of people approaching from a distance. The leading figures, riding black horses, were tall and imposing—they were Liu Jin, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, and others.
Seeing this, Fan Fang breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had heard a thing or two about Liu Jin.
Initially, with just over a hundred men, he killed five hundred bandits, gaining some renown throughout Zhuo Commandery. Protecting Yi County should not be a problem.
Liu Jin saw dozens of people waiting at the city gate, and he knew without a doubt that the County Magistrate was there.
Since he was ordered to defend the city and protect the stability of Yi County, he naturally had to show a respectful attitude.
He immediately squeezed his horse's belly with his legs and quickly rode forward.
Fan Fang, accompanied by the county officials, showed a polite expression and cupped his hands, saying loudly:
"Military Marquis Liu, the Yellow Turbans are now causing chaos and may attack the county seat at any time. I hope you can lead your troops to defend the city and pacify the area."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin immediately dismounted, his face showing a polite expression as he cupped his hands and said:
"County Magistrate Fan is too kind. Since this Military Marquis is stationed here, he naturally has the duty to protect all the common people of the county."
Fan Fang heard this and nodded with a smile, looking at the strong men before him, believing that protecting Yi County would not be a problem.
He said politely:
"Military Marquis Liu, I have prepared a banquet at the County Magistrate's office. I hope the Military Marquis and all the Generals can honor us with their presence to discuss the city's defense."
Liu Jin nodded at this. Defending the city and resisting the Yellow Turbans was a major undertaking.
It was best for him to be in complete control, without others interfering. If too many people gave orders, it could lead to weaknesses and the city being breached.
Both men appeared very polite, chatting with each other as they headed towards the County Magistrate's office.
As for the troops behind them, they were led by Zhao Ergou, Han Dang, and others into the city's military camp to set up quarters.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, with twenty personal guards, followed closely.
Liu Jin was not a fool. In this time of Yellow Turban unrest, no one knew if the County Magistrate of Yi County was an informant for the Yellow Turbans.
If he was tricked into entering the city and then killed, the entire Yi County would fall without a fight.
One must know that when Zhang Jiao rose in rebellion, many County Magistrates responded, joining the ranks of the Yellow Turban Army, and even some Grand Protectors, who governed an area, chose to support or even defect to them.
Inside the County Magistrate's office, a spread of delicious dishes had already been laid out.
Fan Fang, with a smile on his face, gestured for Liu Jin to take a seat to the side, while he himself knelt at the head of the table.
Beside him sat some high-ranking county officials, and even some local aristocratic families and powerful individuals.
Fan Fang, with a smile on his face, said politely:
"With Military Marquis Liu stationed in Yi County, we can all rest assured."
Everyone else in the hall politely echoed:
"Indeed, with this young and outstanding Military Marquis Liu, we can all be free from worries and are sure to keep these Yellow Turban rebels at bay."
Liu Jin heard these flatteries, smiled slightly, and didn't pay much attention.
It was only because of the chaos in the world that his position as Military Marquis allowed him to be a honored guest in the county.
In peaceful times, it would be impossible for him to receive such respect and flattery from these people.
Because a County Magistrate was an official of the four-hundred to one-thousand shi rank, and many people's official ranks were on par with his own.
Furthermore, these literati naturally possessed a sense of superiority and looked down upon rough martial men like them.
Liu Jin lightly coughed and said with a smile:
"Thank you all for your praise, but this Military Marquis has something he wishes to discuss with everyone."
"Now that the Yellow Turban rebellion is very likely to spread to Yi County, since I am the highest military officer here, the city's defenses must be handled solely by me. No one else should interfere, to prevent further chaos and the loss of the city."
"Do you all agree?"
Upon hearing this, some in the hall frowned, seemingly somewhat displeased in their hearts, but they did not show it.
Most people nodded, not contending with Liu Jin for the responsibility of the city's defense.
After all, they were merely civil officials with little knowledge of military formations. Rather than that, it was better to let this Military Marquis handle everything.
Fan Fang stroked his beard, hesitated, then nodded and said with a smile:
"Military Marquis Liu, rest assured. Since we invited you into the city, we naturally trust you. We entrust Yi County to your defense, and the city's defenses will be decided by you personally. We can all be at ease."
"Not only that, there are also over a hundred yamen runners and one tun of soldiers in the city, all of whom will be placed under your command."
"Furthermore, this County Magistrate has discussed with the gentry and powerful families in the city, and they are willing to provide a sum of money and grain to reward the soldiers under Military Marquis Liu, hoping they will bravely kill enemies and protect the safety of all the common people in the county."
"As for the Military Marquis's soldiers in the city, we hope they will abide by the rules, not oppress the common people, or cause harm to the area, so as not to cause the common people in the city to groan in misery and defect to the Yellow Turbans, which would cause the city to fall without a fight."
Liu Jin's heart was filled with joy upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Fan Fang to be so straightforward, not only willing to provide money and grain but also willing to place the city's soldiers under his command.
Clearly, he wanted him to settle down and focus on defending the city, without causing any trouble.
He quickly nodded and promised:
"Please rest assured about this. If even one person in the army dares to harass the common people, I, Liu Jin, will definitely execute him without mercy."
"As for the city's defense, you all need not worry. I, Liu Jin, state here that I will live and die with Yi County."