Everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this assurance.
They still had great trust in Liu Jin; he was generous, had a powerful aura, and was clearly a young prodigy, and his soldiers were likely not a disorganized rabble.
Their willingness to provide funds and provisions for this detachment of soldiers was in the hope that they would settle down peacefully in the city, not harm the common people, or seize their property—it was a win-win cooperation.
After the two sides settled the matter, the atmosphere in the main hall became even livelier, with hearty laughter occasionally echoing through.
Many officials, aristocratic families, and powerful gentry raised their cups to toast Liu Jin, showing their respect.
Liu Jin also welcomed all comers, drinking freely with everyone and building good relationships, which was beneficial to him as well.
The next morning!
Liu Jin slowly awoke in his army tent, recalling how intensely he had drunk with the county officials last night, with the banquet not breaking up until the early hours of the morning.
To build good relationships with them, he had also accepted every toast, which led to him getting a bit tipsy, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had to carry him back to the military camp.
However, he was still in a good mood; at the very least, he knew the attitude of the county officials, so they wouldn't try to trip him up when defending the city.
After dressing, he pushed aside the tent flap and looked at the several hundred soldiers drilling on the parade ground, feeling quite satisfied.
Although the military camp within the city was a bit cramped, it was still sufficient to accommodate several hundred soldiers.
Liu Jin immediately ordered his subordinates to summon his generals for a discussion, including the Tuncun of the city's military detachment and the head of the yamen runners.
Inside the main army tent, Liu Jin, dressed in a robe, sat high in the main seat, with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Zhao Ergou, and Wu Xing seated on either side.
There were also two middle-aged men: Zhao Shan, the Tuncun of the city's military detachment, and Shen Zhong, the head of the yamen runners.
The two men appeared somewhat reserved upon seeing Liu Jin in the main seat; although they belonged to different departments, they were now under his direct command.
After scanning everyone, Liu Jin's voice calmly rang out!
“Presumably, you all already know that I, this Military Marquis, will be garrisoning Yi County from now on, and all military matters in the city will be under my sole command.”
“If anyone disagrees, they can surrender their military authority now and step aside; once Yi County is stable, I, this Military Marquis, will return their military authority to them.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall shook their heads; no one dared to express disagreement.
“Since no one disagrees, military orders must be strictly obeyed from now on. Those who dare to feign compliance will be executed without mercy.”
“Shen Zhong, you will lead over a hundred yamen runners to patrol the city rigorously, maintaining public order within the city. Those found causing trouble or inciting the populace will be executed without mercy.”
Shen Zhong, who was sitting nearby, immediately stood up and bowed, accepting the order!
Liu Jin's gaze then turned to the others, and his voice continued!
“Guan Yu, Han Dang, you two will lead your respective troops to guard the city walls, patrolling rigorously. If there is any movement outside the city, immediately send someone to report.”
“The Tuncuns of the other units will drill their soldiers in the military camp, enhance morale, and prepare for defense.”
Everyone stood up, bowed, accepted the orders, and began to go about their duties.
Soon, the entire Yi County began to be placed under strict security.
Several days later!
In a village about ten li outside the city, there were many young men with Yellow Turbans wrapped around their heads.
The leader, a burly man holding a great saber, looked at the villagers and said loudly!
“I am a disciple of the Great Virtuous Teacher, and I have come to rescue you from your suffering. Quickly take up arms and follow me to kill our way into the county seat!”
“We will slay these imperial dog officials and distribute the land and wealth equally among you, so you can live a happy and peaceful life!”
As his words fell, all the villagers responded, whether old or young, women or strong men; their eyes were filled with fervent excitement.
“We are willing to follow the Great Virtuous Teacher, resist the imperial court, slay the dog officials, and restore peace to us!”
The leader's face broke into a smile, and he immediately waved his hand.
He led these Yellow Turban-clad villagers in a mighty throng, sweeping towards other villages, inciting these people to join their rebellion.
The number of followers grew steadily, thanks to the earlier Taiping Dao believers who had preached, explained, and healed the people, earning their complete trust.
Not only that, but even the bandits from the mountains, hearing that the Great Virtuous Teacher had raised an army in rebellion, were unwilling to be left out and came down from the mountains to join the ranks of the rebels.
In just a few days, they had gathered two thousand people.
Under the leadership of the burly man, they marched towards Yi County.
Guan Yu, with his saber at his hip, was patrolling the city walls.
Suddenly, he saw a cloud of dust rolling several li ahead, with numerous figures flashing by, converging towards this location.
Guan Yu frowned, carefully observing the front; they were all wearing yellow cloths on their heads, holding sharp blades, and charging towards this place.
His heart was startled; they were Yellow Turbans, exactly as his eldest brother had described. He immediately shouted coldly towards the city gate!
“Bandits are attacking! Close the city gate!”
The Tuncun guarding the city gate also saw the surging crowd approaching in the distance and heard the voice from above.
Without any hesitation, he immediately ordered the soldiers beside him, saying loudly!
“Close the city gate!”
The surrounding soldiers, having received the order, quickly pushed the city gate.
Just then, dozens of common people suddenly emerged from the crowd in the street, holding sharp blades and charging towards this spot.
They were also shouting loudly!
“The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise!”
“Kill them!”
Instantly, they clashed with the imperial soldiers at the city gate, clearly intending to prevent the gate from closing and allow the army outside the city to enter.
The leading Tuncun was startled by this situation and immediately drew his blade, shouting coldly!
“Cut down these rebels!”
The two groups immediately engaged in a fierce fight at the city gate, with weapons clashing and sparks flying.
Guan Yu, standing on the city wall, heard these sounds. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint appearing, and he led his surrounding soldiers to charge towards the city gate.
His great saber continuously swung, cutting down the Yellow Turban-clad common people. The great saber continuously weaved through the crowd.
Bodies fell one after another, blood flowed, and shouts echoed repeatedly at this moment.
The surrounding soldiers also joined the encirclement, fighting these dozens of common people.
After a period of fierce fighting, most of these common people were killed, with only a few remaining, still resisting desperately.
The leader did not retreat; instead, his eyes were filled with a sneer, and he roared angrily at the surrounding imperial soldiers!
“You ignorant fools, if you know what's good for you, surrender quickly, open the city gate, and welcome the arrival of my Great Virtuous Teacher's army!”
“If you dare to resist, you will all die without a burial place!”
He continued to babble, trying to intimidate the surrounding imperial soldiers.
Guan Yu's eyes flashed with a cold light; he had no intention of indulging him. He wielded his blood-stained great saber and slashed horizontally at the man in front of him, with incredibly swift speed.
A scream of agony!
The sound instantly ceased. A head flew high into the air, blood gushing out, and the headless body, without any further reaction, immediately fell to the ground.