Zhang He was still devoted to the Han Dynasty. Naturally, he wouldn't be like a few years later when the Han Dynasty completely collapsed and the world fell into chaos, forcing people like them to seek out enlightened lords and assist them in dominating the world.
Only then can you reveal your ambitions and ideals to your Generals, letting them all know your intentions.
Otherwise, if they think you have no ideals or aspirations, and only want to cling to life, they will abandon you one by one and seek out the enlightened lords in their hearts.
The atmosphere in the main tent was very lively, especially after a few cups of wine, everyone's faces were flushed.
They were all rough men from the army, and their speech was boisterous and never reserved.
Coupled with the fact that everyone was from Hebei, there was a feeling of old acquaintances meeting, and their conversation became even more cheerful.
As darkness completely fell, Zhang He, seeing the situation, swayed to his feet and let out a burp.
With a smile on his face, he cupped his hands and said!
"Brother Wenyi, thank you for your hospitality today. It's getting late, and I need to return to the army to oversee things. Tomorrow, we still have to break camp, so we can't delay our departure."
"If the General blames me, I cannot bear the responsibility."
"After the war is settled, I will come back to Brother Wenyi for drinks and conversation."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, not having any intention of asking Zhang He to stay overnight.
It was their first meeting, so it was best to keep it brief. Being too enthusiastic might make the other person suspicious of his motives.
He waved his hand towards the back, signaling his personal guards to help Zhang He to his camp.
After seeing Zhang He leave, Liu Jin instructed Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and others to get a good night's sleep, as they had to set off early tomorrow morning.
Two days later!
Inside the Guangzong City Governor's office, a roar suddenly erupted!
"Impossible! My third brother commands thirty thousand soldiers. How could he have been ambushed and killed by someone else?"
The speaker was Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jiao, his brows furrowed in anger, his eyes bloodshot, and his body trembling uncontrollably, as if he couldn't accept the fact.
The Yellow Turban Generals in the hall all lowered their heads, appearing somewhat fearful, not daring to look him directly in the eye.
Because the current Zhang Jiao was like a fierce tiger eyeing its prey; no one dared to provoke him at this moment, or they wouldn't know how they died.
Even the small leader who had just reported the news was trembling, filled with dread, fearing that Zhang Jiao would kill him in a fit of rage.
After a moment of silence, a tear welled up in Zhang Jiao's eye. Although he didn't believe his third brother had been killed, the intelligence was there, and he had to accept the fact.
A cold, silent voice came!
"Who is the one who killed my third brother? He must be ground to dust to avenge my third brother!"
Upon hearing this, the small leader quickly bowed and said!
"Reporting to Heavenly Duke General, the one who killed Rengong General is Biebu Sima Liu Jin of the Han Army."
"He came all the way south from the north, taking advantage of our army's unawareness of his movements, ambushing Rengong General at Xiaoping Mountain in Baixiang County, leading to a disastrous defeat."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao's withered hands clenched tightly, and the cold glint in his eyes could not be suppressed.
He shouted coldly!
"By my order as Great Virtuous Teacher, I command all Yellow Turban units throughout the land: whoever can kill Liu Jin to avenge my third brother will succeed to the position of Rengong General!"
Upon hearing this, the Generals in the hall rejoiced, many showing greed, and their breathing quickened.
That was the position of Rengong General, the third most important figure in the entire Yellow Turban Army, with the authority to command all Yellow Turban units.
It held an extremely powerful attraction for these Yellow Turban Generals.
Some people were still relatively normal. They were not overly loyal to the Yellow Turban Army. Not only did they show no joy, but instead, they revealed worry. Even Rengong General had been killed.
Tens of thousands of Han Army soldiers were marching towards this place, and they didn't know if they could resist them.
If they couldn't resist, everyone would lose their heads, so who would still care about official positions?
Just as everyone was whispering, another small leader, with a panicked expression, rushed towards them.
Seeing Zhang Jiao, who was at the head, he immediately bowed and said tremblingly!
"Reporting to Heavenly Duke General, a force of five thousand Han Army soldiers has arrived outside the city. They seem to be the vanguard and are setting up camp outside the city, clearly intending to besiege Guangzong City."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Yellow Turban Generals, who had been somewhat excited, completely lost their enthusiasm. They hadn't expected the Han Army to arrive so quickly.
They didn't give them any breathing room, directly besieging them.
Many people began to tremble, unsure if they could resist the Han Army.
After all, at the beginning of the uprising, while the court had not yet reacted, they had captured cities and territories, winning battle after battle.
But when the court's main army arrived, they were routed and forced to constantly consolidate their forces.
Zhang Jiao looked at the worried expressions of the crowd and shouted coldly!
"You have no need to panic. Guangzong City has high walls and thick defenses, and there are a hundred thousand soldiers here. The Han Army will not be able to breach it."
"As long as the Yellow Turban armies from various regions gather here, the Han Army will not be a concern."
"Pass on my order: all Generals must guard the city well. Anyone who dares to show panic will be executed without mercy!"
His fierce gaze swept across the Generals in the hall. At this critical moment, no mistakes could be made, lest the Han Army breach the city and his own life be forfeit.
Upon receiving the order, the Generals in the hall all nodded, indicating their obedience!
Although some people had such thoughts, they dared not show them at this time.
Zhang Jiao watched the departing Generals, his brows tightly furrowed, his face showing a grim expression.
He naturally knew that the morale of the Yellow Turban Army was weakening by the day.
Especially now, retreating to Guangzong City, they could only focus on defense and could no longer engage the Han Army, leading to instability in the army's morale and frequent desertions.
Zhang Jiao sighed deeply and slowly sat down, like a deflated ball, soft and weak, appearing very dejected.
Especially the death of his third brother, which filled his heart with incomparable grief, adding to his already ailing body.
Three days later!
Lu Zhi personally led tens of thousands of soldiers, arriving majestically below Guangzong City, displaying a formidable presence. He entered the military camp, welcomed by Gongsun Zan.
The Yellow Turban soldiers on the city walls, already besieged in Guangzong City, were in a state of panic, and their morale was unstable.
Now, seeing the main force arriving behind them, many were trembling with fear, their morale plummeting even further, with some even attempting to flee.
The Yellow Turban General drew his treasured sword from his waist and, leading his soldiers, constantly maintained order on the city walls, fearing that the city would fall without a fight, which would mean their heads would roll.
Inside the Han Army's main tent outside the city, Lu Zhi, with his treasured sword at his waist and a solemn expression, slowly took his seat at the head. The other Generals sat on either side.
He looked at Gongsun Zan beside him and immediately inquired!
"Bo Gui, have the Yellow Turban made any moves these past few days? Have the city's defenses and other aspects been thoroughly investigated?"