If they could join the great scholar Lu Zhi, it would be acceptable to Guan Yu.
At least the lingering prestige of the Han court remained.
For him, a fugitive, the most desired outcome was to return home openly.
Therefore,
After a few seconds of hesitation, Guan Yu nodded.
"I'll listen to Brother. Wherever Brother goes, I go!"
"Haha... Good, good!"
Liu Bei, having secured his last fighter, laughed with excitement.
But after the laughter, a practical problem presented itself to the two.
They were still broke!
What to do?
Glancing at Guan Yu, who lowered his head and remained silent, Liu Bei's teeth itched with frustration.
Damn it!
A bunch of unreliable fellows!
Since no one else would, he'd do it himself!
That night,
As dusk began to settle, Liu Bei, with Guan Yu, slipped into Fanyang.
They found a wealthy household they had scouted earlier, "borrowed" ten taels of silver and a dinner, and then slept soundly.
The next day,
Taking advantage of the crowds entering the city when the gates opened at dawn, the two slipped out and headed straight for Guangzong.
But before they could even reach Guangzong, a piece of devastating news arrived.
Lu Zhi, Lord Lu... had been dismissed and was under investigation!
"H-how could this be?"
Liu Bei, who had been traveling for days, slumped by the roadside, his face covered in stubble, his eyes filled with nothing but despair.
How could this be?!
It shouldn't be!
According to the news they had gathered these past few days, the Yellow Turban rebels were already trapped in Guangzong, and victory was imminent with a little more perseverance.
But what was the situation now?
Dismissed and investigated?
What crime did Master Lu commit?
This was utter madness!
Even if you truly wanted to snatch the credit, you should have waited until I arrived!
And now?
Their only acquaintance removed from his post, what was the point of their coming to Guangzong?
If only they had followed their third brother to seek refuge with that scoundrel!
Huh?
Scoundrel?
Thinking of Qin Feng, who was entrenched in Zhuo County, Liu Bei's eyes began to dart around.
Although that fellow didn't seem like a Yellow Turban rebel, they were still rebels!
Since you all liked to snatch credit so much, you wouldn't pass up this opportunity, would you?
The more he thought about it, the more excited Liu Bei became, and he scrambled to his feet.
"Second Brother, let's go!"
"Huh?"
Guan Yu, who had been lying on the ground, reluctant to move, asked with some confusion:
"Brother, where are we going?"
"To Guangzong, of course!"
Meeting Guan Yu's puzzled gaze, Liu Bei waved his hand somewhat unnaturally.
"Don't ask so many questions, just follow me!"
"Alright!"
Guan Yu nodded indifferently and got up from the ground.
The main reason was that he had nowhere else to go but to follow Liu Bei.
...
As Liu Bei and Guan Yu, travel-worn, hurried towards Guangzong,
Zhang Fei, who had long since arrived in Zhuo County, stood on the training grounds, his face filled with excitement.
"L-lord..."
Twisting his stiff neck, Zhang Fei spoke in disbelief:
"These... these soldiers are all mine?"
"That's right!"
Qin Feng did not correct Zhang Fei's misstatement and continued to smile at him.
"Yide, I know your bravery is unparalleled, and I entrust these thousand cavalry to you!"
"Th-this..."
Hearing Qin Feng's words filled with trust, Zhang Fei's eyes turned red with emotion.
If it weren't for a sliver of rationality remaining, he would have nearly bowed down.
But even so,
Qin Feng had managed to push Liu Bei out of Zhang Fei's heart.
Look!
Look!
What does it mean to be a man of great ambition?
While Brother was still trying to make him rob others for travel expenses, this lord had already handed over a thousand organized cavalry to him.
What was this?
This was the vision of someone aiming for great things!
Therefore,
With a surge of emotion, Zhang Fei knelt on one knee before Qin Feng.
"My lord, from now on, if you have any orders, Yide would not dare disobey!"
"Haha..."
Although he hadn't secured Zhang Fei's allegiance, Qin Feng was not too disappointed.
Smiling, he helped Zhang Fei up, his expression becoming serious.
"Yide, to be frank, our Zhuo County is now facing threats from all sides!"
"Oh?"
Zhang Fei, who had straightened up, looked at Qin Feng with curiosity.
"My lord, what do you mean?"
"Tall trees attract the wind!"
Qin Feng, speaking as a victim rather than admitting he had provoked the barbarians, said:
"Currently, the banditry across the Han empire is rampant. These foreign tribes have seen an opportunity and wish to take a piece of the pie."
"Foreign tribes?"
"Yes!"
Recalling the news he had received these past two days, Qin Feng's lips curved slightly, but his tone became more grave.
"According to the information I've obtained, the Wuhuan tribe of Chaqier in Shanggu Commandery, in alliance with several smaller tribes, have raised an army of twenty thousand and are marching towards Zhuo County."
"Not only that..."
"Even the Wuhuan tribes of Dai Commandery and Yuyang are making preparations!"
"Our pressure is immense!"
"Insolent beasts~!"
Hearing Qin Feng's explanation, Zhang Fei's dark face turned red with anger.
"These foreign tribes are simply too arrogant!"
"My lord, rest assured!"
"Since I, Zhang Yide, have eaten your food, I will follow your orders!"
"Command me!"
"Even if it means taking the initiative to attack, I, Zhang Yide, fear nothing!"
"Good!"
Hearing Zhang Fei's firm tone, Qin Feng's satisfaction deepened.
"Yide, since you say so, I won't be polite!"
"Starting tomorrow, you will lead the brothers to harass the allied forces of the Chaqier tribe, buying me time to raise an army to meet them!"
"Yes~!"
After cupping his fist fiercely at Qin Feng, the hot-blooded Zhang Fei readily agreed.
Fighting!
And leading a thousand elite cavalry into battle!
Let alone a mere twenty thousand Wuhuan, even twenty thousand Xianbei wouldn't make him flinch!
After all,
The people living in the border regions had extremely polarized attitudes towards foreign tribes.
Those who feared them feared them to death, while those who didn't were utterly disdainful.
Just a bunch of savages who ate raw meat and drank blood!
If it weren't for their numbers, they wouldn't be enough for him to kill alone!
Zhang Fei was precisely such a person!
Originally, after joining Qin Feng's bandit army, he had worried about having to fight against the imperial court and would have to be hesitant.
As for the foreign tribes?
Don't joke!
Whether as an official army or a bandit army, wasn't fighting them as natural as breathing?
And Qin Feng?
After successfully manipulating Zhang the Butcher onto the battlefield, he was completely at ease.
Preparing the army for war?
Why the rush?
He had no intention of using the ten thousand sword and shield soldiers in Zhuo County at all.
His initial plan was to personally lead the thousand cavalry to fight the foreign tribes, summoning new soldiers as he fought.
Although it might be a bit tiring, it was necessary to expand his influence.
But now?
With Zhang Fei, a ready-made laborer, he could stay at home and guard the warehouse, waiting for the soldiers to come in.
It was simply too comfortable!
Unaware of all this, Zhang Fei set out with his men early the next morning.
According to him, the sooner they engaged the enemy, the more time they could buy.
To the point that Qin Feng, who came to see them off, felt a slight blush.
What was this?
It was a typical case of selling someone and then having them help you make money!