As Lu Zhi and his side were still deliberating on whether to kill or spare, Luoyang City was already in grave danger.
So many!
There were simply too many!
The entire Luoyang City, from all directions, was densely surrounded by Yellow Turban rebels.
What's more, they were fearless!
At such a critical juncture?
Seeing that the Han Dynasty was about to be overthrown, what did individual lives matter?
It had to be said,
The Zhang brothers certainly knew how to manipulate their subordinates.
Of course!
It was also possible that they were infected by the fervor of battle, causing them to forget the terror of death.
They had only one thought in their minds.
Charge in!
Charge into this city symbolizing power, and eliminate those bastards who devoured people without spitting out bones!
Only then could they usher in an era of peace!
The Heavenly General had declared:
The Heavens are dead, the Yellow Heavens shall rise. The year is Jiazi, and the world shall be prosperous!
The power of slogans was sometimes unimaginable.
What might seem ordinary to outsiders could empower people with a thousand times their strength when experienced within that environment.
Perhaps?
Was this what faith was?
As the second-in-command of the Yellow Turban Army, Zhang Bao clearly understood the power of slogans.
Thus,
No one knew who started it, but thunderous slogans began to echo on the battlefield.
The Heavens are dead, the Yellow Heavens shall rise. The year is Jiazi, and the world shall be prosperous!
The Heavens are dead...
Accompanied by the stirring war drums and the earth-shattering slogans, the Yellow Turban rebels went into a frenzy.
Boulders?
Rolling logs?
Fire oil?
Who cared!
Facing the hail of arrows and projectiles, the Yellow Turban rebels charged towards the city walls with siege ladders.
Even as comrades fell around them, even as some were struck by multiple arrows, they stubbornly erected the siege ladders.
"Er, Er Gou..."
A young Yellow Turban soldier, his eyes filled with hope but blood flowing uncontrollably from his mouth, stared intently at the city walls before him.
"Go on!"
"Don't shame your parents, don't, don't disappoint your elders and fellow villagers!"
"They, they... are all waiting... waiting for the day the world finds peace..."
"Uncle Hu Zi?!"
A trace of sorrow flashed in the eyes of the honest-looking youth beside him, but it was quickly overshadowed by uncontrollable hope.
Soon!
It would be soon!
As long as he climbed the city wall and eliminated the corrupt officials, this world would find peace.
Even if it meant sacrificing his life, it would be worth it!
Because,
The one hundred and eighty elders and villagers of Wangjia Village were all waiting in the afterlife for this day!
"Kill!"
"Kill all the corrupt officials!"
"Kill!"
After a few low roars, the youth, biting the back of his sword, began to climb with all his might.
And behind him,
The young man called Uncle Hu Zi gazed tearfully up at the city walls.
He remained motionless for a long time!
...
Within Luoyang City,
The Yuan family.
As soon as the Yellow Turban rebels began their fierce assault, Yuan Wei found an excuse to bring his people back.
Defense was impossible!
He knew very well,
That the defending forces within Luoyang City could absolutely not stop the Yellow Turban rebels.
They had gone mad!
Yuan Wei had personally witnessed a Yellow Turban rebel, riddled with eight arrows, forcefully charge onto the city wall.
And on their side?
Someone who merely got a scratch from a stray arrow wanted to swap out and recuperate.
How could they possibly fight?
It was impossible!
Therefore,
Seeing the situation develop for the worse, Yuan Wei hastily brought his people back to pack their belongings.
Flee!
As an old saying goes: Where there is life, there is hope!
Although Yuan Wei might not have heard this saying, he understood its meaning.
As long as the Yuan family stood, there would be a chance to make a comeback.
But once the Yuan family was gone?
Then it would truly be over!
To rely on the younger generation of clansmen like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu to revive the Yuan family?
Don't be absurd!
It would be a blessing from heaven if they didn't end up fighting each other to the death, thus saving the Yuan family.
With this thought,
Yuan Wei, disregarding his advanced age, personally supervised the household servants in the front hall as they packed their valuables.
"Quick!"
"Hurry up!"
"Someone!"
"Go and apprehend all those brats who have run off somewhere!"
"What time is it now?"
"Are they running out to seek death instead of staying home to await news?"
"What are you looking at?!"
"I'm talking about that brat, Gonglu. Hurry up and send someone to find him!"
"Uh..."
Hearing Yuan Wei's displeased tone, the old steward stammered for a long time, not daring to speak.
Yuan Shu?
It was unlikely they could find him.
Although Yuan Wei did not know what had happened to Yuan Shu, the old steward did!
When the household servants returned with news that day, the old steward, fearing that his master could not bear the shock, had suppressed the information.
But now...
"Speak!"
Yuan Wei's weather-beaten eyes stared fixedly at the old steward.
"What happened to Gonglu?"
"This..."
"Thump!"
Under Yuan Wei's sharp gaze, the old steward knelt down with a thud.
"Mas-master, the second young master, the second young master has been captured by the Yellow Turban rebels!"
"???"
As the old steward's words fell, Yuan Wei swayed, his eyes filled with confusion as he repeated:
"What, what did you just say?"
"The second young master, the second young master was captured by the Yellow Turban rebels the night before last!"
"Really?"
"Absolutely true!"
The old steward glanced at Yuan Wei with concern, his voice trembling, "Your servant feared it would affect your health, so... so I never dared to report it!"
"Pfft~!"
After confirming thrice that he had not misheard, Yuan Wei spat out a mouthful of blood!
"Gon-Gonglu, my Gonglu... How could you... Wuwuwu..."
"Master~!"
Hearing Yuan Wei's heartbroken voice, the old steward quickly leaned over.
"Master, you must take care of yourself. The Yuan family cannot do without you!"
"Think of the eldest young master!"
"The eldest young master is still with the allied forces suppressing the rebellion. He still needs your protection!"
"..."
As the old steward's words subsided, the grief in Yuan Wei's eyes gradually faded.
Yes!
Yuan Shu's capture was indeed a significant loss for the Yuan family, but it was not the end of the Yuan family!
There was still Yuan Shao!
Furthermore,
Their good-for-nothing younger son could also be useful in a few more years.
But if he were to die now...
"Hoo~!"
Yuan Wei took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He could not die!
The second generation of the Yuan family had not yet matured, and he, as their uncle, still had to persevere.
After all,
His two elder brothers had already gone to meet their ancestors for the sake of the Yuan family.
He could not follow so quickly!
Otherwise,
When their ancestors asked about the current state of the Yuan family, how would he answer?
Would he say the Yuan family was gone?
He dared not!
Nor did he want to!
They say dynasties last a hundred years and noble families a thousand. How could his Yuan family disappear so quickly?
"Someone~!"
Having mustered his strength, Yuan Wei said with a grave tone:
"Go and invite Mr. Wang. Tell him Yuan has something to discuss!"
"Yes!"
Sensing his master's intentions, the old steward hurried off to find Wang Yue.
Although, in his heart, he held little hope.
After all,
Nearly two days had passed since Yuan Shu was abducted.
Rescuing him now?
It was a long shot!
Those aristocratic scions captured by the Yellow Turban rebels had, so far, not survived.
But he dared not say anything!
Who was to blame but himself?
If he had reported it the day the second young master was abducted, there might have been a sliver of a chance.
Soon,
Wang Yue, having received the report, arrived in the main hall with a few disciples to meet Yuan Wei.
He had initially thought Yuan Wei wanted him to protect the Yuan family as they fled.
In this regard,
Wang Yue was not only mentally prepared but had also gathered his disciples.
He wouldn't claim to be able to do anything else,
But he, Wang Yue, had the confidence to protect a few people and break through enemy lines.
However,
After hearing Yuan Wei's request, Wang Yue's expression turned somewhat stunned.
"Go, go to the Yellow Turban rebels to rescue someone?"
"That's right!"
Yuan Wei nodded affirmatively, his tone carrying a hint of entreaty. "Mr. Wang, I know this is very dangerous, but you can rest assured!"
"You don't need to rescue him!"
"As long as you can find out whether Gonglu is alive or dead, a general's position will be yours!"
"General?"
Hearing Yuan Wei's promise, Wang Yue shrugged noncommittally.
As a historical figure renowned for his ambition for office, Wang Yue was indeed very eager to be an official.
But was a general considered an official?
Not really, was it?
Only during wartime would one have some soldiers under command; otherwise, it was purely a sinecure, wasn't it?
Besides,
With his martial prowess, would Wang Yue need to beg and plead to become a military official?
"Governor!"
As if sensing Wang Yue's disdain, Yuan Wei immediately changed his offer.
"As long as you bring back the news, you can choose any prefecture outside of the rebel-controlled territories to be its governor!"
"Hmm..."
As Yuan Wei's words fell, Wang Yue's eyes lit up.
He was indeed not interested in being a general.
But a governor, that was acceptable!
Compared to a general who could only command tens of thousands of men, a governor who held the lives and deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in a prefecture clearly held much greater actual power.
Moreover,
Yuan Wei's request was not unreasonable. It was merely to inquire about information.
He wasn't being asked to rescue someone!
If it was about rescuing Yuan Shu, Wang Yue might have hesitated.
But merely inquiring about information.
Done!
With his mind made up, Wang Yue stepped forward and bowed slightly to Yuan Wei.
"Grand Commandant, please rest assured, I will go outside the city to gather information immediately!"
"However..."
At this point, Wang Yue paused, his expression somewhat troubled. "This trip might take an unknown amount of time. If you plan to break through, I can only ask my disciples to assist in defense!"
"It's alright!"
Hearing Wang Yue's concern, Yuan Wei waved his hand dismissively.
"Mr. Wang, you can go and gather information with peace of mind. We will be protected by the soldiers if we break through, so we won't trouble you personally!"
"That's fine then!"
Seeing that Yuan Wei did not seem to be refusing, Wang Yue could only nod.
There was no other way!
Although Wang Yue was desperate to become an official, he wasn't so cheap as to do it for free.
He believed in quid pro quo!
Since Yuan Wei did not need his assistance, he saw no reason to insist.
Thus,
After bidding farewell to Yuan Wei and the others, Wang Yue, accompanied by his disciples, personally left the city.
As for those Yellow Turban rebels?
Don't be absurd!
As the foremost swordsman in the world, where could Wang Yue not go in this entire Han Dynasty?