The Yellow Turban rebels' internal meeting was, for the time being, unknown to the imperial army.
However,
From the subtle clues over the past few days, Lu Zhi still sensed something was amiss.
Because the Yellow Turban rebels had actually retreated!
In the past, they were always the ones to proactively cross the river and provoke. Now, they hadn't shown up once?
What were they planning?
Were they waiting to die?
Or did they have some hidden trump card?
Thinking of this,
On the third day of Qin Feng's arrival, Lu Zhi also convened a joint army conference.
The topic of the meeting was simple.
Should they fight?
Or continue to wait!
After briefly introducing the recent situation, Lu Zhi was the first to ask:
"Gentlemen, what do you think? Should we continue to wait for the Yellow Turban rebels to attack, or should we strike first?"
"Commander Lu!"
Before anyone else could speak, Qin Feng, with a 'snap', opened his fan.
"Let me state first, I am not afraid of battle, but given the current situation, is there any need for us to attack proactively?"
"That's right!"
"Indeed, there's no need!"
"Even if it's just a war of attrition in terms of supplies, those Yellow Turban rebels are no match for us!"
As Qin Feng's words fell, those present echoed his sentiments.
They weren't warmongers!
If they could repel the Yellow Turbans without bloodshed, who would be willing to engage in a pitched battle?
In this regard,
Lu Zhi, as the leader of the joint army, naturally understood, but he also had his own difficulties.
As the saying goes, a thief can steal for a thousand days, but a guard can only guard for a thousand days.
The Yellow River banks were so vast!
What if those Yellow Turban rebels, taking advantage of their inattention, crossed the river at some point?
If they really crossed and attacked them, there would still be room for maneuver.
But what if they directly attacked Hulao Pass and then broke into Luoyang City?
"Heh heh~!"
As Lu Zhi voiced his concerns, before Qin Feng could speak, a fat man beside him chuckled.
"Master Lu, do you perhaps underestimate the brothers at Hulao Pass?"
"Putting aside other matters!"
"If those Yellow Turban rebels dare to attack Hulao Pass, they can hold it for three to five days."
"If we then envelop them from behind, wouldn't it be a decisive victory?"
As the fat man's words fell, a series of echoes arose from his side.
"Exactly!"
"Governor Ding's words are reasonable!"
"Even if the commander at Hulao Pass is incompetent, they can still hold out for three to five days, right?"
"Governor Ding?"
Hearing the others address the fat man, Qin Feng's eyes narrowed. The next moment, he smiled and cupped his fists.
"Are you by any chance, Governor of Bing Province, Ding Yuan, Lord Ding?"
"Oh?"
Facing Qin Feng's greeting, Ding Yuan, though displeased, still raised his hand and clasped his fists.
"This old man is Ding Yuan. I wonder what guidance Governor Qin has?"
"Guidance is too much to ask for!"
Seeing Ding Yuan's unpleasant expression, Qin Feng's gaze turned cold.
"I've long heard that Governor Ding commands a fierce general named Lu Bu. Why do I not see him?"
"Could it be..."
"That Governor Ding is being stingy and does not intend to let that fierce general serve our Great Han?"
"You?!"
Ding Yuan, who already disliked Lu Bu, now also detested Qin Feng.
"You surnamed Qin, this seems to be my private affair, what business is it of yours?!"
"Well said, private affair!"
Hearing Ding Yuan's retort, Qin Feng let out a cold laugh. With a 'whoosh', he stood up and cupped his fists towards the direction of the imperial palace.
"Without the protection of my Great Han imperial court, where would your Ding family be?"
"But now?"
"The Great Han is in distress, and you have a fierce general under you, yet you do not bring him. What are your intentions?"
"You, me..."
Although Ding Yuan was a civil official, he was not good with words.
Therefore,
After being cut off twice by Qin Feng, he didn't know how to respond.
Seeing this,
Lu Zhi, though also displeased, had to step forward to mediate.
"Governor Qin, Governor Ding, you are all officials of the same court. Let's speak calmly."
"Hmph~!"
Ding Yuan, seizing the opportunity to disengage, snorted coldly, but showed no intention of admitting defeat.
"I am ashamed to serve in the same court as a leader of rebels!"
"Farewell!"
With that, he strode out of the command tent without looking at the displeased faces of the others.
"Damn it!"
"Who do you call a leader of rebels?"
Watching Ding Yuan's retreating back, Qin Feng seemed to have been insulted. He also flicked his sleeve.
"Forget it, forget it!"
"Since no one welcomes me, I shall return to You Province this afternoon!"
"Hey?"
"Don't!"
Those who had echoed Ding Yuan's sentiments were initially somewhat pleased.
But hearing Qin Feng say this, they immediately became anxious.
You're returning to You Province?
We were counting on your two thousand elite cavalry for rapid reinforcement. If you leave, what will we do?
Although the cavalry from Bing Province and Liang Province were also present, their numbers were too small.
Bing Province had three thousand Wolf Riders, and Liang Province had just over two thousand. Combined, they weren't even enough to feed the Yellow Turbans.
Therefore,
Seeing Qin Feng also stand up as if to leave, everyone quickly rose to persuade him.
"Governor Qin, that fellow Ding Yuan speaks without thinking, please don't take it to heart!"
"Yes!"
"Governor Qin, our forces are already insufficient. If you leave, what will we do!"
"..."
Seeing Yuan Shao and Lu Zhi and others trying to persuade him, a cold smile flashed across Qin Feng's lips. He then took his seat again.
"Gentlemen, it's not that I am narrow-minded, but that old scoundrel's words were too infuriating!"
"Am I wrong?"
"Who in Bing Province doesn't know of Lu Bu's ferocity? It is a time of urgent need to defend the emperor, so why doesn't he bring him?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing Qin Feng mention Lu Bu several times, Yuan Shao and Lu Zhi and others became interested.
"Governor Qin, what is so special about this Lu Bu you speak of?"
"Lu Bu?"
Seeing that everyone had taken the bait, Qin Feng didn't keep them waiting any longer and began to praise Lu Bu profusely.
He spoke of him being called the Flying General of Bing Province, a Little Li Guang, whose three thousand Wolf Riders were invincible.
Qin Feng exaggerated as much as possible, using descriptions from both history and fiction.
Finally,
Qin Feng smacked his lips, seemingly still unsatisfied, and added a sentence.
"It is precisely because of this; Lu Bu is too outstanding, hence he is targeted by that scoundrel Ding Yuan."
"A warrior, leading troops into battle, campaigning everywhere."
"And do you know what position he was given?"
Yuan Shao, playing along, asked: "What position?"
"Chief Clerk!"
"What?"
Let alone Yuan Shao and Lu Zhi, who understood military matters, even those who didn't understood what a Chief Clerk was.
Isn't that a civil official?
"That's right!"
As if sensing the confusion in everyone's hearts, Qin Feng confirmed:
"Lu Bu is currently leading troops with the position of a civil official. And do you know?"
"What else?"
Yuan Shao and the others were now completely intrigued, asking with anticipation:
"Governor Qin, has Ding Yuan devised some other way to suppress Lu Bu?"
"Indeed!"
With Yuan Shao's prompting, Qin Feng became more animated, and couldn't help but slap the table before him with a 'bang'.
"Lu Bu is not a fool, why would a warrior like him honestly become a civil official?"
"This is where Ding Yuan's cleverness lies!"
"He actually made him call him father!"
Yuan Shao: "???"
Lu Zhi: "???"