After a long moment of stunned silence, the crowd finally understood Qin Feng's intent.
This was essentially him discarding a godson!
Look at what he's saying!
He even made the other person call him father?
This... um?
It seems to be the same thing, doesn't it?
Yuan Shao and Lu Zhi exchanged glances, finding themselves at a loss for words.
Why did the same thing sound so infuriating when it came from Qin Feng?
If he had merely taken a godson, while they might have found Ding Yuan's actions clever, they wouldn't have felt any aversion.
But after Qin Feng's explanation…
Oh?
Not only did you oppress and suppress him, but you also made him call you father?
Are you trying to reach the heavens?
Not to mention the hot-blooded youths like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, even Lu Zhi couldn't remain calm.
"Prefect Qin, are you speaking the truth?"
"Why would I lie to you about this?"
Qin Feng pouted, gesturing outside with his hand, and said with a cold snort:
"A lot of people have come from Bing Province this time, right? Just ask any soldier and you'll find out!"
"That's right!"
Hearing Qin Feng's words, everyone nodded and quickly found excuses to go and inquire.
Why?
Of course!
Such a fiercely capable general, who had suffered so much oppression, if they could bring him to their side...
Slurp!
It's so tempting!
Even if they couldn't recruit him, making an acquaintance might be useful in the future.
After all,
The world was clearly descending into chaos, and military commanders, especially those who could lead troops into battle, would be highly sought after in the future.
Otherwise, how could Lu Zhi have risen to his position?
Even with his great reputation, the Yang and Yuan families would generally not give up.
But he was undeniably skilled in warfare!
Not only was he skilled in warfare,
He was also a loyal supporter of the emperor with a clean background, not having been courted by other noble families.
This made him even more coveted.
Since they themselves were unlikely to rise to power, it was better to owe him a favor.
What if there was an opportunity in the future?
Therefore,
Although Lu Zhi was tempted, he forcefully suppressed the urge to snatch him away.
Never mind!
It didn't matter which noble family obtained him, as long as he temporarily obeyed their command.
As for anything else?
He couldn't afford to provoke it!
Soon,
The people who had gone out returned together, each with a strange expression on their faces.
Because,
What Qin Feng had said was basically true; Lu Bu was indeed as valiant in Bing Province as he had described.
Even the parts that were slightly inaccurate were merely exaggerations.
All in all,
Lu Bu was a peerless, formidable general buried in Bing Province!
But,
Why?
While they were being led by Qin Feng, they hadn't realized it, but now that everyone had had time to react.
Was Lu Bu strong?
Very strong!
If so,
Why would Qin Feng, who discovered him first, so generously share this information with them?
Was he truly doing good deeds?
"Prefect Qin~!"
Yuan Shao, who had always disliked beating around the bush, asked directly:
"Since this Lu Bu is so valiant, have you never considered recruiting him?"
"I have considered it!"
Qin Feng had anticipated their question long ago, and he explained without batting an eye:
"Unfortunately, I didn't succeed!"
"Despite such suppression, Lu Bu remained so loyal to that scoundrel Ding Yuan!"
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have directly approached Ding Yuan to bring Lu Bu here!"
"Hmm…"
Hearing Qin Feng's perfectly reasonable explanation, Yuan Shao and the others suddenly understood.
Indeed!
A peerless, formidable general might be present, but it wasn't as simple as saying you wanted to recruit him.
You also had to consider his attitude!
However,
Even with Ding Yuan's treatment, Lu Bu remained so loyal?
"A loyal and righteous Lu Fengxian indeed!"
Yuan Shao, believing he understood everything, couldn't help but shake his head and exclaim:
"Such a formidable general, and Prefect Ding doesn't know how to cherish him, it's truly a shame!"
"Who says not?" Qin Feng added fuel to the fire:
"Lu Fengxian alone is worth a thousand soldiers, but alas, he has no connection with my You Province!"
"Heh heh…"
Hearing Qin Feng's sigh, Yuan Shao and the others chuckled without comment.
For them, this was not a problem!
Or rather,
The more loyal Lu Bu was, the more he was worth recruiting to them.
What?
He won't be swayed?
Impossible.
Although they didn't know the famous sayings of later generations, they believed in one principle.
There was no one in this world who wouldn't betray!
Besides,
If it really didn't work out, there was no need to make him betray Ding Yuan!
He could simply be borrowed.
The imperial decree that Qin Feng and the others found difficult to obtain was easily accessible to the noble families.
Merely a chief clerk!
They didn't believe that Ding Yuan, that old scoundrel, would dare to refuse if an imperial decree was issued.
As for who would ultimately recruit him?
It would depend on their own capabilities!
But no matter what, Yuan Shao firmly believed that his Yuan family was the most likely candidate.
Thus,
The topic of Lu Bu and Ding Yuan came to an end, and everyone dispersed and left.
But no one realized.
This meeting, which was originally intended to address the Yellow Turban rebels, had been subtly steered off course by Qin Feng.
And so,
The Yellow Turban rebels continued their actions, gradually crossing the river under the cover of night.
Qin Feng's scouts did discover something amiss, but he suppressed it.
Let them fight!
The fiercer the fight, the better!
If the Yellow Turban rebels could truly overthrow the Han dynasty, he wouldn't mind being an accomplice.
After all,
As long as he didn't bear the infamy of a traitor, recruiting people would still be easy.
At that time,
He could erect a monument to avenge Emperor Ling, and in an instant, he could suppress the Yellow Turban rebels.
Emperor Ling: "Thank you very much!"
...
Yellow Turban camp,
Commander's tent,
General of Earth, Zhang Bao, was pacing back and forth, seemingly waiting for something.
However,
Before the long-awaited news arrived, he was met with a complaint from his third brother.
"Second Brother, can you stop pacing? You're making me dizzy!"
"???"
Zhang Bao's steps halted, and he turned his head to glare at his third brother, who was still drinking.
"All you do is drink, drink, drink. You know there's a major operation tonight, don't you?"
"Uh?"
Scolded abruptly, Zhang Liang, feeling wronged, pointed to the side.
"Didn't you tell me to come have a couple of drinks?"
"Uh…"
Reminded by Zhang Liang, Zhang Bao patted his head, and this time he came back to his senses.
Indeed!
Having received good news during the day, he had wanted to have a drink with his third brother tonight.
But who knew,
Just as their drinks were being served, another piece of good news arrived.
Their men had infiltrated Hulao Pass!
Could they still wait?
Drink more wine?
Drink what!
Let's drink celebratory wine after the battle!
And so,
After a series of orders were issued, Zhang Bao was here waiting for the army to assemble.
They intended to sneak over under the cover of night and quietly reach Hulao Pass!
What?
What if they were discovered?
Did they really think they had been idle these past few days? They had already infiltrated countless brothers.
It could be said that they had already occupied the area outside Hulao Pass.
As soon as Zhang Bao gave the order,
With the cooperation of their inside informant, that famously difficult-to-attack, yet easy-to-defend strategic pass would be within their grasp!
And with Hulao Pass in hand,
They could strike directly at Luoyang from within, and from without, they could hold the allied forces at Sishui.
The great cause of Yellow Heaven was within reach!
How could he not be excited?
How could he not be happy?
Even,
Zhang Bao was so excited now that he wanted to slap his foolish younger brother.
Can't you see how busy I am?
Still drinking!