Zhang Xin’s expression stiffened when he saw Liu Hua.
“General, since you’re at the door, why don’t you come in?” Liu Hua asked, puzzled, then her eyes lit up as she saw Zhang Ning in Zhang Xin’s arms.
“Oh? This little girl is so beautiful, where did she come from?”
Forget it, if I die, I die.
Zhang Xin took a deep breath, walked quickly into the bedroom, and sat Zhang Ning down on the bed.
“You wait here for a moment.”
Zhang Ning nodded.
Zhang Xin returned to the courtyard and pulled Liu Hua aside.
Liu Hua looked puzzled.
“Hua Jie, things have changed.”
Zhang Xin whispered the situation to her.
“What did you say?” Liu Hua raised her voice, “Didn’t you tell me…?”
“Oh, oh, oh, quiet down.” Zhang Xin quickly pulled Liu Hua.
“Before, when you were a Yellow Turban, that was under duress. As long as you left, the court wouldn’t pursue it.”
Liu Hua was not an ignorant young girl. She urgently whispered, “Now you want to be a Qu Shuai of the Yellow Turbans? That’s a bandit chief! That’s a death sentence! Do you understand?”
“I understand.” Zhang Xin said helplessly, “But General Zhang Bao has threatened to commit suicide, so I really have no choice but to be this Qu Shuai…”
Liu Hua fell silent at his words.
The Han Dynasty’s customs inherited from the Spring and Autumn period, where people valued righteousness over life.
In the Han Dynasty, it was acceptable for a person to break the law, but as long as what you did was in line with righteousness, even a serious crime like murder could be pardoned.
Conversely, if your actions were not in line with righteousness, even if they were legal and compliant, you would be so criticized that you could never hold your head high again.
For example, Dian Wei, in his early years, heard that a friend had an enemy, so he single-handedly killed his friend’s enemy and his wife, then fled.
Later, when Zhang Miao, who was then the Administrator of Chenliu, heard about this, he not only did not pursue Dian Wei for the murder but also recruited him into the army.
Because in the eyes of people at that time, killing for a friend was an act of righteousness, a complete political correctness.
Another example is Tang Zhou. As a disciple of Zhang Jiao, he reported Zhang Jiao to the court. Although he reported a major rebellion, it was a real act of disloyalty and unfilial conduct.
From the records in historical texts, it can also be seen that after Tang Zhou’s betrayal, he was neither heavily relied upon nor rewarded by the court, but silently disappeared into history. It’s unknown whether he went into hiding under a false name or was directly killed by the court.
If Zhang Xin truly forced Zhang Bao to his death, people would not praise him for refusing to serve a rebel; instead, they would curse him for being ungrateful.
Once such a matter spread, his reputation would immediately be ruined. Not to mention others, even Liu Hua would be the first to look down on him.
“Since that’s the case…” Liu Hua sighed deeply, “Then you take your wife and go. I will stay here and await the Han army’s entry into the city.”
Zhang Xin’s heart sank.
She’s even started referring to herself as ‘I’ (instead of ‘concubine’), it seems she’s really angry.
“Sister…”
“Don’t say anything more.” Liu Hua interrupted, “You saved my life, and I served you with my body. Our debt of gratitude is cleared. How can I, a daughter of the Liu clan of Hejian, humble myself to serve a rebel?”
“If you try to force me to leave, then kill me!”
After speaking, Liu Hua turned her head away, no longer paying attention to Zhang Xin.
“Hua Jie, don’t be angry.” Zhang Xin coaxed gently, “General Zhang Bao appointed me as Qu Shuai not to continue fighting the court, but to save the lives of some Yellow Turbans. He said that if the court offers amnesty in the future, I can accept it.”
Liu Hua showed hesitation.
Zhang Xin struck while the iron was hot, “Now is not the time to discuss this. If the Han army enters the city, they will surely massacre the common people. When tens of thousands of bloodthirsty soldiers rush in, who will recognize whether you are from the Liu clan of Hejian?”
Liu Hua trembled at his words, seemingly imagining the scene after the Han army broke through the city.
Ancient common people were actually very afraid of armies. An army with poor discipline was almost indistinguishable from bandits.
Especially since Liu Hua was a woman of considerable beauty, if she encountered undisciplined soldiers, her fate would be imaginable.
Seeing this, Zhang Xin grabbed Liu Hua.
“Come with me quickly.”
Liu Hua half-heartedly followed Zhang Xin back to the bedroom.
Zhang Ning saw the two return, and her large eyes curiously watched them.
“Tonight, I’ll trouble Hua Jie to look after my sister.” Zhang Xin instructed, then skillfully put on his armor and dragged a box from under the bed.
Opening the box, a set of horse tack lay quietly inside.
A high-backed saddle and double stirrups.
The importance of these two items goes without saying. Zhang Xin had made this set of horse tack precisely so that one day, he could increase his chances of escape.
Zhang Xin went to the courtyard, changed into the horse tack, and had Liu Hua hold Zhang Ning on the horse, while he led the horse in front.
Liu Hua put her feet into the stirrups, as if she felt something, and a look of surprise appeared in her eyes. But then, remembering that Zhang Xin was already a Qu Shuai of the Yellow Turbans, she snorted coldly and turned her head away.
Zhang Xin no longer paid attention to her, but quickly found Zuo Bao and his two thousand troops.
Zuo Bao saw Zhang Xin and cupped his fists, saying, “General pays respects to Qu Shuai. The two thousand troops at the South Gate have already assembled.”
After speaking, Zuo Bao returned the military tally to Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin took the military tally and looked at the Yellow Turban Soldiers lined up on the street, shouting loudly:
“Form ranks!”
The Yellow Turban Soldiers quickly lined up in unison.
These soldiers had all been trained by Zhang Xin using modern military training methods. Their combat effectiveness might be debatable, but their obedience was first-rate.
Zuo Bao stared dumbfounded at the two thousand soldiers, who moved as one, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “I know why General Zhang Bao insisted on making Qu Shuai the commander!”
Zhang Xin smiled slightly, “Zuo Bao.”
“General is here.” Zuo Bao cupped his fists.
“Did you bring incendiary materials?”
“I did.”
Zhang Xin nodded, “You lead five hundred soldiers to ambush inside the East Gate. Lay out many incendiary materials. If the Han army comes to take the city, you will set it on fire. Afterward, do not linger in battle; quickly exit through the West Gate and rendezvous with me.”
“Understood!”
Zuo Bao received the order and left with five hundred soldiers.
“Sit!”
The remaining fifteen hundred soldiers sat down in unison.
“You all wait here for a moment. I will be back shortly.”
After giving his instructions, Zhang Xin led a team of personal guards to the North Gate.
At the North Gate, dozens of carriages were parked in the middle of the road, piled high with boxes. Countless Yellow Turban Soldiers were squeezed on both sides, constantly grumbling.
Zhang Xin frowned and casually grabbed a soldier.
“Go, call Li Le over and tell him Zhang Xin is looking for him.”
The soldier saw Zhang Xin on horseback, in iron armor, with personal guards behind him, and dared not delay. He acknowledged the order and hurried away.
A moment later, Li Le ran over, sweating profusely.
“Qu Shuai.”
“What’s going on?” Zhang Xin pointed at the carriages with a frown, “Why are there still so many boxes?”
“These are all the valuables from the homes of the Qu Shuai and Little Commander…”
Zhang Xin interrupted, “We are breaking out, not going on a trip. What’s the point of bringing so much wealth? If our lives are lost, what good is more money? Just keep a few carriages for people to ride in, and push all the rest aside!”
“But if the other Qu Shuai ask…” Li Le said with difficulty.
Zhang Xin said sternly, “If they have objections, tell them to come find me!”
“Understood!” Li Le cupped his fists and left.
Soon, the carriages were pushed aside, and the disorderly soldiers slowly formed ranks under Li Le’s shouts.
Seeing this, Zhang Xin entrusted Liu Hua and Zhang Ning to Li Le’s protection and had someone call Zhang Niujiao and Hu Cai over.