Upon hearing this, Liu Jin quickly reached out to take the letter and examined it carefully.
The content was very simple: Prefect Wen Shu first praised his military achievements in Yi County, stating that they had already been recorded.
He then instructed Liu Jin to lead his troops to Zhuo Commandery; if he could eliminate the Yellow Turbans outside the city, his merits would be elevated by another degree, and the court would be petitioned for his reward.
A wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth; although his military achievements in Yi County were recognized, without reporting them to the imperial court, there would ultimately be no real benefit.
These were basically empty promises, but he had no way to refuse; to climb higher, he had to gain Wen Shu's approval.
As long as he performed well, with Wen Shu's status as a Two-Thousand-Stone official, reporting the results would surely secure him the position of Thousand-Stone Sima.
Looking at the personal guards beside him, he issued an order!
“Order all Generals in the army to come to the main tent for a discussion.”
After saying this, Liu Jin walked towards the main army tent.
He then sat alone at the head seat, lost in thought!
Tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans were currently gathered outside Zhuo Commandery; he feared it would not be so simple to eliminate them.
He could only take it one step at a time, first observing the enemy's formation.
Outside the main tent, footsteps were heard, and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Zhao Ergou, Wu Xing, and others arrived together.
Upon seeing Liu Jin, they quickly bowed and greeted him as Military Marquis.
Liu Jin waved his hand, signaling everyone to take their seats on either side.
These individuals were his trusted confidants; as for the former yamen runners and the one company of soldiers from the city, they had been returned to the county magistrate after the battle.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, he began to speak!
“News has come from the commandery; Prefect Wen Shu wants me to lead my troops to Zhuo Commandery to rendezvous with the city's forces and find a way to deal with the Yellow Turbans outside the city.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of everyone in the tent lit up with fervor, looking incredibly excited.
Zhang Fei grinned and laughed heartily!
“Big Brother, I’m already getting impatient. Ever since we pacified the Yellow Turbans in Yi County, staying in the barracks all day has almost bored me to death. Thankfully, news has come from the commandery, and we can finally go to battle and kill enemies.”
Zhao Ergou chuckled!
“Third Brother is right; my spear is already itching for action.”
Guan Yu, Han Dang, Wu Xing, and others, though not as impatient as Zhang Fei and Zhao Ergou, showed their inner turmoil through their fervent gazes.
Liu Jin looked at their eager expressions and smiled wryly; they truly were a group of warmongers.
He immediately waved his hand to signal them not to get too excited, and his voice continued!
“If that is the case, then begin to organize the army, prepare the military provisions, and head to Zhuo Commandery to resolve the Yellow Turban crisis.”
“Furthermore, send someone to inform the Yi County magistrate that our army will soon march north to support Zhuo Commandery, and instruct him to properly guard the city to prevent any Yellow Turban unrest.”
Everyone in the hall nodded and went down to assemble their respective troops.
The entire military camp was filled with constant noise, and the sound of assembly bugles echoed everywhere.
Soon, all the troops in the army were assembled, totaling one company of five hundred men, plus a thousand militiamen.
Liu Jin rode his black horse, surrounded by his Generals, leading the army out of the camp.
After traveling a short distance, he saw over a hundred people ahead, transporting carts of supplies, heading towards them.
The person leading them was none other than County Magistrate Fan Fang, who, with a smile on his face, rode forward on his horse, cupped his fists, and said loudly!
“Wen Yi, you are going to Zhuo Commandery this time. I have nothing good to send you off with, so I have prepared three thousand stones of provisions as a gift. I hope this battle will be a great victory, and that you will pacify the Yellow Turbans in the commandery soon.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin felt a surge of emotion; he hadn't expected Fan Fang to present him with a batch of provisions to aid his campaign against the rebels when he was leaving Yi County.
A smile appeared on his face, and he quickly cupped his fists, politely saying!
“Thank you, Brother Boru, for your assistance.”
“After we pacify the Yellow Turban bandits, I will come to Yi County to drink and converse with Brother Boru.”
Fan Fang stroked his beard and said with a smile!
“Wen Yi, you said it! Don't let your fame spread throughout the north and become a pillar of the imperial court, only to forget a friend like me.”
Liu Jin laughed heartily at these words, saying cheerfully!
“Brother Boru, your kindness has been etched in my heart; how could I ever forget?”
Fan Fang nodded with a smile, then immediately instructed the people behind him!
“Quickly bring up the provisions you’ve brought.”
Over a hundred people were seen transporting dozens of ox carts and horse-drawn carriages, arriving beside the army.
Liu Jin had no intention of being modest; with over a thousand troops under his command, the daily consumption of food for both men and horses was enormous, and these provisions were indeed necessary to sustain the army.
He immediately ordered those around him to take the provisions.
After the matter was settled, Liu Jin and Fan Fang chatted for a few moments before bidding farewell and departing.
The thousand-strong army continued its march, proceeding north along the official road.
Riding on his horse, Fan Fang watched the gradually disappearing figures, feeling a deep sense of emotion.
Although he hadn't known Liu Jin for long, he could discern his character: ambitious, strategically brilliant, and certainly not an ordinary person.
Especially the battle outside the city, where he, with a few hundred men, annihilated two or three thousand Yellow Turban bandits, leaving Fan Fang both shocked and greatly impressed.
Given the impending chaos across the land, with Yellow Turbans sweeping through all of Hebei, if Liu Jin could distinguish himself, there was a high possibility he could rise during the turmoil and become a renowned General.
Befriending him would certainly have no drawbacks, and might even lead to unexpected gains.
After a moment of reflection, Fan Fang waved his horse whip and led his entourage back towards the county town.
His duty was to guard Yi County well, and no mistakes could be made.
Outside Zhuo Commandery, in the Yellow Turban camp!
Cheng Yuanzhi sat at the head seat, drinking and feasting with his subordinates, the chieftains.
In the center of the tent, there were even alluring women dancing gracefully, showcasing their exquisite charm, with every glance and smile captivating and enchanting.
The chieftains on both sides looked at the fair, exposed legs, their eyes filled with greed, drooling, wishing they could embrace them and lavish them with affection.
Cheng Yuanzhi, sitting at the head seat, saw the greedy expressions of his subordinate Generals and smiled.
To make his subordinates fight for him, he naturally had to reward them well.
He immediately clapped his hands and said loudly!
“Stop dancing, quickly take your seats.”
Upon receiving the order, the women immediately twisted their slender waists and went to the side of the chieftains, gracefully holding up wine cups to serve them.
Everyone felt incredibly pleased after experiencing such attentive service.
In their daily lives, they were just farmers; besides tilling the fields, they had never enjoyed such treatment.
They were very satisfied, feeling that joining the Yellow Turbans was indeed more enjoyable.
Just then, urgent footsteps were heard from outside the main tent, and a small chieftain walked in, flustered.
Cheng Yuanzhi frowned and asked in a cold voice!
“What is the matter, why are you so flustered?”
The arriving Yellow Turban small chieftain's face was pale, and he stammered!
“Reporting to Qu Shuai, Deputy General Deng Mao was killed in Yi County by a General named Liu Jin, and his soldiers were mostly annihilated, with only a few escaping.”