Chapter 62: Please, Great Han, Go to Your Death

—The momentum of offense and defense has shifted.

The various commanders of the Yellow Turban Army never expected that things would turn around so rapidly.

They had only just won a great victory!

Could such a great victory be completely reversed simply because of the arrival of Gu Xi?

There was restlessness among the various factions of the Yellow Turbans.

There were even instances of followers binding their own commanders to come and surrender!

For the entire Yellow Turban Army, this dealt a fatal blow.

Yecheng.

The atmosphere was slightly heavy.

A group of Yellow Turban commanders were reporting the recent situation before Zhang Jiao.

"Lord of the Way, the followers on all sides are now panicked; the situation is precarious and difficult to control."

One commander was full of anxiety, his voice carrying an undisguisable tremor, like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

"Among the followers, legends about the Honorable Gu are spreading rapidly; no matter how hard we try, we cannot contain them."

"In these days, there have been cases of followers defecting to the enemy, and the numbers are growing. If this continues, what are we to do?"

"Lord of the Way, followers under my command have already requested to retreat; they are unwilling to fight against the Honorable Gu."

The commanders spoke one after another about the recent situation, and every face was filled with unease.

Not to mention the followers under their command, in truth, even they themselves had been affected.

"As expected of the Honorable Gu." Zhang Jiao sighed softly and remarked, "With such prestige, who in the world can compare?"

"Lord of the Way, what exactly should we do? Should we retreat?" someone asked urgently.

This was the main problem of the Yellow Turban Army: the capabilities of its members were extremely uneven, and it lacked top-tier talent.

In just a few short days, the turmoil in people's hearts had completely spread to the commanders.

"Retreat?" Zhang Jiao frowned immediately, glanced at that commander, and said in a deep voice, "For us, there is only a fight to the death."

"Fight against the Honorable Gu?" The faces of the commanders changed instantly.

Zhang Jiao nodded slightly, scanned the crowd, and continued: "The might of the Honorable Gu is indeed hard to resist. If this continues, our army's morale will surely collapse."

"At that time, our defeat will be like a mountain crumbling."

As he spoke, Zhang Jiao paused, his eyes changing abruptly, "But we only need one battle."

"If our army can defeat the Honorable Gu once, the morale of the Han Army everywhere will surely shatter."

"We will then be able to..."

He slowly stretched out his hand and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, clenched it into a fist, "Strike directly at the heart of the enemy, take Luoyang, and pacify the world!"

The atmosphere changed suddenly.

Everyone stared intently at Zhang Jiao, their eyes flashing with brilliance, their bodies trembling involuntarily.

Greed is one of the fundamental colors of human character.

So is the gambling instinct.

These two simple sentences from Zhang Jiao immediately stirred up the greed in everyone's hearts.

The Yellow Turban forces were numerous, while the Han Army was weak;

Having captured cities and strongholds one after another, the might of the Han Army was nothing more than that;

Gu Xi was already nearly ninety years old;

As long as they charged into Luoyang, regardless of their original status, they would be princes and nobles in the future.

A myriad of thoughts surged in everyone's hearts, and the expressions on their faces changed drastically.

Zhang Jiao looked at them, seemingly seeing through everything, and said again: "Although the Honorable Gu has ability, the Yellow Heaven will also protect us!"

"Pass the order!"

"Send my letter to the Honorable Gu, inviting him to a decisive battle!"

"Also, build an altar; I shall hold a sacrifice among the three armies to boost morale!"

Zhang Jiao's tone became increasingly firm and powerful.

It was as if he could mobilize everyone's emotions; with just a few words, he stirred up the hearts of the crowd.

The news spread instantly.

This was destined to be an event that would shock the world!

Zhang Jiao held a grand sacrificial ceremony at the Zhanghe River, wanting to use this act to completely ignite the morale of the entire Yellow Turban Army.

This move did indeed have some effect.

Superstition and prophecy are the deep-rooted flaws of the current world that can never be erased.

Zhang Jiao clearly intended to use this to boost morale for the great battle, so as to fight Gu Xi in a peak state.

With such a big commotion, Gu Xi naturally received the news.

With his previous experience, Lu Zhi hurriedly came to remind Gu Xi to be careful of Zhang Jiao launching a desperate attack.

But Gu Xi did not say much, simply handing the letter to him and letting him see for himself.

"Hiss..." Looking at the contents of the letter, Lu Zhi gasped, exclaiming in shock: "Grand Tutor, this..."

Facing such a major event, Lu Zhi was indeed a bit nervous.

In fact, he was not such an incompetent person.

But the matter was truly too significant; if a fight really broke out and any accident occurred, it would very likely shake Luoyang.

How could Lu Zhi face it calmly?

"Teacher Lu, may the student take a look?" Liu Bei suddenly spoke from behind him.

Perhaps it was because he had been praised by Gu Xi.

These days, Lu Zhi had kept him by his side, attaching great importance to him.

Hearing this, Lu Zhi looked at Gu Xi, and seeing that Gu Xi did not object, he handed the letter to Liu Bei.

Gu Wei stared at Liu Bei with interest, seemingly wanting to see shock on Liu Bei's face, but Liu Bei's expression did not change.

He only frowned slightly, bowed to Gu Xi, and turned to analyze:

"Grand Tutor, the Yellow Turbans are numerous, and our army is weak."

"If an accident truly occurs, the loss will outweigh the gain."

Gu Wei looked at Liu Bei with interest, feeling a bit of curiosity toward this person who was similar in age to himself.

He had recently come to know quite a few interesting fellows.

Whether it was the few scions of noble families who had followed him before, or the Liu Bei before him.

To Gu Wei, they could all be called dragons and phoenixes among men.

Gu Xi was also listening to Liu Bei's analysis with interest, and he had a deeper judgment of Liu Bei's temperament.

That Liu Bei could say these things at this age was indeed a sign of some talent.

However, to Gu Xi, it was indeed too immature.

The content he spoke was almost entirely an analysis using knowledge from military books combined with the current situation.

After Liu Bei finished speaking, Gu Xi nodded, first expressing his approval.

"What you said is indeed correct."

"In terms of military strategy, our army has just suffered a great defeat, and the enemy is many while we are few; it is not the time to seek battle."

Gu Xi paused, then said faintly: "However, military books always have exceptions."

"Just like now."

He did not continue, instead letting Liu Bei ponder it himself.

He merely waved his hand to let Lu Zhi come over.

Then he leaned into the latter's ear and whispered a few words.

Lu Zhi's expression changed slightly at once.

Immediately, he bowed and took Liu Bei toward the outside of the camp.

"This person is quite a character."

Just as Liu Bei walked out of the tent, Gu Wei could not help but say.

"How does he compare to Cao Mengde, Yuan Gonglu, Yuan Benchu, and the others you mentioned before?"

Gu Xi looked at him and asked softly.

During this time, Gu Wei had been in contact with these people and had already mentioned many names to Gu Xi.

He seemed to have a certain judgment in recognizing people.

He had essentially befriended all these extraordinary people of similar age.

This also had to do with his status; after all, being a member of the Gu family gave him a natural advantage in this regard.

Hearing this, Gu Wei frowned slightly.

After a long silence, he finally shook his head slightly: "As it seems now, each has their own strengths; they cannot be compared."

"Remember the personality traits of these people."

Gu Xi did not care, only using this to educate Gu Wei, "They may be your future opponents or even friends."

"The world today is truly extraordinary."

"I observe that many people have great talent; I expect that what follows will either be great order or great chaos."

"You must not slacken."

Gu Wei nodded slightly, cupped his hands, and replied, "Grandson understands."

"Remember, never be arrogant," Gu Xi said again. "You must know that there is always someone better."

Perhaps because he knew what the Great Han was about to face, Gu Xi placed even greater importance on the education of the sixth generation of the family.

He would not let any opportunity to educate his descendants pass by.

"Grandfather, rest assured, your grandson will certainly not fail your expectations," Gu Wei nodded earnestly and replied.

Subsequently, Gu Xi asked for Gu Wei's opinion on this matter.

Compared to Liu Bei's analysis, Gu Wei's was indeed more specific.

This was perhaps because he was a descendant of the Gu clan.

He understood just how high the reputation of the Gu clan descendants was in Jizhou.

This time, Gu Xi did not say much more.

He only listened to Gu Wei's repeated use of the term "thieves" and said indifferently, "They are not thieves."

Gu Yi had been watching this scene all along, and his heart felt slightly surprised as well.

The sixth generation of the Gu clan had now established certain connections with Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and others; would this serve some wonderful purpose in the future?

His thoughts stirred, and his gaze immediately fell back to Luoyang.

Perhaps because his performance was truly too poor, Gu Chen was the only one among the current sixth-generation direct descendants who had been left in Luoyang.

His performance was indeed extremely poor; despite being nearly fifteen years old, he still had no merits to speak of.

Whether it was in reading or practicing martial arts.

He had not displayed any strengths; the only difference was that he had become a normal person with slightly slow reactions.

This made even Gu Yi feel very surprised.

Judging by the effect of the Longevity Card, the effect of a Profound-grade item should not be limited to just this.

He had once observed Gu Chen carefully.

In fact, Gu Chen was already working extremely hard; he seemed to know the difference between himself and the other family descendants.

In terms of effort, he far exceeded the others.

But even so, it did not allow him to see any obvious changes; just how high were the requirements for attribute growth?

Gu Yi was also unable to fathom it.

But clearly, if this was all the family descendant could do, this Gu Wei might be his next target for manipulation.

On the banks of the Zhanghe.

Dark clouds rolled in, churning like ink.

A wild wind howled, blowing the military banners of both armies until they snapped loudly.

The warhorses let out uneasy neighs, their hooves pawing the ground and kicking up clouds of dust.

The entire bank of the Zhanghe was filled with a towering, murderous aura.

Gu Xi would naturally not refuse Zhang Jiao.

Zhang Jiao needed this opportunity, but how could Gu Xi not need it as well?

If this battle were won, the Yellow Turbans of the world would be destined to be terrified, and at that time, he could directly coordinate the four directions and do what he wished in his heart.

This was a battle destined to be unavoidable!

Gu Xi stood on horseback before the formation of the three armies, staring tightly at the Yellow Turban Army not far away.

His head of hair, white as snow, was like some kind of signal, allowing everyone to clearly realize exactly who it was.

Sure enough, the moment he appeared, a clear commotion arose within the Yellow Turban Army.

The soldiers whispered to one another, their eyes filled with awe and unease.

This was entirely an involuntary reaction on their part.

Although it was quickly stabilized, this small episode still intensified the unease in everyone's hearts.

And just at this moment, Gu Xi suddenly waved his hand.

The next moment, the soldiers behind him shouted in unison, "Lord Gu is here, how dare you not surrender!"

"Do you not fear the wrath of the Heavenly Gods!"

The shouts, aided by the gusts of wild wind, spread rapidly.

They were like sharp blades, piercing straight into the hearts of the Yellow Turban Army.

Gu Xi was absolutely a qualified commander.

If it were said that when he first entered service, Gu Xi still had issues with arrogance.

But after so many years of weathering the storms, he had long since become completely steady.

He would not let any opportunity pass.

Facing any opponent, he would do his utmost to achieve the best result.

Sure enough, once these words were spoken.

The Yellow Turban Army immediately fell into chaos once again.

Zhang Jiao looked at Gu Xi from the opposing formation, his eyes very bright, and he also waved his hand and laughed loudly:

"Lord Gu, at this late hour, why is there any need for more words?"

The fierce warriors of the Yellow Turbans behind him also shouted in unison.

Perhaps because they were too nervous, every one of them used all their strength, their voices deafening!

Zhang Jiao just stared tightly at Gu Xi, staring at the thousands of troops and horses behind him.

"The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall stand!"

Zhang Jiao spoke aloud to himself, slowly raised the Nine-Section Staff in his hand before the three armies, and shouted, "Who among those standing here today has not been forced into becoming an evil ghost by the Azure Heaven?"

"Lord Gu, you are a minister of the state, and I, Jiao, respect you!"

"However, this battle today cannot be avoided."

Zhang Jiao took a deep breath, suddenly tore off the Five-Emperor Coins from his neck as if severing his last attachment, and said aloud:

"Regardless of victory or defeat today, this humble Daoist wants the world to understand one truth, to make the lords of the court and the local powerful clans remember—"

"It is the starving people of the world who are changing the mandate of heaven! It is the desperate people who are establishing the Yellow Heaven! It is the common people of the world who want this corrupt Han dynasty—"

He swung his staff forward violently, the Nine-Section Staff pointing toward the heavens, "To! Die!"

He seemed to have planned all of this long ago, wanting to use Gu Xi to spread these words throughout the world.

The shouting rose again.

The words "Please, Great Han, go to your death" resounded throughout the entire world.

People are always influenced by their environment.

Amidst these deafening shouts, many Yellow Turban followers who were already on the verge of a mental breakdown were truly infected.

Their morale was indeed stabilized.

Zhang Jiao did not waste the opportunity at all and immediately intended to attack.

But at this very moment.

Suddenly, shouts erupted from within the Yellow Turban Army.

"Lord Gu showed great kindness to my family in the past; how can I raise swords and blades against Lord Gu today?"

"That's right! Who among us Jizhou descendants has not received the kindness of the Gu clan? If we raise swords against the Gu today, what face will we have to meet our ancestors in the underworld?"

"Fellow villagers, if we truly swing our blades at Lord Gu, will we still have the face to return to our hometowns?"

"."

These suddenly erupting shouts instantly caused the morale Zhang Jiao had just gathered to stall.

This turn of events far exceeded the past.

For these Yellow Turban soldiers, facing Gu Xi in battle already filled them with fear.

These words simply hooked out the other emotions in everyone's hearts!

In an instant, the Yellow Turban formation fell into great chaos!

This group of people increased at a speed visible to the naked eye, and some even threw down their weapons directly!

In this world, whose family had not received kindness from Gu Xi?

Back then, that was a locust plague that had spread across the Nine Provinces!

—The situation changed in an instant!

Lu Zhi immediately saw the great change in the Yellow Turban Army, and his expression was somewhat complex: "Although this Zhang Jiao is a rebel, he is also a hero."

He sighed first, then cupped his hands toward Gu Xi and said, "Lord Gu's strategy, this subordinate admires."

These people were all sent by him.

The discipline of the Yellow Turban Army was not strict, making these things too simple to accomplish.

"Beat the drums."

Gu Xi's face did not reveal the slightest joy; instead, he sighed softly, his expression carrying a trace of pity, and said indifferently, "Order the attack."

"Warn the three armies: remember, do not kill those who surrender."

"Focus on scattering the enemy troops; never force the common people into a desperate situation."

Lu Zhi did not hesitate at all, immediately cupped his hands to accept the order, his voice resonant and powerful: "Yes!"

Dong... dong... dong.

The sound of stirring war drums instantly rang out.

This move undoubtedly intensified the internal chaos within the Yellow Turban Army once again.

The next moment, the sound of the Han Army soldiers charging rang out.

Behind Gu Xi, Gu Wei, Liu Bei, and the other younger ones had long been rendered speechless by these words from Zhang Jiao.

"Wenyao," Gu Xi glanced at Gu Wei and asked, "Do you still regard them as bandits now?"

Gu Wei remained silent.

Liu Bei also stared intently at those Yellow Turban soldiers, his bright eyes filled with immense complexity.

——————

"In the sixth year of Jianning, Zhang Jiao of Julu rebelled, defeated the General of the Household Lu Zhi, captured Handan, severed the grain transport, and all the commanderies of Jizhou fell.

Jiao dispatched a separate force to raid Henei and spy on Mengjin, causing terror in Luoyang.

At that time, Xi departed Luoyang and composed the 'Memorial to Suppress the Yellow Turbans,' proclaiming to the provinces and commanderies: 'Those who bind their armor and return to their fields shall live; those who kill the surrendered shall have their clans exterminated.'

Once the manifesto reached the world, the Yellow Turban units began to collapse on their own.

There were soldiers who burned talismans at night, weeping and saying, 'During the great plague of Wu'an, Lord Gu saved my young child; how could I turn my blade against my benefactor today?'

They then cast off their armor and fled south, with ten thousand surrendering daily.

When Xi led his troops to Ye, before they could even form battle lines, the Yellow Turbans scattered at the mere sight of them.

In the outskirts of Handan, three thousand men abandoned their spears and knelt in rows, shouting, 'We wish to hold the whip for Lord Gu!' Although Jiao beheaded those who fled and hung their heads beneath his banners, the morale of his army was completely lost, and within ten days, ten thousand had returned to righteousness.

Enraged, Jiao sent a letter challenging them to battle north of the Zhanghe.

When the two armies faced each other, Xi, with his white yak-tail standard and black armor, stood his horse before the lines.

An old soldier from the Yellow Turbans walked out barefoot, bared his abdomen to show his scars, and wept, saying, 'Years ago, when I was dying of illness, Lord Gu sent a physician to provide medicine. I would rather have this body shattered than violate the banner of benevolence!'

Having spoken, he cut his own throat; the entire army wailed, and their spears and halberds were cast to the ground like a forest.

Jiao urged them to fight, but the collapsing soldiers turned and seized his banners instead.

Xi then raised his command flag to advance, and the Youzhou cavalry charged and swept through the ranks.

Jiao's forces suffered a massive rout, with those surrendering covering the fields for thirty miles, and their supply wagons clogging the paths.

Knowing the situation was hopeless, Jiao led his remaining followers to flee under the cover of night.

Upon hearing this, thirty-seven counties in Jizhou returned to the rightful cause within ten days, and those who had bound the puppet officials to surrender lined the roads.

Upon hearing of Jiao's defeat, the various bandit groups in Qingzhou and Xuzhou all tore up their yellow banners, disbanded their followers, and returned to their fields, saying, 'Wherever Lord Gu’s banners point, it is the might of Heaven!'"

——— "Book of the Later Han: Biography of Gu Xi"

(End of this chapter)