Chapter Six: The Yellow Turbans Attack

Thunder rumbled across the sky, and snowflakes drifted down in a gentle cascade, blanketing the world in pure white. Yet no one dared to lower their guard. News had arrived that the Yellow Turban Army was fast approaching the city. Zifan stood by the window, gazing at the breathtaking scene, but his heart was heavy with worry. General Liang of the Yellow Turbans was commanding twenty thousand troops to attack Liangzhou.

I must find a way to defeat them...

But with only five thousand soldiers within the city walls, what hope was there?

A messenger burst in. "General—"

"There is an old friend at the gate who wishes to see you. He calls himself Pang Tong."

"An old friend? Bring him in at once," Zifan replied.

“Zifan, how have you been? It’s been a long time—you’ve become a general! I wonder if you still remember your old friends?” The man wore the long robe of a scholar, his face was plain and even ugly, but his eyes were bright with intelligence. He was no stranger—without hesitation, he sat down beside the wine jar.

“Pang Tong, you’re Pang Tong...”

A glint of cunning flashed in Zifan’s eyes. At last, a great catch had walked right into his net.

“Zifan, now that you’re a general, do you not recognize your old friends? I heard the Yellow Turbans were coming, so I came specifically to help you.”

“How could I forget an old friend? Please, come in, come in...”

“No need for courtesy, Zifan. The Yellow Turbans are upon us—fierce and hostile. I wonder if you have a sound strategy to resist the enemy?”

“Alas... I am ashamed. I have yet to come up with a plan. Brother Pang Tong, do you have any good ideas to help me defeat the Yellow Turbans?”

Pang Tong smiled. “Do not fret, do not fret. I already have a way to break the enemy, but I will need your assistance.”

“Oh? What do you require? Just say the word and I shall see to it at once.” Zifan’s face lit up with joy.

“I need five hundred oxen, and cannons as well. Please prepare them quickly.”

“Could it be, brother Pang Tong, that you plan to use the Fire Ox Formation? But isn't that tactic long lost?” Zifan’s expression froze in surprise.

“A recluse always has his own clever tricks. Just prepare what I ask, Zifan, and leave the rest to me,” Pang Tong replied, secretly pleased with himself.

The Yellow Turbans were about to attack...

A general must never shy from the battlefield.

At dawn, Zifan arrived at the camp. His gaze was sharp as an eagle’s; his features, chiseled and strikingly handsome, were set in a stern expression.

The drums thundered.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

War drums resounded, battle songs arose.

Wind, wind, wind—

The Yellow Turbans are at the pass! Men of Youzhou, where are you?

Step forward, all who are willing to fight to the death and never retreat!

This battle is not for the court, but for the people. To protect our heritage—those willing to stand at the front, arise!

“We stand with the general!”

“Are you all willing to fight the enemy and defend our home?”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

“Kill the Yellow Turbans! Kill the Yellow Turbans! Defend Youzhou!”

“Protect our people!”

“Guard Youzhou! Preserve our civilization!”

“Let our blood stain our blades, but never yield. Let not the yellow blood taint our city.”

“We will not disgrace the sons of Huaxia!”

“We swear to protect our nation’s honor and bloodline!”

“Sons of the dragon should defend their homeland. How could we bear to let the Yellow Turbans destroy it?”

“My lord, such stirring words! The moment they left your lips, I felt the morale of our troops soar,” Guo Jia, standing nearby, could not help but praise.

Clad in armor, Zifan stood before the tent. Dian Wei and Ding Feng flanked him on either side—truly, the spirit of warriors tenfold.

“The Yellow Turbans are upon us. I, Wu Zifan, hold the office of Sima and Governor of Youzhou. Though I am gravely ill, the weight of responsibility presses upon me. The city shelters thousands upon thousands of innocent people—we cannot afford defeat.” Murmurs rippled through the ranks, but Zifan pressed on. “Though the Yellow Turbans are many, you are all elite soldiers. Why should we not fight?”

“With the battle at hand, I will divide the army into two. Ding Feng, you shall lead a thousand elite horsemen as the Black Cavalry.”

“Yes, sir!” Ding Feng replied, elated.

“Dian Wei, you shall command three thousand infantry to form the Tiger Guard. Your task is to protect the general and maintain the security of the outer lines. Send out scouts frequently to observe the Yellow Turbans’ every move. Report any disturbance to me at once.”

“Yes, sir!” Dian Wei stepped forward with a clasped fist.

“What is there to fear about the Yellow Turban Army? Are they three-headed, six-armed monsters? Are they unkillable? They are but men, as are we! Now that they have invaded Youzhou, let them see our strength—let’s see whose fists are harder.”

“Kill!” the officers and soldiers shouted in unison.

“Guo Jia, you will take three thousand troops to garrison Youzhou. The city is the cornerstone of our army—if Youzhou falls, morale will crumble. I trust you to keep the city safe and protect the people.” Zifan patted Guo Jia’s shoulder earnestly. “It will be a hard task.”

“You and I are like brothers. With you here, I am at ease. With you guarding Youzhou, I can fight the enemy without worry.”