Chapter Eighty-Five: Pacifying the Yellow Turbans

Upon hearing Yuan Shu’s words, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang grew anxious once again, fearing some unforeseen mishap might occur.

Guo Jia glanced lazily at Yuan Shu and said, “This is not your place to speak.”

“What did you say? How dare you, a mere strategist, speak to me like that? Do you know who I am? I am a young master of the Yuan family!” Yuan Shu erupted in rage at Guo Jia’s words. Never before had he been so blatantly disregarded, especially by someone he considered beneath him. Brandishing his sword, he lunged forward, intent on killing Guo Jia.

“Gonglu, stand down!” Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun simultaneously rebuked Yuan Shu. After all, even a dog is protected by its master, and Guo Jia was no mere servant to Liu Yao. Guo Jia possessed great talent, and even Liu Yao regarded him as a dear brother.

Yet it was too late; Yuan Shu had already rushed at Guo Jia. Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, seeing Yuan Shu’s reckless charge, chuckled disdainfully and prepared to teach this brash fool a lesson.

But Guo Jia waved them off and calmly drew a sword from his waist. Huangfu Song and the others stared wide-eyed at the weapon, their hearts full of doubt. “Isn’t that the Chixiao Sword from Liu Yao’s hand? How did it end up with Guo Jia?”

Yuan Shu, too, saw the Chixiao Sword and was instantly stunned, his movements faltering as his own sword slipped from his grasp.

Guo Jia pressed the Chixiao Sword to Yuan Shu’s throat. “Yuan Shu, Yuan Gonglu, do I now have the authority to tell you to hold your tongue?” Guo Jia truly felt grateful to Liu Yao. Fearing Guo Jia’s youth might not command respect, Liu Yao had temporarily lent him the Chixiao Sword—never imagining that Yuan Shu would immediately present himself as an example for Guo Jia’s authority.

“Do not harm my master!” Ji Ling, seeing the sword at Yuan Shu’s throat, threw caution aside and rushed forward to rescue him.

Zhang Fei, who had anticipated this, sneered and rode ahead to block Ji Ling.

“Yes, you have the authority,” Yuan Shu stammered, cold sweat soaking his back as the sharp gleam of the Chixiao Sword chilled his neck. He dared not move, fearing any motion might spill blood.

“Brother Guo, please let Gonglu off this time,” Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, though not fond of the Yuan family, knew that if Yuan Shu were slain here, the Yuan family would surely seek vengeance. Helplessly, they stepped forward to intercede. On the battlefield, defying military orders could mean death without consequence, but this was different.

Guo Jia, seeing the situation resolved, withdrew the sword. He had no real intention of killing Yuan Shu, merely wanting to humble him and curb his arrogance.

“In respect for the two generals, I shall let it pass this once. Should it happen again, I doubt my master will be so forgiving,” Guo Jia said coolly, withdrawing the Chixiao Sword from Yuan Shu’s throat.

Yuan Shu, feeling his life spared, breathed a sigh of relief. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Hahaha! Gonglu, you truly are impulsive; otherwise, you wouldn’t be in such a pitiful state,” Yuan Shao mocked, unable to resist a bit of scorn at Yuan Shu’s disgrace.

“You…” Yuan Shu, furious, glared venomously at Yuan Shao and Guo Jia, as if he wished to devour them both.

Ji Ling, seeing Yuan Shu unharmed, hurried over to help him retreat, keeping him out of sight.

With the farce over, Guo Jia turned to Zhang Bao, saying, “The conditions you mentioned are entirely acceptable. I can speak for my master and promise you this: not only will we not pursue them, if they wish, they may return with us to Youzhou. Should they wish to continue serving in the army, they may. If not, my master will grant them land so they can support themselves.”

Guo Jia had been delighted upon hearing Zhang Bao’s terms. Liu Yao had originally intended to absorb these Yellow Turbans, and now Zhang Bao had delivered them right to him.

The Yellow Turbans, hearing this, were overjoyed. The prosperity of Youzhou rivaled that of Jizhou; now, not only would they survive, but they could settle there—it was like a dream come true.

Zhang Bao turned to the two generals behind him, saying, “Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, after our deaths, lead the brothers to surrender.”

“Rest assured, General,” they replied, struggling to hold back tears.

“Good, then I can face our eldest brother with a clear conscience,” Zhang Bao said with a hearty laugh. He exchanged a glance with Zhang Liang, relief filling their eyes. In the next moment, both drew their swords, preparing to end their lives.

“Wait.” Guo Jia quickly intervened.

“What more do you want? Are you planning to renege?” Zhang Liang demanded, angered by Guo Jia’s actions.

“No. If you are to die as generals, it should be on the battlefield. To die by your own hands is too ignoble,” Guo Jia said coldly. He was acting under Liu Yao’s orders; though he didn’t know why Liu Yao insisted that Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang die at the hands of their brothers, he trusted that Liu Yao had his reasons.

Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang were stunned. Indeed, a general’s fate is often death in battle; the battlefield is a fitting end.

Their spirits soared. “I am Zhang Bao, General of the Earth, and I am Zhang Liang, General of the People! Who among the Han army dares fight us to the death?” they shouted together.

Guo Jia signaled to Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, who rode forward to face Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang.

“I am Zhang Fei, under Liu Yao, Governor of Youzhou and General of the North; and I am Zhao Yun,” they declared in unison.

“You may be rebels, but your brotherly loyalty is something I, old Zhang, admire. It’s truly a pity,” Zhang Fei said to Zhang Bao.

Zhang Bao merely smiled, saying nothing more. Both men were great generals under Liu Yao, renowned for their martial prowess. To die at their hands was an honorable end.

“Kill!” Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang shouted, charging at Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun.

Zhang Fei faced Zhang Bao, Zhao Yun confronted Zhang Liang. Four men and four steeds clashed ferociously.

The outcome was inevitable. Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang were no match for Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. Within ten exchanges, both were slain beneath their mounts.

“General!” Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang cried out, unable to hold back their tears as they witnessed the deaths of Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang.

Guo Jia stepped forward and addressed the two, “Are you Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang?”

“Yes, sir, we are,” they replied, clasping their hands.

“Now that Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang are dead, what do you intend to do?” Guo Jia asked. He saw their loyalty and martial skill as valuable assets for Liu Yao, who, though rich in top generals, lacked capable minor commanders.

“We will obey the orders of the General of the Earth and surrender to the Han army,” Zhou Cang replied resolutely.

“Good, your loyalty is commendable. I will certainly recommend you to my master. As for your brothers, Youzhou needs men; those willing may go there,” Guo Jia said with a smile.

“Thank you, sir,” they replied gratefully.

With Zhang Bao’s last words, their yearning for Youzhou, and the help of Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, the forty thousand Yellow Turban soldiers soon surrendered, disarmed, and organized themselves willingly.

“March! Return to camp!” At Guo Jia’s command, the army set forth in grand procession toward Guangzong.