Reborn in the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao Doesn't Want to Be a Widow Anymore

Chapter 327 Huang Xu
The fact that Huang Xu was released back to Liu Pan's army camp came completely out of the blue.

When Huang Zhong heard that Huang Xu had been released, he knelt in Liu Pan's tent and begged him to release some of the Jiangdong army prisoners so that he could personally escort them to Haihun and negotiate with Taishi Ci to exchange for his son Huang Xu.

Liu Pan and Taishi Ci had been locked in a stalemate in Youxian and Haihun for many years. The labor camps also had many prisoners of war from the Jiangdong army, and exchanging prisoners was not a new thing on the battlefield.

Huang Xu was Huang Zhong's only son. Although he was a little angry that Huang Xu disobeyed orders on the battlefield, he was ultimately a father and worried that Huang Xu would suffer in the enemy camp. He was also afraid that Xu Xiang would harm him.

I worry day and night and can't sleep peacefully.

He even went so far as to swallow his pride and beg Liu Pan for help.

Liu Pan did not immediately agree, but a soldier outside the tent ran to report that Huang Xu and several prisoners had been sent back. Huang Zhong disregarded etiquette and immediately ran out to receive them.

Outside the military camp, a group of ragged prisoners, supporting each other, staggered closer. Their clothes were tattered and covered in mud and blood. Their hair was tangled like a mess of weeds, and their faces were covered in grime.

Their eyes could not hide the fear and exhaustion of surviving a disaster. Some people collapsed to the ground as they walked, and could only be carried and dragged forward by their companions, with incoherent sobs coming from their throats.

Among the disheveled group, only Huang Xu's figure stood out conspicuously.

Although his armor was somewhat worn, it was washed clean. There was not a speck of dust on his face, and his hair was neat and tidy. Although he still looked tired from walking, his complexion was rosy and his eyes were clear.

Huang Zhong immediately led a squad of soldiers out of the camp to meet him. Holding Huang Xu, whom he had lost and found again, he looked him over and asked, "Is he injured anywhere? I will go and fetch the army doctor right away."

"Father, I am perfectly healthy, there is no need to worry."

Huang Zhong led his men back to camp, and knelt before the main tent to pay homage to their commander.

Liu Pan's voice rang out, "It's good that you're back safe and sound. Did those traitors Xu and Taishi give you any trouble?"

Huang Xu raised his head and said loudly, "Replying to the general, the Jiangdong army, having heard of my father's reputation, did not dare to make things difficult for me, but instead showed me great care."

Hearing this, Huang Zhong was terrified and repeatedly signaled to Huang Xu to shut up with his eyes.

Liu Pan stared at Huang Xu for a moment, then suddenly laughed, “Han Sheng’s three arrows decided the outcome; such a reputation is indeed enough to deter these petty villains.”

"Very good. A tiger father shouldn't have a dog son. Go back and rest well, and don't slack off on your martial arts."

Huang Xu kowtowed to express his gratitude, and when he stood up, his posture remained upright.

The prisoners around him looked at him with envy and confusion in their eyes. The other captains also showed a subtle distance.

After Huang Zhong and his men had gone some distance, Liu Pan's deputy dared to speak, "General..."

"No need for further words." Liu Pan watched their departing figures with icy eyes. "Xu Ziming pulled this stunt just to arouse my suspicion and sow discord between me and Hansheng."

"This general isn't that stupid."

The lieutenant suddenly realized, "The general is right."

After returning to the camp, Huang Zhong still carefully examined Huang Xu from head to toe, inside and out.

Huang Xu was drinking water from his bowl. "Father, I'm really fine. Xu Xiang even specially arranged for a military doctor to treat me. I'm really fine."

As he spoke, he showed Huang Zhong the scar on his waist, saying, "Look, it's all healed."

The more nonchalant Huang Xu appeared, the more uneasy Huang Zhong felt.

"It's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality." Huang Zhong reached out and slapped Huang Xu on the back of the head. "No one else receives the treatment you do. What do you think our commander will think?" Huang Xu rubbed his head. "Why do you care what he thinks? If it weren't for Cai Mao's narrow-mindedness, how could Father be just a minor commander?"

Liu Pan personally pleaded for Huang Zhong's life and rescued him from Cai Mao's clutches. However, Cai Mao was now Liu Biao's brother-in-law, while Liu Pan was only Liu Biao's nephew. In terms of kinship, Liu Pan was a step below Cai Mao in terms of seniority.

Even if Liu Pan was dissatisfied with Cai Mao, he wouldn't openly oppose Cai Mao for Huang Zhong's sake.

Therefore, Huang Zhong was demoted all the way down from the position of Central Protector General, starting as a centurion.

Huang Xu, once the son of the Central Protector General, was reduced to the son of a mere centurion.

Such a disparity left Huang Xu with a sense of resentment and unwillingness.

Compared to being bossed around by anyone with even a slight military rank in Liu Pan's army, Huang Xu clearly preferred the feeling of being respected and treated well by Xu Xiang and others in the Jiangdong army.

Regardless of Xu Xiang's motives.

Huang Zhong's concerns were not unfounded; rumors began to circulate among the prisoners who returned with Huang Xu.

He bluntly stated that Huang Zhong was suspected of colluding with the enemy.

"We've been on the battlefield for so many years, how come it was this greenhorn Huang Xu who saved our commander?"

"Yes, yes, the centurion is so skilled, he shot Taishi Ci with one arrow. We archers all know that you have to shoot a second arrow, but he just happened to shoot the second arrow right in front of the commander."

"If he had been willing to fire a second arrow, Taishi Ci would have been dead, and we would have won long ago. We wouldn't have been captured by him and ended up in this miserable state!"

"You know what, so many of us were captured and were supposed to go to hard labor camps, but Huang Xu was living a life of luxury in the enemy camp."

"You all saw how polite Xu Xiang was when we left, as if he was afraid of Huang Xu getting even the slightest scratch."

"Given all this, I really don't believe that Huang Zhong and the Jiangdong army have nothing to offer."

“I think so too. Look, Huang Xu is completely innocent, and Huang Zhong can gain favor with the commander-in-chief. Isn’t that winning on both fronts?”

"That father and son really have some tricks up their sleeves,"

It was already a baseless rumor, and then some people with ulterior motives stirred it up and added fuel to the fire.

By the time the news reached Liu Pan's ears, rumors were already flying all over the military camp.

Huang Zhong tried to explain several times, but Liu Pan interrupted him each time, saying, "I know Han Sheng's loyalty. This is nothing more than a scheme by the traitor Taishi to sow discord."

"You can rest assured. Pass down the order: anyone in the army who spreads such rumors again will be punished with thirty strokes of the cane."

Huang Zhong could only express his gratitude, but the feeling of unease in his heart lingered even after he got up.

He was an expert in military affairs and knew that the best way to stop rumors was to make an example of others rather than let it go so easily.

The deputy general noticed Huang Zhong's worry and pulled him aside to comfort him, saying, "General, you were wounded by the crossbows of Taishi Ci's army. Those things are extremely powerful. Those bandits are very despicable. The arrows were coated with filth, and even a small wound is difficult to heal."

The general had been fighting for many years, and his body already had many hidden injuries.

Therefore, there are some things in the military that are beyond our capabilities. Hansheng, please bear with us and do not let those rumors make you suspicious.