The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

(I'm so sorry about today. I'm just finishing up now. I was working on a website that the client wants to see tomorrow. Sigh, being a graphic designer is so frustrating.)

Zhang Yan suffered two defeats, losing nearly a thousand Yellow Turban soldiers.

Although the soldiers below didn't have any particular thoughts, Zhang Yan was furious and ordered three thousand Yellow Turbans to set up camp, while he led another three thousand to Xuzhou to challenge them to battle.

Although the Yellow Turbans looked somewhat tired after last night's ordeal, their fighting spirit remained high. They firmly believed that their Great Teacher would protect them and help them achieve final victory in the holy war.

"Chen Yuanlong! Come out here!" Zhang Yan shouted from afar.

The guards on the east gate of Xuzhou looked at each other, and one of them hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let me go and call Mr. Chen."

Mr. Chen Yuanlong was sleeping at home when he heard the servant's report and was filled with doubt. He wondered what the thief wanted to do with him.

Fearing something might have happened at the east gate, he hurriedly dressed and rushed to the city gate. As soon as he arrived, he heard a shout, "You despicable brat, come out and see me!"

Could it be that someone is calling me? Chen Deng felt a mix of emotions and inwardly groaned.

"I am Chen Deng. Who goes there? State your name!"

"I am Zhang Yan, Zhang Zi'an! You despicable brat, do you dare to come out of the city and fight me?" Zhang Yan pulled on the reins, gripped his sword, and swung it at Chen Deng.

"..." Chen Deng looked at his thin arms and legs speechlessly, feeling very angry at the other party's unreasonable request. "I am a scholar, and you want me to go out of the city to fight you one-on-one?"

Chen Deng, true to his nature, remained calm and said indifferently, "What I have learned is the Great Dao... the methods of victory and defeat, the way of the military. I do not rely on mere brute force. I advise you all to retreat obediently, or you will surely face great disaster!"

"Sharp tongue!" Zhang Yan said disdainfully, "This afternoon, I will personally lead my army to conquer Xuzhou, and then your death will be upon you!"

Chen Deng, arrogant and haughty, was only polite to those more learned than himself. Hearing Zhang Yan's words, his face immediately turned cold, and he said with a mocking smile, "I'll wait! But why wait until the afternoon? Oh! I understand, I suppose you all had a restless night!"

"How dare you, you scoundrel!" Zhang Yan had suffered no greater humiliation than the one last night. Seeing Chen Deng deliberately bring it up, he instantly felt a surge of hatred. He sheathed his sword and said, "I won't waste my breath arguing with you. Wait until this afternoon… Humph!"

After saying that, he took the lead and left, followed by the Yellow Turbans. Zhang Yan understood that the other side probably wouldn't come out. Indeed, without the protection of the city walls, how could they withstand the onslaught of the Yellow Turban warriors?

Zhang Yan left, but Chen Deng was depressed. He had been anxiously waiting all night for Jiang Zhe's plan and hadn't slept at all. He had just fallen asleep when he heard the news of the Yellow Turbans' challenge, and this was what happened!

He glared angrily at the kind soldier and left in a huff.

"You want to launch a full-scale attack on Xuzhou this afternoon? You'll have to ask your teacher first!" Chen Deng walked away smugly.

Zhang Yan returned to the camp, feeling extremely frustrated. He approached those around him and said, "Young Marshal, the army is running low on supplies. Should we send someone to the Commander-in-Chief...?"

Zhang Yan glared at him fiercely and said, "The provisions have already been allocated. Now that I've lost them, I should handle it myself. Going to the commander-in-chief for more provisions? What about the other soldiers then?"

The words immediately made the man so embarrassed that he took a few steps back.

However, Zhang Yan did not think as he claimed. He was always proud and never relied on Zhang Niujiao. He became the deputy general entirely on his own ability. Yesterday, when they parted, the grain and fodder were divided equally. Now that he had carelessly lost the grain and fodder, how could he explain it to the commander?

"How about..." one of the people beside him hesitated before saying, "There are many houses nearby..."

"No…" Zhang Yan shook his head vehemently, "To harm innocent people is no different from that of a tyrannical ruler!"

As Zhang Yan and the others were discussing the matter, a report came that the commander-in-chief had sent ten days' worth of rations, and Zhang Yan's face immediately turned red.

When Zhang Niujiao learned of this, he sighed but was also somewhat relieved. He had been worried that his adopted son would go astray, but now that he had suffered this defeat, it might be a good thing that he could adjust his mindset.

If this child can get through this ordeal, his future is limitless!

He immediately ordered his men to take ten days' worth of rations from their meager supplies and send them to Zhang Yan.

Yesterday, apart from the East Gate and the North Gate which was under feigned attack, the other two gates were also engulfed in battle. Cao Bao, the general guarding the West Gate, was truly an incompetent fool and not worth fearing! The head of the Mi family at the South Gate, however, was quite capable and easily blocked Mu Gu's probing attacks; he was a talented individual.

I originally thought Zhang Yan would get the victory, but I didn't expect the Chen family in the East Gate to have such ability. Chen Yuanlong is indeed worthy of his reputation.

Zhang Niujiao considered sending more troops to Zhang Yan, but after careful consideration, he decided against it. Zi'an was proud and arrogant; if he sent soldiers, wouldn't that show that he didn't believe in his abilities?

It would be a real shame to let this child become disheartened. It would be better to simply send him provisions, which would serve as both encouragement and motivation!

"Excellent!" Zhang Niujiao laughed heartily, stroking his messy beard.

Around noon, Jiang Zhe, lying in bed, felt someone shaking him. He immediately waved his hand and said, "Sleepy! Stop it!"

Xiuer was both annoyed and amused. This man had said he was worried about the war before going to bed and asked her to wake him at noon, but now he was acting like this.

Suddenly seized by a playful impulse, Xiu'er gently pinched Jiang Zhe's nose, but before long, Jiang Zhe slapped her hand away.

Pouting, Xiu'er was about to retaliate when Jiang Zhe suddenly flipped over, facing her directly.

Xiuer looked at Jiang Zhe's handsome face, gently withdrew her outstretched hand, and carefully examined Jiang Zhe.

He was her husband... Recalling the scene of Jiang Zhe worrying about her on the city wall, a feeling of happiness filled her heart, making her heart swell with joy. Xiu'er smiled, reached out and touched Jiang Zhe's lips, then quietly looked at that finger and gently kissed it.

She chuckled to herself for a moment, then turned to boil water for Jiang Zhe. Suddenly, she noticed Jiang Zhe staring at her blankly. Her face flushed, and she said weakly, "Husband...why are you looking at me like that..."

"Aren't you cold?" Jiang Zhe asked, looking at Xiu'er who was only wearing a long robe.

"..." Whew, thank goodness! Xiu'er breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I was just about to get up to boil water for my husband..."

"Rest a little longer!" Jiang Zhe got up and pressed Xiu'er onto the bed, saying as he dressed, "I'll boil the water, you sleep a little longer. Isn't sleep deprivation a woman's worst enemy?"

"Where did you hear that?" Xiu'er asked, puzzled.

"Ah...haha..." Jiang Zhe suddenly remembered that this was said by people from later generations, and laughed awkwardly a few times.

After getting out of bed and tucking Xiu'er in, Jiang Zhe's expression changed, and he chuckled, saying, "Xiu'er, why don't you just kiss me directly from now on? Wouldn't that be more convenient?"

Xiuer was so ashamed she wanted to disappear. The bad guy had obviously seen her. She pulled the blanket over her head, her heart pounding.

"Hehe!" Jiang Zhe chuckled, leaned down and whispered, "Alright, I'm not joking with you anymore. I'll boil some water for you and leave it there. You can sleep a little longer. I reckon the Yellow Turban Army suffered a great loss yesterday and will probably seek revenge today. I'll go to the city gate first, and you can come back later."

"Mmm..." Xiu'er, nestled in the blanket, enjoyed Jiang Zhe's gentle words and deep affection, but when she thought of the "despicable" aspects of this bad man, she immediately pretended to be angry and ignored him.

I didn't expect Jiang Zhe to be even more ruthless and ignore me completely.

Xiuer was wondering why there was no sound when she suddenly felt a cold hand reach in and touch the outside of her thigh.

"Oh!" Xiuer exclaimed in surprise.

"Hahaha!" Jiang Zhe immediately ran out triumphantly.

"That wicked man!" Xiu'er threw off the covers, scolding him angrily. Then, looking at the ceiling, a slight smile appeared on her face. Father, Xiu'er already has someone she cherishes. I wonder if you and Mother are doing well over there? And please bless Xiu'er's husband...

After the wedding, Xiuer will wait for her husband to come and pay respects to you...

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