Chapter 587: Collaboration
Chapter 587: Collaboration
2017-09-25
With the involvement of Outsiders, the current situation within the Yellow Turbans differs greatly from historical records and fictionalized accounts.
This unique circumstance has led to a highly complex scenario in the final chapter of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
In terms of pure strength, the Yellow Turban Army is no weaker than the Han forces, and they might even be capable of overwhelming them. However, the Yellow Turbans are unable to unite internally at this time.
The three individuals who could have potentially unified the Yellow Turban forces—Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang—were slain by Lu HaiKong, while Zhang Jiao, after being struck by several purple thunderbolts during the Guangping battle, has not been seen by anyone recently. This has directly contributed to the increasing complexity within the Yellow Turban ranks.
Daozi Zhang Daosheng, the direct disciple of Zhang Jiao, is also unable to effectively consolidate the Yellow Turban forces due to his Outsider status and the constraints imposed by the Yellow Turban Saintess.
Making matters worse, the faction led by Bo Cai, composed of native Yellow Turban NPCs, does not recognize Zhang Daosheng's leadership. They pledge their allegiance to Zhang Jiao's biological daughter, an eleven-year-old loli, and strongly oppose Zhang Daosheng's current leadership of the Yellow Turban path.
Adding to the complexity, rumors circulate that Zhang Jiao might have perished during the Heavenly Punishment, pushing the Yellow Turbans in Julu to the brink of disintegration.
If, at this moment, a strong and influential voice emerged within the Yellow Turbans, or a powerful and wise leader appeared, the Yellow Turban Army could have established a foothold, even if they failed to overthrow the Great Han Dynasty. At the very least, they could have engaged in a protracted war with the Han Empire.
However, due to various reasons, such a powerful voice has not materialized. Although Zhang Daosheng strives to unite the Yellow Turban forces, his efforts yield little success, and the Yellow Turban ranks are, at the very least, disheartened.
With their greatest reliance, Zhang Jiao, injured, the Outsiders within the Yellow Turbans, and even Zhang Daosheng's direct followers, are each seeking their own paths.
It is under these circumstances that someone took the initiative to contact Dong Zhuo, leading to the previous series of assassination attempts.
Over time, Lu HaiKong has gradually gathered intelligence regarding the internal situation of the Yellow Turbans.
Some information came from the Outsider's home, while Zhang Yan provided additional details. After consolidating this intelligence, Lu HaiKong met with Zhang Yan and found her on the ninth day.
Initially, Lu HaiKong was reluctant to collaborate with Zhang Yan, as working with her would require him to infiltrate the Yellow Turban stronghold in Julu under her arrangement, which was highly dangerous.
Instead, Lu HaiKong preferred to send a large army to attack.
However, this option is unrealistic, as Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, the leaders of the Han forces, have been consecutively targeted by assassins, leaving them severely injured or comatose and unresponsive. The Han army has no choice but to appoint a temporary commander.
Under these circumstances, the Han forces cannot launch an offensive on Julu in the short term.
The Yellow Turbans in Julu are on the verge of disintegration, and Lu HaiKong fears that someone might consume the Heaven-Altering Life-Changing Pill, leaving him with no place to cry.
Although Zhang Jiao, as the final boss of the Yellow Turbans, is unlikely to perish so easily, what does it matter? After all, this world is not a single-player game belonging solely to Lu HaiKong; with so many Outsiders, who knows if someone might step forward to defeat this boss.
Lu HaiKong, deeply concerned for Xi ZhiCai's small and fragile body, has been anxiously awaiting a clear lead. Determined not to let this opportunity slip away, and with a new trump card in hand, Lu HaiKong ultimately decides to collaborate with Zhang Yan.
After meeting with Zhang Yan, she spent a day preparing. The following day, Lu HaiKong and Zhang Yan left Handan together.
As Lu HaiKong and Zhang Yan departed Handan, a grand drama was unfolding in Wei Jun Qu Liang Xian.
Ever since Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were both assassinated, Dong Zhuo became the highest-ranking official in the Great Han Legion. Naturally, he took over the command of the Great Han Legion.
However, Dong Zhuo's "natural assumption" of command wasn't without challenges. After all, the Great Han Legion was a force nurtured by Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, and it wasn't easy for Dong Zhuo to lead them.
Dong Zhuo's rise to power was accompanied by his vow to thoroughly investigate the assassination attempts, root out the traitors within the Great Han Legion, and avenge Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. Yet, for some unknown reason, the severely injured Huangfu Song had temporarily handed over the command of the Great Han Legion to Dong Zhuo.
In this situation, no one could do anything about it. Dong Zhuo held a high position, and his banner was just and righteous. Moreover, Huangfu Song had personally transferred the command, so even those who disagreed had to accept it.
Although Dong Zhuo assumed the leadership of the Great Han Legion, he was only the nominal supreme commander. Everyone remained vigilant, keeping a close eye on Dong Zhuo's actions.
After all, no one was a fool. Dong Zhuo was the one who benefited from the assassination attempts, as he emerged unscathed from the three incidents. Many even believed that Dong Zhuo had orchestrated the assassinations, but there was no evidence to prove it.
At this moment, Dong Zhuo did something remarkable.
Instead of launching an immediate investigation, he took the Xi Liang Cavalry to visit several prominent families in Wei Jun.
In a 1619 book, there is no mistake!
Dong Zhuo's approach was different from Huangfu Song's. He was known for his harsh and sometimes dirty tactics when dealing with the aristocratic families. What could he possibly say to them? He went straight for intimidation and bribery. Those who agreed were spared, but those who didn't were accused of colluding with the Yellow Turbans and eliminated.
His methods were ruthless and violent, befitting the chaotic times.
In reality, Dong Zhuo had no choice. If he could, he wouldn't want to offend the aristocratic families. But at this time, having just risen to power, he desperately needed prestige. So, under the circumstances, he had no choice but to target these families. Besides, he had already offended the aristocratic families in Liang Zhou and Ji Zhou.
Thanks to Dong Zhuo's tactics, he managed to resolve in just three days an issue that Huangfu Song and his team had struggled with for nearly ten days.
With this move, Dong Zhuo gained some prestige within the Great Han Legion and subtly cleared himself of suspicions of colluding with the Yellow Turbans.
During these three days, while Dong Zhuo was busy solving the supply issue, a rumor spread throughout the Great Han Legion.
The rumor was that Lu HaiKong had orchestrated the assassination attempts.
This rumor caused an uproar within the Great Han Legion, sparking a significant controversy.
Few were willing to believe that Lu HaiKong, the savior of the Great Han Legion, was the traitor.
Strangely, Dong Zhuo completely ignored this rumor. He neither clarified nor suppressed it, showing no intention to address it...
(End of Chapter)
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