Mi Fang lay on the ground groaning in pain.
Xu Chu panted heavily, seemingly still not satisfied, his large bell-like eyes rolling as he thought about adding a couple more kicks.
Suddenly, a “twang” sound came from behind.
Xu Chu’s ears were exceptionally sharp, and he immediately recognized it… the sound of a small crossbow being drawn.
Turning his head, he saw Tao Shang holding a delicate small crossbow, seated upright in the main position, lightly swaying it left and right while aiming back and forth at him.
The crossbow was small, but the distance was too close, making it look quite intimidating.
Tao Shang still wore that gentle and courteous appearance of a modest gentleman.
He politely nodded at Xu Chu and said, “Mr.Xu, kicking the main general of my army inside my command tent, isn’t that going a bit too far?” The muscles on Xu Chu’s face twitched, as if he were quite indignant, but looking at the crossbow in Tao Shang’s hand pointing at him… Its power certainly couldn’t compare to a large yellow crossbow, but in this narrow camp, taking a hit would still be quite troublesome… Forget it, those two extra kicks wouldn’t be added.
“This one didn’t deliberately seek trouble with him.
Who told this fellow to steal during the chaos?
Teaching him a lesson also lets him know this one’s might.” Tao Shang said discontentedly, “Mr.Xu, it’s not that Tao is saying you’re wrong, but let’s set aside our personal grudges for now.
Our dignified Xuzhou official army gave up sleep in the middle of the night to help you pacify the bandits and protect your Xu Village from destruction… Don’t you think you owe me a ‘thank you’?” Xu Chu paused for a moment, then suddenly knelt on one knee, cupped his hands toward Tao Shang, and said, “Master Tao, although Xu Chu is just a rough commoner, I also understand the principle that a true man standing between heaven and earth must repay kindness!
If not for Da Gongzi’s help last night, I’m afraid no one in my entire village would have survived.
This kindness and virtue, this one will find hard to repay in this lifetime.
I am endlessly grateful!” Tao Shang put down the crossbow and revealed a warm, friendly smile: “That’s more like it.
These are the words we should be saying.
Now we can be considered comrades-in-arms who have fought together.
How can we start fighting the moment we meet?
That would seem too distant… Warriors, please rise quickly.” Xu Chu brushed the dirt off his knees with his hand and stood up on his own without waiting for Tao Shang to help him.
He said, “What Master Tao says is right.
When this one came, my original intention was also to thank you… Who would have thought that upon seeing this Mi fellow, my anger would flare up uncontrollably and I would act impulsively… Master Tao, why don’t you have someone beat this one with dozens of military rods to vent General Mi’s anger?” Tao Shang shook his head and said, “How could that be allowed?
We Tao family members have always been known in the world as gentlemen.
How could we commit such an unjust act against a friend?” At this moment, Mi Fang stood up while groaning and, upon hearing this, angrily said, “You act with righteousness toward him… so my kick was for nothing?” Before he could finish speaking, Xu Chu’s hand was already on Mi Fang’s shoulder, a ferocious smile appearing on his face: “Although General Mi has repeatedly stolen this one’s livestock, it was indeed wrong for this one to suddenly strike earlier.
How about General Mi punches this one a few times?
Consider it this one expressing my sincerity.” You bastard!
Mi Fang cursed inwardly, but on his face he had no choice but to force a smile that looked worse than crying.
He said, “As the saying goes, the first meeting is unfamiliar; the second meeting becomes an acquaintance.
This is already our third meeting, so we can be considered old acquaintances.
A kick is just a kick.
How could I repay fist with fist or foot with foot?” Xu Chu sneered, “Acquaintance or not, you stole this one’s livestock—the compensation still has to be paid!” Mi Fang looked at the large hand gripping his shoulder and the fist as big as a sand bowl that made his head spin.
His smile grew even brighter: “Easy, easy.
We brothers are so close, after all.” Mi Fang’s performance was so spectacularly cowardly that even Tao Shang couldn’t stand watching it anymore and spoke up to interrupt.
“Mr.Xu, your martial skills are superb and your strength is extraordinary.
It would be a shame to remain buried in the mountains and wilds.
My father, Tao Qian the Inspector of Xuzhou, has long been known for his gentlemanly benevolence and righteousness.
Why doesn’t Brother Xu join our Xuzhou army?
With your abilities, how could you not achieve great success in the future?” Xu Chu was silent for a while.
After a long pause, he said, “To be honest, although Tao Qian of Xuzhou has the reputation of a gentleman, his way of doing things doesn’t quite suit this one’s taste… However, Master Tao is the benefactor of my Xu Village, and Xu Chu has nothing else to repay you with except this one life.
So be it… But there are two conditions that Da Gongzi must agree to.” Tao Shang was inwardly very excited, his joy overflowing: “What are the two matters Mr.Xu needs to confirm?” Xu Chu replied, “This one must bring the clan soldiers from the village to enlist together.
Will Master Tao provide food and ensure we are well fed?” Tao Shang nodded heavily: “Your question is very pertinent… No problem!!
Xuzhou’s grain stockpiles are still quite sufficient.
You won’t go hungry!” Xu Chu asked again, “If this one serves Master Tao on the battlefield, will I be able to rise up in the future?” Tao Shang raised his hand and pointed at Mi Fang: “Mr.Xu, look at this main general of our three armies, how is he?” Xu Chu glanced sideways at Mi Fang and spat out two words: “Dog shit.” Tao Shang nodded in agreement: “Even dog shit has risen up.
What are you afraid of?” Upon hearing this, Xu Chu cupped his hands and said loudly, “In that case, this one has no objections.
I will return to the village shortly, arrange the clan soldiers, and come to serve under Master Tao’s command!
From now on, through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I will not refuse!
I only hope Master Tao will not forget today’s words!” Tao Shang’s heart relaxed considerably.
He said happily, “I have obtained Zhongkang; it is like obtaining Fan Kuai!” Xu Chu spoke to Tao Shang again: “Da Gongzi, the number of clan soldiers from the village that this one can lead into the army is less than a thousand, but the remaining elderly and young in the village will have nowhere to rely on in the future.
May I ask if the Duke can allow them to move into Xuzhou territory?
This would also resolve the worries of the men who enlist.” Tao Shang smiled and said, “This is no problem.
I will write a letter later and send it to my father.
Xuzhou territory will naturally make arrangements.” Xu Chu laughed heartily: “In that case, this one has no more worries!” “There is one more matter.
I hope Brother Zhongkang can help me with it.” Tao Shang thought for a moment and said, “Previously, over four thousand Yellow Turban soldiers surrendered.
Right now, I have no confidence in how to properly incorporate them… Tao has never led troops before, and General Mi has only superficially read military books.
Xu Jiangjun has long led militia, do you have any methods?” Xu Chu said straightforwardly, “This matter sounds difficult, but it is actually simple.
Most of the Yellow Turban masses became bandits because they lost their means of survival.
For Master Tao to recruit them, the first priority is to guarantee their livelihood, and food is the most important of all.” After a pause, Xu Chu continued, “After guaranteeing food, we can gradually win their hearts.
The surrendered Yellow Turbans can be divided into eight camps, each with five hundred men, led by a fu commander, with centurions below them for control.
For the four thousand, appoint one overall commandant.
With layered supervision, there should be no major issues.” Tao Shang looked at Xu Chu for a while, then suddenly said, “Our Xuzhou officers and soldiers are all official troops.
The organization and management methods differ from militia.
Brother Xu has long led the militia and possesses deterrent power.
The position of overall commandant for managing these Yellow Turbans, I would like to entrust it to you… As for the fu commanders and centurions, select them all from your clan soldiers.
How about it?” “This…” Xu Chu had never expected that right after joining Tao Shang’s side, he would be given such a heavy responsibility… commanding over four thousand surrendered soldiers.
This kind of boldness and trust truly made Xu Chu look at Tao Shang with new respect.
Tao Shang patted Xu Chu’s shoulder and said, “Doubt not those you employ, employ not those you doubt.
Let each person fully utilize their talents.
To integrate this force into our army in a short time, relying on General Mi or me won’t work.
Only Brother Xu can shoulder this heavy task.
Consider it me asking Brother Xu for a favor!” With the words spoken to this point, even with Xu Chu’s fierce and hot-tempered nature, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat moved.
He cupped his hands and said, “Since Da Gongzi favors me so greatly, how dare this one refuse!” In the first year of Chuping, after the Xuzhou western expedition army suppressed the Floating Cloud Yellow Turban army, Xu Chu once again organized his clan soldiers to submit.
Tao Shang divided the four thousand Yellow Turban soldiers into eight camps according to Xu Chu’s method and placed them under Xu Chu’s command.
Once the troops were fully prepared, they marched toward Yingchuan, where Kong Zhou was located.
Yingchuan Commandery was named after the Ying River.
It governed eighteen counties, with the administrative seat at Yangdi County.
Among the cities of the Central Plains, Yangdi was a central city close to the southern edge, located in the transitional zone between the foothills of the Funiu Mountains and the eastern plains of Yuzhou.
It was known as the First Capital of Huaxia and had been the capital of the Xia Dynasty, the first slave-owning dynasty in the vast history of China.
From the Xia Dynasty to the Eastern Han, more than two thousand years had passed.
By the first year of Chuping, Yingchuan had become a major cultural center in the Central Plains interior due to its long history and exceptionally prolonged cultural continuity.
Private academies were widespread across the Central Plains during the Han Dynasty, but if one were to speak of where they flourished most, it was naturally Yingchuan!
Running schools was like opening a vegetable market, they liked to cluster together.
Famous scholars and great Confucian masters all opened halls in Yingchuan to accept disciples.
Over time, those with some reputation or major private school masters also moved their academies here.
It was truly a hundred flowers blooming.
Among the notable figures who emerged from the Yingchuan private academies during this period, the most prestigious were undoubtedly Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, Xi Zhi, and others.
Of course, these notable figures had mostly already graduated from the academies.
For Tao Shang to find these people across the vast eighteen counties of Yingchuan would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Moreover, they might not even still be there… Even if they were, when Tao Shang went to find them, they might not necessarily pay him any attention.
Obtaining Xu Chu’s service was due to a fortunate coincidence involving the shared enemy of the Floating Cloud Yellow Turban army.
Tao Shang could not expect another Yellow Turban army to come and attack the Yingchuan academies to allow him to befriend the talents of Yingchuan.
Searching everywhere for top strategists and generals while radiating a protagonist aura to attract geniuses was something only those enveloped in seven-colored auspicious clouds could do.
Tao Shang was very practical.
He needed to resolve the matters right in front of him first.
In Yingchuan, he would only handle one thing: find the Inspector of Yuzhou, Kong Zhou… and see if he could help solve the food supply problem.
After all, as Mi Fang had said earlier, the addition of the Yellow Turban soldiers and Xu Chu’s clan soldiers had suddenly added over five thousand more mouths to feed.
——————————————————————————————————————- Birth Name: Xu Chu Courtier’s Name: Xu Zhongkang