Chapter 209 Li Feihong, the Fire Starter (1/2)
Chapter 209 – Li Feihong, the Fire Starter
Although Lu Bu and his men wore Xiangnu outfits, they took over the county without a resistance. Since all of their soldiers were drafted by Liu Ping, no one could stop their massive army.
Unlike Tong or Ju Shou, Lu Bu did not chase away the family members of the local nobles, who joined Liu Ping in his crusade. He did not understand the logic behind the government reformation that Tong pursued, and Lu Bu did not like socializing with someone else's families. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun also did not fare well with the government management, so all of them left the domestic jobs to Li Feihong.
After they entrusted the desk jobs to their advisor, the three generals left to check the deserters inside the city.
As for the bullied strategist, he sat in the main seat in the government hall and accepted his fate.
”Those warmongers ... Now I know why Tong was so excited when he recruited Jia Xu or Ju Shou.”
He finally understood the shortage of government workers issue. Their clan needed more talented civil officers who could help them in managing the cities.
Li Feihong gazed at the trembling old civil officers in government hall, who were left behind. He smiled at them as he consoled them, ”Don't worry, we're not really from Xiangnu.”
Hearing that the invaders were not part of the barbarians, the officials rejoiced.
”Excuse me if I ask. Which affiliate are you from?” An elderly officer asked their new boss.
Li Feihong thought about it for a second before he grinned, ”We're the Immortal Yellow Turbans, the subordinates of the Immortal King.”
…
Four thousands of Wang Kuang men, who had parted way with Zhang Yang, gathered at the government barrack as Lu Bu had summoned them. Because they were jobless, starving, and freezing as they only had their underwear with them. They were willing to surrender and join Lu Bu Army as they had nothing to lose.
Lu Bu, however, had an ugly expression as he looked at their sorry state.
”Give them clothes and food first. Then, we can talk,” Lu Bu chased them away. He did not want to see these unsightly soldiers even one more second.
On the other hand, Han Hao and his one thousand men did not reply to Lu Bu's summon. They exchanged their gold and treasures for food and clothes as they plan to leave Nie County tomorrow.
Han Hao wanted to move south to Shangdang. They wanted to return to their birthplace, Henei City.
One hour later, the four thousand soldiers received their clothes and filled their stomach. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun managed to gather the information about Zhang Yang Army and their status.
The two generals reported the result of the investigation to Lu Bu, who then told them heart-wrenching news.
”I don't want you lots in my army! Go home!”
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun frowned. An excellent opportunity to get free soldiers was hard to come by. Why would their boss decline it?
”Because you lost a few horses, you cried and quit your job! I don't need sissies in my ranks! Get lost!”
”Fengxian, they are still professional soldiers. You should not be harsh toward them,” Complained Zhang Liao.
”Boss, every cavalry treat their horses like their children. You can't treat them like this,” Gao Shun also protested.
Lu Bu groaned as he was taken aback by the reprimand of his subordinates.
”Alright, you take care of them. But I don't want them in my army. That's the bottom line!”
Both Zhang Liao and Gao Shun shook their head and sighed. Lu Bu's mood was unpredictable sometimes. Had they not picked up by this temperament god of war since they were still rookies, they would have forsaken him ages ago.
'He's going to get stabbed in the back one day if he keeps this up.' Zhang Liao thought.
Meanwhile, Gao Shun gave the four thousand jobless men a bitter smile.
”You've heard it. Unfortunately, we cannot take you in as our soldiers. But don't lose hope! South of here where you've come from, our guys in Shangdang will be more than happy to welcome you. I know the governor and the grand general of the new Shangdang Army. I'll write a recommendation letter to the guys so you can return to your family.”
Hearing that they still had a chance to go home, the four thousand men were delighted. They bowed to Gao Shun in frantic as they thought that he was their benefactor.
Zhang Liao elbowed Gao Shun and whispered to his ear, ”Hey, since when that you can write?”
Gao Shun gestured his colleague with his eyes and whispered back, ”I can't. I was going to ask you or Feihong to help me.”
Zhang Liao facepalmed, 'For some reason, the boss and his subordinate have something in common,'
…
October 29th.
6 AM.
In the end, all five thousand ex-soldiers of Wang Kuang departed from Nie County toward Shangdang, including Han Hao.
The former thousand-man commander was surprised when he heard that Lu Bu refused to take in the men, so he asked around.
”Ah, he said we were weak or something and chased us away.” One of the four thousand men answered.
”He's the same as Zhang Yang?” Han Hao questioned again.
”No, they're not! Look at my robe! You see this?”
He fetched a leather bag and opened it to show the content inside. The bag was full of rice!
”They also gave us food and a recommendation letter. They allowed us to pass Shangdang and return home!”
”Are you serious? Why should Xiangnu help us? It doesn't make any sense!”