Zhang Chen heard this and immediately told the two to withdraw first, then ordered a messenger to summon Qu Yi.
Before long, Qu Yi entered the front hall. Seeing him, Zhang Chen quickly stepped forward and said, "Brother Qu, what brings you here today? Why didn't you inform your younger Brother in advance so I could send someone to welcome you."
Qu Yi said, "Brother, I came here today because your foolish older Brother has a difficult request."
"Boss, there's no need for that. We are Brothers, just speak frankly."
Seeing Zhang Chen so straightforward, Qu Yi immediately said again, "Brother, to be honest, your foolish older Brother has drifted for half his life with no other worries, except for these eight hundred Brothers under my command. They have followed me for many years, going through life and death together, and they are the ones I've always been concerned about."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but rejoice inwardly.
It seemed his efforts over several months had finally paid off. The previous grain donations and favors, coupled with his brilliant performance in the battle of Yingtao County, Zhang Chen believed these were enough to win Qu Yi over.
So, Zhang Chen said, "The Brothers of the First to Ascend Camp are all loyal and brave men. I have long heard that they have followed Boss since Liang Province. After so many years, they must have the bond of Brothers."
"That's right," Qu Yi sighed and said, "Back in Liang Province, I led them to fight against the Qiang, going through over a hundred battles, big and small. Later, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, I led them away from Liang Province and came to Ji Province to quell the unrest. Of the original three thousand-plus men, only these eight hundred-plus remain now, truly a hundred-battle elite! Brother, your foolish older Brother asks for nothing else, only hoping to find a way out for my Brothers. I wonder if you, Brother, would be willing to take them in?"
"Boss, I understand what you mean," Zhang Chen said. "Currently, I am just a Prefect, and it's difficult to promise you high office and generous pay. But if Boss doesn't mind, I can recommend you as the Commandant of this prefecture, commanding the troops of the prefecture. The First to Ascend Camp will also remain under your command, how about that?"
Hearing this, Qu Yi's heart immediately trembled.
According to the Han official system, the Prefecture Commandant was the highest military officer of a prefecture, with a rank equivalent to two thousand shi, only one level lower than the Prefect.
This was already the highest official position Zhang Chen could offer at the moment.
Qu Yi couldn't help but feel moved, and immediately bowed, saying, "This humble General, Qu Yi, pays respects to Lord!"
"Boss, what are you doing? Please get up quickly." Zhang Chen hurriedly helped him up and said, "Between us Brothers, why the need for such formalities? Wait, what did you just... call me?"
Qu Yi said, "Brother, I have observed you for a long time. You are not only broad-minded, benevolent, and wise, but also possess extraordinary talent. Given time, your future will be limitless. Only by following you can my Brothers realize their worth. Your foolish older Brother has decided to recognize you as my Lord from now on. Let's join hands, you and I, and create a great enterprise!"
"With Boss helping, the great enterprise... will surely be achieved!"
As Zhang Chen spoke, he tightly grasped Qu Yi's hands, his eyes welling up with tears, unable to hide his excitement.
He had waited a long time for this moment. Today, his wish was finally granted, and he had won over Qu Yi!
This top-tier General from the Three Kingdoms period, Qu Yi, whose ability was even above the "Four Pillars," was finally working for him!
Zhang Chen held his hand, gripping it for a long time before slowly letting go.
At this moment, he looked at Qu Yi, a smile appearing on his face.
The entries on Qu Yi's body had now changed from the original four to three.
And on Zhang Chen's body, at this very moment, a blue entry had appeared.
【Arrogance from Achievements (Blue)】: Loyalty slightly decreases with each victory obtained.
This negative entry, which led to Qu Yi being killed by Yuan Shao, was plundered by Zhang Chen at the very moment he grasped Qu Yi's hand!
Although this was a negative entry, Zhang Chen didn't have a Lord, so loyalty was naturally useless.
As for being loyal to the Han, haha, that was just talk. Zhang Chen had never thought about dedicating himself to this corrupt Han court.
Without this entry, Zhang Chen wouldn't have to worry about Qu Yi being arrogant and unruly in the future. This famous General, who had a regrettable end in the history of the Three Kingdoms, would finally shine brilliantly in his hands!
...
Meanwhile, in a side room within Taiping Manor on Nanhua Mountain, Zhang Ning was sitting cross-legged on the couch. In front of her was a man, also sitting cross-legged, with his head bowed and hair loose, looking severely weakened.
Zhang Ning placed her palms on the man's back and quietly circulated her energy, allowing her true qi to flow and slowly infuse into the man's meridians.
After about half an hour, sweat beaded on Zhang Ning's forehead, and her face turned slightly pale.
After another moment, she immediately withdrew her palms, let out a long breath, and slowly stood up.
At this moment, a young man was standing by the couch. It was none other than Chu Yan, who had been severely wounded and unconscious during the siege of Yingtao County that day. Now, a month had passed, and his injuries had mostly recovered.
Seeing this, Chu Yan quickly helped the man lean back, resting against the side of the couch.
"Left Guardian," Chu Yan softly called out.
The man slowly raised his head. It turned out to be the man in yellow robes who had appeared below Yingtao County city wall that day and rescued Chu Yan—Zhang Mancheng!
However, at this moment, Zhang Mancheng's face was pale, and his breath was faint, clearly having suffered a severe loss of vitality.
Chu Yan asked with concern, "Left Guardian, how are you?"
"I...cough cough... I'm fine, Junior Sister. You must not... cough cough... waste your energy on me anymore."
"Senior Brother, don't talk, rest well," Zhang Ning said with a sorrowful expression. "I will find a way to save you."
"No need, I know my own condition. cough cough... In a few more days, Guan Hai will come out of seclusion. He went into seclusion this time to break through the seventh level of The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven. If he fails, so be it, but if he succeeds, no one in the Sect, except you, will be his match..."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I am only a step away from breaking through the ninth level. Besides, he still relies on me to open the Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove, so he won't make trouble at this time."
"Alas, I hope so..." Zhang Mancheng sighed. "A'Yan, listen. From now on, you must protect the Holy Maiden well and absolutely not let anything happen to her, understand?"
Seeing this, Chu Yan couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. "Left Guardian, don't worry, your subordinate understands."
Zhang Mancheng looked at Zhang Ning, then at Chu Yan, and pondered for a long time, as if he had made some sort of decision.
Zhang Mancheng looked at Chu Yan and said, "A'Yan, come here."
Chu Yan walked closer. "Left Guardian."
"Kneel down."
"Huh?" Chu Yan was startled.
"I told you to kneel down."
"Yes," Chu Yan knelt before the couch with a puzzled look in his eyes.
"Junior Sister, I have lost all my energy and don't have much time left. There's no need to waste time on me anymore," Zhang Mancheng said. "Guan Hai is about to come out of seclusion. Currently, I can no longer restrain him. When he comes out, you must deal with him superficially and avoid direct conflict. A'Yan is intelligent and has received my energy; he has now reached the sixth level of The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven. You must guide him more. In the future, he will definitely become a powerful helper for you!"
"Yes, Senior Brother, I know..." Zhang Ning said, unable to stop a string of pearly tears from rolling down the corners of her eyes.
Zhang Mancheng sat up straight, took out a token from his embrace and handed it to Chu Yan, saying, "A'Yan, you are a Black Mountain leader and an outstanding figure among the younger generation of the Yellow Turban. This token, the Upper Divine Envoy Token, was bestowed upon me by the Great Virtuous Teacher back then. Today, I pass it on to you. From now on, you are not only an envoy of the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect but also the new Upper Divine Envoy of the Yellow Turban. From today onwards, you will no longer be called Chu Yan. You must change your surname to Zhang and your name will be—Zhang Yan!"
Hearing this, Chu Yan's body trembled. He solemnly accepted the token and bowed to the two, saying, "Your subordinate, Zhang Yan, pledges loyalty to the Holy Maiden and to yellow heaven from this moment forth, with no second thoughts!"
Zhang Mancheng nodded and added, "There's another matter I haven't mentioned to anyone. In fact, the Great Virtuous Teacher had already foreseen the destiny when he first prepared for the uprising. Therefore, besides the Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove, he also left behind three thousand Yellow Turban Warriors. These men are the elite of our army's elite and your final reliance."
As soon as these words were spoken, the two couldn't help but be greatly surprised.
Zhang Ning quickly asked, "What! Senior Brother, are you saying that besides the Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove, Father also left behind an elite army? Where are they now?"
Zhang Mancheng slowly said, "Right here on Nanhua Mountain, there is a village called 'Taiping Village'. The people in that village are all Yellow Turban Warriors. Go find this village. When they see the Upper Divine Envoy Token, they will obey your orders."
Hearing this, Zhang Ning immediately said, "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will definitely find them."
"Good, then I can rest assured," Zhang Mancheng sighed regretfully. "Great Virtuous Teacher above, your unworthy disciple Zhang Mancheng has failed the Great Virtuous Teacher's trust. May yellow heaven bless the Holy Maiden, free her from disaster, and grant her peace and smooth sailing."
After Zhang Mancheng finished speaking, he slowly closed his eyes. Immediately, a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
