Liu Jin's gaze swept over everyone for a moment. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Zhao Ergou, and the others all showed anticipation in their eyes, hoping to be chosen.
After some hesitation, he decided to pick a shrewd and capable person. Looking at Guan Yu beside him, he slowly said,
"Yun Chang, are you brave enough to take on this task?"
Guan Yu stroked his beard, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and declared loudly,
"Big Brother, rest assured. The Yellow Turban's large camp is just a rabble. It's not some dragon's pond or tiger's den. I will definitely accomplish this task."
Liu Jin heard this and nodded gravely.
He still trusted Guan Yu greatly; his martial arts were extraordinary, he was known as a match for ten thousand men, and with the protection of over a hundred people, he would still be able to fight his way out of the chaos.
Moreover, he wasn't going to watch him get surrounded. As soon as the fires started and chaos erupted in the enemy camp, he would lead his troops in, significantly reducing the danger.
After confirming the matter, Liu Jin ordered everyone to set up cooking pots and prepare a meal. After eating, they would begin their march towards Zhuo Commandery.
He also dispatched a messenger, who rode at top speed, a step ahead towards Zhuo Commandery City, to report the matter first.
They would inquire if the Prefect agreed. If he agreed, everyone would be delighted, as there would be an opportunity to annihilate all the Yellow Turbans outside the city.
Even if he didn't agree, Liu Jin intended to take a gamble, leading his own troops in a forceful charge to resolve the battle.
Although this would cause the Yellow Turbans to flee in disarray, resulting in fewer spoils of war, he would still achieve victory.
However, Liu Jin was seventy percent confident that Wen Shu would agree to this major battle. After all, as the Prefect, if he were continuously besieged in the city by bandits, it would affect his prestige.
When the imperial court learned of this, at the very least, a charge of improperly resisting bandits would be unavoidable.
He was, after all, an official with a salary of two thousand shi from the imperial court. If he couldn't even suppress the bandits under his jurisdiction and was instead surrounded by them, he would basically be dismissed and investigated.
Therefore, Wen Shu was very eager to end this war quickly, gain a good impression in the imperial court, and even possibly be enfeoffed as a marquis based on his military achievements, so he naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
To put it another way, even if Wen Shu was a timid person who dared not take too great a risk, upon seeing the Yellow Turbans outside the city become agitated and begin to flee in disarray,
even a fool wouldn't miss the opportunity. He would definitely send a portion of his troops to cooperate with himself to clear out the Yellow Turbans outside the city, which would be enough for him.
One day quietly passed!
Inside Zhuo Commandery City, Prefect's Mansion!
Wen Shu sat in his study, his brows deeply furrowed, appearing somewhat melancholy.
He couldn't even read the bamboo slips in his hand, unable to calm his mind.
It wasn't that he was worried about the bandits outside the city causing him any harm. After all, Zhuo Commandery had high walls and thick defenses, and was guarded by two to three thousand soldiers. The Yellow Turbans outside the city alone could not possibly breach it.
What made him depressed was that this group of Yellow Turbans outside the city had surrounded the entire Zhuo Commandery, forcing him, the Prefect, to remain inside the city, unable to do anything.
The longer it dragged on, the more likely it was to reach the imperial court's ears, and he would definitely be punished, perhaps even losing his official position. This was what worried him most.
So, for the past few days, he had been sitting in his study, lost in thought, trying to figure out how to break this stalemate.
He wanted to order Zheng Qian to lead the troops in the city in a night raid to see if they could annihilate the Yellow Turbans outside the city.
However, he was met with opposition from his subordinates. Leading a large army out of the city for a major battle was risky, and even the city itself could be lost. They all advised him to focus on defense and wait for the right moment.
This made him furious. How could he not know what these people were thinking?
As long as Zhuo Commandery wasn't lost, no matter how arrogant these Yellow Turbans were, or how much they plundered the surrounding populace, they themselves would remain safe and sound, avoiding punishment from the imperial court. However, all the blame and losses would fall on him.
Thinking of this, Wen Shu slammed his palm on the table, revealing his anger. They were truly a bunch of good-for-nothings, with no one reliable.
Especially Zheng Qian, as the Prefect, who commanded all the troops, was actually a timid coward who didn't even dare to fight outside the city, only daring to stay inside the city drinking and enjoying himself.
Angry as he was, Wen Shu had no other choice.
Zheng Qian was, after all, an official with a salary of more than two thousand shi, only one rank below himself. At most, he could scold him, but he couldn't dismiss him and investigate him.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the study door.
A guard respectfully said,
"Reporting to the Prefect, Military Marquis Liu Jin has sent a message."
Wen Shu, who was still feeling dejected, heard this and paused slightly, a hint of anticipation appearing on his face.
He still thought highly of Liu Jin; at the very least, he had won a major battle, annihilating two to three thousand enemies.
With this achievement, as long as it was reported to the imperial court, he would still be safe and sound.
A majestic voice slowly emerged!
"Come in."
The guard, with a respectful expression, bowed and walked in, holding a letter, which he respectfully held above his head.
Wen Shu took it and examined it carefully, his eyes lighting up, his gloomy expression completely vanishing.
Instead, he clapped his hands and laughed loudly!
"Good, good, good!"
"As expected of the brave and skilled Liu Jin, he has given this Prefect another good piece of news!"
The guard standing by watched his Prefect's rapid change of expression, feeling a bit bewildered. Just a moment ago, he was looking distressed, and now he was laughing heartily.
After praising him, Wen Shu's eyes gleamed with spirit. He realized that quelling this unrest could only rely on this young man, Liu Jin.
He immediately stood up and instructed the guard beside him,
"Gather all officials above six hundred shi in the commandery in the Prefect's Mansion's main hall. This Prefect has matters to discuss with them."
Upon receiving the order, the guard did not dare to delay. He immediately withdrew and began to instruct others to relay the message.
Officials of all ranks, having received the order, hurried towards the Prefect's Mansion.
In the main hall, Wen Shu knelt at the head seat, his face stern, watching the various officials enter one by one, bowing and saluting!
"Prefect, Prefect."
Wen Shu nodded slightly, signaling everyone to take their seats on either side.
Once everyone was present, Wen Shu did not hide anything and slowly said to them,
"This Prefect has summoned everyone here to discuss a matter with you all."
The officials kneeling on both sides heard this and glanced at each other, some even beginning to whisper.
Many speculated, wondering if the Prefect was planning something again, or perhaps a major battle outside the city against the Yellow Turbans.
Many frowned, highly displeased. Currently, both sides were at peace. It was better to stay safely within the city and wait for the imperial court's army to come and suppress them. There was no need to take risks and oppose these bandits.
If something truly serious happened, and the city was breached, they would become the Yellow Turbans' victims.
