Liu Jin said with a smile from the side!
"The envoy has traveled a long way and is clearly very tired.
I have already prepared a banquet.
Why not honor me with your presence?"
Zuo Feng shook his head upon hearing this!
"General Liu, I appreciate your kindness.
Besides delivering the imperial decree, I also received His Majesty's order to inspect the front-line battle situation and report to the court at any time."
"So I must go to the main army camp and have a talk with General Lu."
Liu Jin was stunned when he heard this.
Zuo Feng was actually here to inspect the front-line battle situation.
It was probably not as simple as just 'talking'.
It was very likely that he wanted to collect bribes.
Given Lu Zhi's character and integrity, he would never look up to these Eunuchs, so how could he possibly offer bribes?
Moreover, if he gave bribes and it got out, it would damage Lu Zhi's reputation, making people think he was colluding with the Eunuchs, becoming a thorn in the side of those noble families, and being ostracized.
He would almost certainly follow in the footsteps of history.
Soon, Zuo Feng rode in a carriage, swaying as he left this place and headed towards the main army camp.
Liu Jin sighed, wanting to persuade Lu Zhi, but he suppressed the urge.
He and Lu Zhi were merely superior and subordinate, not close confidants, so he couldn't go and persuade him to bribe Zuo Feng.
It might even make Lu Zhi think he was trying to harm him.
He shook his head and didn't think much about it.
Even if Lu Zhi was removed from his post by the court, he still held a high position and would soon return, with no danger to his life.
Looking at the people around him, he said with a smile!
"Today, General is happy.
Everyone, follow me into the camp and drink to your heart's content!"
Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Han Dang, Zhao Teng, and others grinned, crowding into the military camp.
Two days later!
Suddenly, arguments erupted from within the central army tent.
Zuo Feng's face was grim, his breathing rapid, as he stared at the person before him and coldly shouted!
"Lu Zhi, how dare you insult me like this!"
"I will report truthfully to His Majesty and condemn you!"
After saying this, Zuo Feng walked out of the tent without looking back.
He had no intention of staying, and immediately rode a carriage, quickly leaving the military camp.
However, there were many more carriages than when he arrived, clearly having collected many bribes within the army.
Watching Zuo Feng leave, Lu Zhi's face was grim.
He sheathed the sharp blade at his waist and coldly shouted!
"Rebellious traitors, still trying to collect bribes in front of General!"
Zong Yuan, the deputy General next to him, turned pale and said in a flustered tone, hastily!
"General, you are confused!"
"How can you offend this Zuo Feng?"
He was appointed by His Majesty to inspect the battle situation.
To clash with him like this is truly unwise."
Lu Zhi completely ignored these words, his face still stern, and he snorted coldly!
"In the two days since he arrived in the army, he has been collecting bribes among the various Generals.
I just turned a blind eye."
"But I never expected this scoundrel to dare to collect bribes in front of me."
"If it weren't for His Majesty's appointment, how could I let this person leave?
I would have beheaded him long ago as a sacrifice to the flag!"
Zong Yuan sighed upon hearing this!
"Even so, General, you cannot be so reckless.
Zuo Feng is His Majesty's confidant.
After suffering such a great humiliation, he will definitely add fuel to the fire once he returns to Luoyang."
"At that time, General, your life may be in danger!"
Lu Zhi waved his hand and said coldly!
"Don't worry.
Zuo Feng collected bribes in the military camp, affecting the morale of the front-line army, which has already violated the laws of the court.
I believe His Majesty will be discerning and will not act rashly."
Zong Yuan's face showed a bitter smile upon hearing this, and he prayed silently in his heart.
He hoped Lu Zhi could hold on and use his connections in the court, otherwise, their good days would be over.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the tent, and a soldier came in to report!
"Reporting to General, there is a person outside the camp who claims to be your student, named Liu Bei, Liu Xuande."
Lu Zhi frowned upon hearing this, but didn't say much.
He waved his hand and said calmly!
"Please invite Liu Xuande in."
After receiving the order, the soldier respectfully withdrew.
A moment later, Liu Bei, dressed in coarse linen clothes, wearing straw sandals, with disheveled hair and a gaunt face, walked in with an excited expression.
Looking at Lu Zhi, who was seated at the head of the table, he didn't hesitate.
He knelt down with a thud and said with a wronged expression!
"Teacher, Teacher, your disciple has finally seen you!"
Lu Zhi's face darkened at this sight, feeling a little displeased in his heart.
He wanted to scold Liu Bei, but seeing his down-and-out appearance, his heart softened, and he still comforted him!
"Xuande, weren't you doing well in Zhuo Commandery?
Why are you like this?"
Liu Bei slowly stood up, wiped his grimy face, and respectfully said!
"Teacher, your disciple heard that you are leading a large army to suppress the Yellow Turban, winning battle after battle, majestic and extraordinary."
"I have been studying with Teacher since childhood, and my heart is full of ambition.
I want to follow Teacher to restore the Han Dynasty and save the people of the world."
"So I left Zhuo Commandery and traveled south overnight, finally arriving here today.
I wonder if Teacher is willing to take me in, even if I am just a vanguard, I am willing."
Lu Zhi's face darkened, unable to suppress it any longer, and he said angrily!
"Liu Xuande, military rules are strict.
How can you keep calling me 'Teacher'?
If it gets out, people will think I'm appointing people based on favoritism.
How can I face the three armies?"
"In the army, you must address me by my title.
If you dare to do so again, don't blame me for not considering our teacher-student relationship."
Liu Bei was startled upon hearing this, his legs went weak, and he quickly prostrated himself on the ground, respectfully saying!
"General, Xuande would not dare."
Lu Zhi nodded upon hearing this, his anger somewhat suppressed.
Zong Yuan, standing nearby, slightly curled his lips, looking at Liu Bei with a hint of disdain.
He never expected this impolite young man to be Lord Lu's disciple.
He really got lucky to be able to study under Lu Zhi.
Gongsun Zan, on the other hand, received the true teachings, looking dignified and extraordinary.
Compared to the two, the difference was like heaven and earth.
However, Zong Yuan stood aside and said nothing.
After all, he was Lu Zhi's disciple, and it wasn't his place to interfere.
Lu Zhi looked at Liu Bei, and after some thought, slowly said!
"Since you have this ideal and ambition, General cannot disappoint you."
"You have, after all, studied the classics, so serving as a mere soldier would be a bit of a waste of talent.
Coincidentally, there is still a Tuncun position in the army.
You shall take this position, command a hundred men, obey orders, and do not disobey!"
"If you dare to use my name to stir up trouble in the army, don't blame me for disregarding our teacher-student bond."
Liu Bei's face showed a bitter smile upon hearing this.
He had finally managed to resign from his official position and traveled thousands of miles to Jizhou.
He had thought that with the teacher-student relationship, and Lu Zhi being a Central Protector-General commanding tens of thousands of people, he could at least get a Military Sima position, or at worst, a Qu Junhou, and rise during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
He never expected to only be appointed Tuncun, and he would have to charge into battle.
A slight mistake could lead to his immediate death on the spot.
