The following day, at dawn.
Outside Qingyun Village, a slowly moving carriage could be seen in the distance.
Inside the carriage, Wang Yan was still resting his head on Ren Hongchang's long legs.
He buried his head deeply in her lap, inhaling her delicate fragrance.
This time, however, he was only pretending to sleep.
He was calculating in his mind how to deal with Zhang Jiao.
Not only did he want revenge, but he also wanted to use Zhang Jiao to earn his first pot of gold.
According to the timeline, Big Ears (Liu Bei) should have already raised an army from Zhuojun and was likely heading to relieve the siege of Qingzhou. Soon, he would also meet Lu Zhi at Guangzong.
The three brothers (Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei) fought fiercely against the Yellow Turbans to gain military merit and earn official positions.
Lu Zhi's army to quell the rebellion should already be coming. However, with only 50,000 troops against Zhang Jiao's 150,000, they were disadvantaged, leading to a protracted stalemate.
In chaotic times, heroes emerge.
Now, amidst the turmoil, Wang Yan was planning how to gain military merit by helping to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion before the other heroes could showcase their abilities.
Once he earned military merit, leveraging his father's prestigious status, he could use connections in the court to secure an official position.
Emperor Ling of Han would soon be persuaded by Liu Yan to implement the policy of appointing provincial governors, making it crucial for Wang Yan to establish a long-term base.
Behind the carriage, the followers had grown to three thousand.
Two thousand Yellow Turban soldiers, having tasted the earthly delights under Wang Yan's "immortal powers," were utterly enchanted.
When Wang Yan announced his departure to Jinshi Town, everyone expressed their willingness to follow him, with no one wanting to stay behind.
Half a day later, the group arrived at Jinshi Town.
Wang Yan first delivered a passionate speech denouncing Zhang Jiao, followed by distributing steamed buns and white porridge.
This dual approach was unstoppable.
The Yellow Turban leader recruiting soldiers there had no choice but to hide under a large tree at the village entrance in the face of Wang Yan's two thousand soldiers.
Sensing the unfavorable situation, the leader planned to lead his hundreds of men back to Guangzong to report to the higher-ups.
However, he was shocked that no one was willing to follow him after he gave the order.
The soldiers gazed enviously at the people eating white steamed buns and porridge.
At that moment, Wang Yan, standing on high, was relishing his success.
[Emotion points +99]
[Emotion points +99]
[Believer +1]
[Believer +1]
...
Noticing the situation at the village entrance, he saw the hesitation among the Yellow Turban soldiers.
Were there still some unwilling to follow him?
So, he addressed the hundreds of soldiers loudly:
"Brothers who mistakenly joined the Yellow Turbans, why not come to the light?"
"I, Wang Yan, will pardon all past offenses, and there's plenty of steamed buns and porridge for everyone."
A casual persuasion shattered the soldiers' psychological defenses.
Already struggling internally, the soldiers began to waver.
The leader, unwilling to give up, reminded them sternly, "You defy military orders?"
"Wait till I report to General Ren Gong. Do you know your fate?"
His harsh words, however, were like the last straw that broke the camel's back, causing the team to crumble instantly.
The leader was greeted by a long knife piercing through his chest.
"Swish!"
The leader's eyes widened in terror as he looked down at the blade in his chest, "You...rebellious."
His body slumped to the ground, dying with eyes open.
The soldiers took off their yellow turbans and silently joined the queue for food.
Wang Yan sighed and looked away.
He realized the importance of military discipline. If the troops he raised were this disorganized, the consequences would be dire.
For now, the hastily assembled troops had a complex makeup.
"Zhou Cang, enforce strict military discipline. Any slackers, thieves, or deserters must be severely punished."
Grace and might coexist.
"Also, select three thousand strong men for daily training."
Quality over quantity.
Wang Yan aimed to use his speeches to turn these three thousand soldiers into loyal followers, forging an iron army.
"Yes!" Zhou Cang, highly efficient, began training the troops.
News of Wang Yan distributing food and recruiting people spread quickly.
Meanwhile, in Bibo Village, not far from Jinshi Town, the Yellow Turban leader in charge of recruiting soldiers was despondent, personally supervising the recruitment efforts.
But the scene was sparse, and the notice board was deserted.
"With Heaven's death, the Yellow Sky shall rise!"
"In the year of Jiazi, there shall be great fortune under Heaven!"
The leader and his dozens of subordinates shouted continuously, hoping to attract more villagers.
Just then, a passing peasant ignored their cries.
One subordinate recognized the peasant and approached him, asking:
"Hey, weren't you planning to join the Yellow Turbans yesterday?"
The peasant rolled his eyes and mocked:
"Crazy, why risk getting beheaded when there's a place where you can eat well?"
Suppressing his anger, the leader asked, "Old man, with Heaven's death..."
The peasant, impatient, interrupted:
"Enough! All you have is that one slogan to scare people!"
"Can your Great Teacher produce endless food like the Great Immortal Master?"
The leader, speechless, had heard of Wang Yan's miracles in Guangzong and Qingyun Village.
"It seems not."
Hearing this, the peasant turned and walked away, muttering.
"Then why join the Yellow Turbans? To get beheaded or starved? I'm off to join the Great Immortal Master!"
Leader: "...."
Just then, a group of poorly dressed villagers, some with their families, emerged from the village.
Seeing this, the leader felt a glimmer of hope, eagerly greeting them.
"Folks, you're finally here!"
The villagers looked at the leader strangely, said nothing, and bypassed him, heading towards Jinshi Town.
"..."
The leader stood there, watching the departing backs, feeling desolate.
There is no need to ask; these people would join the Great Immortal Master.
A young child looked back at the leader among the crowd, then asked his father timidly, "Daddy, are they the bad people trying to trick us?"
"Shh! Quiet."
An older man walking with them gently replied:
"Child, they are also pitiful people, deceived by bad men into deceiving others, not knowing the sins they commit."
"Alas, hateful people may also be pitiful."
Hearing this, the leader broke down.
Since being assigned to Jinshi Town, he had shouted himself hoarse daily.
With food scarce, he couldn't even eat well.
Finally, convincing some villagers to join the army, today was the day to head to Guangzong, yet no one showed up.
How would he face his superiors in Guangzong?
In despair, the leader threw down his yellow turban, cursing:
"To hell with it, I'm done! I'm off to join the Great Immortal Master!"
His subordinates echoed his sentiment.
"Boss, we support you!"
"Boss, we quit, too!"
Leader: ???
"Boss, we can't understand. If we can eat well with the Immortal Master, why rebel?"
Leader: !!!
He sighed inwardly; this was the will of the people!
Meanwhile, similar scenes of villagers defecting played out across the region.
At the same time.
In Guangzong, within the Taiping Dao headquarters.
"Great Teacher, there's bad news!"