Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 179: Beheading Sun Ce and Recruiting Huang Zhong

(PS: In the previous chapter, Sun Ce was killed four to five thousand people, but it was changed to two thousand. I know I was wrong and I will correct it.)
Under the horrified gaze of Sun Ce's army, Lu Bu launched a charge.

Even though there is only one person, his charge is so imposing and the sense of oppression he gives people is no less than that of thousands of troops.

His eyebrows were raised, his eyes were fierce and terrifying, and the murderous aura seemed to burst out like a substance.

Just one look at it is frightening.

The fifteen-foot-long Fang Tian Huaji flashed a captivating cold light in the sunlight.

Sun Ce was also a hero, with fierce eyes, disheveled hair, and he rode his horse with spear in hand, charging towards Lu Bu.

The two men clashed again, and the sound of swords rang out.

Sun Ce, who had already been injured, was not as brave as before. After ten rounds, his spear skills became increasingly disorganized and his strength was running out.

By the 30th round, the knuckles of his hands were completely broken and blood dripped down the Overlord Spear.

"Sun Ce, you are a man of character. If you surrender now and restore Jiangdong to the Han Dynasty, I will spare your life."

Lu Bu blocked Sun Ce's Overlord Spear with a halberd, and the blade pierced his left shoulder blade, and he said coldly.

"Don't even think about it! Today, we will fight to the death!"

How could Sun Ce surrender?

He knew very well that whether it was his father's private possession of the imperial seal or his repeated disobedience to the orders of the Emperor of Yecheng, it was no different from treason.

If they surrender, not only will their entire foundation be lost, but no one in the Sun family will be left alive.

Now, even if he died on the battlefield, with Zhou Yu's assistance, Sun Quan could inherit his foundation and retreat to Jiangdong.

There may be a chance to make a comeback in the future.

"In that case, then die!"

Lu Bu's face turned cold, and his attack became more and more fierce, like a storm.

"Even though I die, I will still be the Overlord of Jiangdong! You, Lu Fengxian, will always be a slave of three surnames!"

Sun Ce fought desperately.

A large piece of his head was cut off, and he would not survive even if he went back.

It would be better to die honorably on the battlefield.

After the fortieth round, the Overlord Spear in Sun Ce's hand, which was invincible, broke into three pieces!

By the fiftieth round, he was no longer able to resist and his huge head flew into the sky.

Hot blood spurted out from the neck and poured down, covering Lu Bu in a bloody mess.

"Bo Fu!"

In the distance, Zhou Yu, who was feeling uneasy, led 5,000 troops to provide support.

As soon as he arrived at the battlefield, he saw the scene of Sun Ce's death in battle, and his eyes were immediately bloodshot.

"kill!"

Zhou Yu roared angrily and led his army to attack Lu Bu.

Lu Bu bent down and picked up Sun Ce's head, grinned in the direction of Zhou Yu, squeezed his legs hard on the horse's belly, and rushed away from the battlefield at lightning speed, catching up with the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry who had burned their food and grass and retreated.

……

After the order to recruit talents was issued, although there were many people who came to serve and could be considered talented, most of them were not up to the level of being worthy of Liu Xie’s personal meeting.

There is no other reason. Just like Adou appointed prime ministers by picking names one by one from the Memorial to the Emperor on Starting the War, those whose names are not recorded in history books are not in his eyes.

Guo Jia was in charge of civil officials, while the recruitment of military generals was handed over to Taishi Ci, considering that Zhang Liao had to manage the army on a daily basis and Zhang He and Gao Lan had to guard the safety of the imperial palace.

Taishi Ci, who received this task, did not dare to be negligent in the slightest.

For more than ten days in a row, I worked diligently.

On this day, Liu Xie summoned him into the palace.

"Ziyi, is there any brave general to come and join us?"

"Your Majesty, it's not satisfactory." Taishi Ci shook his head and replied truthfully: "I have selected many people in recent days. Regardless of their strategies, from the perspective of martial arts alone, no one can last thirty rounds against me. They are really not worthy of being used."

"I believe that quality is more important than quantity. We should not recruit mediocre generals to lead the troops. Doing so will only cause the soldiers to sacrifice their lives in vain."

Because he was recruiting generals rather than soldiers, his screening criteria was very simple. He would first test them in infantry combat, cavalry combat, and mounted archery, etc. Only if they met the standards and could last thirty rounds under his hands would they be considered qualified.

In his opinion, for a general leading troops to fight, you may not be good at strategy, but your personal martial arts skills must be outstanding. If you can't even last thirty rounds, how can you be a general?
When Liu Xie heard this, the corners of his mouth twitched.

This Taishi Ci has no self-awareness at all!
How could someone who could last thirty rounds under his hands be an unknown person? He would have been a famous figure in history long ago.

"Ziyi, the standards can be lowered appropriately. If he can last for more than ten or twenty rounds, he will be hired. He cannot lead an army alone, but he is more than qualified to be a lieutenant general or a captain of a thousand men."

Now he has Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Gao Lan, Zhang He, and Taishi Ci under his command, which can be said to be a group of brave generals.

Although there is no shortage of generals, there is a severe shortage of middle-level generals.

"Yes! I will remember this!"

Taishi Ci felt a little warm in his heart. He didn't expect that his status in the emperor's heart was so high.

After serving under him for a dozen or twenty times, one can be promoted to a deputy general or a captain of a thousand men.

This made him feel happy about being recognized and appreciated.

Taishi Ci added: "Although there are no brave generals coming here these days due to the recruitment order, I did meet a brave man a few days ago."

"This man is about fifty-three years old, but his martial arts skills are quite impressive. I fought him for eighty rounds, but there was no clear winner. After one hundred and fifty rounds, I was at a disadvantage."

"Oh?" Liu Xie's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this, and he quickly asked, "What's this man's name? Can Ziyi recruit him to the army?"

Taishi Ci's martial arts skills are so strong that he is ranked among the best generals in the entire Three Kingdoms period.

The opponent is in his fifties, but he can fight Taishi Ci on equal terms?
Could this fierce man be Huang Zhong?
As Liu Xie waited, Taishi Ci replied, "This man's surname is Huang, his given name is Zhong, and his courtesy name is Hansheng. He is a general under the command of Liu Pan, the nephew of Liu Biao of Jingzhou."

"As far as I know, his only son had a strange disease and was looking for a doctor everywhere. He heard that there was a famous doctor in Yecheng, so he came here to seek medical treatment. Although I invited him to join the army, he declined."

Taishi Ci's tone was quite regretful.

He rarely encounters an opponent who can suppress him in martial arts, especially since Huang Zhong is so old.

If he were ten years younger, he would be no match at all.

He really wanted to recruit such a hero, and he had exhausted all his words in the past few days.

Unfortunately, Huang Zhong came to Yecheng this time to take his son to seek medical treatment, not to respond to the call for talents.

"It's really Huang Zhong!"

Liu Xie was overjoyed when he got the answer he wanted.

This person is a famous general!
When he was in his sixties or seventies, he could still fight with Guan Yu, who was in his prime, for hundreds of rounds and ended in a draw.

In the end, he even killed Xiahou Yuan in front of the two armies at an advanced age!

How could Liu Xie not be delighted with such a powerful general, who was ten years younger than the one he appeared in history?

Without thinking too much, Liu Xie said immediately: "Ziyi, go find this person quickly. If he is willing to serve the court, I will order a miracle doctor to be found for him all over the world!"

Huang Zhong has come to his door, how can he let him go?
As for Liu Biao...ha, go and play somewhere else!

Anyway, such a brave general like you is not valued, so you might as well come here and shine for me.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Taishi Ci clasped his fists in response, then turned and left.

...In a medical clinic in Yecheng.

A sturdy man with somewhat dark skin and gray hair and beard was nervously watching the doctor taking his son's pulse, his eyes full of worry.

Not long after, the doctor finished taking the patient's pulse.

The strong man asked anxiously and fearfully: "How is my son? What disease does he have? Is there any way to cure him?"

This sturdy man is none other than the spokesperson for old but still strong—Huang Zhong!
The thin young man with pale face and dark brow sitting next to him was his only son Huang Xu.

"It's hard."

The doctor shook his head and sighed, "Your son's illness seems to be caused by congenital yin deficiency, but it's not like that... Forgive my limited medical skills, I really can't tell."

"I can only prescribe a medicine for your son to temporarily relieve his symptoms, but if you want to cure it completely, I'm afraid only the great doctor Hua Tuo can do it."

Hearing this, Huang Zhong's face was full of bitterness.

If he could find Hua Tuo, he would have gone to look for him long ago.

But the problem was that Hua Tuo had no fixed place to live and traveled around the world to cure illnesses and save lives. By the time he found out where the person was and rushed over, the person was gone and he could not meet him at all.

The doctor in front of him was also a famous doctor in Jizhou. He came here with a glimmer of hope, but he didn't expect the same result.

"Good work."

Huang Zhong put down the medical fee in despair and helped his son out of the clinic.

Seeing his father's lost look, Huang Xu couldn't help but say, "Father, this disease is incurable. Maybe this is my fate."

"My father is so old and still has to take me to seek medical treatment everywhere. It's really too tiring. I really can't bear it."

Hopes were ignited again and again, and disappointments followed again and again. Huang Zhong almost spent all his family wealth to treat his illness, and even lost the official position he had worked so hard to get. He looked visibly older. How could Huang Zhong, as his son, bear this?
"nonsense!"

Huang Zhong's eyes turned red, and he shouted angrily, "We are not at the end of our rope yet, how can we just say we can't treat him! Didn't the doctor say that as long as we find Hua Tuo, he can be saved!"

"Your father will take you to see Hua Tuo tomorrow!"

Even though it is difficult to find Hua Tuo, he will not give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope!
Huang Xu choked up and said, "Father, I am unfilial..."

Huang Zhong sighed and was about to speak to comfort her, but suddenly he saw a group of cavalrymen galloping along the street and stopped in front of him.

"Who are you?"

Huang Zhong was shocked and protected his son behind him, looking at the group of soldiers in front of him vigilantly.

The leader, Taishi Ci, took off his helmet and said with a smile, "Brother, don't you remember me?"

When Huang Zhong saw him, he frowned and said in a deep voice: "General Taishi, I just want to take my son to seek medical treatment. I really can't serve my country."

He was impressed by the young man in front of him.

Not long ago, he rushed to Yecheng and encountered bandits attacking a village on the way, so he offered his help. Coincidentally, Taishi Ci also arrived with his troops, and mistook him for a bandit and wanted to get rid of him as well. The two fought for eighty rounds without a clear winner.

After the misunderstanding was finally resolved, Taishi Ci apologized to him and wanted to recruit him into the army, but he had clearly refused at that time. Unexpectedly, he came to him again today.

Taishi Ci bowed his hands towards the direction of the palace and said, "Brother, today it is not my personal invitation, but the emperor's personal invitation. I hope you can serve the country."

"Your Majesty was touched when he learned that the old general brought his son to seek medical treatment. Considering the old brother's fatherly love, he specifically instructed me that no matter whether the old brother is willing to serve the court or not, he will search for famous doctors in the world, even the legendary doctor Hua Tuo, to come to Yecheng to treat your son."

Huang Zhong widened his eyes upon hearing this.

The emperor summoned him personally?

And he is willing to ask the miracle doctor Hua Tuo to treat his son?
"Father, please accept it!"

Huang Xu's excited face showed a few sickly blushes, and he kept urging his old father beside him.

What excited him was not that the emperor was willing to find the miracle doctor Hua Tuo for him, but that the emperor personally ordered the recruitment of his father. What an honor!
That was a recruitment from the Emperor!

No matter what position you hold here, your future will be much brighter than being a minor general in Jingzhou!

Huang Zhong came back to his senses and asked in disbelief, "General Taishi, please don't lie to me."

He couldn't believe it.

I am just a minor general of unknown reputation, and now I have reached the age of knowing the destiny. What virtue have I possessed to deserve such attention and favor from the emperor?
"How dare I spread the emperor's order?" Taishi Ci said patiently, "Your Majesty is in the palace. You can come with me to the palace to see him. This is a rare grace."

"it is good!"

Huang Zhong hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to believe Taishi Ci because he felt that Taishi Ci had no reason to lie to him; if it was true, then his son would be saved!
If he can't find Hua Tuo, the emperor will definitely be able to find him!

……

Led by Taishi Ci, Huang Zhong came all the way to the palace.

He was a little skeptical at first, but when he followed Taishi Ci through the heavily guarded imperial guards and walked inside the magnificent and solemn imperial palace, all his doubts turned into awe and excitement!
Maybe his son could really be saved.

When the eunuch called him into the palace, Huang Zhong did not dare to look up at the most noble figure in the world. He kowtowed and saluted tremblingly: "I am Huang Zhong, the humble servant, and I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

Although he originally served as a deputy general under Liu Pan, he had resigned from his official position long ago in order to take his son to seek medical treatment, and now he is just a commoner.

"No gift."

Liu Xie looked at Huang Zhong and smiled. "I heard from General Taishi that you are still strong even at your age. Your martial arts skills are better than his even though you are over fifty. You are truly a rare hero in the world. Now that I see you, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

Huang Zhong had never been praised like this before when he was under Liu Biao's command, especially from the emperor. He felt terrified and said quickly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just a crude warrior. How can I be worthy of the title of hero? I am really terrified."

Liu Xie was not impressed by Huang Zhong's modesty and said directly: "In today's world, the princes are rising up and people are in danger. I have issued a decree to the whole country to find talented people and revive the Han Dynasty."

"You are a martial artist. If you don't serve the court, wouldn't that mean I'll lose a pillar of talent?"

"As for your only son's illness, I will order Hua Tuo to treat him."

At this time, Huang Zhong was completely focused on his son.

As expected, after hearing the emperor's words in person, he was so moved that he burst into tears and kowtowed deeply, saying: "I am willing to die for your majesty!"

Although he didn't know why the emperor valued a little-known person like him, as long as his son's illness could be cured, he would not mind sacrificing his life!

Moreover, the emperor himself recruited him, and being loyal to the country is the duty of a real man. How could he refuse?
"good."

Liu Xie nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow you will go to the Xuzhou military camp outside the city to find General Zhang Liao. From now on, you will serve under him. I hope you will not disappoint me."

Although he knew Huang Zhong's loyalty and bravery, he had just been recruited and had no outstanding achievements or distinguished background. It would not be convincing to appoint him as a general right away.

You must know that Taishi Ci fought against Yuan Tan and delayed the Qingzhou army for three days, but he was only awarded the title of General Yingyang. Therefore, he had to wait until Huang Zhong had some achievements before rewarding him.

With Huang Zhong's martial arts skills and his presence by Zhang Liao's side, it would be hard for him not to make achievements.

"I thank your majesty for his grace!"

Huang Zhong responded respectfully, then left the hall with Taishi Ci and walked out of the palace.

Even after he stepped out of the palace gate, he still felt that all this was too unreal. He couldn't help but look back at the magnificent palace behind him, and he couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.

"Father! How is it?"

Huang Xu, who was waiting outside the palace, saw his father come out and hurriedly went up to him and asked anxiously.

Huang Zhong retracted his gaze, hugged his son tightly, and said in a trembling voice: "Xu'er, you are saved! His Majesty will find the great doctor Hua Tuo to treat you!"

"Father!" Huang Xu burst into tears with excitement, happy for himself and for Huang Zhong.

The father and son hugged each other and cried outside the palace gate.

……

At the same time, Xu You, who was far away in Hejian County, got into trouble.

Shen Pei, who had always been on guard against him, caught him in the act.

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(End of this chapter)