Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 93 A True Man Should Be Like This (Unable to think of a reason, so an extra 4k chapter was added)

The people inside the room exchanged glances. Huang Zhong's expression darkened, and he reached out to stop Han Ji and Zhang Liao, who were about to leave.

"Stay inside!"

He then pushed open the door and went out.

He saw a cavalry unit of over thirty men approaching from a distance. His eyesight was excellent, and he must have seen the leader's posture on horseback. He was probably over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and long legs. His legs gripped the horse like iron clamps, and his back was straight like a javelin. The reins were loose between his fingers but could be tightened at any moment.

"He's quite a man!" he praised, but his movements didn't stop. He took a few steps out of the courtyard and mounted his horse.

Seeing that the shouts of the Peach Blossom Swordsmen had not stopped the cavalry's charge, he immediately took down a four-stone longbow, bent it, and fired a whistling arrow into the air.

The sharp whistle was piercing, and the leader of the cavalry revealed a disdainful look, flipping his hand to grab a horse bow.

With even greater force from his legs gripping the horse, he drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and fired it three meters in front of Huang Zhong.

Who was Huang Zhong? The moment the leader drew his bow and nocked an arrow, he also drew a regular arrow and shot his own arrow just before the leader shot it.

The two arrows collided in mid-air, and the force of the four-stone bow shattered the man's arrow, which then floated forward a distance with a bit of force.

"end!"

The man's expression changed, and with a wave of his hand, the thirty-odd riders immediately slowed to a stop, showing the beginnings of an order that could be obeyed without question.

"Who is coming!"

"Lu Bu of Wuyuan, Lu Fengxian! Who are you!"

The thirty riders reined in their horses twenty meters away from the courtyard. As they drew closer, Huang Zhong could see them more clearly. The man was wearing light leather armor with wolf head patterns engraved on the surface. He had half a black cloak draped over his left shoulder, but there were traces of a piece being cut off from the corner of the cloak by a sharp blade.

With his sharp features, bronze skin, and short, swallow-tail-like beard, he exuded a rugged aura and could be considered a valiant general.

Huang Zhong, secretly approving, replied loudly, "Huang Zhong and Huang Hansheng of Nanyang! What brings you here?!"

Lu Bu frowned. Few people in Bingzhou spoke to him like that. He had already stopped his horse because of that arrow, so why was this person so ungrateful and even questioning him?

"What does my action have to do with you! Get out of the way, the order to conscript has arrived! Zhang Liao of Mayi is to be sent to the army to attack his father!"

"Who gave the order!"

Huang Zhong's face darkened, and he made several hand gestures behind his back. The Taoyuan soldiers behind him understood and tightened their grip on their blades.

"Why bother explaining to you! I'll say it again! Get out of my way!"

Lu Bu's eyes flashed with danger, like a wolf eyeing its prey. Huang Zhong, however, remained fearless, chuckling lightly, "I'm afraid you won't be able to take him away!"

I felt a surge of relief. It was fortunate that I arrived today; if I had been a few moments later, I might not have been able to fulfill my lord's instructions.

That kid is the man our lord wants, so no one can change his mind. It's not that Huang Zhong underestimates anyone, but apart from his inhuman lord, who can put him in a superior position, everyone else is just a bunch of scoundrels!
Even if the lord doesn't wear armor, I still have a chance to win!
This is his confidence, the confidence of a strong person!

"Arrogant!" Lu Bu roared in fury and charged forward on horseback, brandishing his iron spear.

Huang Zhong raised the corner of his mouth.

Want to duel?
Satisfy you!
He drew his ring-pommel sword from his saddle and charged out, the two colliding halfway.

Lu Bu's iron spear shot out like a venomous dragon, its tip tearing through the air with a piercing whistle, aiming straight for Huang Zhong's throat. Huang Zhong, however, seemed to have anticipated this, his ring-pommel sword slashing upwards—

"clang!"

Amidst the sparks flying, Lü Bu felt a tremendous shock from the shaft of his spear, his hand went numb, and his Bingzhou horse neighed twice and took a few steps, while Huang Zhong's warhorse was completely unaffected.

Lu Bu was startled. He had only thought that this man's archery skills were extraordinary, but now that they were fighting close, his strength was even more domineering, and it seemed that he was even more powerful than himself!
Not convinced! Let's go again!
One round is just a taste, but two rounds should be taken with full force!
Lu Bu's fighting spirit intensified. He tensed his arm muscles, squeezed his waist and abdomen to bring his horse closer again, and suddenly shook his iron spear. The spear tip, like a rain of pear blossoms, pierced straight into Huang Zhong's vital points!

"Hahaha, well done!" Huang Zhong laughed, twirling his ring-pommel sword in his hand. He was not afraid at all when fighting against long weapons with short weapons!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" The sounds of metal clashing were incessant, and sparks flew everywhere!

Although Lü Bu's spear thrust was fierce, it was always blocked by Huang Zhong's blade. Every time Lü Bu thrust out, the blade followed like a shadow, accurately blocking and even using the force to rebound, forcing Lü Bu to return his spear to defend!
"This guy... is so troublesome!" Lu Bu thought to himself in surprise, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.

He boasted that he was the fiercest general in Bingzhou and had never been defeated by his spear, but today he was being suppressed in every way!
In their second exchange, they fought with all their might, the clash of spear and knife like a curtain of rain. Several times he tried to create distance and take advantage of his long weapon, but the other man clung to him like a leech.

He was jolted again, and the spear almost slipped from his hand before he could react.

The blade swept across like a mountain, forcing him to lie down on his horse to dodge. Just as he straightened up, his warhorse was struck and staggered back several steps.

—Not convinced! Let's try again!

Lu Bu's eyes were somewhat red. He had never suffered such a defeat since he joined the army. He immediately roared and spurred his horse forward. His iron spear swept across Huang Zhong's waist like a poisonous dragon's tail!
Huang Zhong remained calm and composed, holding the hilt of his sword horizontally with both hands to meet the spear head-on!
"Clang—!" A deafening sound rang out, and Lu Bu's arms trembled violently, almost causing him to drop his iron spear again!
Huang Zhong, however, had lost all interest in fighting. He used both hands simultaneously, grabbing the iron spear whose force had just dissipated with one hand, while his other hand held the ring-pommel sword against Lü Bu's throat.

Cold sweat dripped down his cheeks onto the blade, and Lü Bu swallowed hard.

play?

He was just teasing himself!
"Your strength is good, but you're still a bit inexperienced. You'll need to train hard for a few more years!"

Huang Zhong released his grip on the spear shaft and sheathed his ring-pommel sword.

"you!"

"."

"Who exactly is he?"

Lu Bu clenched his teeth, feeling extremely unwilling, but he also understood that he was indeed inferior to this man.

"Huang Zhong of Nanyang, isn't that someone you've exchanged names with?"

"Never heard of you! How can you be so strong!"

"Hahaha, there are countless heroes and great men in this world. You are only from a county. How can you underestimate the heroes of the world!"

"You mean a certain Qiang? Perhaps you've never seen our lord. If he were here, you'd be decapitated in an instant if you fought him!"

"Impossible!" Lu Bu exclaimed in astonishment.

What? There's someone stronger than you? Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Losing to one person was bad enough for him, but now that he heard there was someone even stronger, his first reaction was disbelief!

How come such a brave and valiant man has never been famous!

"Hahaha, whether you believe it or not is none of my business. Anyway, I'll just say this politely: if you encounter us again, unless you are my master, then leave as soon as possible, lest you die without even knowing how you died!"

"Alright, that's enough between us. I'll say it again: you can't take the person in this courtyard away. He has a past with my master, and I've come here to take him back."

"As for his father's military punishment, you can figure out a way to deal with it yourself, as a way of repaying the kindness of not killing you."

"That's all I have to say. If you still don't know what's good for you," Huang Zhong's smile faded, replaced by a chilling intent. As he raised his hand, the fifty cavalrymen behind him nodded and stepped forward menacingly.

"I will surely cut you down!" "How dare you! I am indebted to you today; if we meet again, I will surely be victorious!"

Lu Bu was a man who could take defeat. Although he was unwilling to admit defeat during the battle, he was fighting on the spot, so how could he be timid? He could only forge ahead. Now that the outcome was clear, he would not dwell on it.

It's just a matter of conscripting one person into the army; he still has the authority to make that decision.

"let's go!"

Amidst the wind and snow, thirty riders from Bingzhou moved swiftly like the wind.

In the courtyard, Zhang Liao, who had been peeking through the window, was filled with indescribable admiration and awe.

This is what a man should do!
On the contrary, Han Ji, as Huang Zhong's old friend, was the most calm. He did not think Huang Zhong would lose at all, and was even surprised that the stalemate outside had lasted for so long.

Once everything outside the courtyard had returned to normal, Huang Zhong spurred his horse and rode back inside, dismounting and entering the house.

"We shouldn't stay any longer. Although that person speaks eloquently, who knows if he might change his mind behind our backs? We should leave as soon as possible."

Han Ji nodded: "That makes sense."

He got up, came to the bedside, and bowed respectfully: "Madam, you also heard that the man came to conscript your son into the army. I wonder if Madam intends to obey the conscription order or leave with us."

Zhang, lying on the bed, was in a very difficult position.

On one hand, there was the conscription order; if her son joined the army, he would inevitably suffer greatly, and it was even possible that he would follow in her husband's footsteps.

On the other hand, although these two people were reasonable in every way and even saved his life, he knew nothing about their origins, and the outcome of going with them was also unknown.

After thinking it over, she turned her gaze to her son.

My son is young but has already come of age, and once he comes of age, he will be the head of the family.

"What does Wen Yuan think?"

Zhang handed the decision over to her son. If her son stayed, she would grit her teeth and stay even if it offended her two benefactors; if he left, she would do the same.

Compared to Zhang's many considerations, Zhang Liao pointed at Huang Zhong without hesitation and said, "I'll go with you. Can you teach me martial arts?"

"Haha, of course you can learn if you want. My martial arts have already spread far and wide, so what difference will it make if you're one more!"

Huang Zhong laughed heartily, "This kid knows his stuff: But I won't lie to you, there are even more powerful people on my lord's estate, you can learn from them if you want."

"There's something even stronger!?"

Zhang Liao's eyes were practically gleaming.

It's in a young man's nature to admire strength; he now desperately wants to get to that so-called paradise as soon as possible.

Han Ji looked at Zhang Shi, who nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your help, esteemed guests."

"It doesn't matter."

He then ordered his soldiers to enter, quickly tidy up, and return to Mayi. The main reason for returning to Mayi was to take care of Zhang's health, and a carriage needed to be prepared.

Han Ji was always reliable in his work, and in less than a quarter of an hour, he and several soldiers had prepared the carriage.

After harnessing the horses and loading them onto the cart, and settling Zhang down, the group set off again.
-
Kaka——!
Zhang Xian woke up early in the morning to the constant clucking of falcons in his room.

Pushing open the door, the room was warm as spring. The doors and windows were sealed tightly with leather, leaving no gaps for drafts. Before the snow fell, he had someone dig a chimney inside the room, and a fire was lit outside, so the heat would continuously flow into the room.

My peregrine falcon has been nesting for almost thirty days. At first, the falcon would occasionally go out to hunt, but as Zhang Xian kept bringing back meat, the falcon simply stayed in the house 24 hours a day.

These past few days, Zhang Xian has spent a lot of time cleaning the eagles' nests of droppings.

But what can I do? It's my own falcon. If I don't take care of it, am I supposed to let the wild eagles outside take care of it?
Zhang Xian wasn't sure if it was the falcon's first time incubating eggs, but it seemed very inexperienced. Even though it was a bird, he could still tell that the falcon was quite flustered.

Once inside, he lit an oil lamp, which provided some light. He placed a bowl of about half a pound of meat strips next to the eagle's nest, and the eagle began to peck at it, presumably because it was hungry.

Chirp chirp chirp—.

A few faint sounds came from under the falcon's belly. Zhang Xian was startled, and then hurriedly lifted the falcon, which was still in a nest-hugging position.

"You stupid bird, the egg has already hatched, what are you still sitting there for!"

Kaka——!
The falcon turned its head to look into the nest, where three naked chicks fluttered about, seemingly relieved that the mountain that had been weighing them down had finally been removed.

Click—?
The falcon tilted its head as if to ask, "Mine?"
Zhang Xian nodded in affirmation, "It's yours!"
Why don’t they look alike?
How would I know?

Perhaps it's the inheritance of bloodlines, or perhaps it's because animal DNA contains useful information, but when the eagle sees the three bare clumps in the nest, its instinct to feed the chicks instantly kicks in.

It picked up the meat strips from the bowl, stepped into the nest, and then tore the meat strips into even smaller pieces to feed the three chicks bite by bite.

Zhang Xian found it amusing; it was the first time he had ever witnessed a bird of prey feeding its young.

On a whim, he went over to try feeding them. When the falcon saw him coming, it no longer resisted as it did when it was nesting. Instead, it hopped a few steps to make room for him.

It's as if he's been given half the responsibility of raising offspring.

Zhang Xian chuckled, shook his head, and imitated a falcon by tearing the meat strips into pieces and picking them out to feed to the one that had been staring at him the least.

The three chubby, smooth little balls of flesh had bulging eyes but didn't open them. Their bellies weren't big either. After feeding them a few bites, they stopped stretching their necks and making noise.

Seeing this, Zhang Xian moved the meat bowl further away and returned the task of feeding the falcon to it.

He then went outside.

In the snow-covered paradise, he was the only busy man.

The only remaining chore in the village was shoveling snow.

The stream was frozen over, making the water hammer unusable. If the armorers were to continue working at this time, their fingers would inevitably get frostbite.

Sugar making, winemaking, and charcoal burning also stopped because the season was not right and the temperature was not suitable, leading to a surge in fuel consumption.

Since that was the case, Zhang Xian simply gave everyone a day off.

The snow-covered Peach Blossom Spring was like being wrapped in a thick blanket. To prevent the snow from collapsing the houses, Xiahou Lan got up early in the morning and organized the people of Peach Blossom Spring to start clearing the snow.

Seeing this, the villagers joined in, and large swaths of snow were shoveled together.

The children were overjoyed and played around the snowdrifts, which inevitably drew a scolding from their parents.

What if I ruin my clothes?

(End of this chapter)