Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

A smug look flashed in Yuan Wei's eyes.

It seems this country bumpkin is quite sensible; he knows he can't contend with the Yuan family, so he chose to back down.

"So this kid surrendered before even fighting?"

He Jin looked completely bewildered.

Before they even got into position, the other side had already given up?

"That's one way to understand it."

Yuan Wei nodded and said, "That just proves he's pragmatic! He also sees through the Emperor's intentions and doesn't want to be a tool for the Emperor. His previous refusal to recruit us was just a show for the Emperor."

"This young man is a hidden talent; given time, he will surely become a powerful figure."

Yuan Wei didn't want to break ties with such a shrewd and capable person for the time being. Otherwise, if the other party fought to the death, it wouldn't benefit either him or the Yuan family.

He Jin couldn't help but ask, "Should we still try to force him to leave Luoyang and remove him from his position as governor of Nanyang?"

He really couldn't figure out Lu Feng's stance—was this person an enemy or a friend?

"Of course!" Yuan Wei chuckled. "This is not only our need, but also Lu Feng's own need!"

"We must keep him away from the center of power, lest he be used by the emperor as a weapon against us. Similarly, Lu Feng also needs to take this opportunity to escape, lest he become the emperor's tool."

"This is the wise way to protect yourself!"

Yuan Wei speculated that the emperor should already know about Lu Feng's actions in Nanyang.

He Jin breathed a sigh of relief: "This matter still needs the Grand Tutor's supervision. If needed, please don't hesitate to give the order! It's best to transfer Lu Ziyi as far away as possible as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, the time to make a move will come soon." Yuan Wei nodded in satisfaction.

He Jin, with his simple mind, was exactly the puppet he envisioned.

Meanwhile, Liu Hong, inside the palace, did receive information about Lu Feng's movements in Nanyang.

"What is Lu Feng up to? I didn't send him to Nanyang to enjoy a life of leisure!"

Seeing this, Zhang Rang, who was standing by, quickly advised, "Your Majesty is wise. The General Who Guards the East is still young and lacks governing experience. In addition, the situation in his new post is complex, so it is understandable that he chooses to proceed cautiously. If he is too hasty and causes trouble, it would only disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."

—The monthly tribute money came in handy at this moment.

"That's true." The Emperor's expression softened slightly. "I was too hasty and forgot that the General Who Guards the East is still young."

"This Lu Feng is truly gifted! We must make good use of him in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rang smiled knowingly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

The incident that might have involved Lu Feng was quietly quelled thanks to Zhang Rang's mediation, buying Lu Feng more time.

Yuan Wei and He Jin thought the emperor would be displeased with Lu Feng's recent actions, but to their surprise, the emperor seemed completely oblivious.

"This matter is strange... Could it be that His Majesty has other intentions?" Yuan Wei pondered to himself.

Inside the Nanyang Prefectural Governor's Mansion—

Lu Feng sized up the composed middle-aged general before him and said with a slight smile, "You must be Huang Zhong, Huang Hansheng of Nanyang?"

"This humble general, Huang Zhong, greets Your Excellency, Prefect!" The middle-aged man clasped his hands in a salute, gently pulling the thin boy beside him to bow as well. After the salute, he couldn't help but ask eagerly, "I've heard that Your Excellency can cure my son's illness, I wonder..."

Looking at this young prefect who was about the same age as his eldest son, Huang Zhong both doubted his medical skills and admired his achievements—he became the prefect of Nanyang at a young age based on his military merits, and was enfeoffed as General Zhen Dong and Marquis of Wu, which made this old general, who was nearly forty years old and still serving in the army, feel a lot of emotions.

"Hansheng's paternal love is truly touching," Lu Feng said with a hearty laugh as he stepped forward to take Huang Xu's pulse. After a moment, he turned to the anxious Huang Zhong and asked, "Did your wife suffer from a severe cold during her pregnancy?"

"You, sir, could actually see that?!" Huang Zhong's body trembled, and a flame of hope ignited in his eyes: "Could it really be a cure?"

"That's the cause of the illness," Lu Feng nodded. "This is the root of Huang Xu's congenital weakness."

(

At this point, Lu Feng stopped beating around the bush and directly told Huang Zhong and his son, "I do indeed have a method for treatment!"

Before he finished speaking, he met Huang Zhong's eager gaze, flipped his palm, and revealed a pill.

It was the healing pill that was obtained when Zhang Niujiao was first beheaded.

"This elixir is a miraculous medicine I obtained by chance! It can cure all congenital and acquired diseases in the world! One pill is enough for Huang Xu's illness!"

Lu Feng opened his palm and handed the pill to Huang Xu: "Take this, and you'll recover quickly."

"this......"

Huang Xu's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was momentarily stunned.

Having suffered from illness for years, how could he not want to recover? But could this tiny pill really cure his chronic ailment of so many years?

Huang Zhong also looked hesitant.

Lu Feng didn't urge them, but simply waited for the father and son to make their decision.

After a moment of silence, Huang Zhong gritted his teeth—the dignified General Zhen Dong and Marquis Wu would not dare to play tricks on him, a mere military commander.

"This humble general thanks you, sir! If you can truly save my son, my son and I are willing to repay you with our lives!"

After saying that, he took the pill and personally fed it to Huang Xu.

Father and son stared intently at each other, Huang Zhong's voice trembling: "How are you feeling now?"

"My belly feels warm and cozy... the heat is flowing through my limbs and bones!" Huang Xu stroked his belly, a long-lost smile spreading across his face.

"The medicine has taken effect; we just need to wait and see," Lu Feng said calmly.

"Yes!" Huang Zhong replied emphatically, his tiger-like eyes turning red.

How many years had it been? Watching his beloved son grow thinner and thinner, especially suffering terribly in the dead of winter, he was almost in despair. Now, finally, he saw a glimmer of hope?

As the medicine gradually took effect, Huang Xu's body was covered in fine beads of sweat, his skin flushed red, and a layer of black grime was expelled from his pores.

After an incense stick's time, the medicine had fully taken effect. The boy, who had previously looked ashen-faced, now had bright eyes and rosy cheeks. If it weren't for the dirt on his body, he would look no different from an ordinary person.

Lu Feng instructed his servants to take him to bathe and change. Once he was ready, Huang Xu looked completely refreshed, as if he had been reborn.

"Father! Your son is cured!" The boy ran joyfully towards Huang Zhong.

The old general, trembling, took his son's pulse and carefully examined his entire body. Over the years, in his quest for medical treatment, Huang Zhong had become quite knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine.

"It really is...it really is cured!" After confirming that it was true, the tough man could no longer contain his emotions and tears streamed down his face. Lu Feng, who was watching the father and son's heartfelt emotions, was deeply moved.

After the two men calmed down, Huang Zhong and his son respectfully knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency's kindness in saving us is something our father and I are willing to do to serve you like dogs and horses!"

"Please rise, both of you!" Lu Feng smiled as he helped them up, and the strength he displayed made Huang Zhong secretly marvel at how extraordinary this young commander truly was.

"It is truly my good fortune to have the assistance of Huang Hansheng and his son. I have long heard of Huang Hansheng's illustrious reputation in Nanyang, and today I finally have the opportunity to meet him!"

After a moment's thought, Lu Feng said, "Hansheng will temporarily serve as a colonel, training the Beiwei Army alongside Chen Dao. He can be promoted later after achieving meritorious service. What do you think?"

"I am deeply grateful for your lord's appreciation. I will do my utmost!" Huang Zhong said excitedly, clasping his hands in a salute.

He was originally just a lowly military officer, but unexpectedly he was promoted to captain as soon as he joined the army. This kindness deeply moved him.

Lu Feng noticed that Huang Zhong's loyalty value had climbed to 99 points, almost reaching the level of swearing to be loyal to the death.

Afterwards, Lu Feng arranged a residence for Huang Zhong and his family in Wancheng. Once they were settled, he introduced Huang Zhong to Dian Wei, Chen Dao, Zhou Cang, and others. During the meal, Dian Wei, itching to show off his skills, challenged Huang Zhong to a duel. Huang Zhong, who had not used his archery skills, defeated Dian Wei in less than a hundred moves.

"That's exhilarating! Hansheng's martial arts are superb; you're the second person who can easily defeat me!" Dian Wei wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he laughed heartily. He was delighted to have another expert in the army, someone he could spar with anytime in the future. Although Lu Feng's martial arts were superior, fighting against his lord always made him feel restrained. On the other hand, sparring with Huang Zhong was completely worry-free—of course, Dian Wei would never admit that he couldn't last ten moves against Lu Feng now.

During this period, Dian Wei was often beaten helplessly by Lu Feng, but he had the upper hand when fighting Zhou Cang and Chen Dao. Although Chen Dao, who was only twenty years old, had second-rate strength, he was still too young and naturally could not withstand the first-rate general Dian Wei.

With Lu Feng's teaching abilities, his improvement was very rapid.

"Oh?"

Dian Wei's strength is considerable, placing him among the top-tier generals. However, compared to Huang Zhong, who has one foot in the peerless realm, there's still a gap. In recent years, due to Huang Xu's illness, Huang Zhong was preoccupied and unable to reach his peak condition. Now that Lu Feng has cured Huang Xu, Huang Zhong is refreshed. Lu Feng predicts that it won't be long before this veteran general truly enters the realm of a peerless grandmaster.

This is indeed a great thing!

According to Lu Feng's assessment, even Lu Bu at his peak was only at the pinnacle of unparalleled skill.

"Haha! It is indeed my lord! And my lord is much stronger than you now! I can't last ten moves against my lord!" Dian Wei grinned.

"Huh?" Huang Zhong was surprised to hear this. Although he knew that his lord was brave and extraordinary, he did not expect him to be so powerful.

Huang Zhong immediately turned to Lu Feng and asked curiously, "My lord, have you perhaps reached the level of a peerless grandmaster?" It should be known that the grandmaster is the pinnacle of military generals in this era.

Legend has it that a martial saint who transcended the ordinary appeared hundreds of years ago, but that has become a legend.

"Pretty much. Because of my special talent, I'm a little bit stronger than the average peak-level expert," Lu Feng replied with a smile.

His sheer valor alone granted him unparalleled strength, and later, he acquired divine power, top-tier swordsmanship and spearmanship, as well as the Iron Bone talent, causing his strength to advance by leaps and bounds. Now, even he himself is unsure of his limits.

"Hiss—" Huang Zhong gasped, then shook his head with a wry smile: "I've always been proud of my martial arts talent, but today I realize there are always those more skilled than me. Huang Zhong is completely convinced!"

"Ha ha!"

Lu Feng smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Han Sheng is too modest! Your archery skills are unparalleled, and your strength has already touched the threshold of the peerless!"

"Now that Huang Xu's matter is settled, with your talent, breaking through to the Grandmaster level is just around the corner! At that time, you will definitely be among the top experts of this era, so why be modest?"

He had high expectations for Huang Zhong.

They even started imagining a future clash between Huang Zhong and Lü Bu.

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong laughed heartily and said, "My lord, you flatter me! I will certainly do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"

Dian Wei, standing beside him, widened his eyes and exclaimed, "So, Brother Hansheng's forte is archery? Come on! Let's go have a match right now!"

As he spoke, he grabbed Huang Zhong and ran towards the training ground.

Chen Dao and Zhou Cang also followed with great interest.

That night, Lu Feng silently chanted in his mind, "System, activate special check-in!"

[Ding! Huang Zhong's special check-in successful! Reward: God-level Archery Talent x1, Rejuvenation Pill x10]

"Using one pill actually earned me nine more? And it even came with divine-level archery skills?"

"Hansheng is truly my lucky star!"

Looking at the system panel, Lu Feng couldn't stop smiling.

"Now that I've acquired my archery talent, I've finally got everything I need!"

"With natural talent supporting my marksmanship, swordsmanship, and archery skills, I have no weaknesses on my path of martial arts!"

He was secretly making plans.

Legend has it that the realm of the Martial Saint, which transcends the ordinary and enters the realm of sainthood, is the true starting point for metamorphosis.

Not only is their combat power extraordinary, but their lifespan can also be greatly extended.

This realm captivated Lu Feng.

Fifteen days later—

"Has the visiting card to the Huang family of Mianyang been delivered? How did Huang Chengyan reply?"

Lu Feng summoned Lu Yi to inquire.

His visit to the Huang family was not for his youngest daughter, Yueying, but rather for the possible secrets of the Mohist mechanical arts and weapon forging techniques.

Some scholars in the past speculated that the true creator of both the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow and the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse might have been the daughter of the Huang family.

Based on the background of the Huang family of craftsmen in Mianyang, Lu Feng believes this inference is quite reasonable.

Even though Zhuge Liang was exceptionally talented and made remarkable achievements in the military and political fields, his inventions and creations were unrelated to these fields.

Moreover, he has no family background in related fields, so how could he be so outstanding in the technical field?

Moreover, the invention and improvement of any machine requires extensive experience and a great deal of time and effort.

Zhuge Liang was ultimately a mortal. He could not be in two places at once, and he had to assist Liu Bei in conquering the world and governing the country. How could he have spare energy to engage in invention and creation?

Therefore, Lu Feng is more inclined to believe that these achievements stemmed from the accumulated experience of the Huang family and the wisdom of Huang Yueying.

The key issue is still talent!

Thanks to his photographic memory, Lu Feng has recently recalled many military technologies from his previous life, but he lacks the professional talent to bring them to fruition.