Battle Royale of the Sinners

February 20th, 185 A.D.

A month of Ji City restoration was completed with the help of Lu Zhi and Tong's donated supplies. In return for this debt, Gongsun Zan and Tong formed an alliance and opened their trade routes.

Gongsun Zan exported workhorses, warhorses, iron ores, and coal, even including the mysterious saltpeter and sulfur that Lu Zhi requested to Zhongshan while Zhongshan traded them with the rare spice, food, and the repeating crossbows, which signified the trust on the other side.

Gongsun Zan and his subordinates were astonished for this generosity and Tong's faith for sharing their technologies.

"Lord, I don't know if this brat is spoiled, stupid, or he is sincere."

Guan Jing, the strategist of Gongsun Zan, still doubted Tong's motive.

On the other hand, Gongsun Zan laughed, "You overthink! What's wrong with helping each other in the time of crisis! Heck, he's even my junior of the same master."

"Lord, we don't know what they can do with all the ores and the things your master demanded. I think we should investigate this."

"No need. I heard that several Taoist priests use these strange powders in their elixirs. Well, Zhang Tong's father is also a Taoist priest so he might want to brew something similar to that."

Guan Jing wanted to protest. But thinking back, he recalled that Julu was also prosperous in the medical field with Hua Shi as the leader of all physicians and doctors there. Thus, he swallowed his words.

"If we ally with Zhang Tong, we will become Yuan Shao's enemy."

"There're already seeing us as their enemies when we sent Liu Bei to Pingyuan. I'm sure Yuan Shao and Tian Feng want to kill me to steal our cities. That's why I agree to send Liu Bei there as our scapegoats. If they want to fight us, first, they will have to deal with Liu Bei and his brothers and ruin their reputation in the process. Without the people's support, they can't draft more militias or volunteers!"

"I see. I didn't understand your intention previously. Please forgive me."

"Hmm. It seems that politics aren't your forte, Guan Jing."

"I can't match your stratagems, lord."

Gongsun Zan smiled, feeling proud of his scheme.

"With this, our borders are secured for now. Once Yuan Shao is done with that greedy Liu Bei, we'll attack Nanpi and uproot the Yuan Clan."

"He is your junior though …"

"His status and Zhang Tong's status is different! I heard that idiot Liu Bei refused my master's invitation to join Zhang Tong or me. Remember how he reacted when I assigned him to Pingyuan? That giddy look and those greedy eyes can never fool me! He's a disgrace to my master. He has to pay!"

Gongsun Zan's mood became foul as he recalled the face of Liu Bei.

…

…

…

Meanwhile,

Pingyuan City, Qing Province.

Jiang Man was grinning from ear to ear, looking at his sole white tentacle wing. It transformed into a spirit of a gentle-looking young girl. She was his first love in his previous life when he was a child.

[Soul of Kindness]

He succeeded awakening his virtuous soul last month, and he discovered something from the note that Lilim gave him.

Now, he had eight unawakened virtues and one wing. It was possible for him to get nine wings!

"I found a secret! Hahahaha!"

During his cultivation, he assisted Liu Bei in sorting and distributing supplies to the hungry civilians of Pingyuan. After a few months of daily mundane works, a new virtue appeared and added to the original seven virtues that he was cultivating.

Jiang Man's brain was not a bad one. He connected the appearance of this new [Virtue] to the deeds that he had recently been doing repeatedly.

The act of giving food to the people in need gave birth to this [Virtue], and its chance of awakening percentage kept increasing at a rapid rate. It took Jiang Man a total of half a year to complete the 100% chance and got this immortal wing he desired.

"Doing good deeds will increase my chance of getting wings. Well, pretending to be a good guy works."

On the other side, Liu Bei was also doing well within the city. With Jiang Man and Jian Yong's assistance, he understood the basic job and tasks of a governor.

Liu Bei's outer appearance and elegance gave the impression of a kind man. Thus, many civilians grew attached to this new governor and praised him for his past deeds.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were also in the middle of learning to command troops efficiently. They still struggled to remember signals and other basic commands as they were still too new to handle a massive army of 10,000 soldiers or above.

Unlike Tong's officers who had the help of elites like Jia Xu or Lu Zhi, they fumbled their ways and learned everything on the job.

.

February 22nd, 185 A.D.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Jian Yong, and Jiang Man gathered in the city hall. There was a visitor.

Tian Feng stood in the middle of the city hall with boxes of gifts, boxes of gold, silk clothes, and pottery treasures.

"I've come to reinforce our friendly relationship between neighbors. Lord Liu Bei, I hope you can accept these."

Liu Bei smiled and laughed. He got out of his governor seat and walked to Tian Feng, grabbing his hands and thanked him.

"No ceremony, no ceremony. We're already friends since the day we're fighting against the rebels. Come! Sit here and talk instead."

Liu Bei did not have any experience dealing with multi-cities politic or etiquette, which made the traditional scholar like Tian Feng cringed.

'How was this idiot chosen to be a governor!? Why am I feeling like I'm dealing with a drunkard commoner.'

Tian Feng did not like Liu Bei, but he had a task to complete.

"Lord Liu Bei, actually I also have a favor to ask you."

"What's wrong? We're good neighbors, so we'll be glad to help out. Tell me, I'll help if I can."

"The current Emperor, His Majesty Liu Xie, has commanded my lord to investigate the Beihei City of Kong Rong. You see, the previous uprising of the Yellow Turban, one of their commanders fled south into Kong Rong's territory, but the governor Kong Rong refused to cooperate with us. We suspect that he's in league with the rebels, but we have no proof."

Liu Bei's eyes sharpened when he heard about Yellow Turbans. He still thought that the Yellow Turban had something to do with Tong.

"And what can I do to help you?"

Tian Feng grinned, "Of course. Since you are good with commoners and your fame is well-known within Beihei areas, we wish to request you to visit Beihei to investigate about the Yellow Turban while you pretend that you are visiting Kong Rong for a friendly visit between friends. My master Yuan Shao will give you 100,000 gold, provisions, and additional 20,000 soldiers for your trouble. Can you help us?"

Guan Yu and Jiang Man frowned. They stepped to Liu Bei's side to stop him, but they were too late.

"That's natural! For the sake of getting rid of the Yellow Turban, we will help you!"

Jiang Man face-palmed, while Guan Yu sighed as he gave up. They knew that Liu Bei was tricked.

Tian Feng glanced at Guan Yu and Jiang Man for a second, 'Your Lord is incompetent, so do all of you. A good subordinate has to be bold and outspoken! None of you are qualified to stand against me!'

…

Beihei City, Qing Province Capital.

In this city, another aristocrat family hid here, the Kong Clan, led by Kong Rong.

Kong Rong was the twentieth generation descendant of the famous Kong Zi, the founder of the Confucius Religion which dominated ancient China.

This governor also had a deep root in the Han Court as a family of ancient aristocrats. He was also the current clan head of the Kong Clan.

In the previous years, he resided in Luo Yang to serve Emperor Ling like the other warlords. However, because of the chaotic power struggling between Liu Ping, Dong Zhuo, and others, he fled Luo Yang to his hometown and established his force here in Beihei.

Currently, Kong Rong sat on the throne in the government building, staring at his guest.

Guo Tu, one of the strategists under Yuan Shao, bowed at Kong Rong.

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit without a gift, but this is very important."

Kong Rong glared at Guo Tu with suspicion, "Speak."

"My scouts have detected two armies of Yellow Turban rebels entering your territory, so I'm here to warn you to be careful about the possible uprising."

"Hah? Are you kidding me? If it's that Zhang Kai, I've chased that bastard further south the moment he got into my land."

"It's not only Zhang Kai, sir. There's one more that you have to be careful."

"Which army is it?"

"Our spies told us that Liu Bei is in cahoots with the rebels. He will be coming here and disguising as a friendly visit. In reality, he is planning to assist Zhang Kai to take over Beihei from the inside."

"Preposterous! Liu Bei is known to be a virtuous governor! I even confirmed this info with my men ages ago. Guards, drag this fool out of my sight!"

Guo Tu did not panic. He grinned, "Do you know why I have the guts to say that? Do you even know about the existence of immortals?"

Hearing about immortals, Kong Rong squinted his eyes with a frown, "What about them?"

Kong Rong would be a fool if he did not know about the superpower of Tong and his subordinates by now. As the Clan Head, the news about the immortals, including Sun Fang, Li Jing, had reached his ears.

Guo Tu bowed again, "The immortals created the Yellow Turban to sow chaos in this land. You should be well aware of this information, am I correct?"

"And?"

"One of Liu Bei's sworn brother is also an immortal."

Kong Rong's glare sharpened, "Which one is it?"

"It's their fourth brother, Jiang Man. I believe Zhang Tong sent Jiang Man to infiltrate Liu Bei's ranks in secret. We have confirmed that his power related to manipulation of spirits."

"…"

Kong Rong waved his hand, gesturing for a consult with his advisor. Wang Xiu, Kong Rong's secretary, whispered to him.

"The news is not confirmed. Moreover, I think Yuan Shao wants to borrow our knife to kill Liu Bei so he can rightfully take over his city. From our previous record of these guys, Gongsun Zan used Liu Bei as a proxy to steal Yuan Shao's city. They are not in good terms."

Kong Rong nodded.

'Bastards of the Yuan! Do you want me to soil my hands and kill a saint? You know what? I'll return the favor and damage your non-existence reputation!'

Despite his thought, Kong Rong smiled, "Please tell Lord Yuan Shao that I appreciate his tips. I'll do my best to repel the rebels."

Guo Tu bowed again, "You're welcome, Lord Kong. Then, I shall take my leave."

Guo Tu left the building. He rushed back and exited the city without staying for the night.

Kong Rong and Wang Xiu still remained in the hall, planning a double scheme.

"We'll intentionally leak a rumor within our city that Yuan Shao is jealous of Liu Bei's reputation and wants to kill him. Let the rumor spread to the south, and let that old fox Tao Qian hear it. Exaggerate the rumor a bit. Make it look like that Liu Bei is a saint while Yuan Shao is a cheating villain. Use the controversy subject when Yuan Shao enthroned his son as the Emperor."

"That would be very easy, my lord. But what is the purpose of this move?"

"We'll make Yuan Shao the public's enemy. Once his reputation falls to some extent, I'll rally a coalition against him. I'm sure Zhang Jiao and Zhang Tong won't miss this chance to get rid of Yuan Shao."