Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Yellow Turban Uprising
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After sweeping away the bandit hordes that had set Bing Province ablaze, I headed straight for the governor's office with my new recruits: Zhang Liao, Cheng Lian, and Wei Yue.
I needed to report my achievements and formally present these fresh talents to my "father."
The main hall was filled with Ding Yuan and Bing Province's key officials.
As I entered, all eyes turned to me—and to the unfamiliar men trailing behind.
I strode to the center of the hall and bowed toward Ding Yuan.
"By your command, Father, I have exterminated the bandit gangs plaguing Bing Province and returned."
Ding Yuan nodded in satisfaction at my concise report. Then he pointed to Cheng Lian and Wei Yue standing behind me.
"These are Cheng Lian and Wei Yue, survivors from the surrendered bandits whom I deemed worthy. I have incorporated them into my unit. In accordance with military law, I wish to give them a chance to atone for their crimes through meritorious service."
"Hm. I trust your judgment. Well thought."
Ding Yuan approved without a fuss. Now came the real point. Finally, I had the quietly standing Zhang Liao step forward.
"And Father, here is a talent I must wholeheartedly recommend to you."
Every gaze in the hall fixed on Zhang Liao. Even Ding Yuan leaned forward with evident interest.
"This is Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wen Yuan, county clerk of Anmen County. I encountered him by chance during the bandit suppression and confirmed his abilities firsthand."
I met Ding Yuan's eyes squarely as I continued.
"As you can see, he is far too valuable to remain a mere county clerk. I beseech you, Father, to take him under your wing and allow him to serve Bing Province."
"A talent... you personally recommend."
Ding Yuan stroked his chin, scrutinizing Zhang Liao.
His eyes were sharp and calculating, like a merchant appraising top-grade goods or valuing a fine steed.
Zhang Liao stood ramrod straight, utterly unbowed by the blatant inspection. Moments later, a laugh laced with admiration burst from Ding Yuan's lips.
"Ha! To think such a gem was wasting away as a clerk in some frontier county! Either Anmen County's administrator is blind, or he's a fool who can't tell a pawn from a chariot on the board!"
Ding Yuan rose and approached Zhang Liao.
"Excellent! How could I refuse a talent praised so highly by my own son? Zhang Liao, from this day forward, I formally appoint you as deputy commander under my son Fengxian. Support the unit commander well and serve Bing Province faithfully!"
"I am deeply grateful for the governor's grace!"
Zhang Liao knelt and performed the proper rites. Everything had gone smoothly. Ding Yuan dismissed us with a satisfied expression.
I led the three out of the hall. Just as I closed the doors and turned to leave, I glanced back at Ding Yuan inside.
"........."
He was no longer smiling.
The kindly father's mask had vanished, leaving only the cold merchant's face. Alone in the empty hall, he stared at the spot where Zhang Liao had stood moments ago, lost in thought.
His eyes darted rapidly left and right.
'...Calculating his profits and losses.'
A heavy silence lingered in the hall after Lu Bu and his men withdrew.
Ding Yuan rose and returned straight to his private office, shutting the door. The affable father's facade that had adorned his face was gone without a trace.
Alone in the office, he replayed the scene: Lu Bu, Zhang Liao at his side, and the new additions Cheng Lian and Wei Yue.
'Hm, the wolf is steadily expanding his pack.'
Truth be told, it unsettled him.
Lu Bu was already a peerless warrior, one man against a thousand. Wei Sok had been his only subordinate, and Ding Yuan had figured he could manage with a firm grip on the sword's hilt if needed.
But this campaign had netted him Zhang Liao and even bandit remnants, swelling his forces. Still, Ding Yuan quickly shook off the unease. He was a seasoned merchant.
'No, there's no investment without risk. The greater the risk, the greater the returns. Those lads are merely my most valuable "commodities."'
The riskier the goods, the unimaginable profits when sold right.
Ding Yuan organized his thoughts and turned to another stack of documents on his desk—secret reports from spies dispatched to Liang Province, west of Bing Province.
He picked one up and unfolded it.
'Liang Province Governor Geng Bi... what an incompetent fool.'
The reports were unanimous.
Geng Bi was greedy and inept, having handed all personnel authority to a sycophant named Cheng Qiu. That Cheng Qiu was openly selling offices.
The problem was the man's sheer stupidity, caring only for money.
'Accepting bribes to appoint officials? Fine, even I'd do that. But rejecting provincial clans, Di tribesmen, and Qiang chieftains just because they won't pay?'
Ding Yuan clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk tsk... Idiot. Squeezing the common folk is manageable—they just starve. But daring to antagonize powerful clans and barbarian leaders? Those aren't starving peasants. They have the swords and cause to rebel. Geng Bi, you're digging your own grave."
Ding Yuan understood power's dynamics perfectly: alienating the strong few was far deadlier than oppressing the weak masses.
He set down the Liang Province reports with a satisfied smile. His mind raced, schemes bubbling up to recoup his investments.
'Liang Province will erupt in chaos soon—by autumn at the latest. The court foxes won't stir till the fire's at their feet, then they'll cry for a general to stop it.'
That was his moment to deploy his prime asset: Lu Bu.
'And I'll swoop in as if waiting for it, using "Lu Bu" to reclaim my investment.'
Ding Yuan took up his brush.
First, a memorial to the court. Even foxes don't pick nameless blades. He needed to raise the profile first.
Boast how his "loyal son" Zheng Po had crushed Bing Province's bandits, securing a higher post in reward.
It would cost blood money to the Ten Attendants, but pocket change for a shot at the capital.
'Lu Bu, your valor will carry me to the center.'
With a triumphant smile, Ding Yuan dipped his brush heavily in ink.
His mind already painted his ascent: Liang Province's rebellion as his springboard amid the bloodshed.
Guanghe 7th year, spring.
The capital Luoyang, heart of the realm, appeared splendid and serene. But that peace was but a veneer over a rotting corpse.
Emperor Ling indulged in palace pleasures, while the court dangled from the Ten Attendants' eunuch grip.
That night.
The Henan inspector's office, overseeing the capital's administration and security, thrummed with tension. Before He Jin knelt Tang Zhou, disciple of the Way of Great Peace's Zhang Jiao, trembling like a leaf.
"Henan Inspector, sire! A horrific plot brews in the capital!"
He Jin's brow twitched.
A former butcher elevated by his empress sister, he clung fiercely to power due to his lowly roots.
"A plot? Do you value your life so little? Speak true, or I'll have your tongue yanked out!"
Tang Zhou, nearly fainting under the threat, desperately spilled forth to survive.
"The Way's grand leader Ma Yuanyi leads thousands in arms here in the capital!"
"What?!"
He Jin shot to his feet.
'Not mere bandits—the Way of Great Peace with its millions of followers, rebelling in the capital?'
But Tang Zhou's revelation continued.
"That's not all... not all! They're colluding with the Ten Attendants from within to topple the court and usher in a new era!"
".......!"
He Jin paled. No mere uprising. The eunuchs blinding the emperor were joining outer rebels to devour the state whole.
This struck at the imperial foundation—a grand conspiracy.
"......."
He Jin reeled briefly, then his eyes hardened. Crisis and opportunity entwined: the perfect chance to crush the Ten Attendants.
"Mobilize the imperial guards now! Arrest the traitor Ma Yuanyi, root out all accomplices, and behead them! Seal the capital's twelve gates immediately! Not a rat escapes!"
With He Jin's orders, a bloody purge engulfed the capital.
In Julu Commandery, Ji Province, hundreds of li from Luoyang.
Zhang Jiao's base, self-proclaimed Great Worthy Teacher, swarmed with hundreds of thousands of followers like clouds.
Starved and sickly, their eyes blazed with fanatical faith.
At the horde's heart, in a tent like an altar, Zhang Jiao sat with eyes closed. A bloodied courier stumbled in and collapsed before him.
"Gr-Great Worthy Teacher...!"
Gulping his last breaths, the courier delivered ill tidings.
"The Luoyang plot... failed! Tang Zhou's betrayal... Grand Leader beheaded, thousands of brothers... imprisoned, dying...!"
Silence choked the tent. Zhang Jiao stirred not. But a single tear traced from his closed eye.
He wiped it away. When his eyes opened, sorrow was gone—replaced by rage to scorch the world.
Wordlessly, he rose and strode outside.
Hundreds of thousands prostrated toward him. Zhang Jiao faced their starving gazes.
"No more shall we tolerate this rotten court!"
He thrust his staff skyward, roaring with earth-shaking voice.
"The Azure Heaven is Dead; the Yellow Heaven Shall Rise! This decayed regime ignores the people's groans and agony—now we show our fury to the heavens! Become the yellow tide to uproot that foul core entirely!"
As his cry ended, the masses bound yellow turbans. Then a earth-rending cheer erupted.
"Waaaaah! Azure Heaven Dead! Yellow Heaven Rises!"
Guanghe 7th year, jiazi year.
Thus began the Yellow Turbans' realm-shaking revolt.