Chapter 73: The Great and Virtuous Big-Eared Liu
The Great and Virtuous Big-Eared Liu probably wouldn’t mind, right?
Xiao Wen muttered under his breath. His right hand rested uneasily behind his back, constantly fighting the urge to draw a blade and stab someone.
Among the three great rulers of the late Han, Sun Quan was born into a powerful family. Wherever he went, countless people surrounded him. There was never a chance to stab him.
As for Cao Cao, that fellow was far too cautious. Xiao Wen estimated that before he could stab Cao Cao, Cao Cao would probably stab him first.
After thinking it over, only the “Great and Virtuous” Big-Eared Liu seemed suitable.
However...
Just as Xiao Wen was getting restless, he noticed that the red-faced, long-bearded man beside Liu Bei was staring at him.
Guan Yu!
That bastard was guarding against him!
Damn it!
What happened to trust between people?
As for Zhang Fei, ever since entering the room, his gaze had been locked onto Ma Chao and had never moved away.
Hah!
These left and right arms of his...
That Big-Eared Bandit really had absurd luck!
Xiao Wen cursed inwardly.
He withdrew the hand behind his back and had servants bring tea.
With Xiao Wen and Liu Bei sitting together, a round of hypocritical pleasantries was naturally unavoidable.
After the exchange of courtesies, the topic turned to the situation in Zhuo County.
Liu Bei patted his chest and declared that he was born a man of Zhuo County and would die a ghost of Zhuo County!
Even if he had to sacrifice his life, he would never allow the Yellow Turban rebels to take a single step into the city!
The speech was truly passionate and inspiring.
Even Xiao Wen could not help giving a thumbs-up after hearing it.
As expected of the Big-Eared Bandit. He was truly skilled at stirring emotions.
I seriously suspect this guy put all his talent points into emotional manipulation.
If I hadn’t been reborn and already known what kind of NPC you are, I might have been fooled too.
Xiao Wen silently grumbled to himself, the look he gave Liu Bei anything but friendly.
“Since Mr. Liu possesses such resolve, this official is deeply comforted. I have heard that during these past days, while temporarily acting as County Magistrate, Mr. Liu has recruited five hundred elite soldiers?” Xiao Wen suddenly asked.
The next second, Liu Bei, who had been smiling and chatting moments ago, instantly changed expression.
He hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed.
“I have overstepped my authority. Please punish me, my lord!”
“But I do not regret it. Being able to contribute to my hometown is enough. Even if my lord demands my head this very moment and confiscates those five hundred elite soldiers, I shall have no complaints!”
There it is!
This guy was still as much of a green tea manipulator as ever!
With those words, he had directly sealed off every retreat route available to Xiao Wen.
However...
“Mr. Liu need not belittle yourself. What you have done may violate regulations, but it accords with reason.”
“With Mr. Liu, these two brave warriors, and five hundred elite soldiers assisting us, the Yellow Turbans will certainly come only to meet their doom!”
Hearing this, Liu Bei frowned slightly. A strained smile appeared on his stiff face as he nodded in agreement.
“There is one matter in which I may need to trouble the County Magistrate,” Liu Bei suddenly said.
“Oh? What matter?” Xiao Wen raised an eyebrow.
“I wish to borrow the central plaza of the town.”
“For what purpose?”
“My two brothers and I possess the will to eliminate bandits, but lack suitable weapons. We wish to construct a large furnace in the city and forge weapons,” Liu Bei replied.
“Forge weapons?”
Xiao Wen murmured, a strange expression appearing on his face. He stared at Liu Bei for several moments before finally nodding his approval.
“Thank you, my lord!”
After another round of pleasantries, Xiao Wen personally escorted the three men out with a smile.
Once they had left, the expression on Xiao Wen’s face turned extremely cold.
The earlier conversation had been a mutual test.
Xiao Wen had been asserting his authority as County Magistrate, while Liu Bei had been trying to use public opinion to preserve control of his five hundred elite soldiers.
The five hundred soldiers could be taken away.
But Liu Bei absolutely could not be killed.
At present, he was the hero in the eyes of all the people of Zhuo County.
The moment Xiao Wen made a move against him, the morale and unity of the county’s people would instantly collapse.
Therefore, he could not be touched.
Not only could he not be touched, he had to be treated well.
Ideally, Xiao Wen wanted to find an opportunity where Liu Bei would willingly allow him to stab him once.
Xiao Wen muttered inwardly.
After sending Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei away, it was not long before the departing White Dragon Cavalry returned. Each carried a basket on his back.
Inside the baskets was refined iron.
After accepting the fifty jin of refined iron, Xiao Wen led five hundred White Dragon Cavalry out of the Lord’s Manor and took a tour around the city.
There he saw that Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping had already gathered laborers to repair the city walls, proving that they had indeed kept their promise.
Time gradually passed.
As the storyline quest fully unfolded, countless players poured into the city. These were players who had chosen to join Zhuo County.
Many of them had come specifically because of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Feeling overly confident, they dreamed of recruiting the three brothers under their command.
Naturally, they failed every single time.
If they encountered Liu Bei, things were not too bad. He would politely reject them.
But if they ran into Zhang Fei or Guan Yu?
Then they were out of luck.
They would simply be thrown out.
Many players joined Zhuo County, but even more joined the camps of Cheng Zhiyuan and Deng Mao.
According to data compiled by some statistics-focused players on the forums, the number of players joining the Yellow Turban camp in Zhuo County far exceeded those joining the Zhuo County faction.
From a numerical perspective, the players on Zhuo County’s side seemed to be in danger.
The original fifty thousand Yellow Turban troops had expanded to a staggering five hundred thousand after absorbing players.
And that was only because some players had low-level territories and could not bring more than a thousand soldiers.
Even that total of five hundred thousand continued to rise daily.
After all, most players held little affection for the corrupt Eastern Han Dynasty portrayed in the game’s background.
Instead, the impoverished peasant masses were more likely to earn their sympathy.
Xiao Wen naturally read these forum discussions as well.
However, he was not particularly worried.
After all, in his previous life, Zhuo County had also possessed fewer people overall than the Yellow Turban camp.
Though outnumbered, Zhuo County had Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Those three were practically bugged existences. Once they forged their divine weapons, they would unleash terrifying combat power.
Fighting one hundred enemies alone would not be impossible.
Of course, that had been the situation in his previous life.
Relying on NPCs could certainly secure victory, but doing so would reduce the rewards obtained by players.
Rather than watching rewards shrink, it was better for Xiao Wen to contribute more himself.
A few extra swings of his blade would send plenty of Yellow Turbans to their deaths.
Xiao Wen muttered to himself and opened Zhuo County’s territory panel.
He saw that the major military buildings had already been repaired.
After several days of aggressive recruitment, the number of soldiers within the county had doubled.
Although it still had not exceeded three digits.
Still, Xiao Wen had never expected these troops to contribute much combat power.
After all, he had placed all his hopes on the players and on Liu Bei.
Night fell.
Midnight.
As soon as the Hour of the Rat began, beneath a moonless sky and amidst fierce winds, sudden cries of battle erupted outside the city walls.
The Yellow Turbans had begun their siege!
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