Chapter Sixty-Six: The Battle Against Bo Cai (Part One)

Sensing Xu Kang’s confusion, Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song exchanged a knowing smile, then began to explain.

“The Yellow Turbans have besieged Changshe for over two months, yet they’ve failed to take the city. Naturally, they’re growing anxious—after all, supporting hundreds of thousands of men each day is no small expense. In their desperation, they’re bound to make mistakes.”

“Exactly. Now that you're leading troops to join us, Bo Cai is bound to be suspicious. But he doesn’t know your true identity and believes you’re just Peng Tuo’s men. We can use this to our advantage.”

Despite their words, Xu Kang was still somewhat perplexed. He blinked and asked, “So, Master and Uncle, you want me to trick him into attacking, then strike at him from both sides? But what if he doesn’t fall for it?”

Huangfu Song laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Then there’s nothing to fear. If he doesn’t take the bait, you can simply enter through the gates. Even if he doesn’t follow, we lose nothing.”

“If he dares to chase you in, I’ll have the archers unleash a volley to stop them. Even if a few slip through, we’ll shut the gates and trap them like rats in a jar!”

Xu Kang’s eyes lit up. Many things appear simple to onlookers but are confusing to those involved. Now that Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song had pointed out the solution, everything became clear. He bowed to them in gratitude.

“Thank you, Master and Uncle, for your guidance. I’ll go meet Bo Cai and see if I can draw him into attacking, or perhaps find a chance to kill him. If that fails, I’ll adapt as the situation demands. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, under the astonished gazes of Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song, he slowly faded from sight until he had vanished entirely.

Stealth!

Witnessing this, not only Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song, but even the nearby garrison soldiers were stunned and began whispering among themselves.

“That young man just now—he’s General Huangfu’s nephew, the disciple of the immortals?”

“That’s right. Yesterday, General Huangfu built an altar in the city for his sake. They say it can summon deities from the heavens to help us defeat the rebels!”

“Incredible… is that true? Tell me more, brothers…”

Hearing the soldiers’ chatter, Huangfu Song’s brow furrowed. He shouted in a commanding voice, “All troops, stand ready! Keep vigilant against Bo Cai and the Yellow Turbans. No one leaves their post or gossips. Any who disobey will be executed!”

As his order rang out, the city walls fell silent. Every soldier wore a grave expression, their gaze fixed on the distant “Bo” banner drawing nearer.

Meanwhile, Xu Kang, hidden by his stealth arts, quietly slipped beside Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng. With their help, he donned a tattered hemp robe and tied a yellow scarf around his head.

By the time he was ready, Bo Cai had arrived with his troops.

Xu Kang’s plan was simple: if Bo Cai dared to approach, he’d seize him first and end things swiftly. Unfortunately, Bo Cai was not so foolish; he remained safely in the rear, far from the front lines.

Unless Xu Kang defeated the vanguard, main force, and rearguard one by one, he wouldn’t even catch a glimpse of Bo Cai, let alone capture him.

Witnessing Bo Cai’s caution, Xu Kang understood that the enemy was suspicious and wary. The only reason they hadn’t attacked yet was uncertainty.

Acting rashly would be unwise, so Xu Kang waited patiently for their next move.

He didn’t have to wait long. Within minutes, Bo Cai sent a messenger, demanding to know why Peng Tuo had left Chenliu without orders, and insisting he come alone to explain.

Xu Kang, of course, couldn’t agree—he had already killed Peng Tuo, after all. There was no way to provide the man Bo Cai wanted.

So, he began to weave a tale for the messenger, his face alight with fervor.

“Brother, our commander received a secret order from the Great Teacher himself. That’s why we’ve gathered here today. When the Yellow Heaven rises, the Great Teacher will perform a ritual to make the Han troops open the gates for us. Then we’ll charge in and seize victory in one fell swoop!”

The Yellow Turbans’ rallying cry was “Heaven is dead, Yellow Heaven shall rise.” The so-called Yellow Heaven referred to the golden glow of sunset in the evening sky. Zhang Jue’s true intent was to say that the Han Dynasty’s day was ending, but most ordinary rebels didn’t know this, so Xu Kang lied without hesitation.

It was already dusk. Xu Kang feigned excitement, pointing at the sky. “Look, the time has come! We must not miss this opportunity. I’ll go report to the commander now!”

Without giving the messenger a chance to reply, Xu Kang cheerfully ran into the army formation, making his way to the central ranks. There, by the command banner, he instructed Zhao Hong and Zhang Cheng.

“There’s been a change. Zhang Cheng, you take the old, the weak, and the women into the city first. Zhao Hong, you and Niu Sheng cover the rear with the cavalry. I’ll bring up the Huaihe troops and the artillery. All right—stick to the plan and charge the gates!”

“Yes, sir!”

Zhang Cheng waved the “Peng” banner and shouted, “The Great Teacher protects us!” Then, leading sixty thousand surrendered old men, women, and children, he charged toward the city gates.

At the same time, Xu Kang ordered his men to raise the “Xu” banner. He led the Huaihe soldiers and artillery backward, widening the gap between them and Bo Cai’s forces. The artillerymen began to take the hidden tiger squat cannons from the supply wagons, loading them with stones and gunpowder.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hong and Niu Sheng raised the white banner with black wild boar stripes, and with four thousand cavalry, positioned themselves between Bo Cai’s army and the city gate, stuffing cloth into their mounts’ ears—a precaution from their artillery training.

As they prepared, Zhang Cheng had already reached the city gate, leading his group inside unimpeded.

The Yellow Turban messenger, witnessing this, was shocked and ran back to Bo Cai, recounting Xu Kang’s story about the Great Teacher’s ritual and the Han troops opening the gates.

Hearing this, Bo Cai’s face turned black with rage. He lashed the messenger to the ground with his whip, roaring:

“Peng Tuo has betrayed us and the Great Teacher! Unforgivable! Kill them and seize the gates!”

“Yes, commander!”

At his command, the messengers raised the signal for attack, and the Yellow Turbans surged toward the city gate like a tide.

Seeing Bo Cai’s forces pouring forward, Xu Kang’s face hardened. He raised his arm and shouted, “Artillery, begin triple volley. First battery, light fuses—fire!”

A thunderous roar shook the battlefield.