Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

"Yes, my lord."

"Zhou Cang was initially a general under Zhang Bao, a leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. After Zhang Bao's death, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao gathered in the mountains."

"Driven away by the feudal lords, they fled in all directions."

"They are now gathered at Zhuma Mountain. Liu Bei, known for his benevolence and righteousness, did not drive them away."

Liao Hua nodded.

"Oh."

A glint flashed in Zhou Heng's eyes.

It is likely because Xuzhou is now in Liu Bei's hands that he has not driven away these Yellow Turban rebels.

Later, Xuzhou fell into Cao Cao's hands.

Cao Cao naturally did not want an unstable force to remain in his territory.

That's why they fled to Woniu Mountain.

In this light, it seems to be my opportunity.

Although Zhou Cang was not a first-rate general in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

However, he was known for his loyalty and righteousness.

Their strength is also quite good.

At least not inferior to Liao Hua.

He is currently in the early stages of building his business, and has almost no civil or military officials under his command.

If we could recruit such a great general.

For me, it's a good thing too.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Heng had already made up his mind.

"Here's what I'm going to do... Take five hundred soldiers and some provisions and gifts. I want to personally pay a visit to this Yellow Turban army stationed at Ma Mountain."

Zhou Heng planned to try diplomacy first, then resort to force.

If we can persuade them, then everyone will be happy.

If you remain stubborn and refuse to see the truth, then you can't blame yourself.

"Yes."

.............

Three days later.

At the foot of Zhuma Mountain.

Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, and Guo Chang were the three leaders of the Yellow Turban Army stationed at Mashan.

However, the three leaders, who were usually carefree, now had solemn expressions.

"Brothers, do you think Zhou Heng traveled all this way just to pay us a visit?"

Pei Yuanshao frowned as he looked at the visiting card in front of him.

Since General Tiangong's defeat, they have been roaming the mountains and forests.

During this period, they also encountered many Yellow Turban rebels.

But I have never encountered such a problem.

And why bring so many soldiers on a visit?

"The visit is a pretense; their true intention is to subdue them. I think it's quite obvious this week that the Yellow Turban Army wants to annex the entire Xuzhou."

Guo Chang was no ordinary person either; he saw through Zhou Heng's intentions at a glance.

"So, brothers, what do you think we should do?"

Pei Yuanshao asked.

"We gather in the mountains and forests, free and unrestrained, enjoying ourselves immensely. Why should we go to someone else's place and be controlled by them?"

Guo Chang was somewhat displeased.

If you suddenly make someone who used to be a bandit into a regular soldier, it's like asking them to join the army.

He must be very uncomfortable.

After all, people used to kill and set fires at will, but now they have to be controlled.

"That may be true, but this man commands elite troops, all of whom are armored and have warhorses. How can we, a few scattered soldiers, possibly withstand him?"

Pei Yuanshao sighed.

He naturally did not want to serve under Zhou Heng and live under someone else's roof.

However, he was also worried that if he disagreed, Zhou Heng would destroy him.

After all, despite his impressive reputation and the fact that he supposedly commands an army of tens of thousands, he still has a formidable force.

But in reality, 80% of them are elderly, weak, sick, or disabled.

There are only one or two thousand capable fighters.

Among these few people, very few had weapons, let alone armor.

With that kind of strength, going up against Zhou Hengfang's team is practically suicide.

"Then what do you suggest we do? I certainly don't want to serve under someone else and be controlled by them. We followed General Tiangong in his uprising, and now we're like rats in the street. Rather than being controlled and despised, I'd rather roam the mountains and forests freely."

Guo Chang said.

Pei Yuanshao nodded: "Yes, but the key is that this person has brought a large army with him now, and I'm afraid we will not be able to resist him."

"May I have a word, brothers?"

Just then, Zhou Cang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

"Brother, please speak freely."

Both of them looked at Zhou Cang at the same time.

“Brothers, I’ve also been investigating this Zhou Heng recently.”

"Although this person is young, he was able to subdue Liao Hua and build a large and powerful army in just a few days."

"He is by no means an ordinary person."

"We should not confront them head-on."

"Why not invite him up the mountain, meet him, and hear his views?"

"If this person is truly capable, what harm is there in pledging allegiance to him?"

"If this person is just a boastful and empty talker, someone who plays with words?"

"Then we would rather die than surrender, what do you say?"

Zhou Cang said.

Actually, compared to Pei Yuanshao and Guo Chang...

What Zhou Cang disliked even more was this life of howling through the mountains and forests, being treated like a rat in the street and constantly being chased and killed, and not knowing where his next meal would come from.

He also wanted to achieve great things, to become famous throughout the world, and to be ennobled and appointed as a high-ranking official.

Given the chance, I would naturally not want to stay in these mountains and forests any longer.

They lived like bandits and outlaws.

Therefore, when Zhou Heng arrived, he keenly sensed that this was an opportunity for him.

This can be seen from the fact that he defected to Guan Yu in the original work.

Besides admiring the other person's character, it's also because he has his own inner ideals.

If it weren't for the fear that being born into the Yellow Turban Rebellion would leave me with nowhere to turn.

They had long wanted to pledge allegiance to the various warlords.

"Alright."

Pei Yuanshao agreed.

"But what if this person brings troops up the mountain, and then fails to reach an agreement, becomes enraged, and wants to reclaim us by force?"

Guo Chang was still somewhat worried.

"Don't worry, Brother Guo. Even if Zhou Cang risks his life, he will help you break through the encirclement."

Zhou Cang said firmly.

"Brother, what are you saying? How could I disregard your life just to save my own?"

"Since you two brothers insist, let's meet them."

Guo Chang glanced at Zhou Cang, then at Pei Yuanshao beside him, and finally nodded.

"Alright, quickly invite Chief Zhou up the mountain. Or, Zhou Cang, you can go yourself."

"Yes."

After a while.

Led by Zhou Cang, Zhou Heng, along with five hundred soldiers and Liao Hua, marched up the mountain in a grand procession.

"Brother Zhou Cang, you also have the surname Zhou, and so do I. It seems we were one family five hundred years ago!"

"It is fate that I can meet Brother Zhou Cang here today."

"I just happened to acquire a fine horse the other day, which I greatly admire. Why don't I give it to Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Heng smiled.

He waved his hand, signaling his men to bring a magnificent steed from behind him.

"How does this work?"

"On our first meeting, General, you have bestowed such a generous gift upon me. I, Zhou Cang, am truly unworthy of it."

Zhou Cang was greatly alarmed.

In this era, the importance of a fine horse is no less than that of a general's second life.

Zhou Cang had previously served in the Yellow Turban Army, so he naturally knew how rare a good horse was.

Didn't Lü Bu betray Ding Yuan because of a horse?

Now, Zhou Heng is presenting him with such a generous gift on their first meeting, how could he not be flattered?