Chapter 5: Invitation to Battle

  Wang Can looked up and saw the newcomer, with a warm smile on his face, and asked: "General Dong, is there something?"

  The soldier who came in was Dong Fang, a personal soldier of Liu Bi, and had been to Wang Can's place several times.

  Dong Fang bowed respectfully and said: "General, is there an important matter you'd like to discuss with Sir?"

  "Alright, let's go to the county government office." Wang Can immediately stood up and reached into his waist bag, pulling out a string of five copper coins, which he handed over to Dong Fang, saying: "A little something, Captain Dong, take it and buy some wine for your brothers!"

  This was a habit Wang Can had cultivated. As long as they were people sent by Liu Bi or Gong Dou, he would reward them with a little money.

  Dong Fang did not decline either, smiling as he accepted Wang Can's five-cash coin, weighed it in his hand, and tucked it into his waist pouch.

  Dong Fang always got money for drinking when he came to Wang Can's place, which was also the reason why Dong Fang and his personal soldiers who followed Liu Bei were willing to come to Wang Can's place to report messages. After taking the money, Dong Fang became less reserved and said in a low voice: "Sir, the news from the brothers in the prefecture is that it seems that there are more government troops rushing towards Runan City."

  Wang Canshen was startled in her heart, but a smile appeared on her face, and she said: "Thank you, Dong Xiaowei!"

  Wang Can's guess was indeed correct, the disappeared officers and soldiers were not afraid of Liu Bi and Gong Dou, but were brewing a more ferocious attack. Having lost the previous battle, this time's attack would be absolutely different from the last one. Thinking of this, Wang Can's heart couldn't help but feel heavy, with a hint of worry.

  Dong Fang saw that Wang Can was no longer speaking and more or less guessed some of the thoughts in Wang Can's mind.

  Not just Wang Can, but also Liu Fu and Gong Lu were worried in their hearts, let alone Wang Can!

  The current situation is no longer the case where Zhang Jiao's call to arms would be responded by the 36 leaders of the nine states and three six directions, with a mighty momentum. The current Yellow Turbans are just a group of bandits who shout and fight. No matter which lord, they all want to defeat the Yellow Turbans to establish their own merits, or to subdue them to expand their own power.

  The two men walked in silence, heading straight for the county governor's mansion.

  In the county government office, Gong Dou and Liu Bi were both solemn in expression, with worried looks on their faces, occasionally letting out a deep sigh.

  When Dong Fang and Wang Can arrived at the county governor's mansion, Dong Fang left, and Wang Can stood outside the main hall, adjusted his clothes, and then entered the guest room. Seeing Liu Bi and Gong Dou sitting in the main hall with a gloomy expression, Wang Can felt even more solemn, it seemed that the situation was very bad, he bowed to the two and said: "Wang Can pays respects to the two generals!"

  Liu Bi's eyelids lifted slightly, but he didn't say a word.

  Gong Du sighed and waved his hand: "Find a seat yourself!"

  "Ah!" Wang Can responded, turning around to scan the crowd in the hall. Everyone's face was filled with worry, shaking their heads and sighing as if the end of the world had arrived. It seemed that Liu Bi and Gong Dou had already told the officials and soldiers about the impending attack on the city. His gaze lingered on Liu Li for a moment before darting away. Liu Li seemed to know that Wang Can had looked at him, raised his head, and stared at Wang Can with a cold smile, revealing a venomous look in his eyes.

  Wang Can sneered in his heart, but didn't bother with Liu Li, just a small clown after all.

  He walked to the left corner of the hall, lifted his robe and sat down. At this time, a group of centurions and captains entered the living room, their faces full of surprise, obviously still unaware of what had happened. After everyone arrived, Liu Bi said: "Zi Hou sent news that the government troops are coming in full force."

  "Government troops?" A centurion in the living room suddenly stood up and said, "General, isn't it just government troops coming to offend? It's not the first or second time, what's there to hesitate about, just send out the troops."

  This man obviously did not know the exact news and thought it was just ordinary government soldiers besieging the Yellow Turbans.

  Liu Bei shook his head and said, "This time is different. The one leading the army is Bao Hong, the Lower General of the Western Garden's Eight Schools."

  "Who is Bao Hong?" Wang Can's mind was filled with doubts, who was this person, did the eight school lieutenants of Xiyuan have such a figure? However, he quickly recovered, in an era as grand and turbulent as the Three Kingdoms, there were not a few people with great talent and ability yet remained unknown.

  In any era, there are always people who are unknown and unappreciated, yet possess extraordinary abilities that can change the course of history.

  "General, who is this Bao Hong?" Wang Can asked respectfully, standing up.

  Liu Bei said, "This Bao Hong is not a big deal. During the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, he served as Colonel of the Cavalry, and later when Emperor Ling established the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden to suppress the Yellow Turbans, Bao Hong was one of them. Although Bao Hong was one of the eight colonels, he was not up to his name and was actually a mediocre talent. He was defeated by the Yellow Turbans time and again, and did not dare to fight back."

  Wang Cuan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, since Bao Hong is a mediocre talent, what else is there to worry about.

  Liu Bei seemed to have seen through Wang Can's thoughts and chuckled, saying: "One Bao Hong is not worth my worry, but this time Bao Hong has joined forces with Yuan Shu, the two families are allied, and they plan to attack Runan together. This is what I am most concerned about. Especially since Yuan Shu sent his general Ji Ling to attack Runan, this man is brave and fierce, with a three-pointed double-edged knife that is extremely powerful. Even if I joined forces with Gong Black Son to fight against Ji Ling, we would not be his match."

  Wang Can's heart sank, but he asked calmly: "General, where did Yuan Shu and Bao Hong's troops go?"

  Liu Bi said: "Hmm, calculating the time, they should be at Ge Po, more than 100 miles southeast of Runan City."

  "Have we arrived at Ge Po?" Wang Canshu thought for a moment, his eyes revealing a determined look, and said loudly: "General, I request to go to battle."

  "Do you want to invite war?" Liu Bi's expression was shocked, his whole body trembled, and he suddenly stood up and asked: "Are you sure, do you want to lead troops to Ge Po?"

  Gong Dou also stood up, with a look of astonishment: "Wang Can, are you sure you want to lead the troops into battle?"

  "Yes, I request troops to go to war!"

  Wang Can's expression was firm and resolute as he said this. Since Dong Fang told him that the government troops were coming to attack, Wang Can had already begun thinking about sending troops out to fight. He wanted to quickly establish himself among the Yellow Turbans, from a low-ranking soldier to a captain, general, and then grasp his own destiny, so he must take the initiative to go to battle, establish military achievements, opportunities are not given by others, but created by oneself, seize the opportunity.

  "Good, good, good! Wang Baifu is indeed a remarkable person, I, old Liu, admire him."

  Just as everyone was stunned by Wang Can's initiative to go to war, Liu Li stood up and loudly praised him. His face was filled with joyful expression, his eyes were fixed on Wang Can, looking at him like he was a dead man. In fact, all the generals in the hall did not look favorably upon Wang Can, including Gong Dou and Liu Bi.

  However, Liu Bi and Gong Dou admired Wang Can's bravery, and their good impression of him increased even more.

  Liu Bi's gaze fell on Liu Li, and he smiled ambiguously, saying: "Liu Li, you seem to admire Wang Can so much. Are you also planning to lead troops into battle and launch a preemptive attack on Bao Hong and Ji Ling?"

  Liu Li was taken aback and hesitated for a moment before hastily waving his hand, saying: "No, no, I don't have the courage of Wang Baifu."

  Liu Bi's face sank, and he coldly rebuked, "Since you don't dare to fight, then don't spout so much nonsense. Withdraw, no one asked for your opinion, so keep your mouth shut. If you don't speak, others won't take you as a mute."

  Liu Li smiled wryly and returned to his seat, casting a vicious glance at Wang Can, wishing he would die immediately. His heart was filled with hatred for Wang Can, because of whom he had been scolded by Liu Bi and Gong Dou, and looked down upon by the generals in the military camp.

  Liu Bi's gaze turned to Wang Can, saying: "You want to go out and fight, this general will not stop you. Because taking the initiative to fight may still have a glimmer of hope. Grain, weapons, war horses, this general will all provide sufficient supplies for you, so that you don't have any worries in the back of your mind. Hmm, I heard that there are less than 100 soldiers under your command, how about this: this general will exceptionally allow you to select elite soldiers from other hundred-man units to supplement your troops. What do you think? If you still have other requests, also bring them up at the same time. As long as it's within my power, this general will agree to them."

  Wang Can thanked him and said, "Thank you for your kindness, General. I only need enough food and weapons, there's no need to select soldiers. The soldiers under my command have been working together for a period of time and have developed a certain understanding with each other. If we were to re-select soldiers to join the team, it would take some time to get used to each other again, which wouldn't be good."

  Liu Bi smiled and said: "Suit yourself, alright, you go prepare."

  As they spoke, Liu's words carried a hint of despair and coldness. Wang shook his head inwardly, thinking that he was defeated before the battle even began. With a serious face, he bowed to Liu and said: "Thank you, General. I'll take my leave!"