Chapter 8: Vying for Power and Plotting to Conquer the World

  Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao's faces turned cold, their tiger eyes wide open, staring fixedly at Wang Can, revealing a chilling murderous intent.

  The atmosphere suddenly became heavy!

  Wang Can smiled calmly, seemingly unaware of the expressions of the two men, and instructed the soldiers behind him to distribute the prepared food to the crowd of little rascals. He then took two portions of food and handed them over to Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang, telling them to fill their bellies.

  "Cuckoo~~~~"

  Zhou Cang's face was stern, but at this moment, his empty stomach suddenly let out a rumbling sound, and Pei Yuanshao's stomach beside him also made a series of noises. These two men had not eaten their fill for several days, relying on some wild food in the mountains to fill their hunger, while also having to take care of more than 20 followers under them, making it even more impossible for their stomachs to be full.

  The two of them exchanged food with awkward smiles on their faces.

  It didn't scare Wang Can, but instead, both of their faces lost their luster.

  Wang Can's move directly ignored the two men's demonstration, making them seem like a punch in the air without any impact point, while Wang Can hit the soft spot of Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang, it was really embarrassing.

  Zhou Cang lowered his head and devoured the dry rations in a frenzy, finishing off several pieces of flatbread in just two or three bites.

  He patted his full belly, and Zhou Cang opened his mouth with a smile, saying to Wang Can: "Speak up, I'd like to hear what brilliant ideas General Wang has."

  At this time, Pei Yuanshao also finished eating the dry food in his hand, and with a lingering aftertaste, he wiped his mouth and showed a hint of nostalgia on his face.

  Being able to eat with an open belly is such a happiness!

  Wang Can saw the expressions of the two men and couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. The few pieces of flatbread had brought them so much nostalgia, and it was clear that they had suffered greatly. This situation further increased Wang Can's confidence in recruiting the two men. He turned around and ordered the soldiers to retreat to a distance, making sure that none of his subordinates could hear what he was about to say. Although he was their commander, he couldn't guarantee that there were no spies from Liu Bi or Gong Du among them.

  Zhou Cang saw this and also showed a solemn expression on his face. He ordered the people under his command to retreat to a distant place, not allowing others to eavesdrop.

  Wang Can slowly said: "I won't say more nonsense, I'll just talk about the current situation of the Yellow Turbans and their future way out. I suppose this is also a problem that has been troubling you two."

  Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao nodded, but didn't speak, waiting for Wang Can's next words.

  Wang Can said: "The name of the Yellow Turbans, everyone in the world knows, all people regard the Yellow Turbans as rebels. But few know that the Yellow Turbans are just a group of unarmed civilians, homeless beggars... Such a group of people, what they yearn for is just to have clothes to wear, food to eat, and land to farm. However, when they take up arms to resist the imperial court, they have already embarked on a path of no return. There is a saying that once you draw your bow, there is no turning back. Once you make a choice, there is no room for regret. Resisting the imperial court is just like this."

  Zhou Cang smiled and nodded in agreement, what Wang Can said was indeed true.

  The Yellow Turbans were mostly common people, with very few officials or soldiers joining them. Once they had risen in revolt, there was no turning back.

  Unless you live in seclusion in the mountains, living a life like a savage, wherever there are people, there will be struggles. Moreover, having joined the Yellow Turbans, the mark of a Yellow Turban bandit is branded on one's body, and it's not something that can be casually shed just because one wants to get rid of this identity.

  "When today's war is raging, the flames of war are flying everywhere, and the lords are rising together. None of the lords will care about the life or death of the Yellow Turban bandits, because these lords are also a group of ambitious people, a group of people who dream of being kings and nobles. They and the Yellow Turban bandits are essentially the same, all wanting to profit from the chaos of the world, only the Yellow Turban bandits are plotting for a peaceful and worry-free life, while these lords want that boundless power.

  At the same time, there is also an essential difference between the Yellow Turbans and the lords. The lords are officials of the imperial court, occupying the great righteousness of the imperial court, standing at the highest point of morality. Their suppression of the Yellow Turbans is a matter of course, while the Yellow Turbans' rebellion against them has become a rebellious act, becoming a rat that everyone shouts to beat."

  "It's precisely because the vassals and Yellow Turbans are on opposite sides of the law, one being officials and the other rebels, that there is such a huge disparity."

  "The Yellow Turbans' attack on the city is an act of rebellion, while the imperial court's officials attacking the city is defending one's home and country, upholding the dignity of the imperial court. This is the **naked reality**."

  Wang Can said, "As the saying goes, 'those who gain the Tao have many helpers, while those who lose the Tao have few helpers.' Zhang Jiao's rebellion was initially a response to the call of his followers, but later he failed to restrain his subordinates, allowing the Yellow Turbans to plunder and kill officials and nobles at will. This caused the Yellow Turbans to lose their foundation for victory and made it impossible for them to succeed. Why? Because no one supported the Yellow Turbans; the nobles feared being robbed and saw them as tigers and wolves; Confucian scholars viewed them as rebels and condemned them in words and writing; government officials treated the Yellow Turbans as a stepping stone for advancement, using the suppression of the rebellion to increase their own power. With these three forces opposing them, Zhang Jiao's rebellion was doomed from the start and could never have succeeded."

  Zhou Cang's eyebrows slightly furrowed, his face showing a thoughtful expression. He looked up at Wang Can and asked, "Are you saying that when Da Xianliangshi started the rebellion, there was no possibility of success?"

  Wang Can shook his head and said, "It can't be said that way. When Zhang Jiao started the rebellion, there was still a chance of success."

  "Why did you say it's impossible to succeed?" Pei Yuanshao muttered.

  Wang Can smiled and explained, "The reason is actually very simple. To overthrow the imperial court, it's not just about having soldiers who can charge into battle, but also about logistics support, pacifying the people, occupying the moral high ground...and so on. These are all important factors in rebelling against the imperial court. It's not like Zhang Jiao waved his arm and the nine provinces responded, with the Yellow Turbans gathering from all over the land, and that would be enough to overthrow the imperial court. Relying solely on a group of illiterate commoners charging into battle is impossible."

  Zhou Cang's eyes rolled and he said, "No, no, you mentioned logistics supply, comforting the people, occupying the moral high ground...and other factors, all of which were considered by the wise and virtuous teacher and achieved, but why did they ultimately fail?"

  "That's right, that's right, Master Da Xianliang is absolutely correct." Pei Yuanshao also chimed in.

  Wang Can sneered and coldly snorted, questioning: "What is the logistics supply of the Yellow Turbans? Burning, killing, looting, specifically robbing wealthy families and merchants, can this be considered a stable logistics supply? I'm afraid not. Furthermore, how many people truly surrendered to the Yellow Turbans and were willing to fight and die for them during their uprising? As for occupying the moral high ground, it's even more absurd. Can Zhang Jiao's single mouth, claiming that the emperor is unjust and the people are suffering, and some nonsense about the cyclical nature of time, really occupy the moral high ground? Humph, it's just empty talk!"

  "Are you looking for trouble?"

  Pei Yuanshao suddenly stood up, grasped his wolf-toothed club and pointed it straight at Wang Can.

  Just as Pei Yuanshao raised his wolf-toothed club and aimed at Wang Can, the soldiers behind Wang Can also suddenly stood up, their bows and arrows aiming at Pei Yuanshao. Even the small servants who were eating nearby were targeted by the bows and arrows. These small servants had a look of astonishment on their faces - what was going on? One moment everything was fine, and the next it had all turned upside down.

  Wang Can's expression didn't change, he waved his hand to stop the soldiers behind him and sat still on the spot.

  With a cold smile, Wang Can continued: "Facts are more powerful than eloquence. These are all facts staring you in the face. You can't deny them no matter how hard you try to argue your way out of it. What's wrong? Did I hit a sore spot that you can't bear?"

  "Old Pei, hurry up and sit down!"

  Zhou Cang pulled Pei Yuanshao back and made him sit down again: "Ceng brothers, what you said makes sense. I also know that these are the circumstances of the Yellow Turbans. As the saying goes, 'a rat crossing the street is chased by everyone', we Yellow Turbans are like this. But you haven't mentioned a way out yet. Tell me, how can the Yellow Turbans survive?"

  When he heard Zhou Cang's change in address towards him, Wang Can smiled in his heart, it seemed that his words had reached Zhou Cang's heart.

  Wang Can smiled and said slowly: "Surrender to the imperial court!"

  "Impossible!" Pei Yuanshao sprang up again, furious: "You little rabbit, I'll kill you today."

  Zhou Cang's face was tense, his eyes sizing up Wang Can. Seeing that Wang Can's eyes were clear and didn't show any sign of evasion, Zhou Cang knew that Wang Can wasn't lying. He stretched out his hand to grab Pei Yuanshao and pressed him to the ground, shouting: "Sit down for me, don't make a fuss if there's nothing going on."

  "I just can't stand this kid, a typical white-eyed wolf." Pei Yuanshao said loudly with a look of discontent.

  Wang Can, however, was unfazed and stared at Pei Yuanshao, saying slowly: "If I say you're an ignorant boor, you probably won't believe it, but the fact is that's exactly what you are. I've only said four words and you can't bear it. If you could be as calm as Zhou Cang, your days wouldn't be so difficult."

  Pei Yuanshao's expression turned gloomy upon hearing this. He had a fiery temper and indeed, in many places, he had held back Zhou Cang.

  Zhou Cang patted Pei Yuanshao's shoulder, chuckled and then looked at Wang Can, asking: "Can brother, is there anything else you want to say? There are no outsiders here."

  Wang Can's mouth corners slightly hooked up, revealing a smile that was both charming and sinister: "Carve out one's own territory, plot to conquer the world!"

  Zhou Cang's body shook, his eyes wide open, and Pei Yuanshao beside him was also shocked, with a look of astonishment in his eyes.