Chapter 9: Subjugating Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao

  "This guy is absolutely crazy!"

  Zhou Cang was shocked, no less than when he followed Zhang Jue to rebel against the Han Dynasty. However, Wang Can's words were indeed reasonable. As a Yellow Turban bandit, it was impossible to seize power, so the only way to get rid of this notorious identity was to surrender to the imperial court, change his identity and become a legitimate member of the imperial court. Only then could he avoid being attacked by the various lords on any pretext.

  Pei Yuanshao was equally shocked, his copper bell-like eyes wide with incredulity. He shook his head, which had been dazed by Wang Can's words, and looked at him in bewilderment, unable to comprehend what was going on in the young man's mind. A small centurion, actually thinking of rebelling and plotting to dominate the world.

  "How bold!"

  "How bold!"

  At this time, the eighteen vassals had not yet risen to overthrow Dong Zhuo. Although the various vassals of the Han Dynasty had their own thoughts, on the surface they were still loyal to the imperial court. Especially those who aspired to become kings or emperors in their hearts were only one or two. Even Cao Cao, a heroic figure, thought about establishing an immortal achievement like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, being enfeoffed as a marquis, appointed as a minister, and leaving his name in history. He had not yet become arrogant enough to shout: "If there were no me, I wonder how many people would claim to be emperor, how many people would claim to be king!"

  Wang Can, however, openly revealed his ambition and plotted to dominate the world.

  However, this is indeed in line with the purpose of the Yellow Turbans, overthrowing the imperial court and reorganizing the world.

  "Hmph!" Zhou Cang slowly let out a breath, his face returning to calmness, and in an instant, he revealed a scornful expression, saying: "You're just a lowly hundred-man commander, with only over seventy men under your command. If you were to surrender to the imperial court, I'm afraid they wouldn't even give you a second glance. Moreover, Xunyang City is still the domain of Gong Du and Liu Bi, it's not up to you, a mere hundred-man commander, to take charge. If you want to do things according to your own ideas, you'll need to have corresponding strength."

  Wang Can burst out laughing and a clever look appeared on his face.

  He looked at Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao with confidence, saying: "How can a swallow know the ambition of a swan? This kind of thing is originally a long journey, it's impossible to achieve overnight. Moreover, I have already had a detailed plan in my heart, wanting to plot against Yunnan is just a matter of turning over one's hand. As for Liu Bi and Gong Dou, they encountered the attack of Yuan Shu and Bao Hong's army this time, Yunnan City is in danger every day, the two of them are afraid... Hehe, war always has someone benefiting and someone paying the price!"

  Zhou Cang's expression turned cold, and as soon as he thought that Wang Can had actually taken the initiative to lead the soldiers, he felt something was off. He asked: "Do you want to surrender to Yuan Shu or Bao Hong?"

  Wang Can shook his head and said, "To surrender to Yuan Shu or Bao Hong would be like plotting with a tiger for its skin, it won't bring any good fortune. Moreover, according to your words, if I were to lead my 70-odd men to surrender to Yuan Shu, he probably wouldn't even give me a second glance. Why should I humiliate myself by trying to curry favor with him? The one I should be surrendering to is not these regional lords who are carving up the land for themselves, but rather Dong Zhuo, that tyrant in the imperial court who disregards the law and has deposed emperors."

  "Dong Zhuo, you want to surrender to Dong Zhuo?"

  Zhou Cang was taken aback, then smiled and said: "This is also a truth, if you don't have the ability, how can others take you seriously."

  Wang Can smiled and said, "Strength is not given by others, but rather it is accumulated gradually by oneself. This time I took the initiative to ask for battle, leading more than 70 soldiers under my command to attack Yuan Tuo, which is exactly this principle."

  "More than 70 people?"

  Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao were stunned by Wang Can once again. This guy was not only bold, but also fearless of death.

  With just seventy soldiers, they dare to send troops out, truly mighty!

  "I'd rather die than use this thing! What a piece of junk!" Pei Yuanshao muttered, pouting his lips.

  Wang Can smiled but didn't speak, only slightly shaking his head without saying a word. Zhou Cang's gaze suddenly froze, and for some reason, he suddenly felt that Wang Can must have had a detailed plan, this arrogant guy wouldn't go to his death in vain. He stared blankly at Wang Can, seeing that Wang Can didn't say a word, but instead quietly looked at him and Pei Yuanshao, understanding that the conversation had already reached this point, those who should know already knew, and things that shouldn't be known, Wang Can wouldn't say anyway, Wang Can had already revealed too much. At this moment, it was time to make a decision.

  Leave or stay!

  Zhou Cang believed that if he and Pei Yuanshao were determined to leave, Wang Can would be unable to stop them.

  What about after leaving? Continue living a life like a wild man hiding in the mountains and forests?

  Zhou Cang's gaze shifted to Pei Yuanshao, seeing Pei Yuanshao with a face of indifference, a look that said "you're in charge", he knew this guy wasn't going to get involved. As long as he decided to stay, Pei Yuanshao would also stay. He glanced at Wang Can again, and at this time, Wang Can's face was calm and unruffled, still with an air of confidence, as if everything was under his control.

  Zhou Cang gritted his teeth and secretly said, "It's a gamble."

  Die, but not die in the mountains and forests. A man of eight feet tall, when he goes out, he builds a career and strengthens his country, when he returns, he wraps his body in horse leather to show off his family's prestige. To die old in the mountains and forests, is this what a great man should do? With a thud, Zhou Cang knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists and said: "Zhou Cang pays respects to my lord!"

  Pei Yuanshao also fell to his knees with a thud and clasped his fists in respect, saying: "Pei Yuanshao pays his respects to Your Excellency!"

  Wang Cai let out a long sigh of relief, finally catching the two black men. However, Wang Cai also knew that these two were only temporarily following him. He didn't care, for if he couldn't even win over the hearts of Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, how could he possibly plot to conquer the world? Laughing loudly, he helped up the kneeling Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, exclaiming: "Good, good! With your two assistance, great things will be accomplished!"

  Zhou Cang smiled secretly, but his heart felt inexplicably relieved.

  He surrendered to Wang Can, and the pressure of shouldering the burden in his heart disappeared. He no longer had to worry about the livelihood of the 20 people under his command, and he was also full of longing for the future. He aspired to dominate the world, although at this time Wang Can was still a low-ranking officer. If Wang Can made a name for himself in the future, he and Pei Yuanshao would be the first to follow him.

  "Rabbits, come quickly to pay respects to the master!" With a single order from Zhou Cang, after eating their fill and lounging lazily on the ground, a group of ruffians hastily got up, knelt down, and shouted loudly: "Pay respects to the master!"

  The sound echoes through the mountains and forests, and the birds that live in the mountains are startled to open their wings and fly away.

  "Get up!" Wang Can said in a serious tone, his voice loud and clear. At this moment, the yellow turban soldiers standing far away looked at him with thick surprise, especially Liu Cheng, whose eyes were filled with incomprehension and a hint of admiration. The officer was indeed different, a group of mountain bandits had been subdued in the blink of an eye.

  Wang Can's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction, and he instructed Zhou Cang: "Zhou Cang, these twenty men have followed you through many battles over the years, they are seasoned veterans, and they have deep feelings for you. I won't disband them, so these twenty men will still be under your command. At the same time, you don't need to take orders from anyone else, just listen to me directly."

  "Yes!" Zhou Cang's heart was filled with gratitude, and he responded loudly. His demeanor became much more humble, and as a subordinate, he naturally couldn't speak as casually as before.

  "Alright, don't stand there, sit down and talk."

  "Your clothes and weapons are all tattered and worn out, you look just like beggars from head to toe. I'll have the soldiers prepare some new clothes and arms for you, so you can change into a fresh set of attire. These clothes must have been worn for many years, with patches everywhere, it's clear that life has been tough indeed."

  Zhou Cang smiled and said, "Thank you, sir!"

  Wang Can nodded and said, "Since you're following me, there are some things that need to be made clear. This time we're going to attack Yuan Shu and Bao Hong's joint forces, it must be done with caution, no mistakes can be allowed, otherwise if we encounter the imperial army head-on, it will be difficult for us to survive. Therefore, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, you two must keep your men in check, there cannot be any situation where orders are not being followed. If such a situation is discovered, there will be no mercy!"

  As they spoke, a sinister and chilly aura emanated from Wang Can's body.

  Zhou Cang revealed a deeply convinced expression, he also knew the consequences of not following orders, and loudly replied: "Master, rest assured, if such a situation arises, I will be the first to twist off his head."

  Wang Can gazed at Zhou Cang with a serious expression, a hint of a smile flashing across his face.

  Having these two as bodyguards isn't bad at all.