Chapter 22: Establishing Authority, Controlling Yu Nan

  The first watch, three thousand five hundred

  Ru'nan City, the prefectural government office.

  The hall, after the great battle, the surviving Yellow Turban leaders sat on both sides of the hall.

  Wang Can sat in the first seat on the left side of the hall, Liu Bei sat in the first seat on the right side of the hall. Below them were many Yellow Turban leaders. Although Wang Can and Liu Bei were both centurions, their actual strength was not lower than some lieutenant colonels or city gatekeepers. Therefore, everyone sat below the two, but no one raised any objections.

  Liu Li's face was full of pride, and the two burly men behind him were staring at Wang Can with a fierce gaze, their eyes seeming to want to drink his blood and eat his flesh.

  Like Liu Li, two burly men with dark faces stood behind Wang Can. These two were naturally Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao. Now that Liu Bi and Gong Dou had died, the situation inside Runan City was complex, and if they weren't careful, they might fall into danger. Therefore, Wang Can brought Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao with him to protect his safety.

  Wang Can's eyes narrowed slightly, motionless, as if he had fallen asleep.

  However, the generals sitting in the hall did not dare to underestimate this young man with a clear face. All the generals knew that Wang Can had attacked Bao Hong and Ji Ling's army, and when Bao Hong arrived at Runan City, Ji Ling stayed at Ge Po, it was certain that Wang Can had held back Ji Ling, which allowed Bao Hong to attack Runan alone. Now that Wang Can has returned, these people vaguely guessed that Ji Ling must have been killed by Wang Can. Being able to kill the great general under Yuan Shu's command already made all the Yellow Turban generals add the title of "peerless fierce man" to Wang Can's head.

  Can't afford to provoke, so just hide.

  Wang Can sat on the left side of the first seat, making it clear that he was going to contend for Runan City. Therefore, all the generals who stayed in Runan City did not disturb Wang Can, except for Liu Li, who escaped back to Runan City.

  Wang Can didn't say a word and sat there, but Liu Li who was sitting opposite Wang Can couldn't wait any longer.

  Bao Hong and Liu Bi fought, Liu Li gained many benefits from it. Not to mention the weapons and armor, but just the soldiers under his command had expanded from 100 to 400 people. Especially last night, when Gong Du let Liu Li lead the soldiers to guard the camp, they encountered government troops attacking the camp. Liu Li led his 200 soldiers back to Runan City, and other soldiers guarding the camp also followed Liu Li back to Runan, which increased Liu Li's soldiers by more than 200 people again.

  The increase in power made Liu's ambition grow, wanting to take a higher position.

  At this time, a surprising news spread among the Yellow Turbans: Liu Pi and Gong Du were killed, and Runan City had no leader, which made Liu Li have the idea of controlling Runan.

  Liu Li stood up from his seat, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed to the Yellow Turban leaders present, including the school lieutenant and the hundred officials. He said: "Everyone, General Liu and General Gong unfortunately encountered difficulties, I am very sad in my heart, and I hate not being able to personally kill the dog official Bao Hong, avenge General Liu and General Gong, however, the sky cannot be without sun, the snake cannot be without head, now that Xinye City is in a precarious situation, it urgently needs someone to stand up and lead everyone to regain their morale. Therefore, I propose that one person be elected from among those present to lead everyone to defend Xinye City."

  Wang Can's eyes snapped open, and he asked, "Liu Baifu, who do you think is the most suitable?"

  Liu Li's face revealed a hint of a smile, and he said: "This isn't about who I think is the most suitable, but rather who everyone thinks is the most suitable. If some people think that just because they've killed a few people and achieved a small victory, they can act unilaterally, then I'm afraid it won't end well! And if they incur public wrath, the consequences will be even more unpredictable!"

  Liu Li smiled slightly, but his eyes flickered with a cold light.

  He wanted to provoke Wang Can and let Wang Can voluntarily withdraw from the competition for the leader of Runan City.

  That Wang Can, however, did not continue Liu Bei's words, but instead asked in return: "Is there really someone who is proud of his achievements? Who is it that I haven't heard of? Who dares to act alone? And which ones are not convinced?"

  "Of course it's you!" Liu Li was so anxious that he almost blurted out the truth, fortunately he reacted in time and swallowed his words.

  Liu Li let out a cold hum, his eyes rolling once before staring at Wang Can, scolding: "Wang Can, I won't bother with those filthy matters with you. You're just a rookie who's just enlisted, what right do you have to question me? Humph, in terms of seniority, all the brothers present are your seniors, and in terms of rank, you're just a small hundred-man commander, not even having the right to speak. Quickly retreat, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

  Wang Can sat on his mat, still looking as calm as ever, and asked, "Liu Li, are you also a hundred-man commander?"

  "Nonsense, of course!" Liu Li snorted, but his face suddenly turned extremely ugly.

  Wang Can was a hundred-man commander and had no right to speak, he was also a hundred-man commander and had no right to speak. This made Wang Can grasp the painful foot, making Liu Li extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

  Wang Can stood up from his seat and slowly walked to Liu Li's front, saying disdainfully: "I'm just wondering, you're a hundred-man commander, and I'm also a hundred-man commander. Why can you speak out, but I can't? Is it because I joined the army later, so I shouldn't be allowed to speak as a hundred-man commander? What kind of logic is this? You just want to occupy Runan City and become the leader of the Yellow Turbans, don't you? But I'd like to ask, what makes you qualified to be the leader, what ability do you have to be the leader?"

  Liu Lizhen's expression changed, and he snorted: "Who said I wanted to be the leader? You're slandering me!"

  "Oh?" Wang Can's face showed a look of surprise, and he said: "Does Liu Beifu not want to be the leader? Hmm, this is quite self-aware. Alright, Liu Beifu, please sit down. Since you don't want to be the leader of the Yellow Turbans, let's choose from among us!"

  Wang Can motioned to Liu Li with a wave of his hand, indicating that he should quickly retreat.

  "Humph!" Liu Bi angrily said: "Who says I shouldn't be in charge? I am going to be the leader, what can you do about it?"

  Wang Can clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "Haha! Liu Baifu, if you want to be the leader, just say so directly. Why bother with those fake things? You gave everyone hope, but then personally crushed it. What's the point of being hypocritical? Moreover, you want to be the leader, but let others take the lead. When you become the leader, won't those who wanted to be leaders all be dealt with by you one by one?"

  "Haha~~~"

  In the hall, many Yellow Turban leaders heard Wang Can's words and laughed in a low voice, discussing the leader of the Yellow Turbans in a low voice. However, there was a hint of solemnity on their faces. Wang Can's words made some restless Yellow Turban leaders calm down again. They all knew that Liu Li and Wang Can were vying for leadership. If they stood out as pioneers, what if Liu Li or Wang Can became the leader? Wouldn't they be dealt with?

  For a time, the quiet hall became noisy, discussing the leader of Runan City.

  Liu Li was now enraged, his face filled with anger, his eyes fixed on Wang Can, and he said word by word: "Wang Can, are you determined to compete with me for the position of the Yellow Turban leader?"

  Wang Can shook his head and said, "You can be the leader of the Yellow Turbans if you want to, but as long as you can tell me what makes you qualified to be the leader of the Yuannan Yellow Turbans, I will be the first one to support you."

  Liu Li was overjoyed upon hearing this, but Wang Can's next words only made Liu Li even angrier.

  "However, I thought about it and felt that you don't have the ability to be the leader of the Yuannan Yellow Turbans. When General Liu and General Gong led the army to pursue the government soldiers, what were you doing? You were leading your soldiers to escape, fleeing back to Yuannan City as fast as a rabbit. A hundred-man commander like you who doesn't even have the courage to rescue General Liu and General Gong, how can you be the leader of the Yuannan Yellow Turbans? Furthermore, when Bao Hong and Ji Ling led their army to attack Yuannan, where were you? When Bao Hong attacked the city, where were you? When General Liu and General Gong faced difficulties, where were you? A person who only knows how to escape wants to command the Yuannan Yellow Turbans, who would dare to follow you?"

  "Well said!"

  A captain among the Yellow Turbans shouted loudly.

  Wang Can turned his head, but it was Dong Fang, Liu Bi's personal bodyguard. Wang Can's eyes showed a look of astonishment, how did Liu Bi and Gong die, but Dong Fang came back alive?

  At this time, Dong Fang stepped forward and bowed to the various Yellow Turban leaders present, saying: "Wang Baifu's words have reached the heart of Dong Fang. Last night, I was left in the military camp with Liu Baifu by General Liu to guard the camp together. However, after General Liu and Gong led their troops to pursue Bao Hong, they encountered an ambush by government soldiers shortly after. At that time, Liu Baifu didn't even think about it and took his soldiers back to Runan. I fought against the government soldiers but had no choice but to retreat back to Runan due to lack of support. How can such a person who doesn't dare to fight on the battlefield command the Yellow Turbans in Runan? Therefore, I propose that Wang Baifu take over General Liu's position and command the Yellow Turbans in Runan. What do you all think?"

  "Alright, alright, we agree!"

  The yellow turban leaders sitting in the living room nodded one after another, with a look of recognition in their eyes.

  Wang Can first led more than 70 Yellow Turban soldiers to attack the government troops, and later beheaded Ji Ling and Bao Hong. He also rescued the bodies of Liu Bei and Gong Du, and Wang Can took over Liu Bei's position, which was reasonable.

  Liu Li's face changed, standing in front of Wang Can, straightening his waist, angrily saying: "Wang Can, you want to take over the Yellow Turbans of Runan, first get past me."

  With a clang, Liu Li's war knife was drawn from his waist and aimed at Wang Can.

  Wang Can said in a cold voice: "Liu Li, do you know what you are doing?"

  Wang Can's body shifted slightly to one side, avoiding Liu Li's battle knife head-on, while his right hand grasped the battle knife at his waist.

  Liu Li said in a cold voice: "Speak up, in front of everyone, you acknowledge me as the leader of the Yellow Turbans of Junan City, and I will spare your life."

  Wang Can sneered inwardly, if it were him, he wouldn't have hesitated and would have directly swung his sword to kill. He nodded and said, "I agree..." Before he could finish speaking, a loud clang was heard, Wang Can's right hand suddenly drew out the battle knife from his waist, the blade flashed, and a streak of blood appeared on Liu Li's neck, followed by a gush of bright red blood spurting out. Liu Li's eyes widened in shock, pointing at Wang Can, stuttering: "You...you...you actually..."

  As soon as the words came out, Liu Li's body slumped and fell to the ground convulsing uncontrollably. After a moment, there was no more sound.

  The two strong men behind Liu Li saw Liu Li being killed, and a flash of anger flashed in their eyes. The two men took a step forward and rushed towards Wang Can. Before they reached Wang Can, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao intercepted them. With a few punches, the two strong men were subdued by Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao.

  Wang Can turned to Dong Fang and cast a grateful glance, then turned to the crowd and said: "I wish to take over the positions of Generals Liu Bi and Gong Dou. What do you all think?"

  The Yellow Turban leaders present at this time all understood that Wang Can was in a dominant position and no one could resist him.

  Moreover, Wang Can beheaded Ji Ling and Bao Hong, and brought back the corpses of Liu Bi and Gong Du. His military achievements were brilliant, he had both strategy and bravery, it was only natural for him to take over the positions of Liu Bi and Gong Du. The on-site officers and centurions also admired Wang Can very much.

  "Long time no see, General!"

  "Long time no see, General!"

  …………

  All the Yellow Turban leaders knelt on one knee before Wang Can, shouting loudly.

  Wang Can gazed at the kneeling generals on the ground, a sense of pride rising in his heart. Now he finally had some confidence.