Chapter 0008: Warlords Claiming Kingship, Plotting for the World

The two individuals exchanged glances as they took the food, both displaying awkward smiles on their faces

Wang Can found it amusing to see the expressions of the two men; it was quite something that a few pieces of flatbread could evoke such nostalgia in them, truly a testament to their suffering. This situation further bolstered Wang Can's confidence in recruiting the two. He turned around and instructed the soldiers to step back, ensuring that those surrounding him were at a distance where they could not hear his words. Only after confirming that his soldiers were out of earshot did he feel at ease. Although he was the commander of these soldiers, he could not guarantee that they were genuinely loyal to him, nor could he dismiss the possibility of spies from Liu Pi and Gong Du among them.

The atmosphere suddenly became serious

Zhou Cang's body trembled, his eyes widened, and beside him, Pei Yuanshao also looked astonished, his eyes filled with shock

Zhou Cang nodded with a smile, acknowledging that what Wang Can said was indeed a fact

Zhou Cang furrowed his brows slightly, his face showing a contemplative expression, and he looked up at Wang Can: "Are you saying that when the great sage and virtuous teacher raised the banner of rebellion, there was already no possibility of success?"

Zhou Cang's face was tense as he scrutinized Wang Can. Noticing that Wang Can's gaze was clear and showed no intention of evasion, Zhou Cang understood that Wang Can had not spoken. He reached out and grabbed Pei Yuanshao, forcefully pinning him to the ground, and scolded, "Sit down and don't shout nonsense if there's nothing going on"

Unless one retreats to the mountains and lives a life akin to that of a wild man, for wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Moreover, having joined the Yellow Turbans, one bears the mark of a Yellow Turban rebel on their body; it is not something that can be easily discarded simply by wishing to shed the identity of a Yellow Turban rebel.

"Impossible!" Pei Yuanshao stood up again, angrily saying: "You little brat, today I will take your life."

Wang Can said: "The name of the Yellow Turban bandits is known throughout the world, and everyone regards the Yellow Turbans as rebels. Little do they know that the Yellow Turban bandits are merely a group of defenseless commoners, homeless beggars... This group of people is composed of those who yearn for a life with clothing to wear, food to eat, and land to cultivate. However, when they take up arms to resist the court, they have already embarked on an irreversible path. There is a saying: once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back. Once a choice is made, there is no opportunity for regret. Resistance against the court is just like this."

With a cold smile, Wang Can continued, "Facts speak louder than words; without distinguishing reason, there can be no clarity. These are all glaring facts. It is useless for you to quibble. So, have I struck a nerve, and you can no longer bear it?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanshao's expression darkened. His fiery temperament had indeed hindered Zhou Cang in many respects

Wang Can directly ignored the demonstrations of the two, making them feel as if they had punched the air, lacking any point of impact. Meanwhile, Wang Can struck at the soft spots of Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang, truly causing a significant embarrassment.

Wang Can explained with a smile: "The reason is actually quite simple. To overthrow the court, it is not only necessary to have soldiers charging into battle, but also to ensure logistical support, to soothe the hearts of the people, and to occupy the moral high ground... These are all crucial factors in resisting the court. It is not as if Zhang Jiao raises his arm and the whole of the Nine Provinces responds, with the Yellow Turbans gathering from all corners, that the court can be overthrown. Relying solely on a group of illiterate commoners to charge into battle and on books is simply impossible to succeed."

Wang Can shook his head and said, "It cannot be said that way; when Zhang Jiao raised his army, there was still a chance of success."

Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao both displayed a cold demeanor, their tiger-like eyes wide open, fixated on Wang Can, revealing a chilling intent to kill

At this moment, Pei Yuanshao had also finished the rations in his hands, and with a lingering sense of satisfaction, he wiped his mouth, revealing a hint of nostalgia on his face

Wang Can smiled faintly, seemingly oblivious to the expressions of the two individuals. He called to the soldiers behind him to distribute the prepared food to the group of small minions, and handed two portions of food to Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang, urging them to fill their stomachs

Wang Can then slowly said: "I will not say much more nonsense; I will discuss the current situation of the Yellow Turbans and the future path, as I believe this is also a matter that has been troubling both of you."

Indeed, indeed, the great virtuous teacher is not mistaken. Pei Yuanshao also joined in the commotion.

"Then why do you say it is impossible to succeed?" Pei Yuanshao muttered

Zhou Cang patted Pei Yuanshao on the shoulder, smiled with a slight shake, and then turned to Wang Can, asking: "Brother Can, if you have anything to say, please speak freely; there are no outsiders here"

Old Pei, hurry and take a seat

Wang Can smiled and articulated his thoughts clearly, saying: "Submit to the court!"

Wang Can sneered coldly and questioned, "What is the logistical support of the Yellow Turbans? Burning, killing, and plundering, specifically robbing wealthy families and merchants—can this be considered stable logistical support? I fear not; furthermore, regarding winning the hearts of the people, at the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, their voice and propaganda were indeed grand, occupying many places, but how many people truly submitted to the Yellow Turbans, willing to fight and sacrifice for them? As for the last point about occupying the moral high ground, that is even more absurd. Relying solely on Zhang Jiao's rhetoric, claiming that the emperor is tyrannical and the people are restless, and that in the year of the Jiazi, the world is auspicious—can such slogans truly establish a moral high ground? Hmph, that is nothing but empty talk!" Hmph, that is nothing but empty talk!

At the moment Pei Yuanshao raised the wolf-tooth club towards Wang Can, the soldiers behind Wang Can also suddenly stood up, aiming their bows and arrows at Pei Yuanshao. Even the small henchmen who were eating were targeted by the arrows, their faces filled with astonishment. Just a moment ago, everything was fine; how did it turn hostile so quickly

Hearing the change in how Zhou Cang referred to him, Wang Can smiled inwardly, realizing that his words had struck a chord with Zhou Cang

Patting his full belly, Zhou Cang grinned and said to Wang Can, "Go ahead, I would like to hear what Captain Wang has to say."

Pei Yuanshao suddenly stood up, brandishing the wolf-toothed club, and pointed it directly at Wang Can

Instead of scaring Wang Can, it was the two of them who lost their luster.

Wang Can's expression remained unchanged as he waved his hand to stop the soldiers behind him, sitting still in place

Upon seeing this, Zhou Cang also displayed a serious expression, instructing his subordinates to retreat to a distance, ensuring that no one else could eavesdrop.

You are seeking death

The Yellow Turban rebels attacking the city are considered traitors, while the officials of the court attacking the city are seen as defending their homeland and upholding the dignity of the court; this is the stark reality

Wang Can, however, remained unconcerned, staring at Pei Yuanshao, and slowly said: "If I say you are an ignorant brute, you certainly would not believe it, but the fact is as such. I have only spoken four words, and you could not endure it. If you could be as calm as Zhou Cang, your days would not be so difficult."

It is precisely because the feudal lords and the Yellow Turbans represent one as court officials and the other as rebels that such a significant disparity exists

Wang Can's lips curled slightly, revealing a smile that was intriguing: "Establishing a separate rule and aspiring to dominate the world!"

I simply cannot stand this kid, a typical ingrate. Pei Yuanshao said loudly, his face filled with indignation

Zhou Cang pulled Pei Yuanshao back down into his seat and said, "Brother Can, you make a valid point. I understand that this is the situation of the Yellow Turbans; as the saying goes, a rat crossing the street is shouted at by everyone, and we Yellow Turbans are indeed in such a position. However, you have yet to mention a way out. Please discuss what the Yellow Turbans should do to survive."

Zhou Cang wore a stern expression, his face serious. However, at that moment, a series of rumbling sounds suddenly emanated from his emaciated stomach. Shortly thereafter, similar sounds came from Pei Yuanshao's stomach as well. The two of them had not eaten their fill for several days, relying on some wild food from the mountains to stave off hunger, while also needing to consider the more than twenty subordinates under their command, making it even more impossible for them to be adequately fed

The Yellow Turban rebels were mostly common people, with very few soldiers joining them, and once they took up arms, there was no turning back

Zhou Cang lowered his head and began to gnaw at the provisions vigorously; within a few moments, several pieces of flatbread were consumed by him.

In today's world, where war rages and various lords rise, no lord cares about the fate of the Yellow Turbans, for these lords are also a group of ambitious individuals, all dreaming of becoming kings and nobles. Their essence is the same as that of the Yellow Turbans; both seek to profit from the chaos of the times. However, while the Yellow Turbans aspire to a life of peace and security, these lords desire overwhelming power. At the same time, there is a fundamental difference between the Yellow Turbans and the lords: the lords are officials of the court, occupying the moral high ground and standing on the principles of the court. Their campaign against the Yellow Turbans is deemed justifiable, while the Yellow Turbans' rebellion is labeled as treasonous, making them the targets of public scorn.

Wang Can remarked at this point, shaking his head and saying: "The saying goes, 'Those who are righteous receive much support, while those who are unjust receive little.' Zhang Jiao's uprising was originally a response to a call for action, but later he failed to impose discipline on his subordinates, allowing the Yellow Turbans to plunder indiscriminately, killing officials on sight and robbing prominent families. This caused the Yellow Turbans to lose the foundation for victory, leaving no possibility for success. Why? Because the Yellow Turbans had no support; the prominent families viewed them as wolves and tigers, fearing being plundered; Confucian scholars regarded the Yellow Turbans as rebels, condemning them vocally and in writing; and court officials treated the Yellow Turbans as a stepping stone for their own promotions, using the campaign against them to strengthen their own power. With these three forces obstructing him, Zhang Jiao's uprising was merely a fleeting moment, and it was fundamentally impossible for him to succeed.

Goo goo---

Zhou Cang's eyes turned, and he said: "No, no, what you mentioned about logistical support, soothing the people's hearts, and occupying the moral high ground... all these factors were considered and implemented by the great wise teachers, but why did they ultimately fail"

What a happiness it is to be able to eat freely!

Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao nodded, yet remained silent, waiting for Wang Can to continue.