Chapter 0007: Recruitment

Wang Can was taken aback; the visitor was actually Zhou Cang, the personal attendant of Lord Guan. However, the Zhou Cang before him was in tattered clothes, with disheveled hair and a face covered in grime. Wang Can sighed inwardly, realizing that this fellow was not doing well at all, not even having a single piece of clothing in good condition. Coupled with the more than ten ragged little minions following closely behind, he truly looked like he could become the leader of a beggar's gang.

Zhou Cang's expression was resolute, yet he nodded and said: "Well, go ahead and speak. I would like to hear what insights you, a centurion, have. Although I am a rough man, illiterate, I have seen the world alongside great and virtuous teachers, such as Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and so on. I have encountered all these individuals. As for you, heh heh, to be honest, you seem quite confident, but without the corresponding ability, confidence turns into arrogance."

Without waiting for Wang Can to speak, the soldiers who had been startled awake all raised their bows and arrows, aiming at Zhou Cang, preparing to shoot and kill the enemy

Although he often engaged in highway robbery, Zhou Cang's principle was not to kill, only to seize goods. Therefore, upon hearing Wang Can's loud shout, he stopped, crossed his battle knife in front of his chest, and with a serious expression, looked at Wang Can with a wary gaze, while simultaneously reaching out to stop the little minion who was rushing behind him.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cang's eyes flashed with a hint of gratitude, and he instructed the soldier beside him: "Go and summon Old Pei from m.hetushu.com and the brothers hiding in the mountains and forests."

It is understandable; spending all day in the mountains, surrounded by mosquitoes and bugs, with insufficient food, it would be strange not to feel disheartened

The gaze returned to Zhou Cang, and Wang Can smiled, saying: "Do not be in a hurry to refuse; listen to me completely before making a decision"

Wang Can gave a command, and the soldiers behind him hurried to make preparations

Zhou Cang said: "Wang Can, the centurion under Liu Pi and Gong Du, passed by here and I encountered them. There is enough food here, we can have a hearty meal."

After a pause, Wang Can sighed again: "The great virtuous teacher raised an army to resist the court, and the momentum was indeed grand. Yet now... sigh, today's Yellow Turbans are like rats crossing the street, universally condemned. Regardless of which warlord it is, they all think about killing a few more Yellow Turbans to establish military achievements or to annex the Yellow Turbans to strengthen their own power"

Zhou Cang nodded and said, "Indeed, what you say makes sense"

Zhou Cang resolutely refused, saying: "It is impossible. Old Pei and I will never ally with you. Even if we die in the mountains, we will not join you in opposing the court. After all these years, I have come to understand that no matter how fierce our Yellow Turbans are or how grand our momentum, it is impossible to overthrow the court. Not only do those lords not want to see us grow, but those powerful families will also not allow us to succeed"

Zhou Cang nodded: "Well, what you said is quite right; this fellow wants to subdue us."

Wang Can smiled and nodded: "It is not about subduing, but about recruiting"

Zhou Cang

After speaking, Zhou Cang turned to Wang Can and, somewhat hesitantly, said: "Captain Wang, um, the situation is like this: there are still twelve brothers in the mountains. Could you prepare a bit more food? We haven't had any rations for several days and have been relying on some wild food in the mountains to fill our stomachs. Alas, it's all the fault of those two scoundrels, Yuan Shu and Bao Hong, who are raising a large army to attack Runan. Because of them, we dare not go out to rob during the day and have been stuck in the mountains all day long, nearly suffocating."

Wang Can said: "Hmm, rest assured, there is enough food."

Zhou Can nodded in agreement, his expression filled with sorrow, and a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes

A tall man, standing at eight feet, with a broad waist and shoulders, muscles bulging, rushed to Zhou Cang's side while holding a wolf-toothed club. His eyes showed a hint of urgency as he focused on Zhou Cang, completely ignoring Wang Can, who was seated nearby.

Pei Yuanshao let out a cold laugh: "Truly overestimating oneself, just based on him?" Pei Yuanshao's face displayed a look of disdain as he thrust the wolf-toothed club into the ground with a loud bang, sending dust flying everywhere. At the same time, Zhou Cang struck the ground with his battle knife, producing a resonant clang, and where the knife struck, a deep mark was revealed.

Wang Can was astonished, not expecting that Zhou Cang, a rough and tough character, could possess such delicate thoughts

Liu Bi and Gong Du?" Zhou Cang muttered a couple of times and said: "Since you are the centurions under Liu Bi and Gong Du, how is it that you have brought over seventy Yellow Turban soldiers to Longshan Valley? Now that Yuan Shu and Bao Hong have formed an alliance and are raising troops to attack Runan, the entire city of Runan is in a state of panic. How could Liu Bi and Gong Du allow you to leave the city at this time? Hmph, are you perhaps official soldiers disguised as Yellow Turbans, specifically targeting me?

Wang Can let out a cold laugh, is this considered a show of power?

After a moment, Wang Can said: "Zhou Cang, you are also a general under the great sage and virtuous teacher, and you have once enjoyed glory. How could you have turned to banditry and resorted to robbery for a living"

Pei Yuanshao, upon hearing this, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes and asked, "Zhou Heizi, who is he?"

Wang Can pointed at Zhou Cang, laughed heartily, and said disdainfully: "Zhou Cang, you really think highly of yourself. Do you believe that compared to Liu Pi and Gong Du, who are entrenched in Runan, you are worth the effort of sending over a hundred soldiers disguised as Yellow Turban soldiers to pass through Longshanyu to lure you? Not to mention this, do you think Bao Hong and Yuan Shu know that you are hiding in the mountains and forests? They probably have no idea of your existence at all!"

What are the plans?" Zhou Cang chuckled at himself, saying, "Besides hiding in the mountains and forests, what else can we do? Both Lao Pei and I are wanted by the court. If we are discovered, we will be besieged by the court's soldiers. Moreover, with the current turmoil and years of continuous warfare, where can we find a place to stand?"

Wang Can smiled and said: "The facts are indeed as such. You all came out to rob in the middle of the night and probably haven't eaten yet. Come, prepare some food, so that Zhou Cang and the other brothers can have their fill"

In the Three Kingdoms period, Pei Yuanshao and Zhou Cang became bandits. When they encountered Guan Yu, both expressed their desire to become his vassals. However, at that time, only Zhou Cang was traveling with Guan Yu, while Pei Yuanshao waited in the mountains. Soon after, Pei Yuanshao met Zhao Yun and coveted Zhao Yun's steed, intending to seize it, but was killed by Zhao Yun.

Zhou Cang paused for a moment, directing his gaze towards Wang Can: "If there is something, please speak up"

However, as he was speaking, he suddenly stopped and turned his gaze towards Wang Can: "What, do you want me to pledge allegiance to you?" At this moment, he also realized that although Wang Can's words were a question, they carried an implication of testing Zhou Cang.

Characters such as Gong Du and Liu Bi from Runan, Zhang Yan of the Black Mountain Army, and Guan Hai of the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou... These individuals are all figures who have carved out their own territories, possessing ample food and weapons. In contrast, Zhou Cang can only resort to banditry, hiding in the mountains and forests, living in constant fear of being discovered by the officials and soldiers, leading a life of hardship and difficulty.

Wang Can said: "My name is Wang Can, and I am a centurion under the command of Liu Pi and Gong Du"

Zhou Cang heard Wang Can refer to Zhang Jiao as the Great Virtuous Teacher, and his expression relaxed for a moment, but then tightened again as he asked, "Who are you?"

Wang Can's eyes spun round and round, fixated on Zhou Cang before him, revealing a look of deep contemplation

Pei Yuanshao's expression brightened for a moment, but then darkened: "No merit, no reward; if he is providing us with food without charge, he is likely harboring ulterior motives"

Speaking of which, Pei Yuanshao is indeed a tragic figure. His own brothers followed Lord Guan, leaving him to guard the stronghold, yet he was killed by Zhao Yun for being infatuated with a horse

Zhou Cang smacked his lips, expressing the anguish in his heart

"Zhou Heizi, what has happened? Why are you in such a hurry to call me out?"

Wang Can stood in front of the soldiers, hurriedly raising his hand to stop them from shooting arrows, and shouted at the galloping Zhou Cang: "Zhou Cang, I have something to say!"

Wang Can's gaze was clear, and his expression sincere as he nodded and said, "Yes, indeed, I have the same intention."

Wang Can was not concerned and asked with a smile, "You are Pei Yuanshao, right?"

Wang Can's gaze fell on Zhou Cang's face as he said in a deep voice: "Zhou Cang, what are your plans for the future?"