249: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (41)

Xu Yuan returned to the main seat, pressing his hands on the desk as his voice suddenly grew solemn and stern. "I have gathered you all today to establish the Yellow Turban Iron Laws. Every member of our Yellow Turban Army, whether old or new, must strictly abide by them!"

Everyone inside the tent became solemn.

"First, stop at self-defense. The weapons of the Yellow Turban Army are used only to protect the lives and property of the people under our jurisdiction and to resist foreign invasion. We shall not take the initiative to attack forces that do not threaten us, nor shall we participate in the chaotic wars between warlords or fight for territory!"

"Second, stop at protecting the people. During military operations, it is strictly forbidden to pillage the commoners, mistreat women and children, or kill the innocent. Violators, regardless of military rank, will be severely punished according to the rules of the Dao! Wherever we pass, we must help the people restore production and treat the wounded."

"Third, stop at establishing systems. Our armament is only meant to carve out a pure land in this chaotic world where the people can live in peace and practice the principles of 'self-salvation and mutual aid.' It is absolutely not for claiming kingship or emperorship, or for establishing a new dynasty. Once order is somewhat stabilized, the power of military and government shall return to the people; the army is only a tool for protection."

The Three Iron Laws were like three heavy hammer blows striking everyone's hearts.

A Niu's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Grand Teacher of Great Peace, these three... aren't they too strict? In these chaotic times, everyone else loots. If we don't loot, how do we support the army? Everyone else expands. If we don't expand, how do we protect ourselves? And that 'returning power to the people'... the territory the brothers fought for with their lives, we just hand it over to those commoners who don't understand anything?"

Xu Yuan looked at him with a profound gaze. "A Niu, do you know that the strongest army is not the one with the sharpest armor, but the one that the people's hearts turn toward? Do you know that the firmest foundation is not the one with the strongest city walls, but the one the people are willing to defend to the death?"

He softened his tone. "The grain to support the army can be grown by ourselves, traded fairly, or raised from our followers—but we must never loot."

"The power to protect ourselves can be achieved by training elite soldiers, strengthening our cities, and forming alliances—but we must never rely on plundering others to grow strong."

"As for authority..."

A flash of complex light crossed Xu Yuan's eyes. "A Niu, you, me, everyone sitting here—including myself—who among us was born to stand high above and rule others? If we overthrow the old imperial court just so we can sit in those seats ourselves, then what was the point of all this bloodshed? It would be nothing more than a Reincarnation."

He sat back down and rubbed his brow tiredly. "These three rules are not meant to bind your hands and feet, but to establish a spine for our Yellow Turban Army that will never collapse—morality."

"If we lose our morality, the yellow turbans are nothing more than another band of roaming bandits, destined to perish sooner or later. If we uphold our morality, the yellow turbans will be a lamp in this dark world. Even if it is faint, it can illuminate a corner and attract more people who truly seek the Dao."

The tent remained silent for a long time.

Mr. Wen was the first to stand up, bowing deeply. "Grand Teacher of Great Peace... this old man believes these words. I am willing to use my remaining years to assist the Grand Teacher of Great Peace in educating the military and the people to remember this Dao."

Xiao Qi, Aunt Zhang, and the others also stood up in agreement.

A Niu looked at Xu Yuan's calm yet indestructible gaze, then looked at the light reigniting in the eyes of his old brothers—a light different from pure bloodlust. His chest heaved several times before he finally dropped to one knee and cupped his fists. "I... I'm a rough man and don't understand big principles. But I believe in the Grand Teacher of Great Peace! I'll follow the path you point out, A Niu will follow! I'll take the lead in keeping these three rules! If any brat dares to violate them, I'll be the first to hack him down!"

The young generals looked at each other and eventually bowed in agreement one after another.

Xu Yuan felt a slight relief, knowing this was only the first step.

The conflict of ideologies would not disappear just like that, especially as external pressure increased, but he had to establish this benchmark.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the tent, and a scout rushed in, drenched in sweat. "Report—Grand Teacher of Great Peace! Urgent military intelligence!"

"Speak."

"The scouts from the north have sent back news. The main force of the Barbarians, about eighty thousand cavalry, has broken through Yanmen Pass. They are dividing into two routes. One is heading south toward Jinyang, and the other... based on their movements, is heading toward our Heluo Region!"

"In ten days at most, their vanguard will arrive!"

The atmosphere in the tent suddenly grew tense.

"Also," the scout panted, "Duke Jinghai in the south has issued a proclamation against the rebels, calling the yellow turbans 'traitors to the state.' He has dispatched fifty thousand troops north along the Grand Canal, claiming he will 'assist the imperial court in suppressing the bandits'! Additionally... there are signs of movement from the Black Cloud Cavalry, seemingly moving toward the northeast of the Heluo Region!"

The three pieces of news were like three claps of thunder, turning the faces of everyone in the tent pale.

The Barbarians, the southern warlord, Wang Yi... threats from three sides were closing in almost simultaneously.

A Niu stood up abruptly, a fierce light in his eyes. "Damn it! They're trying to encircle us?! Grand Teacher of Great Peace, let's fight! Before they can close the circle, let's concentrate our forces and take out one of them first!"

Xiao Qi said urgently, "No! Our forces are scattered. If we rush out, we'll easily be picked off one by one! The priority is to shrink our defense lines and stabilize our foundation!"

Mr. Wen said with a trembling voice, "The Barbarians are powerful and their cavalry is fierce. I fear it will be hard to resist them head-on... Should we... temporarily avoid their sharp edge?"

The tent descended into arguments again, though this time, the arguments were tinged with undeniable panic.

Xu Yuan closed his eyes as countless pieces of information collided and simulated rapidly in his mind.

The Barbarians heading south would cause devastation; they must be blocked.

The southern army heading north was suppressing bandits in name but expanding in reality; they must be guarded against.

Wang Yi's movements were unpredictable; he must be prepared for.

And within the Yellow Turban Army, the new policies had just been established, the people's hearts were not yet firm, and the elite forces were limited... He opened his eyes, which were now clear with decisiveness.

"Pass the orders."

The tent fell silent instantly as everyone looked at him.

"First, the entire Heluo Region will immediately enter wartime control. All Dao halls and residential areas will organize the people to transfer supplies and clear the fields as previously practiced. The elderly, weak, women, and children will evacuate to the designated areas in the southern mountains. The able-bodied will be organized into defense units."

"Second, the main force of the Yellow Turban Army will be divided into three parts." Xu Yuan pointed at the map. "A Niu, you will lead ten thousand elites and all newly reorganized cavalry north to the Blackshale Ravine area. Rely on the mountainous terrain to obstruct the barbarian vanguard. Remember, your mission is to delay, harass, and deplete them, not to engage in a decisive battle. Hold them for at least five days."

A Niu cupped his fists heavily. "By your command!"

"Xiao Qi, you will lead eight thousand men east to the eastern bank of the Luo River. Construct a defense line and closely monitor Wang Yi's movements. If he attacks, hold the terrain firmly. If he does not move, you shall not move either. At the same time, send people to secretly contact the Luo Divine Lord and the Heavenly Craft Pavilion to inform them of the danger of the Barbarians heading south."

Xiao Qi nodded solemnly.

"Third," Xu Yuan looked at Aunt Zhang and Mr. Wen, "the matters of internal affairs and education are entrusted to you two. You must stabilize the hearts of the people in the rear, strictly investigate unstable internal factors, and increase the dissemination of the 'Three Iron Laws.' Any violators, even in wartime, shall be punished without leniency!"

"Yes!"

"Fourth," Xu Yuan took a deep breath, "I will personally deal with the enemy from the south."

Everyone was stunned.

"Grand Teacher of Great Peace, you are going yourself? It's too dangerous!"

"The southern army has fifty thousand troops. How many men will you take?"

Xu Yuan shook his head. "I will not be taking any troops."