Chapter 2: Heroine Ren Hongchang, Are You Here to Die for Love?

"Silence!" Wang Yan's words had barely left his mouth when a commanding voice rang out from nearby. Among the Yellow Turban Army, a muscular, brave-looking general on horseback pointed his whip at Wang Yan, his expression displeased: "Do you still wish to beg for mercy, hoping that Chu will spare you?" "Stop dreaming. General Ren Gong and the Great Teacher himself want your head." "As the son of a corrupt official, you have criminal blood in your veins. Accept your fate quickly so I can report back."

Chu Yan, originally a rogue in Changshan, had gathered a gang of young bandits during the chaos and expanded his forces to thousands, becoming a high-ranking leader under Zhang Liang. Later, he merged with Zhang Niujiao's Black Mountain Army and, after Zhang Niujiao's death, became the new leader, renaming himself Zhang Yan.

Even the lowest rogues could rise to prominence in such tumultuous times through sheer brutality and cunning. Wang Yan, captured by the rebels, was initially a bargaining chip to force Wang Fen's compromise. Still, Zhang Jiao decided publicly executing the governor's son would better demonstrate the Yellow Turban Rebellion's resolve.

In this chaotic world, life was as cheap as grass. People's fates could be sealed by a single word from those in power.

"You're lying!" Suddenly, a young girl burst out from the crowd, accusing Zhang Yan with a voice full of sorrow: "My master, Lord Wang Fen, is a good official! Since he came to Jizhou, he has taken in refugees and comforted the people. How could he have wronged you?" "Yet you repay kindness with betrayal by capturing my young master."

Wang Yan turned towards the voice and saw a tear-streaked girl, her voice filled with emotion: "My young master is also a kind person!" "My name is Ren Hongchang. I fled from Shanxi, starving and begging along the way. It was the young master who took me in and saved my life." "How could such a kind person have criminal blood?"

The girl's eyes, brimming with tears, and her frail figure swaying like a willow, made her appear all the more delicate and sad.

As memories merged, Wang Yan gradually recognized the girl as his lost maidservant. Seeing her gaze filled with gratitude and respect, Wang Yan felt a complex mix of emotions, realizing she was ready to die alongside him.

Zhang Yan's face turned cold. "Who are you to publicly defend this criminal? Aren't you afraid the Great Teacher will punish you as well?" The girl's eyes were firm, showing no fear despite Zhang Yan's threats. "If it means dying, then so be it. My life belongs to the young master. If he dies, I will accompany him."

Her loyalty deeply moved Wang Yan. She, indeed, was a heroine, ready to die for him.

The crowd fell silent, astonished by the girl's words and the truths she spoke. Wang Fen, though only a governor, had a good reputation since taking office in Jizhou. Influenced by Zhang Jiao's authority, the onlookers started questioning their actions.

Zhang Yan, noticing the girl's beauty, felt a pang of regret at the thought of killing her. He spoke loudly to the crowd: "The Blue Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall rise. The corrupt officials of the Han court must die. Wang Yan, the son of a governor, deserves to die! "Take this deceived girl away. I will educate her tonight to prevent her from straying in the future."

Wang Yan, recognizing Zhang Yan's vile intentions, felt his anger rise. With a fiery gaze, he addressed the crowd: "Fellow countrymen!" "Many of you are here because you cannot feed your families." "I know your parents and siblings suffer as well, facing unbearable hardships." "You took up arms because you had no other choice!" "This world is full of injustice and oppression!" "But!" "We must not vent our anger and hatred on innocent people." "The hardships we've endured are not an excuse to harm others!" "Revenge will not fill our stomachs!" "What we need is food!"

As Wang Yan's powerful voice echoed, his words stirred the hearts of the listeners. These rebel peasants, manipulated by Zhang Jiao's propaganda, fundamentally rebelled because they were starving. Wang Yan aimed to awaken their numb consciences and address their core issue: hunger.

Many in the crowd began to murmur, realizing the truth in Wang Yan's words. "We didn't want to rebel; we just wanted to eat!" "We didn't want to kill; we just wanted to eat!"

Seeing the rising murmurs, Wang Yan continued, his voice filled with conviction: "I know many of you were forced to join!" "I know many of you still hold onto kindness and justice!" "Now is the time to stand up!" "Now is the time to change for a real future!" "For food!"

An emaciated but earnest young man shouted, "Yes, we want food!"

Wang Yan focused on him, seeing a panel of attributes:

[Name: Wang Er]

[Strength: 30]

[Leadership: 20]

[Intelligence: 81]

[Charisma: 40]

[Emotion Value: 71]

The emotional value fluctuated, rising steadily. 72, 73, 74....

Excellent, he was converting into a follower. "And I, Wang Yan, can ensure you get food without rebelling!" "Without bloodshed, sacrifice, or risking your lives, we can still eat!"

Zhang Yan, hearing Wang Yan's words, sneered. "You, a dead man, dare to deceive the crowd. Can you conjure food out of thin air?" Wang Yan replied, "Yes, I can!" He turned to Wang Er, speaking gently, "Wang Er, hold out your hands. I will give you a steamed bun."

Wang Er, confused but hopeful, extended his hands, his expression a mix of bewilderment and trust. The surrounding soldiers laughed, "Haha, Wang Er, have you gone mad?" "You believe Wang Yan's nonsense?"

But the laughter ceased as Wang Er's hands suddenly held a pristine white bun that materialized out of thin air. The crowd was stunned, and the soldiers were left speechless, frozen in shock.