Lu Bu's expression changed abruptly. Sun Jian was a partner explicitly named by Ye Feng, and he would never allow this Zhang Rang to take him away.
Seeing Lu Bu, Sun Jian had intended to plead for his life, but noticing Lu Bu's signal, he reluctantly remained silent.
A cold wind blew. Zhang Rang, seeing Lu Bu's displeased look, conceded slightly, "General Lu Bu, if there is nothing else, this eunuch will take this person to report back. Please let us pass."
"Oh, if it's nothing else, then forget it. I know this person," Lu Bu said, pointing, feigning indifference. "What wrong has he done to anger the eunuch so much?"
"He dared to insult the current Emperor, a crime that is unforgivable. I am about to take him to the Emperor for judgment. Please, General, make way!" Zhang Rang cupped his hands towards Lingdi's direction and smiled, preparing to move past.
"Wait," Lu Bu reprimanded, looking up. "Insulting the Emperor is no small matter. Do you have any evidence?"
Zhang Rang froze. Lu Bu clearly intended to intervene. In Luoyang, they were the highest authority, but in Liangzhou, Lu Bu, as Ye Feng's representative, was in a difficult position. He quickly forced a smile. "We naturally have evidence. How about I give the General an explanation after I've dealt with him?"
Zhang Rang stepped forward, pulled out silver from his embrace, and pressed it into Lu Bu's hand with a smile. "General, take a look. Is this evidence weighty enough?"
Lu Bu flicked his hand, scattering the silver coins to the ground, and said coldly, "If you cannot produce evidence, this general will certainly meddle in this matter today!"
"Lu Bu, don't be ungrateful!" Zhang Rang shouted angrily, "Calling you General is giving face to the King of Chu. What are you, to dare challenge me?"
"Alright, then consider me an ordinary person today. I ask you, where is the evidence!" Lu Bu was furious and pressed forward. "If there's no evidence, and the eunuch wants to arrest someone, that won't do!"
"I am acting under the Emperor's decree. Let alone a mere general like you, even the King of Chu would have to listen carefully!" Zhang Rang could only resort to name-dropping for now.
"Very well, then leave the man here. Please ask the Emperor to issue an imperial decree to King Chu stating that you, Zhang Rang, can arrest civilians as you please. Only then will I, Lu Bu, let this man go!" Lu Bu stated emphatically, pointing to the ground. "Without a letter from King Chu, I, Lu Bu, will acknowledge nothing belonging to anyone else!"
Zhang Rang had intended to forge an imperial decree or find something to impress Lu Bu, but seeing the situation, it was impossible. He immediately softened. "General, if this person is an old acquaintance of yours, just say the word. I'm not saying I can't let him go, but without proof, why should I?"
Ye Feng commented internally that he could hear Zhang Rang's scheme all the way in Ye City. Lu Bu, who could even perform the "Arrow-Shooting at the Camp Gate" maneuver, would not fall for this trick!
"Is it not possible for me, Lu Bu, to speak up for an ordinary citizen?" Lu Bu rose and sneered, raising his arm and shouting, "Should ordinary citizens be bullied by you eunuchs? I think not!"
Lu Bu had ruthlessly exposed Zhang Rang's intentions, and his face darkened. "Then what exactly does the General want?"
"I just want to know, since the eunuch claims he insulted the Emperor, where is the evidence?"
"Lu Bu!" Zhang Rang's face contorted. "I, Zhang Rang, have never needed evidence to do anything. This is the Emperor Lingdi's permission!"
"Well said, 'Emperor's permission.' I will surely go to the Emperor with you and have a good discussion!" Lu Bu grabbed Zhang Rang's wrist and berated, "Let's go!"
Zhang Rang used all his strength but could not push Lu Bu back even an inch. His face turned purple. After a long pause, he could not utter a word. "I, Zhang Rang, do not need anyone to tell me what to do!"
"Slap!" A red, swollen handprint slowly appeared on Zhang Rang's face.
"You!" Zhang Rang turned and stared at Lu Bu, but before he could finish speaking, several more slaps landed on his face. Instantly, Zhang Rang's expression turned grim, as if he wanted to devour Lu Bu.
"What of it? If you cannot produce evidence today, I absolutely will not agree," Lu Bu flexed his wrists. "If you want to receive more slaps, feel free to try. Do you think I don't have the guts!"
Zhang Rang knew that Lu Bu would really dare to act. He no longer had the courage to say anything else and hid behind his guards, only able to roar in impotent rage after a long while.
"Attack! Seize him!"
After roaring for a long time, the city guards remained motionless. Zhang Rang then remembered that these were Ye Feng's men and would never move against Lu Bu. He couldn't help but tremble.
"Rebellion! Rebellion! Don't forget whose men you are!"
After a few angry curses, Zhang Rang noticed Song Dian's corpse. His eyes rolled, and he immediately came up with an idea. Lu Bu wanted evidence, so he would give him evidence.
"General, though we are sworn enemies today, Eunuch Song is dead, and this is his doing. The evidence is irrefutable. Can we not hand him over to the Emperor for judgment?" Zhang Rang suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Please, General, do not be biased and harbor this person!"
Lu Bu looked down and saw that it was indeed Sun Jian's handiwork. His scalp tingled. Even if he wanted to protect him, he was powerless. Under duress, he could only say!
"Why did this person kill Eunuch Song? Please, Eunuch Zhang, explain it in detail, otherwise, this general will also have difficulty!" Lu Bu asked coldly!
"What else could it be? This person was holding me hostage, and when Eunuch Song came to rescue me, he went mad," Zhang Rang wiped away his tears. "My poor brother died by his hand. In this case, will the General still harbor him?"
"Is that so?" Lu Bu asked Sun Jian coldly. Sun Jian, after all, was a distinguished individual, and he nodded in agreement. "I killed that man, but I was only doing it because..."
"A life for a life, a debt for a debt. In that case, General Lu Bu, will you harbor him?" Zhang Rang cried tearfully. "My deceased brother cannot rest in peace in the netherworld. If Feng Xian insists, then so be it!"
Lu Bu's scalp immediately tingled. Although he had immense power in Liangzhou, he could not openly harbor someone, let alone someone who killed an imperial minister. He was at a loss for words.
"Since the General has no more questions, this eunuch will take him to report to the Emperor!" Zhang Rang waved his hand and prepared to leave. "The General can still return later. If you feel wronged, feel free to come to the Emperor to discuss it!"
"Wait," Lu Bu quickly called out, "You cannot take him away!"
"Let him go," Zhang Rang said sarcastically. "Since you are sworn brothers with the General, we will naturally show leniency. However, Eunuch Song is dead, and even if I wanted to help the General cover it up, I am powerless. Please do not blame me!"
Zhang Rang was certain that after Ye Feng petitioned Lingdi to be enfeoffed as King of Chu, Lu Bu, as Ye Feng's staunch confidant, would never do anything to undermine himself or go against Ye Feng.
Zhang Rang flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. One step, two steps. He was gambling that Lu Bu would never let him leave!
"Eunuch, wait!" Lu Bu called out to stop him. "Are there any witnesses?"
"Yes, all the city guards are witnesses. Even I was almost killed by this madman!" Zhang Rang said righteously. "He killed my brother, and I wish for him to pay with his life!"
"I never knew the eunuchs had such deep camaraderie!" Lu Bu glanced at Zhang Rang and deliberately said, then spoke loudly to the city guards, "Did you all see this person kill Eunuch Song? Speak the truth, no one will blame you!"
The city guards mumbled and were unwilling to speak. Lu Bu could tell what they meant. He spread his hands. "Perhaps we should hear his explanation!"
"Since the General has spoken, I shall comply!" Zhang Rang subtly moved his fingers, and the city guards immediately loosened their grip. Sun Jian then spoke.
"General, please investigate. He killed someone first, and I, in anger, took action. If it weren't for that, why would I have acted!" Sun Jian clearly explained Zhang Rang's killing of the bald man!
"If that is the case, it is understandable. What does the eunuch think of this matter? Perhaps some compensation for this person could settle it." Lu Bu said coldly, pointing at the burned-down tavern, his expression chilling. "Moreover, his entire livelihood has been destroyed in the hands of the eunuch. Let it be!"
Zhang Rang gasped. They could have his life, but asking him to pay money? Never!
"General, your words are biased. Since the city guards are unwilling to speak, there are others. Why not ask them!" Zhang Rang clapped his hands lightly, and the city guards herded the commoners like cattle.
Lu Bu stared at these brothers who had fought alongside him. He suspected their hearts might be wavering.
As for Ye Feng, he had long known the thoughts of these people through the system, but it was the result of his intentional indulgence.
The commoners were surrounded and fell silent. Upon seeing Lu Bu, they couldn't help but shout, "Sir, we haven't broken any laws, why are you arresting us!"
"Exactly! I want to report you to the Emperor and see if he will uphold justice for us!"
"King Chu's heart has changed. He no longer upholds justice for the people, but treats us as his achievements, his stepping stones!"
Someone shouted this, causing the commoners to discuss amongst themselves, and inadvertently earning Lu Bu's high regard. Zhang Rang was overjoyed!
Lu Bu pressed his hands down, trying his best to control the emotions of the commoners. "This general only wants to ask you one question: Did the adult standing before you, Zhang Rang, kill someone? If so, speak up, and I will uphold justice for you!"
A child was about to step forward but was pulled back by an adult, who hurriedly instructed, "Are you trying to die?"
"But that big brother said he would protect us!"
The child's innocent words were heard clearly by Lu Bu. The next moment, a slap landed on the child. "I told you not to talk nonsense! I told you not to talk nonsense!"
Lu Bu half-closed his eyes, and after waiting for a long time, no one was willing to speak. He could only sigh heavily!
"Does the General wish to come and see the traces he spoke of?" Zhang Rang said gleefully. Those traces had long been cleaned up by his disciples.
Lu Bu waved his hand and walked alone into the sunset, his shadow stretching long!