After leaving Tan County, Cui Yan traveled straight to Kaiyang to meet Zang Ba.
When Zang Ba saw the transfer order along with the tiger tally, he froze for a moment.
Since when did Tao Qian have the authority to command him so directly?
Zang Ba was originally from Huaxian in Taishan. From a young age, he possessed a strong sense of chivalry and enjoyed befriending bold young men. His father, Zang Jie, served as a county prison official, known for his strict and upright handling of cases.
Years earlier, a criminal with ties to the local prefect had been imprisoned. The prefect privately asked Zang Jie to release the man. Zang Jie refused and executed the prisoner according to the law.
Enraged, the prefect fabricated charges and had Zang Jie arrested.
Fearing Zang Ba might attempt a rescue, the prefect sent over a hundred guards to escort the prison cart. But as expected, Zang Ba gathered a group of young fighters and ambushed the convoy.
When the cart arrived, they charged forward and freed Zang Jie.
Strangely, none of the guards resisted—whether out of fear or respect, no one could say.
Afterward, father and son fled to Donghai in Xuzhou, unable to return home.
Yet this act made Zang Ba famous. Young warriors from surrounding regions flocked to him. Among them were four notable figures from Mount Tai: Sun Guan, Yin Li, Wu Dun, and Chang Xi.
When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in Xuzhou, Zang Ba joined forces with them, hoping to gain merit and clear his name. Together, they raised a force of about five thousand men.
Tao Qian had contributed nothing to this army, and due to Zang Ba's achievements, even the Mount Tai bandits acknowledged him as their leader.
Because of this, his status in Xuzhou was unusual. Tao Qian normally treated him with courtesy and negotiated rather than commanded.
This was the first time a direct order had been issued.
"To Qingzhou?" Zang Ba frowned.
He immediately guessed the reason—this must be related to the campaign against Dong Zhuo.
News of the coalition had already spread far and wide. Even distant regions had heard of it, so naturally Zang Ba knew as well.
Thinking it through, Tao Qian would never dare issue such an order unless Zhang Xin was behind it.
Zang Ba then asked, "May I know the purpose of General Wei summoning us to Qingzhou?"
Like Tao Qian, he had no interest in fighting Dong Zhuo. He had already decided—if that was the goal, he would refuse.
Why risk everything for a war with no clear benefit?
Cui Yan remained calm.
"The order has been issued, and the tiger tally delivered. Commandant, you need only mobilize your troops and follow orders. There is no need to ask further."
Zang Ba frowned.
"I can obey orders, but I should at least know what I'm being ordered to do. Does the General expect me to rebel blindly?"
"For specifics, you may ask General Wei in person once you arrive in Qingzhou," Cui Yan replied. "I am but a minor official and not privy to military secrets."
He deliberately softened his tone.
Zang Ba was no scholar-official—if angered, he might kill without hesitation. Cui Yan had no intention of provoking him.
After a moment of thought, Zang Ba chose not to press further. He assumed Cui Yan was merely a messenger.
"Very well," Zang Ba said, cupping his hands. "Please inform the General that I will prepare the troops and depart at once."
Cui Yan returned the gesture.
"One more thing. The General has ordered that you must arrive in Pingyuan before the tenth day of the second month."
He paused, then added coldly:
"Those who fail to arrive on time will be executed under military law."
Zang Ba was stunned.
"It is already the twenty-fifth day of the first month. Kaiyang is over eight hundred li from Pingyuan. We haven't even prepared supplies—how can we make it in half a month?"
"The General has arranged provisions in Qingzhou," Cui Yan replied. "Your troops need only carry five days of dry rations."
With that, he saluted.
"The army has already assembled. I hope the Commandant does not take this order lightly."
Then he turned and left.
Zang Ba stood there, dazed.
Was that… a threat?
After a long silence, he ordered his men to summon the four leaders of Mount Tai.
Two hours later, Sun Guan, Yin Li, Wu Dun, and Chang Xi arrived.
Zang Ba explained everything.
"What do you all think? Should we go to Qingzhou?"
"Go?" Chang Xi scoffed. "Go my ass."
"He just wants us to fight Dong Zhuo, right? That's over a thousand li away! Even if we win, what do we gain? And if we lose, it's our men who die—not his!"
Wu Dun and Yin Li nodded in agreement.
Sun Guan, however, hesitated.
"If we don't go, Zhang Xin may use this as an excuse to punish us. Don't forget—he's the Inspector of Qing and Xu. By rank, he is our superior."
"The envoy made it clear. If we disobey, he might send troops against us."
Zang Ba nodded. That was exactly his concern.
Chang Xi waved dismissively.
"What's there to fear? He's busy fighting Dong Zhuo. He won't have time to deal with us."
Sun Guan shot back, "And if he does? Can you beat him?"
Chang Xi sneered. "If he comes, I'll crush him."
The others exchanged looks, unimpressed.
Wu Dun and Yin Li fell silent.
Going meant risking everything for uncertain gain. Not going meant facing Zhang Xin's wrath.
Neither option was good.
Zang Ba looked at each of them in turn.
Sun Guan leaned toward going.
Chang Xi refused outright.
The others wavered.
Zang Ba lowered his gaze, deep in thought.
A decision had to be made.