After much deliberation, Zang Ba finally decided to lead his troops to Qingzhou.
There was no avoiding it.
Zhang Xin's authority was too legitimate—and more importantly, he was nothing like Tao Qian, who could be reasoned with.
To the north of Langya lay Beihai, where the Yellow Turban remnants had once run rampant. Zang Ba had heard the stories well.
Zhang Xin had declared that after three months, there would be no pardon—and he had meant it.
Guan Hai had tried to surrender several times, yet Zhang Xin refused every offer. His forces relentlessly hunted the rebels, nearly sweeping through the entire Beihai Kingdom.
Had it not been for the local gentry pleading on their behalf, Zhang Xin might have driven them all the way into the sea.
Now, with his envoy having made matters clear, if Zang Ba refused to mobilize…
Zhang Xin would truly come and "invite" him by force.
Zang Ba knew his limits.
Zhang Xin commanded over ten thousand elite troops. Against such strength, his mere five thousand could not possibly stand—unless they abandoned everything and fled back to Mount Tai to become bandits again.
Since that wasn't an option…
They might as well go.
At worst, when it comes time to attack Dong Zhuo, we'll simply refuse.
That way, they would still have justification, and Zhang Xin would have no easy excuse to act against them.
Perfect.
Having made up his mind, Zang Ba summoned the four leaders of Mount Tai.
Sun Guan, already wary of Zhang Xin, agreed without hesitation.
Wu Dun and Yin Li hesitated, but eventually nodded.
Chang Xi cursed loudly, full of complaints—but seeing that all his companions were going, he reluctantly agreed as well.
The five returned to their camps. Following Zhang Xin's instructions, they prepared five days' worth of rations—no laborers, no baggage.
Speed was essential.
The next day, Zang Ba assembled five thousand troops and set out for Qingzhou.
Zhang Xin had given them only half a month to travel over eight hundred li.
They had no time to waste.
After entering Qingzhou, they reached Pingchang County in Beihai—right along the border between Qing and Xu.
Zhang Xin had already sent men ahead to receive them.
Upon arrival, Zang Ba's army was issued three days' worth of provisions and directed onward to Ju County.
The arrangement was sufficient.
But Chang Xi was not pleased.
"That's it? Are we beggars?"
Without hesitation, he ordered his men to plunder.
His soldiers had once been bandits of Mount Tai. Discipline meant nothing to them. Looting came as naturally as breathing.
And Qingzhou had enjoyed a bumper harvest the previous year. The people were prosperous.
Within a short time, Chang Xi's troops had seized a large amount of wealth.
The officials of Pingchang were powerless to stop them. All they could do was send urgent reports to Zhang Xin.
When Zang Ba heard of it, his face changed drastically.
He immediately rushed to persuade Chang Xi.
"Return the supplies!"
Chang Xi scoffed.
"I took them with my own ability—why should I return them?"
Zang Ba grew anxious.
This fool… does he have a death wish?
"How dare you plunder someone else's territory?" he pressed.
Chang Xi waved dismissively.
"You worry too much. Zhang Xin wants to use our strength—he won't fall out with us over a few commoners."
Zang Ba's heart sank.
You think Zhang Xin is Tao Qian?
Wasn't this simply handing over a handle for punishment?
If they later refused to campaign against Dong Zhuo, Zhang Xin could easily use this as an excuse to force their hand.
Annoyed, Chang Xi snapped back:
"Zang Ba, you're afraid of everything. Why not go back to Xuzhou and babysit instead?"
Zang Ba fell silent.
The five of them were more partners than master and subordinates. He had risen alongside them—he couldn't simply force Chang Xi into submission.
Left with no choice, he could only warn him repeatedly to stop further looting.
They're just commoners… Zhang Xin shouldn't care, right?
Zang Ba tried to reassure himself.
If it comes to it, Sun Guan and the others can help plead for leniency.
With five thousand troops in hand, Zhang Xin wouldn't go too far… would he?
Turning back was no longer an option.
Chang Xi had already looted extensively. Retreating now would be equivalent to slapping Zhang Xin in the face.
If that happened, Zhang Xin would surely retaliate without mercy.
Fortunately, after Zang Ba's warnings, Chang Xi restrained his troops for the remainder of the journey.
On the ninth day of the second month, Zang Ba's army finally reached the plains—just in time.
Camps had already been prepared.
As they arrived, Sun Qian came forward with a warm smile.
"Commander Zang, you've had a long journey. Please, rest in the camp."
Relieved by the friendly reception, Zang Ba asked cautiously,
"May I ask the purpose of General Wei's summons?"
Sun Qian smiled.
"How could a minor official like me know such matters?"
Zang Ba pressed further, "Then… how is the general's mood today?"
"Overjoyed," Sun Qian replied. "He has been awaiting your arrival."
Zang Ba finally relaxed.
It seems Chang Xi was right…
"If so, please inform the general that I will pay my respects after settling the troops."
Sun Qian nodded and departed.
After arranging his forces, Zang Ba sat in silence for a long while before letting out a quiet sigh.
"So be it… If Zhang Xin uses Chang Xi's actions to force us into battle, then we'll deal with it when the time comes."
He summoned the four leaders of Mount Tai and headed for Zhang Xin's camp.
Protocol could not be ignored.
Unbeknownst to them, not long after they left, shadows began to move outside the Xuzhou camp.
Qingzhou soldiers quietly surrounded it.
Zang Ba arrived at the main tent and announced himself.
The guards welcomed him warmly.
Inside, a large map hung across the tent. Zhang Xin stood before it, listening to his generals.
The moment he saw Zang Ba, his face lit up.
"Xuan Gao! You've arrived—come, take a seat."
Zang Ba was about to bow, but Zhang Xin waved him off.
"You've traveled far. No need for formalities."
"Thank you, General."
Zang Ba clasped his hands and took his seat.
Five places had been prepared—perfectly matching their ranks.
Seeing this, Zang Ba felt further at ease.
Chang Xi shot him a smug glance.
See? I told you.
"Your arrival is timely," Zhang Xin began.
"Dong Zhuo is a traitor who bullies the Emperor. The Three Dukes have called upon the realm to rise and punish him."
Zang Ba's heart stirred.
As expected…
"We are subjects of the Han. We eat the Emperor's grain and must share his burdens."
Zhang Xin's voice grew firm.
"I have already raised troops in response."
He looked directly at Zang Ba.
"Xuan Gao—you will serve as the vanguard."
Zang Ba immediately presented his prepared excuse:
"General, your authority lies within Qing and Xu. To campaign beyond without imperial edict—would that not violate the law?"
Even as he spoke, he braced himself.
If he forces us using Chang Xi's actions… we'll just have to endure it.
But to everyone's shock—
Zhang Xin's expression suddenly turned cold.
"The order has been given—and you dare make excuses?"
His voice thundered through the tent.
"Men!"
"Seize him—"
"And take him out to be executed!"