"Remember what you saw today."
Standing atop the city wall, Zhang Xin looked down at Zang Ba and the others, his tone calm but firm.
"My army enforces strict discipline. Those who violate orders will be punished."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Do not test the law."
Zang Ba and the others bowed immediately.
"Thank you for your guidance, General."
Outwardly respectful—internally, they cursed without restraint.
Zhang Xin continued:
"Where there is punishment, there is also reward."
"If you earn merit in battle, I will reward you fairly. I will not withhold or steal your contributions."
Only then did Zang Ba and the others truly relax.
At least this meant Zhang Xin had no intention of crushing them completely. There was still room for future advancement.
"Thank you, General!"
They bowed again, this time more sincerely.
Zhang Xin nodded, then gestured for Xu He to take them away before descending from the wall.
At first, he hadn't planned to deal with Zang Ba's group so harshly.
For the campaign against Dong Zhuo, as long as they fought properly, Zhang Xin was willing to treat them like hired troops—useful, but at arm's length.
But looting the people of Qing Province?
That was unacceptable.
Zang Ba was not an ordinary subordinate. He was more like a stronger version of Chu Yan—a semi-independent warlord with his own power base.
Over the years, he had attached himself to different masters—Tao Qian, Liu Bei, Lü Bu, Cao Cao—yet never truly belonged to any of them.
He offended no one on the surface, but in reality, he always preserved his independence.
When Lü Bu demanded tribute, Zang Ba promised compliance—then ignored him. When Lü Bu came personally, Zang Ba shut the gates and fired poisoned arrows, forcing him to retreat in humiliation.
Later, under Cao Cao, when rebels sought refuge with him, he refused to hand them over. Even Cao Cao had to compromise.
Only after Cao Cao unified the north did Zang Ba fully submit.
And even then, after Cao Cao's death, he rebelled again.
Such a man—if left unchecked—would become a constant threat.
Zhang Xin's long-term goal was clear: seize Ji Province and unify Qing, You, and Bing into a solid northern base.
If Zang Ba kept stirring trouble from the rear, that plan would collapse before it began.
Better to deal with the problem now—while authority still held weight.
"But Yu Jin was a bit too ruthless…" Zhang Xin muttered.
If it were him, he would have executed a few ringleaders to set an example—kill some, spare some, and let fear spread.
Instead, Yu Jin had executed them all.
Still… that was precisely why Yu Jin commanded such discipline.
Zhang Xin shook his head.
"Forget it. Since I've entrusted him with it, I won't interfere."
That night, Zhang Xin returned to the prefectural residence.
The campaign against Dong Zhuo would last at least half a year—perhaps longer.
Naturally, he had to "settle matters" at home first.
The next morning, pale-faced and unsteady on his feet, Zhang Xin appeared at the military camp.
Hua Tuo took one look and shook his head repeatedly.
Soon, all the generals had gathered.
Zhang Xin began issuing orders.
This campaign would involve twenty-five thousand troops.
The veteran Yellow Turban soldiers—over 2,900 men—had mostly returned. Among them, more than 400 had followed him since the Liang Province campaign.
They had been away from home too long.
While others had built families, they had nothing but fleeting comforts in Luoyang.
Zhang Xin allowed these 400 to remain behind—to rebuild their lives and produce the next generation.
The remaining 2,500 would accompany him as elite personal guards.
But such veterans were too valuable to expend lightly.
So Zhang Xin sent word to Yan Rou and Ji Shu, requesting 2,500 Wuhuan cavalry.
As for the Qingzhou army:
10,000 elite troops in total 3,000 assigned to Gao Shun (defense) 2,000 to Taishi Ci (regional control) 5,000 retained as the main expeditionary force
Combined with the Yellow Turban veterans and Wuhuan cavalry:
10,000 elite troops formed the core army.
Then came the auxiliaries:
3,000 Xuzhou troops 10,000 garrison soldiers
Total: 15,000 support troops
Their role:
Guard supplies Escort artisans and medics Build camps and transport provisions Reinforce after breakthroughs
Total strength: 25,000 troops
A high ratio of elites—nearly 40%.
Anything more would strain logistics beyond sustainability.
Zhang Xin began assigning commands.
"Xu He, Guan Hai, Sima Ju!"
The three stepped forward.
"We are here!"
"You will lead 3,000 elite troops as the vanguard. Clear roads, build bridges, and establish a forward base at Wild King. Await the main army."
Wild King lay in Henan, near Mengjin.
Once Mengjin was crossed, Bei Mang Mountain stood ahead—
And beyond it, Luoyang.
"We obey!"
Next:
Zhang Liao and Zuo Bao commanded the central army Xu Huang and Yue Jin commanded the rear Zhang Niujiao remained in Qingzhou to hold the rear
Yu Jin would join later after completing the reorganization of the Xuzhou troops.
The advisory staff:
Xun You Hua Tuo Zhuge Xuan Wang Ling
All would accompany the army.
Meanwhile, Hua Xin and the civil officials would remain behind to manage logistics.
Finally, Zhang Xin made his own move.
With Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Chen Lin, Sun Qian—
And one thousand elite guards—
He would ride ahead to Suanzao,
to join the alliance of warlords.
The army was ready.
The world was in chaos.
And the campaign against Dong Zhuo had officially begun.