Bao Xin had always respected Cao Cao.
Among the warlords gathered here, he once believed only Cao Cao had the capability to unite them and stand against Dong Zhuo.
But now, Zhang Xin had arrived.
And that belief… wavered.
Compared to Cao Cao's sharpness, Zhang Xin felt colder—more decisive.
More dangerous.
So Bao Xin chose.
He stood with Cao Cao.
After the two finished speaking, silence spread through the tent.
No one answered.
No one moved.
The so-called "alliance" revealed its true nature in that moment—fractured, suspicious, waiting.
Wang Kuang could not endure it.
He rose.
"I propose Lord Yuan Benchu as Alliance Leader. His clan has produced Three Excellencies for four generations. His name alone commands the loyalty of the realm."
He did not dare speak Yuan Shao's given name.
Submission had its etiquette.
"What Gongjie says is right," Yuan Yi immediately echoed.
"Indeed," Qiao Mao followed.
One voice became many.
Zhang Miao. Liu Dai. Kong Zhou.
Agreement spread like rot beneath polished wood.
Han Fu lowered his head, saying nothing.
Yuan Shu's face darkened, his fingers tightening inside his sleeves.
Four generations… Three Excellencies…
Am I not also Yuan?
Or am I nothing?
Nine warlords remained uncommitted.
Seven supported Yuan Shao.
Two supported Zhang Xin.
The outcome seemed decided.
"Gentlemen."
Cao Cao's voice cut through the murmurs like a blade.
"Dong Zhuo commands over a hundred thousand seasoned troops. Battle-hardened. Disciplined."
He looked at each of them.
"And us?"
"A mob, bound by convenience."
A pause.
"If we are to survive, we need a commander—not a name."
His gaze sharpened.
"Tell me—who among you surpasses Marquis Xuanwei in war?"
Silence.
No one dared answer.
Because the answer was obvious.
Yuan Shao's expression stiffened.
Cao Aman… you dare?
"Aman speaks well."
Xu You stepped forward, smiling faintly.
Yuan Shao turned sharply.
Even you?
"But," Xu You continued smoothly, "prestige moves men faster than swords."
"The Yuan name carries weight across the empire. If Yuan Shao leads, the world will answer."
"Victory will come easier."
"Exactly!" Wang Kuang seized the moment.
The others followed eagerly.
"Fools."
Cao Cao's voice hardened.
"War is not won with reputation."
"If it were—why did Dong Zhuo drive us out like dogs?"
The tent exploded.
Faces flushed. Eyes burned.
But no one refuted him.
Because it was true.
Zhang Xin leaned back slightly, watching.
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
Cao Cao… loyal, yes.
But still naïve.
"Aman, why the urgency?" Xu You interjected, smiling.
He turned toward Zhang Xin.
"Marquis Xuanwei is capable. Let him serve as Vice Alliance Leader."
"Military matters can be jointly decided with Yuan Shao."
Yuan Shao frowned.
Division of power?
Xu You met his gaze calmly.
Better a chained tiger than a loose one.
Yuan Shao hesitated—then nodded.
The others quickly agreed.
To them, the calculation was simple.
Alliance Leader—
Glory.
Vice Leader—
Blame.
And Zhang Xin?
Both weapon and shield.
Cao Cao fell silent, then looked to Zhang Xin.
"What do you think?"
Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
"I have no objection."
Relief washed through the hall.
They feared only one thing—
That he would refuse.
That he would leave.
Or worse—
Join Dong Zhuo.
"But…"
The word fell like a stone.
Zhang Xin's gaze shifted to Yuan Shao.
"Benchu. Your current post… is Grand Administrator of Bohai, correct?"
Yuan Shao's chest tightened.
"Yes."
"Then explain this to me."
Zhang Xin's tone remained calm—but the pressure thickened.
"Why should I, a High Minister of the Han, take orders from you?"
The air froze.
"A temporary measure!" Wang Kuang quickly said.
"We can jointly memorialize you—no, the Alliance Leader—as General of Chariots and Cavalry!"
Zhang Xin's smile deepened slightly.
"Will Dong Zhuo approve?"
Wang Kuang faltered.
No answer.
Because everyone knew—
Approval was irrelevant.
Memorials.
Titles.
Authority.
All of it had already begun to rot.
Write it down, and it becomes truth.
Refuse, and no one listens.
Zhang Xin's fingers tapped the table once.
"Let me understand."
His voice dropped.
"When the empire burns… your first thought is not to kill the traitor—"
"But to crown yourselves?"
Bang!
His palm struck the table.
The sound echoed like a verdict.
No one spoke.
But many sneered inwardly.
Easy for you to say.
You already have everything.
Zhang Miao forced a laugh.
"Without such measures, we cannot even leave our territories. How can we march?"
"Yes, yes!"
"How can we fight Dong Zhuo?"
Zhang Xin looked at them as if they were fools.
"I am the Wei General."
"I command the defense of the capital."
"You want authority?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Serve under me."
The reaction was immediate.
Expressions changed.
Eyes sharpened.
So that was his intention.
Xu You forced a dry chuckle.
"That… may not be appropriate."
"Why not?" Zhang Xin asked.
Wang Kuang frowned.
"You do not command governors or administrators."
Zhang Xin's gaze turned cold.
"And does your 'General of Chariots and Cavalry'?"
Silence.
"The title you want to create," Zhang Xin continued, voice cutting, "was once reserved for imperial kin."
"And now?"
"You hand it out like scraps."
He looked at Yuan Shao.
"Today—General of Chariots and Cavalry."
"Tomorrow—Grand General?"
"The next day—king?"
His voice dropped to a near whisper.
"Are you here to destroy Dong Zhuo… or replace him?"
"Marquis Xuanwei is right!"
Cao Cao stepped forward.
"We came to save the empire—not divide its corpse!"
The warlords glared at him.
Always the outsider.
Wang Kuang lost patience.
"You refuse this, reject that—what do you want?"
"Yes!"
"State it clearly!"
Zhang Xin ignored them.
His gaze shifted.
To Yuan Shu.
"Gonglu."
Yuan Shu startled.
"Me?"
"You all say the Yuan name commands the realm."
Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
"I agree."
Yuan Shao's heart sank.
"Then why not him?"
"Yuan Shu—legitimate son of the Yuan clan. General of the Rear. A High Minister."
Zhang Xin's voice was calm.
"I nominate him as Alliance Leader."
Silence.
Then—
Joy.
Raw, unrestrained.
"Zi Qing!"
Yuan Shu nearly laughed.
"You truly understand justice!"
"I accept!"
Yuan Shao's face darkened completely.
"No!" Wang Kuang shouted.
"How can he lead?!"
Yuan Shu's eyes turned cold.
"And why not?"
Zhang Xin stepped forward.
"If Yuan Shao can rally the world—"
"Why can't Yuan Shu?"
No one answered.
Because they knew.
And that truth made it worse.
"His ability is inferior!" Wang Kuang insisted.
Zhang Xin turned slowly.
"Compared to me?"
Wang Kuang froze.
Cao Cao spoke calmly.
"In warfare, Marquis Xuanwei is unmatched."
That settled it.
"With me assisting him," Zhang Xin said softly, "what is lacking?"
"I will consult you in all matters!" Yuan Shu declared hastily.
Han Fu suddenly spoke.
"I support Yuan Shu."
His voice was quiet—but decisive.
He feared Yuan Shao.
This was his chance.
One by one, the others followed.
Momentum shifted.
Like a collapsing wall.
At last—
Only two remained.
Wang Kuang.
Qiao Mao.
Yuan Shao exhaled slowly.
"My brother… is indeed suitable."
But in his eyes—
Hatred burned.
The alliance had not yet marched.
And already—
It was breaking.
Zhang Xin gestured to the central seat.
"Alliance Leader."
Yuan Shu strode forward, barely containing his excitement.
He sat.
At last.
The warlords bowed.
"Alliance Leader."
Then—
"Vice Alliance Leader."
Yuan Shu raised his hand, intoxicated by power.
"The oath will be sworn tomorrow."
"Prepare yourselves."
The next day—
Altars were raised.
Animals slaughtered.
Blood mixed with wine.
Oaths sworn beneath heaven.
No one noticed—
Heaven did not answer.
Zhang Xin handed over the proclamation.
No one dared take the stage.
So Zang Hong did.
His voice rang out.
Passionate.
Righteous.
Convincing.
And utterly hollow.
From the crowd, Cao Cao watched silently.
Behind Zhang Xin stood men like blades—
Chen Lin.
Dian Wei.
Zhao Yun.
His eyes lingered.
Desire flickered.
Such men… should not belong to another.
The oath ended.
The alliance stood formed.
And already—
It was doomed.
The warlords returned to the tent.
To plan their war.
To sharpen their knives.
Not for Dong Zhuo.
But for each other.