“So, you noticed it too?”
A hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Jing’s eyes before he continued, “That man is the son of the Tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian. Although I don’t know how much of his father’s ability he has inherited, he is undoubtedly a young tiger.”
“And now, while that young tiger is just beginning to show his fangs and make a name for himself, I’m afraid it will be difficult to recruit him into the Taiping Prefecture.”
Zhang Jing naturally understood what Guo Jia was implying.
But he knew Sun Ce even better.
This was the future Little Conqueror of Jiangdong.
Combined with his close friendship with Zhou Yu, his martial prowess and leadership would eventually surpass even those of his father, Sun Jian.
After all, not just anyone could live up to the title “Little Conqueror.”
The only question was whether the current Sun Ce truly intended to remain under Yuan Shu, or whether he already harbored ambitions of his own.
Even Zhang Jing could not say for certain.
After all, Sun Ce’s eventual break from the “Forklift Emperor” had depended largely on the Yuan Shu proclaiming himself emperor.
“My lord.”
Guo Jia smiled and shook his head.
“Sun Ce is only a young tiger.”
“But compared to Lü Bu, the ‘Ferocious Tiger’—how does he measure up?”
“Very well.”
“Then, Fengxiao, find an opportunity to sound him out.”
Zhang Jing replied noncommittally.
To outsiders, Lü Bu’s temperament was notoriously terrible.
Yet one thing could not be denied— he cared deeply about his family.
Sun Ce likewise valued his relatives.
The difference was that none of Sun Ce’s family was in Zhang Jing’s hands.
Moreover, given Sun Ce’s background as the heir of a powerful local clan, the chances of him willingly entering Zhang Jing’s service were exceedingly slim.
“I understand.”
Guo Jia sensed the change in Zhang Jing’s mood.
Feeling that the situation might be more troublesome than he had expected, he rolled his eyes thoughtfully before accepting the assignment.
…………….
Two days later…
Changshan Commandery, Taihang Mountains, Ji Province.
Zhang Yan had received Zhang Jing’s letter.
After reading it, his face became exceedingly grave.
“Gentlemen.”
Passing the letter around to his commanders, Zhang Yan said, “Take a look.”
“The Governor of Taiping from Yan Province has already marched against Ji Province.”
“He wishes for our Heishan Army to join him in attacking Yuan Shao.”
“Tell me what each of you thinks.”
Once he finished reading the letter, Zhang Yan realized one thing.
This time, Zhang Jing was not joking.
He truly intended to invade Ji Province— something Zhang Yan himself had never even dared to imagine.
Although the Heishan Army appeared formidable, its actual fighting strength was nowhere near Yuan Shao’s.
Only by hiding within the Taihang Mountains had they managed to survive.
“Great Leader!”
After reading the letter, Wang Dang’s face lit up with excitement.
“I believe we should absolutely send troops.”
“Governor Zhang has already explained his plan.”
“Our Heishan Army will divide into two forces.”
“One will create a diversion while the other strikes directly at Ye City.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“Wang Dang is right.”
Sun Qing immediately agreed.
“Given Yuan Shao’s character, if he succeeds in taking You Province and consolidates it together with Ji Province into an impregnable stronghold, it will spell disaster for our Heishan Army.”
“Besides Governor Zhang previously sent troops to relieve us.”
“Now that he seeks our assistance, if we simply ignore him, I’m afraid he will bear a grudge against us.”
“I ask the Great Leader to think carefully.”
“I know.”
Zhang Yan nodded solemnly before turning toward the silent Du Chang.
“Du Chang.”
“What do you think?”
This matter was of enormous importance to the Heishan Army.
One wrong decision could result in devastating losses.
There was another concern that weighed heavily on Zhang Yan’s mind.
How would the Taiping Prefecture treat the Heishan Army?
And more importantly how would Zhang Jing treat the Saintess?
With Zhang Jing’s current strength, would he still acknowledge the Saintess’s authority?
Zhang Yan had no confidence in that.
Putting himself in Zhang Jing’s position, he doubted he would recognize the Saintess either.
“Great Leader.”
Du Chang looked at Zhang Yan and said, “Stop overthinking it.”
“No matter how much you think about it, it won’t change anything.”
“We don’t really have a choice.”
“What do you mean?”
Zhang Yan frowned in confusion.
“Great Leader.”
Du Chang replied seriously, “Have you forgotten that not long ago Gongsun Zan asked us to send reinforcements to You Province?”
“And now Governor Zhang has come with the same request.”
“If our Heishan Army refuses to choose a side, we’ll end up offending both of them.”
“Compared with Yuan Shao, Governor Zhang and Gongsun Zan are far more trustworthy allies for us.”
Then, with a grin, Du Chang joked, “Surely our Great Leader isn’t thinking about defecting to Yuan Shao?”
“As if I’d join Yuan Shao!”
Zhang Yan shot him a glare.
“Yuan Shao prides himself on his aristocratic pedigree.”
“He has always looked down on people like us.”
“The gifts and envoys he sent before to improve relations were nothing more than temporary expedients.”
“I’m not so foolish that I can’t tell which way the wind is blowing.”
He had been Yuan Shao’s neighbor for years.
If Zhang Yan himself had not possessed considerable skill in maneuvering and survival, the Heishan Army would have been wiped out by Yuan Shao long ago.
Objectively speaking, he had even played a part in the coalition against Dong Zhuo.
Although he had never personally attended the coalition assembly, he had established ties with quite a few of the allied warlords during that period, providing them with no small amount of moral support.
Yet the moment the coalition dissolved, the very first person Yuan Shao wanted to eliminate was him.
The man truly showed no sentiment whatsoever.
“Sun Qing.”
With that thought, Zhang Yan turned toward Sun Qing.
“Among us, you’re the only one who has actually been to Yan Province.”
“Tell us.”
“What kind of man is Governor Zhang?”
“And what is the strength of the Qihuo Army?”
At his words, all the other Heishan leaders turned to look at Sun Qing.
Recalling Zhang Jing, Sun Qing spoke with unmistakable admiration.
“Governor Zhang is a man of loyalty and righteousness.”
“He treats others with sincerity.”
“He acts decisively and possesses the bearing of a true hero.”
“When he received our letter requesting aid, he scarcely hesitated before agreeing to send troops to relieve us.”
“He even said that we were all comrades-in-arms.”
“As for the strength of the Qihuo Army, In my opinion, it is no weaker than Yuan Shao’s army.”
“Every soldier I saw was fully armored and properly equipped.”
Sun Qing did not actually know how strong the Qihuo Army was in battle.
But he knew one thing for certain—it was far stronger than the Heishan Army.
Without considering anything else, their rate of armored troops alone completely eclipsed his own force.
“All comrades-in-arms…”
Zhang Yan frowned slightly, lost in thought.
The other commanders likewise wore expressions of seriousness— mixed with more than a little envy.
“Du Chang. Wang Dang.”
After a long silence, Zhang Yan finally spoke.
“As soon as you return, begin mobilizing the army.”
“Prepare to march into Ji Province at any time.”
“Yes, Great Leader!”
The two men cupped their fists and accepted the order.
“Sun Qing.”
Zhang Yan continued, “Send a message to Gongsun Zan immediately.”
“Tell him the Heishan Army will soon send troops to help pin down Yuan Shao’s forces.”
Since they were going to intervene anyway, Zhang Yan thought they might as well do Gongsun Zan a favor.
Even if all they did was create a diversion, they could still claim to have aided him.
“Understood!”
Sun Qing bowed in acknowledgment.
After the meeting ended, Zhang Yan once again climbed to the mountaintop where the Saintess resided.
This time, he was received by Huang Long.
“Commander Huang.”
After explaining the purpose of his visit, Zhang Yan said solemnly, “The situation in You Province now affects the balance of power throughout Hebei.”
“Governor Zhang of the Taiping Prefecture intends to seize Ji Province while the opportunity presents itself.”
“Our Heishan Army cannot stand aside.”
“However, “Zhang Jing is not like his father, Zhang Rao.”
“Although he governs the people with benevolence, he is equally decisive and ruthless when it comes to killing.”
“He is a true hero in his own right.”
“How could such a man remain beneath another’s authority?”
“I beg your forgiveness for my boldness but I propose that the Saintess and Zhang Jing be united in marriage.”
“In this way, the hearts of all those who still follow the Way of Great Peace will be put at ease.”
This was the solution Zhang Yan had devised.
Within the Taihang Mountains lived over a million soldiers and civilians.
More than sixty percent of them were former followers of the Way of Great Peace and their families.
Although these people knew nothing of the Saintess’s existence, Zhang Yan did.
The moment news of her became public, her prestige among the remaining followers of the Way of Great Peace throughout the realm would soar to its peak.
If she and Zhang Jing were joined in marriage, it would be an excellent outcome for both sides.
And Zhang Yan himself could then enter Zhang Jing’s service without reservation.
“You impudent brat…”
Huang Long frowned deeply.
“So, in your eyes, Zhang Jing is a hero worthy of the age.”
“Does that mean you think that you, Zhang Yan is somehow inferior?”
“That he isn’t a hero in his own right?”
“How could you entertain such thoughts?”
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
