Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3863: No Conspiracy
The unrest within Zang Ba's camp could not be kept secret, and Wei Yan soon learned of the harsh remarks made there.

Leading an army alone has its advantages, but it also comes with its own responsibilities.

For most of the time before, Wei Yan's troops were the Flying Cavalry. The reason why the Flying Cavalry was able to grow rapidly was not only due to its superior military equipment, but also largely due to its relatively strict discipline and its emphasis on winning over the hearts and minds of the people.

If the Flying Cavalry were like the Western Liang Army of yesteryear, only thinking of burning, killing, and looting, would Guanzhong have achieved its current prosperity?

This point was not only repeatedly emphasized by Fei Qian, but also repeatedly reiterated in the official gazette of the Military Academy.

So what are the differences between the people of Shandong and those of Guanzhong?
We are all Han Chinese, we all drink from the same river, and we all speak the same Chinese language...

The only difference is under whose rule.

Therefore, the enemy should be different rulers above the common people, not those who point their swords and guns at ordinary people to kill them and take pride in it, or claim that war is necessary.

If we condone the actions of Zang Ba's tribe, how are we any different from bandits?
In the short term, they might gain some money and supplies, but in the long run, they will inevitably lose the hearts of the people and may even push the neutral forces that could have been won over to Cao Cao's army.

Of course, Wei Yan also had his own selfish motives. He wanted to advance further and reach a level similar to Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao, where he could oversee a region. Therefore, Wei Yan's reputation could not be associated with "slaughtering fortresses and plundering people"!
Wei Yan could kill the Cao and Xiahou clans and their officials without hesitation, but he knew he needed to be cautious about killing other people like Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and ordinary citizens.

This reflects his dignity as a general and his recognition of the Flying Cavalry system.

"This is a bit tricky..."

Wei Yan rubbed his temples.

Killing those surrendered soldiers, or even beheading Zang Ba, was easy. But the real challenge was how to truly subdue Zang Ba's troops and make them accept the rules of the Flying Cavalry from the bottom of their hearts.

A hardline approach to suppression might provoke a rebellion; a purely appeasement-based approach will only make the other side perceive you as weak and easily bullied.

Wei Yan walked outside the tent, gazing at the scattered fires of Zang Ba's camp in the distance, and the faint sounds of noise from his own camp, so different from what he could hear from his own. His eyes gradually hardened.

Perhaps, preaching and punishment alone are not enough.

What's needed is a real battle, a battle that will show them why the Flying Cavalry is invincible, and an opportunity for them to understand that following the Flying Cavalry is a more promising path than their previous way of life!
But before that, Wei Yan must firmly grasp the initiative.

"Issue the order," Wei Yan said to his personal guards, "Tomorrow we will break camp and head towards Qiao and Pei. Zang Ba's troops will be the vanguard, but without my order, they are forbidden to attack any fortified villages or settlements! Also, dispatch a separate cavalry unit, which you will personally lead, to closely follow Zang Ba's troops from the flank and rear. Ostensibly, this is for support, but in reality, for surveillance! Report any unusual activity immediately!"

Wei Yan wanted to show Zang Ba, and everyone under Zang Ba, through his actions that once they entered Wei Yan's camp, they had to abide by his rules!

In the heart of Cao Cao's territory, he had to act swiftly and decisively to establish an unchallengeable authority.

However, integration and friction have only just begun.

Although Wei Yan's orders appeared to suppress the situation temporarily, the undercurrents were actually growing stronger and had completely changed their nature.

In the eyes of Zang Ba and his core generals, Wei Yan's move was by no means a simple rectification of military discipline, but rather a step-by-step effort to strip Zang Xuangao of his military power!
Inside Zang Ba's tent, the lights were on, and several of his trusted generals, who had followed him for many years, sat around, their faces grim.

An elderly, one-eyed military officer, his face contorted with rage, exclaimed, "Commander, this is clearly a sign they don't trust us! They want to use us as cannon fodder, and then send people to keep an eye on us! This isn't a joint operation; it's surveillance, a prelude to annexation!"

"Exactly! First, they used the Li Family Village incident to establish their authority, killing our people, then they brought in a military supervisor, and now they'll just find some pretext to attack us directly!" Another hot-tempered military academy officer slapped his thigh. "Commander, we joined him for a future, not to be his lackeys and let him manipulate us at will! If we lose military power, what are we brothers worth in this chaotic world? We'll be like fish on a chopping board, left to his mercy."

Zang Ba sat silently in the main seat, his eyes gloomy.

His subordinates' words struck a chord with him.

The reason he was able to survive in the environment where Xuzhou and Qingzhou changed hands several times, and even be won over by Cao Cao, was because of the relatively independent armed force in his hands that only obeyed his orders.

Military power was the foundation of his livelihood and bargaining power; it was the only bargaining chip he had to exchange for status, wealth, and security.

Zang Ba's defection to Wei Yan, or rather, to the General of the Flying Cavalry, was actually driven by a very practical purpose—

Seeing that the Cao family's empire was about to collapse, they urgently needed to find a new patron in order to get a share of the pie in the new power structure, and preferably to preserve or even expand their territory and power.

Zang Ba valued the strength of the Flying Cavalry and hoped to benefit from its power, rather than genuinely agreeing with any "new system" or "new military discipline." In his view, those things were merely tools used by the victors to embellish their image and control others.

But now, before he can even enjoy the shade of this big tree, the branches stretching out from under its canopy seem to want to entangle and bind him first. Can he accept this?
"Wei Wenchang is arrogant and stubborn; it seems he won't tolerate us forming our own independent group," Zang Ba finally spoke slowly, his voice low and deep. "What he wants isn't allies, but subordinates who are completely obedient. This 'military discipline' is the knife he'll use to seize power."

"Then what do we do? Are we just going to let him do whatever he wants?" the one-eyed military commander asked anxiously.

"Of course not!"

A fierce glint flashed in Zang Ba's eyes. "Military power must never be relinquished! To hand it over is certain death. Today he can kill several of my men under the pretext of military discipline; tomorrow he can seize my camp under the pretext of disobeying orders; and the day after, he might find any excuse to wipe us all out to prevent future trouble!"

Zang Ba surveyed his generals in the tent: "The lives and fortunes of you brothers, and my own future and wealth, all depend on this army! Without an army, we are nothing. The Flying Cavalry may be powerful, but they won't easily conquer us!"

"What does '霸帅' mean..." someone asked tentatively.

"Play along, but be on guard in secret," Zang Ba said coldly. "For now, obey Wei Yan's orders openly; be the vanguard, be the vanguard, be the surveillance. But all units must stick together and not be divided. During marches and encampments, each unit must form its own independent camp and strengthen its vigilance, especially on that 'support' cavalry unit Wei Yan sent—keep a close eye on them! If they make any unusual moves, strike first!"

Upon hearing this, the officers and soldiers' spirits lifted slightly. They were essentially a pragmatic group driven by self-interest, believing that strength was king. As long as they held military power, they had the leverage to stand tall before their new masters.

Wei Yan wanted strict discipline and integration into the group, while they wanted to maintain their independence and wait for a better offer.

Wei Yan believed that rectifying military discipline was a necessary means to improve combat effectiveness and win the hearts of the people, while they believed it was an excuse to reduce power and an insult.

Misunderstandings deepen in suspicion, and resentment grows in repression.

The atmosphere was noticeably different when they broke camp the next day.

Zang Ba's troops advanced as the vanguard, but the distance between them and Wei Yan's central army behind them seemed like an invisible chasm.

The elite cavalry sent by Wei Yan followed Zang Ba's troops at a distance, scrutinizing them and making Zang Ba's men feel uneasy.

Their eyes met, filled with wariness and hostility.

After a day's march, when they camped for the night, the two camps were clearly separated, and the harmonious atmosphere of the previous two days had vanished.

The cooperation has yet to yield results, and the rift has already deepened to the point of being as deep as a canyon.

Wei Yan wanted to integrate this force using the rules of the Flying Cavalry, but he touched the most sensitive nerve of the old warlords...

Military power is their lifeline.

Zang Ba wanted to take advantage of the momentum of the Flying Cavalry to gain benefits, but he found that he might have to pay the most critical price first.

Both sides are stuck in their own logic, distrusting and wary of each other.

Without mutual trust, everything feels wrong.

Zang Ba's camp, late at night.

The campfire flickered in the cold wind, illuminating several stern-faced individuals.

Zang Ba's confidants gathered again, the tent flaps tightly shut, isolating them from all sound. "Commander, Wei Wenchang is pressing us relentlessly, his surveillance growing ever tighter. It seems he's determined to eliminate us. If this continues, our military power will be in jeopardy, and we brothers will soon be fish on his chopping block!" the one-eyed military officer whispered. "Rather than waiting to die, perhaps...we should find another way out?"

Zang Ba's eyes flickered. "A way out? With the General of the Cavalry so powerful and Cao Cao's army in retreat, what way out is there?"

Zang Ba's words also revealed a restlessness stemming from being forced into a desperate situation.

"If it doesn't work out, go back to Mount Tai!" another military academy student said. "Back to our territory!"

"Go back?" Zang Ba pondered.

"Yeah, why don't we go back?" the one-eyed military officer said. "What are we here? Who wants to put up with this humiliation?!"

"But going back like this..." Zang Ba frowned, "I'm afraid it'll be difficult to say good things to either side..."

"The General's defection to the General was an attempt to ride the wave of power. Now that Wei Wenchang is unacceptable to us, it's going against the tide, so why bother? Besides, although the Cao family is declining, even a centipede with a hundred legs doesn't die easily; their foundation in Qiao and Pei remains, and Prime Minister Cao is still alive..." the one-eyed military officer said in a low voice. "If it's difficult to please both sides, then why not just not say anything at all... wouldn't that solve it? You know, only the living can speak..."

Zang Ba's eyes flickered. "You mean... let both sides... um?"

"Exactly!" The one-eyed military officer leaned closer, lowering his voice even further. "We can secretly send someone to contact Cao Cao's army and say that General Ba initially joined the General of the Cavalry as a calculated move, intending to infiltrate the enemy camp, gather intelligence, and launch a coordinated attack from within! Now that the General of the Cavalry is arrogant and has penetrated deep into Yanzhou, it's the perfect opportunity to severely damage their vanguard! We won't have to worry about Cao Cao's army not taking the bait! Then we'll let them pass, and the two sides will clash... hehehe..."

"Yes! Then we can... hehehe..." Another military academy student laughed, making a flanking maneuver, "Catch them both!"

Zang Ba pondered for a moment, feeling that this idea was bold and risky, but...

It seemed to be a way out of a desperate situation.

However, Zang Ba rejected the military academy's delusion of profiting from both sides, saying, "That's one way... but don't even think about trying to profit from both sides. We don't have that kind of strength right now... Let's take advantage of the fighting between the two sides and just go around to our own back! That way we can cover our tracks on both sides, and that'll be fine!"

If the Flying Cavalry ultimately wins, they will say that they were also attacked by Cao Cao's army and scattered to various places...

If Cao Cao's army manages to turn the tide in the end, they can claim that the Flying Cavalry discovered their communication with Cao Cao's army, and that they were also victims...

Anyway, you can say it to both sides, and then choose a method based on the specific situation!
"Who is in charge of Cao Cao's army now? Who else is nearby?" Zang Ba asked.

"I've heard that Prime Minister Cao's son is currently overseeing defenses in the Qiao Commandery area. He is the Prime Minister's beloved son, brave and decisive; he might be capable of taking charge," a general said.

Cao Zhang...

Zang Ba had heard of this yellow-bearded man, who was said to be a brave general, but perhaps lacked intelligence.

However, there are no better options at the moment.

"This matter must be kept absolutely secret!" Zang Ba made up his mind, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Under the cover of night, take my token and secretly go to Qiao County to request an audience. Tell them that I, Zang Ba, have never truly submitted to General Huo Qubing. All my previous actions were merely a means to gain his trust! Our army remains loyal to the Han Dynasty and to the Prime Minister, and can provide General Huo Qubing with military intelligence! We are willing to cooperate with Prince Cao from within and without to jointly defeat Wei Wenchang!"

……

……

Qiao County was where Cao Zhang temporarily stationed his troops.

Cao Zhang stared at the secret letter from Zang Ba in his hand, his brows furrowing into a knot.

"Zang Xuangao... he said his surrender was feigned?" Cao Zhang couldn't help but curse, "How laughable! Back then, he plundered Pingyuan, broke into cities, and slaughtered civilians without hesitation! Now, he's surrendered to Wei Wenchang so decisively! How can the words of such a fickle and treacherous man be trusted?!"

The envoy, anticipating Cao Zhang's suspicion, quickly bowed and explained using the carefully crafted words of Zang Ba and his men: "My lord, please understand! Commander Ba received great favor from the Prime Minister in the past, guarding Mount Tai; how could he forget? The matter of Pingyuan arose because Mount Tai suffered a disaster, and the people were destitute, forced to seek food from elsewhere, only to be refused even a single grain. This angered the disaster victims… Commander Ba did his best to restrain them, but unfortunately… it was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

"Misunderstanding?!" Cao Zhang sneered.

Cao Zhang isn't stupid; how could he possibly believe such misunderstandings?
However, the people of Shandong generally share one thing in common: they'll stop at nothing to achieve victory. How can war not result in death? The enemy's bandits are our heroes. As for how many ordinary civilians died in this process of banditry and heroism, that's not the focus of the people of Shandong.

victory!

Only the result of victory matters most; as for the process...

Knowing it was best not to dwell on this issue, the envoy changed the subject, saying, "Wei Wenchang, the vanguard of the Flying Cavalry, is exceptionally brave. If Commander Ba were to fight to the death, it would only result in mutual destruction, offering no benefit to the overall situation. Therefore, we have adopted a temporary measure, feigning allegiance to preserve our strength and remain hidden behind enemy lines, awaiting the opportune moment! Currently, the vanguard of the Flying Cavalry is deep in enemy territory, without reinforcements, and arrogant and overconfident. This presents an excellent opportunity to attack from both inside and outside, defeating the enemy! Commander Ba is willing to act as an inside agent, providing information on the true nature of Wei Yan's army, and at the crucial moment, defecting to their side! Heaven and earth can bear witness to this intention; I hope you, my lord, will consider it!"

Cao Zhen sneered, "That's a nice way of putting it. Perhaps your Zang Xuangao wants to take the head of some high-ranking official to secure a promotion!"

The messenger, prepared in advance, calmly replied, “My lord, you are unaware that the Flying Cavalry was previously a powerful and heavily guarded force, and they were also wary of Commander Ba, making communication extremely difficult. Furthermore, without our support, a hasty action would have only weakened our forces and jeopardized the Prime Minister's important plans. Now that you are stationed in Qiaopei, our army has a leader, and the Flying Cavalry is pressing us hard, which is why Commander Ba has decided to launch this attack. Here is the latest information on Wei Wenchang's troops, their troop deployment, and the approximate location of their supply lines. Please review it, my lord. This is Commander Ba's sincere intention, and Heaven and Earth can bear witness!”

As he spoke, the messenger presented another piece of silk, which indeed recorded some rough information about Wei Yan's army. Some of this information matched what Cao Cao's scouts had learned, while others provided new information.

Cao Zhang took the intelligence report and examined it carefully, his doubts wavering slightly. The intelligence didn't seem entirely fabricated, especially the detailed descriptions of Wei Yan's army's internal defenses against Zang Ba's forces and Wei Yan's military tactics.

Could it be that Zang Ba was feigning surrender?

However, in this turbulent time, Cao Zhang dared not easily believe anything.

Zang Ba is a man who puts profit above all else. He might feign surrender today, but he might feign surrender again tomorrow!
however……

The temptation is real.

Wei Yan is a sharp wedge that the Flying Cavalry has driven into the heart of Yan and Yu. If he can be removed, or even severely damaged, it will undoubtedly greatly boost the morale of Cao Cao's army, slow down the Flying Cavalry's eastward advance, and also prove his ability to his father.

We must come up with a solution that satisfies both sides, or rather, a plan that will ensure Cao Cao's army's invincibility.

Cao Zhang pondered for a long time, his mind racing with calculations.

Qiao Commandery and Pei State are the Cao family's ancestral home and foundation, and they must not be lost.

We must not put the battlefield here. If Zang Ba is treacherous, or if the battle goes against us, the consequences will be unimaginable.

A plan gradually became clear.

Cao Zhang raised his head, his eyes fixed intently on the messenger: "General Zang's 'loyalty,' I am already aware of. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be ignored. To prove his sincerity, you must follow my plan."

"Please give your instructions, sir!" The envoy's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged as he bowed in response.

"Go back and tell Zang Xuangao," Cao Zhang said, emphasizing each word, "that he should find a way to gradually lure Wei Wenchang's troops westward to the border region northeast of Yingchuan. As for the reason, he can fabricate one himself, such as discovering Cao's supply lines, or that there are vulnerable cities there that can be attacked, etc..."

Cao Zhang stared at the envoy and sneered, "If Zang Xuangao can do it, then we'll talk about other things."

In this way, we can take advantage of the opportunity to provide internal support from Zang Ba, control potential risks away from the core area, and also utilize the troops in the Yingchuan area, which can be described as a win-win-win situation.

The envoy was somewhat perplexed.

"If General Zang is truly sincere, then proceed with this plan. We will agree on a signal and jointly attack Wei Wenchang! After success, I will disregard past grievances and commend General Zang before the Prime Minister!" Cao Zhang concluded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "However, if he harbors ulterior motives, or delays to feign incompetence... then he will bear the consequences!"

Upon hearing this, the envoy sighed inwardly and could only reluctantly agree, "I will report back to Commander Ba without missing a single word! Commander Ba will certainly do his utmost to lead the cavalry westward to cooperate with you, my lord, and together we will slay this villain!"