Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 199 Takeover
Jinyang.

Zhang Residence.

The shouts of the Overlord Halberd swept through the spacious training ground of his residence like a strong wind.

Sweat glistened on his broad back as Zhang Xian, dressed only in shorts, slowly retracted his halberd after striking his final pose.

He closed his eyes, rested, and then exhaled a long breath of stale mist.

"Brother Xian's martial arts are becoming more and more domineering. If I were Brother Xian's enemy, I would probably be beheaded before I could withstand a single blow."

When Xiahou Lan saw that Zhang Xian had stopped, she offered him a cloth to wipe his sweat.

The latter opened his eyes, took the cloak, wiped the sweat from his body, and a maidservant draped it over his shoulders.

"My mind has been focused on official duties in Taiyuan this year, so my martial arts skills have somewhat declined."

He tossed the towel he used to wipe his sweat to the maid and called out to Xiahou Lan, "You really don't plan to go back to Weize Pass?"

"This pass will inevitably become the most important place in Bingzhou. If you train there for a year or two, no one will be able to find fault with you when you are assigned other important positions later."

After Zou Wan became pregnant, Xiahou Lan was the first to resign. He handed over all important matters to his deputy and Zhao Hu, and went to Jinyang to serve as the commander of the guards at the Zhang residence.

Xiahou Lan shook her head: "No official position is more important than my sister-in-law and Xian-ge's offspring. Xian-ge, please don't try to persuade me anymore."

"Alright then." Seeing that his younger brother Lan was so resolute, Zhang Xian had less intention of trying to persuade him further.

It's a bit of a pity that someone whose name will be recorded in history humbled himself to protect the commander.

However, with Lan Di around, he could go about his business with peace of mind.

As the two left the martial arts training courtyard of the Zhang residence, Xiahou Lan asked a question on the way.

"Brother Xian, you've been practicing martial arts more and more lately. Are you planning to..." He seemed to have some guesses.

Zhang Xian nodded silently.

His own brother Lan is probably the person who understands him best in the world, and there are some things he never hides from him.

"Yes," he sighed.

"The Yellow Turban Rebellion is probably coming to an end. Since the General intends for me to make a trip to Ji Province, I plan to go this time."

Xiahou Lan was stunned for a moment: "Brother Xian is going to take action against the Yellow Turbans?"

"It's not that I'm going to attack. Zhang Jiao has held out for longer than I expected, but he's at his limit now. If I don't go, those hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers in Ji Province will probably become a path to promotion and wealth for some people."

"I'll go, at least it can save their lives."

Have you told your sister-in-law about this?

As the two walked down the corridor, Zhang Xian patted Xiahou Lan on the shoulder: "Whether you say it or not, the result is the same. Women from clan backgrounds tend to have a long-term vision. They care about long-term benefits and pay less attention to romantic relationships."

"Lan Di, you're eighteen this year, it's time to settle down. Shall I find you someone?"

"Haha, Brother Xian."

"Alright, let's find one then. I'll go and discuss it with your sister-in-law later to see which family's woman is suitable for our Lan brother."

Zhang Xian was overjoyed. He had never imagined that urging someone to get married could be so enjoyable. Looking at the awkwardness on the face of the person being urged to marry was as refreshing as taking a big gulp of iced drink on a sweltering summer day.

No wonder those people were urging him so hard back then.

Before Xiahou Lan could refuse, Zhang Xian patted him on the shoulder and slipped into the inner courtyard.

Only a young man with a wry smile remained.

On a winter night, snowflakes fell softly onto the roof tiles.

Inside the Zhang residence's study, the firelight illuminated the walls, yet it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere.

Zhang Xian sat behind his desk, his fingertips slowly tracing the secret letter he had read countless times.

The letter was laid out.

"Dong Zhuo has suffered a defeat, Guangzong is difficult to conquer, and the court's attention is on you... If you can quickly quell the chaos in Ji Province..."

He gently pushed the secret letter to Han Ji, who had been invited that evening.

Han Ji only glanced at it a few times, but he had also read the letter several times: "My lord, the Grand General wants Ji Province to be pacified quickly, but he is also wary of my lord becoming too powerful in Bing Province."

This journey will bring both fame and fortune if successful, and utter ruin if it fails.

He paused, then lowered his voice: "But if we can truly recover those hundreds of thousands of starving Yellow Turban rebels, it could be a great opportunity for our lord!"

Zhang Xian nodded slowly: "Your thoughts are the same as mine. These days I have been sending people to Wangbaijingbao and Weizeguan to store grain, also to support the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban people."

"But there's still a problem."

After a moment's thought, Han Ji guessed the problem: "Our lord doesn't have enough troops."

"Indeed," Zhang Xian sighed.

"The Jiaqi Army has expanded by 10,000 in less than half a year. The Youyi Army is stationed in Xihe County and cannot be moved lightly. Even if it can be moved, the main force of the Youyi Army is only 6,800, and with the addition of civilian laborers, it is only a little over 10,000."

"In that case, providing aid to at least 300,000 Yellow Turban rebels would likely cause unrest in Taiyuan. These Yellow Turban rebels are not just Yellow Turban refugees; they have fought and seen blood!"

"Yes," Han Ji sighed as well.

"What is your opinion, my lord?" He looked at Zhang Xian.

"We still have to go!"

Zhang Xian's gaze fell on the huge Bingzhou map hanging in the corner of the study, his eyes passing over Taiyuan and fixing firmly on the location of Guangzong in Jizhou.

"The Western River region has been pacified, and our tribe now controls two prefectures. The land is vast and sparsely populated. We must save the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban people and also win them over. Otherwise, we will never have such an excellent opportunity to replenish our population again!"

"As for how to appease the Yellow Turbans..." His gaze was fixed on Guangzong.

"It all depends on Zhang Jiao's decision!"

"My lord is thinking... hiss." Han Ji thought of a possibility.

But he wasn't sure; it was simply too absurd. Could the Yellow Turban leader possibly order his troops to submit to the Han general?!
But then he thought of another possibility.

"Our lord intends to meet with Zhang Jiao in person?!"

At the head of the table, Zhang Xian shifted his gaze from Guangzong City and responded to Han Ji with a silent nod.

"No, this won't do! It's too dangerous, my lord! That's the stronghold of hundreds of thousands of people! You can't go!"

Han Ji panicked immediately. This was the first time he had lost his composure like this since he joined Zhang Xian in Taoyuan.

Zhang Xian was his lord and also his benefactor.

The blood feud of his own family was avenged by his own lord personally killing the traitors after a long march.

Zhang Xian's existence is something he'd be willing to repay with his life!
"Don't rush, sir."

Zhang Xian grabbed the excited Han Ji and held him down.

“Although venturing into Guangzong is dangerous, if I want to escape, no one can stop me. Not to mention the Yellow Turban Army, whose martial arts and military equipment are crude and inadequate, even the Luoyang Imperial Palace is something I can go to and leave as I please.”

"No one in this world can besiege me!"

Hearing Zhang Xian's words, Han Ji calmed down a bit.

He knew his lord's abilities well; even calling him a reincarnation of Xiang Yu wouldn't be enough to describe him. But even Xiang Yu, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of troops, wouldn't fare well.

Therefore, he still firmly disagreed with Zhang Xian's decision to risk his life.

"Alright, Gongzhi, my mind is made up. You shouldn't try to dissuade me."

"I only summoned you here to give you some instructions."

"After I leave, you will be in charge of Taiyuan. All affairs will continue as before. In Qiangyin, Zhao Hansheng will be sent back to Jinyang. The important affairs of the Jiaqi Army will be entrusted to Zhicai. Zhao Gou will be sent north to Qiangyin to handle external military matters."

"The Xihe side ordered Lü Bu to temporarily cease hostilities and guard the area around Lishi City, while Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun guarded all the key roads leading west to Jinyang."

"Let Wenruo handle the literary matters. Although you are in charge of administration, leave the professional matters to the professionals. You can just take charge of the investigation of materials in the rubber factory."

As he spoke, Zhang Xian gazed intently at Han Ji. "Gongzhi, we've known each other for over three years. In all of Jinyang, the people I trust the most are Yun and Lan. After I'm gone, you must take good care of our family's assets!"

"Lord!!!"

Han Ji's eyes welled up with tears.

Three years ago, he was a recluse hiding from his enemies.

It was Zhang Xian who invited him to Taoyuan and gave him a place to stay. It was also Zhang Xian who helped him avenge the blood feud of his family.

Their lord was unlike any other powerful figure in the area. He valued and pitied the common people, and his lofty ambitions inspired awe and respect.

Such trust—how could he not be moved, how could he not feel heartache?

He rose and knelt heavily on the ground: "I will accept the lord's entrustment with my life!"

"With your words, I am relieved."

The next day.

Zhang Xian, fully equipped, headed towards Jizhou.

Behind him were only a hundred heavily armored cavalrymen from the Mountain Battalion.

Huang Zhong dispatched two hundred heavily armored soldiers from the Mountain Battalion back to Zhang's residence in Jinyang, while Zhang Xian only took one hundred and thirteen men with him this time.

Those one hundred men were the strongest one hundred men in the Mountain Battalion.

Each one of them is a highly skilled individual capable of fighting for half an hour in full armor.

The armor worn by the Mountain Battalion was the thickest and heaviest among Zhang Xian's troops, with each suit weighing fifty jin (approximately 25 kg). Its protective qualities were no less than those of Zhang Xian's own armor.

He wielded a heavy cavalry saber, which could be either a meter long or two meters and two inches long, and was skilled in both foot and horse combat.

Looking across all the soldiers in Bingzhou, the only ones who could fight the heavily armored soldiers of the Mountain Battalion to a standstill were Zhang Xian's personal guard.

When Zhang Xian established the military promotion system, he mentioned that those who were promoted based on their military achievements could only reach the rank of garrison commander at most, and promotions would depend on their combat skills.

This is mainly to prevent people who are really good at fighting but completely incapable of commanding from taking command of the army.

Therefore, he set up a personal guard, and transferred those who were particularly good at fighting into it, which he personally led.

These people would probably cause problems if placed in other people's troops, because they are indeed strong, and their martial arts skills are all hard-earned.

But if he were in his personal guard, there would be no possibility of any change, because he was the strongest.

So those thirteen men were his personal guard.

The fact that only thirteen people could join his personal guard over several years is enough to demonstrate the strength of these thirteen men.

Especially after Tong Yuan arrived in Bingzhou and trained them for a period of time, these thirteen men could each fight against a hundred men if they were to charge into battle, but if they were to command an army, each of them would be a master of micro-management.

To put it simply, these people basically traded their intelligence for force.

They belong to the category of those who are intelligent, but not many.

However, such people are perfect for serving as his personal guards. To protect Zhang Xian, all they need to do is keep up and not fall behind.

All 114 people switched to horses from Zhangxian Pasture, each carrying a large, bulging backpack. These backpacks were made of durable and wear-resistant material and had been reinforced with five layers of material.

It was made using the canvas technology he reverse-engineered, and inside were their respective infantry armors. The reason they carried them on their backs instead of on their horses was so that they could change into their armor and fight at any time.

Modern armor technology is quite advanced; as long as one is strong enough, one person can put it on by themselves.

The daily training of the Mountain Battalion and Zhang Xian's personal guards includes training in self-equipping and coordinated armor fitting. Now each of them can complete self-equipping within five minutes and coordinated armor fitting within two minutes.

Although five minutes may seem like a long time in the heat of battle, it is the limit for self-equipped soldiers and the key to their ability to form an army independently. Once they can put on their armor, each heavily armored soldier becomes a distinctive symbol of a combat unit, capable of rallying a large number of soldiers.

If someone assists with armor preparation before the battle, then there will be plenty of time.

They traveled along the post station system past Baijingbao, and then along the reinforced and widened path to Weizeguan.

The group of 113 people moved forward like a whirlwind.

It took less than three days to reach Weize Pass.

They arrived in Jingxing County in just over six days, which perfectly exemplifies the saying "speed is of the essence in war."

Along the way, Zhang Xian also observed the actual conditions in various places.

It's going well; land reclamation, wall construction, and the development of suitable areas are all progressing steadily.

The north wind was equally biting on the Jizhou Plain.

As far as the eye could see, there was only desolation and death.

The once vast fields are now nothing but scorched stubble and trampled mud.

Most of the villages have become ruins, with charred wooden beams pointing forlornly at the leaden sky, like the withered bones of a dying man.

"White bones lie exposed in the wilderness, and for a thousand miles no rooster crows..."

Zhang Xian patted Mo Ying's neck, and a flash of yellow light shot towards the ruins on his shoulder.

His gaze followed, and almost instantly, several withered and emaciated men sprang out from under a ruined wall, chasing after Shan Huang and throwing stones at him, trying to knock him down for a meal.

Zhang Xian, expressionless, turned his head and gestured to a heavily armored soldier from the Mountain Battalion: "Give them some food and let them head towards Bingzhou."

"promise!"

The armored soldiers rode out, and the terrified refugees instantly knelt on the ground.

He threw a small bag of marching rations from his horse and landed it among the men: "Take this food and head to Bingzhou. You'll survive."

Then they rode back.

Zhang Xian stopped looking at those people; he knew that Jizhou was now in such a miserable state.

"accelerate!"

"Head straight to Guangzong!"

"promise!"

The horses' hooves pounded the cracked, hardened mud, producing a dull thud.

The closer you get to Guangzong, the more shocking the traces of war become.

Broken weapons, shattered armor plates, and the wreckage of abandoned supply wagons were everywhere.

Small groups of people began to appear on the road, moving about like wandering ghosts.

Most of them were pale and thin, with sunken eyes, wearing tattered clothes that barely revealed yellow fabric, and shivering in the cold wind.

When they saw this menacing cavalry, a flicker of instinctive fear flashed in the numb eyes of these fleeing refugees and defeated soldiers. They hurriedly hid behind ditches or ruins on both sides of the road, like frightened mice.

"The same as always." Zhang Xian's tone was flat; he had encountered countless people like this along the way.

After a brief stop, the group continued on its way.

When the outline of that enormous city finally appeared on the horizon.

They also reached their destination.

A tattered banner bearing the character "Dong" was crookedly stuck on the gate of a relatively intact camp, marking it as the Han army's main camp.

The camp was quite large, but at this moment it felt unusually somber and oppressive. The gates were tightly closed, and the sentries on the watchtowers were all hunched over.

Clearly, Dong Zhuo's defeat had some impact.

"Halt!" came a shout from the gate tower, delivered in a heavy Xiliang accent, the tone full of vigilance.

Zhang Xian reined in his warhorse, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the bewildered face on the gate. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

"Zhang Xian, the Xiongnu General of Bingzhou, has been ordered by the Imperial Court to take over military affairs in Guangzong! Immediately inform General Dong to open the camp gates!"

(End of this chapter)