Chapter Eight: Eliminating the Rebel Forces of Zhang Chun (Part I)

Ji County. The Governor's Mansion.

A messenger from Luoyang arrived in Ji County and declared, "Luo Ang, receive the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Ang and his subordinates rose from their seats, approached the messenger, and knelt before him.

The messenger opened the scroll of Emperor Ling of Han and read: "By the grace of Heaven and the mandate of the Emperor, it is decreed: Luo Ang is hereby appointed Marquis of Yan, tasked with guarding You Province and repelling the invasions of the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Qiang tribes. Unless there is an urgent matter of state, you are not to return to the capital. Thus it is decreed!"

Luo Ang responded, "Your subject expresses his gratitude."

He raised his hands to receive the decree, then rose along with his generals.

The messenger said to him, "Marquis of Yan, I hope you do not fail the Emperor's grace. Guard You Province well and prevent foreign tribes from invading the Central Plains, for if they do, the heartland will be in great peril."

Hearing these words, Luo Ang was instantly reminded of the era of the Western Jin dynasty, when nomadic tribes took advantage of the War of the Eight Princes and the weakening of the state to establish their own regimes, leading to the catastrophic period known as the Uprising of the Five Barbarians.

"I shall not betray the Emperor's deep trust," Luo Ang replied.

The messenger nodded with satisfaction. "With those words from the Marquis, I am content, and the Emperor shall be as well."

Luo Ang ordered, "Someone, escort the envoy to rest."

"Thank you, Marquis of Yan," the messenger said, bowing before departing with an attendant.

Luo Ang turned and, holding the decree, returned to his seat of honor, while the others resumed their places.

Chen Qun cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, my lord, on receiving the title of Marquis of Yan."

Luo Ang waved a hand dismissively. "Do not say that. In truth, He Jin and Zhang Rang are merely appeasing me, keeping me stationed in You Province so that I cannot enter Luoyang while they vie for power."

Chen Jiao nodded in agreement. "My lord’s analysis is astute. He Jin is a relative of the imperial family, while Zhang Rang enjoys the deep favor of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. They despise each other at court and both seek to eliminate the other to monopolize control over the government."

Xi Zhicai added, "Indeed. As they scramble for favor and power, it will only serve to benefit a third party."

Luo Ang replied, "Zhicai is correct. I am certain that He Jin will eventually summon Dong Zhuo to the capital, as his forces are even more powerful than my own."

The others looked at him with confusion.

Luo Ang continued, "The Emperor’s decree explicitly states that I must not enter Luoyang unless it is absolutely unavoidable; this means that without a direct imperial summons, I am forbidden from returning to the capital."

The group finally understood the hidden meaning behind the Emperor's decree.

Half a month later, news arrived that Zhang Chun, the Governor of Yuyang, had rebelled, seized Hunu, and was preparing to attack Anle.

Luo Ang and his officers were shocked.

Xi Zhicai sighed, "I never expected Zhang Chun to rebel!"

Pan Zhang said angrily, "Regardless, we must ensure that scoundrel meets a miserable end."

Liao Hua cupped his hands toward Luo Ang. "My lord, General Pan is right. If this man is not eliminated, he will become a scourge to You Province."

Luo Ang turned to Xi Zhicai and asked, "Zhicai, what do you think of launching an expedition now?"

Xi Zhicai replied, "My lord, just as You Province begins to prosper, this tumor has appeared. It must be excised early, or it will threaten your safety."

Luo Ang made his decision. "Very well. We march tomorrow!"

Xi Zhicai suggested, "My lord, since Zhang Chun’s main force is in Hunu, we should send a detachment to capture Yuyang and hold it. Once Zhang Chun learns that Yuyang has fallen, he will certainly come to its rescue. At that moment, you can attack Hunu while the other force strikes from Yuyang, pincer-attacking him so he has no hope of escape."

"Agreed. Yun-chang will lead the assault on Yuyang, Dian Wei will attack Hunu, and Zhang He will guard the grain supplies. Xi Zhicai and Chen Jiao shall serve as strategists, I will command the center, and Liao Hua, Pan Zhang, and Chen Qun will remain to guard Ji County!"

The others bowed. "Understood."

The next morning, Luo Ang set out with 100,000 cavalry and 100,000 infantry. Guan Yu led 50,000 cavalry toward Yuyang, Dian Wei moved on Hunu, and Zhang He oversaw the supplies as the army marched toward Yuyang.

Zhang He asked Chen Jiao, "Brother Jibi, why did the lord entrust me with the grain?"

Chen Jiao smiled. "General Zhang, the lord does so to ensure the safety of the entire army. If the supplies are lost, the army will collapse without a fight. The lord has entrusted you with such a vital task; shouldn't you cherish it?"

Zhang He realized the truth. "If not for your guidance, I would not have understood the lord's intent."

Chen Jiao replied, "We are all colleagues; there is no need for such formalities. Regardless, we all work toward the lord's future hegemony."

Zhang He nodded. "Indeed. For the lord's future, I have no complaints. After all, the current prosperity of You Province is entirely due to the lord's selfless dedication to the people."

***

Hunu. The Governor's Mansion.

Zhang Chun was discussing how to capture the city of Andong with his officers when a soldier ran in. "General, Luo Ang's army is outside the city gates!"

Zhang Chun and his officers looked at the soldier in disbelief.

"Who leads them?" Zhang Chun asked.

"Dian Wei!"

After dismissing the soldier, Zhang Chun turned to his officers. "Join me in battle against Dian Wei!"

Outside the walls of Hunu, Dian Wei stood with 50,000 cavalry, ready for battle. The city gates swung open, and Zhang Chun emerged.

"Are you Dian Wei?" Zhang Chun shouted.

"I am. And you must be Zhang Chun?"

"Indeed," Zhang Chun replied, then turned to his men. "Who will slay this man and dampen the enemy's morale?"

One officer stepped forward. "I shall go."

The officer charged on horseback, but within ten bouts, he was run through by Dian Wei.

Shocked by Dian Wei’s prowess, Zhang Chun ordered five more officers to attack. Dian Wei scoffed, "Overestimating yourselves!"

Wielding his twin halberds, Dian Wei dispatched the two leading fighters and then engaged the remaining three. Within fifteen bouts, all were slain.

Terrified, Zhang Chun ordered a retreat back into the city, where he ordered his troops to hold fast while he awaited further developments.

Soon, Luo Ang arrived. Dian Wei reported, "My lord, I have slain six of their generals. They dare not come out to fight."

Luo Ang nodded. "Excellent. As long as we delay them here, Yun-chang will take Yuyang. Zhicai, what is our next move?"

"We shall wait for General Zhang and Jibi to arrive with the grain, then wear the enemy down. For now, we shall taunt them from below the walls," Xi Zhicai advised.

Luo Ang agreed and instructed Dian Wei to continue the provocations.

Days later, Zhang He and Chen Jiao arrived with the supplies. From the battlements, Zhang Chun noticed the lack of taunts and learned that the enemy had received their grain.

"Heaven helps me!" Zhang Chun exclaimed. "Now that their supplies have arrived, we can use fire to burn them, forcing them to retreat."

Just then, a soldier rushed in. "General, it is a disaster! Guan Yu has captured Yuyang!"

The news hit Zhang Chun like a thunderbolt, and he collapsed on the ramparts.

At Luo Ang’s camp, a soldier reported the victory at Yuyang. Luo Ang sent word for Guan Yu to hold the city and drive off any counter-attacks with volleys of arrows.

"Zhang Chun must be furious now," Chen Jiao remarked.

"Indeed," Zhang He added, "Yuyang was his home and the seat of his rebellion. With his base gone, he is lost."

Luo Ang stood up. "We must remain vigilant. Once Zhang Chun attempts to break out, we shall storm Hunu."

Luo Ang turned to Zhang He. "Zhang He, guard the grain. I have entrusted you with this duty again because of your capabilities and to temper your spirit."

Zhang He, finally understanding the lord’s trust, bowed deeply. "I shall obey!"

Luo Ang commanded, "From today, we are on full alert. As soon as Zhang Chun moves, we take the city."

"Understood!" the officers replied.