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Zhang Miao set down his teacup and suddenly remembered something. "I heard that in Guangling, you delegate all administrative affairs—governance, education, rewards, and punishments—to Zang Hong. What kind of person is this Zang Hong?"
Zhang Chao laughed. "Zang Hong? He's quite an extraordinary man himself."
Zhang Miao grew curious and pressed his brother with interest.
Zhang Chao explained, "To speak of Zang Hong, one must first mention his father. Many of Zang Hong's traits likely stem from his father's teachings..."
Zhang Miao nodded. "I've heard of this as well. Wasn't Zang Hong's father the former Governor of Taiyuan?"
"Exactly. His father was a man of great capability. Later, as the General Who Guards Against the Xiongnu, he achieved numerous military exploits. At the time, Grand Commandant Yuan was still alive and once questioned him about the lands, customs, notable figures, and ethnic groups of the Western Regions. It's said that not only did he answer fluently, but he could also draw maps while speaking, displaying an encyclopedic knowledge..."
Zhang Miao remarked, "Now that you mention it, I recall Grand Commandant Yuan once said, 'Even Ban Gu's Annals of the Western Regions would pale in comparison.' Truly a remarkable talent. But surely Zang Hong can't match that?"
Zhang Chao burst into laughter. "Oh, but he can! Since my arrival in Guangling, whenever I've had questions—whether about civil affairs, land, irrigation, or treasury records—Zang Hong has always answered without hesitation, never once making a mistake."
Zhang Miao clicked his tongue in admiration. "Remarkable! To reach such a level truly earns him the title of 'extraordinary.'"
"And that's not all. When Yuan Sui came to me, it was Zang Hong who persuaded me."
Zhang Miao's eyes flickered. "Oh? Then could it be..."
"Probably not," Zhang Chao shook his head. "Though Zang Hong's father did receive some patronage from the Yuan family, his achievements were earned through real merit on the battlefield. Besides, if Zang Hong had long been connected to the Yuan family, why would he have remained a mere Registrar in Guangling for so many years?"
Zhang Miao nodded slowly, expressing tentative agreement with his brother's reasoning.
"There's another incident involving Zang Hong," Zhang Chao continued, noticing his brother's lingering skepticism. "Back in Guangling, Zang Hong had a close friend who worked as a clerk in the administration. This man colluded with treasury officials to embezzle funds and was eventually exposed. He privately sought Zang Hong's help, offering to repay the stolen silver, but Zang Hong refused..."
"Naturally, the man was sentenced to public execution. One might assume the matter ended there, but Ziyuan went alone to the man's home to apologize. He endured the mother's curses and even knelt outside her door overnight until she finally forgave him..."
"Since then, Zang Hong has dedicated half his monthly salary to supporting the mother, and this has gone on for years..."
After hearing this, Zhang Miao couldn't help but nod in approval. "He did not betray state law—this is loyalty. He served his friend's mother—this is righteousness. Truly, a man of loyalty and righteousness!"
Just as the brothers were marveling at this, a soldier entered the tent to report that Kong Zhou, Inspector of Yu Province, was approaching with an army and was now only twenty "li" away.
"Kong Zhou? Wasn't he in Yingchuan? What's he doing here?" Both Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao were puzzled, but they prepared to receive him nonetheless and set out to greet him.
Not far from their camp, they encountered Kong Zhou's forces. Seeing that Kong Zhou had already dismounted from his carriage and was approaching on foot, they quickly dismounted as well and bowed in respect.
Kong Zhou chuckled and helped them rise. After exchanging pleasantries, the three entered the camp together.
Kong Zhou had initially been somewhat apprehensive. After all, his title as Inspector of Yu Province had been officially revoked by the court. Though Zhang Miao was merely the Grand Administrator of Chenliu, a rank slightly lower, if Zhang Miao chose to stand on ceremony, Kong Zhou would have no recourse...
Thus, Kong Zhou had deliberately dismounted first to test the waters. If the Zhang brothers had been arrogant or disrespectful, it would have signaled their unwillingness to acknowledge their past ties...
But Zhang Miao's actions made it clear that he still recognized Kong Zhou as Inspector of Yu Province, easing Kong Zhou's mind somewhat.
Once inside the central command tent, Zhang Miao courteously offered Kong Zhou the seat of honor. Kong Zhou repeatedly declined, but after much insistence, he finally accepted.
Exchanging glances behind Kong Zhou's back, the Zhang brothers took their seats on either side.
Stroking his beard, Kong Zhou smiled. "Mengzhuo, not only are you accomplished in governance, but your military discipline is also rigorous and orderly. Truly, a man of both civil and martial prowess."
Zhang Miao cupped his hands in modest refusal. "Inspector Kong flatters me. How could my meager abilities compare to yours, lest I become a laughingstock?"
Kong Zhou laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
Zhang Miao continued, "I had heard earlier that you were recruiting righteous troops in Yingchuan. I had intended to join you, but my army lacked sufficient provisions, so I had no choice but to camp here temporarily while making other arrangements. I hope you will not take offense..."
Though Zhang Miao was aware that the court had stripped Kong Zhou of his position, he pretended ignorance. After all, with Dong Zhuo now controlling the court, it was unclear whether the edict reflected the emperor's will or Dong Zhuo's alone. Thus, it was safer to feign ignorance.
Moreover, Zhang Miao knew Kong Zhou was a man who loved flattery. By repeatedly deferring to him, Zhang Miao not only observed proper hierarchy (since the Inspector outranked a Grand Administrator) but also ensured that, should things go awry, he could shift blame onto Kong Zhou.
Zhang Miao's humble demeanor took Kong Zhou by surprise but also stroked his ego. Stroking his beard, Kong Zhou said magnanimously, "We all serve the state. There's no need for such modesty, Mengzhuo."
That's all I needed to hear. Zhang Miao thought to himself. Initially, he had worried about failure, but now, with Kong Zhou's banner raised high, even if things went south, he could claim he had merely been coerced...
Of course, if they succeeded, credit would have to be shared with Kong Zhou. But compared to the risks involved, Zhang Miao believed this was the safer strategy—prepare for defeat even while seeking victory, for only then can one survive.
Rumor had it that the Governor of Yan Province had also raised an army. However, since Kong Zhou was a native of Chenliu, his influence there was considerable. In contrast, the newly appointed Governor Liu Dai was an unknown variable. Worse, Liu Dai had reportedly clashed with the former Governor (now Grand Administrator of Dong Commandery), Qiao Mao, with whom Zhang Miao had a decent relationship. If Liu Dai failed to subdue Qiao Mao but decided to make an example of Zhang Miao instead, things could get messy. Thus, Zhang Miao preferred rallying under Kong Zhou's banner...
"Inspector Kong, what brings you here? Is there any way I can be of assistance?" Zhang Miao noticed that Kong Zhou had brought only about two thousand soldiers, far fewer than the numbers he had heard.
In truth, Zhang Miao felt uneasy—and so did Kong Zhou.
Though Kong Zhou spoke confidently, this was his first time leading such an endeavor. At best, it could be called "rectifying the emperor's court and expelling traitors"; at worst, it was outright rebellion. How could he not be nervous?
Thus, upon hearing that the Zhang brothers were gathering troops at Suanzao, he had come for two reasons: first, to confirm their stance against Dong Zhuo and reassure himself; second, to consolidate ties with Zhang Miao, since he was a fellow native of Chenliu and Zhang Miao its Grand Administrator...
More crucially, he had heard that Governor Liu Dai of Yan Province was already marching this way...
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A/N: In history, the campaign against Dong Zhuo was not initiated by Cao Cao's manifesto but by Qiao Mao's forged edict in the name of the Three Excellencies. The first to respond was Zhang Chao of Guangling, persuaded by none other than Zang Hong. As for Yuan Sui... well, he was originally an official directly under the Grand Tutor's office, so...
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