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In truth, this could be considered Fei Qian's way of testing Cao Cao.
Initially, Fei Qian had been somewhat worried about whether Cao Cao would be receptive to his reasoning. After all, these events had not yet fully transpired; they were merely possibilities Fei Qian had deduced based on his knowledge from the future and the information currently at his disposal.
However, it seemed that Cao Cao's attitude toward accepting advice and ideas was indeed much like how history had described him—a man willing to listen earnestly to all kinds of suggestions.
The only regrettable thing was that Fei Qian noticed Cao Cao's focus was not on Cai Yong but rather on the gentry clans of the eastern regions. Ultimately, Cao Cao's aspirations regarding the gentry clans still remained intact.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Cao Cao's concern for his own future within the gentry clan hierarchy far outweighed his concern for Cai Yong...
From another perspective, Fei Qian could also understand. After all, Cao Cao had not only spent his own money but had likely also pooled resources from his sworn brothers in Chenliu to raise this army. If this campaign against Dong Zhuo were to fail, where would that leave Cao Cao?
Cao Cao forced a smile, as if to comfort Fei Qian—or perhaps himself—and said, "Perhaps it won't come to that..."
At that moment, Zhang Chao stumbled out of the camp gate, a wine cup in hand. Leaning against the gate, he loudly called out to Cao Cao and Fei Qian...
Cao Cao responded and exchanged a glance with Fei Qian before turning back toward the camp.
Upon returning to the main tent, Kong Zhou and Zhang Miao were already heavily intoxicated, swaying unsteadily as they danced wildly in the center of the tent. Zhang Chao seemed to have a better alcohol tolerance, but he had also drunk quite a bit, pulling Cao Cao into a drinking contest...
In such a situation, there was no way to discuss anything substantial. Fei Qian simply took matters into his own hands, personally holding a wine jug and refilling the cups of Kong Zhou, Zhang Miao, and Zhang Chao the moment they emptied. He made sure to drink them all under the table...
The next day, while Fei Qian was still in his own camp, he heard some commotion outside. Just as he was about to step out to investigate, Huang Cheng entered and reported that the vanguard of the Inspector of Yan Province, Liu Dai, had sent over a dozen scouts ahead to Zhang Miao's camp, demanding that Zhang Miao come out to greet them...
However, Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao had clearly drunk too much the night before and were unable to rise in time, let alone receive these scouts or go out to welcome Liu Dai.
As a result, the scouts made quite a scene outside Zhang Miao's camp.
They didn't dare to openly insult or charge into the camp, but they deliberately made noise to express their displeasure—a move that was just subtle enough to avoid giving anyone grounds for reprimand.
Fei Qian smirked. It seemed this Inspector of Yan Province, Liu Dai, was not an easy man to get along with.
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been an issue for Liu Dai to send scouts ahead to announce his arrival. As for whether the Grand Administrator of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, should come out to greet him—that was something Zhang Miao could decide for himself.
But now, Liu Dai was blatantly demanding that a regional governor come out to welcome him from afar. This wasn't just a matter of etiquette—it was a deliberate move to put Zhang Miao in his place.
However, this approach was likely to backfire...
Fei Qian decided to ignore the matter altogether and stayed in his own camp. After all, whether these high-ranking officials were cozying up to each other or at each other's throats, it wasn't his place to interfere. It was better to simply observe how events unfolded.
By midday, Fei Qian suddenly felt an unusual tremor in the ground. The horses tied up in the camp began to stomp and whinny restlessly.
Fei Qian hurried out of his tent and looked eastward...
A massive army had appeared on the distant horizon—at first just a thin black line, but gradually, it became clear that the soldiers were clad in deep crimson battle robes. As their numbers swelled, it was as if a dark red stain had spread across the land, an endless tide rolling forward.
Once an army numbers in the tens of thousands, it becomes an overwhelming sight. Forests of spears and halberds stood tall, banners fluttered in the wind, and the earth itself seemed to tremble beneath their march. The thunderous sound of countless footsteps rumbled like a storm, and the sheer presence of this disciplined tide of humanity seemed to suffocate all life, leaving only the clash of steel and blood.
The wind carried the sharp, metallic sounds of weapons, and though the sun blazed overhead, the cold glint of blades seemed to drain what little warmth remained, sending chills down the spines of all who watched.
At that moment, no one dared to speak—not even breathe too loudly. Even the most reckless and thick-skinned of men would grow cautious in the face of such an unstoppable war machine, towering like mountains and surging forward like an unstoppable flood.
The army drew closer and closer to the camp, the pressure mounting with each step. Yet no order was given to halt—they advanced relentlessly until they were a mere hundred or two hundred paces from Zhang Miao's camp. Only then did the sound of gongs and the raising of flags signal the army to stop.
The moment the army halted, silence fell.
Then, as if splitting open from behind, a gap appeared in the center of the formation, revealing a carriage. Seated atop it was a man wearing a tall official's hat, his posture rigid and imposing. Behind the carriage stood a large crimson banner bearing the words: Inspector of Yan Province.
Liu Dai had arrived!
And with such imposing grandeur!
Liu Dai's face was icy as he stared at the closed gates of Zhang Miao's camp, not uttering a word. Apart from the occasional snort or hoof-scrape of restless horses, the entire army remained eerily silent. The air grew thick and heavy, pressing down like layers of suffocating quilts.
Under the watchful eyes of the multitude, the gates of Zhang Miao's camp slowly began to open...
But just then, chaos erupted in Liu Dai's army. A section of the left flank, without awaiting orders, suddenly broke formation, turning outward before dispersing noisily to set up their own camp. The clamor of shouting men and neighing horses turned the once-disciplined ranks into a disorderly mess.
Liu Dai flew into a rage and was about to send orders to stop them when he noticed a large banner being raised at the entrance of Zhang Miao's camp—this one bearing the words: Inspector of Yu Province.
Instead of Zhang Miao emerging, it was Kong Zhou who staggered out, swaying slightly as he stepped forward. With a smile, he cupped his hands and loudly greeted Liu Dai with a few polite words...
Had it been Zhang Miao who came out, Liu Dai could have remained seated on his carriage, expecting Zhang Miao to approach and pay his respects—after all, Liu Dai outranked him. But now, with Kong Zhou—a fellow Inspector of equal rank—standing before him, Liu Dai could no longer afford to remain seated. To do so would invite accusations of arrogance and disrespect.
Thus, Liu Dai had no choice but to step down from his carriage and return Kong Zhou's greeting. Before he could even inquire about Zhang Miao's absence, the right flank of his army also began to move—their commanders giving orders to break away and set up camp elsewhere, the sounds of hammering and construction filling the air.