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It wasn't that Bao Xin was inherently foolish—it was simply that the inertia of human thinking could be terrifying.
Inertial thinking is a pattern etched into the human mind, something one might follow without even needing to deliberate. Under unchanging circumstances, it allows people to quickly solve problems using familiar methods. But when the situation shifts, it often hinders the adoption of new approaches, becoming a shackle fastened around one's own neck.
This was exactly Bao Xin's predicament. Though he felt a vague unease in his heart—otherwise, he wouldn't have followed Cao Cao to seek out Fei Qian—his thinking had solidified over the years. Unlike Cao Cao, who possessed a naturally flexible and adaptable mind, Bao Xin was somewhat slow and rigid in accepting Fei Qian's perspective.
However, as the conversation deepened and Fei Qian laid out the hypothetical strategy of Dong Zhuo fortifying himself at Tong Pass, Bao Xin was left speechless.
After all, Chang'an's geographical position was vastly different from Luoyang's. Comparing the two, Chang'an was clearly more strategically defensible, making it difficult to attack from east to west. If it hadn't been so, the allied forces of the six states during the Warring States period wouldn't have repeatedly failed in their attempts to conquer Qin.
The entire eastern region of Chang'an—including Ji Province, Yan Province, and Yu Province—consisted mostly of flat, open terrain, ideal for the rapid maneuvering of cavalry. As long as the horsemen weren't bogged down, infantrymen would be left eating dust in their wake.
To fully counter the strategic scenario Fei Qian proposed, the allied forces would have to station defensive troops in all three directions beyond Tong Pass, ready to intercept and cut off the retreat routes of the Liang Province cavalry.
But doing so would require long-term garrisons, which would inevitably raise new problems. Who would garrison these positions? The troops were all local militias under regional governors—who would be willing to stay far from home for extended periods?
More critically, who would supply the provisions for these garrisons? A month or two might be manageable, but what about half a year or a full year? In this way, Dong Zhuo wouldn't even need to move a single soldier within the pass—he could effortlessly deplete the allied forces' provisions.
According to Han Dynasty military regulations, a single soldier consumed about six sheng of grain per day, totaling roughly two large dan per month. Stationing too few troops would be ineffective, while too many would be unsustainable. Moreover, long-distance grain transportation was highly inefficient, with losses sometimes reaching 20% or more.
Thus, maintaining garrisons became impractical, and without stationed troops, vast farmlands outside cities and fortresses would be left completely unprotected.
And once crops were destroyed, it could mean an entire year without harvest—a blow far more devastating than losing a couple of cities.
Dong Zhuo had spent years fighting against the Qiang, Hu, and Xianbei tribes in Liang Province. Could he really be ignorant of the destructive tactics of nomadic raids?
Bao Xin clenched his fists tightly, remaining silent for a long time before finally looking up and asking, "Ziyuan, do you have a viable countermeasure?"
"A countermeasure? Hasn't Brother Mengde already proposed one?" Fei Qian tossed the question back to Cao Cao, recalling how Cao Cao had once mentioned at Zhang Miao's camp that Dong Zhuo still had exploitable weaknesses—implying he already had a plan in mind.
However, that plan was likely of very low feasibility…
So Fei Qian chose not to elaborate, leaving it to Cao Cao to explain.
Cao Cao nodded and said, "As Ziyuan suggested earlier, we simply reverse the strategy. Advance swiftly, cut off their retreat, and victory will be assured." Having said this, he shook his head and sighed.
It wasn't that the strategy was flawed—it was simply impossible to execute. Given the infighting in the command tent the previous day, how could they possibly coordinate a military operation requiring unified action from multiple factions?
This was also why Cao Cao had signaled for Fei Qian to nominate Yuan Shao the day before. Since Cao Cao had a good relationship with Yuan Shao, he hoped Yuan Shao would heed his advice and take unified command—only then would there be hope for victory.
Bao Xin brooded for a long moment before suddenly slamming the table and declaring in a heavy voice, "In this time of national crisis, unity is paramount—yet all harbor selfish motives! How lamentable! How regrettable! If all others shrink back, I alone shall advance! Mengde, will you lend me your strength?"
Cao Cao immediately clasped his hands and solemnly replied, "I shall follow the Governor of Jibei!"
Huh? Fei Qian was taken aback—this situation seemed chaotic!
Wasn't it supposed to be Cao Cao leading the pursuit of Dong Zhuo? Why did it now seem like Bao Xin was taking the initiative?
This… was a mess.
But Bao Xin's decision to mobilize wasn't even the most chaotic thing Fei Qian witnessed. The real chaos erupted during the alliance oath ceremony.
With many hands making light work, the allied forces quickly constructed an earthen altar for the covenant, adorned with banners, sacrificial offerings, and incense burners—it looked quite impressive.
But just as the eastern warlords were about to swear their oath, something unbelievable happened.
Kong Zhou, smiling amiably, cupped his hands toward Liu Dai and said, "Governor Liu of Yan Province, as a descendant of the imperial clan and heir to the Marquis of Mouping, with your exceptional talent, filial piety, and magnanimity, you are the most fitting candidate to lead the blood oath!"
Zhang Miao, standing nearby, promptly added, "The traitor Dong Zhuo has usurped power and brought ruin to the imperial court. As a member of the imperial clan, Governor Liu should naturally lead the oath!" With that, he firmly pinned Liu Dai in place, pushing him toward a precarious position.
The others present remained eerily silent.
Though most of the eastern gentry believed Dong Zhuo was doomed and had joined the campaign to claim political merit, they were also acutely aware that this endeavor lacked the emperor's explicit approval. It had been initiated privately by the Yuan family under the guise of a Three Excellencies' decree, with the false claim of an imperial edict…
As the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Even if the campaign succeeded, there was always the risk that the emperor might one day regain power—or that someone might hold a grudge and dredge up the past, accusing them of gathering troops and swearing oaths without imperial authorization, implying treason. Once such accusations surfaced, no amount of explanation would suffice.
Moreover, if one were the alliance leader, the risks might be justified by the rewards—prestige and real authority came with the position. But since none of them held that title, why invite trouble?
Thus, Kong Zhou took the initiative to elevate Liu Dai—the imperial clansman—as the figurehead, while Zhang Miao drove the point home, emphasizing that since they were all fighting for the Han, the imperial clansman should naturally lead the oath.
But Liu Dai had no intention of taking the blame without reaping the benefits. His eyes flickered as he replied, "Though I am a descendant of Prince Daohui of Qi, the familial connection is distant. I am far less qualified than Governor Liu of Jing Province, a descendant of Prince Gong of Lu! Since we are swearing a blood oath, let us invite Fei Ziyuan, the envoy of Governor Liu of Jing, to act in his stead!"
Hearing this, Fei Qian nearly spat out blood.