Mythical Three Kingdoms

Whether it is the Xiliang Iron Cavalry or the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, they are both rare elite forces, and similarly, both Zhang Xiu and Zhang He are exceptionally valiant generals and excellent cavalry chief commanders.

After both sides made their move, the Xianbei were almost instantly defeated without even the time to resist. After an intersperse, Zhang He suddenly discovered that the battlefield crushed by the Xiliang Iron Cavalry was very suitable for the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to exert their combat power!

Speaking of Iron Cavalry, Wolf Cavalry, White Horse Cavalry, they are complementary troop types. Iron Cavalry paves the way, Wolf Cavalry scatters the enemy, White Horse Cavalry finishes them off, which is the most efficient method.

However, elites usually vie against each other, each claiming to be the best, who would be willing to play second fiddle? Therefore, there have been speculations about the tactical connections among the three, but in reality, such cooperation on the battlefield has hardly been seen.

This time, the Xianbei experienced for the first time what it felt like to be crushed open by the Iron Cavalry, scattered by the Wolf Cavalry, and then completely defeated before they even understood what was happening.

Zhang He initially came with the thought of opportunism, naturally hoping his subordinates would have fewer casualties, thus he did not think about seizing credit, following Zhang Xiu was enough.

Zhang Xiu, seeing Zhang He helping to scatter the Xianbei cavalry from behind without seeking credit, was quite fond of this approach and naturally did not say much.

The two of them quickly swallowed the entire Xianbei force, with half fleeing and the others almost entirely captured by the two.

”Zhang Xiu from Wuwei, Zhang Boyuan, greets the General.” Zhang Xiu hadn’t met Zhang He before, but judging from the other’s outfit, he knew it was the Han army, so after the battle, he stopped immediately to greet him.

”Zhang He from Hejian, Zhang Junyi, greets General Zhang.” Zhang He rode forward, as the other side was showing goodwill, naturally, Zhang He was not a fool and went up to greet him.

”Unexpectedly, we turn out to be brothers from the Zhang Family, maybe we were even one family five hundred years ago!” Zhang Xiu laughed heartily and said, ”Thanks for the assistance just now, otherwise, even if I could win alone, my brothers under me would have likely suffered considerable losses.”

Zhang Xiu did not mention how Zhang He, a person of Yuan Tan, ended up here but smiled as he drew closer, having seen that Zhang He was not much inferior to him.

”Hahaha, as military officers encountering outer barbarians, we should act first by default, not assistance; it is our responsibility. Moreover, I see that your brother’s troops are strong and could easily win without help.” Zhang He laughed and said, ”I heard the Han army conquered the Hu people, and on the East, General Lyu has taken all, so I’ve come to assist.”

”Well said, well said.” Zhang Xiu nodded; Zhang He’s words flattered him, making him slightly proud, ”Since this battle was won through our cooperation, let’s split the spoils half and half. I imagine the Xianbei Hu people are useless to you, so take these horses.”

In the Xiliang border commandery, the most valuable things are horses, and the least valuable are also horses. It might very well be that they are brothers from the Zhang Family from eight hundred years ago, and since they are quite congenial, the spoils were disposed of just like that.

”Then I shall accept them without further ado.” Zhang He clasped his hands and said, what he needed most were horses. To seek revenge and to complete the tasks given by Sheni Pei, he needed a truly elite force!

”Very well, I have broken this vice army, and I suppose the Xianbei will not send a large force again. I will leave a hundred or so men to escort the prisoners, would the General like to follow me north and engage in a grand battle against the Xianbei?” Zhang Xiu nodded and replied, having no wish to stay in the rear.

Zhang He pondered slightly; after leaving Yuan Tan’s command, Sheni Pei only told him one thing: take advantage of any opportunities. Meaning in Bingzhou, any matter Zhang He deemed beneficial for revenge he could decide upon immediately.

This power was enormous, and because of it, the uninformed Zhang He was incredibly grateful to Yuan Tan, willing to devote everything for him.

”Very well, but I wonder if General Cao will allow me, an allied army, to fight alongside him.” Zhang He nodded and said, currently lacking money and grain, and wishing for rapid development, seizing a bargain is the best choice, moreover, with three thousand elite cavalry, he really could be of help.

”We are all part of the Han army, why not? Unified against outsiders and discuss internal matters later; at least when dealing with external foes, no one will undermine us.” Zhang Xiu waved his hand and said, something Zhang Ji told him to hold onto tightly before he died.

Before dying, Zhang Ji told Zhang Xiu a few things: if things don’t work out on Cao Cao’s side, go to Hua Xiong instead, and on Cao Cao’s side, listen to Zhong Yao.

The third thing was not to go all out in civil war when there is outside aggression, to engage in external battles first, even if stabbed by others during external battles, not to retaliate during others’ external battles, and even if retaliating, only after the external battle ends.

This was, in a way, the wisdom Zhang Ji accumulated over his lifetime. Hua Xiong was a true brother, and unlike Fan Chou, he didn’t take things seriously; he even escorted Hua Xiong all the way, and finally gave a great gift, so much so that Liu Bei remembered him.

It can be said that if Zhang Xiu couldn’t make it on Cao Cao’s side and jumped to Liu Bei’s side, as long as the country was unified, he could continue to serve as a general, while the second thing assured Zhang Xiu’s survival on Cao Cao’s side.

The third thing ensured Zhang Ji’s survival after the country’s unification; nothing disguises itself better than the grand righteousness of the nation.

Zhang He nodded, ”Then, General, you may go ahead first, I will follow shortly; if we both arrive at the same time, it might reflect poorly on your reputation.”

Zhang Xiu was startled, then nodded, turned his horse, and left. He understood Zhang He’s meaning; after all, he was an Outer General, and although Cao Cao valued him greatly, adhering strictly to his duties as a minister was very important.

Thus, half a day after Zhang Xiu arrived, Zhang He led his troops in. However, Zhang He’s arrival surprised the Cao Army and left them somewhat at a loss, yet once Cheng Yu reacted, he ordered someone to go and receive him immediately.

After all, Zhang He leading his troops to assist was in itself a political statement, a symbol of the so-called deep partnership between Yuan and Cao, which was very important, extremely important, and leading troops to assist in this manner expressed trust in the Cao Army, as suspicion is the greatest fear within alliances.

Cao Cao’s intelligence network was not yet established, and in the impressions of Cheng Yu and others, Zhang He remained one of the Four Courts of Hebei, currently the most outstanding general in Hebei, and thus his arrival greatly boosted the strength of the Yuan-Cao alliance.

Therefore, Cao Ren did not dare to show any negligence. Although only three thousand came, just as when Liu Bei brought only a thousand to Hulao Pass but was treated with great respect after confirming their legitimate imperial lineage, because it represents legitimacy and righteousness!

So, Zhang He quickly integrated into the Cao Army, coupled with his considerable personal strength and excellent command, he soon mixed well with Cao Army’s high echelons, spending his days leisurely in low-intensity training, making it a pleasant experience for all parties involved. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)