Chapter 56

Most of Jingzhou was already under control, and as for Lingling and Guiyang commanderies, they were unable to stop Sun Jian's attacks. With the cooperation of the Jingzhou aristocratic families, stabilizing Jingzhou did not require much effort from Da Qian. This was the perfect time for conquest.

Although he was not very concerned, it was foolish to watch Tao Qian and Zhu Jun stabilize the region and mobilize the people to attack him.

Following Zhang Hao's order, the Da Qian army launched another offensive. Fires broke out along the Xuzhou coast, and Tao Qian was struggling to respond. Moreover, the two sides were not on the same level in terms of combat power, and there were internal aristocratic influences. Externally, besides the major enemy Da Qian, the Yellow Turbans were also gaining momentum.

In just over half a month, the two commanderies near the coast and close to Yangzhou in Xuzhou were captured by Da Qian.

The situation in Yuzhou was slightly better, as it was not the main target of Da Qian. Additionally, Zhu Jun had a high reputation and remarkable abilities. After taking office in Yuzhou, he quickly coerced and lured a batch of aristocratic families, organized a large army, and led the cavalry from Sanhe as the vanguard to directly crush the largest Yellow Turban force in the region. If this continued, Zhu Jun would soon unify Yuzhou, but unfortunately, Da Qian launched a conquest at this time.

Especially when the news from Jingzhou spread, it not only angered the court and people like Zhu Jun but also shocked them. In a short time, this so-called Da Qian had become uncontrollable. What should be done now?

Due to Da Qian's rapid development, the butterfly effect was inevitable.

In Luoyang, after the eldest prince Liu Bian ascended the throne, Grand General He Jin seized power, successively eliminating Jian Shuo and the General of the Flying Cavalry Dong Chong, and even scaring Empress Dowager Dong to death. He Jin was in high spirits, not only having a powerful army but also attracting talents like Yuan Shao, Xun Yu, and Chen Lin to serve in the Grand General's office.

For a time, He Jin had reached his peak.

Pursuing fame and profit, and to stabilize his power, with the encouragement of people like Yuan Shao, He Jin had the idea of eliminating the Ten Attendants. However, he had not made up his mind, or he had not acted due to opposition from Empress Dowager He and others.

Clearly, he could easily take down the Ten Attendants with his power, but he was entangled by various concerns. Even under Yuan Shao's persuasion, he had the idea of summoning external troops to the capital to create momentum, making Empress Dowager He realize that the Ten Attendants were universally condemned and had become a source of chaos, and must be eliminated.

He Jin's decision was somewhat inexplicable. After some wise advisors persuaded him, and with the firm stance of Empress Dowager He and his brother He Miao, He Jin began to waver.

Up to this point, everything developed as it did in history, even with the presence of Da Qian and Zhang Hao.

But when the news of Jingzhou being quietly captured and Xuzhou frequently encountering threats without resistance came, it was unclear whether He Jin was persuaded or suddenly realized. In any case, He Jin became decisive.

Citing the connection between the Ten Attendants, led by Zhang Rang, and the Da Qian rebels, and their unclear relationship with the Yellow Turbans, as well as their corruption, He Jin ordered the imperial guards to arrest and execute the Ten Attendants without Empress Dowager He's approval. The action was swift and decisive.

Although Empress Dowager He and her brother He Miao, who were close to the eunuchs, were very dissatisfied, it was too late. With He Jin's efforts to pacify them and the increasing threat from Da Qian, Empress Dowager He and He Miao had to accept it.

When this intelligence reached Zhang Hao's ears, he was stunned for a moment. How did He Jin suddenly become so wise and valiant? This guy must have broken through his destiny. After all, historically, he was killed by the Ten Attendants.

Not only did he become the catalyst, but he also became He Jin's excuse.

Zhang Hao pondered for a while and then specially summoned Tian Feng and Xi Zhicai to discuss the matter. In the end, they concluded that this event would affect Da Qian, but not significantly. After all, when they rebelled, they expected the full force of the court to come after them. It was fortunate that it happened now.

Zhang Hao was initially troubled by the historical changes but eventually let it go. He couldn't expect the court to ignore his rapid development. Besides, with a strong backing, even if He Jin became wise and valiant and unified the Han forces, he still couldn't change the outcome.

Zhang Hao felt no guilt for Zhang Rang, who was implicated by him.

He Jin seemed to have become very wise and valiant, or perhaps he was being guided by a wise person. After dealing with the Ten Attendants, he announced it to the world, greatly increasing his prestige. He then took advantage of the situation.

The previous action of summoning external troops was now used to his advantage. The ambitious Dong Zhuo had already led his army into Henan but had not even entered the gates of Luoyang. He was dispatched to Yuzhou by an imperial edict to serve under Zhu Jun.

Dong Zhuo was naturally very unwilling, but could he oppose at this time? He did not have the confidence or the means to rebel.

Although he tried to delay or even refuse with some schemes, the "wise and valiant" Grand General He Jin did not give him the chance.

First, he sent his generals Wang Kuang and the Cavalry Commander Bao Xin to lead the army, ostensibly to support, but actually to monitor Dong Zhuo. He even assigned a royal physician to Dong Zhuo, indicating his importance. This was clearly to prevent Dong Zhuo from feigning illness.

This was not all. He also transferred the Left General Huangfu Song from Chang'an. After repelling the rebellion of Han Sui and Wang Guo in Guanzhong, Huangfu Song had been stationed in Chang'an with several tens of thousands of troops. This time, Huangfu Song led ten thousand troops to Luoyang.

Besides suppressing Dong Zhuo, this move also consolidated power and allowed these famous generals to be dispatched to the south to suppress Da Qian. This was a multi-benefit strategy.

No matter how bitter Dong Zhuo felt, he had no power to resist under He Jin's series of moves. His own strength was not enough, and He Jin's direct and overwhelming strategy left him with no options.

The loyal Huangfu Song had no complaints, even with reduced military power. After paying respects to Liu Bian and Grand General He Jin in Luoyang, Huangfu Song led the Governor of Hedong, Dong Zhuo, and the Tiger Guard Commander, Yuan Shu, to Yuzhou to support Zhu Jun.

In addition, He Jin mobilized various forces to suppress Da Qian, such as sending the Cavalry Commander Bao Xin to Qingzhou to recruit troops and directly support the Inspector of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, and ordering the Inspector of Yizhou, Liu Yan, to attack Jingzhou. However, Liu Yan, who had already established his own rule, ignored the order.

In short, He Jin's steps were very systematic, fully utilizing his power.

Zhang Hao, receiving these pieces of intelligence one by one, could hardly believe it was the He Jin he remembered. He even absurdly wondered if He Jin had been possessed by a穿越者. Of course, this was just Zhang Hao's whimsical thought to express his surprise.

Due to He Jin's actions, Da Qian had to take some countermeasures, but they were not panicked.

A series of victories and the various miracles surrounding Zhang Hao had given the Da Qian military and civilians a strong sense of confidence.

At this time, Zhang Hao was receiving Sun Jian, who had returned victorious, in Linyang.

For the front-line battles, he mostly just understood the situation. He was aware of his disadvantages. Military issues were handled by dedicated generals, and the modern-style staff organization formed by the talents Zhang Hao had recruited took care of the war, so he did not need to worry.

It was no longer the difficult early stage, so he was quite at ease.

"Sun Jian is indeed valiant. Lingling and Guiyang commanderies were taken in one swift move," Zhang Hao praised, looking at the tall and resolute Sun Jian.

"All thanks to the might of Da Qian. Your Majesty, I am ashamed to hear such praise. Anyone leading such an army would surely win," Sun Jian replied modestly. This was his sincere feeling. In the south, the prestige of Da Qian was unparalleled. The recent surrender of the Inspector of Jiaozhou was a clear example.

"Sun Jian, there's no need to be modest. I am well aware of your abilities. I believe this campaign has given you some insights into Da Qian's regulations. This is a time of great opportunity for heroes," Zhang Hao said, leading Sun Jian to the balcony of the pavilion to sit and talk.

"You have been in Linyang for two days. Have you seen some of the materials in the martial arts hall? What do you think?"

"It's incredible, almost unbelievable," Sun Jian's voice trembled, clearly deeply impressed by the military images Zhang Hao had brought from the modern world.

"For this world, our current strength is formidable. But for many other worlds, we are still quite weak. Sun Jian, the universe is vast, and the future is bright. Let's strive together," Zhang Hao said with a grand gesture.

"Agreed!" Sun Jian, the tiger of Jiangdong, was truly stunned by the many revelations from Zhang Hao. He showed no arrogance in front of Zhang Hao.

"I've heard that a tiger father does not have a dog son. Your eldest son already has some of your qualities. You should cultivate them well. They are the future."

At this moment, Zhang Hao thought of Sun Jian's children, the famous Sun Ce and the legendary bow-wielding beauty Sun Shangxiang. Unfortunately, Sun Shangxiang was only eight years old, and Zhang Hao would have to wait a long time.

Speaking of Sun Jian's children, Zhang Hao mentioned the educational reforms in Da Qian with great interest. He had downloaded many modern textbooks, converted them to clerical script, and had scholars like Cai Yong, who were knowledgeable and not rigid, select and prepare them for teaching children.

When this generation of children grew up, the technological level of the Three Kingdoms world would significantly improve.