Dong Zhuo's feelings toward Huangfu Song were… complicated.
Years ago, during the Battle of Chencang, the two had stood on the same side.
Each commanded twenty thousand troops against the rebel forces of Wang Guo and Han Sui.
Dong Zhuo had urged immediate action:
"Strike fast, or the city will fall."
But Huangfu Song refused.
He judged the city strong, its defenses solid. Instead of rushing forward, he held position—waiting.
And he was right.
For over eighty days, the rebels battered Chencang without success. Exhausted, demoralized, they withdrew.
Only then did Huangfu Song strike.
Decisively.
Relentlessly.
Victory followed victory—over ten thousand enemies slain.
Dong Zhuo, left behind, could only watch.
That day left a mark.
He hated Huangfu Song—for the humiliation.
He feared him—for his brilliance.
And deep down…
He admired him.
Because he understood something terrifying:
After decades on the battlefield, his own strategies—were child's play in Huangfu Song's eyes.
If they ever fought for real—
Dong Zhuo believed he would lose everything.
But aside from Huangfu Song—
He feared no one.
…Except Zhang Xin.
Since Mengjin, he had fought Zhang Xin three times.
Two crushing defeats.
One stalemate.
His once mighty fifty thousand Xiliang troops were now halved.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xin's army had grown like a rising tide—
From twenty-five thousand…
To nearly one hundred thousand.
Dong Zhuo clenched his fists.
A bitter thought surfaced:
Huangfu Song taught him…
Then let Huangfu Song deal with him.
"I'm done playing."
Thus, Dong Zhuo went to the Son of Heaven—
Emperor Xian of Han.
And demanded an imperial decree.
Huangfu Song had one fatal weakness:
Loyalty.
Or perhaps—
Rigid obedience.
When Dong Zhuo had previously summoned him to Chang'an under imperial command, stripping him of military authority, Huangfu Song had complied without resistance.
That was when Dong Zhuo realized:
To control Huangfu Song—
All he needed—
Was the Emperor's seal.
Whether the decree truly reflected the Emperor's will…
Didn't matter.
Powerless, Emperor Xian could only comply.
The edict was written.
The imperial seal affixed.
Command:
Huangfu Song is to lead an army against Zhang Xin.
Dong Zhuo personally delivered it.
Huangfu Song received it without hesitation.
"Your subject accepts the decree."
Dong Zhuo smiled, grasping his hand.
"Zhang Xin's forces threaten Chang'an. The Son of Heaven depends on you."
Huangfu Song bowed.
"I will not fail the country."
Behind them, Huangfu Li rolled his eyes.
Not fail the country?
Or not fail Dong Zhuo?
After Dong Zhuo left—
Silence filled the room.
Huangfu Song stared at the decree.
Expression unreadable.
"Uncle!"
Huangfu Li rushed in, voice urgent.
"This is our chance!"
"Once you lead troops out, we can join forces with Zhang Xin—attack Chang'an—rescue the Emperor!"
Huangfu Song said nothing.
Huangfu Li's expression darkened.
"…You're not actually going to fight him, are you?"
A long silence.
Then—
A quiet answer.
"The imperial decree has been issued."
"As subjects… we must obey."
Huangfu Li felt his heart sink.
"Dong Zhuo controls the court! Can't you see this decree is not the Emperor's true will?!"
Still—
Huangfu Song did not waver.
"When did you become so… rigid?" Huangfu Li whispered bitterly.
He remembered everything.
When Dong Zhuo defied imperial orders—Huangfu Song did nothing.
When Dong Zhuo seized Luoyang—he still did nothing.
Even when urged again and again to act—
He refused.
Always the same reason:
"Acting without orders is a crime."
"Executing without authority is also a crime."
And now?
He would fight for Dong Zhuo?
"Go," Huangfu Song said quietly.
"Gather the generals."
Huangfu Li clenched his fists.
But in the end—
He obeyed.
Days later—
Thirty thousand troops assembled outside Chang'an.
Huangfu Song stood at the head of the army.
Calm.
Resolute.
Unshakable.
Dong Zhuo spared no expense.
Grain.
Gold.
Supplies.
Everything Huangfu Song requested—granted.
Because this battle—
He would not fight himself.
Long wagons stretched across the land.
An army like a moving mountain.
Advancing—
Toward Zheng County.
And toward fate.
Because soon—
Two of the greatest commanders of the age—
Would meet on the battlefield.
Zhang Xin.
Huangfu Song.
And only one—
Would stand victorious.