Zhang Xin retreated all the way to Huayin, where he hosted a farewell banquet for Sun Jian and Cao Cao.
According to the withdrawal plan previously discussed with Xun You, Zhang Xins army would divide into two routes.
One route, with Xu He, Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, and others as generals, would lead the Qing and Xu Province soldiers from the Xiaohan Ancient Road back to Luoyang, then exit eastward from Chenggao, and follow the south bank of the Yellow River to Qing Province.
Sun Jian was also on this route.
After he arrived in Luoyang, he would head south from Gu Pass back to Yu Province.
The other route, consisting mainly of Luoyang Soldiers, Xiliang Soldiers, and White Wave Yellow Turbans, would take Zhi Pass into Henan, feign an attack on Ji Province from Hebei, employing the strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' to force Yuan Shao and Han Fu to retreat.
The composition of this army was too complex; Zhang Xin had to personally command it to ensure its safety.
Therefore, from Huayin onward, he had to part ways with Sun Jian and Cao Cao.
At the banquet, Sun Jian continuously grumbled, first cursing Yuan Shao and his Partisans as national traitors, then scolding the officials for being useless and only dragging them down.
Since there were only the three of them at this banquet, Sun Jian simply let loose and cursed freely.
Cao Cao kept drinking silently, sighing and feeling indignant in his heart.
"Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao..."
Seeing Sun Jian cursing, Zhang Xin couldn't help but comfort him: "Things have come to this, Wentai, no matter if you curse a thousand times or ten thousand times, it won't change the facts."
"It would be better to return and pacify Yu Province, prepare your troops, and once the rear is stable, then act to serve the Han Dynasty."
"That's all we can do."
Sun Jian sighed upon hearing this and raised his cup to Zhang Xin.
"Lord, please drink."
Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp...
After finishing the wine, Zhang Xin looked at Cao Cao.
"What are your plans for the future, Mr. Cao? Do you have a destination in mind?"
"Cai Mao of Xiangyang is a good friend from my youth."
Cao Cao said, "Since Liu Biao entered Jing Province last year, he has relied heavily on Cai Mao. My intention is to first join his command, and then find an opportunity to persuade Liu Biao to serve the Han Dynasty together with you, Lord, and Wentai!"
Serving the Han Dynasty again was the consensus reached by the three men in the tent these past few days.
For Zhang Xin, controlling the emperor to command the feudal Lords was a necessity for his subsequent reforms, to cure the chronic ailments of the era, and to realize his ambitions.
Popularizing education, increasing productivity, breaking the manor economy of the aristocratic families, liberating tenant farmers, establishing an imperial examination system, and so on...
Each item involved taking something from the great aristocratic families.
Without the emperor in hand, if these policies were issued, someone would surely object on the grounds of 'improper name, unjustified words'.
They might even be impossible to issue.
No matter how grandly you put it, you, Zhang Xin, are merely a Wei General and Qing Province Governor; what right do you have to change state policies?
With the emperor in hand, although those great families would still object, at least in terms of legitimacy, there would be no problem.
Many times, isn't what's needed for action just legitimacy?
Chang'an City, I, Zhang Xin, will certainly return!
There's no need to mention Sun and Cao.
These two are still loyal subjects.
Upon hearing that Cao Cao intended to join Cai Mao, Zhang Xin exclaimed inwardly, "Good heavens!"
"This is truly an inversion of the celestial order!"
But you know what?
If Zhang Xin took Ji Province and then conveniently brought Henan into his possession, he could then enter River East via Zhi Pass and attack Chang'an.
Sun Jian, after pacifying Yu Province, could still enter Luoyang from Gu Pass and take the Xiaohan Ancient Road.
If Cao Cao could truly persuade Liu Biao to send troops, he could advance north from Danshui and directly strike Chang'an via Wuguan Pass.
This was also the path Liu Bang took to defeat Qin back then.
Zhang Xin in the north, Sun Jian in the center, Cao Cao in the south.
With three routes launching simultaneously, no matter whether Dong Zhuo or Li Que and Guo Si held power in Chang'an at that time, they would inevitably be stretched thin.
It must be said that while the Black Fatty was still very green in tactics, his strategic vision was quite good.
"Good, then I wish you, Mr. Cao, immediate success!"
Zhang Xin raised his cup.
The three men swore an oath in the tent that they would serve the Han Dynasty again in the future.
After the banquet dispersed, Zhang Xin had the drunken Cao Cao sent back and quietly kept Sun Jian behind.
"Wentai, what do you think of... Yanzhou?"
"What does Lord mean by this?" Sun Jian asked, puzzled.
Although he had drunk acommand! "
Only a fool wouldn't want a whole province.