Sun Guan's lavish praise made Zhang Xin's mouth stretch to the back of his head.
"Since that's the case, then you can stay."
Zhang Xin said with a smile, "What about Xuandu and the others? Are they staying too?"
"They're going back," Sun Guan replied.
"Hmm?"
Zhang Xin was a little surprised.
He wasn't surprised that Zang Ba didn't want to stay.
Among the Taishan bandits, if one were to speak of outstanding ability, Zang Ba would naturally be first.
But at the same time, this person's ambition was also the greatest.
It was only natural that he wouldn't want to stay.
What surprised Zhang Xin was that Sun Guan, as one of the Taishan F5, was willing to part ways with the others just to remain under his command.
"Am I that charming now?"
Zhang Xin thot smugly to himself, then said to Sun Guan, "Call them all over."
"Yes, Lord."
Sun Guan turned and left.
Zhang Xin watched his retreating figure, feeling delighted.
Aside from Zang Ba, the strongest among the Taishan bandits was this Sun Guan.
During the Battle of Guandu, it was Zang Ba and Sun Guan's continuous attacks on Qing Province that allowed Cao Cao to focus on his decisive battle with Yuan Shao without worrying about threats from the east.
Later, when Cao Cao completely pacified Qing and Xu Provinces, Sun Guan's contributions were second only to Zang Ba's, and he was granted the title of Marquis of a Pavilion.
Zhang Xin had also heard Yu Jin mention more than once that Sun Guan was brave in battle, often leading from the front, and was very capable of boosting the morale of the army.
To gain his devoted service was to add another great general.
Not long after, Sun Guan arrived with Zang Ba, Wu Dun, and Yin Li.
Zhang Xin took out several imperial edicts and had Dian Wei hand them to everyone.
Zang Ba and the others took them and were immediately stunned.
In the imperial edicts, Zhang Xin not only reinstated their official positions as Cavalry Commandants but also paid all their salaries for the past year and more, calculated at the standard of two thousand piculs.
In addition to this, there were extra rewards.
"Previously, when you were under my command, you were naturally bound by my military law."
Zhang Xin looked at Zang Ba, "I know what you were all thinking at the time."
"Stripping you of your offices was not to seize your military power, but to make you understand the importance of military law."
"Now I am returning your military power to you, and I hope that after you return to Xu Province, you will continue to abide by military law and not plunder the common people."
"Remember, an army that plunders the common people has no future!"
Zhang Xin said these words without batting an eye, then turned and left.
Zang Ba and the others looked at the contents of the imperial edicts, momentarily unsure whether Zhang Xin's words were true or false.
But since Zhang Xin had already left, they could only bow in salute.
"Thank you for your Lord's teachings."
Zhang Xin returned to State Prefecture and summoned Xun You, Zhao Yun, Yu Jin, Guan Yu, Xu Rong, and others for a discussion.
Zhang Liao and Zuo Bao had gone to escort the common people back to their homes, so they couldn't attend.
The topic of discussion was about the reorganization of the soldiers.
Zhang Xins army had fought against Dong Zhuo for over a year, and all units had suffered a certain degree of losses, requiring replenishment.
Coupled with the addition of the White Wave Yellow Turbans, Xiliang Soldiers, Luoyang Soldiers, Yuyang Soldiers, as well as newly surrendered generals like Han Hao and Xu Rong...
Such a chaotic mix, if not reorganized promptly, would greatly affect the army's combat effectiveness and be detrimental to the capture of Ji Province next year.
While everyone was discussing, a minor official walked in.
"Governor, there's a letter from Tao Qian, Inspector of Xu Province."
"Tao Qian? Why would he write to me?"
Zhang Xin was puzzled and said to the minor official, "Present it."
Dian Wei stepped forward, took the letter, and handed it to Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin opened it and read.
"Good heavens, Tao Gongzu, you're trying to con me now?"
"Lord, what did Inspector Tao say in the letter?" Xun You asked curiously.
"Military Advisor, have a look."
Zhang Xin handed the letter to Xun You.
Xun You took it and glanced at it.
This letter was less written by Tao Qian and more forwarded by Tao Qian on behalf of Zhu Jun.
After Zhang Xins army withdrew from the Governor of Henan's territory, Dong Zhuo dispatched Zhu Jun to serve as Governor of Henan and garrison Luoyang.
Zhu Jun was also a difficult person.
Previously, when Zhang Xin was attacking Dong Zhuo, he served as Dong Zhuo's military advisor, offering strategies to Dong Zhuo.
Now that Zhang Xin was gone, Dong Zhuo sent him out to Luoyang, and he wanted to attack Dong Zhuo again.
So Zhu Jun wrote to the Shandong warlords, planning this matter.
But for some reason, he suddenly got cold feet, fearing that thly letter, no longer sending it via Tao Qian, but directly having someone deliver it to Zhu Jun in Zhongmou.