Assembly at Henei
Jojo had successfully persuaded Zhang Miao, Bao Xin, Qiao Mao, and Liu Dai—all four of them. He later explained that he'd won over Zhang Miao by appealing to his bond with his old friend Yuan Shao, and Bao Xin by invoking the greater good. Qiao Mao and Liu Dai had been even easier; a slight prod at their pride and rivalry had sent them leaping with enthusiasm.
However, Danyang Taishou Zhu Hun and Yang Province Inspector Chen On rejected the invitation to join at Henei. It made sense—linking up with their home bases from there meant crossing two rivers. Instead, the pair headed for Yuzhou Yingchuan, where Yuzhou Inspector Kong Rong was staying.
Most of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition encamped at Suanzao began moving up to Henei as well. It had been a month since Xun You's arrival—the first year of Choping (190 AD), during the Small Fullness period.
"This road up is truly treacherous."
"Still better than starving to death."
The 35,000 soldiers following their taishou and inspectors toward Henei had to cross the Yellow River. But ferrying the entire army across would be a waste, so the command was given to split the forces. They selected 25,000 seasoned veterans and sent the 10,000 raw recruits back to their hometowns. Even reduced, they couldn't cross all at once, so they went in five waves. Naturally, the first group included the commanders and key figures.
"Welcome!"
Yuan Shao spread his arms wide to greet those arriving at Henei. He pulled the taishou and inspectors into tight embraces, unleashing a torrent of verbose welcomes and blessings. At his side, gaunt-cheeked soldiers blasted horns and drums loud enough to burst eardrums. Even a war hero returning from vanquishing traitors and foreign foes could scarcely hope for a warmer reception.
"Ah, Man—now that you've come here, it's like gaining a heavenly host of a million."
"Glad I could be of help."
When it was Jojo's turn for a welcome, Yuan Shao dropped the formalities, and Jojo responded in kind with easy camaraderie. Though Jojo brought fewer soldiers and supplies than the others, he'd led the charge in bringing 30,000 men up to Henei, earning him ample praise.
"I've heard the Alliance Lord is in dire straits over Jizhou Inspector Han Fu. Please accept these supplies and continue leading the coalition."
The taishou and inspectors eagerly presented their tribute to Alliance Lord Yuan Shao. He declared he'd distribute it to every soldier in Henei and promptly did so. The men, seeing full pots for the first time in ages, wolfed down the heaping rice.
Yuan Shao's no fool. Just from assembling at Henei, he's spinning it like this.
All around, people praised the newcomers to Henei and Yuan Shao alike—even amid the coalition's stalled progress, which could have invited criticism. With the mood like this, attacking him now would be tough.
And he really isn't wearing a helmet.
In the creative works I'd encountered, Yuan Shao wore one, which fans called a historical inaccuracy for good reason. As the sun vanished and the light faded, Jojo summoned me.
The camp was still rowdy as I made my way to him. It was hard to believe these were defeated armies merging.
"There you are. I've met privately with everyone else—you're the last."
Jojo had spoken one-on-one with the Xiahou brothers, Jo Hong, Jao In, Liu Bei, and Xun You. Calling me at this late hour made perfect sense.
"What do you think will happen now? Can we march on Luoyang?"
Still clinging to hope for the coalition's success, Jojo asked me. He looked just like a guardian hounding a doctor outside the hospital.
"Do you still believe in the coalition, Lord Jojo? Truly?"
I delivered the calm verdict: the coalition was dead. Could this alliance, which hadn't even smashed through Hulao Pass and had dawdled at Suanzao, really cross the Yellow River and reach Luoyang?
"No. I don't anymore."
Jojo gave a wry smile in reply. If the coalition could retake Luoyang, he'd have pushed forward again. Knowing there was no hope left, he'd followed the call to Henei.
"Let's walk a bit."
Jojo headed to a deserted spot, and I trailed close behind. Once all ears were out of range, he murmured low.
"The warlords divide the land?"
"Yes. From now on, we preserve our strength to the utmost and seize any opportunities that arise."
"That's why you talked me out of going alone to Hulao Pass."
In the original history, Jojo marched on Hulao Pass, suffered a crushing defeat to Xu Rong, and lost most of his righteous army. His movements after were unclear, but it was easy to guess he'd spent nearly a year rebuilding. I hated wasting that time and resources while he laid the groundwork to rise again.
"Then shouldn't we have stopped you from going to Hulao? You'd have kept your 6,000 intact."
"You already know, don't you? Then we wouldn't have gained talents like Jinyang."
Jojo's actions had been perfect bait for reeling in talent. While the inspectors and taishou hesitated, he'd seized the spotlight.
"You know everything, don't you?"
"A phoenix doesn't boast of its vigor before a sparrow."
"And yet you've got my every thought figured out."
"I'm still lacking in many ways. Lately, I've been learning military administration from Teacher Jin."
Xun You's expertise in military affairs was no exaggeration. I'd been handling the awkward paperwork for generals unskilled in it, but as tasks piled up, I couldn't manage meticulously. With Xun You joining, we split the load—no more sloppy handling. He even corrected my novice errors, cutting waste even further. If quantified, it amounted to about five-tenths savings.
"I heard that from Gongda. He couldn't praise you enough."
"Plenty of small talk. Let's get to the point."
Jojo grinned slyly, teasing me, but I steered back—time was short, and sunset had fully vanished; I needed to think fast and head back.
"We'll sit tight now that supplies are here, but once they run out, plundering will start."
I laid out the looming future. If Jizhou Inspector Han Fu never sent aid, that's what awaited. The anti-Dong coalition at Henei might even wheel around to attack the disloyal Han Fu. But while united, it would be hard.
"That would tarnish the Alliance Lord's prestige, so he'll negotiate with Jizhou somehow. 'Give us supplies, and we'll meet your demands.'"
Jojo anticipated my point, replying to my prediction. We were taking turns, volleying words.
"Jizhou wants a sturdy leash on the Alliance Lord. The prettiest way: elevate a royal to replace the legitimacy-weak emperor, with Jizhou claiming regent merit."
"You Province Governor Liu Yu's the top candidate. Spotless reputation, and geographically close to Jizhou."
"But You Province Governor won't crave the throne. He'll refuse outright, and the coalition loses momentum."
"Then men like Yuan Shu will trash the Alliance Lord, the coalition dissolves, and the warlords carve up the land. Yesterday's allies drawing blades on each other."
Like clapping palms, Jojo and I wove our words into a prediction of the future. Even if I set the direction, his foresight was chillingly precise. When we reached the warlords' division, he turned to me.
"So how should we act going forward? Spare me the basics about preserving strength and waiting for chances."
"Oppose the elevation—it's beneficial in many ways. But since we're taking their supplies, moderate it."
Yuan Shao risked much to supply us from behind; outright public opposition could starve us. Oppose privately or let it slide quietly. I'd scheme on my end, but that didn't require Jojo's army moving.
"And when fame-seekers flock to us, pick the gems from the stones."
"If more like you came, that'd be ideal."
"Big names will surely come."
Xun Yu, Zheng Yu, Guo Jia, Sun Yu—the talents Jojo gained in ten years were dazzling beyond words. Once he couldn't count them on two hands, he'd thrive; until then, stay quiet and out of the way.
"Can't we act aggressively?"
"We've only 2,000 cards left in hand."
Even a Xiang Yu like Jojo had to bide now. Little could be done with just 2,000.
"Distract elsewhere, and time flies."
"Play Go with me. You told me to kill time, so humor me."
No reason to refuse one of my few hobbies. It was a chance to step back from the army and breathe. Jojo and I turned back toward the lively camp.
"Be my Zhang Liang."
"My talents fall short. I'll strive to be a Zhuge Liang at best."
I deflected—not aiming to be his top advisor like Zhang Liang. Glancing up, the black sky twinkled with countless stars. Soon, the realm would shatter like that starry vault.
A month into our stay at Henei, my name started buzzing on lips. It began with "master," progressed to "Go player" and "grandmaster," and now they called me National Hand.
Not what I had in mind.
The shift from "military advisor" to Go terms stemmed from none other than Jojo. To pass time and build ties, he played Go with this one and that. Against the coalition's notables, Jojo held nothing back and won handily.
"This is nothing. The true master is my military advisor."
But at each match's end, he plugged my name as an even greater player. Soon, summons poured in from those eager to test my skill. And I forged the trivial connection I wanted: Guo Duo, strategist under Yuan Shao.
"Military Advisor Jang—you're said to be a Go wizard."
"Just rumors."
Perhaps because I wasn't competing in Yuan Shao's camp, Guo Duo greeted me warmly. Faint wrinkles crossed his narrow forehead, striking.
"Rumors don't spring from nothing. You must have the chops."
"The full moon praising a firefly—I'm at a loss."
A lie. Among those I knew, Guo Duo ranked low in competence. He'd turned the all-victorious Battle of Guandu into defeat, then backed Yuan Tan after Yuan Shao's death, sparking civil war in the Yuan clan. Shattering the era's mightiest warlord with Xu You—hardly a mark of ability.
"Talk alone won't end this. Let's make a game record."
Guo Duo called a servant for the board. The fine wood felt good to the touch. But I hadn't come just to play Go. For that, I'd have sought Jojo, a closer match.
"As rumored—peerless."
I gently led from a slight advantage. Too fierce a game would hinder talk.
"I have a stratagem to offer Guo Advisor. Care to hear?"
As the board edged into midgame, I broached it slyly. Time for my three-inch tongue, which had swayed even Jojo, to flex. I planned to pour quicksilver into Yuan Shao's faction through Guo Duo—their deadliest foe.