Zhang Heng's sudden questioning made Liu Bei a little overwhelmed.
"This..." Liu Bei said with some confusion, "Ziyi thinks it can't be done?"
"Of course not!"
Zhang Heng didn't hesitate at all and made the decision decisively.
"Why?" Liu Bei frowned.
"Didn't Mr. Xuande see the scene in the hall today, so I took out the letter? As soon as I heard that there was a reward, all the princes flocked to it, and their words and deeds were all filled with the desire for fame and fortune. Those who really care about the Han Dynasty, How many more people are there?”
"Building meritorious service has been what every man wants since ancient times. Whether it's for fame and fortune, or to serve the country with loyalty, as long as he can defeat Dong's thieves, that's good." Liu Bei sighed and said, "You don't need to be too strict about your deeds but your heart. Ziyi doesn't need to be too strict. Harsh."
Liu Bei is not a fool. After a banquet today, he can naturally see the character of the princes. But at this time, he was still as innocent as Comrade Cao Mengde, and he still had unrealistic expectations for these princes.
No matter what the reason is, as long as you are willing to attack Dong Zhuo, you are all good comrades!
"Okay, let's not talk about the hearts of the princes." Zhang Heng shook his head and smiled. He did not want to break Liu Bei's fantasy, but continued to analyze, "Let's talk about strength. Today's Dong thief holds the most powerful tiger and wolf in the entire Han Dynasty. Master Xuande, what chance does Xuande think the coalition has of winning?"
"this……"
Liu Bei was silent, frowning and thinking hard.
Since ancient times, elite border armies have emerged. The reason is not due to frequent wars.
Only soldiers who have seen blood, fought in battle, and survived in the end can become true veterans and have real combat effectiveness.
Otherwise, even after twenty years of training, a new recruit will be a new recruit, and he will collapse at the first touch and be vulnerable to a single blow!
The most elite border troops of the Han Dynasty were the Xiliang Army, which fought against the Qiang people all year round, and the Bingzhou Army, which resisted the invasion of the Huns. Because these two states have been facing the threat of aliens for a long time, martial arts practice has become popular in the area and they are brave and tough.
Secondly, there are the Youzhou Army, which has been mixed with Wuhuan for a long time, and the main force in quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Luoyang Northern and Southern Army.
But where do these four armies belong now?
Dong Zhuo had been in charge of Liangzhou for more than ten years and had already unified the entire Liangzhou army into a monolithic unit, becoming the most hardcore armed force under his command.
The Bingzhou Army was originally under the jurisdiction of Ding Yuan, but after he killed Ding Yuan with his filial son Lu Bu, he took part of the Bingzhou Army to defect to Dong Zhuo.
The Northern and Southern Army and the Forbidden Army in Luoyang were originally under the control of General He Jin and He Jin's younger brother, General He Miao. But there was a big chaos last year, and the brothers He Jin and Miao both died violently. After Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he took them into his hands.
Only the Youzhou Army in the north is controlled by Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu respectively.
Dong Zhuo has obtained three of the four powerful armies of the Han Dynasty. With an army of 200,000 under his command, he can be said to dominate the capital and look down upon the world!
Looking at the Kwantung Allied Forces, although the princes are outnumbered and have more than 300,000 soldiers and horses under their command, most of them are newly recruited soldiers, and their combat effectiveness goes without saying. In addition, these princes are unable to work together, and they are afraid that if they are slightly defeated, they will rush to see the wind and flee.
With such a big gap, do you want to take the lead with Dong Zhuo?
Although Liu Bei didn't quite understand the twists and turns involved, he had been with the army for many years and naturally knew the composition and combat effectiveness of Dong Zhuo's army, so after thinking hard for a long time, he just shook his head and sighed.
"The soldiers under Dong Thief are extremely brave, and they also have eight passes in Luoyang. It will be difficult for the coalition to succeed. But as loyal ministers of the Han family, we should work hard to serve the country. If unfortunately we die in battle, we will return with our bodies wrapped in horse leather. It’s also a great blessing!”
At this time, Guan Yu, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"What Yunchang said is absolutely true. A man is born in the world and takes loyalty as his foundation. How can he avoid danger when he sees it?" Liu Bei agreed with his face.
Zhang Heng could only smile bitterly in response.
Han people attach great importance to integrity. Life and death are small matters, but loyalty is big!
This is the result of four hundred years of raising scholars in the Han Dynasty. Although Zhang Heng does not agree with this stubborn approach, he cannot refute it.
"I sincerely admire the ambitions of Xuande Gong and Yun Chang." Zhang Heng smiled and shook his head, "But please don't talk about life and death lightly. How can you realize your ambitions if your lives are gone?"
"What do you think Ziyi should do?" Seeing that Zhang Heng did not agree with his opinion, Liu Bei took the opportunity to ask.
"Xuan Degong has obtained his status in the coalition army. The most urgent task now is to accumulate strength and enrich the banner. When the soldiers and horses under his command are strong, are you afraid that the Dong thief will not be able to give him the head?"
It is not wrong for people to have their own dreams.
Liu Bei has the ambition to help the world, Guan Yu has the desire to control the battlefield, and even the upright and honest Mr. Zhang has a passion for progress.
Zhang Heng considers himself a salty fish, but he also wants to live a stable life. Even when he has the ability, he also wants to make the people of this world live a better life.
Whether it is far-sighted ambition or the desire for stability, there is nothing wrong with it.
But in troubled times, everything must be based on strength!
Liu Bei also understood the underlying meaning of Zhang Heng's words and quickly asked: "What Ziyi said is true, but I don't know how to accumulate strength?"
The strength the two mentioned was naturally referring to soldiers and horses.
But is it so easy to recruit soldiers?
Liu Bei has been fighting here and there over the years, relying on others everywhere. In the past few years, he has only been a mere county magistrate. It was not because he had a small army and few generals. Otherwise, he would have accomplished a lot with his bravery.
Zhang Heng smiled and said slowly: "During the Taiping years, it was naturally not easy to recruit soldiers. In addition, we have no money and food to support it, and it is even more difficult. But it is not the case now. If I know a good place, I will be able to recruit soldiers from the countryside. Warrior, I just wonder if Mr. Xuande dares to go?"
Liu Bei said solemnly: "As long as we can recruit troops and buy horses to defeat thieves and serve the country, even if we are in a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, Bei will never back down!"
"Okay, since Mr. Xuande is determined, I will make some plans for Mr. Xuande."
Liu Bei was overjoyed when he heard this. He had only been with Zhang Heng for a few days, but the methods Zhang Heng showed already shocked him.
"Thank you Ziyi, but I don't know where this good place is?"
"Don't be impatient, Mr. Xuande. We still have to wait for a few days before that." Zhang Heng shook his head and smiled.
Hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but smile bitterly in astonishment.
You just said that the top priority now is to accumulate strength, and now you say it's not urgent. What do you mean?
Who can stand being the Riddler all the time?
Zhang Heng naturally saw Liu Bei's doubts and explained with a smile: "Mr. Xuande, recruiting troops not only requires money and food, but also a legitimate name."
"If you continue to wait, you will have money and food, and you will be justified?"
Zhang Heng's face was full of confidence, "This is natural. If Duke Xuande can trust me, just wait for a few days."
"What are you talking about Ziyi? Without Ziyi's help, how could Bei have gained a position in the coalition? Naturally, he can trust Ziyi." Liu Bei quickly expressed his position, "It's just... let's just wait like this?"
"If Mr. Xuande is bored, there is something important that can be done first."
"What's the matter?" Liu Bei suddenly became interested.
Zhang Heng smiled slightly and uttered two words.
"Have a meal."
