Who was Tian Kai?
Most people know him only as a subordinate of Gongsun Zan.
What far fewer people know is that he had once been the superior of Liu Bei. When Liu Bei first went to serve under Gongsun Zan, he served under Tian Kai.
Later, after Liu Bei left for Xuzhou, Tian Kai remained behind in Qingzhou and fought alone against Yuan Shao for two whole years.
And this was no ordinary Yuan Shao.
At the time, Yuan Shao had already defeated Gongsun Zan at the battles of Battle of Jieqiao and Battle of Jumashui. His military strength was at its peak.
Meanwhile, what was Gongsun Zan doing?
After only a few defeats, he had already lost heart.
Though he still controlled an entire province, he no longer had the courage to fight. Instead, he retreated to Yijing and shut himself inside.
He built high walls and a tall tower, sealed the gates with iron, expelled every male over the age of seven, and hid inside with only his wives and concubines.
When he wished to give orders, the strong women inside the compound would shout his commands to the generals outside.
Later, when Yuan Shao attacked and his commanders begged him for reinforcements, Gongsun Zan actually said:
"If I rescue them, then all my generals will wait for reinforcements instead of fighting to the death."
So he sent no help.
In the end, morale collapsed, the soldiers lost heart, and the army deserted him.
And yet—even with a lord like that—Tian Kai still managed to hold back Yuan Shao's finest commanders in Qingzhou for two years.
Only when the war dragged on so long that Qingzhou was devastated and all supplies were exhausted did he finally have to retreat.
That was why Tian Kai was truly remarkable.
Still, after already meeting Guan Yu, Zhang Xin was no longer as shocked to meet another famous figure of the era.
Suppressing his surprise, Zhang Xin smiled.
"It's cold outside, Brother Shifan. Please, come into the tent and speak."
"Thank you, Commander."
Tian Kai followed him inside, and the two men sat opposite one another.
Zhang Xin asked with a smile, "What brings you here, Brother Shifan?"
Tian Kai first offered a few polite words.
"In the battle at Youbeiping, the commander decisively defeated the Wuhuan and destroyed Wu Yan's forces, establishing great prestige throughout Youzhou."
Then his expression grew serious.
"After annihilating Wu Yan, the commander pursued the enemy for more than two hundred li. Therefore, I dare ask: does the commander intend to pacify the eastern Wuhuan?"
The "eastern Wuhuan" meant the tribes of Liaodong and Liaoxi.
Inside, Zhang Xin rolled his eyes.
So they really do want to use me as a spear.
Outwardly, however, he sighed.
"Since arriving in Youzhou, I have witnessed the suffering these barbarians inflict upon the people. It pains me greatly. That is why I attacked Wu Yan."
"But my forces are few, and I lack capable officers. Even if I wished to pacify the eastern Wuhuan, I simply do not have the strength."
As expected, Tian Kai immediately stood and bowed.
"Commander, there is no need to worry. I have a plan that can destroy the eastern Wuhuan in one stroke."
I'm not worried at all. You're the ones who are worried, Zhang Xin thought.
But he could not ruin the image he had carefully cultivated, so he widened his eyes in apparent surprise.
"What plan do you have, Brother Shifan?"
Tian Kai spoke slowly.
"What concerns the commander is merely that we do not have enough troops to fight Qiuliju head-on. If we march through Guzhu, pass Linyu, and enter the Liaoxi corridor, the Wuhuan will surely discover us and gather a great army."
Zhang Xin's heart stirred.
Don't tell me…
He suddenly asked, "Brother Shifan, do you know Tian Chou?"
Tian Kai looked surprised.
"A-Chou is my cousin. How does the commander know him?"
Zhang Xin laughed lightly. "I heard of him while I was in Wuzhong."
Tian Kai nodded and continued:
"My Tian family has lived in Youbeiping for generations. We know of an ancient road, abandoned since the Former Han, which very few people still remember."
"The commander can leave from Lulong Pass, pass through Xianbei territory, circle to Bailang Mountain, and then strike directly at Liucheng."
As he spoke, Tian Kai rose and lifted the tent flap.
Outside, snow covered the earth in white.
"Now that the snow has fallen, Qiuliju will never expect such an attack. If the commander strikes suddenly, the eastern Wuhuan can be pacified in a single battle."
Zhang Xin could not help thinking:
Isn't this exactly how Cao Cao later conquered the Wuhuan?
Back then, however, the Wuhuan had grown much stronger. During the chaos after Dong Zhuo, countless Han refugees had fled north, and the Wuhuan had also abducted many more.
That was why, after his victory, Cao Cao had captured more than two hundred thousand people.
But Zhang Xin was not Cao Cao.
His current forces were far too weak.
This expedition had already achieved its purpose. Though Wu Yan had escaped, Qiuliju had been forced to seek peace.
And now these people wanted him to march hundreds of li through snowy mountains to attack Liucheng?
He would have to be insane.
Were the lives of the Yellow Turban soldiers worthless?
Zhang Xin slowly shook his head.
"Brother Shifan's plan is indeed brilliant. But to fight the Wuhuan, cavalry is essential."
"At present, I have fewer than two thousand horsemen, while Qiuliju can summon over ten thousand at any time. Even with your strategy, I fear we still could not defeat him."
He paused before continuing:
"Besides, the heavy snow makes the mountain roads treacherous. How could we transport grain and supplies? I cannot adopt this plan."
Tian Kai merely smiled.
"The commander's occupation of Yuyang lacks legitimacy. Even if you have won merit by defeating Wu Yan, the imperial court may still refuse to recognize you."
"But if the commander pacifies Liaoxi, then the merit will benefit all the people."
"At that time, the Tian family will do everything in its power to speak on the commander's behalf."
After saying this, Tian Kai bowed deeply.
Zhang Xin's breathing quickened.
If Tian Kai alone had said this, perhaps he would still have doubted him.
But Tian Kai had spoken in the name of the Tian family.
That meant the entire clan had already discussed the matter.
In this era, reputation meant everything.
One could deceive an enemy in war.
But Zhang Xin was not the Tian family's enemy.
On the contrary—he had rid Youbeiping of Wu Yan and protected the people.
The Tian family owed him a favor.
If they deceived even their benefactor, their name would be ruined forever.
Even if Zhang Xin was a rebel, he was still their benefactor.
His loyalty to the court was his own affair.
But if the Tian family betrayed a man who had helped them, then no one in the world would ever trust them again.
From below the tent, Tian Kai watched Zhang Xin's expression and smiled faintly.
Before coming here, he had already discussed everything with the clan elders.
From Zhang Xin's actions, they had long guessed his intentions.
A rebel who led troops but did not plunder the people—who instead fought the barbarians everywhere and protected the frontier.
If such a man was not seeking amnesty, then what else could he possibly want?
The Tian family had businesses throughout Youzhou, and for years their caravans had suffered from Wuhuan raids.
Since Zhang Xin was willing to fight the Hu tribes, then why not make use of him?
You want amnesty?
Very well.
The Tian family will help you obtain it.
But in exchange…
Helping them eliminate Qiuliju and protect the Tian family's trade routes was not too much to ask.