Chapter 67

The first year of the Chuping (AD 190) winter.

The new prefect of Changshan, Han Yu, will go to Changshan County to take office. But at this moment, two major events were happening in Jizhou, which hindered Han Yu's steps.

Gongsun Zan, the prefect of Beiping, gathered 30,000 troops and stationed them in Yi County, the border between Youzhou and Jizhou.

Gongsun Zan had even threatened to attack Jizhou.

For a time, Jizhou Prefecture was in a panic.

As the saying goes, misfortune does not come by itself, Jizhou Governor Han Fu was discussing how to defend against Gongsun Zan, as well as the Bandits' attacks.

Jizhou, Changshan, and other counties have been attacked by the Heishan Bandits one after another.

These Black Mountain thieves or what were known as Heishan Bandits numbered more than a million, and their momentum was enormous.

The Jizhou Governor's Mansion, which was already in a state of panic at this point was made worse by this situation.

The Heishan Bandits invaded Jizhou, and it was not surprising at first.

The Heishan Bandit Army was the remnant of the Yellow Turban Army.

This power has emerged in Jizhou and Bingzhou since the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

The reason why the Black Mountain troops were called the Heishan Bandits was because they were active in the Heishan area at the southern tip of the Taihang Mountains.

The main activity areas are in the valley of the Taihang Mountains in Zhongshan County, Changshan County, Zhao County, Shangdang County, Henei County, and other places.

In history, the Heishan Bandits were suppressed and defeated by Han Fu, Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao.

Now, the leader of these Heishan Bandits was Zhang Yan of Changshan County.

This army of bandits came from Zhang Niujue.

Zhang Niujue was originally someone who was with Zhang Jiao. At that time, Zhang Yan gathered a group of teenagers as bandits, which were about 10,000 people.

Then Zhang Niujue invited Zhang Yan to join. Later, Zhang Niujue was accidentally hit by a flying arrow, which made him injured and then died. Before he died, Zhang ordered his men to obey Zhang Yan as their new leader.

Zhang Yan's real name was Chu Yan because he was grateful for the kindness of Zhang Niujue, who was the subordinate of the Yellow Turban, Zhang Jiao, so he changed his surname to Zhang.

Zhang Yan's martial arts skills were outstanding, and he was known as Zhang Feiyan (Flying Swallow Zhang) in the military.

During the time of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Yan's army had grown large and unstoppable, which made Hebei County suffer greatly at that time.

Back then the Jizhou commander Pan Feng participated in the battle to eradicate the Heishan Bandits and rose to the rank of general step by step.

Zhang Yan, the leader of the Heishan Bandits, was very clever.

The court was unable to subdue him, but Zhang Yan himself instead sent people to the capital to ask for a post.

At that time, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty appointed Zhang Yan as General of the Household Who Pacifies Disorder and granted him the right to appoint officials in his territories, bringing the group within the administration.

Every year, Zhang Yan can be recommended to the imperial court and had someone to report to Luoyang.

Zhang Yan knew that a bandit was still a bandit. They could only live in the mountains, and the officials would not disturb their matter with them.

If they came to the plains and fought against an ordinary army, they would not be an opponent at all.

Just like the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which only relied on their numbers, but unfortunately, there were no elite soldiers.

It could be said that in the past when the people of Jizhou heard of the Heishan Bandits' attacks, they would not care.

How many times a year would the Heishan Bandits come to attack?

But this time it was different, everyone realized that something was wrong.

Unlike the previous army of bandits who hid in the mountains and didn't occasionally come out to disturb the city.

This time, the Heishan Bandits came out in full force.

Both in number and scope are beyond expectations.

The Heishan Bandits with Thirty-six commanders and their respective troops, all dispatched!

Zhongshan County, Changshan County, Zhao County, and Wei County in Jizhou were all under attack by the Heishan Bandit army.

Especially in Changshan County, there was the most Heishan Bandit army.

For the time being, it can be said that millions of bandits entered Changshan

Threatening to kill the prefect, execute county officials, and occupy the entire Changshan County.

Suddenly, Hebei County was in a state of emergency!

The governor of Jizhou Han Fu immediately gathered everyone together to discuss precautionary measures.

Han Fu looked worried and said straight to the point: "Originally Gongsun Zan took out his troops and wanted Jizhou, which is already quite serious.

But now the Heishan Bandits have repeatedly invaded our state and territory. In previous years, they had only come to steal grain during harvest season. Does anyone have a solution at this time?"

Han Yu said from the side, "Father, this time Gongsun Zan and the Heishan Bandits sent troops to attack at the same time. I think this must have been planned from the very beginning. I think the most urgent task is to take down those Heishan Bandits first, and then concentrate on dealing with Gongsun Zan."

Han Yu had already guessed this conspiracy, but it was only Yuan Shao's strategy to plot against Jizhou.

Let the Heishan Bandits and Gongsun Zan attack Jizhou at the same time, so that Han Fu can't resist, and then hand Jizhou over to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao's plans were really good.

However, Han Yu knew that the conspiracy between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao must be different.

In the short term, Gongsun Zan definitely will not try his best to attack Jizhou.

After all, Gongsun Zan was not a fool, and he would not allow Yuan Shao to take advantage of his actions.

Even though Yuan Shao eventually conquered Gongsun Zan in history, the two of them soon turned their faces away and became sworn enemies.

Han Fu nodded and said: "Ziyu's words make sense, but Gongsun Zan still has to be guarded, otherwise when the white horse cavalry troops attack Jizhou, there will be a lot of casualties."

"Where is Pan Feng?"

Speaking of this, Han Fu asked in a loud voice.

"Pan Feng is here!"

Pan Feng came out and answered.

Han Fu ordered: "General Pan, I order you to lead 10,000 troops to the border of Youzhou, and try your best to hold back Gongsun Zan. If you manage to hold it in deep valleys and high forts, you will have a great achievement!"

"Yes!"

Pan Feng took the lead.

With Pan Feng, Gongsun Zan would not be able to attack Jizhou in a short period, even if he could not defeat Gongsun Zan.

"Father, Yu is now the prefect of Changshan County, and those Heishan Bandits are in Changshan County, naturally this matter will be handed over to me. Father just needed to exterminate the Heishan Bandits in another county. In addition, the father still needs to send troops to keep watch around Bohai County, in the case of Yuan Shao."

Before everyone could speak, Han Yu stood up again and said.

A mere Heishan bandit, he has not taken it seriously!

In his eyes, the Heishan Bandits were nothing but a large number of people and a great power, yet they lacked any fighting strength.

Now Han Yu has Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Yu Jin, and other fierce generals, and also has Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Ju Shou, and other strategists to help.

It wouldn't be a big deal to root out the Heishan Bandits.

If you have such a great lineup, and you can't deal with a bunch of Heishan Bandits, then you don't need to talk about dominating the world!

Han Fu shook his head and said: "Ziyu don't be stubborn, there are millions of bandits in Changshan County, and they are difficult to exterminate. Although you have proven yourself in the battle against Dong Zhuo.

This time, however, there are many Heishan Bandits, and you don't have much experience in leading troops to battle. I'm afraid you may not win. I think it's better to arrange for someone else to go. After the Heishan Bandit is appeased, it will not be too late for you to go to Changshan."

Han Yu made a generous statement and said, "Why is father still looking down on me?! This time, His Majesty has appointed me as the prefect of Changshan.

If Changshan County is suffering and I hide here instead and don't dare to come forward, am I still worthy of being a county prefect?"

"..."

Han Fu was a little worried about his son.

Han Yu said solemnly: "Father, don't worry, if father is worried, you can ask the two Generals Zhang He and Gao Lan, to accompany me to eradicate the Heishan Bandits."

"Since you insist, then I can only agree!"

Han Fu said helplessly: "Zhang He, Gao Lan!"

"Zhang He and Gao Lan are here!"

Zhang He and Gao Lan answered.

Han Fu ordered: "I order the two of you to lead 5,000 troops with Han Yu to Changshan County to appease the Heishan Bandits.

In the future, the two of you will be handed over to General Yangwu Han Yu, and you can stay in Changshan!"

"Yes!"

This makes his strength grow.

After arranging Zhang He and Gao Lan, Han Fu was still a little worried, and said to Ju Shou: "Sir, you will also lead three thousand cavalries to Changshan County together."

Ju Shu was also excited.

Han Fu nodded his head in satisfaction, then continued:

"As for Zhao County and Wei County, I ordered the county prefects to do their job, guard the main road, and make sure to stop the Heishan Bandits. Then, I ordered the transfer of the capital's officials for Zhao Fu and Cheng Huan from Henei to look after Yecheng."

After the warlord alliance was dissolved, Zhao Fu and Cheng Huan, these two officials were left by Han Fu at Henei to guard against Dong Zhuo.

The arrangements were made, and the crowd dispersed.

Han Yu decided to go to Changshan County another day to take up his post to eradicate the Heishan Bandits in the county as soon as possible.

…

Thank you for reading!