Rebellion Homework

Chapter 102 – Rebellion Homework

May 31st. Julu City, Government Hall.

The news about Dong Zhuo Army movements was being reported in the morning assembly.

Tong and Hua Shi were shocked by the change of historical events. The Yellow Turban Uprising had not even started, yet Dong Zhuo already made his move.

In their timeline, the Imperial forces were exhausted from the constant battles with the Yellow Turban rebellions and other bandits. At the same time, Lu Zhi was half-retired while Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun stationed on the central plain. As a result, the west defense was wide open for Dong Zhuo to move in.

Furthermore, the political struggle within the Imperial Court was completely different from the current situation.

In the historical timeline where Liu Ping did not exist, Empress He was with the eunuch faction while He Jin was with the loyalist faction. After the Emperor's death, He Jin was killed by the eunuch's scheme. Afterward, the eunuch faction was eradicated by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's forces.

The remnant eunuchs had to escort the Empress to the west in order to flee the Capital. Then Dong Zhuo, who was on his way toward the Capital, met them on the way. The eunuchs and the empress were either killed or committed suicide because they did not want to be held captive.

Dong Zhuo grasped this opportunity by claiming the credit that he assisted the Imperial Court by killing the fleeing eunuchs. Thus, Luo Yang opened the gate for him.

In this timeline, Liu Ping sided with the eunuchs while Empress He and He Jin were on the same side in the loyalist faction, which ended up strengthened the loyalist faction as He Jin was still alive and Empress He still had her influence.

Dong Zhuo's move this time had no proper cause or reason to mobilize an army to the Capital. As a result, he was branded as a traitor. Furthermore, the main army of Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song were still healthy and in full-number. It was obvious that both forces would clash at each other soon.

"Will you go back to the Capital, master?"

Tong asked Lu Zhi in a worried tone. He did not want this old fox to leave yet as he was short on hands.

Lu Zhi shook his head and sighed.

"No. No matter who wins in the end, the Han Dynasty is finished. Liu Ping is not a good candidate for the throne, and Dong Zhuo is up to no good. I can't foresee a good future from them."

Tong was delighted by his master's answer. It meant that Lu Zhi would be stuck here for another long while.

On the contrary to Tong's happiness, Lu Zhi's face turned grim. He tried to predict what kind of future the dynasty would face. No matter how many hundreds of scenarios he simulated in his mind, he could not see hope.

Zhang Jiao, who was listening to the side, muttered to himself.

"Is the Han truly dead?"

Lu Zhi snapped out of his trance and glared at Zhang Jiao. Meanwhile, Sima Fang, who was also within the government hall, was also looking at him in shock as if he was enlightened by something.

"Dad, no silly daydream please."

Tong tried to divert their attention in a hurry. He did not want them to know that Zhang Jiao was actually plotting a rebellion.

"A-Ahaha! Excuse me, gentlemen. I have a habit of speaking what I fantasized out loud. I'm getting old. Sometimes I daydream like this. Please forgive me."

Zhang Jiao was also not stupid. He pretended to be a bit crazy to cover up his secrets.

Lu Zhi shook his head and sighed again. Tong and his father underestimated his insight too much. He could tell that Zhang Jiao was serious when he had spoken those words. But for the sake of his disciple, he did not mind keeping his mouth shut as Zhang Jiao had not made any move or indicated that he would rebel any time soon.

On the other hand, Sima Fang's eyes were sparkled as he glanced at Tong and his father. Then he dropped a bomb in front of 500 officials in the hall.

"I believe we should start our move. My lord, it's about time that we stop paying any tribute to the Imperial Court and expand our forces. We should lay out the foundation of our new dynasty."

"What!?"

"Are you serious!?"

"That's a declaration of a rebellion!"

"It's treason, don't you know that!?"

The hall was thrown into an uproar. Treason was a serious crime. Anyone could be charged for treason or rebel even if he just uttered a word that he would rebel against the court. If he was caught, all nine generations would be captured and executed in public.

A rebellion proposal was already shocking enough, but the proposal came from the new director of the Department of Justice himself. Everyone could not help but think. "What kind of blasphemy is this!?"

Lu Zhi glared at his friend in anger. Though he could not pledge allegiance to Liu Ping, he was still loyal to the Han Court.

Sima Fang could read his senior expression. He gave out his reason.

"Right now the Capital is in turmoil. Dong Zhuo is known to be governing his people with his cruelty, while Liu Ping is basically a dog in heat. No matter who wins the throne in the end, the people will the one who suffers. So instead of bowing to the dying dynasty, why don't we raise a country ourselves? Even if we are branded traitors somehow, we can still establish a country just like Zhuo State or other State in the Warring State Era. A country isn't necessary to be unified. A portion of land is fine, too."

Lu Zhi was flabbergasted. Zhang Jiao stood up in astonishment. Hua Shi whistled as she was impressed. Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, who was summoned back, stared at Sima Fang with admiration. Zhou Cang, however, glanced back and forth between Tong and Sima Fang in expectation.

Tong gazed everyone in solemn. He was planning to rebel against the Han Court eventually, but he did not expect that this matter would be proposed by Sima Fang, whom Tong least expected that he would support the rebellion.

Zhang Jiao watched Tong, who was in deep thought. He wanted to declare the start of the rebellion right away, but He and Tong had talked many times in the past. They promised that if someone had an important matter that could affect everyone in the family, they had to gather everyone and consulted each other first.

Tong also glanced back at his father and gestured him not to make the decision yet. He knew what his father wanted to do, yet Zhang Jiao withheld his desire for the sake of their promises.

"For this matter, I wish to consult with my family in private. It affects the future of all of us, including yourselves. I don't think I can make this decision alone."

Zhang Jiao declared that he would delay the decision.

Lu Zhi nodded in acknowledgment while Sima Fang gazed at Zhang Jiao and Tong in deep admiration.

'Such a deep family bond! I wish I could be like that with my sons.'

'No, I should not wish it. I have to try getting close to my sons, too.'

'I won't repeat the same mistake again!'

Because of the loss of his son, he became aware of the advantage of the family bond. With family members working together and put their trust in each other during the time of crisis, they would not be afraid of anything.

He was also envious of the bond between Zhang Jiao and Tong, which he wanted to do the same with his family as well.

…

…

The morning assembly had ended. Everyone was excused. Guards in the hall were also temporarily dismissed. Everybody left except for the Zhang family members and Hua Shi.

"What's your idea, father?" Tong asked Zhang Jiao.

"I and your second and third uncle have consulted before. I want to raise the flag of the Yellow Turban Army."

Tong nodded. It was the same as in his history. Tong felt like it was fated that his father would raise the Yellow Turban flag eventually no matter how the history had changed.

"What's your thought, Tong?" Zhang Jiao asked.

Everyone gazed at Tong in expectation. Tong had proven his prowess as the brain of this family since the conflict with Guo Dian. Thus, Zhang Bao, Zhang Liang, and his father trusted Tong's decision.

"I agree with father that we should raise the flag. But not yet!"

"Not yet? Then when should we?"

"We need a cause if we want to rebel. Right now we have none! We'll become a sitting target to be ganged up on by every neighbor if we declare it outright. First, we need a cause. And that cause hasn't appeared yet, so we have to wait. Second, we need supporters and allies. We can't just raise our flag without designating enemies and friends. We have to make friends with neighbors that we haven't made any contact yet."

Zhang Jiao and the others pondered. Though they had no prior knowledge about military strategy, they still agreed to Tong's suggestion.

"And who will be our ally? Liu Yan, Han Fu, Yuan Shao, and Zhang Yan are untrustworthy. Will there be a good neighbor?" Zhang Liang asked.

"Third uncle is half-right. Liu Yan, Han Fu, Yuan Shao, and Zhang Yan cannot be our ally. They will be the targets for our expansion. For our potential ally, there is one on the west of our city."

Hua Shi opened her eyes wide in shock. The only notable city on the west of Julu was Jinyang. There was one infamous general who was housed there.

"The west of our city … you meant that …"

"That's right. Jinyang City. I want to form an alliance with Ding Yuan!"

'And I want Lu Bu!'