Chapter 23: Mediating Disputes

Liu Zhan continued to advance with his army, adhering to the principle of training while marching. The newly recruited soldiers needed time to adjust. After capturing Guan Hai, Liu Zhan proceeded to subdue smaller forces like Zang Ba and arranged for Zang Ba to go into hiding south of Xuzhou. Some of these Yellow Turban troops were remnants scattered from Qingzhou, while others were small factions active in the region.

This time, Governor Gong was very generous, sending a thousand elite soldiers and two thousand local militiamen, boosting Liu Zhan's total force to sixteen thousand.

Liu Zhan redistributed these thousand elite soldiers and selected well-trained personnel from the previous logistics staff to join the ranks, assigning the two thousand local militiamen to handle logistics.

Despite the increase in new recruits, the army's combat effectiveness did not decline. After all, there were still a significant number of regular soldiers, combined with those who had experienced several battles. Overall, Liu Zhan's army remained well-trained.

The army moved forward at a slow pace, as Liu Zhan did not want to push them too hard and cause exhaustion. By advancing slowly, he could continue to train and integrate the troops, ensuring they were well-prepared by the time they reached their destination.

Knowing that the Yellow Turban Rebellion was doomed to fail, Liu Zhan's strategy was clear.

First, maximize benefits by gaining fame and achievements from this campaign against the Yellow Turbans, essentially striving for personal glory.

Of course, he also took advantage of opportunities to undermine others. For instance, the previous actions had preempted Liu Bei's achievements. Originally, Cheng Zhiyuan was to be dealt with by Liu Bei, but Liu Zhan resolved this problem early. Liu Bei was unaware of these developments.

Similarly, the relief of Qingzhou, which was originally Liu Bei's accomplishment, was also preempted by Liu Zhan. Furthermore, with the additional two thousand elite soldiers from Lu Zhi, it was unlikely Liu Bei would receive any further aid from Lu Zhi in the future unless Lu Zhi were somehow irrational.

Second, build his own base. Although the scale of the war might not be substantial, Liu Zhan's army had undergone genuine combat training. Compared to other warlords, he was already a step ahead. This seemingly small step was crucial, as a step ahead meant consistent advancement, which was very valuable.

Third, with military achievements, Liu Zhan hoped to secure an independent territory, which was his ultimate goal.

To achieve this goal, Liu Zhan had laid much groundwork. The fan he gave to Liu Yan was to enhance his reputation. Making a good impression on Liu Yan, a member of the royal family, was also aimed at facilitating his career.

Liu Zhan couldn't afford to end up like Liu Bei, who nearly wasted his efforts against the Yellow Turbans.

Don't underestimate Liu Yan, the Governor of Youzhou, who was of royal lineage and had significant influence. Unlike Liu Zhan, who was a mere pretender to the royal family, Liu Yan's recognition meant something substantial. Liu Zhan, being Liu Yan's subordinate, would benefit from Liu Yan's recommendation if he performed admirably. Liu Yan would also gain from this arrangement, which Liu Zhan had long calculated. This thief was truly something else!

On the road, small groups of Yellow Turbans were used as training targets, and Liu Zhan seized every opportunity. Younger captives were taken in as future reinforcements.

As the army entered Henan and approached its destination, Liu Zhan's force had nearly expanded to eighteen thousand men.

At this point, Liu Zhan was not worried about supplies. He had sufficient replenishment from Qingzhou and could also requisition supplies from Zhen's branches in the Central Plains at any time. As for the women of the Zhen family, Liu Zhan had no qualms about claiming them and their possessions as his own. In this regard, Liu Zhan's shamelessness was unparalleled.