Cui Yan, courtesy name Jigui, studied under the great scholar Zheng Xuan. Initially, he followed Yuan Shao, reaching the rank of Cavalry Commandant. After Cao Cao pacified Hebei, he was appointed Ji Province Administrator, taught the heir apparent Cao Pi, and his niece married Cao Zhi. After Cao Cao became Duke of Wei, he served as Prefect of the Secretariat, and later was promoted to Commandant.
It is said that Cui Yan possessed noble character, was upright and unyielding, and was also a complete talent in both civil and military affairs, possessing considerable skill. He was a rare talent.
Zhang Chen then said, "There is a person from the Qinghe Cui Clan named Cui Yan. Does Gongyu know of him?"
Ju Shou frowned and said, "The Qinghe Cui Clan, although their ancestors served as officials for generations, in recent generations, their official careers have not been prominent, and they show signs of decline. This subordinate has not heard of the person the Lord spoke of."
Never heard of him?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel surprised, but suddenly remembered that historical records state Cui Yan left home at twenty-nine to study, became a disciple of Zheng Xuan, but encountered the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and only returned after wandering outside for four years.
If that's the case, he is not in Ji Province at this moment.
Since that is the case, having won over the Cui, there will be no worry that he won't serve me in the future.
"Gongyu, send someone to the Qinghe Cui Clan and state my intention to befriend them."
"Lord, the Qinghe Cui Clan already shows signs of decline. If the Lord wishes to unite with aristocratic families and clans, he can choose from other families. Why..."
"Ah, the Qinghe Cui Clan is an aristocratic family. Although they have faded from officialdom in recent generations, their foundation is still there and should not be underestimated. Besides, I am not only befriending them. People must be sent to all the major aristocratic families in Ji Province, and generous gifts must be prepared. There must be no neglect, to show my sincerity in befriending them."
"This subordinate accepts the order."
Zhang Chen nodded, just about to tell a few people to withdraw, when he suddenly thought of something and said, "Right, Gongyu, there is one more thing. That Pingyuan Hua Clan... I remember there is a person named Hua Xin, courtesy name Zi Yu. Can you inquire about him? If he indeed exists, then show him my intention to recruit him. If he agrees, I will immediately appoint him as Magistrate of Pingyuan!"
Hua Xin, courtesy name Zi Yu, this person was a major official in Cao Wei and an important pusher of Cao Pi's usurpation of the Han. If we discuss his loyalty to the Han, there is none at all, but this person's talent is outstanding, and he is upright and incorruptible, which is commendable.
What Zhang Chen needs now are talented people. As for whether they are loyal to the Han, it is not important, as long as they can be loyal to me.
"Hua Xin?" Ju Shou mused, "Lord, this subordinate knows this person. He was a Filial and Incorruptible candidate and was once summoned and appointed as a Langzhong. He resigned due to illness several months ago and is now recuperating at home. This subordinate has heard that this person is quite talented. Since the Lord intends to recruit him, this subordinate will make a trip for the Lord."
"Since that is the case, then I shall trouble Gongyu."
...
Julu Commandery, Nanhua Mountain.
Hidden among the layers of mountains was a small, inconspicuous village.
The surroundings of the village were all enclosed by dense forest, as if a natural barrier, isolating this village from the outside world.
In the village, there was an ancestral hall. Inside the ancestral hall, rows of memorial tablets were revered.
The three central tablets were inscribed "Position of General of Heaven Zhang Jiao", "Position of General of Earth Zhang Bao", and "Position of General of Man Zhang Liang". Below the three tablets, Zhang Mancheng, Zhang Niujiao, Yu Du, Bai Rao, Sui Gu, and the generals who died in the valley that day were worshipped in order.
At this time, before the memorial tablets, a young woman wearing a goose-yellow embroidered dress was burning incense and praying, commemorating the deceased.
"Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Senior Brother, are you all well? Ning'er has finally found the Yellow Turban Warriors and finally has the power of the Yellow Turban back in her grasp." A trace of coldness was etched on Zhang Ning's delicate face, and a strange glint flashed in her eyes.
"A'Ning..."
Behind her, a pale-faced man slowly walked over.
"You've come." Zhang Ning did not turn back, but just said lightly, "Things have come to this, have you thought it through? Are you willing to swear before Father's memorial tablet to be loyal to me for life?"
"Heh heh." Guan Hai gave a bitter laugh and said, "From beginning to end, I never thought of betraying you. It was you who couldn't tolerate me. You schemed for me to fight with Zhang Chen, causing the deaths of one hundred thousand soldiers. Now, what face do you have to stand below the memorial tablet of the Great Virtuous Teacher?"
Zhang Ning turned around and said lightly, "It's only because your power was too great. The people in the sect only respected you and did not listen to my command. Even if you had no rebellious intentions, I had to do this."
Guan Hai couldn't help but sneer a few times, "Haha, as expected of the daughter of the Great Virtuous Teacher. It turns out I never truly saw you clearly. I thought you were just the little junior sister who needed my protection, but I never expected you to be so strong. If you were a man, you would surely be a generation's hero, what a pity..."
"What about being a woman? I bear the legacy of yellow heaven, I had no other choice."
Guan Hai lightly sighed, "Give up, you cannot defeat that Zhang Chen."
Zhang Ning raised her eyes, her figure suddenly floated like a ghost, and in an instant, she was before Guan Hai.
Zhang Ning's face was almost touching his, and she said softly, "As long as... you are willing to help me..."
Guan Hai's expression was calm, and he sighed lightly, "A'Ning, you have fallen into a demonic obsession. I won't blame you. But I truly can't bear... for you to have become like this..."
"Hmph, so what? I can turn my hand to create clouds, and turn my hand to create rain. As long as I want, the world must submit at my feet!" Zhang Ning's beautiful eyes widened, and her pretty face held a few more strange expressions.
A trace of fierceness flashed in Zhang Ning's eyes. She raised her fair hand and grabbed Guan Hai's throat, "Now, I am only one step away, and that is you..."
"Things have come to this, I have nothing to say. In my life, I, Guan Hai, have been worthy of yellow heaven, only... I have failed the Great Virtuous Teacher, unable... to protect you well..."
After Guan Hai finished speaking, he slowly closed his eyes.
Inside the ancestral hall, a strange red light flashed. Outside the door, a man peeked through the crack in the door, quietly observing the situation inside.
That person was Yang Feng.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and an expression of extreme terror appeared on his face.
He clearly saw that Zhang Ning placed a hand on Guan Hai's head, continuously absorbing his true energy!
In just a moment, Guan Hai was withered and emaciated, already completely drained by her.
Yang Feng was stunned by this scene, covering his mouth tightly with both hands, afraid of making the slightest sound, and immediately turned and left.
A moment later, the door of the ancestral hall opened with a "creak", and Zhang Ning, stepping with light steps, slowly walked out from inside.
Her complexion seemed to have become even more rosy.
Inside the ancestral hall, it was empty, with nothing but the rows of memorial tablets.
The only things there were the room full of sandalwood incense, and mixed within it, that almost inaudible smell of blood.
A moment later, a figure flashed like a phantom behind Zhang Ning.
The figure stopped, and it was a young man. The young man came to Zhang Ning's side and respectfully said, "Holy Maiden."
"A'Yan, how is the situation of the Black Mountain Army?"
Zhang Yan said, "Holy Maiden, rest assured. This subordinate has gathered the old Black Mountain troops, hidden in the Taihang Mountains, training day and night, and has obtained one hundred and fifty thousand elite soldiers. Besides this, this subordinate has also contacted the various bandits within Ji Province. They have all expressed willingness to pledge allegiance to the Holy Maiden. We only await the Holy Maiden's command to immediately rise up. At that time, smoke signals will rise everywhere within Ji Province, and no matter if that Zhang Chen has three heads and six arms, he won't be able to suppress us!"
"Well done." Zhang Ning smiled slightly, "I heard that on the second day of the second month, Zhang Chen is going to marry the eldest daughter of the Zhen, Zhen Jiang. At that time, we will send him a big gift!"
