Although there were some guesses that Dong Zhuo's ambition was swelling, there was no suspicion that he would dare to raise an army to rebel. After all, the Han Army at the court still had quite a few, and with his tens of thousands of soldiers, it was no different from seeking death.
So, he lay on his bed, took out the Spring and Autumn Annals, and continued to read, hoping to learn more strategies.
The night passed without a word, and he slowly fell into a dream.
The next morning!
Liu Jin was still sound asleep when Zhang Fei's loud shout suddenly came from outside the tent!
"Big Brother, Big Brother!"
Quickly pulling away the thin quilt covering his head, Liu Jin revealed a tired look, with two very dark circles under his eyes.
He cursed under his breath!
"Why are you knocking so early in the morning? Don't you know I was so engrossed in reading the Spring and Autumn Annals last night that I didn't sleep well?"
After Liu Jin got up and dressed, he directly lifted the curtain, only to see Zhang Fei's dark face close in, grinning!
"Big Brother, I have good news for you."
Liu Jin yawned, looking a bit tired, and asked!
"Third Brother, if there's something, say it quickly. I still want to go back to sleep later."
Zhang Fei's rough voice continued!
"Big Brother, before I joined the army, wasn't I making friends with heroes and brave men in Zhuo Commandery?"
"At that time, I met two horse merchants named Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang."
"These past few days, they heard that Big Brother's prestige is soaring, that you annihilated the Yellow Turban, pacified the villagers, and they want to present Big Brother with five hundred steppe warhorses as a sign of respect."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's still hazy expression instantly vanished. His eyes showed excitement, and he tightly grasped Zhang Fei's large hand.
He said excitedly!
"Third Brother, is this true?"
Zhang Fei looked at his Big Brother's rapidly changing expression, which almost scared him to death. He scratched his head and chuckled!
"It's true, Big Brother. Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang are currently outside the military camp."
Liu Jin's face showed excitement. Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang were renowned good people.
In history, Liu Bei's rise was largely due to these two gifting him horses, money, and weapons, allowing him to quickly organize a militia to resist the Yellow Turban, subsequently gaining some prestige and slowly rising.
Without any further ado, he immediately ordered Zhang Fei to lead the way, and so the group directly arrived outside the military camp.
They saw over a hundred people standing in front, leading many horses, all majestic, tall, and powerful, evidently elite steppe warhorses.
The two leaders, dressed in brocade robes and wearing hair crowns, had resolute faces. When they saw Zhang Fei walk out, they quickly stepped forward and respectfully called out!
"General Zhang, General Zhang!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei nodded with a hearty laugh and said loudly!
"This is my Big Brother, Liu Jin, Liu Wenyi."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang also looked at Liu Jin. He had a handsome appearance, a robust physique, and exuded a fierce aura, indeed worthy of being called brave and skilled in battle.
Excitement appeared in their eyes, and they clasped their hands, respectfully saying!
"Commoners pay respects to General Liu!"
Liu Jin heard this, laughed heartily, and quickly walked over to help the two of them up, saying politely!
"Two heroes, please rise quickly!"
Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang felt the respect emanating from Liu Jin's very bones.
They secretly praised him in their hearts, 'As expected of Liu Wenyi, whose fame echoes throughout the land. He is truly just like the rumors say, humble, courteous, and refined.'
Although they were both horse merchants with considerable assets, in the eyes of these court officials, they ultimately couldn't be considered high society.
How could they receive such courtesy, with him personally coming out of the military camp to welcome them and help them up?
Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang clasped their hands and respectfully said!
"General Liu, General Zhang must have already told you that we are willing to present you with five hundred warhorses, five hundred thousand coins, and one thousand catties of refined steel."
Upon hearing these generous words, Liu Jin's breathing couldn't help but quicken. These two were indeed wealthy merchants, their generosity extraordinary.
Not to mention the five hundred warhorses, just the one thousand catties of refined steel were top-grade forging material, very precious.
According to unofficial historical records, the weapons of the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang were forged from these one thousand catties of refined steel: the Qinglong Yanyue Dao (Green Dragon Crescent Blade), the Twin Swords of Male and Female, and the Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear.
He could use this refined steel to forge suitable weapons for Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.
He could even forge a weapon for each of his subordinate generals. With a suitable weapon, they would be even more fierce in battle.
Liu Jin looked at Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang before him, his eyes burning with eagerness. He quickly took their hands and said politely!
"Many thanks for your generous gifts, two heroes. Jin will never forget this. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask. Jin will do his best to accomplish anything that can be done."
Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang looked at the so polite Liu Jin, and their hearts grew even more moved.
With their status, how could they receive such respectful treatment from a two-thousand-shi official?
They had only one thought: to earn more money after returning and give it to Liu Jin.
Liu Jin immediately instructed Zhang Fei, who was nearby, to bring all these supplies into the army.
The five hundred warhorses would be used to form cavalry, led by Guan Yu. This way, he would have one thousand cavalry.
Moreover, these one thousand cavalry were formed by himself, belonging to his private property, not to the court.
As for the one thousand catties of refined steel, he immediately ordered weapons to be forged, bringing forth the Qinglong Yanyue Dao (Green Dragon Crescent Blade) and the Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear.
After handling all of this, Liu Jin pulled Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang into his tent, set up a grand banquet, and generously rewarded the two of them.
Time passed quietly!
Guanghe Year Seven, late October!
After discussions, the court had already dispatched many eunuchs to convey imperial decrees, first rewarding the mid- and high-ranking generals.
Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Wei You, Zhao Teng, Wu Xing, and others were promoted to one-thousand-shi Military Sima.
Xu Rong, Zhang He, Cheng Pu, and others were appointed as Commandants by the court.
However, everyone had court appointments and were stationed in various locations.
Xu Rong led his troops and was arranged to be stationed in Dai Commandery, You Province. Cheng Pu led his troops and was stationed in Changshan Commandery, Ji Province. Zhang He led his troops and was stationed in Yunzhong Commandery, Bing Province.
Wei You led his troops and was stationed in Shang Commandery, Bing Province. Han Dang led his troops and was stationed in Wuyuan Commandery, Bing Province. Zhang Fei led his troops and was stationed in Dingxiang Commandery, Bing Province.
As for Guan Yu, Zhao Teng, Wu Xing, Min Chun, Li Li, and others, they remained under Liu Jin's command.
Gongsun Zan was also appointed Commandant by the court and assigned to guard Right Beiping. As for Liu Bei, he was appointed County Magistrate of Anxi County by the court.
As for the main generals from various routes who had campaigned against the Yellow Turban, those who performed exceptionally well were to personally go to Luoyang to receive their rewards, to be decided by the court.
However, unofficial news came that the four great heroes of this rebellion suppression were Liu Jin, Dong Zhuo, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun.
All four had already been listed as marquises by the court, and their official positions would even be promoted. Once they arrived in Luoyang and paid respects to the Son of Heaven, their official positions would be fully issued.