Chapter 104: Turmoil Within Mount Tai (Please bookmark and recommend)

Inside the tent, the men drank heartily.

"This must be Strategist Guo," Zang Ba said with an air of bold hospitality. "I trust you didn't come to see me, Zang Ba, just to share a drink. Out of respect for the Great General, pray tell me your business plainly." Zang Ba could clearly discern that among this group, Guo Jia was the true decision-maker, and thus he addressed him directly. He held a measure of respect for Liu Yao, whose youthful exploits in defeating the Wuhuan and crushing the Yellow Turbans were testament to his martial prowess.

"Since the Commander is so forthright, I shall not beat around the bush," Guo Jia replied with a smile. "My lord has sent me here to offer you a position under the imperial banner, to serve him."

"Impossible!" Zang Ba immediately retorted. Harboring deep resentment over the Taishan Administrator’s murder of his father, he naturally harbored no fondness for the imperial forces. "Strategist Guo, there is no way I, Zang Ba, will surrender. Out of respect for General Zhao, I will not make things difficult for you today; you would do best to leave the mountain as soon as possible." Zang Ba suppressed his rising anger and issued a blunt order to leave.

"Wait, Commander. I know why you harbor such hatred for the imperial court—it must be because of your father, Zang Jie. What if I could clear your father’s name and grant him justice?" Guo Jia asked with a smile.

Zang Ba’s body trembled at the mention of his father’s name, a surge of grief and indignation welling up within him. Yet, hearing that justice could finally be served filled him with sudden, anxious excitement. "You can grant my father justice?"

"Indeed," Guo Jia said, pulling a scroll from his sleeve and handing it to Zang Ba. "This is a personal decree from my lord, Liu Yao. It exonerates your father of all charges—a small gift for the Commander. As for the primary culprit, the former Administrator of Taishan, he is dead. I presume that was your doing?"

With trembling hands, Zang Ba took the scroll and read it carefully. It was exactly as Guo Jia had described; Liu Yao’s large official seal was stamped upon it, confirming that his father was innocent and his grievances washed away. Zang Ba could not help but shed tears of relief.

In his excitement, Zang Ba wanted to agree to defect to the imperial court, but he suddenly caught sight of his four brothers and the thirty thousand men who followed him. Though he was their leader, he could not decide for them all on his own.

"How do you intend to arrange for my four brothers and my thirty thousand men?" Zang Ba asked with concern.

"Big Brother, you cannot agree to this!" Sun Guan interjected, standing up.

At the same time, Sun Kang rose as well, a flash of hatred in his eyes. "Indeed, Big Brother! None of these imperial soldiers are good men. You must not agree!"

Guo Jia glanced at Sun Kang and inadvertently caught a glimmer of deep-seated malice in his eyes. He was puzzled; if the resentment had been directed at him, he would have understood, but it was aimed squarely at Zang Ba. *It seems this Zang Ba is not of one mind with his brothers,* Guo Jia mused.

"I have my own plans regarding this matter," Zang Ba said, frowning. He turned back to Guo Jia, eager to hear more before making his final decision. Sun Guan and Sun Kang were forced to sit back down, though the malice in their eyes deepened.

"Your four brothers are skilled in martial arts; if they are willing, they may serve as officers under my lord," Guo Jia said with a smile, never forgetting Liu Yao's instruction to recruit manpower. "As for your men, those who wish to remain soldiers may continue under your command as an organized regiment. Those who do not are welcome to go to my lord’s You Province. We are currently in need of population there. While I cannot promise them wealth and status, it will be easy enough for them to earn a comfortable living."

Zang Ba was deeply moved. As things stood, he and his men were mere rebels living under the constant threat of execution, with no idea how long they could survive. Guo Jia was offering them a path to legitimacy, a transition from rebel to imperial officer under the banner of Liu Yao—an opportunity few could ever hope for.

"Strategist Guo, the hour is late. Why don't you rest here for the night, and I will give you my answer tomorrow?" Zang Ba suggested after a moment of thought. Even though he was tempted, he wanted time to consider his decision carefully.

Guo Jia smiled slightly, knowing the matter was all but settled, and that Zang Ba was merely hesitating. "Then I shall await your reply tomorrow, Commander," Guo Jia said, bowing.

"Someone, show these two to their quarters," Zang Ba ordered.

"My thanks to the Commander."

Two men entered and led Guo Jia and Zhao Yun out of the tent. As Guo Jia rose, he turned back to cast a mysterious, knowing smile at Zang Ba and his men before departing.

"You lot leave as well; I wish to be alone," Zang Ba said to Sun Guan and the others.

"As you command, Big Brother," they replied, exiting the tent. Zang Ba was left alone, struggling with his thoughts.

***

Deep within the Taishan bandit camp, in a tent far from Zang Ba’s main quarters, two men whispered in the shadows.

"Big Brother, it seems that Zang Ba truly intends to surrender to the imperial forces," Sun Kang said indignantly. "What is the point of that? We are free and unfettered here on Mount Tai; no one can command us. We do as we please—why should we join the army and suffer their indignities?"

"I have long despised that damnable Zang Ba," Sun Guan replied viciously. "What right does he have to be our brother? If not for his martial prowess, which we need to counter the imperial troops, I would have killed him long ago." Sun Guan had long coveted the position of commander, but Zang Ba’s skill and reputation among the men had forced him to bide his time. However, Zang Ba’s plan to surrender had crossed his line, and his resolve to kill him was now set.

Sun Kang was startled; he had never realized his brother had already been harboring such intentions. It matched his own desires perfectly. "Big Brother, what shall we do? We only have three thousand men who are truly loyal to us. We are no match for him," Sun Kang said, worried.

"No matter," Sun Guan said with a sinister grin. "Tonight, we shall take a few dozen men, slip into Zang Ba’s tent, and hack him to pieces. The rest of the men will surely be thrown into chaos, and we shall take command of them ourselves. We will be the masters of Mount Tai!"

"Big Brother, what about that Guo Jia and Zhao Yun? Should we kill them or let them go?"

Sun Guan frowned, contemplating for a long time. "Second Brother, let them go. That Liu Yao is a terrifying man. If we kill his people, how could we possibly withstand his retaliation?" Sun Guan was well aware of Liu Yao’s fearsome reputation; it was best not to antagonize such a man.

"Very well, I shall follow your lead, Big Brother," Sun Kang replied excitedly.

"Hehehe," a series of sinister laughs echoed through the tent, breaking the silence of the night.