Chapter 102 Rebellion Homework (2/2)
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!'