We hurriedly set off from Pianguan.
On the way, he encountered Shi Tugu, the Xiongnu cavalry commander who had besieged him in the ruined city, who led his troops to surrender and offered to serve him.
This corpse, with nowhere else to go, was at its wit's end and had been foraging in the mountains and forests near Luo County.
Upon seeing Ding Yuan's army approaching, he gritted his teeth and surrendered.
Ding Yuan was in need of manpower at the time, and disregarding past grievances, he accepted him.
With the addition of Shi Tugu, the Xiongnu soldiers scattered in the clouds after Huchuquan's defeat continued to join him.
When Ding Yuan arrived in Tongguo, he found that there were six thousand Xiongnu soldiers.
Ding Yuan didn't even need to lift a finger to attack Tongguo; the Xiongnu people took care of it for him.
This allowed Ding Yuan to successfully enter Yunzhong and reach Shaling, the southwestern gateway of Yunzhong.
"Brother Jianyang, Marquis Yinshan is currently at war with the Xianbei. It wouldn't be right for us to stab him in the back like this!"
"Moreover, when we were in the ruined city, it was Yinshan that sent troops to relieve the siege."
Zhang Yang saw that Ding Yuan had actually used Xiongnu people in order to compete for the position of governor of Bingzhou.
Not only that, but the Xiongnu also killed a thousand Han Chinese soldiers guarding Tongguo.
Ding Yuan's actions are becoming increasingly incomprehensible to him.
It seems that he has become irrational and disregarded his reputation in pursuit of the position of governor.
"Uncle Zhi, I absolutely do not want to see Bingzhou, which Duan Situ left us, taken away by that smug and ambitious Dong Zhuo!"
"In order to achieve one's goals, one must resort to any means necessary."
"If I were to become the governor of Bingzhou, I would surely implement benevolent policies and compensate the people of Yunzhong."
"As for Marquis Yinshan, he tricked Wen Yuan away, so the debt of gratitude for his rescue has already been repaid."
"Nowadays His Majesty is often ill, and the court is ruled by Empress He and the Grand General."
"Although Marquis Yinshan is a prince, he can only submit to power and influence."
"Who isn't caught in a situation beyond their control?"
Ding Yuan's words seemed to indicate that his actions were also out of necessity.
Zhang Yang sighed, and couldn't help but think of Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao resolutely left Ding Yuan that day and went away. I wonder how he is doing now under the command of Marquis Yinshan.
If Ding Yuan fails to become the governor of Bingzhou this time, then Dong Zhuo will take over.
I wonder what will become of him now that he's so flamboyant?
He looked up and gazed ahead.
The sand dunes before him, less than a hundred miles upstream along the barren river, led to Yunzhong City, the birthplace of Zhang Yang.
"Shi Tu Gu, the garrison in Shaling City is less than three thousand. Are you confident you can take it today?"
Ding Yuan then summoned the surrendered Xiongnu commander of a thousand cavalry.
"Rest assured, my lord. Even if I am the last one left to die, I will still help you conquer this place."
Shi Tu Gu had a fierce look on his face.
According to a private report from his people, there are 10,000 tribesmen wandering in a certain place north of Shaling City, preparing to cross the river south to Guluo City to join King Zuo Guli.
Shi Tu Gu surrendered to Ding Yuan and gained his trust, hoping to obtain a place to live under Ding Yuan's control.
"Very good! If the commander of the Thousand Cavalry of the Corpse Strike Force performs great service for me, when I take office as the governor of Bingzhou, I will definitely give you the territory of Kucha in Shangjun!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Immediately, several thousand Xiongnu soldiers mounted their horses and attacked the gates of Shaling City.
Just then, a loud shout came from the city wall:
"Zhang Wenyuan is here!"
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