Some time had passed since he recruited these three thousand Yi Cong. He had poured tremendous effort into forging this new force into a proper army.
He had spent vast sums equipping them with weapons and armor and personally directed their training, all so they could become combat-ready as soon as possible and be put to use.
Heaven rewarded those who worked hard. They now carried themselves with a measure of imposing presence, a considerable improvement over the scattered rabble they had been when their training began.
As long as I recruit more Yi Cong and bring their numbers up to ten thousand, His Majesty will surely value me, trust me, and appoint me Grand Commandant!
Then let's see who dares say I'm not a loyal servant of the Great Han!
Yuan Xi thought with absolute confidence.
He also recalled the letter Xu You had sent him a few days earlier, saying that Gongsun Zan's army was tying Yuan Shao down and that he would not be able to return to Ye City anytime soon.
With such a perfect opportunity before him, he had to hurry and sell off his family property to recruit more Yi Cong.
But just then, he suddenly noticed dust billowing along the distant road. Looking closely, he discovered an enormous army charging toward Ye City!
"Yuan Shao has fought his way back?!"
Yuan Xi's face drained of color, but he soon realized something was wrong. The army rushing toward them was not the familiar Ji Province Army, but an unfamiliar force clad entirely in black armor!
Nor did the banners raised among their ranks bear any designation he recognized.
Instead, they bore the character "Zhang"!
The army marched forward in silence. Even from far away, Yuan Xi could sense its murderous aura soaring into the