What were they to do?
The three men did not know what to do, but they did know how to learn from others. Had the six brothers not sworn brotherhood precisely to watch over and help one another?
Zhang Yan had been appointed Left General, Zhao Hong Right General, and Guan Hai Rear General. They were all legitimate high officials of the Han Court.
Bu Cai said gravely, "If the Yuan Clan can wait for the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, do we not have brothers of our own?
"No matter how arrogant Dong Zhuo is, would he really dare fight the Taiping Army?
"A fence needs three stakes, and a good man needs three helpers.
"To make your way in the world, you need backing and power. Fighting alone will never do.
"Look at how formidable the Luo Clan is. Do they rely on those few thousand Dare-to-Fight Warriors?
"Isn't it because a hundred answer their call, because Feudal Lords and powerful gentry everywhere are willing to follow them?
"Our Taiping Army might not have deep foundations, but its former forces are now the strongest power in All Under Heaven.
"Write to our elder brothers at once and tell them what is happening in Luoyang. Even if Dong Zhuo enters the city, he won't be able to ignore what we say.
"All we want is a certain standing amid the changing times, after all. We aren't planning to become overmighty ministers.
"Besides, Dong Zhuo was right about one thing: who actually respects us?
"Do those Dukes and Ministers and the Empress Dowager really trust us?
"If they did, why would they rebuild the Yulin Guards and Tiger Guards, and even prepare to reestablish the Three Rivers and Five Garrisons? Isn't that proof they don't trust us?
"Let those