Zhang Hong

"Since the founding of our dynasty by the founding emperor, the power struggle between imperial in-laws, eunuchs, and high officials has been incessant. Combined with the fact that Heaven has not blessed the Han—with no long-reigning sovereign and the Empress Dowager interfering in state affairs—the administration has been paralyzed. Over the past hundred and fifty years, this has led to a situation where the rot is too deep to be easily remedied."

"As for the state of the world today, the Yellow Turban Rebellion has just been quelled. Yet, in my view, this is merely the beginning of great chaos. The imperial court is weak, local warlords are growing in strength, and the empire will once again face the same turmoil that plagued the end of the Western Han. Therefore, I, though untalented, hope that you, sir, will instruct me in the arts of pacifying chaos and bringing peace to the people. I would be eternally grateful." Yuan Xi spoke with eloquence and ease.

Zhang Hong was noncommittal, smiling slightly. "You possess great ambition, young master. However, the current situation is not something that can be altered by human effort alone. Both you and your father are men of extraordinary talent; you are capable of humbling yourselves before worthy men and possess great public prestige. If you choose a strategic location from which to observe the world, then great things can be accomplished."

Though young, Yuan Xi acted with decisiveness. Most remarkably, he did not rely on the prestige of the Yuan family—renowned for having served as the Three Excellencies for four generations—to act with arrogance, nor did he possess the dissolute air of a typical noble scion. These traits made Zhang Hong hold Yuan Xi in higher regard.

Although Zhang Hong was a scholar, he possessed a touch of the chivalric spirit; he lacked the stuffy pedantry of contemporary intellectuals and carried a hint of the rugged hero about him. His magnanimity naturally shortened the distance between him and Yuan Xi.

As Zhang Hong observed Yuan Xi, Yuan Xi also studied him. Yuan Xi treated him with the respect due to an elder, which pleased Zhang Hong greatly. After all, one need only look at the relationship between Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng to understand the significance of a mentor figure.

Zhang Hong then asked calmly, "Young master, what are your plans for the next step?"

"To be honest, sir, I truly do not know where to turn next, which is why I seek your guidance." Yuan Xi did not hide his own ignorance.

"Ha, you are certainly straightforward, young master." Since Zhang Hong had taken a liking to Yuan Xi, he naturally intended to test him. He continued, "You aspire to restore the Han Dynasty. Tell me, in these chaotic times, what is most important?"

Yuan Xi pondered for a long time before replying, "Sir, I believe it is talent!"

"A keen insight, young master!" Zhang Hong praised. "In my view, if you wish to realize your grand ambitions, you must solve three problems."

"And what are those three?" Yuan Xi asked.

"People, people, and people!" Zhang Hong said softly.

To Yuan Xi, there were only two types of people who would give such an answer: those who were pretentious and those who were truly formidable. Zhang Hong was clearly the latter.

"What do you mean by the first 'person'?"

"The first 'person' is the talent you just mentioned. A single incompetent general can exhaust an entire army; that is why talent is paramount."

"And the second?"

"The second 'person' represents your faction. In times of chaos, when many heroes rise, only by building your own team can you have the capital to compete with other warlords and realize your grand vision."

"And the third?"

"The third 'person' represents the hearts of the people. The hearts of the people are the foundation of the state; he who wins the hearts of the people can win the world, and he who wins their hearts can rule the world."

"Sir, you are truly a man of great talent. I have learned much," Yuan Xi replied.

"With these three 'people,' your great ambition can be realized! What do you think, young master?"

"Your words are correct, sir," Yuan Xi agreed.

"You prioritize talent and treat scholars with respect; you have already secured the first 'person.' You are a scion of a great Han noble house with the noble ambition of restoring the dynasty; this is honorable and conforms to the will of the people. You have already secured the second," Zhang Hong analyzed.

The economic foundation of the Eastern Han was based on the estates of powerful clans and landlords, who controlled seventy percent of the land. As the greatest of these clans, the Yuan family naturally commanded immense prestige. A glimmer of hope shone in Yuan Xi's eyes. According to Zhang Hong's analysis, he only needed to raise a loyal army, and he would have all three 'people'—his grand goal would be within reach.

Yuan Xi and Zhang Hong chatted happily for a long time. Zhang Hong had decided to return to Guangling to settle his family affairs before returning to Luoyang to fulfill his duties as a mentor. Time had flown by; it had already been two years. Now that Yuan Xi heard of Zhang Hong's arrival, he secretly resolved that no matter what, he would keep this strategist, later known as one of the "Two Zhangs of the Jiangdong," by his side.

He met Zhang Hong in the back hall of the gambling house. Zhang Hong was nearly forty, with a long beard and a well-proportioned, ordinary appearance, unlike the tall figure of Xu You. Yet Yuan Xi knew that beneath that plain exterior lay a terrifying wisdom, the mark of a mentor to emperors. Later, Zhang Hong and his brother Zhang Zhao would both become mentors to rulers, their names known throughout the land—a celebrated legacy. Zhang Hong assisted Yuan Xi, while Zhang Zhao assisted Sun Ce. Their students were the very heroes competing for the world.

Excited, Yuan Xi rushed in without ceremony, saying, "Master Zigang, I have finally waited for your arrival! The success of our Yuan family is now within reach."

Zhang Hong was moved by Yuan Xi's humility. He bowed formally and said, "I am humbled. Thank you, young master, for meeting me."

"Please, sir!" Yuan Xi ushered Zhang Hong to the seat of honor, treating him with the respect due to a teacher. Once seated, Yuan Xi did not beat around the bush. "Master Zigang, the situation is critical. How do you advise me?"

Zhang Hong stroked his beard and said, "The Emperor is dying. A clash between the General-in-Chief and the eunuchs is imminent. Given the General's intellect, he will surely summon warlords to the capital to 'protect the Emperor,' as the Xiyuan Army is under the control of the eunuch Jian Shuo. Thus, conscripting troops from outside the capital is inevitable. However, it is easy to invite the spirits, but hard to send them away."

Yuan Xi nodded. "That makes sense."

"When that time comes, the fear is that the local warlords will become too powerful to control. You and the General of the Central Army can use this opportunity to bolster your own forces to secure the greatest advantage. Once the eunuchs fall, the Xiyuan Army will be leaderless; that will be the moment for you to expand your wings. By choosing a strategic location to store grain and train soldiers, you can advance or retreat at will."

Yuan Xi had long known that Zhang Hong was no ordinary man. The fact that his reputation had been hidden for years meant he had been biding his time in the General's mansion; he truly had substance. Yuan Xi knew history, so he understood the general trajectory of events, but Zhang Hong was able to deduce all of this from mere traces. He truly was a great talent; he had gained a great treasure for the Yuan family.

Yuan Xi sighed, "Sir, your talent is extraordinary. You see through everything at a glance, whereas I was merely showing off before you. Please, forgive my ignorance. Your arrival, Master Zigang, is truly the good fortune of our Yuan family and of myself."

"You are too kind, you are too kind," Zhang Hong said modestly.

"Your talent is no less than that of Fan Zeng. I hope you will not withhold your teachings in the future. I, Xianyi, am untalented, but I wish to take you as my master to hear your counsel daily. If you do not despise my insignificance, please grant me this wish." Yuan Xi rose and bowed deeply.

"Fan Zeng?" Zhang Hong murmured. It seemed this second young master was not simple. In history, Guan Zhong was honored as 'Sub-father' by Duke Huan of Qi, and Fan Zeng was honored as 'Sub-father' by Xiang Yu.

The time was ripe, and Zhang Hong ceased his posturing. He stepped forward, helped Yuan Xi up, and bowed. "I dare not, I dare not. You flatter me, young master. I merely wish to serve as your teacher and achieve something for posterity. You are of noble status; how could I, a mere humble man, presume to compare myself to Fan Zeng?"

Seeing that Zhang Hong had agreed, Yuan Xi rose. "If you do not mind, I am willing to pass on all that I have learned. Though, given your family background, I fear there may not be much I can teach you."

"Sir, you are too modest. This is my good fortune."

The two looked at each other and smiled, both sensing a newfound ease. The previous probing had been exhausting. The affairs of scholars were indeed as troublesome as those of women.

After returning to the Yuan estate, Yuan Xi arranged for Zhang Hong to stay in a residence shared with Xu Chu's family, and assigned a servant to attend to him. Through his gracious treatment, Zhang Hong remained as a mentor, and Yuan Xi later recommended him to his father. Yuan Shao was a man who cherished talent and practiced humility. In his early years, he had lived in seclusion, ostensibly not receiving guests, but in reality, he was secretly building ties with partisans and chivalrous men like Zhang Miao, He Yong, and Xu You. His father had certainly not been idle.