Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Zang Ba's father, Zang Jie, was a prison clerk in the county. Because he upheld the law and refused to obey the prefect's request to kill a prisoner, the prefect was furious and ordered Jie's arrest and brought to the prefectural office for trial. Zang Ba, then eighteen years old, learned of his father's imprisonment and gathered a dozen or so retainers to rescue him from the western mountains of Fei County. At the time, over a hundred soldiers escorting the father fled in fear of Zang Ba's strength and bravery. Afterwards, Zang Ba and his father fled to the East China Sea. Through this act, Zang Ba's reputation for filial piety, bravery, and valor spread throughout the countryside.

During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zang Ba served under Tao Qian, defeated the rebels, and was appointed Cavalry Commandant. Later, Zang Ba gathered troops in Xuzhou, and together with Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and others, he assembled an army. Zang Ba became the commander-in-chief and garrisoned in the Kaiyang area, becoming a regional hegemon. [2]

Zang Ba in The Ravages of Time [3]

In 197 AD, Zang Ba attacked Xiao Jian, the Chancellor of Langya, in Ju County, capturing the city and seizing Xiao Jian's supplies. Lü Bu, who had previously befriended Xiao Jian, learned of this and personally led his infantry and cavalry to attack Ju City. Gao Shun, one of Lü Bu's subordinates, advised, "General, you personally killed Dong Zhuo, which has intimidated the Rong and Di tribes. You only need to sit back and observe; the surrounding areas will be filled with fear. You should not easily send troops out. If you suffer a defeat, your prestige will be greatly diminished." Lü Bu did not listen. Fearing that Lü Bu would plunder and harass them, Zang Ba scaled the city walls and defended it. Zang Ba's army fired poisoned arrows, hitting Lü Bu's troops. Unable to conquer the city, Lü Bu had to retreat to Xiapi. Later, Zang Ba and Lü Bu reconciled.

Another account states that after Zang Ba conquered Ju County, he promised to give Lü Bu money to make friends, but before he could deliver it, Lü Bu went to collect it himself. Lü Bu's general Gao Shun advised Lü Bu, saying, "General, your reputation is widespread, and people far and near fear you. What can't you get if you want it? Why go and collect money yourself? What if you fail? Wouldn't that damage your reputation?" Lü Bu did not listen. After Lü Bu arrived in Ju County, Zang Ba and others, unaware of Lü Bu's intentions, held the city firmly and resisted Lü Bu. Lü Bu returned empty-handed. [50]

In 198 AD, Lü Bu defeated Liu Bei, and Zang Ba and other generals from Mount Tai joined forces with Lü Bu. When Cao Cao attacked Lü Bu, Zang Ba and others led troops to assist him. After Lü Bu was captured, Zang Ba went into hiding, but Cao Cao specifically searched for him and found him. Cao Cao was overjoyed upon seeing him and ordered Zang Ba to persuade Wu Dun, Yin Li, Sun Guan, and Sun Guan's brother Sun Kang to surrender and come to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao treated Zang Ba and his associates generously, granting Zang Ba the provinces of Qing and Xu, and dividing Langya, Donghai, and Beihai into the three commanderies of Chengyang, Licheng, and Changlu. He appointed Zang Ba as the Chancellor of Langya, Wu Dun as the Prefect of Licheng, Yin Li as the Prefect of Dongguan, Sun Guan as the Chancellor of Beihai, and Sun Kang as the Prefect of Chengyang.

When Cao Cao was in Yanzhou, he appointed Xu Xi and Mao Hui as generals. When the rebellion broke out in Yanzhou, both Xu and Mao rebelled. After the rebellion in Yanzhou was quelled, Xu and Mao fled for their lives and sought refuge with Zang Ba. [6]

In the fourth year of Jian'an (199), Cao Cao ordered Liu Bei to go and see Zang Ba, and ordered Zang Ba to present the heads of the two men. Zang Ba then said to Liu Bei: "The reason I was able to establish myself in the past was because I would not do such a thing. I have been saved by Cao Cao and dare not disobey his orders. However, a ruler who intends to follow the way of kingship and hegemony should be persuaded with righteousness, not coerced. I hope that you, General, will decline this order for me." Liu Bei then told Cao Cao what Zang Ba had said. Cao Cao sighed and said to Zang Ba: "This is the benevolent act of the ancients, and you have been able to follow it. This is exactly what I wish for." So he appointed Xu and Mao as governors. [6]

In August, Cao Cao marched into Liyang and ordered Zang Ba and others to lead troops into Qingzhou, where they conquered Qi, Beihai, and Dong'an. [54]

During the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a stalemate, while Zang Ba repeatedly deployed elite troops to Qingzhou. As a result, Cao Cao did not have to worry about the affairs in the east and could concentrate on dealing with Yuan Shao.

In the tenth year of Jian'an (205), Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan at Nanpi, and Zang Ba and others went to congratulate him. Zang Ba then asked to send his sons and brothers, as well as the fathers, brothers and relatives of the generals, to Ye City. Cao Cao said, "You are all loyal to the country, but why do you have to show it like this? In the past, Xiao He sent his sons to serve the emperor, and Emperor Gaozu of Han did not refuse. Geng Chun burned his own house and carriage to follow him, and Emperor Guangwu did not disappoint him. How can I change the way the predecessors did now?" At that time, the eastern region was in turmoil, and Zang Ba and others upheld justice, fought against violence and tyranny, and pacified the Hai and Dai regions. Their achievements were great, so they were all enfeoffed as marquises. Zang Ba was appointed Marquis of Duting for his merits and was also given the title of General Weilu. [8]

In the eleventh year of Jian'an (206 AD), Zang Ba and Yu Jin attacked Chang Xi in Donghai. Chang Xi surrendered and was executed by Yu Jin using the law.

In 207 AD, during the Jian'an era, he joined Xiahou Yuan in suppressing the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, including Xu He. In addition to his previous contributions in suppressing Chang Xi, he was promoted to Governor of Xuzhou. During the reign of Emperor Wu Zhou, a native of Pei, Zang Ba was the magistrate of Xiapi. Zang Ba respected Wu Zhou, considering him exceptional, and often personally visited him. Later, when Wu Zhou's subordinate, Zong Yi, violated the law, Wu Zhou learned of his crimes and imprisoned and interrogated him (without showing favoritism). Zang Ba, therefore, treated Wu Zhou even better.