Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

"General Zhang, you misunderstand. I am not here to form an alliance with you."

"It's not that I want to use General Zhang to do anything earth-shattering."

"It's just a matter of borrowing some troops for urgent use."

"General Zhang must also know that my safety is not guaranteed as I have entered Ji Province alone this time."

"I have no other intention than to borrow troops as a precaution."

"After all, my current status is somewhat special. If Yuan Shao finds out that I have entered Ji Province, I'm afraid..."

Zhou Heng shook his head.

Of course, we can't say we're borrowing his troops to snatch Boss Yuan's bride.

Otherwise, Zhang Yan would have to be out of his mind to lend you troops.

After all, Zhang Yan is completely different from Zhou Heng now.

Zhang Yan will continue to live in the Taihang Mountains.

The situation in the battle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan has now become clear.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Yuan Shao's capture of Gongsun Zan is a foregone conclusion.

At that time, Yuan Shao will control four provinces of the empire.

Their strength will inevitably increase significantly.

If they find out that Zhang Yan sent troops to rob their money bag...

He even arrested his own son.

One can imagine how angry he was inside.

They will definitely take action against him.

In this way, even if Zhang Yan had a million Black Mountain soldiers at his command, it would likely be extremely troublesome.

Therefore, at this critical juncture, Zhang Yan absolutely did not want to offend Yuan Shao.

If Zhou Heng says he wants to borrow Zhang Yan's troops now.

Go and prepare to deal with Yuan Shao.

Even if Liao Hua had some influence, it would be difficult for Zhang Yan's sister to agree to this with Zhou Heng.

So after much deliberation...

Zhou Heng decided to change his plans.

Under the guise of borrowing troops.

To secretly carry out one's plan.

Although this could be considered a way of indirectly harming Zhang Yan.

But he originally wanted to win over Zhang Yan.

Unless you push the other party to the brink, they will never come to your aid.

Because they were sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight.

Adding flowers to brocade, though it is shameful.

But the advantage is that there is no danger.

However, if I were to use Zhang Yan's troops to attack Yuan Shao...

Even if Zhang Yan is unwilling at that time, there will be no way to change it.

Because once Zhang Yan takes control of his son, she can even take control of his finances.

Yuan Shao would certainly regard Zhang Yan as a mortal enemy.

There is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides.

Although Zhang Yan's army boasted a million-strong Black Mountain Army, they were no match for Yuan Shao.

As a result, Zhang Yan was left with no way out.

They had no choice but to seek refuge with other feudal lords.

This is Zhou Heng's opportunity.

The method may be somewhat shameless, but it is the best way right now.

After all, it's fine if I didn't meet Zhang Yan.

Now I have witnessed Zhang Yan's million-strong Black Mountain Army firsthand, such a terrifying force.

How could Zhou Heng bear to let him go so easily?

"Oh, if it's just for Brother Zhou's safety, then I certainly wouldn't hesitate to do it."

"I just don't know how many soldiers Brother Zhou is planning to borrow."

"Brother Zhou should also know that although our Black Mountain Army has a place in Ji Province."

"But on the surface, it is still Yuan Shao's territory."

"If there are too many troops, it will surely attract Yuan Shao's attention."

"At that time, I'm afraid not only will I not be able to help Brother Zhou, but I might even bring disaster upon him."

Zhang Yan, of course, had no idea what Zhou Heng was thinking.

They really thought Zhou Heng wanted to define and protect his own safety.

With Liao Hua's influence at stake, Zhang Yan naturally couldn't refuse to lend him the money.

No matter what, we're comrades-in-arms.

There's still some affection left after all these years.

Of course, it's impossible to be heartless.

However, he wasn't that foolish.

Who knows if Zhou Heng is telling the truth or lying?

What if the other side is using the pretext of borrowing troops to do other things with their own forces?

Therefore, it should be made clear beforehand that borrowing troops is acceptable, but not too many troops.

If it's just for safety, then he would definitely do his duty without hesitation.

But if they have ulterior motives, then Zhang Yan can't help them.

"We don't need too many soldiers, just 10,000 will suffice."

Zhou Heng was naturally aware of Zhang Yan's concerns.

In Zhou Heng's mind, Zhang Yan and Yuan Shao were already fraught with conflict.

They wanted to use him to attack Yuan Xi.

The other party probably won't refuse.

However, after what happened with Zhao Yun...

He discovered that many things were not as simple as he had imagined.

Human nature is very complex.

Even Zhuge Liang couldn't see through people's hearts.

Not to mention him.

That's why he said that..........

If the other side knew that they were going to attack Yuan Xi, or even planned to steal Yuan Shao's bride.

The money bag that the other party is almost 100% sure is in their pocket.

They snatched it and took it to their own territory.

Yuan Shao must be going crazy.

Whether or not it was Zhang Yan's true intention, sending troops would inevitably offend Yuan Shao completely.

At that time, whether it's out of personal feelings or because their wallets have been robbed, they will be in trouble.

Yuan Shao would never let Zhang Yan go.

The other party isn't stupid either; if you really want to tell them the truth, they'll probably be hard-pressed to agree.

Since that's the case...

Then he could only settle for the next best thing.

Zhang Yan has already taken care of the pit on the side.

Under the pretext of security, they borrowed 10,000 troops from Zhang Yan.

When the time comes, we can use these 10,000 troops to attack Yuan Xi, with Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao by our side.

There were also seven hundred cavalry and eight hundred elite troops.

As long as Yuan Xi's subordinates Yan Liang and Wen Chou were not present.

It's practically impossible to stop yourself.

This way.

Even if Zhang Yan found out later, there was nothing she could do.

However, you can't win Zhang Yan over with just this.

Obviously it is unrealistic.

After all, if the other party had nowhere else to turn, they could simply seek refuge with other feudal lords.

Compared to other feudal lords, I currently have no advantage whatsoever.

Furthermore, what if the other party finds out that he tricked them?

They all have prejudices against themselves.

It's unlikely they'd immediately think of turning to me again.

Therefore, Zhou Heng's plan could not possibly be that simple.

This is just his first step.

The key step is still the second one...

Thinking of this, Zhou Heng looked into the distance at a stunningly beautiful girl sitting next to Zhang Yan.

Her looks and figure are both top-notch.

Zhang Yan is only one aspect of the goal of completely subjugating the Black Mountain Army.

We still need to rely on this person.

And this person, if his guess is correct, should be Zhang Ning, the daughter of the legendary Great Teacher and Heavenly General Zhang Jiao.

"Ten thousand? Ten thousand people is too many; it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

"How about five thousand?"

"Yuan Shao currently has only about 100,000 troops left in Ji Province, and most of them are on guard against Cao Cao."

"There aren't many troops in Ji Province."

"Five thousand soldiers are more than enough to protect Brother Zhou's safety, and will not attract too much attention."

"Brother Zhou, what do you think?"

Zhang Yan glanced at Zhou Heng and said.

"It is my wish, but I dare not ask you."