Chapter seven Biography of Zudi(21)

Sima Rui's passive attitude did not shake Zu Ti's determination to undertake the northern expedition. With more than 100 members of his clan following him southward, Zu Ti resolutely crossed the river from Jingkou to the north and began to row by boat in the river, vowing to clear the Central Plains. After crossing the river, he temporarily stayed in Huaiyin, where he began smelting iron and casting weapons and recruited more than 2,000 soldiers. At that time, the Yanyu area was occupied by the powerful Zhang Ping and Fanya, who gathered in Qiao City and defended themselves with thousands of soldiers. In name only, they bowed to Sima Rui and accepted the posts conferred by him. Under Zhang Ping, Dong Zhan, Yu Wu and Xie Fu were more than ten small troops, each with several hundred men.