In the days that followed, Zhang Xin remained within the prefectural office.
At times, he accompanied his family; at others, he visited the army to build rapport with the officers.
Administrative matters were handled by the county officials, and with the assistance of Xianyu Fu and Tian Kai, anything requiring his decision was already taken care of. As for the army, its generals oversaw training and discipline.
For a brief moment, Zhang Xin found himself with little to do.
While Yuyang was calm, other regions were anything but.
First came congratulations from Liu Yu, who had already sent envoys upon hearing of Zhang Xin's appointment.
Soon after, governors of neighboring commanderies followed suit. Each sent envoys bearing gifts, hoping that when winter came and the Xianbei rode south, Zhang Xin would dispatch troops to assist them.
Zhang Xin replied to each with polite assurances.
Next time, certainly.
When the news reached Chu Yan, he erupted in fury within his camp. He immediately ordered a fierce assault on Gaoyi while simultaneously sending envoys to Luoyang to surrender.
This left Wang Fen, defending the city, thoroughly disheartened.
A few days later, Zhang Xin was strolling through the rear courtyard with Liu Hua when Wang Meng hurried over to report:
"My lord, envoys from the Wuhuan of Shanggu have arrived."
"From the Di faction, or the Ju Shu faction?" Zhang Xin asked calmly.
Since Nanlou's death, the Wuhuan of Shanggu had split into two rival groups. One, led by the capable Nengchen Di, controlled around five thousand households. The other, led by Ju Shu—Nanlou's son—held roughly four thousand.
For months, neither side had gained the upper hand.
"They are from Ju Shu's side," Wang Meng replied.
Zhang Xin smiled faintly."Nanlou died at my hands, yet Ju Shu still sends envoys? Interesting. Let's see what he wants."
In the main hall, a Wuhuan man waited, with a young woman standing behind him.
The man immediately knelt upon seeing Zhang Xin.
"I, Ju Xiong, pay my respects to General Ming."
"Ju Xiong?" Zhang Xin raised a brow. "Your relation to Ju Shu?"
"He is my cousin."
"Speak. What brings you here?"
Ju Xiong bowed respectfully.
"My lord, the Wuhuan of Shanggu were once united under my uncle. After his death, it should have been natural for his son to succeed him. Yet the traitor Nengchen Di has stirred rebellion among the tribes."
He hesitated briefly, then continued:
"My lord hopes you will help eliminate this traitor. In gratitude, he offers his younger sister to serve you."
Zhang Xin's gaze shifted to the young woman.
She was around sixteen or seventeen, with sharp features and a defiant expression. When their eyes met, she lifted her chin slightly, refusing to look away.
"Ju Shu's sister… Nanlou's daughter," Zhang Xin murmured.
After a pause, he said calmly:
"As Protector of the Wuhuan, my duty is to mediate—not interfere in your internal struggles. What you ask violates that principle. I cannot agree."
He had no intention of allowing the Wuhuan factions—together numbering tens of thousands—to reunite under one banner.
Ju Xiong grew anxious.
"But if you do not intervene, they will continue to fight. Countless people will die!"
Wouldn't that be ideal? Zhang Xin thought.
Better they exhaust themselves than threaten the Han.
But outwardly, he remained composed.
"I will issue a summons," he said. "Bring Ju Shu and Nengchen Di to Yuyang. I will mediate personally."
Ju Xiong hesitated.
Zhang Xin's expression turned cold.
"If that is unacceptable, then return—and let them keep fighting."
"I accept!" Ju Xiong quickly knelt. "Please grant the order, General!"
Zhang Xin wrote the command, stamped it, and handed it over.
Ju Xiong accepted it gratefully, then cautiously added:
"My lord… my master's sister…"
"I don't want her," Zhang Xin said flatly, already turning away. "Take her back."
He had killed her father—whether directly or indirectly.
And now he was supposed to take her into his household?
Ridiculous.
Moreover, he had just been pardoned by the court. Taking a Wuhuan noblewoman as a concubine now would only invite suspicion.
As for women—there were plenty among the Wuhuan captives in the textile workshop.
Why invite unnecessary trouble?
Ju Xiong could only grit his teeth and withdraw.
The sound of galloping hooves soon echoed elsewhere.
"Where is Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong?"
Beneath a pear tree, a young man in his early twenties looked up from his copy of the Zuo Zhuan.
"I am Zhao Yun."
Opening the gate, he saw several officials standing outside.
"We congratulate you, Lord Zhao," the leading official said with a smile. "The Protector of the Wuhuan, Zhang Xin, has heard of your reputation and wishes to recruit you."
After reading the summons, Zhao Yun frowned slightly.
"I cannot accept."
"Zilong."
A weak voice came from behind.
Another young man stepped forward—it was Zhao Yun's elder brother, Zhao Feng.
"Why refuse?"
Zhao Yun lowered his voice.
"Brother… Zhang Xin was once a Yellow Turban…"
"So what?" Zhao Feng interrupted. "I have heard of him as well. His troops are disciplined, he protects the people, and he has pacified the Wuhuan. The court itself has pardoned him."
He coughed lightly before continuing:
"Was it not your ambition to emulate Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, to drive back the northern tribes?"
"The opportunity is here. Why hesitate?"
Zhao Yun hesitated.
"What if this is a trap? I am but a commoner—why would he seek me out?"
Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
"You already have a reputation in Changshan. Even Chu Yan sought your help before. Zhang Xin may have heard of you through him."
He paused, then added:
"And what do you have that's worth deceiving?"
Zhao Yun fell silent.
"But if I go… your health…"
"I will manage," Zhao Feng said, coughing again. "Your sister-in-law and younger sister are here. Do not worry."
After a long moment, Zhao Yun stepped forward, bowed to the officials, and said:
"Zhao Yun accepts."