Thinking of this, Zhang Xin called out, "Someone—summon Tian Kai."
The attendant acknowledged and left. Before long, Tian Kai arrived.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Excellency," he said with a bow. "May I ask why I've been summoned?"
"Shi Fan, come take a look," Zhang Xin gestured him over, pointing at the map. He then explained his plan in detail and asked, "What do you think?"
Tian Kai pondered for a moment before replying, "My lord, this plan… is somewhat too risky."
"Still risky?" Zhang Xin laughed. "When you advised me to attack Qiu Liju, that was far more dangerous than this."
"The situation is different now," Tian Kai shook his head. "Back then, you were the attacker and the Wuhuan defended. Snow blocked the roads—it limited their movement and reduced uncertainty."
"But now, if the Xianbei move south, they will be the attackers and you the defender. Even if you guard the Xi routes, they can still detour and strike Yuyang elsewhere."
He continued seriously, "If you lead troops out of the pass, too few men will be ineffective. Too many, and Yuyang will be left exposed."
"If the cities fall and we rely only on laborers for defense, everything you've built this past year could be destroyed in an instant."
Tian Kai cupped his hands. "Please reconsider, Your Excellency."
Zhang Xin frowned. "So in the end, it's still a matter of insufficient troops?"
"Yes," Tian Kai nodded. "If we could recruit cavalry from the Wuhuan, it would be enough. But Gongsun Zan has already taken three thousand men, and the Wuhuan must retain forces to guard against the Xianbei. I'm afraid there are no troops left to draw from."
"The Wuhuan can't spare men, and local garrisons cannot be redeployed easily…"
Zhang Xin suddenly asked, "What about Qiu Liju?"
Tian Kai gave a wry smile. "My lord, please spare him. He has so few men left—if you mobilize them too, the Xianbei may wipe out the Wuhuan in Liaoxi entirely next year."
Zhang Xin sighed. "Then what should we do?"
"Send troops to the remaining counties," Tian Kai replied. "Order the magistrates to strengthen walls, clear the fields, and organize laborers to assist in defense. Wait for the Xianbei to withdraw."
"That's it?" Zhang Xin asked, unwilling.
"That is all," Tian Kai said, shaking his head.
"…Very well." Zhang Xin nodded. "Inform the officials—court will convene tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." Tian Kai bowed and withdrew.
"Wait…" Zhang Xin stared at the map, then let out a long sigh.
Back during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, things had been simple—you just fought.
But now, as Prefect of Yuyang, every decision carried consequences.
After a long moment, he shook his head helplessly and ordered a banquet to reward Guan Yu, Yan Rou, and the others. At the same time, he gathered all generals and formally introduced Lü Bu, Zhao Yun, and the rest.
—
The next day, court convened.
After handling routine matters, Zhang Xin turned his attention to the autumn harvest.
Since ancient times, harvest season had been critical. In an era of low productivity like the Eastern Han, every grain mattered.
Once crops ripened, they had to be gathered quickly—otherwise yields would drop, quality would suffer, and spoilage would set in.
It was truly a race against time.
To ensure efficiency, Zhang Xin even summoned Zhang Niujiao and ordered him to dispatch troops to assist various counties with harvesting.
"That will be all. Court is adjourned."
Just as Zhang Xin was about to leave, an official rushed in.
"Your Excellency—envoys from Nengchen Di and Ju Shu have arrived!"
Zhang Xin frowned. Both at the same time?
"Bring them in."
Soon, two Wuhuan envoys entered, knelt on one knee, and placed their right hands over their chests.
"We pay our respects to General Ming."
Zhang Xin didn't recognize the envoy from Nengchen Di—but the one from Ju Shu was familiar: Ju Xiong.
"What is the matter?" Zhang Xin asked.
Ju Xiong immediately cried out, "We followed General Ming's orders to recruit warriors to assist the court. But Gongsun Zan beats and insults our men, withholds rations, and gives them nothing to eat! We beg General Ming to give us justice!"
"Please, General Ming, give us justice!" the other envoy echoed.
"What?!"
Zhang Xin slammed the table and shot to his feet.
"That Gongsun Zan dares to embezzle military supplies?! Outrageous!"
He didn't particularly care about the Wuhuan being mistreated—but the provisions came from Yuyang's treasury.
His money.
His funds.
Stolen.
"That's my money… my money!"
Fuming, Zhang Xin strode forward. "Where is Gongsun Zan?!"
"We… do not know," Ju Xiong replied.
"You don't know?!" Zhang Xin roared. "Your men are under his command!"
Ju Xiong stammered, "They… they've all fled back to Shanggu…"
Then he quickly bowed. "Those who escaped said they were starved and whipped daily. They couldn't endure it any longer."
"They said—if not for fear of implicating you, they would have killed Gongsun Zan long ago. They beg your forgiveness!"
"We beg forgiveness," the other envoy added.
Zhang Xin's chest rose and fell as he forced himself to calm down.
Wait…
If all three thousand Wuhuan had deserted—didn't that mean those troops were now available again?
Suppressing his anger, Zhang Xin said, "You two go and rest. I will handle this matter."
"Yes," both envoys said with visible relief.
They hadn't come to demand pay—they came to explain before Gongsun Zan could accuse them first.
Once they left, Zhang Xin summoned Tian Kai again and explained everything.
"Now that the three thousand Wuhuan have returned," Zhang Xin said, "I intend to recruit four thousand elite cavalry from their tribes and march out. What do you think?"
Tian Kai thought carefully. "How many troops do you plan to send?"
"Two thousand of our own cavalry, plus four thousand Wuhuan—six thousand total. We'll leave four thousand to guard the nine counties. Is that sufficient?"
"More than enough," Tian Kai nodded.
"Excellent!" Zhang Xin's mood lifted immediately.
Defense was never his style—offense was.
Then Zhang Xin asked, "What about Gongsun Zan?"
"Such conduct warrants impeachment," Tian Kai said. "But he is a student of Lu Zhi. Your words alone may not suffice."
He continued, "Write to the Governor. Lay out everything clearly. The Governor is upright and will not tolerate such behavior. If he impeaches Gongsun Zan, at best he'll be dismissed—at worst, punished."
"Should I also write to the General?" Zhang Xin asked.
Tian Kai shook his head. "You have not yet rendered service to him. It would be inappropriate."
Zhang Xin nodded. "Then we'll do as you suggest."
Since Gongsun Zan was still a court-appointed official, Zhang Xin couldn't act against him directly.
Rebuking him would likely be useless.
Impeachment was the only option.
Without hesitation, Zhang Xin unrolled a bamboo scroll, ground ink, and lifted his brush.
"Gongsun Zan… this time, I'll make sure you pay."