After finishing the impeachment memorial, Zhang Xin wrote another letter to Liu Yu, then summoned the two Wuhuan envoys back.
"I've already submitted a report to the court, impeaching Gongsun Zan," Zhang Xin said calmly. "Rest assured—the court will give you justice."
The two envoys exchanged stunned looks.
They had expected Zhang Xin to simply overlook the issue of desertion. Never had they imagined he would go so far as to impeach Gongsun Zan on their behalf.
Overcome with gratitude, they bowed deeply.
"Thank you, General Ming!"
Zhang Xin waved lightly. "No need for that. I require troops. Now that my three thousand men have returned, go back and have Ju Shu and Nengchen Di each send two thousand more."
"I will personally compensate the unpaid wages Gongsun Zan owed you."
The envoys were overjoyed.
"We obey, General Ming!"
A New Life
After settling military matters, Zhang Xin returned to the inner residence.
His wife, Liu Hua, was about to give birth.
For days, Zhang Xin had been on edge—busy with the autumn harvest by day, yet unable to sleep at night, fearing the moment labor would begin.
Finally, on the ninth day of the ninth month—
A son was born.
Mother and child were safe.
Overwhelmed with joy, Zhang Xin held the newborn in his arms… only to frown moments later.
"Why is he so ugly?"
The wrinkled infant looked more like a tiny old man than anything else.
After a brief inspection, Zhang Xin handed him back, slightly disgusted—earning an eye roll from Liu Hua.
War Approaches
By the end of September, scouts brought urgent news:
The Xianbei were gathering.
Zhang Xin stepped outside, taking a deep breath.
"It's starting…"
"Summon all generals to the main hall!"
Deployment
Soon, the hall was filled with talent—civil officials like Tian Kai and Xianyu Fu, and fierce warriors such as Zhang Niujiao, Lü Bu, Guan Yu, Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and others.
Zhang Xin got straight to the point.
"The Xianbei are assembling. We must prepare for war!"
Orders were issued one after another:
Zhang Niujiao → guard Yuyang with 1,000 troops Hu Cai & Li Le → 500 each to Anle and Hunu Gao Shun → 500 to Quanzhou Xianyu Yin & Zhang Fang → 500 each to Yongnu and Luxian Tian Kai → 500 to Pinggu
Xianyu Yin was stunned.
"Your Excellency… you're letting us command troops?"
Zhang Xin glanced at him. "What? Afraid?"
Xianyu Yin straightened immediately.
"With such trust, I would die for you!"
Zhang Fang echoed the same sentiment.
Zhang Xin nodded.
The key cities were entrusted to loyal core forces, while less critical regions were assigned to civil officials—safe positions, yet still granting them military authority.
Main Strategy
Finally, Zhang Xin declared:
"All remaining generals will follow me to Kuangping and Zhaoxi to resist the Xianbei!"
"YES!"
He then handed the official seal to Xianyu Fu.
"In my absence, you will manage all affairs of the prefecture."
Secret Deployment
That very night, Zhang Xin made further arrangements:
Zuo Bao as main commander Yang Yi and Guan Yu as deputies 2,000 Yellow Turban cavalry + 4,000 Wuhuan cavalry
A total of 6,000 troops were secretly deployed to the frontier.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xin issued orders across the region:
Fortify cities Scorch the fields Prepare for invasion
Once everything was set, he departed with a small elite force, heading toward the front.
The Xianbei Invitations
In the Upper Valley, a Xianbei envoy arrived, inviting Ju Shu's forces to join them in plundering Youzhou under Kui Tou.
Ju Xiong, acting in Ju Shu's place, refused without hesitation.
"I cannot agree. And I advise you—be cautious. The current Protector of the Wuhuan is no ordinary man."
The envoy scoffed.
"A mere youth—what can he do against 100,000 Xianbei warriors?"
He even mocked Ju Xiong, offering him a chance to defect.
Ju Xiong endured the insult but sent him away.
Elsewhere, Nengchen Di also received similar invitations—from both Kui Tou and Su Li.
He rejected them outright.
Gathering Storm
The steppe was restless.
The Xianbei, though divided, were preparing for war.
Zhang Xin stood at the center of it all—outnumbered, outmatched, yet calm.
Because this time—
He wasn't planning to just defend.
He was planning to break them.