At the critical moment, the Xianbei ranks collapsed—from within.
Those who supported Qianman suddenly drew their blades.
Qianman's eyes flashed with excitement.
"Outrageous! Are you rebelling?" Kui Tou roared. "Take Qianman away from me!"
But Kui Tou still had loyal followers. They rushed forward, drawing swords to block the rebels.
One man tried to seize Qianman—
"Look around!" Qianman shouted sharply. "Our forces are scattered—we have barely a thousand left! Do you still want to resist?"
He pointed behind them.
"The Han army is right there. If you want to die, go charge them!"
The man froze, caught between fear and loyalty.
Collapse
At that exact moment, Zhang Xin's army charged in.
The remaining Xianbei warriors immediately lost all will to fight.
Weapons dropped.
They surrendered.
Enough. It's over.
Seeing the Han cavalry approach, Qianman shouted loudly:
"General of the Celestial Empire! I have captured Kui Tou!"
Kui Tou closed his eyes in despair and stopped struggling.
Meeting Under the Royal Banner
Zhang Xin rode forward under the protection of Dian Wei.
Before him, beneath the royal banner, a teenager pinned down a defeated young man.
"Are you Kui Tou?" Zhang Xin asked.
Kui Tou nodded silently.
With a gesture, Zhang Xin ordered his men to bind him.
Then he turned to the youth.
"And you are?"
"I am Qianman," he replied, kneeling in the Han fashion.
He spoke clearly and without hesitation:
"Kui Tou committed many wrongs. I repeatedly advised him not to harm the Han people, but he refused. Thus he angered the Celestial Dynasty and brought disaster upon us."
Kui Tou exploded in rage.
"When did you ever advise me?! You're lying to save yourself!"
Qianman ignored him.
"My people were misled and have offended the Han. I have captured the culprit and surrender to you. I beg the General to show mercy and spare my people."
He bowed deeply.
A Negotiation
Zhang Xin's gaze sharpened.
"I may forgive them—but who will answer for the dead Han?"
Qianman lifted his head.
"There is great wealth in the royal court of Tanhan Mountain. I offer it all as compensation."
Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
"I defeated you. Everything there is already mine."
Qianman didn't flinch.
"The grasslands will never be empty. Even if you slaughter us all, others will come."
He paused, then spoke his true intent:
"If you spare us, I will restrain the Xianbei and ensure they never harm the Han again."
Zhang Xin's eyes narrowed.
"You want to be chieftain?"
"Yes."
"My father was Helian. My grandfather was Tanshihuai. The position should have been mine—but I was too young."
"Kui Tou ruled unjustly and was defeated. It is only right that I replace him."
"And how do you expect my support?" Zhang Xin asked.
Qianman bowed again.
"Allow the Xianbei to trade with the Han, as the Wuhuan do. With grain and fair exchange, I can control my people."
Then, gritting his teeth, he added:
"If you accept, tens of thousands of Xianbei warriors can serve under your command."
Zhang Xin's Decision
Zhang Xin smiled.
"Rise. I accept your surrender."
He understood the reality.
The Han Empire lacked the strength to truly control the vast steppe. Even if he destroyed the Xianbei today, new tribes would rise tomorrow.
The only workable strategy—
Control through proxies.
And Qianman was perfect: ambitious, pragmatic, and dependent.
Better a useful subordinate than a dead enemy.
Aftermath
"Thank you, General!" Qianman said, overjoyed.
The surrounding Xianbei echoed in relief.
The campaign had succeeded beyond expectation.
Kui Tou was captured.The enemy fractured.A new ally secured.
At the royal camp, Qianman willingly presented all treasures.
Kui Tou watched, heartbroken.
Zhang Xin distributed the wealth among his soldiers, enforcing strict discipline—no looting, no chaos.
The prisoners—over two thousand—were kept alive.
They would serve as leverage.
A New Threat
By nightfall, Yan Rou returned.
His face was grim.
"The Xianbei forces from Youzhou… have returned."
Zhang Xin's expression hardened.
The real battle—
Was not over yet.