The Xianbei ranks were suddenly thrown into chaos.
Those at the rear couldn't see what was happening ahead, nor did they have time to halt. They crashed forward blindly, colliding into the confusion. Men and horses tumbled together in a chaotic heap, leaving the entire force disoriented.
They had already reached their destination—so where had these arrows come from?
"You Xianbei, listen!"
A thunderous shout rang out, echoed by countless voices that carried the message across the battlefield. Every Xianbei warrior heard it.
They turned toward the source of the sound—and froze.
The figures they had expected to welcome them in the firelight were not their own people at all. Instead, they were Han soldiers clad in iron armor.
What is going on?
Where are our leaders?
For a brief moment, the Xianbei stood stunned.
"I am Zhang Xin, Protector-General of the Wuhuan under the Great Han!"
Standing at the front, Zhang Xin raised his voice. "Kui Tou is a traitor. He has been captured. Why do you still resist? Surrender now!"
"Surrender! What are you waiting for?" the Han soldiers shouted in unison.
With a wave of Zhang Xin's hand, Kui Tou was dragged forward. Bound tightly and gagged, he struggled helplessly.
In the flickering firelight, his face was clearly visible.
"My people, I am Qianman!" another voice called out.
Qianman stepped forward. "Kui Tou has acted cruelly and provoked the Heavenly Dynasty into war. Now he is captured, and your families are in Han hands. Lay down your weapons and stop resisting!"
Kui Tou struggled violently, muffled cries escaping his mouth.
"Enough… let it be," the leaders beside him muttered, trying to calm him as they joined in urging surrender.
Kui Tou's eyes burned with fury, but his protests were reduced to incoherent sounds.
At that moment, Yan Rou arrived with the Wuhuan cavalry.
Zhang Xin signaled immediately. Yan Rou understood at once, ordering his riders to spread out and encircle the Xianbei from behind.
Surrounded on all sides, urged to surrender by their own leaders—what choice did they have?
One by one, the Xianbei dismounted and cast their weapons to the ground.
Zhang Xin ordered them gathered into an open area.
Soon after, Yan Rou rode up. "My lord, the Xianbei have been subdued. What are your orders?"
"Kill them," Zhang Xin said calmly. Then he turned to Lü Bu. "Fengxian, assist him."
The words struck like thunder.
Kui Tou, Qianman, and the other leaders all went pale.
"Yes, sir," Yan Rou and Lü Bu replied.
Qianman stepped forward urgently, bowing. "General! You promised not to kill our people if they surrendered! Why—why this?"
"Yes, General! You must not go back on your word!" the others pleaded.
Zhang Xin looked at them with a faint smile. "When did I promise that?"
"You said so in the tent earlier…"
"I only asked whether you wanted to live or die," Zhang Xin replied. "I never said I wouldn't kill them."
The leaders fell silent.
He was right.
"General!" Qianman cried. "You told me you would spare my people!"
"I have spared them," Zhang Xin said lightly. "Your two thousand are safe in the royal tent, are they not?"
Realization dawned.
"You want soldiers," Zhang Xin continued, smiling. "Two thousand, plus these six thousand—eight thousand in total. With that, you could rally the other tribes and raise twenty thousand men."
"And then you would march on Yuyang… and kill me."
At that very moment, screams rose in the distance as the slaughter began.
Qianman's face turned ashen. She dropped to the ground. "I—I would never dare!"
"Not dare?" Zhang Xin's voice hardened. "You dare ask me for soldiers, yet claim you wouldn't dare kill me?"
"I don't want them anymore!" she cried, shaking. "I don't want anything!"
The other leaders closed their eyes in despair.
The Xianbei were finished.
With only two thousand men left, how could they control the tribes? In the years to come, chaos and infighting would be inevitable.
Zhang Xin dismounted and approached Qianman.
Behind him stood Dian Wei, gripping his iron halberds, his gaze fixed and unyielding.
Zhang Xin patted Qianman's shoulder.
"Do you still want soldiers?"
"No… no…"
"Did those men deserve to die?"
"They… deserved it."
"I haven't broken my promise to you, have I?"
"No… the General keeps his word…"
Her body trembled like a leaf.
Zhang Xin straightened and turned to the other leaders. "Do not fear. I said I would spare you—and I will."
They quickly bowed, expressing gratitude, relief washing over them.
An hour later, Lü Bu and Yan Rou reported back.
"All six thousand have been killed. None escaped."
Zhang Xin ordered the bodies piled into a grim mound as a warning to the tribes. Kui Tou's gag was removed, and Zhang Xin returned to camp to make further arrangements.
There were still two thousand prisoners—carelessness now could invite disaster.
Behind him, Kui Tou's furious curses rang out, blaming Qianman for the downfall of their people.
Zhang Xin ignored it.
"This should bring ten years of peace to Youzhou," he thought, gazing at the night sky.
With Qianman's prestige shattered, reunifying the Xianbei would be nearly impossible. The tribes would fracture, turning on one another.
And he would supply the weaker factions through trade, keeping them divided.
Perfect.
"Trying to use me?" Zhang Xin smirked. "You're not quite there yet."
The next day, the Han army assembled.
Zhang Xin released the two thousand prisoners and returned their families. Then, escorting the Xianbei leaders along with captured livestock and people, he marched toward Gaoliu.
Though over ten thousand had died, it was still a small portion of the Xianbei population. Yet with livestock losses compounding the blow, desperation could drive them south again.
To prepare, Zhang Xin chose the longer route to Gaoliu instead of the nearer pass, intending to coordinate with the local prefect.
Thanks to prior experience, the army moved swiftly.
In just four days, they reached Gaoliu Pass.