"Fine. Let's go."
"What else can we do?"
"There's no profit left in Youzhou, and Bingzhou is too far. Even Liu Yu, the one we had hopes for, has shut his doors and feigned illness."
On the frozen steppe, in the dead of winter, there wasn't even tree bark left to chew.
After much futile debate, the Xianbei leaders could only gather their attendants and set out for Yuyang.
More than a hundred riders arrived outside the prefect's residence, requesting an audience.
Upon receiving the report, Zhang Xin immediately ordered that Kui Tou, Fu Luo Han, and Qian Man be identified at the gate to prevent any substitution.
When the Xianbei leaders saw one another, a strange sense of shared misery rose among them—as if they were all trapped in the same sinking boat.
Budugen, in particular, felt conflicted. Three of his four cousins had been captured by Zhang Xin.
When had the Xianbei fallen so low?
Everything had been fine before they entered Youzhou this year—so how had it all collapsed so suddenly?
After verification, the group was led into the main hall.
Zhang Xin sat high at the head. Dian Wei stood beside him like a towering statue.
Below, Cai Yong sat calmly, flanked by officials and guarded by armored soldiers.
Everyone present knew—they were witnessing a moment that would be remembered.
Budugen suppressed his unease and stepped forward, dropping to one knee.
"We have come in response to General Ming's summons and pay our respects."
Behind him, the other leaders knelt as well. Outside, their attendants followed suit.
Cai Yong stroked his beard with a faint smile. The officials unconsciously straightened, their pride swelling.
After a few formalities, Budugen got straight to the point.
"We are willing to submit to General Ming. We humbly request grain and the opening of trade."
"Not to me," Zhang Xin corrected calmly. "To the Han Dynasty."
Budugen quickly nodded. "Yes, yes—to the Great Han! We will never betray it again!"
Zhang Xin gave a small nod. "I can see your sincerity…"
Budugen's face lit up—
"However," Zhang Xin continued.
The smile froze.
"Since you claim submission, shouldn't you show it?"
Budugen hesitated, then forced a bitter smile. "We have nothing left—not even food to eat. We truly have nothing to offer…"
After a pause, he added awkwardly, "I… I have a younger sister. If General Ming does not mind—"
"What would I do with your sister?" Zhang Xin cut him off with a glance. "I mean: what will you offer the court?"
Budugen swallowed. This time, he didn't dare guess.
"How… should we show it?"
"Go to Luoyang," Zhang Xin said lightly. "And plead guilty."
The hall fell silent.
"You have raided Youzhou for decades," he continued. "I have no authority to pardon you. Only His Majesty can decide your fate."
Budugen's expression darkened.
Zhang Xin stood, facing the direction of the capital with a respectful salute.
"But His Majesty is benevolent and does not delight in killing. If you sincerely repent, he will surely show mercy."
He turned back, his tone steady.
"Once the imperial pardon is granted, I will immediately open the granaries."
A pause.
"You wouldn't want your people to starve… would you?"
No one spoke.
After a long silence, Zhang Xin frowned slightly. "What? You refuse?"
The leaders exchanged uneasy glances before all eyes turned to Budugen.
He clenched his teeth. "It's not that we refuse… but Luoyang is thousands of li away. A round trip could take months…"
"And that is your sincerity?" Zhang Xin interrupted coldly. "If you won't even make the journey, how can I believe your submission?"
He waved his hand. "Show them out."
He turned to leave.
"General Ming!"
Budugen quickly kowtowed. "It's not unwillingness—it's fear! If we wait for the Emperor's pardon before receiving grain, our people may starve before we return!"
Zhang Xin stopped, then slowly turned back.
"So that's your concern."
After a moment, he smiled.
"Very well. Those willing to go to Luoyang—I will feed their people."
"Those unwilling…" he shrugged lightly, "may return on their own. I won't stop you."
The hall erupted.
Some agreed immediately. Others hesitated.
Zhang Xin said nothing—only watched.
When the arguments reached their peak, he called out:
"Yuan Tan, come record their villages."
Gu Yong blinked in surprise—but quickly grabbed paper and stepped forward, barely hiding his excitement.
"Wait! We haven't decided!"
Those willing to go grew anxious.
"If we leave, what if they attack our camps?"
"If we stay, we starve!"
Another round of shouting broke out.
Gradually, survival tipped the scales.
More and more agreed to go to Luoyang.
Those still unwilling found themselves isolated.
"If you won't go," someone snapped, "then we'll deal with you first—so you can't raid us later!"
Under mounting pressure, the last holdouts relented.
At last, Budugen stepped forward again.
"General Ming—we have agreed. We will all go to Luoyang to plead guilty."
"Good." Zhang Xin nodded. "State your village locations and populations. I will arrange the grain."
The leaders bowed deeply.
"Thank you, General Ming!"
Looking at the rows of kneeling figures, Zhang Xin couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction.
They were thanking him—for forcing them into submission.
After the records were taken, the Xianbei leaders were escorted to prepared quarters, under heavy guard.
Once they left, the officials burst into praise.
Zhang Xin accepted it with a faint smile, then dismissed them.
Soon, only he, Cai Yong, and Gu Yong remained.
"Yuan Tan," Zhang Xin said, "calculate the grain allocations. Keep them alive—but not comfortable."
Gu Yong hesitated. "My lord… I am but a commoner. Is this… proper?"
Zhang Xin wrote an order, stamped it, and handed it over.
"There are no suitable vacancies at present," he said with a smile. "But when one opens, I will bring you into office."
Gu Yong froze—then bowed deeply. "Understood."
Only after leaving did he suddenly realize—
"When did I agree to serve here?"
Cai Yong chuckled softly.
"Ziqing… you've taken a liking to him?"
"Talent should not be wasted," Zhang Xin replied plainly.
Cai Yong nodded. "But his family is in Jiangdong. It won't be easy."
Zhang Xin smiled. "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. He will understand."
Cai Yong's eyes lit up. "Well said."
After a pause, Zhang Xin asked, "Was today handled properly?"
"Very well," Cai Yong replied, clearly pleased.
He handed over another scroll before taking his leave.
Later, Zhang Xin sat alone, writing his battle report.
With the Xianbei situation now stabilized, it was finally time to report victory.
But another problem arose.
"Who should escort them to Luoyang…?"
He thought through every name.
Guan Yu—overworked.
Zhang Liao—too young.
Dian Wei—unsuitable.
Gao Shun—too rigid.
Yan Rou—not strong enough.
In the end, only two candidates remained.
"Lü Bu… or Zhao Yun."
After a moment's thought, Zhang Xin made his decision.
"Lü Bu."
Orders were sent.
Memorials were drafted.
Merits were recorded.
And far away, in Luoyang, the emperor awaited—unaware that a storm of consequences was already on its way.