Zhang Xin drafted a letter to Gu Yong, ordering him to eliminate the wealthy families, and at the same time arranged a small vessel for Guan Jian so he could gather his former subordinates.
Not long after Guan Jian departed, Taishi Ci arrived.
Zhang Xin was overjoyed and personally went out to receive him.
Taishi Ci was twenty-one this year, standing about seven feet seven inches tall—roughly 1.77 meters. Historical accounts described him as possessing a fine beard, long arms, and unmatched skill in archery, a truly legendary marksman.
At present, however, he was still young, far from the full majesty of later years. Yet the beginnings of that famed beard were already visible.
Originally, Taishi Ci served as a clerk responsible for transmitting memorials from his commandery to the imperial court. Earlier that year, a dispute had arisen between the Prefect of Donglai and the Governor of Qingzhou. In such cases, the court often favored whichever side submitted its memorial first.
The governor's memorial had already been dispatched. Fearing disadvantage, the Prefect of Donglai urgently sought a capable envoy—and ultimately chose Taishi Ci.
Carrying out his mission with urgency, Taishi Ci traveled day and night, reaching Luoyang ahead of his rival. Outside the palace gates, he intercepted the Qingzhou envoy.
Feigning ignorance, Taishi Ci asked, "Are you here to submit a memorial?"
"Yes," the man replied.
"Is your document free of errors? May I take a look?"
Assuming Taishi Ci to be a court official, the envoy showed him the memorial. Taishi Ci seized the opportunity—producing a concealed dagger and destroying the document on the spot.
When the envoy cried out, Taishi Ci calmly replied, "I am guilty of destroying it—but had you not shown it to me, I could not have done so. Therefore, you share the blame."
Frightened and confused, the envoy fled Luoyang with him. Taishi Ci later doubled back, returned alone, and successfully submitted Donglai's memorial. By the time Qingzhou attempted to respond, the case had already been closed.
Through this bold act, Taishi Ci's name spread across the region.
Yet fame came with consequences. Fearing retaliation from the governor, he fled by sea to Liaodong. At the time, maritime routes already connected the coasts—likely running from the area of modern Yantai through island chains to Lushun.
It was there that Zhang Xin's agents eventually found him.
"So you are Taishi Ziyi, who destroyed a memorial to defend his lord?" Zhang Xin said with a laugh as he sized him up.
"My humble name is unworthy of your notice," Taishi Ci replied with a smile, bowing. "Taishi Ci of Donglai greets Marquis Wuxiang."
This was the very Marquis famed for defeating the Xianbei?
Taishi Ci studied Zhang Xin with quiet curiosity. Months earlier, when dozens of Xianbei envoys had come to the capital to plead for peace, the story had spread far and wide. He had already heard of Zhang Xin's exploits and admired him deeply.
To his surprise, only days after arriving in Liaodong, he had been found.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Xin invited him into the main hall. Once seated, Taishi Ci asked:
"May I ask, my lord—do you command a fleet?"
Zhang Xin paused, startled.
Was Taishi Ci truly that perceptive?
He had only just arrived in Yuyang and hadn't even settled matters—yet this man had already guessed his intentions.
While Zhang Xin was momentarily lost in thought, Taishi Ci continued:
"It has only been two months since I destroyed that memorial, and Yuyang lies thousands of miles from Qingzhou. If not for a naval connection, how could my lord have learned not only of my actions, but also that I fled by sea—and even sent men to find me in Liaodong?"
Zhang Xin suddenly understood.
So that was it.
"Ziyi, your insight is remarkable," he said, no longer concealing his intentions. He openly explained his plan for building a navy and his hope that Taishi Ci would take command.
Taishi Ci hesitated.
"Though I grew up by the sea and swim well, commanding a navy is not the same as swimming. I fear I may fail your trust."
Zhang Xin reassured him, recounting past experiences with northern pirates and emphasizing that the Yuyang sailors were seasoned veterans. He also promised support from Guan Yi and Gu Yong.
"Magistrate Gu Yong is from Jiangdong and well-versed in naval matters. He will assist you. You need not bear this alone."
Deeply moved, Taishi Ci bowed solemnly.
"In that case, I am willing to devote my life to your service, my lord!"
Zhang Xin was delighted. He immediately appointed Taishi Ci to an official naval position, treating him with the highest respect.
A few days later, Guan Jian returned with his followers.
Zhang Xin selected 800 strong men from among the pirates to form the core of the navy. The rest were registered and sent to Xincheng for land reclamation. He also recruited 200 men from former Yellow Turban forces who were skilled swimmers, bringing the total naval strength to 1,000.
Taishi Ci was appointed commander-in-chief, Guan Jian as deputy, and Gu Yong as supervisor. Training began in Quanzhou.
Since this force could not officially exist under the prefectural administration, Zhang Xin registered it under the Xianyu clan as a "water escort" unit. Xianyu Fu readily agreed—largely because Zhang Xin intended to recommend him for the imperial "filial and incorrupt" selection.
Now fully recognized as Prefect, Zhang Xin had the authority to nominate candidates. With Yuyang's population exceeding 500,000, he could recommend two individuals.
Given their contributions, one position was granted to Xianyu Fu.
The second, Zhang Xin quietly reserved for Chen Song—a diligent official who had remained at his post when others fled, ensuring the spring planting was not delayed.
Such dedication deserved recognition.
Although the court would still conduct examinations—and failure would implicate the recommender—Zhang Xin was confident in both choices.
As autumn approached, prominent local families began visiting, hoping to secure recommendations for their own kin. Zhang Xin declined them all.
He had already made his decision.
Just as he prepared to formally announce the candidates, a county official hurried in to report:
Zhang Ju had arrived.