"Won't you take me along on this campaign, my lord?"
Gu Yong was clearly surprised.
As Chief Clerk, he was effectively Zhang Xin's closest aide—normally inseparable from the prefect himself.
Zhang Xin smiled. "This campaign will rely heavily on fast-moving cavalry. Yuan Tan may not be able to keep up. Besides, the rebel forces in Liangzhou number over a hundred thousand. In the chaos of battle, I may not be able to ensure your safety."
"I may be a scholar," Gu Yong replied firmly, "but I can still wield a sword and fight. My lord should not underestimate me."
"It's not a matter of underestimating you," Zhang Xin said patiently. "Someone must remain behind to manage the affairs of the prefecture."
"Isn't that the duty of the clerk?" Gu Yong asked, puzzled.
Zhang Xin shook his head. "I don't trust him."
The current acting official was Zhang Fang.
If Zhang Xin remained in Yuyang, he would have nothing to fear from Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. Should they dare to rise, he could suppress them immediately.
That was precisely why he had elevated Zhang Fang—to placate the Zhang clan.
But now, with him leaving for Liangzhou and taking most of his generals along, his deterrence would vanish. If the Zhang family chose to rebel—as they had in history—the consequences would be disastrous.
If he entrusted the prefectural administration to Zhang Fang and rebellion followed, the mistake would not merely be one of poor judgment—it could cost the livelihood of the entire commandery.
"I understand," Gu Yong said, nodding.
"If I do not trust him, then there is nothing more to discuss."
Zhang Xin continued, "I will appoint Xianyu Yin to assist you. For any major matters, consult him."
"Understood," Gu Yong replied.
Zhang Xin's tone grew serious.
"After I leave, you must keep a close watch on the Zhang family. I will instruct Gao Shun and Zhang Niujiao to obey your orders."
"If anything happens, go to Gao Shun. If even he cannot handle it, then turn to Zhang Niujiao."
Gu Yong's expression changed.
"My lord… do you mean…?"
Zhang Xin nodded. "Exactly what you're thinking."
Gu Yong's eyes widened in realization.
"Then why not eliminate them now, my lord?" he urged.
"Without evidence, how can we convince the people?" Zhang Xin replied calmly.
Gu Yong fell silent. He knew it was true.
After a moment, he steadied himself.
"Rest assured, my lord. I will defend Yuyang in your absence."
The following day, Zhang Xin convened the officials and publicly announced that Gu Yong would act in his stead. Before everyone, he handed over the seal of the Prefect of Yuyang.
Gu Yong accepted it with a deep bow, his heart surging with emotion. This was not only trust—it was an opportunity to prove himself.
No one objected. Zhang Xin's authority in the prefecture was absolute.
Yet many officials cast subtle glances toward Zhang Fang.
Seated below, Zhang Fang's expression was grim.
Zhang Xin ignored him.
After court, he summoned Gao Shun and Zhang Niujiao, ordering them to cooperate fully with Gu Yong.
Gao Shun, ever the disciplined soldier, accepted without hesitation.
Though Zhang Niujiao was less convinced, Yuyang was the foundation of survival for his former Yellow Turban followers. He had no choice but to comply.
Zhang Xin also sent word to Yan Rou in Ningcheng, instructing him to monitor the Xianbei and report any developments to Liu Yu.
With all arrangements complete, Zhang Xin bid farewell to his family—and set out.
An army of over ten thousand cavalry rode westward in a vast, dust-raising column, each soldier leading a second horse.
They passed through Changping, Jundu, Juyang, Zhuolu…
At Sanggan, the army split.
Guan Yu continued west into Bingzhou, then south along the Fen River.
Zhang Xin led his own force out through Gaoliu, across the grasslands, passing through Yanmen and Yunzhong before entering Wuyuan. From there, they advanced along the Yellow River across the Hetao Plain.
Thanks to prior arrangements, supplies were secured along the route.
After more than a month of marching, on the fifteenth day of the third month, Zhang Xin's army arrived at Linrong, capital of Shuofang.
The local governor had already prepared provisions.
After brief formalities, Zhang Xin quietly encamped in a remote area and dispatched a messenger to Chang'an.
This would be the final coordination before the campaign began.
On the eighth day of the fourth month, a reply arrived.
Zhang Wen reported that the imperial army had already set out. The right-wing force, led by Dong Zhuo, would reach Gaoping by the eighteenth.
Once there, Dong Zhuo would draw the main Qiang forces.
Zhang Xin's mission: seize Sanshui before the twentieth, cut off their retreat, and strike from both sides.
"Only twelve days…" Zhang Xin muttered. "Tight timing."
He smirked slightly.
"So I'll finally meet Dong Zhuo. That means Lü Bu should be with him now…"
Then a stray thought crossed his mind.
"I wonder… has my Bu Bu already found himself a foster father?"
Shaking off the distraction, he ordered preparations and marched south.
By the twelfth day, they reached Lian County (modern Yinchuan). The magistrate, startled by the sudden arrival of a Han force from Bingzhou, immediately opened the gates.
After a day's rest, Zhang Xin pushed onward—through Lingzhou, Fuping, and into the Liupan Mountains.
Days passed.
Mountains stretched endlessly in all directions.
Zhang Xin's confidence began to falter.
"Where the hell are we…?" he muttered. "Am I about to end up like Li Guang—lost in the wilderness?"
In ancient warfare, a single miscalculation in route could doom an army. Even the famed "Flying General" Li Guang had missed a decisive battle due to losing his way.
Zhang Xin never imagined it would happen to him.
"Yang Yi, where are we?" he asked.
"My lord… I don't know," Yang Yi admitted helplessly.
"Aren't you from Liangzhou?"
"I'm from Longxi… I'm not familiar with Anding."
Zhang Xin sighed.
At that moment, scout captain Niu Feng returned.
Zhang Xin spread out the map.
"Look at this. Where are we?"
Niu Feng hesitated, then grimaced. "My lord… I don't know either. It's all mountains. At first I could tell directions, but after a while, I got completely turned around."
Zhang Xin exploded.
"What use are you, Niu Feng?! Is that a head on your shoulders or a chamber pot? You're the scout captain and you can't even locate us?!"
"My lord, you might as well kill me," Niu Feng said bitterly. "There's nothing here—no villages, no landmarks. I can't even set markers!"
"You think I wouldn't?" Zhang Xin drew his sword.
"My lord!" Niu Feng quickly added, "We only have five thousand men to strike over a hundred thousand Qiang and Hu. If you kill me, you'll only lose another fighter!"
Zhang Xin paused… then slowly sheathed his sword.
"Fine. I'll spare you for now."
He waved his hand impatiently.
"Go scout further ahead. Find anyone—mountain folk, hunters, anyone. Bring them back."
"Yes, my lord!"