"Good, good, good!"
Cai Yong repeated the word three times in succession before stepping forward to help Zhang Xin to his feet.
"Rise. I accept you."
If Cai Yong's earlier stay in Yuyang had been out of necessity—teaching Zhang Xin only because of a secret directive—then this moment was entirely different. His acceptance now came from genuine sincerity.
Zhang Xin was intelligent and remarkably perceptive. Whenever he encountered difficulties, he could usually resolve them on his own by consulting the books Cai Yong had given him. Even when he could not, a brief explanation was enough for him to grasp everything.
More than that, Zhang Xin's way of thinking was mature far beyond his years. He did not resemble a youth of seventeen or eighteen, but rather someone with decades of experience behind him.
Sharp-minded, insightful, and steady in temperament.
And then there was the Thousand Character Classic.
Though it did not impress elite scholars, it was undeniably the perfect primer. With the rise of new paper and woodblock printing, such works would spread far and wide. Cai Yong could already foresee it—given time, Zhang Xin's name would echo across the realm.
Since that was the case, why not take him as a disciple?
Zhang Xin was overjoyed.
His only regret was that apprenticeship ceremonies in the Han Dynasty were simple affairs. Otherwise, he would have invited dozens—if not hundreds—of scholars to witness it.
The next day, Zhang Xin came bearing the customary tuition gift.
"Shuxiu," the traditional offering from student to teacher, consisted of dried meat tied into bundles—typically ten strips. Later generations would embellish this with symbolic gifts like lotus seeds and celery, but at present, dried meat alone sufficed.
Cai Yong accepted the offering and, in return, presented Zhang Xin with a copy of the Analects. He then guided him in reciting the opening passage of the Great Learning, formally taking on the role of teacher.
"The Great Learning teaches the way to manifest bright virtue, to love the people, and to abide in the highest good…"
With that recitation, the ceremony was complete.
Gu Yong and Cai Yan, who had been observing, stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Zhang Xin, in turn, addressed Gu Yong as "Senior Brother" and Cai Yan as "Junior Sister."
Two days later, Cai Yong finished packing his books and prepared to return to Luoyang in the imperial carriage.
Zhang Xin personally escorted him out of the city.
Originally, they intended to accompany him to the prefectural border, but after repeated persuasion from Cai Yong, they only went as far as the county boundary.
"Teacher, once you reach Luoyang, please take care of your health… eat well…"
At the border, Zhang Xin could no longer hold back his tears.
Deeply moved, Cai Yong replied, "Ziqing, you must also take care of yourself. Serve faithfully, and do not fail the Emperor's trust…"
After a long farewell, they finally parted.
When Zhang Xin returned to the prefectural office, it felt noticeably quieter.
Lü Bu, Tian Kai, Xianyu Fu, Chen Song, Zhen Yu…
So many had already gone.
After a moment of reflection, Zhang Xin summoned Yan Jin and ordered him to accelerate the production of weapons and armor. Then he immersed himself once more in administrative duties and military preparations.
Before the New Year, a reply arrived from the imperial court.
In his letter, Liu Hong approved Zhang Xin's plan and asked how many cavalry he could muster.
After careful thought, Zhang Xin reported a force of ten thousand.
If the campaign were launched in winter, he could gather twenty thousand or more. But now, in spring, all peoples—Han, Wuhuan, and Xianbei alike—were occupied with vital agricultural and pastoral work.
The Shanggu Wuhuan, after a year of recovery, could provide around ten thousand fighting men. However, many had already begun settling into farming under Liu Yu's guidance—this group was crucial for long-term integration and could not be disrupted.
The remaining nomadic Wuhuan could contribute perhaps two thousand men.
The Xianbei were in a similar situation. After previous losses, their able-bodied population had dwindled. Across three major tribes, there were roughly forty thousand men of fighting age, but realistically, only eight to nine thousand could be mobilized without harming production.
Each settlement would contribute just over a hundred men—manageable, and less likely to provoke unrest.
Too heavy a levy could destabilize the region, especially with Zhang Xin away campaigning. Even Liu Yu might struggle to maintain order.
After weighing everything, Zhang Xin finalized his report.
Alongside the imperial reply, Cai Yong also sent a letter.
He wrote that he had safely arrived in Luoyang, was in good health, and wished Zhang Xin an early New Year. He also cautioned him about the dangers of war.
Zhang Xin wrote back, and after some thought, added letters of greeting to He Jin and Tian Kai, sending them all to Luoyang.
Snow fell, the New Year passed, and officials made their customary visits.
The fourth year of Zhongping had arrived.
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, another imperial messenger came—this time bearing an edict.
Zhang Xin was appointed Military Governor of Youzhou and Bingzhou, with orders to prepare for the campaign immediately.
He acted without hesitation.
Messengers were sent ahead to Bingzhou to prepare supplies, while others went to gather cavalry from the Wuhuan and Xianbei.
His plan was clear: he would lead his forces to Shuofang, and once war broke out in Liangzhou, march south along the Yellow River, strike the rear of the Xianling Qiang, and coordinate with the imperial army in a pincer attack.
To facilitate this, Liu Hong had granted him authority over both Youzhou and Bingzhou.
If successful, the campaign could be concluded before autumn.
Once orders were issued, Ju Shu was the first to respond. Being closest, he arrived within three days, bringing two thousand Wuhuan cavalry.
Soon after, the Xianbei forces arrived in succession—three thousand from the western tribes under Budugen, over two thousand from the central tribes under Fuluohan, and another three thousand from the eastern tribes led by Suli.
All familiar faces.
With everyone assembled, Zhang Xin convened his generals.
The army would advance in two routes.
The first, led by Guan Yu, would consist of one thousand Yuyang troops as the core, reinforced by the forces of Fuluohan and Suli—over six thousand men in total. They would enter Bingzhou from Banshi, move south along the Fen River, and proceed toward Chang'an to support the imperial cavalry.
The second route would be led personally by Zhang Xin. His force would center on five hundred elite guards—former Yellow Turban soldiers—combined with the troops of Ju Shu and Budugen, totaling over five thousand five hundred men. They would enter through Gaoliu and march west to Shuofang.
Since Zhang Xin's mission was to strike the enemy's flank, he took with him his strongest generals: Zuo Bao, Yang Yi, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, and Cao Xing.
Guan Yu's role was more straightforward—he was to receive and coordinate orders—so Zhang Xin entrusted him with independence.
Further arrangements followed.
Yan Rou was appointed acting Protector of the Wuhuan, tasked with monitoring the Xianbei. Zhang Liao's former administrative post was given to Gao Shun, who would command the remaining forces and defend Yuyang.
After finalizing military matters, Zhang Xin summoned Gu Yong alone and handed him the prefectural seal.
"Yuan Tan," he said calmly, "after I leave, all affairs of the commandery will be in your hands."