Zhang Xin's heart raced as he read the report—but this was no time for distractions.
"Take him away. Keep a close watch on him."
With a wave of his hand, he ordered Dian Wei to drag the man off. Then, without hesitation, he commanded the execution of all Jincheng's garrison troops. At the same time, he summoned Zhang Liao and Cao Xing back to organize the city's defenses.
Seeing the strength of Zhang Xin's forces, the garrison at Yuzhong dared not venture out. Instead, they dispatched swift riders toward Guanzhong to report the situation to Han Sui.
After resting for a single day, Zhang Xin led his army out once more. Moving west, they reached the Tao River, then turned south and continued their retreat.
Chang'an
From atop the watchtower, Han Sui gazed at the besieged city. Yet something about the situation nagged at him.
Only after a moment did he realize what was wrong.
The Han army at Fuping… there had been no news of them for far too long.
After Dong Zhuo withdrew to Linjing, Han Sui had sent word to every county, announcing the imperial army's defeat. One by one, the counties submitted.
They had no choice. Liang Province had endured Qiang uprisings for over a century—imperial forces came and went, only to be driven back again and again. Survival meant knowing when to yield.
Not everyone, however, was willing to bow.
Fu Xie had been the exception.
After Geng Bi's death, Fu Xie retreated to Ji County and held out with his remaining troops. Revered across Liang Province, even the rebels hesitated to harm him. Some knelt outside the city, weeping and begging him to surrender.
He refused.
Knowing defeat was inevitable, he led his men into one final battle and died fighting. When news reached the court, Liu Hong mourned deeply and posthumously honored him.
Compared to such a man, the governor of Beidi was nothing.
Not only had he failed to resist—he had even sold Zhang Xin's movements to Han Sui.
With that information, Han Sui had set his trap: ordering Lingzhou and Lian County to seize the river crossings, cutting off Zhang Xin's retreat, while dispatching over ten thousand Qiang and Hu cavalry to hunt him down.
It should have been foolproof.
A mere five thousand Han troops, deep in enemy territory, with no supplies—surely they would be wiped out.
And yet… a full month had passed without any news.
Victory or defeat, there should have been word by now.
Just then, a messenger arrived—the pursuing cavalry had returned.
Han Sui hurried down from the tower.
"What?! They're gone?"
The messenger nodded. "We searched the plateau for over half a month. Not a trace. We believe they fled to Bingzhou."
Fled?
Han Sui frowned, unease growing.
Something was wrong.
Inside the command tent, Wang Guo sat drinking and feasting.
"My lord," Han Sui said, bowing slightly, "we should withdraw our troops today."
"Very well," Wang Guo replied casually.
The rebel army began to pull back.
On Chang'an's walls, Zhang Wen stared out at the retreating enemy camps, his brows tightly knit.
The imperial campaign to reclaim Liang Province—half a year of preparation—had ended in complete failure.
Geng Bi was dead. The army's morale was shattered. Nearly one hundred thousand troops had achieved nothing, losing even more territory and being driven back to the gates of Chang'an.
And Zhang Xin?
No one knew if he was alive or dead.
The emperor, however, cared deeply. Edict after edict arrived, demanding updates.
Even Cai Yong had written to inquire.
But how could Zhang Wen answer? The roads were cut, the land crawling with rebels—no scouts could get through.
Another envoy arrived.
"The Grand Commandant must receive the decree."
Zhang Wen sighed heavily.
"Still asking about Zhang Xin…?"
"Yes."
This was the twelfth time.
Meanwhile, in the rebel camp, Han Sui made his decision.
The siege could not continue.
Chang'an was too well-defended. Though Geng Bi's forces had been destroyed, Dong Zhuo still held the city with considerable strength. The rebel army, largely composed of Qiang warriors, lacked the skill to storm it.
After more than twenty days, morale was already faltering.
Just as Han Sui prepared to withdraw, a messenger from Yuzhong arrived.
"My lord! A Han force has attacked from the east—they're heading toward Jincheng!"
Han Sui froze.
Now he understood.
"That fool… fell for it."
"Status of Jincheng?"
"When I left, the Han army had just passed Yuzhong. The magistrate dared not engage and sent me ahead to report."
Han Sui exhaled in relief.
Jincheng was strong. It shouldn't fall easily.
Still, he immediately called for a council.
When Li Xiangru objected to retreat, Han Sui didn't argue.
He drew his sword—and killed him on the spot.
"After I finish speaking—who agrees? Who disagrees?"
No one spoke.
That night, Han Sui led his hundred-thousand-strong army toward Jincheng.
But along the way, another messenger arrived.
"Jincheng… has fallen."
Han Sui's face turned pale.
"Six days ago."
Panic spread through the ranks. Their families were there.
The army surged forward in desperation.
By the time they reached Shanggui, confirmation arrived—Zhang Xin had captured Jincheng and taken their families prisoner.
Han Sui collapsed on the spot.
Revived moments later, he forced himself to think.
"They went south… along the Tao River…"
His eyes snapped open.
"Xi County! Move to Xi County!"
Xi County
At last, Zhang Xin stood before the city gates.
Two months.
Two brutal months in Liang Province—outnumbered, hunted, starving, deceiving both enemies and his own men just to survive.
And now… they had made it.
Beyond Xi County lay Qishan Road, and then Hanzhong.
Freedom.
But there was no time to rest.
"Report! Han Sui is leading one hundred thousand troops—only thirty li away!"
Fear spread instantly.
The soldiers were exhausted. The walls of Xi County were low and weak. Worse, many of Zhang Xin's troops were nomadic cavalry—not suited for defending cities.
Zhang Xin looked up at the city walls.
Then, after a moment, he made his decision.
When Han Sui arrived, he found the city gates wide open.
No banners. No defenses. Only a handful of old soldiers sweeping the streets.
He raised a hand, halting his army.
"A bluff… or a trap?"
Then he saw them.
Three figures walked calmly onto the wall.
One carried a zither. One bore a table. One unfurled two banners.
Zhang Xin sat down.
The flags snapped in the wind:
"Han Marquis of Wuxiang Zhang""Protector of the Wuhuan"
Han Sui's eyes narrowed.
"So—it's him…"
The young commander who had humbled the Xianbei… now standing before him.
Zhang Xin smiled faintly—and plucked the strings.
Duang—
The sound was… terrible.
Behind him, Niu Feng nearly burst out laughing.
Wasn't Cai Yong his teacher?
How could his playing be this bad?