"What did Marquis Wuxiang say?"Han Sui asked urgently.
Yan Xing drew a deep breath before replying, "The Marquis of Wuxiang said: 'Han Yue, you old bastard! If you dare chase me again, I'll cut you down in a single stroke. Then I'll hand your wife and daughters over to my soldiers to be abused a hundred times over. As for your sons, I'll send them to Luoyang to be humiliated by those degenerate nobles there—also a hundred times over!'"
The moment he heard this, Han Sui trembled with rage. He yanked his sword from his waist and slashed wildly around the tent.
"This brat has gone too far—far too far! A man of noble rank, yet he speaks such vile, filthy nonsense!"
Though he didn't understand some of the slang, the meaning was clear enough. From the context alone, he could tell that Zhang Xin was threatening to kill his father if he continued the pursuit.
"My lord, please calm your anger," Yan Xing said apologetically. "The Marquis ordered me to relay his words exactly as spoken…"
"Forget it—it's not your fault."
After venting his fury, Han Sui finally calmed down, breathing heavily. "Why would he let you go?"
"I swore I would never surrender after being captured," Yan Xing said evenly. "The Marquis was moved by my loyalty and released me to deliver his message."
"Yanming is indeed loyal and righteous."Han Sui nodded in satisfaction, harboring no suspicion. After all, Zhang Xin's army had already withdrawn—there was no risk of Yan Xing returning to coordinate an attack from within.
"What do you think we should do?" he asked Cheng Gongying.
Cheng Gongying sighed. "The Marquis has made himself clear. If you continue this pursuit and your father is killed, your reputation will be ruined. Moreover, Jincheng has already fallen once. The soldiers are anxious about their homes—they have no will to fight."
"There is only one option: retreat."
Though unwilling, Han Sui had no choice but to agree.
The rebel army was a fragile coalition—Liangzhou scholars, Han civilians, and Qiang and Hu fighters. Their strength came largely from the scholars' support, which had turned against Geng Bi. If Han Sui appeared indifferent to his father's life, he would lose that support immediately.
Who would follow a man who didn't even care about his own father?
Without popular backing, defeat would be inevitable—just like Geng Bi.
With morale already shaken, Han Sui reluctantly ordered a withdrawal, returning to Jincheng to await negotiations with the imperial court.
After leaving Xixian, Zhang Xin sent Zuo Bao ahead with the main force, while he and Zhao Yun held Qishan Fort. Two days passed without any sign of pursuit. Only then did Zhang Xin relax—Han Sui had chosen not to chase.
At last, they were safe.
More than a hundred li beyond Qishan lay Xiabian, the seat of Wudu Commandery. Zhang Xin entered the city, replenished supplies, and requested two carriages from the local governor.
One carriage was for Han Sui's elderly father. The forced marches had been brutal—there had been no time to care for the captives, who had been tied to horses just to keep them from falling off. For an old man, it was nearly unbearable. Had he not grown up riding in Liangzhou, he might have died along the way.
Even seasoned cavalrymen had suffered raw, chafed thighs. In just ten days, the entire Han family had grown visibly thinner, each losing over ten pounds.
The second carriage was reserved for Han Sui's youngest daughter. As for the rest—so long as they survived, Zhang Xin paid little mind.
After resting two days in Xiabian, Zhang Xin sent word to Hanzhong and continued his march.
Beyond Xiabian lay Ju County, and past it stood Yangping Pass—the critical gateway of the region. Whether coming from Liangzhou, Guanzhong, or Shu, all routes into Hanzhong converged there. It was truly the throat of the land.
After verifying their identity, the garrison allowed Zhang Xin's army to pass. He paused only briefly to admire the formidable terrain before pressing onward.
Once beyond the pass, the landscape opened into a wide plain. Nanzheng lay just ahead.
The governor of Hanzhong, Su Gu, had already received word and came out personally to greet him.
"Marquis Wuxiang's campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary," Su Gu said warmly. "Not only did you return unscathed, but you also captured Jincheng and seized Han Sui's family. Truly remarkable for one so young."
"You flatter me, Lord Su," Zhang Xin replied with a bow. "During our stay, I must trouble you for supplies."
"There's no need for such formality," Su Gu said with a smile.
After all, supporting a military expedition was part of his duty—and the costs could be offset through tax adjustments. It was a worthwhile exchange.
When invited into the city, Zhang Xin declined.
"Most of my troops are barbarian cavalry. It's best they remain outside to avoid disturbing the people."
"Truly benevolent and righteous," Su Gu praised.
Back in camp, Zhang Xin found everything in good order under Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao's command. Entering his tent, he requested writing materials and began recording the entire campaign.
Switching back from paper to bamboo slips felt awkward. Still, he wrote tirelessly, filling more than ten volumes.
Only after finishing did he set down the brush, rubbing his sore wrist.
"Send these to Chang'an," he ordered.
After resting two more days in Nanzheng, he arranged for the remains of fallen soldiers to be returned to Yuyang New City for burial.
"I should return as well," he murmured.
News of the Liangzhou disaster must have already reached Yuyang. They would be worried—Zhang Ning and the others needed reassurance.
"I wonder how things are back home…"