After extracting a confession from Zhang Ju, they turned their attention to Zhang Chun.
When Gu Yong heard their reasons for rebelling, he didn't know whether to laugh or scold them.
Two rulers under heaven? Two masters in the world? What nonsense.
Aside from the turmoil in Liangzhou, the Han Empire was still stable. Even if the world were truly on the verge of upheaval, how could it possibly be their turn?
Did they not understand their own limits?
"Take him away. Keep him under strict guard," Gu Yong ordered with a dismissive wave.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Zhang Xin.
My lord truly has an eye for people… but how did he see through all this in advance?
Thinking it over, Gu Yong realized something remarkable—every person Zhang Xin had promoted was capable. None were mediocre. Even Chen Song, though not outstanding in talent, was a man of unquestionable virtue.
This… is what it means to be a true ruler, Gu Yong thought.
Just as he was lost in reflection, a guard hurried in to report:
"The Wuhuan from Shanggu have sent an envoy."
Gu Yong's eyes narrowed slightly. "Show him in."
The Wuhuan of Shanggu had been one of the groups Zhang Ju hoped to win over. This visit was certainly no coincidence.
Moments later, Ju Xiong strode into the hall with an attendant. Seeing Gu Yong seated beside the main position, he hesitated.
"My lord… are you currently in charge of the prefectural affairs?"
He did not recognize Gu Yong.
Gu Yong nodded calmly. "What brings you here?"
"The Zhang family planned to rebel. They sent a servant to inform me—but I killed him."
Ju Xiong bowed and presented a wooden box. "I came to warn you, sir. Be on guard against the Zhang family."
Gu Yong froze for a brief moment—then burst into laughter.
The officials and soldiers present also laughed aloud.
Ju Xiong stood there, completely confused.
Someone is plotting rebellion—and you're all laughing?
Gu Yong smiled. "The entire Zhang family has already been arrested. You've made this trip in vain, I'm afraid."
Ju Xiong was stunned.
No wonder something had felt off when he entered the city. He had been too focused on delivering the message to notice.
Then relief flooded over him.
Fortunately, he had acted decisively. Otherwise, the Han army might have come knocking on his door within days.
Zhang Ju, you fool, he thought. Wouldn't it have been better to just farm peacefully? Why rebel?
Gu Yong accepted the wooden box, exchanged a few polite words, and had Ju Xiong escorted away to rest.
Watching him leave, Gu Yong sighed softly.
"My lord… you truly found a worthy man."
—
With Gu Yong's orders sent out, a sweeping purge began across the counties.
Treason was no small matter. The magistrates dared not delay. Their efficiency was ruthless.
Many powerful families were arrested before they even realized what was happening.
A few, quicker to react, gathered their retainers and attempted to storm their local county seats.
But Taishi Ci arrived swiftly.
Though his troops were not elite, they were well-equipped, and at their core were two hundred seasoned former Yellow Turban fighters. Against unarmored household retainers, the outcome was never in doubt.
Before long, Yuyang was pacified.
—
Ning County.
Upon receiving Gu Yong's message, Yan Rou immediately mobilized his forces.
Days later, a scout reported: Xianbei chieftain Qianman was advancing with five thousand cavalry toward Ningcheng Pass.
"Captain, we should notify the magistrate and gather laborers to reinforce the city," an officer urged.
Yan Rou shook his head. "No. If we only defend, what happens if Qianman bypasses us and strikes deeper?"
"The wheat is not yet ripe. If he destroys the fields, years of effort will be wasted."
"Then what do you propose?"
Yan Rou's gaze hardened.
"We march out and meet him. We hold Ningcheng Pass and block them here. Not a single rider is to pass."
"Yes!"
The officers—many of them former Yellow Turban soldiers—felt their blood stir. Though outnumbered, none hesitated.
Soon, Yan Rou led a thousand cavalry to the pass.
—
Qianman rode across the grasslands in high spirits.
Zhang Xin is dead.
The man who had once terrified him… gone just like that.
He could hardly believe it.
Back then, he had captured Kui Tou to break free from control and planned to use Zhang Xin to consolidate power among the Xianbei. In his eyes, the Han court was weak—easy to manipulate with a few gestures of submission.
But Zhang Xin had shattered all those plans.
First, he annihilated Fuluohan's six thousand troops. Then he scattered the Xianbei leaders, sending them to Luoyang with meaningless titles. The tribes were divided, weakened, impossible to control.
Though Qianman bore the title of Great Chanyu, his real authority was even less than Budugen's.
It was humiliating.
And yet, he had never dared to rebel.
That night, outside the royal tent, when Zhang Xin smiled and revealed his intentions—Qianman understood.
He was no match.
As long as Zhang Xin lived, rebellion was impossible.
But now—
He's dead.
"Good! You deserved to die!" Qianman laughed inwardly.
With Budugen and Fuluohan gone, this was his chance. He would march into Youzhou, build prestige, then sweep east and unify the steppe.
I will restore the glory of my ancestors!
Filled with ambition, he urged his army forward.
But when he reached Ningcheng Pass, he was met by an unexpected sight—
A thousand Han cavalry stood in formation.
Qianman frowned.
That's strange… Shouldn't Zhang Ju have already risen by now? Why are these troops still here?
Just then, a Han rider approached.
"Is that Chanyu Qianman?"
"It is."
"My commander invites you to speak before the battle."
The rider turned and left.
Qianman felt uneasy—but he could not refuse.
With two guards, he rode forward.
From the other side, Yan Rou also approached with only two men.
The two sides met between the armies.
Yan Rou spoke first.
"Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun's plot has failed. They've been captured. Those who intended to join them have also been arrested. You should turn back."
Qianman was stunned.
"What?!"
In Zhang Ju's letter, he had claimed that more than a dozen powerful families were ready to rise with him.
And now—within days—they were all gone?
Seeing his disbelief, Yan Rou added calmly:
"Even in his absence, Zhang Xin's influence remains. The Zhang family alone was never capable of stirring real trouble."
He looked at Qianman with a faint, almost pitying expression.
"Chanyu… the waters of Youzhou run deep."
"You would do well to turn back."