"Who's there?!"
Startled, Gu Yong jolted upright.
Wasn't his residence under guard? How had someone slipped in unnoticed?
"Registrar, do not be alarmed," the shadowy figure whispered. "Servants from the Zhang family entered the prefectural office through a side gate under cover of night to meet Zhang Fang. Following your orders, I did not interfere. I've come to report this."
So it was one of his own. No wonder.
Gu Yong let out a long breath of relief. "Understood. Have Zhang Niujiao proceed as planned."
"Understood."
After the figure left, Gu Yong lay back down, turned over, and soon fell asleep again.
"Is it time to act…?"
The next day, Gu Yong behaved as if nothing had happened and went to the main hall to carry out his duties.
Not long after, Zhang Fang entered, holding a folded document.
"Yuan Tan, take a look at this."
"Very well."
Gu Yong stood, but did not step forward.
Zhang Fang felt a sudden unease. Seeing this unusual behavior, his mind began racing.
"Has the Zhang family's plan been exposed?"
In the past, whenever Zhang Fang came to present documents, Gu Yong would step forward and bow in greeting. Today, however, he remained where he stood.
Zhang Fang had concealed a dagger, intending to strike the moment Gu Yong lowered his guard. But now, Gu Yong showed no intention of approaching.
"No… impossible," Zhang Fang reassured himself. "The patriarch has kept this secret extremely well. Only three of us know—myself included."
"Besides, every secret letter has reached me safely. Nothing has ever been intercepted."
Calming himself, Zhang Fang forced a smile and walked forward.
When he first learned of the Zhang family's plan to rebel, he had opposed it. Life was stable—why risk everything?
But when Zhang Xin entrusted the affairs of the prefecture to Gu Yong instead of him, resentment took root.
On what grounds?
Why should an outsider—a mere young scholar—be allowed to take temporary control of the prefecture and command the locals?
Just because he was a student of Cai Yong?
Zhang Fang had been the one to offer grain when Zhang Xin first arrived, solving a critical shortage. Yet instead of rewarding him, Zhang Xin trusted others—Xianyu, Chen Song—men of lesser standing in his eyes.
He had served diligently, defended the county during invasions, and managed officials without complaint. Even his patriarch had personally visited—yet he never received proper recognition.
Meanwhile, someone like Chen Song rose through the ranks.
The injustice gnawed at him.
Zhang Xin, in his eyes, had misjudged men and favored outsiders.
He deserved to die.
As Zhang Fang approached, his expression twisted with murderous intent.
"Yuan Tan…"
He clasped his hands in a formal gesture, as if to bow—
Then suddenly drew a dagger and lunged forward.
But Gu Yong had been prepared.
The moment Zhang Fang moved, Gu Yong leaned back and fell to the ground, narrowly avoiding the strike.
The dagger cut through empty air.
Zhang Fang froze in confusion.
Before he could react, more than ten armored soldiers rushed in from both sides—led by Gao Shun.
With a swift kick, Gao Shun knocked the dagger away. The soldiers surged forward, pinning Zhang Fang to the ground.
"Just as I thought," Gu Yong said calmly, rising to his feet and brushing the dust from his robes.
"If I were part of the Zhang family, the simplest way to seize control of Yuyang would be to assassinate me. Once I'm dead, you could take the prefect's seal, mobilize your allies within the office, and abduct the lord's family. With that, you could command both the county troops and the garrison. Am I wrong?"
Zhang Fang stared at him in shock.
"You… you knew all along?"
Gu Yong shook his head slightly. "Not me. It was the lord."
"The lord?" Zhang Fang was stunned.
Zhang Xin had left on campaign months ago—before any firm decision to rebel had even been made.
Could he truly foresee such things?
"The lord merely had suspicions and instructed me to watch the Zhang family," Gu Yong said with quiet admiration. "At first, I thought he was being overly cautious. It seems I was mistaken."
Zhang Fang's face turned pale.
How could they compete against someone like that?
Gu Yong gestured for the soldiers to take him away.
"Are you unharmed?" Gao Shun asked.
"I'm fine," Gu Yong replied with a faint smile. He pulled open his collar, revealing a fitted leather cuirass beneath his robes.
"If I suspected an assassination, how could I not prepare?"
Relieved, Gao Shun nodded. Zhang Xin had entrusted him with Gu Yong's safety—failure was not an option.
"In that case, I'll proceed. Take care, Registrar."
He saluted and left.
Once Gao Shun departed, Gu Yong immediately took control of all Zhang-affiliated officials within the prefectural office and reinforced the rear courtyard.
Meanwhile, Gao Shun led troops to surround the Zhang family residence.
The gates slammed shut at the sight of soldiers. Curious onlookers gathered.
"What's going on?"
Gao Shun raised his voice: "The Zhang family is plotting rebellion! By order, we are here to arrest them!"
An uproar erupted among the crowd.
"Nonsense!"
The gates suddenly opened, and a member of the Zhang family stepped out.
"With the prefect absent and no chief clerk appointed, my elder brother Zhang Fang holds the highest authority in the prefecture! Why would our family rebel?"
Gao Shun replied coldly, "Zhang Fang has already confessed. The Zhang family planned to abduct the Marquis's family and incite rebellion."
The man froze.
Rebellion?
How did he not know?
Gao Shun didn't bother arguing. He waved his hand.
"Arrest them."
"At once!"
The soldiers stormed in like wolves. Chaos erupted within the mansion—some resisted, some shouted in disbelief, others tried to flee. Those who climbed the walls were immediately captured outside.
At the same time, a similar raid unfolded at the Zhang family estate beyond the city.
Zhang Niujiao led over a thousand former Yellow Turban fighters in a sudden assault. Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun were caught off guard and swiftly eliminated.
A search of the estate uncovered dozens of letters detailing plans for rebellion.
Zhang Niujiao wasted no time delivering them to Gu Yong.
After reading them, Gu Yong was deeply shaken.
Zhang Ju had not only planned rebellion—he had invited the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and powerful clans across multiple counties to rise together and proclaim himself emperor.
Worse still, many had already agreed.
If this succeeded, all of Hebei would be thrown into chaos.
Gu Yong immediately wrote to Yan Rou, urging him to secure Ningxian Pass. He recalled Gao Shun, borrowed troops from Zhang Niujiao, and stationed forces at Xixi.
Then came the interrogations.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Zhang Ju confessed without resistance, naming every clan involved.
Gu Yong sent urgent warnings to each affected county. He also ordered Taishi Ci to suspend naval drills and begin patrols.
Everything was handled swiftly and decisively.
Watching this, Zhang Niujiao couldn't help but marvel.
"This young clerk… already carries half the bearing of the lord himself."