Chang'an
After Han Sui withdrew, Wang Guo, Ma Teng, and the other rebel leaders followed suit. Within just a few days, the massive force of over three hundred thousand had completely pulled back into Liangzhou.
At first, Zhang Wen suspected a feigned retreat and dared not pursue.
They had the advantage—why withdraw so suddenly?
Only after repeated reports from scouts confirmed that the rebels had truly dispersed did he reluctantly accept reality.
He couldn't make sense of it—but the opportunity was too good to waste.
Zhang Wen immediately dispatched troops to recover Mei County, Meiyang, Chencang, and other strategic points. At the same time, he sent messengers to Luoyang to report the victory and ordered scouts into Liangzhou to search for news of Zhang Xin.
The emperor's concern for Zhang Xin was… unusual.
An imperial inquiry every three days—such treatment was unheard of.
"Even Marquis Shi and Marquis Dong don't receive this level of attention, do they?"
A strange thought suddenly crossed Zhang Wen's mind.
Could it be… Zhang Xin is His Majesty's illegitimate son?
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Zhang Xin was from Jizhou. The emperor was also from Jizhou. What if, before ascending the throne, he had a relationship with a common woman… only to later discover that she had died, leaving behind a son forced into hardship, even banditry?
And yet, that son had risen—fighting the Wuhuan, pacifying the Xianbei, proving himself loyal and capable.
If the emperor had discovered the truth, would he not try to make amends?
"…The ages even match…" Zhang Wen muttered.
But then he hesitated.
"When His Majesty ascended the throne, he was only twelve… could that even be possible?"
Then he recalled Liu Hong's notorious excesses.
…Actually, maybe it is.
Just as Zhang Wen sank deeper into wild speculation, his advisor Tao Qian entered.
"Grand Commandant, Zhang Xin's battle report has arrived."
Zhang Wen shot to his feet. "What? The Crown Prince's report has arrived?!"
Tao Qian froze, then his expression darkened. "What nonsense is this? Has the Grand Commandant lost his senses, speaking such treasonous words?"
The two already had a strained relationship. Tao Qian had once publicly humiliated Zhang Wen at a banquet, and though the conflict had been temporarily smoothed over, mutual disdain remained.
Zhang Wen quickly waved it off. "You misheard. Bring me the report."
With a cold snort, Tao Qian signaled his attendants to present the bamboo slips, then turned and left without another word.
After he was gone, Zhang Wen opened the report—and his eyes lit up with astonishment.
"So that's what happened!"
Five thousand isolated troops had penetrated deep behind enemy lines. Cut off from supplies, surrounded by enemies—and yet, not only had they survived, they had struck directly at Jincheng, capturing Han Sui's family and forcing the rebels to withdraw.
Zhang Wen set the report down, stroking his beard in admiration.
"The Great Han has produced another extraordinary general…"
Then his earlier thought resurfaced.
If Zhang Xin truly is the emperor's eldest son…
—
Hanzhong
After more than ten days of rest in Nanzheng, Zhang Xin finally received orders from Chang'an.
He was to lead his army north via the Baoxie Road, pass through Mei County, and report to Chang'an.
At last—he could return.
As they marched, Zhang Xin carefully studied the terrain.
Between Hanzhong and Guanzhong lay four ancient plank roads through the Qinling Mountains: Ziwu Road, Tangluo Road, Baoxie Road, and Chencang Road.
Of these, only the Baoxie Road was relatively level. The others were narrow, winding, and unsuitable for cavalry.
This road had a long history—dating back to the Zhou dynasty. It passed through Bao Valley, said to be the homeland of Bao Si, from whom the road took its name.
Zhang Xin led his troops north along the Bao River, eventually camping at Madaoyi—where legend claimed Xiao He had once chased Han Xin under the moonlight.
The next day, they reached Wuguan Station, where several ancient roads converged—a strategic chokepoint fought over for generations.
Continuing north past Mount Taibai and through Xie Valley, they approached the famed Wuzhang Plains.
Zhang Xin paused there briefly, paying silent respects to the legacy of past strategists, before continuing on to Mei County—and finally, Chang'an.
—
Zhang Wen had already been summoned back to Luoyang, leaving Tao Qian in charge of receiving Zhang Xin.
After verifying his identity, Zhang Xin studied him with interest.
The man before him appeared dignified despite his age, his greying hair framing a stern and authoritative face.
But Zhang Xin knew his reputation well.
Tao Qian was no benevolent official. He was stubborn, self-serving, and prone to empowering corrupt subordinates. His governance in Xuzhou would later bring chaos rather than stability.
Yet here he stood, representing imperial authority.
Without ceremony, Tao Qian took out the imperial edict.
"Marquis Zhang Xin of Wuxiang, receive the decree."
"Your subject obeys."
Zhang Xin knelt.
The decree was read aloud:
Zhang Xin was granted the title Marquis Xuanwei, with a fief of five thousand households.
At the same time, he was ordered to disband the Wuhuan and Xianbei cavalry, allowing them to return to their homelands. After settling his forces, he was to escort Han Sui's family to the capital and present himself before the emperor.
The reward was great—but so was the implication.
The court was calling him back.