After the eunuch left, Lü Bu looked around in amazement.
"My lord, your residence is truly magnificent!"
"What, Fengxian likes it?" Zhang Xin smiled. "Then stay here. I have plenty of courtyards—pick whichever you like."
"Really?" Lü Bu's eyes lit up with surprise.
As a mere cavalry captain, he could only reside in official quarters in Luoyang. Though his rank technically entitled him to a private residence, it was nowhere near as luxurious as that of a marquis.
"Of course. Make yourself at home," Zhang Xin said, then turned to Zhao Yun and the others. "You all may choose courtyards as well."
"Thank you, my lord," they replied in unison.
Zhang Xin summoned servants to guide them, then followed the steward with Han Shu into an inner courtyard.
The place was exquisitely designed—painted beams, carved pillars, and a small garden with flowing water drawn in from outside. Everything was already furnished: furniture, clothing, daily necessities.
The mansion even came with over a hundred servants gifted by Liu Hong—all government slaves whose upkeep was paid by the court.
Zhang Xin didn't have to spend a single coin.
So this is what it means to live off the state…
It felt good—too good.
If he didn't know how history would unfold, he might truly have been willing to devote his life to the Han Dynasty.
After arranging a banquet, Zhang Xin changed out of his armor into plain clothes. Taking Dian Wei with him, he headed toward the South Palace Gate.
Cai Yong, as Grand Master of Ceremonies, worked within the palace. Officials' residences lay outside the southern gate—so he would surely pass through there when his shift ended.
Outside the gate, carriages lined the roadside. Servants chatted quietly while waiting for their masters.
The scene oddly resembled parents picking up children after school.
Zhang Xin found a quiet spot and waited.
By late afternoon, officials began leaving the palace in small groups.
At last, Zhang Xin spotted Cai Yong. He immediately dismounted and stepped forward.
"Teacher!"
He lifted his robe and bowed deeply.
"Ziqing?" Cai Yong was startled, then overjoyed. "You're back?"
He quickly helped Zhang Xin up. "When did you arrive?"
"Just today," Zhang Xin replied with a smile.
An elderly man beside Cai Yong asked, "Bojie, who is this?"
Cai Yong smiled. "My disciple—Zhang Xin, courtesy name Ziqing."
He then introduced the elder: "This is Zhang Xun, Grand Minister of Agriculture, courtesy name Zijun."
Zhang Xin bowed at once. "This student greets the Grand Minister."
Zhang Xun returned the courtesy. "So this is Marquis Xuanwei. My respects."
Though cordial, the formalities of rank were unavoidable.
Cai Yong then gestured to the others. "This is Minister Shan Yang, and this is Minister Lu Zhi."
Zhang Xin greeted them—but his gaze lingered briefly on Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi, in turn, regarded him coldly.
Zhang Xin had killed one of his disciples and impeached another—Gongsun Zan, whom Lu Zhi held in high regard. It was only natural there would be resentment.
After introductions, Zhang Xun asked, "Bojie, when did you take Marquis Xuanwei as a disciple?"
Cai Yong recounted their time in Yuyang, praising Zhang Xin generously.
Zhang Xin felt secretly pleased.
This was exactly why he had sought Cai Yong as a teacher—reputation. Once such a scholar acknowledged him, word would spread naturally.
"Indeed impressive," Shan Yang said. "So young, yet already a county marquis. His future is boundless."
"I dare not accept such praise," Zhang Xin replied modestly. "Any merit I have is due to my soldiers and those who aided me."
Cai Yong then asked, "Why were you waiting here?"
"It has been half a year since we last met," Zhang Xin said warmly. "I missed you, teacher. I've prepared a small banquet and came to invite you."
Zhang Xun chuckled. "You've only just arrived in Luoyang, yet you came here to wait. Bojie is truly fortunate."
"Indeed," Shan Yang added. "Such filial devotion is rare."
Cai Yong laughed heartily.
Seizing the moment, Zhang Xin extended the invitation further. "If you gentlemen are willing, please join us as well."
"I have other matters," Lu Zhi declined curtly.
"We shall visit another day," Zhang Xun and Shan Yang added politely.
After farewells, Zhang Xin helped Cai Yong into the carriage. Just as he was about to mount his horse, Cai Yong stopped him.
"Ziqing, come inside. Tell me about Liangzhou."
"Of course."
Zhang Xin handed his horse to a servant and boarded the carriage.
Along the way, he recounted everything.
Cai Yong listened intently—sometimes frowning, sometimes exclaiming, sometimes nodding in approval.
Though he had read the battle report, hearing it firsthand was entirely different.
When Zhang Xin finished, Cai Yong sighed in admiration. "You have the bearing of a great general."
"I was just trying to survive," Zhang Xin said with a sheepish smile.
Then he asked, "Teacher, where is Zhao Ji? Should I send someone to bring her?"
Cai Yong shook his head. "No need. Zhao Ji has been married into the Wei family of Hedong. She wed two months ago after her coming-of-age ceremony."
"I sent word to Yuyang, but you were still in Liangzhou."
Zhang Xin wasn't surprised—he already knew this would happen.
"Then I must congratulate you, teacher. I'll send a gift tomorrow."
Cai Yong laughed. "Your thought is enough."
Soon, the carriage arrived at the marquis's residence.
Zhang Xin stepped down first, then helped Cai Yong out.
At the gate, Zhao Yun and the others were already waiting.
"My lord," they said, stepping forward, "Shi Fan has arrived."