"Your Majesty."
Situ Xu Xiang stepped forward and spoke with solemn conviction."Chu Yan has led his rebellion for four years now. The commanderies of Zhongshan, Changshan, Zhao, and Shangdang have suffered his depredations year after year.
"Previously, Chu Yan surrendered, and the court, showing great magnanimity, not only spared him but even appointed him General Who Pacifies the Disasters, entrusting him with the valleys of Hebei. Yet instead of repaying such grace, he has grown more audacious—invading Hanoi and now advancing toward the capital.
"This cannot be tolerated any longer. I humbly propose that we select elite troops and capable generals to strike him down once and for all, so that he will never again dare covet the authority of the Great Han!"
"I second this proposal!" Cui Lie declared immediately.
"I concur as well," added the newly appointed Minister of Works, Ding Gong.
"We second the proposal!" the assembled officials echoed in unison.
Liu Hong nodded slightly. Liangzhou was quiet for the moment; the court could afford to deal with Chu Yan.
"Which of you is willing to lead the campaign?" he asked.
"I recommend Marquis Xuanwei, Zhang Xin," He Jin said in a deep voice. "The Marquis has long experience on the battlefield and has never known defeat. In this year's Liangzhou campaign, while others returned empty-handed, he alone broke through Jincheng—repelling the rebels and capturing Han Yue's family, thus deterring further unrest.
"He is both wise and brave. None is more suited for this task."
Xu Xiang's eyes flickered as he prepared to object—
"No!"
A firm, resonant voice cut through the hall.
All eyes turned. It was Zhu Jun, Grand Master of the Imperial Stud.
He stepped forward urgently. "Zhang Xin is a surrendered Yellow Turban general. If entrusted with this mission, he may collude with Chu Yan!"
A stir rippled through the court. Bold—too bold.
All gazes shifted to Zhang Xin.
His expression darkened.
Liu Hong watched with interest.
Zhang Xin remained calm. "Grand Master Zhu, may I ask—do you know why I joined the Yellow Turbans?"
Zhu Jun snorted. "Because you are disloyal and ungrateful, with neither ruler nor father in your heart."
"Presumptuous!"
Zhang Rang stepped forward sharply. "Marquis Xuanwei was personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. Are you implying that His Majesty is blind, elevating a disloyal man to the court?"
Zhu Jun stiffened. "I would never dare imply such a thing."
Zhang Xin silently praised Zhang Rang. A masterstroke.
With a slight nod from Zhang Rang, he continued.
"The reason I joined the Yellow Turbans," Zhang Xin said, his gaze fixed on Zhu Jun, "is because of you, Grand Master Zhu."
Zhu Jun blinked in confusion. "What nonsense is this?"
Zhang Xin spoke evenly. "When you were a county clerk, a man named Zhou Gui borrowed one million coins from the prefectural treasury for his coming-of-age expenses. Unable to repay, it was you who sold your mother's silk to help him. Is this true?"
Zhu Jun straightened proudly. "It is."
"A fine deed," Zhang Xin nodded. "Loyal and righteous indeed."
Zhu Jun frowned. Something felt off.
Zhang Xin continued, "Later, when Prefect Yin Duan faced execution after a failed campaign, it was you who brought hundreds of gold pieces to the capital to bribe officials and save him. Is that also true?"
Zhu Jun's expression faltered. "…Yes."
"And that," Zhang Xin said suddenly, voice rising, "is exactly why I joined the Yellow Turbans!"
The court froze.
"When I was a mere clerk, I had to sell my family's possessions to help others. Yet you—after only a few years as a registrar—could produce hundreds of gold pieces?"
He stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"A registrar earns barely sixteen bushels of grain a month. Tell me—where did your wealth come from? Whose money did you take? Whose blood did you squeeze?"
Zhu Jun's face flushed crimson.
Zhang Xin did not stop.
"Corrupt officials like you plunder the people until they cannot survive—then you dare call others rebels? If not for thieves like you stealing the state, would the people have risen at all?"
"Explain yourself," Liu Hong said coldly. "Where did the money come from?"
Zhu Jun stammered. "It… it was pooled by fellow officials…"
"Really?" Zhang Xin tilted his head. "I find that hard to believe."
Sensing danger, Yuan Wei quickly intervened. "Your Majesty, we are here to discuss the campaign against Chu Yan. Let us not stray from the matter."
Xu Xiang seized the moment. "Your Majesty, I recommend Zhu Jun. He has extensive experience and personally suppressed the Yellow Turbans in Jing and Yu. With him in command, victory is assured."
"I second the proposal."
"We second it!"
"I object!" Zhang Xin shouted.
"Zhu Jun is unfit!"
"How dare you!" Zhu Jun snapped. "When I fought on the battlefield, you were still at your mother's breast!"
Laughter broke out across the court.
Zhang Xin smiled faintly. "You were defeated by Bo Cai."
The laughter died instantly.
"You…" Zhu Jun's face darkened.
"At Changshe," Zhang Xin continued coolly, "if not for Huangfu Song, you would already be bones in a grave. You couldn't win a battle on your own."
Zhu Jun trembled with rage. "And you can?"
"I can," Zhang Xin said calmly. "Have I ever lost?"
Silence.
"…You were defeated by Bo Cai," Zhang Xin added.
Zhu Jun snapped.
"You insolent brat!"
He lunged forward and punched Zhang Xin square in the face.
Caught off guard, Zhang Xin staggered back.
"You old bastard!" he roared, rolling up his sleeves. "No honor at all—ambushing a nineteen-year-old!"
He charged forward.
The court erupted into chaos.
"Stop! Stop at once!" Cai Yong rushed between them, desperately trying to break the fight apart.