Zhang Xin's acquisition of military authority this time went remarkably smoothly.
Liu Hong appointed him as General Who Pacifies Bandits, granted him imperial authority to act in the emperor's name, and placed him in charge of military affairs in Hedong. Zhao Yun and the others were each assigned as Sima and followed him on campaign.
As soon as court was dismissed, Zhang Xin eagerly took the tiger tally and went straight to request troops from He Jin.
At the Northern Army's training ground, Zhang Xin stared in disbelief at the formation before him—barely two thousand soldiers.
"General… this is all you're giving me?"
He Jin smiled faintly. "Ziqing, you're both experienced in warfare and familiar with the Yellow Turban rebels. Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never be defeated. I have high hopes for you."
Zhang Xin took a deep breath. "Then tell me—how many White Wave Yellow Turbans are there?"
"Over a hundred thousand, I'd say."
"And you're sending me just two thousand men?"
"It's precisely 2,237," He Jin corrected.
Zhang Xin rolled his eyes. "Two thousand against a hundred thousand—does that sound reasonable to you?"
"You can handle it," He Jin replied calmly.
"I quit."
Without hesitation, Zhang Xin threw the tiger tally and seal back into He Jin's arms and turned to leave.
"Ziqing—wait!"
He Jin hurriedly stopped him and shoved the items back. "Fine. How many do you want?"
Zhang Xin quickly calculated. The Yellow Turbans' numbers were inflated—most were non-combatants. At best, only about one-fifth could fight, meaning roughly twenty thousand actual soldiers. Compared to them, the Han's central army troops were elite—each could likely handle several enemies.
"…Five thousand should do."
He Jin's eyes widened. "Five thousand? Why don't you just rob me while you're at it!"
He shook his head vigorously. "No. Absolutely not."
Zhang Xin frowned. "You're the Grand General of the realm—don't tell me you can't even muster five thousand men?"
He Jin sighed. "Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion began, the Northern Army has taken heavy losses. His Majesty hasn't replenished the ranks."
The five divisions—Tunqi, Yueqi, Changshui, Bubing, and Shesheng—should total over twelve thousand at full strength. But after years of constant deployment, fewer than ten thousand remained. Some units had even been transferred elsewhere. In reality, He Jin had less than seven thousand troops at his disposal.
Giving Zhang Xin 2,237 soldiers was already generous.
"Then… make it three thousand?" Zhang Xin pressed.
"Enough!" He Jin snapped. "I don't have more troops—only my own head! If you want more soldiers, take it and trade it!"
Zhang Xin forced a smile. "General, I'm leading a formal imperial force. Surely I can't be weaker than local militias?"
"If I had the soldiers, what would I need you for?" He Jin retorted. "If you're fit to be General Who Pacifies Bandits, then prove you can raise troops yourself. Otherwise, go home and stop wasting my time!"
Zhang Xin fell silent.
After a moment, He Jin softened. "Aside from soldiers, you can request supplies—food, equipment, whatever you need. The court will provide funds. You can recruit additional troops yourself."
Zhang Xin rubbed his hands together. "In that case… I'd like to request one person."
"Who?"
"Xun You."
—
After leaving He Jin, Zhang Xin went to inspect the troops.
"Where is the Captain of Archery?" he called out.
An older man with a white beard stepped forward. "Ma Ridi, Colonel of Archers, reporting."
Zhang Xin was startled. Ma Ridi—a descendant of the famed Ma Yuan and grandson of the Confucian master Ma Rong. A man destined to become one of the Three Excellencies… now serving under him.
"Have the troops demonstrate," Zhang Xin ordered.
At once, Ma Ridi began issuing commands. Flags waved, officers relayed orders, and the soldiers moved with remarkable precision.
The formations shifted swiftly—small units combining into larger tactical arrays.
"Archers—fire!"
A volley of arrows soared.
"Crossbowmen—fire!"
Another wave followed.
"Arm-drawn crossbows—fire!"
Zhang Xin watched, impressed. The Han army had already mastered layered firing techniques—bows for long-range arcs, heavy crossbows for mid-range penetration, and lighter crossbows for rapid, close-range volleys. Together, they formed a deadly, multi-tiered barrage.
Inspired, Zhang Xin refined the system further—dividing the forces into nine rotating firing stages instead of three. In open terrain, broader volleys were effective; but in the narrow passes of Hedong's mountainous landscape, dense, continuous firepower would be devastating.
Preparation was everything.
Satisfied, Zhang Xin returned home.
No sooner had he entered than Zhao Yun approached him.
"My lord, a man has arrived. He calls himself Xun You. He says he was sent by the Grand General—and is waiting in the main hall."