"My strategist has arrived!"
Zhang Xin's face lit up with delight as he rushed out at full speed. Halfway there, he almost twisted his ankle out of habit—then quickly restrained himself.
Xun You might appear plain and unassuming, but he was anything but foolish. With someone like him, any attempt at cheap tricks would only backfire.
By the time Zhang Xin reached the main hall, he spotted the familiar figure. Smiling broadly, he strode forward and clasped his hands.
"Gongda, you've come!"
"I pay my respects, Your Excellency," said Xun You calmly, gently freeing his hand before bowing. A trace of confusion flickered in his eyes.
We're not that close… why did you specifically request me from the General?
Zhang Xin paid it no mind. He ushered Xun You to a seat, then took the place of honor himself.
"You must have already heard about the Bai Bo uprising."
Xun You nodded.
"The court has appointed me General Who Pacifies Bandits and ordered me to suppress the rebellion in Hedong," Zhang Xin said. "But I fear my limited abilities may fail His Majesty's trust."
He paused, then continued sincerely:
"I have long admired Gongda's wisdom. I shamelessly requested your assistance, hoping you would help me."
With that, Zhang Xin bowed deeply.
"Since it is for the sake of the state, I will do my utmost," Xun You replied, returning the gesture. "Does Your Excellency have a map of Hedong?"
"I do."
Zhang Xin turned and called out, "Dian Wei, bring the Hedong map."
Soon, Dian Wei brought it over. The map, issued by the imperial court, was spread across the table as Zhang Xin sat beside Xun You.
After studying it for a moment, Xun You asked, "How many troops has the court assigned to you, my lord?"
"Two thousand two hundred from the Shooting Sound Battalion." Zhang Xin raised two fingers.
"So few?" Xun You frowned.
"I also have four hundred personal cavalry," Zhang Xin added. "In total, just over two thousand six hundred."
Xun You lowered his gaze in thought.
Two thousand six hundred… against one hundred thousand?
What kind of battle is that supposed to be?
After a long silence, he looked up again. "Did Your Excellency not request reinforcements from the General?"
"I did!" Zhang Xin said bitterly. "Want to hear what he said?"
He went on with a string of complaints.
Xun You couldn't help but laugh. Realizing the impropriety, he quickly composed himself.
"Does Your Excellency have a plan in mind?"
A test?
Zhang Xin pondered briefly, then nodded.
"My plan is to exit through Zhiguan Pass, seize Anyi first, then strike Pingyang. After that, we hold Lingshikou to block the Taiyuan forces from moving south, and gradually pacify Hedong."
He looked at Xun You. "What do you think?"
Xun You studied the map carefully, his finger tracing the terrain before he spoke.
"Your plan… has flaws."
"The terrain at Zhiguan Pass is perilous. If the enemy fortifies the pass, our army may not advance even a single step."
"And even if we pass through successfully, our force of two thousand will be deep in enemy territory, cut off from supply lines—extremely dangerous."
His finger moved again, stopping at Huayin.
"In my view, Your Excellency should first march to Huayin."
He continued calmly:
"Huayin is backed by Chang'an, ensuring secure supply lines. From there, we can recruit troops and advance steadily."
Zhang Xin listened in silence.
There were indeed two routes into Hedong.
One passed through Zhiguan Pass, cutting directly into Jiangyi at the heart of the commandery. It was fast and strategically flexible—but risky, with fragile supply lines and exposure on all sides.
The other route, via Sanmenxia to Huayin, was safer and logistically sound—but slow, requiring a methodical reconquest of territory.
"Gongda's plan is excellent," Zhang Xin said with a nod. "However…"
He pointed north.
"I'm worried about Bingzhou."
Xun You's gaze sharpened.
"You fear Zhang Yi may be defeated?"
Zhang Xin nodded.
"The Xiutuge rebellion alone is difficult enough. Now, with the White Wave forces entering Taiyuan, he faces attacks from two sides."
"If he falls, over a hundred thousand Xiongnu could march south along the Yellow River into Guanzhong."
His tone grew grave.
"Once they cross Longmen Ferry, the land opens wide. If we're stationed in Huayin, we may not reach it in time."
"And even if we do, we'll be caught between the Xiutuge and the White Wave rebels."
"If Guanzhong falls into chaos, the rebels of Xiliang will surely rise again."
Xun You was visibly startled.
He lowered his head, rapidly analyzing the situation.
And the more he thought…
…the more dangerous it seemed.
If Zhang Yi were defeated and the Xiongnu surged south, defending Guanzhong itself would become uncertain—let alone reclaiming Hedong. And once Guanzhong destabilized, forces like Han Sui would undoubtedly reemerge.
From that perspective, Zhang Xin's bold plan to strike through Zhiguan Pass and seize Jiangyi suddenly made sense.
Jiangyi lay only 150 li from Longmen Ferry, connected by open plains. If stationed there, cavalry could reinforce Longmen within a day, infantry within two.
Hold Jiangyi and Longmen—and both the Xiongnu and Taiyuan rebels could be contained.
At that moment, Xun You realized something else:
Zhang Xin had requested a map of Bingzhou over two months ago.
Could it be…
he had foreseen all of this?
And yet he called himself "short-sighted"?
Xun You felt a quiet shock.
"What does Gongda think?" Zhang Xin asked, breaking the silence.
After a moment's thought, Xun You replied:
"Then why not first seize Puban and Heyang? That way, even if Zhang Yi is defeated, we can secure Longmen Ferry in time."
"And if he is not defeated, we can later cross the river and take Jiangyi after strengthening our forces."
Zhang Xin nodded.
It was indeed the safest plan.
But…
He hesitated, then said quietly:
"Gongda… I'm afraid we don't have that much time."