After leaving Luoyang, Zhang Xin followed the advice of Xun You. Instead of taking the dangerous Zhiguan Pass route, he chose the ancient Xiaohan Road—also known as Sanmenxia—and made his way to Huayin.
From there, his army crossed the Yellow River and advanced north, swiftly capturing Puban County.
Puban was no ordinary location. It controlled Pubanjin—also called Pujin Ferry—one of the most critical crossings between Guanzhong and Hedong. Its strategic importance had been proven before: during the Battle of Tongguan, Cao Cao had crossed here to defeat the Guanzhong coalition led by Ma Chao and Han Sui.
At this time, however, most of the White Wave Yellow Turban forces were concentrated around Linfen and Jiangyi. Puban's defenses were thin. Combined with the generally poor quality of Yellow Turban troops—and the fact that many local elites defected to the imperial side—Zhang Xin took the city with ease.
After the capture, Zhang Xin made an unexpected decision.
He did not execute the surrendered Yellow Turban soldiers. Instead, he gave them food and released them.
"We all come from the same roots," he said. "Why must we harm each other so eagerly?"
Watching the departing figures, Xun You stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Does Your Excellency intend to win hearts and minds?"
"The Yellow Turbans are nothing more than people who couldn't fill their stomachs," Zhang Xin replied with a sigh. "Give them land and food, and they won't rebel. Why spill more blood?"
Xun You nodded. He was not a man who delighted in slaughter.
"However," he added, "the White Wave forces number over a hundred thousand. What is your plan, my lord?"
Zhang Xin paused.
"Let's first meet the Prefect of Hedong and examine the land records. We'll decide after that."
Once inside Puban, Zhang Xin immediately set things in order.
He ordered Cao Xing to lead five hundred men to guard the ferry, while also sending requests to Guanzhong for grain supplies. Scouts were dispatched in all directions to gather intelligence.
Several days later, with the situation in Hedong clarified, Zhang Xin summoned Xun You again.
"My plan," Zhang Xin began, pointing at the map, "is to send cavalry to raid Pingyang—relieve its siege—and force the White Wave army to retreat toward Jiangyi and Linfen."
"Then, I will have the Prefect of Hedong march north from Anyi and link up with us at Wenxi."
"What do you think, Gongda?"
The logic was sound.
The White Wave forces had long besieged Pingyang without success. A sudden cavalry strike would force them to withdraw. If Zhang Xin then joined forces with Hedong's troops and advanced north, they could coordinate with the Pingyang garrison and trap Yang Feng in a pincer.
But Xun You shook his head slightly.
"If Your Excellency only intends to relieve Pingyang, this plan will work," he said. "But in that case, you must abandon the idea of pacification."
He explained calmly:
"The Yellow Turbans are numerous but poorly trained. Our army is small but elite."
"If we launch a surprise attack, Yang Feng will panic and immediately call for reinforcements from Guo Da. Once their forces unite, they will number over one hundred thousand."
"At that point, we will be outnumbered and at a disadvantage."
Pacification was not a magic solution—it required negotiation, time, and leverage.
And time was exactly what Yang Feng would use to call for help.
"If Guo Da arrives," Xun You continued, "no one in their right mind would surrender to a force of only a few thousand. You would be forced either to retreat or to fight a decisive battle."
Zhang Xin nodded slowly.
"Then what would you suggest?"
Xun You's eyes sharpened.
"In my view, we should remain still—and show weakness."
He elaborated:
"There are over thirty thousand rebels in Hedong, while we have barely more than two thousand. If we do not advance, Yang Feng will not suspect us of aggression and will not call for aid."
"We wait here in Puban for news from General Gao."
Zhang Xin frowned.
"If we do nothing, what happens to Pingyang?"
Pingyang was a critical point—wedged between Yang Feng's forces to the south and Guo Da's forces to the north near Lingshikou. It acted like a nail driven between two boards.
Remove that nail—and the enemy would have no more constraints.
"My lord, do not worry," Xun You said with a faint smile. "Once Yang Feng learns that our army has arrived, he will fear a sudden strike from the rear. He will not dare attack Pingyang again."
Zhang Xin thought for a moment… then nodded.
This was the true value of a strategist.
Not just planning before battle—but adapting in real time, analyzing the enemy's psychology, and shaping the battlefield without even fighting.
Xun You truly lived up to his reputation.
"However," Zhang Xin added, leaning closer, "we cannot simply sit idle either."
He lowered his voice and whispered his plan into Xun You's ear.
When he finished, he asked, "What do you think?"
Xun You's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"This is a brilliant use of psychological warfare," he said. "Your Excellency is truly ingenious."
So this Marquis Xuanwei… truly earned his title.
"Then we'll proceed as planned," Zhang Xin said.
Meanwhile, in Yang Feng's camp—
"What did you say? The Han army has arrived?!"
Yang Feng stared wide-eyed at the messenger.
"Yes," the soldier replied.
"How many?"
"According to those who fled Puban… just over two thousand."
Yang Feng let out a long breath.
Only two thousand? That's manageable.
"I understand. You may leave."
"Wait," another voice interrupted.
It was Xu Huang.
"Do you know who is leading them?"
Yang Feng blinked. "Right—who is it?"
"Marquis Xuanwei… Zhang Xin."
The tent fell silent.
Then—shock.
Zhang Xin's name had spread across the empire in recent years.
A former Yellow Turban who rose from nothing… who crushed the Wuhuan and Xianbei… who even sent captured tribal leaders to Luoyang.
Now he had come.
Yang Feng's face twisted with anger.
"Damn him!" he cursed. "A Yellow Turban attacking fellow Yellow Turbans—does he not fear the wrath of the Great Teacher's spirit?!"
Around him, the younger officers wore conflicted expressions.
There was resentment… but also envy.
A county marquis. A general. Power, wealth—
What kind of life must he be living now?
After venting, Yang Feng turned anxiously to Xu Huang.
"Gongming… do you have a plan?"