"Calm down, my lord! Please calm your anger!"
Seeing Zhang Xin's temper flare, Niu Feng quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"I'll take it—I'll take responsibility."
Only then did Zhang Xin's expression ease.
"That's more like it."
Soon after, Zhang Xin summoned all the county officials and formally introduced Niu Feng as the new administrator. The officials bowed in acknowledgment, and Zhang Xin reassigned a number of minor officers from his own retinue to assist him.
Back in Luoyang, Zhang Xin had gathered many retainers. Rather than letting them idle, he had brought them along for this campaign—now they would finally prove their worth.
Next, he called for Wang Meng and gave him a clear order:
"Assist Niu Feng well in governing the county."
Wang Meng frowned, clearly dissatisfied.
He had no interest in administration—he wanted the battlefield.
Zhang Xin glanced at him and said calmly:
"If you want to command troops, first understand where soldiers come from… and where provisions come from."
Wang Meng remained unimpressed—until Zhang Xin continued:
"If you can't grasp these fundamentals, how can I entrust you with an army in the future?"
That changed everything.
Wang Meng's expression instantly brightened.
"My lord, rest assured—I will assist Lord Niu with all my strength!"
With arrangements complete, Zhang Xin handed over control of the county to Niu Feng and Wang Meng, then turned his attention back to the military.
He took command of the Hedong troops, reorganized them, and placed them under Xun You's coordination.
Zuo Bao was dispatched with three hundred cavalry to reinforce Gao Shun at Lengquan Pass and assist in the assault on Jiexiu.
Zhang Xin himself led a smaller force back to Pingyang, securing supply lines and awaiting reinforcements from Guanzhong.
Even while waiting, he did not remain idle.
Whenever Niu Feng or Wang Meng encountered difficulties, they came to consult him—and Zhang Xin answered each question patiently, guiding them step by step.
Several days later, the long-awaited reinforcements arrived.
Three thousand iron cavalry thundered into camp.
These were the elite Xiliang cavalry promised by the emperor.
As commander-in-chief, Zhang Xin did not go out to greet them. Instead, he sat in the central command tent, waiting.
Before long, Dian Wei led two generals inside.
The moment one of them saw Zhang Xin, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wait—you?!"
Zhang Xin looked up—and burst out laughing.
"What a coincidence."
The man was none other than Li Jue—the very officer Zhang Xin had once nearly killed back at Huangyang Pavilion… and from whom he had seized his first fine warhorse.
"You're the General Who Guards the North?" Li Jue stared, stunned.
He had heard the name for years—but never imagined it belonged to that same young man.
"Impudent!" Dian Wei barked. "Why do you not bow before our lord?"
Snapping back to his senses, Li Jue hurriedly saluted.
"This humble general, Li Jue, pays respects to Your Excellency."
Beside him, another man followed suit.
"This humble general, Guo Si, pays respects."
Zhang Xin paused for a moment.
Li Jue… Guo Si… Dong Zhuo actually sent these two.
Then he smiled warmly.
"You've come a long way. No need for excessive formalities."
After brief greetings, Li Jue formally reported:
"All three thousand Xiliang cavalry have arrived. Please inspect the troops, my lord."
Outside, the cavalry stood in formation.
Though dust-covered from their journey, their discipline was impeccable. Their presence alone radiated killing intent.
Zhang Xin nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected of Xiliang's finest…"
Turning back, he said:
"You've traveled far—rest your troops well. Orders will follow."
Then, after a brief pause, he added:
"Maintain strict discipline. If trouble arises… don't blame me for not warning you."
Both men bowed.
"Yes, sir."
But once they returned to camp, unease crept in.
Li Jue muttered quietly, "Guo Duo… what if he holds a grudge about before?"
Guo Si's face stiffened.
Li Jue had nearly died back then—but Guo Si himself had even swung a blade at Zhang Xin.
Neither knew how this would end.
Before they could dwell on it, a summons arrived.
Zhang Xin had invited them to a banquet.
"Could this be a trap?" Guo Si whispered.
Li Jue shook his head.
"Unlikely. We serve the same court now."
At the banquet, fine wine and rich dishes filled the table.
After everyone was seated, Zhang Xin raised his cup.
"We were once enemies," he said calmly. "If there were any grievances, I will not hold them."
He looked directly at the two men.
"I hope you will do the same."
"After this cup, let the past be buried. From now on, we serve the same court and the same emperor."
He drank in one motion.
The tension broke.
Li Jue and Guo Si exchanged glances—then drank as well.
What followed was effortless.
Zhang Xin adopted his familiar charm, speaking freely and warmly, quickly putting the two at ease.
By the end of the night, both men were thoroughly drunk—laughing, relaxed, and completely reassured.
Watching them, Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
These two were not his subordinates—only temporarily assigned.
Maintaining good relations was essential.
More importantly, they were not forgiving men. If mishandled, they could easily become a liability at a critical moment.
Better to win them over now.
The next morning, the unease in their eyes was gone.
Two days later, after rest and reorganization, Zhang Xin gave the order to march.
Before departing, he gave final instructions to Niu Feng and Wang Meng.
"This rebellion disrupted the spring planting," Zhang Xin said. "It's too late for wheat—but summer crops can still be planted."
"Beans, vegetables, melons… ensure the people harvest something this year."
Niu Feng nodded confidently.
"Leave it to me, my lord."
Satisfied, Zhang Xin led his army north.
After joining Cao Xing at Lingshikou, a report from Gao Shun arrived.
Zhang Xin opened it—and his eyes lit up.
"As expected of Xun Gongda…"
A smile spread across his face.
"Jiexiu has already fallen."