Chu Yan was terrified.
Wang Dang's strength had not been far beneath his own. If Dian Wei could kill Wang Dang so effortlessly, then killing him would be just as easy.
Only now did he truly believe—Zhang Xin was not bluffing. He was genuinely acting with the Yellow Turbans in mind… yet he was also someone not to be provoked.
"Feiyan, remember this."
Zhang Xin's voice was cold as ice.
"What I give you is yours. What I don't give—you have no right to take."
Now that he had confirmed Yang Feng and the others' loyalty, Zhang Xin no longer needed to be lenient.
Chu Yan had always been the type to bully the weak and fear the strong.
When the Han court was powerless, he had pressed forward boldly, even probing toward the capital. When Zhu Jun arrived, he fought once—then immediately retreated back into the mountains.
Now, taking advantage of the chaos of the White Wave rebels, the Yellow Turbans, and the Southern Xiongnu, he had come to test the waters in Bingzhou again.
If Zhang Xin showed weakness, Chu Yan would only push further.
Facing Zhang Xin's stern gaze, Chu Yan replied stiffly, almost reflexively:
"…Understood."
Zhang Xin's expression softened slightly as he turned to the others.
"What Feiyan said earlier is not without reason. As the son-in-law of the Great Teacher and a disciple of General Digong, I cannot simply watch my brothers starve in the mountains."
"Let's do this—after Bingzhou is recovered, I will send fifty thousand shi of grain to Yang Feng. You may distribute it among yourselves."
The threat had been delivered. Authority established.
Now came the reward.
The Black Mountain Army numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Even if Zhang Xin could only win over half, that would still mean tens of thousands of loyal troops.
And Pingyang's granaries—filled with the wealth seized from powerful clans—held more than enough grain. Fifty thousand shi was a small price.
Chu Yan's heart sank.
This was blatant divide-and-rule—right in front of him.
But under Dian Wei's cold gaze, he dared not object.
"Thank you, Young General!"
Yang Feng and several others loyal to Zhang Jiao were overjoyed.
Zhang Xin smiled faintly. "You may all return."
"Wait!"
Pinghan suddenly stepped forward.
"Since that is the case, why don't we assist the Young General directly? If we help him reclaim Bingzhou, everything will be settled more quickly."
"Yes!" Yang Feng agreed enthusiastically. "What does the Young General think?"
Zhang Xin paused, slightly surprised.
He had only intended to force their withdrawal—but Zhang Jiao's name carried even more weight than expected.
"I would naturally welcome your assistance," he said slowly. "However, our supplies are limited. If too many come, we may not be able to support you."
"How about this—bring five thousand men."
His own army numbered only around seven or eight thousand. Too many Black Mountain troops would be difficult to control—especially with someone like Chu Yan present.
"Agreed!""No problem!"
The commanders readily accepted.
After setting a date, Zhang Xin withdrew.
—
Back in camp, Xun You hurried over.
"My lord, what happened? Are they withdrawing?"
From afar, he had only heard Zhang Xin shouting curses—"idiot," "bastard"—and saw Chu Yan draw his sword.
For a moment, he thought a fight would break out.
Then Dian Wei killed Wang Dang.
Xun You had nearly ordered a full assault—
Yet unexpectedly, Chu Yan backed down, and the meeting ended peacefully.
"Not only are they withdrawing," Zhang Xin said with a smile, "in a few days, five thousand of them will come to assist us."
Xun You was stunned.
"You turned the enemy into reinforcements?"
Zhang Xin briefly explained.
After listening, Xun You sighed in admiration.
"The court is truly fortunate to have you, my lord."
Zhang Xin only smiled. "Let's return to the city."
—
Back at Hukou Pass, Chu Yan finally came to his senses.
Wait… I am the commander of the Black Mountain Army!
Since when did Zhang Xin give me orders?
And he even killed my general!
"Zhang Xin has gone too far!" Chu Yan roared, slashing wildly inside his tent.
Sun Qing, close as a brother to Wang Dang, was equally enraged.
"Commander! Are we just going to let this go?"
"Let it go?" Chu Yan sneered after calming down. "Of course not."
He leaned in and whispered his plan.
Sun Qing's face lit up with a grim smile.
"Brilliant."
—
Two days later, Chu Yan arrived outside Changzi with five thousand men.
Zhang Xin had already prepared a camp and invited the commanders into the city.
Yang Feng and the others entered without suspicion.
Chu Yan hesitated—but followed anyway.
If Zhang Xin had wanted him dead, he would have acted already.
—
Inside the prefect's residence, Zhang Xin rose to greet them.
"You've all arrived."
"We pay our respects, my lord," the commanders said in unison.
After taking their seats, Zhang Xin asked about their troop numbers.
Chu Yan reported one thousand.Yang Feng, seven hundred.The others, several hundred each.
After confirming the totals, Zhang Xin laid out the situation in Taiyuan.
Then he turned to Chu Yan.
"Feiyan is fierce. In this campaign, you will lead your troops alongside my central army."
Chu Yan's expression changed.
Before he could object—
"Yang Feng," Zhang Xin continued, "you will take the remaining four thousand men and garrison Nie County. Prevent Guo Da from escaping into Shangdang."
Yang Feng's face lit up. "Yes, my lord!"
He understood immediately—Zhang Xin was elevating his status within the Black Mountain Army.
"My lord, this cannot be!" Chu Yan abruptly stood.
Zhang Xin's gaze turned icy.
"This is a military order. What objection do you have?"
At those words—
Dian Wei slowly lifted his eyes and looked at Chu Yan.
And narrowed them.