Dian Wei's cold remark snapped Chu Yan back to reality.
The hall, which had just been filled with laughter and warmth, suddenly felt like a place where every smile hid a blade.
Yang Feng and the others all turned to look at Chu Yan.
Under that pressure, he had no choice but to bow his head.
"Your subordinate obeys the order."
A thousand men under central command… fine.If arranged carefully, it could still be managed.
At least—for now—he would live.
"Feiyan, don't overthink it," Zhang Xin said with an easy smile. "If I wanted you dead, I could've had Old Dian kill you that day. Why go through all this trouble?"
Chu Yan forced a stiff expression.
What 'good intentions' could you possibly have…?
Still, a thread of relief crept in.
"Promise," Zhang Xin added, grinning.
Wine was brought. Dishes followed.
Zhang Xin raised his cup, his demeanor shifting completely—gracious, warm, as if hosting honored guests rather than recently subdued enemies.
Even Sun Qing, who had once drawn steel against him, was praised and welcomed.
The tension melted.
Soon, the hall filled with chatter.
When Zhang Xin asked about life in the mountains, Yang Feng and the others nearly broke down.
"Hard… too hard…"
"Food is scarce, winters are brutal…"
Their voices trembled.
Zhang Xin listened patiently, offering comfort, making promises—land, food, a future.
By the time several rounds of wine had passed, many were already moved to tears.
Then came the final act.
With a clap, dancers entered.
Graceful. Beautiful. Unimaginable luxuries for men who had spent years in barren mountains.
The commanders stared, stunned.
Even Sun Qing, usually rough and composed, had his beard dipping unnoticed into his wine.
Zhang Xin, however, barely watched.
His eyes moved—not over the dancers, but over the men.
Greed. Desire. Weakness. Loyalty.
He was measuring everything.
When the performance ended, he smiled.
"It's late. Stay in the Prefect's Mansion tonight. Return tomorrow."
A pause.
"If any of you fancy one of these ladies… take her."
Eyes lit up instantly.
"My lord, how could we—"
They tried to refuse.
But their gazes never left the women.
Zhang Xin chuckled. "Don't be shy. Would I treat you unfairly?"
Then, deliberately, he pointed.
"You. Stay with me tonight."
The chosen songstress lit up with joy and slipped into his arms.
That was the signal.
Whatever restraint remained shattered.
Sun Qing moved first—swift as a hawk—snatching the woman he had been eyeing.
The rest surged forward.
Brotherhood? Loyalty?
In that moment—forgotten.
Each man grabbed what he wanted.
Even Chu Yan, inwardly cursing, had no choice but to follow.
Soon, the hall emptied.
Silence returned.
Zhang Xin gently pushed the woman away from his arms.
"You may go."
The songstress froze—disappointed—but did not dare protest. She bowed and left.
From the side, Xun You chuckled.
"My lord remains unmoved even with beauty in his lap. Admirable restraint."
Zhang Xin smirked. "Gongda has traveled far with the army. Why not take one?"
Xun You coughed, slightly flustered. "No need… I have some at home."
Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow. "Afraid of your wife?"
"Hmph! A real man fears no wife!"
"…Of course," Zhang Xin nodded solemnly.
Then Xun You shot back, "Then why didn't you keep that one?"
Zhang Xin replied without hesitation:
"With a great battle ahead, how can the commander indulge in wine and women?"
That was the official answer.
The real one stayed unspoken.
He didn't trust it. Didn't want it.
These women were tools of hospitality—passed from house to house, from guest to guest.
Zhang Xin might play the game.
But he wouldn't partake.
He shifted the topic.
"Gongda, earlier—you said 'also'? What did you mean?"
Xun You immediately dodged. "My lord, what do you plan to do with Chu Yan?"
Zhang Xin smiled.
"Send him to Luoyang. Let him serve the court. After all, isn't he already a 'General Who Pacifies Disasters'?"
He never intended to kill Chu Yan.
Not now.
Chu Yan had kept the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans alive. That alone gave him value.
Killing him would shake Yang Feng and the others—ruining future plans.
As for recruiting him?
Zhang Xin didn't even consider it.
Too weak.
Too unreliable.
Too much trouble for too little gain.
"With Yang Feng and the others, I don't need him," Zhang Xin said calmly.
Xun You nodded.
"After tonight, the Black Mountain forces will no longer threaten Bingzhou."
Zhang Xin let out a long breath.
"It's not that simple."
His gaze drifted into the distance.
"We're talking about nearly a million people."
"Feeding them. Settling them. Giving them land…"
He shook his head slightly.
"Gongda… the road ahead is long."