Zhang Xin squinted slightly as the sunlight pressed directly into his eyes.
The glare was harsh.
Not just uncomfortable—
but dangerous.
On an open battlefield, even a slight visual disadvantage could decide life and death.
—
He lowered his gaze and said calmly:
"Beat the drums… but hold the formation."
The war drums sounded—
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Yet the army did not advance.
They simply stood.
—
Across the field, Xu He immediately noticed something was off.
"They're not attacking?"
A young officer frowned.
"General, shall we advance?"
Xu He raised his hand.
"Wait."
His eyes narrowed as he observed carefully.
Zhang Xin had already deployed his troops, yet showed no intention of engaging.
That meant only one thing—
He was waiting.
—
"For what…"
Xu He muttered.
Then, he instinctively glanced at the sky.
The sun.
Still in the east.
—
His expression changed slightly.
"He's delaying time."
—
Back on the western side, Zhang Xin remained composed.
Beside him, Xun You gave a faint smile.
"My lord intends to use the sun."
Zhang Xin didn't deny it.
"We're outnumbered. Every advantage matters."
—
But simply standing still wouldn't buy enough time.
Xu He was not a fool.
—
"Send someone forward," Zhang Xin ordered.
"Challenge them."
—
Soon, a rider galloped out from Zhang Xin's formation, stopping midway between the two armies.
He raised his voice and shouted:
"Commander Xu! Our lord has heard of your name for long—why not come forward and speak before the battle?"
—
A ripple went through the Yellow Turban ranks.
Several officers scoffed.
"Trying to talk now?"
"Stalling, more like."
—
All eyes turned to Xu He.
He remained silent for a moment.
Then—
he actually rode forward.
—
This surprised even his own officers.
"General, this could be a trap!"
Xu He shook his head.
"He wants time. So do I."
—
Because while Zhang Xin was waiting for the sun—
Xu He was waiting for certainty.
His scouts had not reported any reinforcements.
But something still felt… off.
—
The two men stopped within shouting distance.
Wind swept across the plain.
Tens of thousands watched in silence.
—
Zhang Xin spoke first.
"Commander Xu, your troops are disciplined. That day's retreat—impressive."
Xu He replied calmly:
"You're not bad either. Three thousand men, yet you dare challenge over ten thousand."
—
A pause.
—
Then Zhang Xin smiled slightly.
"Tell me—how long do you plan to stay in Qingzhou?"
—
A strange question.
Xu He's eyes sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
—
"You're not like the others," Zhang Xin said. "You train troops. You hold formation. You think."
He paused deliberately.
"Men like you… don't belong among mere bandits."
—
A murmur spread faintly through the Yellow Turban side.
Xu He's expression darkened.
"You were once one of us."
"I still am," Zhang Xin replied calmly. "At least in origin."
—
Another pause.
The sun moved—just slightly.
—
Xun You, watching from afar, smiled faintly.
Time was passing.
—
Xu He suddenly laughed.
"You're trying to win me over?"
"Why not?" Zhang Xin said plainly.
"You know the situation. The Han court won't fall today. The Yellow Turbans can't win like this."
He gestured lightly.
"Keep fighting, and what happens? Starvation. Fragmentation. Betrayal."
—
Every word—
true.
—
Xu He didn't respond immediately.
Because he knew—
this was not just persuasion.
This was delay.
—
But still…
he listened.
—
Because part of him wanted to hear the answer.
—
Zhang Xin took one more step forward.
"Join me."
"Not as a subordinate of the court—but as someone who can actually change things."
—
The battlefield fell into a strange stillness.
—
Behind Zhang Xin—
the sun had shifted further west.
The light was no longer blinding.
—
Behind Xu He—
the glare was beginning to intensify.
—
Finally, Xu He spoke.
"You talk well."
A pause.
"But today—"
He slowly raised his hand.
"Let's see if your sword is as convincing as your words."
—
Zhang Xin smiled.
"Fair enough."
—
Both men turned their horses.
—
As Zhang Xin rode back, he quietly said:
"Prepare to advance."
—
Behind him—
the sunlight was now at their backs.
—
The moment had come.