On the battlefield, the Yellow Turban forces collapsed and fled in disorder.
Zuo Bao blocked their main camp, while Zhang Niujiao arrived with reinforcements. At the same time, Zhang Xin's infantry pressed forward in relentless pursuit. More than ten thousand Yellow Turbans were soon surrounded by fewer than four thousand Han soldiers at the center.
"Lay down your weapons! Those who surrender will not be killed!"
Seeing that victory was assured, Zhang Xin ordered a call for surrender.
"Lay down your weapons! Those who surrender will not be killed!" the Han army shouted in unison.
Leaderless and utterly demoralized, the Yellow Turbans abandoned their weapons and knelt to surrender.
Xun You immediately led the city garrison out to assist in receiving the prisoners.
With the situation secured, Zhang Xin was in high spirits. He handed command over to Gao Shun, then took a few personal guards and rode toward Zhang Niujiao's position.
"Old Niu, it's been a long time."
It had been nearly two years since they last met. Zhang Niujiao's temples had already begun to gray.
"This humble general greets Your Excellency!" Zhang Niujiao said excitedly, quickly dismounting.
"We greet Your Excellency!" the former Yellow Turban followers shouted as they dismounted and bowed.
"Good, good, good—rise, all of you," Zhang Xin said with a laugh.
He looked over his former subordinates carefully. Though weathered by travel, they were strong, energetic, and far more robust than before.
It seemed life in Yuyang had treated them well.
Zhang Xin asked about their daily routines, and Zhang Niujiao answered: they farmed during busy seasons and trained during idle times, without fail.
Zhang Xin nodded in satisfaction.
Then he noticed something odd.
"Old Niu, how many men did you bring?"
"Five thousand five hundred," Zhang Niujiao replied.
"Didn't I tell you to bring eighteen hundred?" Zhang Xin frowned. "What kind of 'discount' is this?"
"There are also three hundred men escorting the young lady," Zhang Niujiao explained.
"Young lady? Ning'er?" Zhang Xin froze, then frowned. "Why did you bring her? I never ordered that."
"My lord… have you forgotten?" Zhang Niujiao said, puzzled. "The young lady is of marriageable age this year. You are to marry her."
"Marry…?" Zhang Xin was momentarily stunned.
Time had truly flown.
Back in Xiaquyang, Zhang Ning had only been a child. Now she was grown.
"Qingzhou is still unstable," Zhang Xin said after a pause. "It's not too late to bring her once things are settled. Why rush?"
"It wasn't my idea," Zhang Niujiao scratched his head. "It was hers. After the New Year, she'll be sixteen. She said if she waits any longer, she'll be considered an old maid."
Zhang Xin was speechless.
Sixteen—in his previous life, that would barely be high school age.
But times were different.
"Where is she now?" he asked.
"She should already be in Jizhou. About seven or eight days from here."
Zhang Xin nodded. Since she was already on the way, there was no turning back.
He then walked among the former Yellow Turban soldiers, smiling as he asked one of them, "How have things been? How many sons have you had in Yuyang?"
"My lord, I've had two sons," the man replied nervously.
"Not bad."
"And you?" Zhang Xin asked another.
"Five!" the man answered proudly.
"Impressive!" Zhang Xin laughed. "What about the rest of you?"
Voices rose from the crowd—most had between two and six sons, though a few had only one. Some, having only daughters, looked dejected.
"My lord! I have eight children!" one voice suddenly shouted above the rest.
Zhang Xin was stunned.
Eight? In less than three years?
Sure enough, the man proudly explained he had two sets of twins.
"That's incredible!" Zhang Xin gave a thumbs-up.
On average, each man had three to four sons. In ten years' time, that would mean over ten thousand loyal young men.
Zhang Xin's mood soared.
"Come! I'll treat you all to drinks!"
Cheers erupted.
He ordered the warhorses gathered and led his troops toward Xu He's camp, which would now serve as quarters and a holding ground for prisoners.
After taking inventory, they found Xu He had brought enough grain and supplies for two months—now all of it belonged to Zhang Xin.
"Congratulations, Mu Bo, on your great victory," Xun You said with a smile. "With only two thousand men, you defeated an army of over ten thousand. Once word spreads, pacifying the remaining Yellow Turbans will be much easier."
Zhang Xin smiled, then sighed. "It's a pity our equipment was lacking. We still suffered over three hundred casualties. With proper gear, we could have reduced that by half—or more."
Xun You nodded. "Even so, Your Excellency has lived up to the reputation of a great general."
Zhang Xin laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.
After handling logistics and ordering proper burials and treatment for the wounded, he had livestock purchased and a feast prepared for the army.
As the celebration began, a messenger arrived.
"Taishi Ci has arrived!"
"Ziyi is here?" Zhang Xin's eyes lit up. "I'll greet him myself."
At the camp gate, he saw familiar faces—Taishi Ci… and Xu He.
Zhang Xin was delighted.
After returning to the tent and hearing Taishi Ci's account of how he captured Ande and intercepted Xu He, Zhang Xin praised him highly.
That night, the camp was filled with laughter. Soldiers feasted, generals boasted, and even the prisoners were given warm broth—easing their fears.
The next day, Zhang Xin summoned Zhang Niujiao and Zuo Bao, then had Xu He brought in.
Disheveled and exhausted, Xu He stood stiffly, refusing to kneel.
Zhang Xin smiled. "Take a look—do you recognize them?"
Xu He's eyes widened as he saw Zhang Niujiao.
Zhang Xin pressed on, explaining his intentions.
Zuo Bao and Zhang Niujiao both urged Xu He to surrender, confirming Zhang Xin's sincerity.
After a long silence, Xu He finally sighed and knelt.
"How can a defeated general like me refuse such grace?" he said. "Since you are the successor of the Great Teacher and have shown such sincerity, I am willing to surrender."
He kowtowed deeply.
"Old Niu, untie him!" Zhang Xin said, overjoyed.
Stepping forward, he personally helped Xu He up.
"With you, I am like a tiger with wings," Zhang Xin said with a laugh.
Xu He was deeply moved.
"I will serve with utmost loyalty!"
Zhang Xin smiled slightly. "Inside this tent, call me 'Young General' if you wish. But once you step outside—what will you call me?"
Xu He immediately understood.
"My lord!"
"Good!" Zhang Xin laughed. "Summon all generals—we convene a meeting!"