The Prefect of Pingyuan chose to resign.
He had no other choice.
When the Yellow Turban Rebellion swept through Qingzhou, eight of the nine counties in Pingyuan had fallen. As the prefect, he had yet to answer for the loss of territory. Now, with Zhang Xin poised to impeach him for "cowardice and incompetence," the consequences would be severe—not just dismissal, but possibly execution.
In the Han Dynasty, there were two accusations officials feared most: cowardice and corruption.
Other offenses might lead to dismissal, even temporary disgrace, but one could still return to office. However, once branded as cowardly and incompetent, an official's career was finished. As for corruption, it was even worse—conviction could implicate one's entire family, barring descendants from holding office for generations.
Faced with this, the Prefect of Pingyuan chose the only path left—he resigned to preserve what little future he still had.
After returning his official seal, he quietly withdrew to pack his belongings.
Zhang Xin, meanwhile, looked at the remaining officials and asked, "Which clans are most powerful in Pingyuan?"
A county official hesitated before answering, "Reporting to Your Excellency… the most prominent families are the Jia, Shi, Liu, and Tao clans."
"The Liu family?" Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow. "Are they part of the imperial clan?"
The official shook his head. "They are not."
Zhang Xin nodded.
Good—if they weren't tied to the imperial house, things would be much simpler.
He dismissed the officials and sent for Zhang Liao.
"The Prefect of Pingyuan has been removed," Zhang Xin said directly. "Would you be willing to temporarily take his place?"
Zhang Liao was stunned. "The prefect… dismissed just like that?"
Zhang Xin briefly explained the situation, then added, "If we cannot secure enough land to settle the millions of Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, then even if they surrender, they will rise again. To stabilize Qingzhou, we must first assess the land."
He placed a hand on Zhang Liao's shoulder.
"So, Wen Yuan—are you willing?"
Zhang Liao bowed. "I owe everything to Your Excellency. If you command it, I would give my life."
Then he hesitated. "But I am young and inexperienced. I fear I may fail your trust."
Zhang Xin smiled. "When I first governed Yuyang, was I not also young? Besides, with me here, what is there to fear?"
Encouraged, Zhang Liao nodded firmly. "Then I accept."
He understood—this was Zhang Xin grooming him.
Among so many capable officers, Zhang Xin had chosen him. It was both trust and opportunity.
Zhang Xin immediately shared his experience in governance, then summoned the local officials again to formally introduce Zhang Liao as acting prefect.
Fresh from victory and having just dismissed a high official, Zhang Xin's authority was unquestioned. None dared object.
With administrative matters entrusted to Zhang Liao, Zhang Xin submitted a memorial to the emperor explaining Qingzhou's situation, then returned to the camp to arrange defenses.
He deployed his forces strategically:
Zhang Niujiao was sent south of Yanci to block the Yellow Turbans of Le'an. Xu Huang was stationed south of Ban County to guard against Sima Ju of Jinan. Gao Shun was placed at Ande to coordinate with Pingyuan. Zhang Xin himself remained in Pingyuan to counter threats from Gaotang.
At the same time, he ordered Taishi Ci's navy back to Youzhou to transport iron from Yuyang, along with craftsmen to forge weapons and armor.
Yu Jin was assigned a mobile role, leading cavalry between camps to supervise training.
With everything arranged, Zhang Xin finally rested.
—
The next day, as Zhang Xin was drilling troops, several former Yellow Turban soldiers hurried over.
"My lord—Zhang Ning has arrived."
Zhang Xin's face lit up.
It had been nearly two years. He truly missed her.
After all, he had raised her like his own.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"She has already been escorted to the prefectural residence."
"Let's go."
Zhang Xin immediately took Dian Wei and his guards and rode to the city.
In the rear courtyard, a young woman stood waiting.
She was tall—nearly 1.72 meters—with bright eyes, fair skin, and striking features.
Zhang Xin froze.
"…Who are you, beautiful lady?"
The girl's face lit up. She rushed forward.
"Brother!"
Before he could react, she leapt into his arms, wrapping herself around him like a koala.
Dian Wei and the others instantly turned their heads away, staring at the sky.
Zhang Xin nearly choked.
He quickly set her down.
"…Ning'er?"
Zhang Ning pouted. "It's only been two years, and you don't recognize me?"
"No, no!" Zhang Xin waved his hands and looked at her carefully.
He could still see traces of the little girl she once was—but she had completely transformed.
"When I left for Liangzhou, you were only this tall…" he gestured from chest height to his neck. "And now look at you!"
Zhang Ning snorted. "What? Don't you like it?"
Then she added accusingly, "Sister Wuya was right. While you were away, you must've been charmed by women outside. You don't care about Ning'er anymore."
Zhang Xin blinked, completely thrown off.
Something about this felt… very wrong.
Where was the sweet, obedient little girl he remembered?
Why did she suddenly sound like a jealous lover?
He couldn't help but recall the hug from earlier.
…That had been way too bold.
Zhang Xin silently wondered—
What exactly happened in these two years?