Inside the Prime Minister's residence, the Chancellor of Qi stood holding a wooden chest, eyes wide and mouth slightly open—laughing silently to himself.
The chest was filled with gold, silver, and jewels.
Just then, a voice came from outside:
"Greetings, Governor."
Startled, he quickly shut the lid and set the chest aside.
Zhang Xin strode in. The Chancellor hurried forward and bowed.
"This humble official greets the Governor."
Zhang Xin glanced at the chest. "Is everything in order?"
"Perfect—perfect!" the Chancellor nodded repeatedly.
"Good. Then begin at once," Zhang Xin said. "If you can resettle all two hundred thousand people before spring planting, you will be rewarded."
"Many thanks, my lord!"
The Chancellor bowed deeply and rushed off to carry out the task.
After making his arrangements, Zhang Xin returned to Linzi, removed his heavy formal robes, and changed into simpler attire. Then he summoned Guan Jian.
Previously, most of Qingzhou had been under Yellow Turban control.
Sima Ju had been relatively weak-willed, and with Xu He acting as intermediary, persuading him to surrender had been possible.
But Guan Hai was different—far more resolute.
Before, when Zhang Xin controlled only half a commandery, success was uncertain.
Now, with half of Qingzhou recovered and Beihai cut off from Jinan—
The situation had changed.
It was time to act.
"Go and tell Guan Hai," Zhang Xin said calmly, "that I will recommend him for a general's post."
Guan Jian carefully noted every word.
"I understand."
Zhang Xin smiled. "If this succeeds, I will recommend you as a Sima as well."
Guan Jian's face lit up with excitement.
"I will not fail you, my lord!"
The Guan family of Beihai traced its lineage back to Guan Zhong of the Spring and Autumn period, a heritage spanning over eight hundred years.
Though Guan Jian had taken to piracy, his ancestors had once been prominent.
After all—poverty rarely lasted forever.
Over generations, noble families declined, and their descendants became commoners.
Who among today's people didn't have some distant noble blood?
A general… and a Sima.
That was more than enough reason to seize this chance.
After Guan Jian departed, orders began flowing out from Linzi:
Xu Huang was sent to recover all of Le'an. Gao Shun was stationed at Guang County to guard Linzi. Zhang Niujiao, Xu He, and Zuo Bao were ordered west to reclaim Jinan and the plains of Henan. Yu Jin was tasked with reorganizing surrendered Yellow Turban troops.
Zhang Xin himself remained in Linzi to rebuild the provincial army.
There were over three thousand former state soldiers—already battle-tested.
He removed the weak and supplemented their ranks with capable men from surrendered forces, restoring them to a strong force of three thousand.
Day and night, they trained outside the city—
A clear warning to anyone who might think of causing trouble.
At the same time, a courier rode swiftly from Qingzhou toward Luoyang.
In the imperial court, Emperor Liu Hong sat upon the throne, his mood dark.
In Qingzhou, Zhang Xin had sent only a brief report before the New Year—
Then nothing.
In Bingzhou, Ding Yuan had been defeated by the Southern Xiongnu and forced into retreat.
Only Lü Bu's intervention had saved him.
Now he dared not leave Taiyuan.
And in Liangzhou—
Rebellion had erupted again.
Han Sui, Ma Teng, and others had raised Wang Guo as their leader and besieged Chencang.
Han Sui again.
Liu Hong ground his teeth in anger.
Two years earlier, Zhang Xin had captured Han Sui's family as hostages in Luoyang.
For a time, Han Sui had behaved.
But after his father died, he rebelled again—without hesitation.
Enraged, Liu Hong had executed Han Sui's sons and enslaved his female relatives.
He had sent Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo to suppress the rebellion—
Yet after nearly three months, there was still no result.
"How has my Han dynasty fallen to this…"
Liu Hong sighed, listening to officials argue below.
Since Zhang Xin's departure, Dong Zhong had become the target of endless political attacks.
The court was in chaos.
Just as Liu Hong was about to dismiss the session—
A eunuch rushed in.
"Your Majesty—victory from Qingzhou!"
The entire court fell silent.
Liu Hong sat upright instantly.
"Quick—bring it!"
The memorial was passed to him.
He opened it eagerly.
Zhang Xin reported:
Half of Qingzhou recovered Over 400,000 Yellow Turbans surrendered More than 5 million mu of land seized from powerful clans Tens of thousands freed from servitude
He estimated full pacification by April or May—
And then an अभियान into Xuzhou.
"Excellent!"
Liu Hong burst into laughter.
So that was why there had been no news—
Zhang Xin had not only been fighting rebels, but also reclaiming land.
And that was far harder.
In just two months—
He had restored half a province and created immense new tax revenue.
Resettled peasants meant stability.
And stability meant wealth for the empire.
"I knew it!" Liu Hong exclaimed. "How could my brother-in-law fail?"
He ordered the memorial read aloud.
He Jin's expression darkened.
So fast?
Does that mean he'll return soon?
His comfortable days were numbered.
Dong Zhong, meanwhile, nearly wept with relief.
"Please return soon…"
Despite their private thoughts, all officials showed joy.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Liu Hong laughed heartily.
"Let us discuss Zhang Xin's reward!"
At that moment—
Another eunuch rushed in.
"Your Majesty—victory at Chencang!"