The letter came from Cao Xing, with its information relayed by Zhao Yun. Before leaving Luoyang, Zhang Xin had instructed Cao Xing to report any developments without delay.
During this period, aside from Huangfu Song's campaign, the only other notable event was Emperor Liu Hong dispatching the military colonel Bao Hong to Yuzhou to suppress the Yellow Turban rebels in Gebei.
Huang Wan proved capable as an advisor—outspoken and willing to offer frank counsel—but when it came to warfare, he fell short. Coincidentally, Liu Hong had once intended to test the combat strength of the Xiyuan New Army. However, due to the earlier political turmoil over abolishing the shi and establishing the mu, he instead appointed Zhang Xin as governor of Qingzhou, and the plan was set aside.
With the most capable general now in Qingzhou, Liu Hong had little choice but to rely on the next best option. Bao Hong, who had previously followed Dong Zhuo in campaigns against the Xiliang rebels, was the only one among the eight colonels—besides Zhang Xin—with real battlefield experience.
Other than these matters, nothing significant had occurred. Cao Xing himself did not consider Liu Hong's illness particularly serious. Zhao Yun reported that the emperor was still attending court; although he appeared unwell, there were no alarming signs. It didn't seem like something fatal.
Thus, Cao Xing only briefly mentioned the illness in his letter. Most of his report focused on Huangfu Song's victories and the daily harassment Dong Zhong suffered at the hands of political factions. Had Liu Hong not been the emperor, Cao Xing might not have mentioned his condition at all.
After reading the letter, Zhang Xin set it down and stepped outside, gazing toward Luoyang with a heavy sigh. He understood that Liu Hong's illness was likely incurable.
Liu Hong was a good man—more than qualified as a ruler. As a brother-in-law, he had treated Zhang Xin well. If he could live another twenty years, Zhang Xin would have been content to remain a loyal servant of the Han Dynasty. With Liu Hong's wisdom and his own abilities, ruler and minister working together could easily extend the dynasty's life by a century.
With that thought, Zhang Xin suddenly called out, "Old Dian! Old Dian!"
Dian Wei rushed over immediately. "My lord!"
"Send men to Pei State to find Physician Hua," Zhang Xin ordered.
Dian Wei was startled. "My lord, are you unwell?"
Hua Tuo was renowned throughout the land, a wandering physician of great skill. The moment Zhang Xin mentioned "Physician Hua," Dian Wei knew who he meant.
"It's not for me," Zhang Xin replied, shaking his head. "It's for His Majesty. If we can find him, escort him to Luoyang to treat the emperor."
"If he refuses, tie him up and bring him anyway!"
Knowing Hua Tuo's stubborn nature, Zhang Xin took no chances.
Dian Wei let out a relieved breath. "Understood." He quickly dispatched men to carry out the order. At least his lord was not the one who was ill.
Zhang Xin murmured to himself, "If Hua Tuo can be found, it means the Han still has fate left. Then I will remain its loyal subject…"
"And if he cannot be found…"
A trace of worry flashed in his eyes before hardening into resolve.
"There's no time."
Orders were issued from the state capital at once. Gao Shun, stationed in Guang County, launched a sudden attack on Beihai Kingdom and seized Ju County. At the same time, Zhang Xin personally led three thousand elite troops eastward from Linzi, crossing Dong'anping to strike Yiguo.
The counties of Qingzhou lay close together—only seventy li separated Linzi from Yiguo. Zhang Xin's army set out in the morning and arrived by afternoon. After two days of rest and preparation, siege operations began.
At first, the Yellow Turban defenders held their ground. But once Gao Shun arrived with reinforcements from Beihai, resistance collapsed. With over six thousand Han soldiers combined, a small county like Yiguo stood no chance.
Within two days, the city fell. All two thousand Yellow Turban rebels inside surrendered.
But this time, Zhang Xin abandoned his usual leniency. He ordered all two thousand prisoners executed.
When Guan Jian returned to Linzi and learned Zhang Xin had gone to Yiguo, he followed. Upon arrival, he was horrified by the corpses strewn across the ground.
"My lord… this…"
Zhang Xin's voice was icy. "What did Guan Hai say?"
Guan Jian swallowed nervously. "He claims to command over two hundred thousand men, with thirty thousand capable fighters. He believes the rank of lieutenant general is beneath him… He wishes to negotiate."
"Negotiate?" Zhang Xin cut him off. "He has only two choices—surrender or die. He has no right to bargain."
Turning sharply, he issued another command:
"Proclaim my order—those Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou who surrendered within three months shall be pardoned and granted land."
"Those who surrender after three months, or only after being besieged, will not be spared."
The decree spread quickly across Qingzhou.
Confusion followed. Wasn't this governor known for his benevolence? He had spared those who surrendered in Pingyuan, Le'an, and Qi. Why the sudden brutality?
Then came his proclamation. With less than twenty days remaining before the deadline, panic spread.
Xun You, Hua Xin, and others wrote to question him: Why the sudden urgency?
Zhang Xin replied with only one sentence:
"We must secure Qingzhou at all costs."
If Hua Tuo could not be found, Liu Hong had at most two months to live. Zhang Xin had to ensure the emperor would know Qingzhou was pacified before then—so that, if nothing else, he could pass away in peace.
Orders flew out rapidly. Xu Huang was instructed to take Shouguang within ten days and join forces in Beihai. Zhang Niujiao, Xu He, Zuo Bao, and others were ordered to recover Jinan before March. Zhang Liao was tasked with overseeing land surveys before advancing south of Pingyuan.
In an instant, all Han forces in Qingzhou were mobilized.
The Yellow Turbans were thrown into panic. Some wished to surrender; others insisted on resisting. In the end, they reached a reluctant consensus.
On February 13, Zhang Xin entered Pingshou, where the rebels surrendered. Leaving a garrison behind, he pushed onward to Yingling.
Guan Hai hurried to reinforce the city but was intercepted en route. Defeated in battle, he fled into Yingling. Zhang Xin laid siege.
Guan Hai eventually offered to surrender—but Zhang Xin refused and pressed the attack.
On February 17, Yingling fell. Guan Hai fled again.
Some rebels scattered; a few hundred surrendered, clinging to hope. Zhang Xin ordered them all executed.
When word spread to Pingyuan and Jinan, resistance collapsed. Those who had planned to fight rushed to surrender before the Han army arrived.
Surrender now meant pardon and land. Delay meant death.
Faced with the choice between stability and annihilation, the rebels chose wisely. One by one, they laid down their arms.
Zhang Xin summoned Hua Xin to oversee Jinan while he continued pursuing Guan Hai.
After Yingling's fall, Guan Hai fled south to Anqiu. But instead of entering the city, he began attacking the estates of powerful local families—seeking supplies, wealth, and a final chance to hold out.