The generals had already been informed of the planned surprise attack on the Wuhuan, so when Zhang Xin announced the mobilization, none of them showed any surprise.
"Yang Yi," Zhang Xin called.
"Your subordinate is here," Yang Yi stepped forward.
"How is the cavalry? Can they fight?"
"If it's only a raid, then yes—we can fight," Yang Yi replied confidently.
"Hu Cai."
"Here!"
"You will oversee the production of weapons. Li Le—you are responsible for defending the city."
"Yes, General," the two answered in unison.
"Zhang Niujiao."
"Here!"
"You will take command of the 2,500 new recruits outside the city. Train them well."
Zhang Niujiao froze. "General… you're not taking me along?"
"This expedition is a cavalry raid," Zhang Xin said calmly. "Guan Yu, Zuo Bao, and Yang Yi will accompany me. Your horsemanship is lacking, and the recruits need guidance. You will remain."
"…Yes," Zhang Niujiao replied reluctantly.
"Zuo Bao, Yang Yi."
"We're here."
"You will lead two thousand cavalry. Prepare three days' rations—we depart tonight."
"Yes, sir!"
Zuo Bao hesitated, then asked, "General… your injuries?"
Zhang Xin smiled faintly. "No need to worry."
Though his external wounds had mostly healed, his broken ribs were far from recovered. Still, with Guan Yu present, Zhang Xin had no intention of personally charging into battle this time.
Commanding from the rear would suffice.
Turning, he addressed Guan Yu more familiarly now:
"Brother Yunchang, I'll have to trouble you to accompany us."
After spending time together, Zhang Xin had upgraded his address from "Lord Guan" to "Brother Yun."
"Very well," Guan Yu replied, stroking his beard.
—
After dismissing the others, Zhang Xin kept Guan Yu behind to discuss strategy.
Scouts had been sent to monitor Wuhuan supply movements, hoping to predict their departure.
Instead, they brought back unexpected news—internal discord among the Wuhuan tribes.
To Zhang Xin, this was excellent news.
Disunity meant weaker resistance. It also increased the chances of eliminating their leaders in one decisive strike.
Moreover, the Wuhuan leaders—Tadun and Supuyan—had remained in Wuyan for over half a month, far longer than expected.
This gave the Yellow Turban cavalry precious extra time to train.
Zhang Xin made his decision.
They would march tonight—and strike tomorrow.
Tomorrow was the Lantern Festival.
While the enemy feasted and celebrated, they would never expect an army to ride over two hundred li to attack them.
A perfect surprise.
—
That night, two thousand Yellow Turban cavalry slipped quietly out of the city, heading east under cover of darkness.
Before dawn, they reached Pinggu.
Pinggu lay less than forty li from Wuzhong County—home to Wuyan—and served as a critical staging point.
Ten days earlier, Zhang Xin had already contacted the local magistrate. Upon hearing of the plan to attack the Wuhuan, the magistrate had readily agreed to cooperate.
Now, as Zhang Xin arrived, the gates were opened at once.
The troops entered and were hidden in prepared quarters.
At sunrise, the city gates opened as usual.
Everything appeared normal.
—
Meanwhile, inside a Wuhuan tent…
Tadun and Supuyan sat facing each other, drinking.
"This Wuyan still hasn't made a move!" Tadun slammed down his cup. "We shouldn't wait any longer. Tomorrow, we plunder Youbeiping!"
His anger had been simmering for days.
During the previous battle, he had been caught completely off guard—forced to flee half-dressed in the freezing night. Though he survived, he fell gravely ill afterward.
Worse, he had lost over a thousand men—and all the supplies he had seized.
Not only had he gained nothing… he had suffered heavy losses.
If he returned like this, his uncle would never forgive him.
So he resolved to raid Youbeiping to recover his losses.
But before he could act, Wuyan intervened—refusing to allow the plunder.
Wuyan had his own reasoning.
The people of Youbeiping were resources to be exploited gradually—not stripped bare in one raid. If Tadun looted everything, the population would starve or flee.
Then who would remain to exploit later?
Their argument escalated.
Tadun demanded compensation. Wuyan refused.
Only the arrival of Supuyan prevented the situation from turning violent.
In the end, a compromise was reached:
Tadun would not raid Youbeiping—but Wuyan would compensate him with supplies and treasure.
Yet even now, Wuyan had delivered nothing.
"The Wuhuan of the four commanderies share the same blood," Supuyan said with a sigh. "Why press him so hard? If Youbeiping is stripped bare, many of our own people will starve next year."
He added quietly, "Are you not afraid of angering the Red Mountain God?"
At the mention of their deity, Tadun's anger cooled instantly.
Among the Wuhuan, it was taboo to bring ruin upon one's own people.
Reluctantly, he let the matter rest—for now.
—
That night, Tadun fell asleep.
He dreamed that Wuyan finally delivered the promised supplies… that he returned home, endured some loss of prestige… but soon inherited leadership as planned.
Everything would work out.
"Xiao Wang! Xiao Wang!"
He felt someone shaking him.
Tadun opened his eyes irritably. "What is it?"
His attendant's face was pale with fear.
"Xiao Wang—the Han army is raiding us again!"
"Run!"