"What?!"
The cry shattered the stillness of the command tent.
Every face turned pale.
Zhang Xin strode forward in a single step, closing the distance between himself and Cui Yan. His hands shot out, gripping the man's shoulders like iron clamps.
"What did you say?"
His voice was low—too low.
Cui Yan winced but did not retreat.
"The great clans of five commanderies have risen in rebellion… Yuan Shao has entered Qing Province… of the six commanderies—"
"Only Pingyuan remains."
Silence.
Then—
Zhang Xin released him.
Slowly.
He turned, walked back to the commander's desk, and braced both hands upon it. His back faced the crowd, but the killing intent rolling off him filled the entire tent like a storm.
"Why."
Just one word.
Cold enough to freeze blood.
"Why would the great clans of Qing Province rebel?"
His voice sharpened.
"What were Hua Xin and Gao Shun doing? A rebellion spanning five commanderies—and not a whisper reached us?"
Cui Yan immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Governor, please forgive them!"
"This matter… was not their failure alone."
He raised his head, speaking quickly.
"The land reforms harmed too many interests. The great clans had long been plotting. Local officials—many of them from those very clans—concealed everything. Reports were falsified. Information was cut off."
"The State Prefecture's eyes… were blinded."
Zhang Xin said nothing.
Cui Yan continued, voice tightening.
"As for General Gao Shun—his scouts guarded the borders, as ordered. Internal surveillance… was never within his authority."
In other words—
The knife had been sharpened within the house… while all eyes watched the gates.
"And Taishi Ci?"
Zhang Xin's voice dropped again.
"How did Linzi fall?"
Cui Yan hesitated.
"An attack… from within and without."
A pause.
"…and the King of Qi may also be involved."
For a heartbeat—
Nothing.
Then Zhang Xin laughed.
Not loudly.
But endlessly.
"Hah… hahahaha…"
The sound scraped against the ears like rusted steel.
"Good."
"Good!"
"Excellent!"
He turned, eyes blazing with fury.
"I bleed on the front lines for the Han—"
"And a prince of that same Han dares to betray me?"
His smile twisted.
"Wonderful."
"Governor, please calm your anger!" Cui Yan urged, stepping forward.
"Qing Province is in peril—we must return at once!"
"Return?"
Zhang Xin's eyes flicked toward him.
"No."
A sneer curled at his lips.
"Not yet."
He turned sharply to Wang Yun.
"Go back."
"Tell Dong Zhuo this—"
"I give him one more hour."
"If by noon he has not surrendered…"
Zhang Xin's voice became a blade.
"I will storm the imperial palace."
"And when I do—"
"His entire clan will vanish from this world."
Wang Yun's expression changed.
"Zi Qing… reconsider—"
"Reconsider?" Zhang Xin snapped.
"If I wait any longer, my army will collapse before I even return!"
That was the truth no one could deny.
Rear attacked.
Homes threatened.
Morale shattered.
Time—
Was already gone.
Wang Yun closed his eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
"…Very well."
"I will go."
As he left, Zhang Xin turned to another man.
"Wentai."
Sun Jian stepped forward without hesitation.
"Will you fight once more?"
"Command me."
No pause. No doubt.
Zhang Xin nodded.
"At noon—attack."
He then looked toward Cao Cao.
"Prepare your troops."
Cao Cao hesitated for the briefest moment… then bowed.
"Understood."
Yet deep within, a flame stirred.
At last—
He would have his chance.
One by one, they departed.
The tent grew quiet.
Zhang Xin finally looked back at Cui Yan.
"…Ziyi."
"Is he wounded?"
Cui Yan froze.
Of all things—this was the first question?
Not blame.
Not anger.
But concern.
"Only minor injuries," he replied quickly, handing over the letter.
Zhang Xin read in silence.
Each line painted a darker picture.
Armies on all sides.
Hundreds of thousands.
Pingyuan—surrounded.
Yet still holding.
Then his gaze paused.
"Tao Qian…"
A faint, thoughtful look crossed his face.
"Stationed at Zhuxian… but not advancing?"
A slight smile.
"He wants the victory… but fears the cost."
He rolled the letter closed.
"Pingyuan can hold… for now."
"But not forever."
Zhang Xin lifted his head.
"Come!"
A guard rushed in.
"My lord!"
"Send orders—prepare all forces to assault the imperial palace."
"And summon the strategist."
"Yes, my lord!"
The storm had begun.
Within the palace—
Wang Yun delivered the ultimatum.
Dong Zhuo listened.
And inside—
He laughed.
He's anxious.
He's desperate.
He knows.
But on the outside, his face showed only hesitation.
"…Such a matter of life and death…"
"Could I… have two more days?"
Wang Yun's voice sharpened.
"Marquis Xuanwei will not wait."
"If he breaks in—your clan will not even have graves."
Before Dong Zhuo could answer—
"Report!"
A guard rushed in, breathless.
"The allied army has left their camp!"
"They are advancing with siege engines—toward the imperial palace!"
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
Inside his heart, Dong Zhuo roared with laughter.
He's anxious.
He truly is.