After sending Sun Jian off, Zhang Xin returned to his temporary residence in Huayin County.
Zou had been waiting there for a long time; upon seeing Zhang Xin return, she quickly stepped forward to help him remove his outer coat and fetched water to serve him for washing.
After Zhang Xin finished washing, he pulled Zou over and they engaged in intimacy.
Afterward, the depression of the past few days was swept away. Zhang Xin held Zou as they lay on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, enjoying the smooth feeling from his fingertips.
"Lord."
Zou lay in Zhang Xin's arms, her pretty face slightly flushed.
"I have something I wish to ask Lord."
"Go on, what is it?"
Zhang Xin kept his eyes closed, his hands still moving.
"I want to ask..."
Zou hesitated, "How does Lord intend to deal with Boluan?"
Boluan was Zhang Xiu's courtesy name.
Zhang Xin opened his eyes upon hearing this.
Damn it, he had forgotten about that guy.
Counting it, Zhang Xiu should be in the prisoner-of-war camp now, he must have been locked up for over a month, right?
Alas... it's all Old Dian's fault.
Zhang Xin looked at Zou and smiled, "How do you want me to deal with him?"
"Lord has held Boluan for so long without killing him, so you probably don't wish to take his life."
Zou hesitated, "Since that's the case... I wish to ask Lord to release him back to Chang'an to reunite with his uncle."
Zhang Xin's gaze sharpened upon hearing this, and his hand movements also stopped.
"How did you know he was in Chang'an?"
Ever since Zhang Ji's defeat in Shan County, he had escaped back to Chang'an via a small path.
However, while Zhang Xin could discover such things, how could Zou, a woman confined to the inner chambers, know?
"He sent someone to deliver a letter," Zou said truthfully.
With her family captured, they would surely be sent to Zhang Xin. It wouldn't be difficult for Zhang Ji's messenger to send a letter after a little inquiry.
Zhang Xin was very displeased upon hearing this, "Are you asking me to release Zhang Xiu because you still harbor old feelings for him?"
"Lord, you misunderstand."
Zou quickly got up upon hearing this, not caring that she was naked. She walked swiftly to the cabinet, opened a drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to Zhang Xin, then knelt by the bed.
"Lord, please look."
Zhang Xin took the letter.
Zhang Ji's words in the letter were extremely fawning, saying that he knew Zou was beautiful and Zhang Xin would surely not let her go after seeing her. He asked her to put in a good word for him and persuade Zhang Xin to release Zhang Xiu and so on.
"Zhang Ji once showed kindness to my family, so my parents ordered me to marry him to repay his kindness."
Zou explained, "I truly have no feelings for him. I only hope Lord will be benevolent and release Boluan, so that I can repay this kindness..."
"What if I don't release him?" Zhang Xin asked, looking at her.
Zhang Xiu had twice defeated Cao Cao. Although it was Jia Xu's idea, his ability to execute the plan well made him a capable general.
The current situation was different from history.
Zhang Xiu's surrender to Cao Cao was like joining a group with capital.
Old Cao not only slept with the investor's aunt, whom he regarded as his mother, but also wanted to kill him, so it was no wonder Zhang Xiu rebelled.
But now, Zhang Xiu was defeated and captured, his life and death resting solely on Zhang Xin's whim.
Zhang Xin had absolute discretion over Zhang Xiu and Zhang Ji's family members.
Considering Zhang Xiu's historical honesty, there was still a possibility for Zhang Xin to subdue him.
You, Zou, want me to release him with just one sentence?
Why?
"Zhang Ji has no sons and regards Boluan as his son. Boluan's father died early, and he also regards Zhang Ji as his father."
Zou bit her lip lightly, "If Lord separates them by blood, even if you gain the person, you may not gain his heart. It would be better to release him, thus fulfilling their family reunion and also spreading Lord's name for benevolence."
"I have said all I can. This also repays Zhang Ji's kindness. Whether to release him or not is entirely up to Lord."
After Zou finished speaking, she gave a graceful bow.
Zhang Xin pondered her words.
What Zou said made some sense.
Now that Zhang Ji was still alive, Zhang Xiu might not willingly follow him to leave his home and travel thousands of miles to Qing Province.
The concept of filial piety was absolutely politically correct in all dynasties.
What if Zhang Xiu harbored resentment and caused trouble later? How would he deal with it then?
After much thought, Zhang Xin put on his clothes and walked out.
For such a matter, it was better to ask the person directly.
Zhang Xin arrived at the county yamen and ordered Zhang Xiu to be brought over.
Zhang Xiu looked bewildered.
In the middle of the nite, why did you call me over?
Zhang Xin explained the situation, then asked Zhang Xiu, "Boluan, do you wish to follow me to Qing Province, oriately bowed down without hesitation, saying, "Xiu wishes to return to Chang'an to reunite with my uncle. I hope Lord will grant my wish! "
Zhang Xin nodded.
If the person's heart was not with him, there was no point in forcing him to come back.
"Since that's the case..."
Zhang Xin mused, "Tomorrow I will give you a swift horse, and you can return on your own."
"Thank you, Lord! " Zhang Xiu was overjoyed.
"However, there is one thing you must remember."
Zhang Xin's expression became solemn, "Although I am forced to retreat this time, I will surely return."
"Dong Zhuo is cruel and tyrannical. After you return, just be filial to your uncle. Do not continue to aid tyranny."
"If you commit crimes against the common people again, and I capture you another day, I will not spare your life! "
"Lord's teachings, Xiu will bear them in mind," Zhang Xiu replied solemnly.
"You may go," Zhang Xin waved his hand.
"Understood."
Zhang Xiu stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.
"Wait," Zhang Xin called out.
Zhang Xiu quickly turned back, looking obedient.
"Go back and tell Zhang Ji that the kindness Zou showed to your Zhang clan is now settled, and there will be no further ties between them."
As Zhang Xin spoke, he carefully observed Zhang Xiu's expression.
"It should be so."
Zhang Xiu nodded with a normal expression, no hint of resentment in his eyes.
"It seems Zhang Xiu is indeed an honest person. In that case, the next time we meet, it will be the day I subdue him..."
After dealing with Zhang Xiu's matter, Zhang Xin returned to his room.
Zou was sitting by the bed in her close-fitting undergarments. Upon seeing Zhang Xin return, she quickly stood up to greet him.
"Lord..."
"I released him."
Zhang Xin flopped onto the couch, "Are you satisfied now? "
"Lord is benevolent."
Zou walked forward and actively nestled into Zhang Xin's arms.
"Is that all? "
Zhang Xin looked at her.
Zou's pretty face flushed. She knelt by the bed, her small mouth slightly open.
That nite, no sounds of'shame' were heard from the room, but rather subtle inquiries of 'who is stronger'...
The next day, Zhang Xin ordered his generals to retreat in sequence.
The army of over one hundred thousand men split into two routes: one heading east along the Xiaohan Ancient Road, and the other heading north, crossing the Puban Ford to retreat to River East.
"Lord."
Yang Biao stepped forward, sighing.
"The Yang family is ready."
Yang Biao had assisted Zhang Xin in taking Huayin, and Dong Zhuo would surely hate him deeply.
Now that Zhang Xin was retreating, if they didn't follow, they would likely face death and the extermination of their clan.
The Yang clan of Huayin, with over two thousand members, left their homes, all thanks to Yuan Shao.
At this moment, Yang Biao's hatred for Yuan Shao reached its peak.
"Proceed as planned."
Zhang Xin turned to look at Yang Biao, cupped his hands in a salute, "It is my fault for troubling Sikong (Sikong) to relocate his entire clan."
Yang Biao returned the salute, "Lord has done his best, how can I blame him? However, along the way, I will still have to trouble Lord for protection."
"This is my duty."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Yang Biao went to direct his clan members to retreat with Zhang Xin's army.
Over two thousand common people were very conspicuous and quickly attracted the attention of other families in the city.
The Yang clan was the weathervane of Huayin.
Even the Yang clan, who had produced three excellencies over four generations, feared Dong Zhuo's retaliation. These smaller clans who had participated with them were even less able to bear it.
Various families sent people to find Zhang Xin.
"Lord, please take us with you too... less able to bear it.
Various families sent people to find Zhang Xin.
"Lord, please take us with you too..."