Beyond Tanhan Mountain is the Ning County Pass.
Yan Rou, with a thousand cavalry, had been waiting there for a long time.
Upon seeing Zhang Xin, Yan Rou excitedly stepped forward to salute.
"Lord! "
Zhang Xin stepped forward to help him up, carefully observing him.
Since Zhang Xin went to Liang Province in Zhongping Year 4, the two had not seen each other again.
Even when he got married, Yan Rou had to guard the border and could not come.
At this time, Yan Rou looked much more weathered than four years ago, but his eyes were even more resolute.
It was evident that he had gained a lot from serving as Colonel Protector of the Wuhuan in recent years.
Zhang Xin nodded in satisfaction, smiling, "With you guarding the You Province border, I have no worries."
"It is all thanks to Lord's cultivation."
Yan Rou pointed to the army behind him and smiled, "Following Lord's command, General has brought a thousand soldiers here. Please inspect them, Lord."
Zhang Xin looked at them and grinned.
"Everyone! Zhang is back! "
"We greet Lord! "
The soldiers shouted in unison.
These soldiers were the Yuyang soldiers Zhang Xin had recruited back then.
Originally, there were over three thousand Yuyang soldiers. After conquering the Xianbei people, Zhang Xin, according to the court's system, assigned two thousand five hundred of them to the command of the Colonel Protector of the Wuhuan.
When Zhang Xin left office and Yan Rou took over, they naturally came under Yan Rou's command.
At this time, for him to take back these Yuyang soldiers, it could be said there was no hindrance at all.
"Lord."
Yan Rou handed over command of the soldiers to Zhang Xin, then asked, "Does General really not need to go with you? "
"Qian Man has been very restless lately."
Zhang Xin shook his head, "When I came, although I gave him a warning along the way, he is after all the grandson of Tan Shihuai, and still has ambition in his bones."
"With you here, he can still restrain himself somewhat. If you are not here, I fear he will seize the opportunity to cause trouble."
The defensive strength of You Province seemed like a lot, but in reality, apart from the commandery troops of each commandery, there were only a few units that could be mobilized at any time.
The two thousand five hundred troops of the Colonel Protector of the Wuhuan, the two thousand soldiers of Guan Yu's unit, and Gongsun Zan's unit.
When Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled, Gongsun Zan forced Qiuliju into rebellion, defeating him badly and sending him fleeing.
However, during the pursuit, Qiuliju happened to encounter Xianbei people who wanted to take advantage of the chaos. The two combined forces and pushed back Gongsun Zan.
Then Gongsun Zan was besieged in Guanzi City by the Wuhuan People and Xianbei people, and only managed to escape when they ran out of food and retreated.
In this battle, although Gongsun Zan forced Qiuliju into rebellion first, he suffered a defeat later.
But with Lu Zhi operating on his behalf in the court, the surprise attack on Qiuliju was counted as a merit.
After some discussion, the relevant departments conferred upon him the title of Colonel Who Subdues Barbarians, commanding two thousand troops.
These less than seven thousand troops were the entire mobile force of You Province.
Zhang Xin took away three thousand at once, and if he also took Yan Rou, Qian Man would definitely cause trouble.
To let the people of You Province suffer from war for the sake of Yuan Shao was something he did not wish to see.
Therefore, upon reaching Yan Gate, Zhang Xin had the Wuhuan Cavalry return to Shanggu via the Jundu Pass.
Firstly, the Wuhuan Cavalry were exhausted from prolonged fighting, everyone longed for home, and their morale could no longer be used.
Secondly, their departure via the Jundu Pass could also slightly confuse Yuan Shao's scouts.
Thirdly, Zhang Xin's mobilization of You Province troops would inevitably weaken You Province's defense.
The return of the Wuhuan Cavalry could precisely supplement You Province's defensive strength.
"General understands."
Yan Rou nodded, cupped his fists, and said, "Lord, please be careful on your journey."
...
After receiving a thousand soldiers from Yan Rou, Zhang Xin's army reached a strength of over five thousand men.
Over five thousand cavalry galloping across the grassland quickly attracted the attention of the Xianbei people.
Fu Luohan and Budugen panicked instantly upon receiving the news and sent envoys to inquire.
"We haven't done anything bad lately, have we? "
"What are you Han people doing? "
When they learned that the leader of the army was Zhang Xin, both of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
If they wanted to attack them, why would Zhang Xin need to personally take action?
After confirming that there was no issue, the two, accompanied by some guards, came to pay their respects to Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin told them to keep their own tribes in check, and also to, "How are the provisions and equipment prepared? "
"Everything is ready, only awaiting Lord."