Yuan Tan agreed to Pang Ji's suggestion.
Firstly, staying in Qing Province to compete with Zhang Xin was indeed not a good bet.
Prestige, popular support, ability...
The difference was too great.
Secondly, finding Yuan Shao was the most urgent task at hand.
The Yuan Tan of today was still more than ten years away from the Yuan Tan who would later contend with Yuan Shang for succession.
His current age was about the same as Zhang Xin's, and his experience, ability, and prestige had not yet been cultivated.
Giving him some strategists and generals to supervise battles was not a problem.
But to truly make him shoulder the rise and fall of a faction?
He himself had no confidence.
As for his captured mother and younger brother, they could send people to negotiate later; it was not a big problem.
Since ancient times, there had been an unwritten rule in conflicts: misfortune should not extend to family members.
For example, when Xiang Yu captured Liu Bang's family and Cao Cao captured Liu Bei's family, they did not harm them.
On one hand, it was to demonstrate their benevolence and righteousness.
On the other hand, no one could guaranty that if they won this time, they would win next time.
Leaving a path for others was leaving a path for oneself.
In the eyes of others, Zhang Xin had Yuan Shao's family. He couldn't kill them, and using them to threaten Yuan Shao would lower his prestige.
Since keeping them was a waste of food anyway, it would be more practical to exchange them for wealth.
With the plan decided, Yuan Tan ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to command the retreat, then, following Pang Ji's advice, sent envoys to Han Fu and Yuan Yi to negotiate.
To Han Fu, he truthfully reported the news of Zhang Xin's return and adopted a very humble stance, saying that his parents' lives were unknown and his base was gone, requesting Han Fu to take him in, considering the Yuan had once shown him kindness.
Zhang Xin's return this time would surely bring retaliation, and he was willing to guard the gate of Ji Province for Han Fu to resist Zhang Xin.
To Yuan Yi, he used a commanding tone, ordering him to cover the rear of his army, completely treating this uncle as a family servant.
...
Nangpi.
Zhang Xin sat in the Prefectural Governors Residence, with more than a dozen boxes in front of him.
"Donglai Liu Clan, Lean Liu Clan, Beihai Gao Clan..."
Inside these boxes were letters from prominent Qing Province families communicating with Yuan Shao.
"So many people..."
Zhang Xin picked up a letter, quickly scanned it, noted the sender, then tossed it aside, repeating the process.
These letters were written on silk or bamboo slips, totaling several thousand.
Zhang Xin read for an entire nite, gaining a general understanding of the situation in Qing Province.
To say that all prominent Qing Province families had rebelled was an exaggeration.
But six out of ten had rebelled.
Among them were families to which his own State Prefecture officials belonged.
Even Ren Jia, Xi Lu, and others recommended by Zheng Xuan were involved.
Ren Jia was fortunate; only letters from the Ren clan were found in these boxes, not his own.
But Xi Lu...
He himself had written a letter to Yuan Shao!
His words were extremely fawning.
"I cared for the people of Qing Province, and for over a year since the campaign against Dong Zhuo, I never levied a single grain of food from you, is this how you repay me? "
Zhang Xin's heart was filled with rage.
Fortunately, the only thing that could make him feel relieved was that Hua Xin, Guo Yuan, and others he valued most were not involved.
"Lord."
Dian Wei walked in, "The Left General sent a report saying the army has finished resting and is ready to depart at any time."
"Then let's mobilize the army and set off."
Zhang Xin raised his head, a smile on his face, "Tell the brothers in the personal guard camp, we're going home."
After repelling Chunyu Qiong, Zhang Xins army rested for two more days in Nangpi, and by this time, they had fully recovered from their seasickness.
Counting the time, Yuan Tan should have already received the news and begun his retreat.
So, it was time to go home!
"Yes."
Dian Wei grinned.
He had also been away from home for a long time.
"Oh, right."
Zhang Xin pointed to the boxes containing the letters, "Find someone to pack these up and give them to Guan Jian. Have him transport them back to Pingyuan by water."
"Yes."
Dian Wei sent someone to convey Zhang Xin's military order to Zuo Bao.
Upon hearing they were going home, the Yellow Turban Old Guard cheered, their morale soaring.
Zhang Xins army split into two routes.
The three thousand naval forces had completed their mission and, led by Guan Jian, sailed into the sea and returned to Qing Province.
Yuan Shao's family was also among them.
The remaining cavalry, personally led by Zhang Xin, headed south to intercept and kill the Yuan Army.
More than five thousand cavalry rolled in, sweeping past Dongguang.
Chunyu Qiong stt have been boosted."
Gao Shun's eyes showed admiration, "Perhaps Pingyuan would have fallen before the Lord returned."
"This little girl..."
Zhang Xin suddenly felt a strong urge in his heart.
"Order the army to speed up! "