General Zhang thought it over carefully and felt that what Zhang Xin said was very reasonable.
Which year did the Qiang not rebel two or three times?
But he was still a little uneasy, and asked again, "What if the Qiang do not rebel, or if the Han army does not retreat?"
"If that's truly the case..." Zhang Xin mused, "Our army can also retreat into the Taihang Mountains and wait for the opportune moment."
The Taihang Mountains, which is the Taihang Mountains range, starts in the Western Mountains of the later capital, less than a hundred li from Yuyang.
Zhang Xin's meaning was clear: retreat to Yuyang first.
If the Han army doesn't pursue, then everything is fine; if they really pursue relentlessly, then go into the mountains and fight guerrilla warfare.
Whatever the situation, it's better than waiting here to die.
"What do you all think?" General Zhang looked at the three men.
"This strategy from Little Commander is offensive and defensive," Zuo Bao nodded, "Very good."
"This General believes it is feasible," Hu Cai agreed.
Li Le: "Yes, yes."
"Since that's the case..." General Zhang pondered for a moment, then called out, "Someone! Go call Zhang Niujiao back."
Moments later, Zhang Niujiao walked back huffily, glared at Zhang Xin, and without a word, moved the table he had kicked over back into place, sitting back down in his seat.
General Zhang surveyed everyone in the hall and said, "Zhang Niujiao, Zuo Bao, Hu Cai, Li Le!"
"General is present."
The four Generals stood up and cupped their fists.
General Zhang slowly said, "For our army to break out, one General needs to lead troops out of the west gate to attract the Han army."
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts tightened; they all knew that the General leading these troops would almost certainly die.
Zhang Xin breathed a sigh of relief; General Zhang hadn't called him, so it seemed this matter had nothing to do with him.
"This General leading the troops will be me," General Zhang continued, "After I die, you all must take Xin as your commander! In the future, you must obey his orders, without fail!"
"What!"
General Zhang's words startled everyone.
"How can General do this?" This time, Zhang Xin couldn't sit still and quickly stood up.
He still had feelings for General Zhang.
The reason he chose to flee was not out of dissatisfaction with General Zhang himself, but because he had no hope for the future of the Yellow Turbans.
That's why he painstakingly devised such a plan to save General Zhang's life and allow the Yellow Turbans to develop.
Now General Zhang wasn't running; wasn't this like winking at a blind man?
"General, no!" Zuo Bao said urgently, "This General has received great kindness from the Great Virtuous Teacher and vows to repay it with his life; the matter of attracting the Han army, let this General go!"
"Your old man is still here, is it your turn to lead the army?" Zhang Niujiao glanced at Zuo Bao, cupped his fists, and said, "Let this General go instead; the Yellow Turbans cannot be without General!"
Hu Cai, Li Le: "Yes, yes."
"My decision is made, no need for further words!" General Zhang said resolutely, "What use is it for an old man like me, who has no heirs, to cling to life for a few more days?"
"Furthermore, the Han court has designated me as a rebel leader; how could they allow me to live leisurely in Yuyang? Even if it is truly as A Xin said, the Qiang rebellion next year forces the Han army to retreat, the Han army will surely return after suppressing the Qiang rebellion."
"If I die, you can still quietly await the opportune moment in Yuyang; if I don't die, you will never have peace!"
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this.
Yes, General Zhang was the primary offender; if he didn't die, the court would absolutely not let the matter rest.
If General Zhang died, the court wouldn't care too much about a mere scattered army.
As of today, the Han Dynasty is constantly ablaze with conflicts everywhere; let alone them occupying one Yuyang Commandery, even when foreign tribes like the Xianbei, Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Qiang occupied so many border commanderies, when did the court ever send troops to conquer them?
"General..."
Zhang Xin still wanted to persuade him, but General Zhang grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side of the main seat.
"A Xin, come, sit."
Zhang Xin broke free, cupped his fists, and said, "General, please choose someone else to lead the troops."
"You don't want to sit in this commander's position?" General Zhang asked.
"This General doesn't want to," Zhang Xin shook his head, "Xin is young and ignorant, unable to bear such a heavy responsibility, please General, reconsider."
"Please General, reconsider," the four Generals also said.
"A Xin, can you listen to me?" General Zhang smiled slightly.
"I won't listen."
Zhang Xin shook his head frantically.
Are you kidding? What's so good about being this Yellow Turbans commander?
According to what Liu Hua said, wouldn't it be better to first be a hundred-stone official in her hometown, and then, when Emperor Ling dies and the world falls into chaos, follow Cao Cao?
As long as he followed the historical script, he would definitely not fare badly.
Oh right, he'd also have to find an opportunity to get rid of that old turtle Sima Yi, to prevent his descendants from causing another Five Barbarians Uprising.
"A Xin, I'm making you commander not because I want you to overthrow the Han Dynasty," General Zhang sighed, "Since the uprising, I've come to understand that although the Han court is corrupt, its destiny is not yet exhausted, and with the strength of the Yellow Turbans, it's impossible to establish the Yellow Heaven."
"I just want you to preserve the last bit of vitality for the Yellow Turbans. In the future, you can decide based on the situation, whether to establish the Yellow Heaven or surrender to the court, it's all up to you."
"Please General, lead the troops yourself to break out," Zhang Xin shook his head, "General is in the prime of his life; as for heirs, you can marry another woman later, why speak of death?"
"I am fifty-four this year," General Zhang removed his Yellow Turbans scarf and pointed to his graying hair, saying, "Even if I could have more heirs, by the time I die, how old would he be?"
As he spoke, General Zhang suddenly drew the sword from his waist and held it to his neck.
"If you don't agree, I will commit suicide in the hall immediately!"
"General, you cannot do this!" Everyone cried out in alarm.
"Uncle!" Zhang Ning, who was beside him, also ran over and hugged General Zhang's thigh.
She didn't understand what everyone was discussing, but she understood what General Zhang drawing his sword to commit suicide meant.
Zhang Xin looked bewildered.
No, I just came to a meeting, and after this last round of slacking off, I was ready to leave. How did you suddenly hold a knife to my throat and force me to be commander?
And didn't you, General Zhang, used to dislike me and even sent me to guard the city wall?
"Zhang Xin! Since General has said so, don't decline anymore!" Zhang Niujiao shouted, "Are you really going to force General to his death?"
"Little Commander," Zuo Bao also said urgently, "Things have come to this, please agree to General."
Hu Cai, Li Le: "Yes, yes."
Zhang Xin was silent for a moment, then asked, "General, why do you value me so much?"
General Zhang said, "Although the Yellow Turbans are numerous, there are few strategists; only you are resourceful and can be entrusted."
"Since that's the case..." Zhang Xin took a deep breath, "Please General, put down your sword, Xin will agree."
Forget it, forget it. At worst, I'll just follow Zhang Yan's example, occupy a mountain and wait for an amnesty. Anyway, General Zhang also said that in the future, whether to continue rebelling or surrender, it's all up to him.
In this situation, if he didn't agree, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of this awkward situation.
Hmm? But if Zhang Niujiao follows him, will there be no Zhang Yan in the future?
"Agreed?" General Zhang looked at him.
"Agreed," Zhang Xin nodded, then hesitated, "It's just... Xin is young and lacks virtue, I'm afraid I won't be able to command respect."
After speaking, he specifically glanced at Zhang Niujiao.
Hu Cai and Li Le were both Little Commanders like him, and the two of them were honest and easy to control.
Although he wasn't familiar with Zuo Bao, from their recent interaction, this person should also be relatively easy to get along with.
Only Zhang Niujiao, that old geezer, always liked to bully him.
"No matter," General Zhang put down his sword and smiled slightly, "Do you still remember what I said earlier, that if you had a good plan, I would give you a big gift?"
"This is Xin's duty, I dare not accept a gift," Zhang Xin said.
"No, you must accept this gift!"
General Zhang carefully scrutinized Zhang Xin, seeing his sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, rosy lips, white teeth, and sturdy, well-proportioned figure, and nodded with satisfaction.
"A Xin, do you want a wife?"
(The word 'wife' originated in the Tang Dynasty, initially referring to an elderly woman. This is a pun; please, history buffs, forgive me.)