Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Even in the late evening, Chang'an was like a finely tuned machine. Wei Yan's five thousand soldiers, torches in hand, streamed into the streets, the clink of axes chopping rotten wood and the rustle of shovels shoveling rubble echoing in unison. Ma Yunlu's messengers, on swift horses, crisscrossed the streets, relaying orders to widen temporary passages and set up additional patrol posts. Dong Bai's female guards, measuring ropes in hand, marked the locations of soup kitchens and medical clinics in the open. In Xun Yu's mansion, candles burned throughout the night, as an elderly servant continuously delivered organized documents to the various camps. Government orders enveloped the city like a spider's web.

As the morning light pierced the clouds, the last group of soldiers withdrew from the newly cleaned courtyard. Before noon, Ma Yunlu, Dong Bai, and Wei Yan had gathered at Xun's residence to report. Looking at the neatly stacked resettlement lists on his desk, Xun Yu finally put down his wolf-hair brush. The wet ink in his inkstone shimmered in the sunlight—shelter, three days' worth of rations, and patrol arrangements for 300,000 refugees had all been arranged in a single night.

As daylight dawned, the Black Mountain Army continued their march. Li Ru, wrapped tightly in his fox fur coat, lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the faintly visible Chang'an city walls ahead. He turned and called to Zhang Yan, his voice shrouded in frost, "Leave 20,000 elite troops outside the city and find a secluded valley to set up camp."

Zhang Yan frowned, tightening his grip on his sword. "Sir, we've finally reached Chang'an, why are you dividing your forces?"

"Aren't Yuan Tan's 50,000 troops approaching soon?" Li Ru stroked the jade pendant at his waist, a sneer curling his lips. "These 20,000 men are like the guillotine hanging over his head. When Yuan Tan thinks Chang'an is empty and marches straight in..." He suddenly clenched his fists, "Catch the turtle in the jar!"

Zhang Yan suddenly understood and bowed deeply, "Master, this is a brilliant plan!" He immediately summoned 20,000 elite soldiers and ordered his trusted generals to set up an ambush in a steep valley. With their banners obscuring the sun, the 20,000 soldiers disappeared into the mountains like dragons, waiting for the enemy to fall into their trap.

The midday sun melted the snow on the city walls, and finally, three hundred thousand refugees shuffled their feet and saw Chang'an. Women and children slumped on the official road, their frozen hands and feet wrapped in coarse clothes, but they still looked toward the city walls and cheered hoarsely.

Beneath the city walls, banners fluttered like a forest. Wei Yan's army formed a square formation, their spear tips gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Dong Bai, clad in light armor, his cloak rustling in the wind. Behind him, Ma Yunlu supported Ma Teng, the old general's silver beard still frosted with morning frost. A little further away, Xun Yu's white figure stood in the shadows, his wide sleeves lifted by the draft, a scroll of maps trembling slightly in his hand.

Li Ru wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled at Zhang Yan beside him, "General Zhang, look—" He pointed to the slowly descending suspension bridge, where civilians emerged from the archway, carrying buckets of steaming porridge. "Chang'an is already fully prepared."

The sun was high in the sky, and flags fluttered beneath the walls of Chang'an. Zhang Yan dismounted, his boots clacking heavily on the ground. He strode towards Ma Teng with long, swift steps. Before he reached him, he clasped his fists and bowed, "General Zhang Yan, I pay my respects to you, my lord!" His words set the bronze bells on the city walls humming.

Ma Teng held the sword at his waist, his silver beard trembling in the wind, as he studied the burly man before him with a sharp gaze. Zhang Yan straightened his back, the beast heads on his armor gleaming coldly. He spoke aloud, "In the past, I only heard of the Liang King's mighty reputation. Although I haven't seen him today, I have seen his well-organized troops and his majestic appearance! I have been wandering here, like a lost goose. Now, I am fortunate to follow the Liang King. I am willing to serve him wholeheartedly and will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Li Ru, standing by, stroked his beard and smiled, then spoke at the right moment: "General Zhang is the bravest of the three armies. It is a blessing for the Liang army that he has led his troops to surrender." Ma Teng nodded slightly and offered a hand to support him: "I am very pleased that you have come. Chang'an has just been settled, and we need a brave general like you!"

When Zhang Yan stood up, his eyes were filled with tears. He saluted Xun Yu and others one by one, and said in a loud voice: "I have long heard of your great name, Lord Xun. Today, seeing that Chang'an is in perfect order under your leadership, I know that your reputation as a king's assistant is well-deserved! From now on, Zhang Yan will follow your lead!" Under the city wall, amid the noisy sounds of the army and refugees, these bold words attracted everyone's attention. The cold wind blew the fine sand past, but it could not conceal the warm atmosphere between the new master and servant.

Xun Yu held the command arrow in hand, his expression grim and stern in the sunlight. Before Zhang Yan could finish his greetings, he announced, "Refugees, please go to the porridge stall south of the city to receive porridge first. The elderly, the weak, women, and children will be given priority!" His words struck like a hammer in the crowd's ears, and the noisy procession instantly fell silent.

"Three miles west of the city is the old Xiliang camp," he pointed his sword towards the vast twilight, "each camp is lined up according to the household registration book, led by female guards holding bamboo signs. Each team has 600 people, and the female guards are the leaders. The locations of food, lodging, and medical clinics are all marked." As he waved his robe sleeves, the bamboo slips fell to the ground with a rustling sound, and the dense markings were clearly visible in the sunlight.

Dong Bai's female guards responded, their red-tasseled daggers drawn half an inch in unison. Xun Yu glanced at the agitated crowd of refugees, his voice suddenly emphasizing, "If you need anything, report it to the female guards. Anyone causing trouble will be dealt with by military law!" He then turned and bowed to Ma Teng, "Please, Lord Shoucheng, return to the city and rest. Wenruo will take care of the subsequent matters."

The cold wind blew the corners of his plain white robe, but it couldn't hide the majesty that emanated from him. Zhang Yan watched this effortless command and couldn't help but be amazed.

Li Ru watched Xun Yu's methodical dispatch, clapping his hands and laughing freely. He turned to Ma Teng and said, "Lord Shoucheng, since Lord Xun possesses such extraordinary power, we're actually a burden here." He brushed the snow off his shoulders and glanced at the long line of refugees winding outside the city gate. "Leaving Chang'an in the hands of Lord Xun is a safer option than entrusting him with a hundred thousand soldiers."

After saying this, he suddenly turned around and said in a deep voice, "Wei Yan, Ma Yunlu, listen to my orders! Lord Xun's orders are equivalent to the military orders of the King of Liang. If there is any deviation, military law will be imposed!" Wei Yan's armor clasped together and he clasped his fists in agreement; Ma Yunlu raised his tasseled spear and said crisply, "Yes!"

Zhang Yan watched Xun Yu commanding the troops with such vigor, sometimes unrolling a map to indicate directions, sometimes scribbling rapidly to allocate provisions, even meticulously arranging the accommodation of the elderly, the weak, and the disabled. He was secretly astonished. As dusk deepened, Chang'an City lit up with thousands of lights. Three hundred thousand refugees were actually being led to their homes by female guards. Newly collected bedding piled beneath the eaves, and smoke curled from the stoves. Watching this miraculous scene, Zhang Yan finally understood the significance of Li Ru's words, "Leave it to Lord Xun!"—this man, with his every move, truly had the power to change the world.

As dusk shone like ink over the walls of Chang'an, Zhang Yan's Black Mountain generals and veteran counselors gathered quietly in their makeshift tent. The crackling bonfire illuminated their faces, flickering with light and shadow, each bearing an expression of lingering fear and a flood of emotion.

"We've been wandering in Black Mountain for over a decade, and we've seen countless refugees die in the wilderness." A scarred general clenched his wine bag, his Adam's apple rolling. "But who could have imagined that in just one day, three hundred thousand people could be saved?"

The white-haired old strategist stroked his beard and sighed, "Earlier, I was worried that the King of Liang had no one under his command. Today, I see that Xun Lingjun is mobilizing troops and arranging food and lodging. His methods are really..." His throat choked with sobs, and his eyes were red. "He really has a heart of a bodhisattva, and is as wise as Zhuge Liang!"

Zhang Yan gazed at the distant Chang'an City, outlined by the lights. Remembering Xun Yu's commanding presence, a surge of warmth welled up in his chest. "I used to think ruling a mountain was the height of my life. Today, I realize that following a lord like this, assisting such capable ministers, is the true achievement of a true man!" He abruptly stood up, spilling his wine on the ground. "From today on, I, Zhang Yan, entrust my life to the Prince of Liang, and to the lights of Chang'an City!"

Before he could finish his words, a burst of hurried footsteps approached from afar. A personal guard rushed into the tent, knelt on one knee, and announced, "General Zhang! Our old lord, Ma Teng, is hosting a banquet at the Prince of Liang's mansion, and he has specially sent me here to invite you. All the Black Mountain generals must honor you with their presence!"

The tent suddenly fell silent, the flickering bonfires casting a flushed glow on everyone's faces. Zhang Yan ripped off his cloak, revealing the dark iron armor lining. He laughed heartily, "You've arrived just in time! I was just about to offer a toast to our lord!" He turned to the other generals, his eyes filled with ambition. "Let's go! See if the wine at Prince Liang's Mansion is as hot as the lights of Chang'an!"

The crowd roared in agreement, their swords clanging. As they stepped out of the tent, a chill wind blew over them, carrying the distant bustle of Chang'an. Zhang Yan gazed at the warm yellow lights rising from the palace, and a sense of peace welled up within him he hadn't felt before. This feast of wine, I'm afraid, will open up a new world.

The banquet hall of the Prince of Liang's mansion was ablaze with candlelight, and agarwood curled from a gilded beast incense burner. Ma Teng sat upright on the tiger-skin throne, the jade belt buckle at his waist reflecting the light. Li Ru, stroking his beard and smiling, sat at the head of the table. Wei Yan sat beside him, his black armor reflecting the flickering candlelight. Zhang Yan, accompanied by the Black Mountain generals, took their seats with a reserved air. Meeting Li Ru's gaze, he couldn't help but recall the night before, kneeling in the tent to seek advice.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhang Yan suddenly stood up, and the bronze wine cup hit the table with a loud noise: "Old lord! If you had not opened the city gates to take in the refugees, we and 300,000 women and children would have turned into dry bones in the wilderness! Such a kindness cannot be repaid even if I die!" After saying this, he was about to bow down.

Ma Teng hurriedly raised his hand to support him, his silver beard trembling slightly as he moved. "General, you are very kind! Chao'er would have acted similarly if he were here." He turned and raised his glass to look at Li Ru. "It is Mr. Wenyou who has the foresight to attract the general and arrange for the resettlement of the refugees. This is truly a great achievement!"

Li Ruqian took a sip of the wine and glanced at Zhang Yan with a smile in his eyes: "General Zhang, are your knees still sore from kneeling in the tent yesterday?" Before he finished speaking, all the generals in the room laughed out loud.

Far from being annoyed, Zhang Yan clasped his fists and bowed, his expression solemn: "If it weren't for you, sir, I don't know if I and these 300,000 women and children could survive this year! It's my good fortune to be able to serve under King Liang, let alone kneel down once, even ten or a hundred times!" After saying that, he raised his head and drank the wine in the glass. The wine dripped down his chin, but it couldn't hide the heat bursting out of his eyes.

As the wine flowed freely, Ma Teng suddenly put down his cup, his expression growing serious. He glanced at the group and said gravely, "General Zhang, we've settled the 300,000 refugees, but there's still a major concern. Yuan Tan will be arriving soon with 50,000 troops. Their force is so strong that Chang'an is in imminent danger."

Zhang Yan abruptly stood up, the sword at his waist clanging. "My old lord, if you command me, I will go through fire and water!"

Ma Teng nodded and raised his hand, "Alright! From today on, all military affairs will be directed by Mr. Li Ru. Mr. Li Ru is resourceful and will surely repel the enemy."

Li Ru stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze sweeping across the hall of generals. "Although Yuan Tan may have a large army, we have the advantage of terrain and people. General Zhang's elite troops are the key to defeating the enemy."

Zhang Yan clasped his fists and said generously: "I am willing to lead the troops as the vanguard! Sir, you are in charge of the strategy, and we will obey your orders!" The generals stood up one after another and responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

That night, Li Ru stood on the city wall, looking at the northern sky, with a sneer on his face - Yuan Tan, you can't come to Chang'an just because you want to.