"Huh?" Zhang Xin froze, blurting out, "Odd change… no change?"
Zhang Bao frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing, nothing." Zhang Xin waved it off quickly. "General… what did you mean just now?"
Zhang Bao lifted Zhang Ning into his arms and said plainly, "My niece is quite pretty. I'll betroth her to you as your wife. That way, you'll be the Great Virtuous Teacher's son-in-law—no one will object."
Zhang Xin was completely stunned.
What is this, a bonus?
Is she even as charming as Liu Hua?
"How old is Miss this year?" Zhang Xin asked awkwardly. "Besides… I already have—"
"I didn't say you had to marry her immediately," Zhang Bao cut him off. "I know about the woman in your household. She's over ten years older than you. Keep her as a concubine if you like—but do you really intend to make her your wife?"
Zhang Xin glanced at Zhang Ning.
In this era, appearance mattered no less than in any other. Zhang Jiao had been able to rally hundreds of thousands—his looks must have been impressive. As his daughter, Zhang Ning was naturally beautiful beyond question.
A child bride?
…Not impossible.
He had already taken on the burden of the Yellow Turbans—what difference did one more responsibility make?
"This… I wonder if Miss is willing?" Zhang Xin asked.
He didn't mind marrying another wife. After all, having transmigrated into this world, living too modestly would be a waste.
"Parents' orders, matchmaker's words," Zhang Bao said. "My elder brother is gone—I am as her father. Why would she object?"
He set Zhang Ning down. "Ning'er, come greet your husband."
"Ning'er greets husband," the little girl said obediently.
Zhang Xin nearly fainted.
Does she even know what 'husband' means?!
"This… before the wedding…" Zhang Xin struggled for words. "Just call me older brother for now."
Zhang Ning looked to Zhang Bao.
Zhang Bao nodded. "He is your husband. You must listen to him."
"Older brother," Zhang Ning called sweetly.
"Good… good sister," Zhang Xin replied, patting her head.
"We congratulate the Earth Duke General, Miss, and Little General Zhang," the four generals said with smiles.
"Still calling him 'Little General Zhang'?" Zhang Bao glared at them, pulling Zhang Xin back toward the main seat.
This time, Zhang Xin didn't resist and sat down.
The four generals exchanged glances, then knelt on one knee. "We greet the Great Marshal!"
With that, the hierarchy was sealed.
Zhang Xin took a deep breath. "Rise."
"Thank you, Great Marshal."
"The position is settled—I have no more concerns," Zhang Bao said with a satisfied smile. "From here on, the breakout will be under your command. Everyone in the city—including me—is at your disposal."
Zhang Xin closed his eyes, thinking rapidly.
No one dared interrupt.
After a long moment, he opened them again.
"Zhang Niujiao!"
"This humble general is here!"
"I order you to take one thousand elite troops and gather all craftsmen in the city. Assemble at the North Gate before the hour of Chou tonight."
"Tonight?" Zhang Niujiao blinked. "Isn't that too rushed?"
"Address me as Great Marshal," Zhang Xin said sharply.
"Yes, Great Marshal."
"There are no more defensive supplies left," Zhang Xin explained. "Better to move now. If we wait even two more days, casualties will surge—and we may not get out at all."
"Understood. I accept the order."
"Hu Cai!"
"This humble general is here!"
"Take one thousand elite troops, bring materials for river crossing, and assemble at the North Gate before Chou."
"Understood!"
"Li Yue!"
"This humble general is here!"
"Escort the Chieftain's families with one thousand elite troops. Assemble at the North Gate before Chou."
"Yes!"
"Left Leopard."
"This humble general is here."
"How many troops do you have?"
Left Leopard looked embarrassed. "After escorting Miss out of Guangzong, most of my men died… fewer than a hundred remain."
"In that case," Zhang Xin said, handing him a military tally, "go to the South Gate and transfer two thousand of my elite troops. Bring plenty of incendiary materials and assemble in the city."
"Understood."
Finally, Zhang Xin turned to Zhang Bao. "As for the remaining troops, I trouble you to command them and gather at the West Gate before Chou."
"Leave it to me," Zhang Bao said, nodding approvingly. "A Xin, now that you are engaged to my niece and have taken the position of Great Marshal, you should also have a courtesy name."
Zhang Xin stood and bowed. "I leave it to you."
"Still calling me 'General'?" Zhang Bao said with a hint of displeasure.
Zhang Xin scratched his head. "Second Uncle."
"Hmm…" Zhang Bao thought for a moment. "Your name, Xin, means to remove the old. Qing means to cleanse the impure. Let it be Ziqing."
"Zhang Xin… Zhang Ziqing," he repeated. "Thank you, Second Uncle."
"It suits you well."
"We congratulate the Great Marshal!" the others said.
"Enough. Go prepare," Zhang Xin ordered. "Time is short—don't delay."
"Yes!"
As the generals turned to leave, Zhang Niujiao lingered, his eyes reddened. He looked at Zhang Bao.
"General…"
"Life and death are fate," Zhang Bao said calmly. "From now on, assist A Xin well."
"Yes!" Zhang Niujiao knelt and kowtowed.
The others followed suit before departing.
Once they were gone, Zhang Bao summoned his guards to mobilize the remaining troops, then let out a long breath.
"Ziqing," he said quietly, "stay with me for a while."