Zhang Xin called for the jailer and ordered that the shackles on Guan Yu's hands and feet be removed.
"Remember," he said sternly, "you are not to reveal my plan to attack the Wuhuan with Lord Guan. If word reaches them and they flee in advance, I'll have your head."
"Rest assured, General!" the jailer replied, brimming with excitement. "You are acting to rid the people of a scourge. Even if it costs me my life, I will never speak of it!"
Zhang Xin nodded, then led Guan Yu and the Wang siblings out of the prison.
As the jailer watched them leave, a deep sense of awe welled up within him.
To move an assassin so completely… even to the point of winning his cooperation—what kind of magnanimity was this?
I must tell my wife about this tonight, he thought.
After all, the general had forbidden him only from speaking about the Wuhuan campaign—not everything else.
—
Outside, the sunlight fell upon Guan Yu once more. He narrowed his eyes slightly, unused to the brightness after days in confinement.
Seeing the dried blood on him, Zhang Xin said, "You've suffered these past few days, Lord Guan. Why not return to my residence first, wash up, and change clothes before we proceed?"
"We are men of the battlefield," Guan Yu replied calmly, though a faint longing flickered in his eyes. "Why concern ourselves with such things? Show me your method first."
Zhang Xin didn't press. Instead, he turned to Wang Rou.
"Arou, go ahead and prepare hot water and a change of clothes. Parrot-green garments would be best."
Guan Yu shot him a surprised glance.
How did he know I preferred that color?
"Yes, sir," Wang Rou replied before hurrying off.
"Lord Guan, this way."
Supported by Wang Meng, Zhang Xin led Guan Yu toward the artisan camp.
—
As they walked through the streets of Yuyang, people turned to stare.
"Hey, isn't that the general? Why is his hair so short?"
"And that man beside him—that's the assassin from the other day!"
"They're… walking together? And talking?"
One villager gathered the courage to step forward.
"General! Wasn't this man trying to kill you? Why is he—?"
"Oh, just a misunderstanding," Zhang Xin said lightly.
He went on to recount how Guan Yu had slain Nanlou, smiling as he spoke. "In fact, Lord Guan is our benefactor. The misunderstanding has been cleared. He has even agreed to help us fight the Wuhuan—so please, no more throwing stones at him."
The crowd's attitude softened immediately.
Guan Yu was inwardly astonished.
Along the way, people greeted Zhang Xin warmly, and he responded to each with a smile. Whenever asked about Guan Yu, he patiently explained his deeds, steadily restoring his reputation.
Guan Yu's impression of Zhang Xin improved further.
—
At the artisan camp, Zhang Xin had Yan Jin summoned.
Seeing Zhang Xin's shortened hair, Yan Jin blinked in disbelief.
"General… your hair…"
"Forget that," Zhang Xin waved it off. "Are you producing cavalry equipment now?"
"Yes," Yan Jin nodded. "As ordered, we've prioritized cavalry supplies."
"How many sets?"
"Two thousand one hundred."
"Can you finish in two days?"
Yan Jin hesitated. "Not if we include horseshoes—they take too long to forge."
"What if you focus only on saddles and stirrups?"
Yan Jin quickly calculated. "…That can be done."
"Then halt everything else," Zhang Xin ordered. "All efforts go into producing 2,100 sets within two days. Afterward, resume weapon and armor repairs—and begin making crossbows if materials allow."
"Yes, General!"
"Thank you for your hard work," Zhang Xin added with a smile. "It's New Year's Day—I'll send wine and meat later. Once this is over, you'll be rewarded."
Yan Jin's eyes lit up.
After all, even building a few crude rafts earlier had earned them generous rewards. If they completed this task well…
He didn't dare imagine how much they might receive.
—
"Bring me a warhorse already equipped," Zhang Xin said.
Soon, a saddled horse was led over.
Guan Yu's gaze immediately locked onto the metal loops hanging on either side.
"What is this?"
"A stirrup," Zhang Xin said. "Try mounting."
Guan Yu took the reins, placed one foot into the stirrup, and mounted smoothly.
"Now place your other foot here."
As both feet settled into the stirrups, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
"…It's incredibly stable."
"Let's try it on the training ground," Zhang Xin said.
"I'll do it myself," Guan Yu replied, taking the reins.
They made their way to a nearby drill field.
With a flick of the reins, the horse surged forward.
After several laps, Guan Yu returned.
"Well?" Zhang Xin asked.
"You came up with this?" Guan Yu stared at him in shock.
The implications were immense.
The stirrups provided support for mounting and prevented sideways falls. The saddle stabilized the rider during high-speed movement. Together, they eliminated years of basic balance training.
A cavalryman could focus directly on combat.
More importantly, the added stability allowed a rider to briefly free their hands, wield weapons more effectively, and strike with greater force.
The inventor of such a device… was nothing short of a genius.
"When I first learned to ride, I was quite small," Zhang Xin said casually. "I thought of it to make mounting easier—and to avoid falling off."
Guan Yu dismounted and patted his shoulder.
"It is a pity your talents are wasted in rebellion," he said sincerely. "If you are ever granted amnesty, you must present this to the court."
"Of course," Zhang Xin replied with a smile.
He wasn't worried about the idea spreading.
After all… he had even better innovations in mind.
Guan Yu nodded, then said thoughtfully:
"Even so, building an effective cavalry force in just a few days is still extremely difficult."
He looked at Zhang Xin, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"Do you have anything better?"