A trace of shame appeared on Guan Yu's face.
During this time, Zhang Xin had treated him with exceptional courtesy—addressing him as "brother," serving him meat and wine daily, and personally checking on him. Guan Yu had already resolved that in this campaign, he would personally slay a Wuhuan leader to repay this debt of gratitude before departing.
Guan Yu had always been confident in his martial prowess. Otherwise, he would never have dared to charge into hundreds of Wuhuan with only a single companion.
Yet this time, Zhang Xin had given him six hundred cavalry and even selected the finest warhorse from among more than two thousand mounts.
They had elite troops, superior horses, and the advantage of a surprise night raid.
And still—he had let Tadun escape.
How could he not feel ashamed?
Seeing this, Zhang Xin comforted him. "It was the horse's limitation, not your fault, brother. There's no need to dwell on it. After this victory, we've seized thousands of warhorses. I'll pick an even better one for you when we return."
Guan Yu's expression eased slightly. "What of Wu Yan and Supuyan?"
"Wu Yan escaped," Zhang Xin replied calmly, "but Supuyan was killed by Yang Yi."
Killing a Wuhuan leader was no small achievement.
Guan Yu nodded. "Now that the Wuhuan in Youbeiping have been broken, what are your next plans?"
"I'll let the troops rest for a day," Zhang Xin said. "Then tomorrow—we pursue and kill Wu Yan."
Though Youbeiping had been pacified, Wu Yan still lived. With his forces destroyed, his only option was to flee to Liaoxi and seek refuge with Qiuliju.
Zhang Xin knew well—Wu Yan would not let this go.
And beyond that, there were still the Xianbei to deal with. If Wu Yan reached Liaoxi and later incited Qiuliju to attack from the rear, it would be disastrous.
Weeds had to be uprooted completely.
From Wuzhong to Liucheng was over six hundred li. Even riding at full speed, it would take five or six days—but without supplies, Wu Yan would have to plunder along the way, stretching the journey to at least ten days.
That gave Zhang Xin ample time.
"I will accompany you tomorrow," Guan Yu said.
"Good," Zhang Xin nodded. "You've worked hard—go rest."
Guan Yu saluted and left.
—
Watching him go, Zhang Xin quietly observed his reactions.
When passing the slain Wuhuan, Guan Yu showed no discomfort—if anything, there was a faint satisfaction in his eyes.
Zhang Xin let out a subtle breath of relief.
He had been concerned that executing prisoners might damage his image in Guan Yu's eyes.
But now it seemed clear—
Guan Yu's sense of righteousness was reserved for the Han people. Toward the Wuhuan, he felt no sympathy.
And truthfully, Zhang Xin himself found the Wuhuan difficult to handle.
They were treacherous, violent, and unpredictable—capable of killing even their own kin in fits of rage.
Incorporate them into the army? Risky.
Register them as civilians? The common people would suffer.
Enslave them for labor? Too troublesome to manage.
In the end, Zhang Xin chose the simplest solution:
Kill them.
—
That day, the Yellow Turbans slaughtered livestock and held a grand celebration in the captured Wuhuan camp.
The next day, Zhang Xin selected one thousand cavalry, each equipped with two horses, along with tents and provisions, and set out in pursuit—leaving Zuo Bao behind to manage the main camp.
—
Meanwhile, Wu Yan fled in panic.
Having lost everything, he wept bitterly.
"Zhang Xin… I swear I'll kill you!"
After gathering just over two hundred survivors, he fled toward Liaoxi to seek refuge with Qiuliju.
With no supplies, they plundered as they went.
Three days later, they reached Guzhu.
Once a key pass, it now stood largely undefended—its troops long since redeployed during the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Wu Yan plundered freely.
But midway, scouts brought alarming news—
A cavalry force was approaching.
"Zhang Xin again?!" Wu Yan panicked.
Yet as the riders drew closer, he saw shaved heads—not armored Yellow Turbans.
"They're ours!"
Relieved, Wu Yan rode out to meet them.
It was none other than Tadun.
The moment they met, Tadun erupted in anger.
"If you hadn't delayed those supplies, would I have suffered such losses?!"
He berated Wu Yan fiercely.
Wu Yan, hoping to seek refuge, dared not offend him and could only bow and flatter him.
Then Tadun spoke coldly:
"From now on, you and your men serve under me."
Wu Yan's face changed.
If he reached Liaoxi, Qiuliju would still treat him as a leader.
But now—Tadun intended to absorb him entirely.
Wu Yan wanted to refuse.
But seeing the murderous look in Tadun's eyes, he swallowed his pride.
With only two hundred men against Tadun's five hundred, resistance meant death.
"…Understood."
Tadun laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Rest assured—I won't treat you poorly."
His losses were partly offset.
His mood improved.
—
But just as they prepared to disperse and resume plundering—
Another report arrived.
"The Yellow Turbans have advanced nearly twenty li! Each man has two horses—they're moving incredibly fast!"
"Damn it!" Tadun roared.
From Yuyang to Guzhu was over four hundred li.
And still they pursued?!
"Let's run!" Wu Yan panicked.
"Run?" Tadun snapped. "They have two horses per man—we only have one. How can we outrun them?"
Rotating horses allowed the enemy to maintain speed over long distances.
From here to Liucheng was five hundred li—escape was impossible.
"Then what do we do?" Wu Yan asked helplessly.
Tadun thought quickly, then shouted:
"To the Rushui! Set up defenses there—we must not let them cross the river!"