Zhang Xin spoke calmly, "We break out."
Zhang Niujiao immediately erupted. "What kind of trash plan is that? Back then, Guo Dian had only three thousand troops and still pinned us down. Now we're surrounded by the Han army—how are we supposed to break out?"
"General Zhang, please calm down," Left Leopard said, stepping in. "Why not let Little General Zhang finish first?"
Zhang Xin nodded slightly. "There are no Han troops at the West Gate. That's where we break through. I—"
"The West Gate?" Zhang Niujiao cut in with a sneer. "Even a fool knows the saying: 'When you surround an army, leave an opening.' The Han left it open on purpose. You think there's no ambush? What, are you tired of dying too slowly inside the city?"
"Let him finish!" Zhang Bao snapped, glaring. "Interrupt again and get out!"
Zhang Niujiao immediately backed down, forcing an awkward smile.
"Oh? So General Zhang understands the art of war?" Zhang Xin said lightly, his tone edged with sarcasm. "Then you must already have a better plan. Why not share it so I can learn something?"
Zhang Niujiao's face turned red with anger, but he didn't dare speak again.
"Speak properly," Zhang Bao said.
"Understood."
Zhang Xin continued, "I've assessed the Han army's strength. There are about fifteen thousand at the South Gate, over ten thousand at the East Gate, and five thousand at the North Gate."
"That's less than forty thousand in total, and they've already taken losses. At most, they can spare three thousand men for an ambush at the West Gate."
"We send our main force out through the West Gate. When the Han see our numbers, they'll definitely send reinforcements from the South and North. That will weaken the North Gate."
"At that moment, an elite force breaks out from the North."
The generals fell silent, thinking it through. Gradually, they began to nod.
The logic was sound. The Han couldn't commit too many troops to the ambush without weakening the siege. And ambushes were meant to delay, not annihilate outright.
Once the Yellow Turbans moved in force, the Han would commit everything to crush them. And in doing so, they would expose the North Gate.
No one would expect the main force to act as bait.
"A Xin's plan is excellent," Zhang Bao said slowly. "But there's one thing I don't understand. After I break out, what happens to the troops at the West Gate?"
Zhang Xin shook his head. "I said from the beginning—this plan can only save part of our forces."
"You mean…"
A chill swept through the hall.
It was obvious—the troops at the West Gate were meant to be sacrificed.
"Damn you!" Zhang Niujiao roared, slamming the table and jumping up. "Zhang Xin, you brat! You're using tens of thousands of lives to buy your escape?"
"If you have a better plan, speak," Zhang Xin replied coldly. "I'm young and inexperienced—I can't think of one."
What Zhang Niujiao didn't know, Zhang Xin did.
He knew what would happen if the city fell.
After Huangfu Song captured the cities, he massacred everyone—over a hundred thousand people, their bodies piled into a gruesome mound outside the gates.
Saving even a portion of the Yellow Turbans—leaving behind a spark—was already the limit of what he could do.
Evacuate everyone?
Impossible.
"Gah!" Zhang Niujiao roared, kicking over the table. "You dog! I'll kill you!"
"Enough!" Zhang Bao shouted. "Out!"
"General—!" Zhang Niujiao glared at Zhang Xin, eyes blazing.
"I said, get out!"
Grinding his teeth, Zhang Niujiao shot Zhang Xin a murderous look before storming out.
Silence followed.
After a long pause, Zhang Bao spoke heavily. "A Xin… is there really no other way?"
"There isn't," Zhang Xin said quietly. "You know the situation in the city. And you know what happens if it falls."
Zhang Bao frowned and looked at the others. "What do you think?"
Left Leopard sighed. "Little General Zhang's plan is the best option. I escaped from Guangzong—I know how cruel the Han army is."
"If the city falls, they'll massacre everyone. Better to take the risk and preserve at least part of our strength."
"Hu Cai?"
"I agree."
"Li Yue?"
"Yes… yes."
Zhang Bao nodded slowly, then looked back at Zhang Xin. "After we break out, what then?"
"We head north and take Yuyang," Zhang Xin said. "It's a frontier region, bitterly cold. Winter is coming, and most Han soldiers aren't used to it."
"Once the snow falls, their supply lines will be cut. They won't be able to pursue us until spring."
Zhang Bao frowned. "Dai and Shanggu are also cold, and they have the Taihang Mountains for defense. Why not go there?"
"They're too barren," Zhang Xin replied. "Sparse population, little room for growth—and to the north are the steppe tribes."
"If we settle there, we won't even need the Han to destroy us. The Xianbei will do it first."
Zhang Bao nodded slightly, then asked, "And if the Han return next year? Yuyang has no natural defenses."
"They might not come at all," Zhang Xin said with a faint smile.
"What do you mean?"
"Western Liang."
Zhang Bao frowned. "What does Liang Province have to do with us?"
"The Qiang have rebelled many times," Zhang Xin explained. "Now the Han court is weakened. They'll seize the chance."
"If they invade Guanzhong, the court will have no choice but to send Huangfu Song west to suppress them."
"That gives us time. We secure Yuyang, rebuild our strength, then expand east and take the four commanderies as our foundation."
Head north. Survive the winter. Then expand east.
It was the only viable path.
"And the Qiang will really rebel?" Zhang Bao asked.
Zhang Xin smiled faintly.
"They will."