The two men stood there, utterly confused.
"Didn't I make myself clear before?" Zhang Xin's gaze turned icy. "Without my command, the city gates are not to be opened."
"Yes…" the two exchanged uneasy looks. "But—"
Zhang Xin cut them off sharply. "You disobeyed military orders and opened the gates without authorization. Guards!"
Armored soldiers immediately stepped forward.
"Drag Hu Cai and Li Le away," Zhang Xin ordered coldly, pointing at them. "Give them fifty lashes."
The soldiers seized the two men.
"General! We refuse to accept this!" Hu Cai struggled. "You were trapped behind enemy lines in grave danger. What crime have we committed by going out to rescue you?"
"Exactly!" Li Le chimed in. "We risked our lives to save you. Even if we failed, we still tried our best. Why punish us instead of rewarding us?"
Zhang Xin sneered. "What crime? Tell me—if not for Guan Yu intervening that day, even if you had reached me, could you have made it back?"
The two fell silent.
Even they understood the reality—infantry could never outrun cavalry. Even if they had managed to return to the city, the enemy riders would have followed. Without Guan Yu, Yuyang would have fallen.
"When I left," Zhang Xin continued, voice rising, "I ordered you not to open the gates. When Nanlou attacked, I sent scouts repeating that same order!"
"And yet you ignored me and charged out anyway!" he snapped. "If the city had fallen, where would you go? Where would our soldiers go?"
He paused, then shouted, "And where would Ning'er go?"
The two lowered their heads, faces flushed with shame.
"Have you forgotten the fox spirit?" Zhang Xin pressed. "If Yuyang fell and Ning'er ended up in enemy hands, how would we face the Great Teacher and General Di Gong?"
Neither could answer.
Zhang Xin sighed. "I forbade you from opening the gates so there would always be a way out. Even if I died in battle, at least you'd still have somewhere to stand…"
"General, please stop!" Hu Cai said hoarsely. "I understand now. I accept my punishment."
"Me too," Li Le added quietly.
"Do you truly understand?"
"Yes."
Zhang Xin nodded. "Take them away and execute them."
"General!" Zuo Bao stepped forward, clasping his hands. "Fifty lashes is already too severe. We need capable men—please show mercy."
Others quickly joined in pleading.
Zhang Xin looked at Hu Cai and Li Le. Zuo Bao gave them a meaningful glance.
Realizing their chance, Hu Cai hurriedly bowed. "This subordinate knows his mistake and will never repeat it!"
"Me too!" Li Le echoed.
Zhang Xin exhaled slowly. "Very well. Considering your efforts, I'll reduce it to twenty lashes."
"Huh?" Hu Cai blinked. "General… we're still fighting?"
"Damn it!" Zhang Xin roared. "Take him out and execute him!"
"No, no, no! The rod is fine!" Hu Cai panicked and bolted toward the door. "Brothers, hurry—if you're my brothers, hit me quickly!"
Laughter erupted as he fled, Li Le following close behind.
"You three have also worked hard," Zhang Xin said, turning to the others with a smile. "Go to the treasury and collect one hundred thousand coins each."
They bowed gratefully and departed.
Soon after, Hu Cai and Li Le reappeared, limping away while clutching their backsides.
Zhang Xin then summoned the riders who had accompanied him and rewarded them as well.
"Niu Feng, was it?" Zhang Xin asked one of the soldiers.
"Yes!" the man replied, surprised and delighted.
"Would you be willing to serve as my personal guard captain?"
"I would!"
"And the rest of you?"
"We are willing!"
"Good. From now on, you answer to him. Send scouts to Youbeiping and Shanggu—we need intelligence on the Wuhuan."
"Yes!"
"Report to Yang Yi afterward and assist in training the cavalry. I'll train you personally later."
They left eagerly.
With that settled, Zhang Xin had wine and food prepared and, supported by Wang Meng, made his way to the prison.
It was time to deal with Guan Yu.
Along the way, the people of Yuyang greeted him warmly. Zhang Xin responded with a smile to each.
Inside the prison, Guan Yu sat shackled on the ground, bloodied and disheveled.
Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes.
A pale, teenage boy approached slowly, supported by another youth, with a young girl following behind carrying a tray of wine and meat.
Seeing Guan Yu's injuries, Zhang Xin frowned. "Jailers!"
One rushed over nervously.
"Didn't I order that Guan Yu was not to be mistreated?" Zhang Xin demanded.
"We wouldn't dare!" the jailer insisted. "Those injuries weren't from us—when the people heard he tried to assassinate you, they pelted him with stones as he was brought in."
Zhang Xin blinked in surprise.
"Since when do I have such support among the people?" he muttered.
"It's true," the jailer said quickly. "You can ask anyone in the city."
Zhang Xin nodded, then asked, "Has he been given wine and meat as instructed?"
"Yes, Commander. We followed your orders exactly."
Zhang Xin turned to Guan Yu.
Guan Yu met his gaze and gave a slight nod.
Zhang Xin's expression softened. "Bring hot water."
As the jailer hurried off, Zhang Xin studied the man before him carefully.
So this… is Guan Yu?