Utterly chilling to the core.

After receiving the report, Wang Bo ordered that the garrisons at several county seats need not be maintained; everything would be decided the following year.

Busy without respite, the year drew to a close in the blink of an eye. Amidst his busyness, Wang Bo often sighed: so it turns out that those with wealth and power do not have an easy life either! Once you have the means to show off, it’s as if your feet are tied to a speeding chariot—you can only move forward without pause, and the things to worry and fret about multiply. In his previous life, he was just a pauper at the very bottom of society; aside from worrying about money, there did not seem to be much else to trouble him. Clearly, to sleep until waking naturally and to count money until your hands cramp—these two things can never coexist.

Across the vast plains from Pingcheng to Yanmen Pass, shadows of returning barbarian raiders began to appear: Wuwan people in felt hats, Xiongnu with shaved foreheads, and smaller tribes whose origins were difficult to distinguish, though most were Xianbei with their hair flowing behind. Some returned laden with loot, laughing and cheerful; others came back empty-handed, dejected. Yet all these barbarian riders kept to their own groups, rarely interacting with those of other tribes.

Yuhu Pass, nestled in the western mountains near Pingcheng, had seen little of the barbarians since the last battle months ago. Its tranquility was only broken when the marauders returned from the south. Some smaller tribes, having gained nothing and worrying over wasted grain, foolishly wandered under the walls of Yuhu Pass. Before they had time to shout provocations, the Wolf Owl Guard appeared behind them, leading the Iron Riders of Xinghan. The sight of the swaggering Pinghan, nose in the air and hands on hips, trembling atop his horse, returned vividly before their eyes.

The result was predictable: the panicked barbarians, after a brief struggle, were mostly pressed into the ranks of the Xinghan army’s labor corps. Those few who preferred death over surrender were turned into grim warning mounds—trophies of Xianbei or Wuwan skulls, with signs marking them as such, terrifying many a would-be rebel among the laborers.

The labor corps of Xinghan army had grown vast. At first, Wang Bo worried about how to manage them, so he broke up the captives and mixed them into several large battalions under strict martial discipline: the slightest disobedience met with instant execution. But as time passed, the captives seemed either too cowed to resist or had simply grown accustomed to submission, working hard without complaint.

As the numbers swelled, draining much of the army’s energy, Wang Bo reorganized them entirely, dividing them by ethnicity into units of a thousand. Each unit was led by three captains—all severely wounded veterans from previous battles—assisted by several dozen reserve soldiers as overseers. Ten sub-captains, chosen from among the most timid and compliant of each tribe, led smaller squads, and collective punishment was imposed: one man’s mistake meant punishment for all; one man’s rebellion meant death for the entire unit. There were also rewards: a unit with good performance got extra rations, better lodgings, and captains could be exempted from labor.

Seeing such docility, Wang Bo ordered gradual improvements to their living conditions. Those who had been captives longer were housed in warm, heated quarters; food was provided to half-satiety, with full meals and even small bottles of Xinghan liquor as rewards for good behavior. Those who received such rewards became even more docile, bowing and scraping before any Han person, young or old, man or woman, much like a flock of obsequious Korean maids.

Amid the year-end festivities, even the captives felt the Xinghan army’s benevolence: each received a bottle of wine, an extra meat ration daily, and under the captains’ organization, they took turns visiting Xinghan City. The highlight, of course, was the grim skull mounds beneath the two passes—a hellish lesson in obedience, making them cherish their current, improved lives all the more.

With the Xinghan officers on break for over ten days, camaraderie ran high. Seizing a rare moment of leisure, Wang Bo fled the crowded main tent, toured the camp with Xu Chu to offer comfort to the troops, and then hid away with Zhang Ning’s medical team, chatting idly with her.

Just as he’d grown used to these carefree days with Zhang Ning, his peace was interrupted by a messenger from Ding Yuan, the Inspector of Bing Province. Wang Bo stormed back into the main tent, unleashing a torrent of curses at the grinning Xu Chu, startling the Bing Province envoy into confusion—hadn’t General Wang always been amiable? Was it because the gifts he brought were insufficient? Once Wang Bo had calmed himself, the envoy hurriedly presented a letter.

It was a transfer order from Ding Yuan.

The letter explained: though the barbarians had not breached Yanmen Pass this year, all Han civilians in the surrounding areas—Yinguan, Mayi, Wucheng—had been entirely plundered, their towns burned to the ground. From Yanmen Pass north to Pingcheng, no Han subjects remained; Han imperial control was utterly lost. In their place, various barbarian tribes had migrated south, with some settling permanently, never to return north.

As the highest Han official in Bing Province, Ding Yuan was daily beset by anxiety, fearing that the loss of Yanmen Pass—the last barrier against southern incursions—would render his title meaningless. Upon hearing of the Xinghan army’s great victory over the Xianbei, slaying the villain Xieguini and wounding the chieftain Budugen, he inquired in detail with Wang An of the Wang trading company, learning that his own subordinate, Captain Zhang Liao, had distinguished himself in battle.

Thus, in dire need of capable generals, Ding Yuan sent a clear message to Wang Bo: he wished to recall Zhang Liao to garrison Yanmen Pass, hoping Wang Bo would not be offended and would put the safety of the Han people first. Under the pretext of rewarding the troops, he also sent large quantities of grain, wine, and meat, along with a hundred fine suits of armor, a hundred stone-hard bows, and numerous spears and sabers. He added that he and Wang Yun had jointly petitioned the court to secure proper titles and positions for Wang Bo and his men, hoping thereby to forestall any refusal.

“This old fox! Taking the Emperor Ling’s worthless decrees as a favor? I couldn’t care less!” Wang Bo scoffed. “What a pretty scheme! I have no use for such hollow titles! If I offered you Xinghan liquor in exchange for your adopted son Lu Bu, would you agree? Even if you did, I wouldn’t! You leave Lu Bu unused, yet come coveting Zhang Liao?”

He kept such thoughts to himself, of course. After a bout of silent cursing, he reciprocated with a generous gift of Xinghan liquor and had a letter drafted to Ding Yuan.

The reply was lengthy, listing reasons why Zhang Liao could not yet be recalled. Subtly, Wang Bo mentioned Xinghan City’s needs: first, a large supply of iron ingots and skilled ironworkers; second, talents in armor and weapon forging; third, a large influx of people, even refugees. Without these, Xinghan City could not long stand, nor could it continue to resist the barbarians. Yanmen Pass only survived this year because Xinghan City blocked the way; in past years, Budugen’s Xianbei and the Southern Xiongnu always overwhelmed them. If Ding Yuan wanted another easy year, he’d better weigh his choices.

After sending off Ding Yuan’s envoy, who still hoped to return with Zhang Liao, Wang Bo brooded for a long time. He then summoned Chen Dao, ordering him to relieve Zhang Liao at the Wujin front, cautioning him to defend prudently—seeking no merit, only avoiding fault, which in itself would be a great achievement.

Two days later, Zhang Liao returned to Xinghan City, travel-worn from his journey after handing over his command. His once-youthful, fair face now bore the marks of battle at Yuhu Pass and months on the frontier—an added gravity, steadiness, and authority that made Wang Bo cherish him all the more.

“Liao reports to the general!” Zhang Liao saluted.

Wang Bo’s smile stiffened for a moment, but then he laughed it off. “Wen Yuan, you’ve had a hard journey! We are as brothers; there is no need for such formality.”

Zhang Liao replied earnestly, “Thank you for your great kindness, General! Since coming to Xinghan City, I have realized what it means to be a true man—resisting the barbarians, preserving the Han realm and the people’s peace. This was my ancestors’ command, and it is my own wish as well!”

“I have long known you for a loyal and righteous man! To stand alongside you is my good fortune; I have no regrets in this life!” With a glance, Wang Bo waved the glowering Xu Chu away, then laughed and drew Zhang Liao to his side, eager to make up for the month they’d been apart.

After several rounds of wine and a hearty meal, Wang Bo’s tone grew serious. “A few days ago, Inspector Ding of Bing sent for you to return and garrison Yanmen Pass. What are your thoughts, Wen Yuan?” He fixed Zhang Liao with an intense gaze.

Zhang Liao’s face colored slightly. After a moment’s thought, he spoke slowly, “The Inspector has always shown me great favor… since he has now issued a clear summons, I must obey… General, your friendship…”

Zhang Liao’s words were like a bucket of icy water, dousing Wang Bo’s hopes and leaving him stunned. Only when Zhang Liao rose and bowed deeply did Wang Bo recover.

He patted his flushed cheeks, took a deep breath, and helped Zhang Liao up with a sigh. “Wen Yuan… ah…”

“General, I am deeply grateful for your kindness and am much ashamed. But if I remain here and do not return, would I not be a man without loyalty or righteousness?” Zhang Liao then began to recount his past.

He was descended from Nie Yi, the righteous merchant of Emperor Wu’s era, who had aided the Han army with his wealth and was lauded by the Han court, but hated by the Xiongnu and repeatedly targeted for assassination, prompting his family to change their name and relocate to Hedong. Yet the ancestral command remained: never betray the Han; if the court should summon, never refuse.

From childhood, Zhang Liao had diligently practiced martial arts and studied strategy, hoping to serve the country. But the Han court was corrupt, and Bing’s officials were mostly self-serving and apathetic in the face of barbarian encroachment. Failing to find recognition, he joined with the like-minded Lu Bu to form a volunteer force against the barbarians, though without official support, they never gained momentum.

Just as he and Lu Bu despaired of serving the country, Inspector Ding Yuan arrived, immediately reorganizing the military and recruiting volunteers, repelling the barbarians from Yanmen Pass. Hopeful, Zhang Liao and Lu Bu joined Ding Yuan, who took Lu Bu as his adopted son and placed Zhang Liao in charge of training the newly formed Bing cavalry.

After hearing this, Wang Bo sighed again and asked, “Since Inspector Ding values you so highly, why do you remain only a mere captain?”

Zhang Liao smiled, “Though Lord Ding is head of the province, by Han law he has no official military command…”

“Haha, so that’s how it is! My ignorance shows! I had thought you were being overlooked by Inspector Ding… Well, fate has played us thus. Let it be!” Wang Bo laughed to mask his disappointment.

“General, you flatter me! I deeply respect your talent and vision. Now that I am to guard Yanmen Pass, if you ever need anything from me, I will do my utmost,” Zhang Liao replied, a little embarrassed.

“It is nothing! It does not harm our brotherhood. Come, let us drink our fill tonight!” Wang Bo soon recovered his composure and continued the feast with Zhang Liao.

Yet deep down, Wang Bo was sorely disappointed. He had placed all his hopes in Zhang Liao—assigning him to lead the cavalry, entrusting him with chief offensive duties in battles, treating him as an equal, even arousing the jealousy of the usually easy-going Xu Chu. Was it truly Inspector Ding’s kindness, or the weight of ancestral command? Or was this merely an excuse? After all, when Lu Bu betrayed and killed Ding Yuan in history, Zhang Liao showed no qualms, following Lu Bu to Dong Zhuo, and later, after Lu Bu’s death, serving Cao Cao without hesitation, becoming a legendary general.

Why, then? When Liu Bei gained Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, it took only a few tears; when he befriended Zhao Yun, they shared a bed; to gain Zhuge Liang, all he needed was a thick face and some weeping. Yet Wang Bo, though granting Zhang Liao full power and honor, came up empty-handed.

Unable to understand, Wang Bo finally put aside his doubts and began plotting to extort compensation from Ding Yuan: he would not suffer this loss for nothing! The Han cavalry would be kept, and he would demand training fees for Zhang Liao as well. Ding Yuan wanted Zhang Liao to learn from Xinghan, then take his expertise back to Bing? Not so easily—this time, Ding Yuan would have to pay dearly!

So, Wang Bo, under the pretext of farewells, ordered Yang Feng, Liao Hua, and the others to take turns inviting Zhang Liao to banquets, delaying his return. He also arranged for Niu Feihu to indoctrinate the hundreds of Han cavalry, hoping to keep them and their equipment. Having spent months with the Xinghan officers, Zhang Liao was too polite to refuse them outright. He understood Wang Bo’s intentions but did not expose him, feeling even more indebted for the latter’s hospitality. This continued until another envoy arrived from Bing Province.

This time, upon reading Wang Bo’s reply, Ding Yuan was generous in his response, recognizing the fairness of the demands. He sent two hundred new suits of iron-scale armor, two hundred gleaming sabers, over two hundred craftsmen with their families, and several thousand ragged refugees—meeting nearly all of Wang Bo’s requests. He also wrote that though there were many more refugees in Bing, the distance made it hard to send them north for now; if Xinghan City could absorb more, it should find its own way. Moreover, any Bing merchants transporting goods for Xinghan would be exempt from taxes and inspections.

After reading the list of goods, Wang Bo suppressed his excitement, managing only to remark, “Why so many ‘twos’?” Then, ignoring the bewildered envoy, he called Zhang Liao and officially returned him to Ding Yuan.

Of the thousand Bing cavalry Zhang Liao had brought, over two hundred had died in battle, and after Niu Feihu’s recent efforts, only a bit over two hundred agreed to return with him. Not wanting to appear too greedy, Wang Bo graciously gifted Ding Yuan two hundred Xianbei warhorses from his spoils, while returning the inferior mounts that had previously belonged to the Han cavalry.