Chapter 57: Wang Xin Submits

Wang Xin instantly looked at Zhang Liao with eyes full of fear.

His intuition told him that the aura just now definitely came from Zhang Liao.

This is his danger perception as a Second-rate General; ordinarily, the senses of those who practice martial arts are relatively strong.

They have an instinctive sense of danger that never errs.

"Your subordinate, Wang Xin, County Commandant of Hanyin City, together with all officials of Hanyin City, pays respects to General Zhang!"

Wang Xin, upon perceiving Zhang Liao's might, immediately knelt before Zhang Liao.

He lifted the County Magistrate's great seal with both hands, raised it above his head, and loudly demanded surrender to Zhang Liao.

Seeing Wang Xin's sincere attitude, Zhang Liao dismounted, turned, and helped him up.

A faint smile appeared on his face, and he said, "General Wang, please rise; congratulations, you have made the right choice!"

Wang Xin gave a nervous smile to Zhang Liao, did not reply directly, and merely introduced the people behind him to Zhang Liao.

After both sides introduced their personnel, Wang Xin respectfully said to Zhang Liao and the others, "General Zhang, please follow me into the city!"

Having finished, he looked at Zhang Liao carefully with genuinely sincere eyes.

"Alright, men, the Army advance into the city!"

Seeing Wang Xin's cautious demeanor, Zhang Liao responded to him with a nod.

Then he ordered the Army behind him to enter the city.

Watching Zhang Liao and the others enter the city without any hesitation, Wang Xin increasingly felt Zhang Liao's extraordinary nature.

In his heart, a determination arose to honestly follow Zhang Liao's will.

The party quickly entered the prefectural office; after everyone entered the Main Hall, Wang Xin immediately produced the documents he had prepared beforehand.

He bowed low to Zhang Liao and respectfully said, "General, these are the accounts of Hanyin City; please review them!"

Zhang Liao took the accounts, glanced through them, and casually handed them to the nearby Xi Zhicai.

"Military Advisor, you should handle these matters! After all, you are the professional!"

Xi Zhicai took the accounts from Zhang Liao and began to examine them quickly.

The accounts were not voluminous; after all, Hanyin City is only a small Xian with fifty to sixty thousand people.

Soon, Xi Zhicai finished reviewing the accounts and slowly closed them.

He said to Zhang Liao, "General, there are no major issues; it's the same as Shangjun City—the county office has little money or grain, and households have no surplus grain!"

Upon hearing Xi Zhicai's words, before Zhang Liao could ask, Wang Xin hurriedly explained, "General, we cannot be blamed for this; when the Xiongnu army marched south, Niu Fu sent people to transport all the money and grain stored in the county office to Jinyang."

"He feared the Xiongnu would attack Xihe Commandery, so the entire Bing Province had most of its money and grain redirected to Jinyang City."

After hearing Wang Xin's explanation, Zhang Liao and the others felt ashamed of Niu Fu's actions.

"It is one thing that they cannot protect the people, but they also plundered all the people's money and wealth into their own hands."

"Such people would never care about the people's lives; if the Xiongnu truly marched south, the fact that they wouldn't side with the enemy would already be a blessing."

Seeing Wang Xin's panic, Zhang Liao did not further trouble him.

"This matter I now understand; I will not hold you accountable."

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Wang Xin let out a long sigh, and his worries finally eased.

Zhang Liao saw Wang Xin's panic fade, realized Hanyin City still needed him to guard it, and immediately decided to temper his vigor.

"Wang Xin, I will not stay in Hanyin City long; the next time I come to Hanyin City, General Guo Huai will already have gone to Hanyin City."

"Presumably by now, Hanyin City has already been taken by General Guo Huai; after General Guo Huai arrives, I will go to the Commandery city, Lishi City."

"At that time, the heavy responsibility of guarding Hanyin City will still fall to you!"

Zhang Liao, with a solemn expression, said to Wang Xin in a deep voice.

"General, rest assured; I, your subordinate, will swear to defend Hanyin City to death!"

Hearing that Zhang Liao would continue to assign him to guard Hanyin City, Wang Xin immediately exclaimed excitedly to Zhang Liao.

"Remember, this is my test of you; if you truly surrender to the Imperial Court and remain loyal to His Majesty, I will certainly petition on your behalf, and His Majesty will definitely employ you."

"If you dare harbor any rebellious thoughts, my methods will be beyond what you can resist!"

Zhang Liao, with a solemn look and a fierce tone, warned Wang Xin, then stamped his foot heavily onto the floor of the Main Hall.

"Bang!"

The solid floor, under Zhang Liao's foot infused with internal force, instantly shattered into pieces, and a pit over a yard wide was blasted out beneath his foot.

"Sss…"

For a moment, the scene filled with gasps; the people of Hanyin City, led by Wang Xin, stared in awe at the power of Zhang Liao's foot.

They all stood stunned, mouths agape.

Looking at Wang Xin and the others' expressions, Zhang Liao was very satisfied; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

Otherwise, he couldn't confidently entrust the heavy responsibility of guarding Hanyin City to him.

About ten minutes later, Wang Xin and the others finally came to their senses, and their gazes at Zhang Liao were filled with awe.

Those with ulterior motives underneath were at that moment also dispelled their thoughts.

Regaining his senses, Wang Xin looked at Zhang Liao with eyes full of fear.

Can humans possess such power? Even his tone trembled.

"General... General... please... rest assured, I, your subordinate, am wholeheartedly loyal to His Majesty and will never be double‑hearted!"

Seeing Wang Xin's fearful gaze and his stammering speech, Zhang Liao knew his intimidation had succeeded.

At that moment, a soldier hurried in from outside and loudly reported to Zhang Liao, "General, General Guo Huai has sent a battle report: Hanyin City has been successfully captured!"

Upon hearing the soldier's words, all the generals of the Bing Province Army were overjoyed.

Wang Xin and the others felt even more shocked, repeatedly marveling at the Imperial Court's great strength.

In just a few days, they had already occupied an entire Commandery of Bing Province, and now even Xihe Commandery was on the verge of falling under their control.

Good, General Guo Huai truly lives up to being a renowned general of the age; this efficiency is indeed high!

Zhang Liao also feels satisfied with Guo Huai's leadership ability!

General, since General Guo Huai has already taken Hanyin City, then presumably the other Five Cities of Shangjun have also been successfully taken!

Xi Zhicai at this moment also spoke out.

Now, Five Days have passed since their Army left Shangjun City; based on the strength of their five men, the Shangjun Five Cities should by now have been taken.

Perhaps, by now the dispatch of good news might already be rushing toward Hanyang City.

Regarding Xi Zhicai's speculation, Zhang Liao also fully approves, after all, the strengths of both sides are evident; whether in individual combat ability or numbers, the advantage lies on their side.