News from Yangzhou had long reached Jiaozhou. Everyone in the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was anxious and distressed but had no other choice but to wait for word from Xie Xun.
Refugees fleeing from Yangzhou reported tales of rivers of blood, a state mansion slaughtering civilians, and an epidemic wreaking havoc. They all feared that Xie Xun had met his end in Yangzhou.
Amid such a perilous situation, Xie Xun stayed behind in Yangzhou, unafraid of death, to save the people. His actions inspired countless members of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, even moving the people of Jiaozhou to respect and admiration. Under those circumstances, no one would have faulted him for leaving Yangzhou—after all, the Twelve States were already fraught with difficulties and needed Xie Xun to preside over the overall situation. Yet, he risked everything for the people of Yangzhou, silencing all doubts with his actions.
