My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

End of November.

The news of the deposed emperor swept through the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty like a cold winter current.

Youzhou, Zhuojun, Zhuohou Mansion.

Inside the main hall, the fire blazed brightly, yet it could not dispel the chill in everyone's hearts.

Eight fierce generals—Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Ran Min, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Zhao Yun, Yang Zaixing, and Li Cunxiao—stood on either side, their faces ashen. Six strategists—Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Lu Zhi, and Zhou Yu—sat solemnly, their expressions grave.

"That scoundrel Dong Zhuo is truly audacious!" Zhang Fei slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his eyes wide open.

"Abolishing the eldest son's title and establishing a son of a concubine is tantamount to severing the legitimacy of the Han dynasty! My elder brother told me to gather our troops right now, march on Luoyang, and stab it three hundred times over!"

"Yide, calm down." Guan Yu stroked his beard, a cold glint flashing in his phoenix eyes.

"Since Dong Zhuo dared to commit such a rebellious act, he must have something to rely on. That Dong Chengdu..."

Mentioning this name made the atmosphere in the hall even more somber.

He single-handedly beheaded Ding Yuan and took the head of a general from among five thousand soldiers. Such martial prowess cannot be described as merely "fierce general".

Lü Bu snorted coldly: "Dong Cheng? A mere Xianbei brat. I'd like to have a go at him!"

Zhao Yun spoke, having just returned from mourning in Wuji County. His face was thinner, but his eyes were even calmer: "Ding Yuan's Bingzhou army was no weak force, and Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were no mediocre men either. To be able to kill Ding Yuan under such protection... this man's courage is probably no less than Second Brother's."

These words caused Xiang Yu's double pupils to flicker slightly.

Li Cunxiao grinned: "That's perfect! Apart from my second brother, I haven't encountered a worthy opponent yet!"

"The most urgent task is to devise a countermeasure," Xun Yu said calmly, looking towards the person in the main seat.

"My lord, Dong Zhuo's deposition and installation of a new emperor has shaken the world. This is the time to receive the imperial edict to punish the traitor and purge the court of corrupt officials."

Ji Xuanyuan sat in the main seat. He did not speak immediately, but his gaze swept over everyone.

"And then there's Cao Mengde," Xiang Yu suddenly interjected, his tone filled with disappointment and anger.

"I thought he was someone special back then, and let him go at Mengjin. Now he's become Dong Zhuo's henchman, and even been appointed as a Colonel of the Valiant Cavalry... I was truly blind!"

Cao Cao's "defection" in Luoyang was met with disdain by many who had previously held him in high regard.

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly.

"Brother Yu, don't be anxious," he said slowly.

"Cao Mengde... was no ordinary man."

Before he could finish speaking...

"Report—!"

A guard rushed into the hall and knelt on one knee: "My lord! Urgent report from Luoyang! Cao Cao's assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo failed, and he has fled Luoyang! His wife, children, and daughters in the city... have been executed by Dong Zhuo!"

There was silence in the hall.

Xiang Yu was stunned.

Ji Xuanyuan sighed softly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

Assassin Dong.

Sure enough, although the wheels of history were turned off because of him, some things were bound to happen eventually.

"Cao Mengde..." Xun Yu murmured, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Guo Jia waved his fan and said, "A brave man cuts off his own arm, sacrificing his family for righteousness. Cao Mengde is truly a hero."

December.

Bohai Commandery, Prefectural Governor's Office.

After reading the eighteen replies in his hand, Yuan Shao slowly curled the corners of his mouth.

The proclamation against Dong Zhuo was issued in just over a month, yet so many people across the country responded.

Cao Cao sent a letter from Chenliu, expressing his willingness to raise troops to follow him.

Sun Jian raised an army in Changsha and has already marched north to Yuzhou.

Gongsun Zan, Kong Rong, Tao Qian, Liu Dai, Kong Zhou, Yuan Shu, Han Fu, Wang Kuang, Zhang Miao, Qiao Mao, Bao Xin, Zhang Chao, Zhang Yang, Gongsun Du, Ma Teng, Han Sui...

The eighteen warlords, with a total of over 300,000 troops!

"My lord, what about Ji Xuanyuan..." Feng Ji asked in a low voice.

Yuan Shao's smile faded slightly.

Ji Xuanyuan.

This is the person he least wanted to face, but had no choice but to face.

"He will definitely come," Yuan Shao said slowly.

"Given such an opportunity to make a name for himself and expand his influence, how could he possibly miss it?"

He paused, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes: "But... I wonder how many troops he will bring."

Youzhou, Zhuojun.

On the drill ground of the Jingnan Army camp.

Ten thousand elite troops have been assembled.

Three thousand Yinglong Winged Riders rode in front, their wings spread wide, their animal hides fluttering, like three thousand ferocious beasts ready to devour their prey.

Seven thousand infantrymen followed behind, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest, their killing intent soaring to the sky.

On the high platform, Ji Xuanyuan, clad in armor and with his hand on his sword, stood facing the wind.

Behind him, Xun Yu and Zhou Yu stood solemnly on the left, while Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Li Cunxiao, and Yang Zaixing, six valiant generals, stood with their hands on their swords on the right.

"Soldiers!"

Ji Xuanyuan's voice echoed clearly across the training ground in the cold wind: "I am Ji Xuanyuan, personally appointed Marquis of Zhuo and General of the Cavalry by Emperor Xiaoling! Since receiving this title, I have upheld propriety and the law, guarded the borders, fought against the northern barbarians, and quelled rebellions in the east, never slacking off for a single day!"

"But now the young emperor is persecuted by treacherous officials, and a great calamity has befallen the Han Dynasty! Dong Zhuo has usurped the throne, deposed the legitimate heir and installed an illegitimate son, slaughtered loyal officials, and thrown the court into chaos! Luoyang is stained with blood, and the world is shaken!"

Ten thousand soldiers listened intently, holding their breath.

"The late emperor gave me a secret edict on his deathbed!"

Ji Xuanyuan took out the roll of bright yellow silk from his bosom and held it high: "The imperial edict says: There are no righteous ministers in the court, and there are treacherous villains within. General Ji Xuanyuan, you may raise troops to punish them and cleanse the court of evil ministers!"

He surveyed the entire army and declared, word by word, "This lord will dispatch troops today!"

"Kill Dong Zhuo! Restore the Han Dynasty!"

"By order of Heaven, we quell the rebellion!!!"

"Kill Dong Zhuo! Restore the Han Dynasty!" Ten thousand soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Ji Xuanyuan stepped down from the high platform.

"Seventh brother, Fengxiao, Yuanhao, Gongyu, and Mr. Zigan." He looked at Zhao Yun, Guo Jia, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and Lu Zhi, who were left behind.

"I entrust Zhuojun and the northern frontier to you."

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Brother, rest assured! As long as I am here, Zhuojun is here!"

Guo Jia smiled and waved his fan: "My lord, your journey will surely make you famous throughout the land. I will remain in Youzhou to safeguard your foundation."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, then looked at Ran Min: "Yongzeng, Shanggu and Daijun are the gateways to the northern frontier. You are left to guard this place, and your responsibility is heavy."

Ran Min clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice cold and hard: "Brother, rest assured, if the barbarians dare to make a move, I will make sure they never return."

With everything arranged, Ji Xuanyuan mounted his horse.

"Set off!"

Ten thousand troops marched out of Zhuojun.

Heading south, they aimed directly at the sour jujube orchard.

The first month of the first year of Chuping.

Sour jujubes, the camp of the allied forces of the feudal lords.

The camps stretched for dozens of miles, banners blotted out the sun, and men and horses clamored. The eighteen warlords arrived one after another, bringing a total of more than 300,000 troops. This heartland of the Central Plains had never been so "lively".

The central command tent is brightly lit tonight.

Yuan Shao, as the initiator of the proclamation, temporarily took the lead.

More than ten feudal lords had already arrived in the tent, and they were exchanging toasts, appearing outwardly harmonious.

"Gentlemen!" Yuan Shao raised his cup and stood up, his face flushed.

"Dong Zhuo usurped the throne, wreaked havoc on the court, and aroused the wrath of both gods and men! Today, we gather at Suanzao to carry out this righteous act, which is truly a blessing for the Han Dynasty and a boon for all the people!"

"What the Lord God says is absolutely right!"

"Let's jointly punish the traitors!"

Everyone raised their glasses in agreement.

Just now.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the tent, growing louder as it approached.

Immediately afterwards, the commandant announced loudly, "General of the Cavalry of Youzhou, Marquis of Zhuo, Ji Xuanyuan, has arrived!"

"Prefect Gongsun Zan of Beiping has arrived!"

The tent fell silent instantly.

Everyone turned their heads at the same time to look at the tent entrance.

The curtain was lifted.

A cold wind swept in, and the candlelight flickered.

A figure slowly entered.

He wore black armor and a white robe, with a silver fox fur shawl over his shoulders.

The moment the man raised his head, a collective gasp filled the tent.

Ji Xuanyuan.

The legendary "Jade Gentleman," a war god of the northern frontier, was the most trusted young cavalryman of the late emperor.

Seeing it with my own eyes today, I realize that even rumors cannot fully describe it!

Behind him, six fierce generals—Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Li Cunxiao, and Yang Zaixing—entered with their hands on their swords.

Although the six men did not unleash their full power, the murderous aura they possessed, honed over years of battlefield experience, was enough to suffocate many of the pampered "lords" in the tent.

Especially Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao.

The moment Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu saw these two men, their faces turned pale.

That night outside the north gate of Luoyang, the nightmare of twenty-eight horsemen defeating five thousand soldiers resurfaced in my mind.

Then, Xun Yu and Zhou Yu entered with composure, one refined and the other elegant, both possessing remarkable bearing.

Finally, there were Gongsun Zan and his generals Yan Gang and Tian Kai.

Compared to Ji Xuanyuan and his group, they appeared rather lackluster.

The atmosphere inside the tent became subtly tense.

Everyone knows that Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu once led their troops to pursue and kill Ji Xuanyuan, but were utterly routed by Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao.

Now enemies meet again...

Yuan Shao, as expected of a scion of a powerful family, was extremely shrewd and calculating.

His expression froze for only a moment before he immediately stood up, laughing heartily as he stepped forward: "Brother Wenlie! Brother Bogui! You two have come a long way! Please, take a seat! The wine is still warm, the dishes are not cold, we are just waiting for you!"

He personally led Ji Xuanyuan to the reserved seat of honor, right next to his own seat.

Ji Xuanyuan did not sit down immediately.

His gaze swept across the tent.

Cao Cao was sitting in the middle seat on the left. When he saw him looking over, he stood up and nodded slightly.

Sun Jian sat on the right, his tiger-like eyes blazing with scrutiny and curiosity.

Scholars and feudal lords such as Kong Rong and Tao Qian were mostly filled with amazement.

Yuan Shu sat to the left of Yuan Shao, his face gloomy, drinking wine with his head down, not daring to meet the eyes of Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao.

"Brother Benchu," Ji Xuanyuan said, his voice clear and gentle.

"The events in Luoyang in the past were either instigated by villains or forced by circumstances. Now that Xuanyuan has come to the alliance, we should prioritize the righteous cause of punishing Dong Zhuo. There is no need to bring up past grievances again."

These words, though spoken with great confidence, sent a chill down Yuan Shao's spine.

Not going to mention it?

The less you mention it, the more you remember it!

But Yuan Shao's smile remained unchanged: "Brother Wenlie, I admire your magnanimity! Come, drink this cup to the brim, may we unite in our hatred of the enemy and jointly punish the traitors!"

Ji Xuanyuan put down his wine cup and took out a roll of bright yellow silk from his sleeve.

"Before we set out, there is something I would like you all to take a look at."

He handed the silk to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao accepted it, already having a guess in his mind.

But when he unfolded it and saw the familiar handwriting, the bright red jade seal and private seal, he couldn't help but change his expression slightly!

He took a deep breath and slowly read aloud: "I, in my humble state, have inherited this great undertaking for thirty-four years. Now, my illness is almost fatal, and I fear we will never meet again..."

"Crown Prince Bian is frivolous and lacks authority; he is unfit to rule the country. Prince Xie is intelligent, benevolent, and filial; he is suitable to inherit the throne..."

"If, after my death, treacherous officials and villains seize power, disrupt the government, and endanger the state, all loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty may obey this edict, raise an army to quell the rebellion, remove the corrupt officials from the emperor's court, and uphold the righteous path..."

"General Ji Xuanyuan, renowned for his loyalty and bravery, a pillar of the nation, is hereby granted this edict, authorizing him to act as he sees fit..."

After reading it aloud, Yuan Shao looked up, his voice filled with shock: "This is... a secret edict personally written by Emperor Xiaoling!"

"Whoosh—!"

The tent exploded completely!

"A secret edict from the late emperor?!"

"The Marquis of Ji actually has such a powerful backing!"

"No wonder he dared to openly criticize Dong..."

Cao Cao's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he gave Ji Xuanyuan a deep look.

Sun Jian clapped his hands: "Excellent! With this imperial edict, our expedition is now carried out by imperial decree to quell the rebellion, and our cause is perfectly legitimate!"

Kong Rong stroked his beard: "With righteousness in hand, the world will turn to you."

Yuan Shao was deeply shaken, but forced a smile and said, "Brother Wenlie, with the late emperor's secret edict, this campaign against Dong Zhuo is even more legitimate! Come, drink this cup to the brim and wish for a great victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Ji Xuanyuan raised his cup, but did not drink it. Instead, he looked at Cao Cao.

"Brother Mengde."

Cao Cao looked up.

"His heroic act of assassinating Dong Zhuo shocked the world, but his wife and children perished. When Xuanyuan heard of this, he was also deeply saddened." Ji Xuanyuan's voice was sincere, and his eyes were filled with genuine regret.

Cao Cao's hand holding the cup trembled slightly.

He met Ji Xuanyuan's gaze.

Eyes facing each other.

After a long silence, Cao Cao slowly raised his cup and said, "Cao, thank you for your concern, Wenlie."

His voice was low, yet each word was clear: "This grudge."

"I will definitely report this!"

He drank it all in one gulp.

Ji Xuanyuan nodded and also raised his cup to drink it all.

The atmosphere inside the tent became subtly tense.

Yuan Shao's eyes flashed with displeasure. Ji Xuanyuan first produced the secret edict to intimidate the entire audience, and then publicly "reminisced" with Cao Cao. He was clearly demonstrating his influence and subtly trying to overshadow Yuan Shao, the initiator of the proclamation.

But he couldn't lash out.

Just then.

"Since Brother Wenlie has the late emperor's secret edict and has been appointed General of the Cavalry, he is the best among us," Yuan Shao said with a smile, his eyes gleaming.

"So, regarding this alliance meeting, the position of alliance leader..."

He paused, then looked around at everyone: "What do you all think, Brother Wenlie should take on this role?"

These words, though seemingly complimentary, actually put Ji Xuanyuan in a precarious position.

Alliance Leader?

How can a 21-year-old border general, despite holding the highest official rank, have the least seniority and thus be respected by the people?

As expected, Yuan Shu was the first to scoff: "The position of alliance leader is crucial to the success or failure of the campaign against Dong Zhuo; how can it be treated so lightly? It should be held by someone of high moral character and prestige!"

He looked at Yuan Shao: "Brother, your family has held high office for four generations, your name is known throughout the land, and you were the one who initiated the proclamation against Dong Zhuo. The position of leader of the alliance belongs to no one but you!"

Although he was not convinced by Yuan Shao, he did not want Ji Xuanyuan to become the leader of the alliance. If Ji Xuanyuan really became the leader of the alliance, would he have a good outcome?

How else can he get any benefits?

Sun Jian pondered, "The leader of the alliance must be able to unite all the armies and coordinate all parties. Although Marquis Ji has a secret edict, he is still young, I fear..."

Cao Cao suddenly spoke up: "In my opinion, the position of leader of the alliance should be held by someone who has a secret edict and holds the reins of justice."

He looked at Ji Xuanyuan: "Brother Wenlie, what do you think?"

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly.

He knew that the competition had begun.

He was determined to obtain the position of leader of the alliance.

"Since everyone has something to discuss," Ji Xuanyuan slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"Then..."

"Follow the rules."