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

That night, at the camp outside Luoyang.

The makeshift central command tent was brightly lit and filled with the aroma of wine.

Ji Xuanyuan hosted a banquet for Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and their core generals, both to celebrate their victory and to bid them farewell.

In the main seat, Ji Xuanyuan had removed his armor, wearing only a moon-white robe with a silver fox fur coat over it, and his eyes held a rare sense of relaxation.

From left to right: Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan; from right to left: Liu Bei, Xu Chu, Xu Sheng; opposite: Sun Jian, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Zu Mao.

Ji Xuanyuan's civil and military officials, including Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Yang Zaixing, Li Cunxiao, Zhou Yu, and Xun Yu, sat on both sides.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Cao Cao raised his cup and laughed, "This rescue was entirely due to Brother Wenlie's strategic planning and the valiant efforts of General Xiang, General Li, and other fierce generals. I toast to you all!"

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast.

Zhang Fei, his face flushed from drinking, grabbed Xu Chu beside him and shouted, "Zhongkang! That day you beheaded Xu Rong, it was so satisfying! Come on, another bowl!"

Xu Chu didn't refuse, tilting his head back to drink. After finishing, he wiped his mouth and laughed loudly: "Brother Yide is also very strong. That day, when you joined forces with General Guan and General Lü to fight Dong Chengdu, although you didn't win, you still showed your prowess!"

The atmosphere in the tent tensed slightly at the mention of Yuwen Chengdu.

Li Cunxiao chuckled and said, "That fellow is quite strong, but next time we meet, I'll definitely break his gilded halberd!"

Seeing this, Sun Jian raised his cup to change the subject: "Gentlemen, I will remember the alliance we made today at Luoshui. If you ever need my help in the future, all you need is a letter!"

Everyone drank again.

The banquet was in full swing when Ji Xuanyuan suddenly remembered someone. He looked around the tent and asked, "Where is Dian Wei?"

Since the alliance meeting at Suanzao, Dian Wei has been inseparable from Dian Wei except when he is on duty as a guard. Otherwise, he has never been seen.

He didn't even show up on this occasion.

Lu Bu put down his wine cup, a strange smile playing on his lips. "Brother, that fool Dian Wei... lately, for some reason, has been hanging out with Xu Chu, the second brother of Lord Xuande. They just had a few bowls of wine, and the two of them went out arm in arm. I reckon..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "They went to become sworn brothers."

"Sworn brothers?" Ji Xuanyuan was taken aback.

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, "That's right! These two simpletons hit it off immediately. Ever since their first meeting at the Suanzao Alliance, they've been inseparable. Just a few days ago, I even saw them competing in strength at the training ground. Dian Wei was lifting a stone weight, and Xu Chu was carrying a millstone. They were really going at it!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei rubbed his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Zhongkang is honest and straightforward, please forgive him for making a fool of himself."

Ji Xuanyuan, however, became interested: "Let's go and see. If these two get together, they might cause some trouble."

Everyone found it amusing and got up to leave the tent.

A corner of the camp under the moonlight.

Two towering giants lay side by side on a haystack, snoring loudly.

Dian Wei's muscular physique was exposed, and Xu Chu was broad-shouldered and burly. The two of them carried a wine jar in their arms, which was "Yuantai Strong Wine" brought from Zhuojun. The mouth of the jar was tilted, and the wine had long since been poured out.

Several burnt incense sticks lay crookedly on the ground, stuck in the soil, clearly indicating that the sworn brotherhood ceremony had just taken place.

"Elder brother above... I, Xu Chu... am willing to become sworn brothers with Dian Wei..." Xu Chu murmured in his sleep.

Dian Wei rolled over and mumbled, "Sharing the good times...sharing the bad times..."

Everyone was both amused and exasperated.

Ji Xuanyuan and Liu Bei exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

"Take it back." Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand.

Several guards stepped forward and, with great effort, lifted the two giants, who weighed nearly 500 pounds combined, and carried them back to their tent, swaying precariously.

Cao Cao shook his head and laughed, "These two are truly a pair of... tiger generals."

Sun Jian couldn't help but chuckle: "A fierce general with a simple and honest nature is quite rare."

Back in the main tent, the banquet continued, but this little incident provided fodder for conversation, making the atmosphere even more relaxed.

The next morning, a makeshift "court" was erected in front of the ruins of Luoyang.

When the news spread, the various feudal lords learned that the emperor had been rescued and led their troops to the scene.

In just one day, more than ten warlords, including Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Kong Rong, Tao Qian, Han Fu, Liu Dai, Qiao Mao, and Bao Xin, gathered together and knelt on the ground in a dense mass.

Nine-year-old Liu Xie sat on the old dragon throne that had been salvaged with great difficulty, with Ji Xuanyuan and Xun Yu standing beside him.

Looking down at the feudal lords who claimed to be "loyal ministers," he felt a mix of emotions.

Where were these people when Dong Zhuo fled west?

These people arrived quickly after I was rescued.

"Your Majesty, we are late in coming to your rescue, please forgive us!" Yuan Shao said earnestly.

Liu Xie clenched his small hands in his sleeves, but his face remained calm: "All of you, rise. When Dong Zhuo was wreaking havoc, you gathered righteous troops in Guandong to restrain his power, which is also a merit."

These words sound polite, but they are actually quite cryptic. You are merely "restraining" him; the real saviors are Ji Xuanyuan and the others.

Yuan Shao was so astute; how could he not understand?

His expression remained unchanged, but he was filled with remorse.

If I had known that Ji Xuanyuan could rescue the emperor so easily, why would I have hesitated?

If he could have earned the greatest merit in saving the emperor, he, Yuan Benchu, would be standing by the emperor's side now!

Unfortunately, there's no going back.

"Your Majesty," Yuan Shao said, bowing.

"I have heard that Your Majesty intends to move the capital to Ji County in Youzhou? This matter... is perhaps open to discussion."

He started it, and the other lords echoed, "Youzhou is bitterly cold and unsuitable as a capital!"

"Your Majesty's body is of inestimable value; how can you venture into the perilous borderlands?"

"We should return the capital to Luoyang, or choose another prosperous region such as Yuzhou or Jingzhou..."

The noise was deafening, and everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Liu Xie listened quietly, his gaze sweeping over the faces that were either sincere, anxious, or calculating.

These faces overlap with the scene yesterday where Ji Xuanyuan, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian stood side by side on the banks of the Luo River.

After Dong Zhuo, he saw everyone as a treacherous minister.

Only Ji Xuanyuan.

Ji Xuanyuan, who carried the late emperor's secret edict, risked his life to save him, and then voluntarily returned the imperial seal, gave him a sense of security.

"My mind is made up."

A childish voice rang out, drowning out the noise.

The feudal lords looked up in astonishment.

Liu Xie rose from the dragon throne, his small body ramrod straight: "Luoyang is in ruins, and Dong Zhuo is eyeing it covetously. Youzhou has the natural defenses of Yanshan, the benevolence of my kinsman Liu Yu, and the protection of Minister Ji's Jingnan Army. I am moving the capital to Ji County to temporarily avoid the brunt of the attack, to regroup, and to await the day when I will eliminate the traitor and return the capital to Luoyang!"

He spoke with unwavering conviction, a determination that belied a nine-year-old.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhong Fu knelt down and wept as he pleaded.

Liu Xie waved his hand, saying, "There is no need to discuss this matter further. All of you have rendered meritorious service in saving me, and I will reward you accordingly."

He looked at Xun Yu.

Xun Yu understood, unfolded the imperial edict, and read it aloud one by one.

The rewards were generous, but they were all honorary titles or additional honors to existing official positions, without any increase in real power.

He was far inferior to Ji Xuanyuan as Grand Marshal, Cao Cao as Governor of Yan Province, Sun Jian as Governor of Yu Province, and Liu Bei as Grand Master of Ceremonies.

The feudal lords were dissatisfied, but dared not show it, and could only kneel and thank the emperor for his grace.

As Yuan Shao bowed his head to receive the imperial edict, a shadow crossed his eyes.

Ji Xuanyuan... You've gained the upper hand again this time.

But there's plenty of time in the future.

The third day, at Chen time (7-9 AM).

The various groups lined up outside Luoyang, about to part ways.

Sun Jian led his troops to bid farewell to Ji Xuanyuan with clasped hands: "Brother Wenlie, take care! When we meet again in Ji County, I will surely bring you news of our victory!"

Ji Xuanyuan returned the greeting: "Brother Wentai, please take care as well. Yuzhou is a place with roads leading in all directions, but it is surrounded by powerful enemies. Be careful in everything you do."

Sun Jian laughed heartily: "I will firmly remember Brother Wenlie's instructions."

He mounted his horse, bowed to Liu Bei and Cao Cao, and finally looked at Xiang Yu and the others: "Gentlemen, until we meet again!"

Xiang Yu's double pupils flickered slightly, and he said to Sun Ce, "Tenth brother, do your best to help your father. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, remember to write to me."

Sun Ce has changed back into military attire today, with his tiger-headed dragon halberd hanging beside his horse, exuding heroic spirit.

He nodded emphatically: "Second Brother, rest assured! I will not let my brothers down!"

The boy's eyes burned with a flame, a desire to climb even higher peaks after witnessing them.

On Cao Cao's side, Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun had already reorganized their troops.

"Brother Mengde," Ji Xuanyuan said, handing over a token.

"This is the token of our Jingnan Army. Take this to the various counties of Youzhou to request grain, fodder and military equipment. Yanzhou has just been pacified. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

Cao Cao accepted the gift and solemnly put it away: "Brother Wenlie, I will remember your kindness. One day, after eliminating the traitors and returning to the old capital, we shall drink together again on the Luo River!"

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

Finally, there's Liu Bei.

Now that he is Guanglu Xun, a close minister of the emperor, he naturally has to accompany the emperor north.

Xu Chu and Xu Sheng led 5,000 soldiers behind them, and although they had been reorganized, their meager rank was still hard to conceal.

"Brother Xuande." Ji Xuanyuan patted him on the shoulder.

"Although Youzhou is not as wealthy as the Central Plains, its people are simple and honest, and its soldiers are brave and loyal. You should come with me, and you will have your chance to make a name for yourself."

Liu Bei bowed deeply: "I am willing to follow in the footsteps of my brother Wenlie."

The sun is high in the sky, and the bugle sounds.

Ji Xuanyuan mounted his horse, his black armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Behind him stood ten thousand elite Jingnan Army soldiers, their banners fluttering in the wind. In the center of the procession, the emperor's imperial carriage slowly began to move.

Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Yang Zaixing, Li Cunxiao, and Dian Wei guarded the left and right sides respectively, while Xun Yu and Zhou Yu accompanied them in a carriage.

"Set off!"

The army set off, heading north.

Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and other warlords halted their horses and gazed into the distance, watching the figure in black armor and white robes gradually disappear into the distance, and the emperor's carriage vanish into the dust. Each of them had their own thoughts.

"Brother," Yuan Ju suddenly spoke, his voice cold.

"Are you truly willing to let Ji Xuanyuan hold the emperor hostage and command the feudal lords?"

Yuan Shao gazed northward for a long time before calmly saying, "What's the rush? Dong Zhuo hasn't been defeated yet, and the world is still unsettled. Who is the mantis and who is the oriole remains to be seen."

He turned his horse around: "Back to Ji Province. This world... is still a long way off."

The other feudal lords also dispersed.

The Luo River still flows eastward, and the setting sun is still as blood-red as ever.

However, from this day forward, the Han Dynasty has officially entered a new chapter.

To serve the emperor and punish the disloyal.

Ji Xuanyuan has already taken the first step on this path.

Meanwhile, opponents, onlookers, and schemers are also lurking in the shadows.

The chaos is far from over.