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

January, Ji County.

After the announcement of the recruitment order was issued, it was like a boulder thrown into a still lake, and the ripples quickly spread throughout the land.

Scholars from humble backgrounds, impoverished literati, reclusive sages, and even military men with lofty ambitions but no way to gain access to the land, all felt as if they had been parched for a long time and had finally received rain upon hearing this news.

In just over a month, thousands of people came from Jizhou, Qingzhou, Bingzhou, and even Yuzhou and Xuzhou to gather in Ji County.

Outside the temporary "Hall for Recruiting Talents" set up in the west of the city, long queues formed every day. Scholars either held books and studied diligently or brought their strategies and proposals, all with hope burning in their eyes.

This is an opportunity to break down barriers of social class and reach the highest levels of authority; it is one of the few paths in chaotic times where one can change their destiny through genuine talent and learning.

However, the atmosphere at the court assembly that day was unusually heavy.

Inside the temporary court, the charcoal fire burned brightly, but many veteran officials felt a chill run down their spines.

On the throne, nine-year-old Liu Xie sat upright, while Ji Xuanyuan, dressed in dark robes, sat calmly beside him on the regent's seat.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia stood behind him, while Tian Feng and Ju Shou stood to his left and right respectively.

"Gentlemen, we have important matters to discuss today," Liu Xie said.

"Grand Marshal, let's begin."

Ji Xuanyuan slowly rose and gestured towards the outside of the hall.

The palace doors opened, and a figure stepped inside.

The man was about fifty years old, with a thin face and three strands of white beard. He wore a worn-out scholar's robe and walked with a steady gait.

When he looked up, a collective gasp filled the hall!

"Lu Zigan?!"

"Minister Lu?! You...you're not dead?!"

"How...how is this possible?!"

Exclamations of surprise rose and fell.

Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhong Fu suddenly stood up, his old eyes wide open. Imperial Censor Huangfu Li nearly dropped his tablet, and the other surviving old officials all looked horrified.

Lu Zhi served as Minister during the Xiping era. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, he was appointed General of the Northern Army and was appointed General of the Army to quell the rebellion in Hebei. His prestige shook the world. Later, he offended the eunuch Zuo Feng and was falsely accused and imprisoned. It is said that he died in a bandit riot on his way back to the capital.

But now, this person is standing alive in the hall!

Lu Zhi walked into the hall, straightened his clothes and hat, and knelt deeply before the throne: "Your Majesty, I, your guilty subject Lu Zhi, pay my respects."

The voice was calm, yet it was as loud as a thunderclap.

This was also the first time Liu Xie had met this renowned old minister. Curiosity appeared on his young face as he looked at Ji Xuanyuan.

Ji Xuanyuan stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, six years ago, Lord Lu was framed by the eunuch Zuo Feng and imprisoned to await death. Although the late emperor knew of his injustice, he was deceived by the Ten Attendants and was unable to save him. At that time, I learned of this matter and devised a plan to secretly rescue Lord Lu and send him to Youzhou to live in anonymity."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials: "For the past six years, Lord Lu has been in Zhuo County, assisting me in governing Youzhou, reorganizing the military, and pacifying the displaced people. He has also repeatedly offered excellent strategies in the battles against the Yellow Turbans and Wuhuan. Without Lord Lu, I would never have achieved what I have today, nor would I have been able to rescue Your Majesty and bring you back."

That's very clear and straightforward.

There was a dead silence in the hall.

Finally, someone couldn't help but speak up: "Lu Zigan, since you are not dead, why didn't you report this to the court sooner? Hiding your identity for six years is tantamount to deceiving the emperor!"

These words expressed the sentiments of many veteran officials.

Lu Zhi looked up, his expression calm: "What you say is absolutely right. I am indeed guilty of deceiving the emperor and am willing to accept punishment. However, if I had shown myself back then, would Zuo Feng and his cronies have let it go? The Ten Attendants are very powerful, and even the late emperor was deceived. My death is not a pity, but I am afraid that my family and students will be implicated, and I am even more afraid that there will be no more ministers in the court who dare to speak frankly and remonstrate."

He looked at Liu Xie, tears welling in his eyes: "Now that Your Majesty has been rescued from the humiliation and the court has been restored, I, Zhi, am willing to use this crippled body to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, and then... accept my punishment and be executed."

These words were spoken with a tragic air, and many of the old ministers in the hall who had a long-standing relationship with Lu Zhi showed expressions of pity.

Liu Xie looked at Ji Xuanyuan: "What does the Grand Marshal think?"

Ji Xuanyuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lu Gong's crime lies in concealing the truth and deceiving the emperor. However, his reason was to avoid persecution by treacherous officials. All his actions over the past six years have been for the country and the people. I implore Your Majesty to consider that his circumstances are excusable and that he is capable of great use, and to punish him leniently."

He paused, then added, "When the recruitment order is first issued, it is necessary to have a virtuous and respected minister who is well-versed in the classics to preside over the assessment, so as to win the hearts of scholars from all over the country. Lord Lu once served as Minister and was in charge of the selection, and he also has a reputation for integrity that is known throughout the country. He is truly the best candidate."

This statement highlights the key point: Lu Zhi is now useful, and very useful.

Liu Xie pondered for a moment, then his youthful voice echoed in the hall: "Minister Lu."

"This guilty subject is here."

"You have lived in anonymity for six years. Although you have your reasons, you cannot escape the crime of deceiving the emperor. I hereby strip you of all your former official positions, including Minister and General of the Palace Guard, and remove your titles and stipends."

Lu Zhi kowtowed: "This guilty subject obeys the decree."

Liu Xie changed the subject: "However, considering that you have been wronged for the country, and also considering your six years of service in Youzhou, I approve the Grand Marshal's request and appoint you as the temporary head of the Recruitment Hall, assisting in the management of the recruitment order. Your merits and demerits will be evaluated after the matter is completed."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Lu Zhi kowtowed deeply.

This move both upheld the law and attracted talented individuals.

After the court session ended, Lu Zhi was surrounded by his old friends, who inquired about his well-being and expressed their deep emotions.

Zhong Fu walked up to him, remained silent for a long time, and sighed, "Brother Zigan, you've suffered so much these past years."

Lu Zhi shook his head: "To see the treacherous officials brought to justice, to see the emperor restored to his former glory, to see the recruitment of talented individuals issued—I, Zhi, am not suffering."

He knew that although his reputation was slightly tarnished by the "deception of the emperor," his prestige among scholars was even greater.

An old minister who remained steadfast in his convictions despite being wronged for six years and who, though living in seclusion in a remote border region, still cared deeply for the nation, was the perfect candidate to preside over the imperial examinations and select scholars from humble backgrounds.

This prestige will clear away a lot of obstacles for Ji Xuanyuan's new policies.

Afternoon, drill ground.

The winter sun shone on the training ground, where the snow had not yet melted and the air was bitterly cold.

The soldiers of the Jingnan Army were drilling, and shouts and the clanging of weapons filled the air.

Ji Xuanyuan, dressed in a silver fox fur coat, walked slowly in, accompanied by Xun Yu.

He saw Lü Bu practicing his halberd on the field from afar, but the halberd that had once made Yuwen Chengdu wary was now being wielded weakly and haphazardly, completely lacking its former sharpness.

"What's wrong with Fengxian today?" Ji Xuanyuan frowned.

Xun Yu also noticed the abnormality and whispered, "My lord, you may summon Generals Li and Yang to inquire about this."

Before long, Li Cunxiao and Yang Zaixing were summoned.

Li Cunxiao grinned and said, "Big brother, Sixth Brother has been acting strange these past few days. He won't say anything when we ask him, he just drinks in silence and is distracted when practicing his halberd."

Yang Zaixing added: "The day before yesterday, I saw him drinking alone in the camp. After getting drunk, he kept muttering about Zhao Ji and the Wei family, as if he was troubled by love."

Ji Xuanyuan suddenly realized.

Cai Yong's daughter, Cai Yan, was rescued by Lü Bu during the chaos in Luoyang that day, and the two developed feelings for each other.

However, Cai Yan was already engaged to Wei Zhongdao, the second son of the Wei family of Hedong, and Lü Bu should have known about this.

"I see." Ji Xuanyuan chuckled.

"I thought it was something serious."

What is his current status?

The Grand Marshal, General of the Cavalry, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat, commanded all the military forces in the realm and assisted the emperor in governing.

Let alone the Wei family, even the three highest officials of the court would have to think twice before proposing marriage to him.

However, Ji Xuanyuan is a reasonable person.

Of course, if the reasoning doesn't work...

The tens of thousands of soldiers under his command who were engaged in the Jingnan Army were somewhat knowledgeable in martial arts.

"Go and summon Fengxian."

A moment later, Lü Bu walked over with his head down, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brother."

"Fengxian," Ji Xuanyuan said gently.

"I know about your affair with Miss Cai. I only ask you, was it sincere? Was her sincerity towards you genuine?"

Lu Bu looked up, a flash of pain in his eyes, but he said firmly, "Brother, I will marry no one but Zhao Ji. When I saved her that day, her eyes were filled with tears, but she forced herself to remain calm... I have never seen such a woman before. Later, when we spent time together, I found that she was well-educated and reasonable, and also skilled in music... I..."

He couldn't continue; the mighty tiger was now acting like a young man experiencing his first love.

Ji Xuanyuan nodded and then secretly sent someone to the Cai residence to inquire.

The reward came quickly: Cai Yan had been on a hunger strike at home for the past few days.

Cai Yong was in a terrible predicament. The Wei family was a powerful clan in Hedong, and the marriage agreement had been made long ago. If they broke the agreement because Ji Xuanyuan was more powerful, his reputation as Cai Boyin would be completely ruined.

That night, in the study of the Grand Marshal's residence.

By candlelight, Ji Xuanyuan picked up his pen and wrote two letters.

The first letter was addressed to Cai Yong.

The second letter was addressed to the Wei family of Hedong.

The messenger set off overnight.

Seven days later, the Wei family from Hedong rushed to Ji County and took the initiative to request an audience with Cai Yong.

The elder of the Wei clan arrived, his attitude almost humble: "Lord Cai, I am truly sorry, but my young master's illness has worsened, and he may not live much longer. How could I dare to delay your daughter's youth? The marriage agreement is hereby called off. This is the token from back then; please take it back, Lord Cai."

Cai Yong was taken aback.

Wei Zhongdao was indeed frail and sickly, but there had never been any prior reports of his condition worsening.

After seeing the Wei family off, Cai Yong sighed and said to those behind the screen, "Come out."

Cai Yan walked out with red eyes.

"Your father... agrees." Cai Yong shook his head.

"Thank you, Father!" Cai Yan cried tears of joy.

Two days later, news came from the Grand Marshal's mansion that Lü Bu, the Xiongnu general, had entered into a marriage agreement with Cai Yan, the daughter of Cai Yong, and that an auspicious day would be chosen for their wedding.

When the news spread, the entire city of Ji was shocked.

Some praised Lü Bu and the beauty as a match made in heaven, while others lamented Cai Yong's astute judgment in climbing the social ladder. Still others secretly discussed how the Grand Marshal had managed to get the Wei family of Hedong to break off the engagement for his brother's sake, a power that was truly astonishing.

On the training ground, upon hearing the news, Lü Bu stood there stunned for a long while, then suddenly knelt on one knee and clasped his hands deeply to Ji Xuanyuan, saying, "Brother!"

Ji Xuanyuan helped him up and said with a smile, "Since you call me elder brother, I naturally have to take care of your life's important matters."

He looked at Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Yang Zaixing, Li Cunxiao and others who had gathered around him, and said solemnly, "Not only Fengxian, but all of you, if you have someone you admire, you can tell me. We brothers should not only know how to fight on the battlefield, but also have the warmth of family."

Upon hearing this, all the generals smiled.

Zhang Fei scratched his head and laughed, "Brother is right! After we pacify the world, I'm going to find a wife too!"

"My lord, I want a wife too!" Dian Wei ran over and made a scene, which made everyone laugh.

"Yes, we have them all!"

Xun Yu watched from the side, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and reflection

This lord was decisive and efficient in governing the country, and he was willing to make enemies of powerful families throughout the land when implementing new policies.

He was meticulous and considerate towards his brothers, even personally handling his children's marriages.

A combination of firmness and gentleness, kindness and severity.

Such a person...