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

In April, spring was in full bloom in Jicheng.

The newly established Imperial Guard camp is located ten miles north of the city, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, covering an area of ​​thousands of hectares.

The camp walls were high, the banners fluttered, and the large banner with the character "禁" (prohibited) in front of the gate unfurled in the spring breeze, exuding a chilling atmosphere.

These 50,000 imperial guards were not drawn from the Jingnan Army.

The Jingnan Army was the foundation upon which Ji Xuanyuan rose to power. It consisted mostly of brave soldiers from the north, seasoned veterans of many battles, and only recognized the Ji-character banner.

The Imperial Guards, nominally the emperor's personal guards, were in reality... also Ji Xuanyuan's men.

The recruitment order was sent to the three provinces of You, Ji, and Bing, and the number of applicants was overwhelming.

Tong Yuan and Li Yan, stationed at the central command, personally selected the 50,000 able-bodied men who were ultimately chosen, all of whom were from good families.

Three months is not a long time.

However, with Tong Yuan and Li Yan present, and in conjunction with the Jingnan Army's original strict discipline, this new army has been completely transformed.

At dawn on this day, at the main camp's drill ground.

The 50,000 Imperial Guards were divided into five formations, their weapons as numerous as a forest, their armor gleaming.

The morning light shone on the armor, giving it a cold, sharp gleam, which even made the April spring breeze seem bleak.

Outside the gate, the emperor's entourage slowly approached.

Nine-year-old Liu Xie sat on the imperial carriage, his little face tense and serious.

Beside him, Ji Xuanyuan, clad in black armor and wearing the court robes of a Grand Marshal, followed with his hand on his sword.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The sound echoed throughout the training ground.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Fifty thousand people shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and startling birds flying in the distant mountains and forests.

Liu Xie was so shocked by the momentum that he trembled slightly and subconsciously grabbed the armrest of the imperial carriage.

He turned his head to look at Ji Xuanyuan, who nodded slightly, his gaze calm, as if to say...

Your Majesty, do not be afraid; this is Your Majesty's army.

Tong Yuan and Li Yan, along with their generals, greeted Your Majesty at the gate, kneeling on one knee and saying, "Your subjects respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie, helped alight from the carriage by his attendants, raised his hand and said, "All of you, rise."

He walked to the high platform in the training ground and looked down at the army formation below.

The gun formations were like a dense forest, the halberds like a wall, the archers held their bows but did not fire, and the cavalry stood in neat ranks.

What's even more remarkable is that these soldiers don't have the bewilderment and timidity of ordinary new recruits; instead, they exude a kind of sharpness honed through rigorous training.

"Grand Marshal," Liu Xie said softly, his voice filled with suppressed excitement.

"This is... the Imperial Guard trained for me?"

Ji Xuanyuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, that is right. The Imperial Guards number 50,000, all selected from good families in the three prefectures. They have been personally trained by Masters Tong and Li for three months. Although the training period is still short, they have already shown their prowess."

He paused, then added, "The Imperial Guards are the Emperor's personal troops, tasked with protecting the capital and safeguarding His Majesty. If His Majesty wishes to return to Luoyang or tour the four directions in the future, this army will be His Majesty's most reliable shield."

This is a clever way of putting it, referring to them as both "the emperor's personal guard" and "the emperor's shield," thus attributing the purpose of training the imperial guards entirely to loyalty to the emperor and protection of the country.

Liu Xie's eyes were slightly red.

Throughout his tumultuous journey, he witnessed countless acts of war and chaos, and became accustomed to arrogant and fierce soldiers.

Even those feudal lords who claimed to be "loyal ministers" had mostly unruly troops under their command, who only had eyes for their commanders and never for the emperor.

Only this army before us is disciplined and has a neat military appearance.

More importantly, Ji Xuanyuan clearly told him that this was "His Majesty's army".

"Okay...okay!" Liu Xie nodded emphatically, his childish voice carrying clearly across the high platform.

"The soldiers have trained diligently and their loyalty is commendable! I am very pleased!"

He suddenly turned to Ji Xuanyuan and solemnly said, "Grand Marshal, you have worked hard and made great contributions in training the troops for me. What should I reward you with?"

Ji Xuanyuan knelt down: "This is my duty, I dare not ask for any reward."

Liu Xie shook his head and took out an object from his bosom—a half-tiger tally, cast in bronze, with ancient inscriptions.

"The Imperial Guard Tiger Tally shall be divided in two." Liu Xie handed the Tiger Tally to Ji Xuanyuan.

"I entrust this half to the Grand Marshal. In the future, troop deployments will only be effective if both conditions are met."

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and the others accompanying him on the high platform all had a glint in their eyes.

The emperor voluntarily handed over half of the military tally; what a sign of trust that is!

What a political stance that is!

Ji Xuanyuan accepted the tiger tally with both hands and said in a deep voice, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

He was clear-headed. Although the tiger tally had been divided, he had already secretly arranged for the various ranks of the Imperial Guard, from top to bottom, including captains, lieutenants, and military commanders.

Tong Yuan and Li Yan were hired by him, and his personal bodyguard Dian Wei was also "reluctantly given up" and placed in the Imperial Guard as a captain of the cavalry.

Military tally is a formality; talent is the foundation.

After the military parade, the vehicles returned to the city.

On the way, Liu Xie suddenly asked, "Grand Marshal, the temporary palace in Ji County is now complete. I wish to name this city. Although it is only a temporary residence, the emperor's residence cannot be without a name. What do you think would be a suitable name?"

Ji Xuanyuan pondered for a moment.

He recalled that in the original history, Emperor Yongle also moved the capital north to Yan, and renamed it "Shuntian", which means "to follow the mandate of heaven".

Now that the Han dynasty is in decline and the emperor is in disgrace, a title is needed to signify the "return of the Mandate of Heaven."

"His Majesty."

Ji Xuanyuan slowly said, "In my opinion, it can be called 'Obeying Heaven'."

"Following Heaven?" Liu Xie's eyes lit up.

"Exactly."

Ji Xuanyuan explained, "Dong Zhuo's chaos in governing the country and the emperor's misfortune are acts against Heaven. Now, Your Majesty's northern exile has brought you the strategic advantage of Yan and the support of the people. This is a sign that Heaven's mandate has been restored. This is called 'obeying Heaven'. It not only shows Your Majesty that you are following Heaven's mandate, but also warns all rebellious officials that those who obey Heaven will prosper, while those who defy Heaven will perish."

After a pause, he continued, "Now that the capital has been established, there should be a surrounding area. I suggest that the five prefectures of Youbeiping, Guangyang, Yuyang, Zhuojun, and Shanggu be designated as the capital region, collectively known as Shuntian Prefecture. These five prefectures are mutually supportive, capable of both defense and offense, and are also rich in resources, sufficient to form the foundation for Your Majesty's dynasty."

Liu Xie was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Obey Heaven!

This name really resonated with him.

"Very well! We shall do as the Grand Marshal says!"

"From this day forth, Ji City will be renamed Shuntian, and the five commanderies will form the capital region! I want the world to know that the mandate of heaven for the Han dynasty is not yet over!"

"Your Majesty is wise." Ji Xuanyuan bowed his head.

But in his heart he thought that the five prefectures of Shuntian Prefecture were now all under his control.

Although Liu Yu was the governor of Youzhou, the governors of Guangyang, Zhuojun, and Shanggu were all former subordinates of Ji Xuanyuan. Gongsun Zan of Youbeiping had an alliance with him, and Yuyang was an important military settlement for the Jingnan Army.

This "capital region" was actually Ji Xuanyuan's base of operations long ago.

A few days later, the court meeting.

The temporary court was set up in the newly built Xuanzheng Hall of the temporary palace.

Although it is not even a fraction as grand as the palaces of Luoyang, it is still magnificent and solemn, quite like the imperial capital.

Emperor Liu Xie sat on his throne and announced two matters in court:

Firstly, Jicheng was renamed Shuntian, and the five prefectures became part of the capital region.

Secondly, the Imperial Guard was established and named the "Imperial Spirit Army," with the tiger tally held separately by the Emperor and the Grand Marshal.

The assembled officials paid their respects and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

After the ceremony, Liu Xie was in high spirits and looked at Ji Xuanyuan: "Grand Marshal, you have made great contributions in building the capital and training the troops. The other day I asked you what reward you wanted, but you declined. Today I will definitely reward you. What does my dear minister want?"

The question was so direct that all the officials in the court perked up their ears.

Ji Xuanyuan stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming. I am humbled. What I have done is merely my duty. I dare not claim credit or seek reward."

Liu Xie waved his hand: "It is not the behavior of a wise ruler to fail to reward merit. If the Grand Marshal refuses again, I will be angry."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Just then, Xun Yu suddenly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

"Minister Xun, please speak."

Xun Yu glanced at Ji Xuanyuan, then looked at Liu Xie, and slowly said, "The Grand Marshal is loyal to the emperor and devoted to the country, and does not covet fame or fortune. He is a model subject. However, since Your Majesty insists on rewarding him, I have a suggestion."

He paused, then spoke in a clear voice: "The Grand Marshal is already twenty-two years old and still unmarried. I have heard that Lady Zhen Mi is virtuous and kind, and that she and the Grand Marshal are deeply in love. If Your Majesty could personally bestow a marriage upon them, it would not only fulfill a good match but also demonstrate Your Majesty's great affection for meritorious officials. This would be a wonderful story, far better than gold, silver, or titles and honors."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in uproar!

A marriage bestowed by the emperor?

Ji Xuanyuan also seemed to be taken aback, and looked up at Xun Yu, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

This was clearly a plan that Xun Yu and Guo Jia had discussed beforehand, but it was presented as a casual suggestion at this moment.

Liu Xie was taken aback at first, then overjoyed!

He was just worrying about how to further win over Ji Xuanyuan, and this arranged marriage was simply a godsend!

"Good! Good idea!" Liu Xie stood up from his throne.

"I will personally oversee the marriage of the Grand Marshal and Lady Zhen! Not only will I officiate the ceremony, but I will also bestow upon them gold, silk, a mansion, and a ceremonial retinue! I want the world to know that I will never mistreat loyal ministers and generals!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhong Fu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, could no longer contain himself and stepped forward to speak urgently.

"It is against propriety for the emperor to preside over the marriage of his subject! Since ancient times, the ruler has been superior to the subject; how can a ruler preside over the marriage ceremony of his subject? If this precedent is set, how can future generations follow suit?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"What Lord Zhong said is absolutely right!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The veteran officials echoed his sentiments.

"My lords," Liu Xie's voice turned cold.

"I ask you," I say, "if it weren't for the Grand Marshal, would I still be sitting here in this court today?"

The courtiers were speechless.

"Without the Grand Marshal, could the Imperial Seal have returned to the Han Dynasty from the ruins of Luoyang?"

No one answered.

"Without the Grand Marshal, where would these 50,000 Imperial Guards have come from?"

Liu Xie's gaze swept over the faces, some filled with fear, others with resentment: "The laws and rites are rigid, but people are flexible. The Grand Marshal has rendered great service to the state and saved my life. By arranging his marriage, I am not only honoring his merits and demonstrating his loyalty, but also proclaiming to the world that all those loyal to the Han Dynasty will be treated with great respect!"

He turned to Ji Xuanyuan and said, "Grand Marshal, I have decided to take charge of your marriage. I will choose an auspicious day and set the ceremony. I will make sure you marry a woman from the Zhen family in a grand and glorious manner."

Ji Xuanyuan knelt deeply, his forehead touching the ground: "Your subject... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Among the court officials, some were envious, some were jealous, some sighed inwardly, and some sneered.

But no one dared to voice their opposition anymore.

After the court session ended, Ji Xuanyuan and Xun Yu walked out of the Xuanzheng Hall side by side.

A gentle spring breeze caresses the face, and willows sway gracefully.

Xun Yu said in a low voice, "My lord, from today onwards, you and the emperor are truly bound together."

Ji Xuanyuan gazed at the distant palace walls, his gaze deep and unwavering: "Wenruo, tell me... was His Majesty truly moved today, or... was he simply going with the flow?"

Xun Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "A nine-year-old child, having suffered a great calamity, is protected by such a loyal minister as our lord. How could he not be moved? However, the emperor is still the emperor... Today, his bestowal of marriage is to win him over, and also... to check and balance him."

"Checks and balances?"

"My lord's power is growing stronger every day. Although His Majesty relies on him, he will also feel fear. Granting you this marriage is an honor, but also a reminder that your honor and disgrace are all tied to the Emperor's will." Xun Yu paused.

"However, isn't this exactly the result our lord desired?"

Ji Xuanyuan smiled.

Not bad.

What he wanted was this superficial absolute loyalty, but in reality, absolute control.

A marriage arranged by imperial decree?

That would be perfect.

He wanted the whole world to see that he, Ji Xuanyuan, was the most loyal minister of the Han Dynasty and the most trusted pillar of the emperor.

As for what the child on the dragon throne really thinks...

unimportant.