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

Xuzhou, outside the city of Xiapi.

Zhang Fei has been feeling very depressed these past few days.

Third Brother forbade the deployment of troops, saying that "war should not be started lightly without solid evidence," and even wrote a letter and sent it to Yuzhou to ask Sun Jian.

But several days have passed since the letter was sent, and there hasn't been a single reply.

Chen Deng would come and drink with him every day, but the more he drank, the more depressed he became, and the angrier he got.

"No way! I need to get out of the city for some fresh air!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh, grabbed his eighteen-foot spear, and mounted his horse.

Chen Deng quickly followed, asking, "General Zhang, where are we going?"

"Hunting! I'm going to suffocate from being cooped up in this city all day!"

Chen Deng's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "General, you're in high spirits! I know of a forest outside the city with plenty of wild animals. I'd be happy to lead the way for you."

The two men led several dozen horsemen out of the city and left.

Outside the city, in the wild forest.

Zhang Fei spurred his horse and galloped wildly, shooting several prey in succession, which relieved his frustration somewhat.

Chen Deng kept praising Zhang Fei, making him feel quite flattered.

"General, your archery skills are divine! The glory you displayed at Sishui Pass back then still gets my blood pumping just thinking about it!"

Zhang Fei laughed heartily: "That's all in the past! Now I only want to beat that scoundrel Sun Jian! It's a pity Third Brother won't allow it..."

Just then, a figure flashed past in front of them.

The man moved furtively through the forest, and when he saw Zhang Fei and the others, he turned and ran.

Zhang Fei glared and shouted, "Stop!"

The man ran even faster.

Zhang Fei was furious and spurred his horse to give chase, catching up with the man in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Fei reached out and grabbed the man by the back of his collar like he was picking up a chick, then lifted him up.

"Run? Why are you running?!"

The man turned ashen-faced and trembled violently: "General, spare my life! I... I was just passing by..."

Zhang Fei threw him to the ground: "Just passing by? Passing by and you run away when you see me? Search me!"

The guards swarmed forward and began searching the man. A moment later, one of them exclaimed, "General! There's news!"

Zhang Fei took the secret letter, unfolded it, and read it.

With just one glance, his face turned bright red, then ashen, and finally almost seemed to spit fire!

"Sun Jian, you scoundrel!"

He punched a large tree next to him.

Chen Deng leaned closer and asked, feigning concern, "General, what did the letter say?"

Zhang Fei shoved the letter into his hand, gritting his teeth, and said, "Read it yourself!"

Chen Deng took the letter and read it quickly.

The letter was written in neat handwriting and was written in earnest words. The gist of it was: "I, Sun, have just pacified Yangzhou and intend to take Xuzhou. I have long heard that the gentry families of Xuzhou are righteous and principled. If you are willing to lend me a hand and work together from within and without to take Xuzhou, after the success, the gentry families of Xuzhou will remain as before, their taxes will be reduced by half, and they will be rewarded with additional titles and honors. I hope you will make a decision as soon as possible and not miss this opportunity."

At the end of the document, Sun Jian's personal seal was clearly affixed.

Chen Deng chuckled inwardly, but feigned shock and anger: "This...this Sun Jian! He actually dared to bribe the powerful families of Xuzhou to plot against Xuzhou!"

Zhang Fei was furious. He mounted his horse and shouted, "I'm going back to muster my troops! Today we'll raze Qiao County to the ground and take that traitor Sun Jian's head!"

Chen Deng quickly pulled him back: "General, wait! This matter needs further consideration..."

"What a load of rubbish about taking it long!" Zhang Fei shook off his hand, spurred his horse, and galloped away.

Chen Deng watched his retreating figure, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his lips.

The fire finally caught fire.

That night, at Guan Yu's residence.

Guan Yu looked at the secret letter, his face ashen.

"Third Brother! How long are you going to hold out?!" Zhang Fei paced back and forth in the hall, furious.

"That treacherous Sun Jian is about to attack us! And you still won't let me send troops?!"

Guan Yu remained silent for a long time before slowly putting down the letter.

"Fifth brother, this letter... is a bit suspicious."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened: "Strange? It's all in black and white, and it even has Sun Jian's personal seal! What's strange about it?!"

Guan Yu shook his head: "If Sun Jian really wanted to take Xuzhou, why would he use such clumsy methods? Bribing powerful families and coordinating from within and without is too obvious and doesn't seem like his style at all."

Zhang Fei asked anxiously, "Then who else could it be? Liu Bei? Cao Cao?"

Guan Yu remained silent.

He had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He had never seen Sun Jian's handwriting before, so he couldn't determine the authenticity of the letter.

That private seal...

He suddenly asked, "What about the messenger?"

Zhang Fei was taken aback: "What messenger?"

"The messenger."

Guan Yu's gaze sharpened: "Have you interrogated the man you captured?"

Zhang Fei scratched his head: "I was so busy getting angry that I didn't even start the interrogation..."

Guan Yu sighed: "We'll discuss this matter again tomorrow; let's not talk about it tonight."

Zhang Fei cried out urgently, "Third Brother!"

Guan Yu stood up, looked at him with a deep gaze: "Fifth Brother, I often say that one should think thrice before acting. You and I are guarding Xuzhou, and the responsibility is heavy. If we fall into someone's trap because of a moment of impulsiveness, how can we explain it to our elder brother?"

Zhang Fei opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing more, and left in anger.

What Guan Yu didn't expect was that Zhang Fei mustered 30,000 troops that very night, left the city overnight, and headed straight for Yuzhou.

Guan Yu learned the news the following morning.

He stood in the empty military camp, his face ashen.

"That brute!"

He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Chase him! Bring him back!"

But how can we catch up?

Zhang Fei's 30,000 iron cavalry had long since disappeared on the official road to the southeast.

Several days later, in Qiao County, Yuzhou.

Zhang Fei's 30,000-strong army was at the city gates.

Banners obscured the sun, and a murderous aura filled the sky.

Zhang Fei charged ahead, his eighteen-foot spear pointing straight at the city wall, his voice booming like thunder: "Sun Jian, you scoundrel! Come out and face your death!"

The city was thrown into chaos.

Sun Jian was in his residence drinking and celebrating his victory with Liu Bei and Cao Cao.

Yuan Shu had been defeated, and most of the Huainan region had fallen into his hands. He was at the height of his confidence.

"Report!"

A scout stumbled in, shouting, "My lord! Something terrible has happened! Zhang Fei has led 30,000 troops and is at the city gates!"

Sun Jian suddenly stood up, and his wine cup fell to the ground!

"Zhang Fei?! What's he doing here?!"

Liu Bei's expression changed, and he exchanged a glance with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was secretly delighted, but feigned surprise and anger: "Zhang Fei, what do you mean? Does Ji Xuanyuan intend to break the alliance?"

Sun Jian's face turned ashen as he strode out of the mansion and headed straight for the city tower.

On the city wall, Sun Jian looked at the massive army below, his brow furrowed.

"General Yide!"

He raised his voice and said, "What do you mean by this? I have an alliance with your elder brother, why have you invaded my territory?"

Zhang Fei roared from below the city walls, "Sun Jian, you scoundrel! How dare you question me?! You harbored that traitor Liu Bei, and my elder brother, out of old friendship, spared you! But you repay kindness with enmity, plotting to seize Xuzhou! Today, I will rid my brother of this ungrateful wretch!"

Sun Jian was furious: "When did I ever plot against Xuzhou?! You're spouting nonsense!"

Zhang Fei pulled the secret letter from his robes and held it high: "The evidence is here! You still dare to deny it!"

Sun Jian's expression changed.

The letter bore his personal seal, but it was definitely not written by him.

"This is a fake!"

He shouted sternly, "Someone is deliberately trying to sow discord between us!"

Zhang Fei was absolutely not going to believe it.

He pointed his eighteen-foot spear and said, "Sun Jian! If you have a clear conscience, then come out of the city and fight me!"

How could Sun Jian, with his fiery temper, tolerate this?

He drew his sword and prepared to leave the city.

Liu Bei quickly pulled him back: "Brother Wentai! Don't be impulsive! This is clearly a trap set by someone to provoke you into battle!"

Sun Jian angrily retorted, "How could I, a general, tolerate such humiliation from a mere commoner!"

Liu Bei said anxiously, "Brother Wentai, think about it, why did Zhang Fei suddenly attack? And where did that letter come from? If Ji Xuanyuan really wanted to attack us, it wouldn't be Zhang Fei, but Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, and Zhao Yun all coming at us together!"

Sun Jian was taken aback, but gradually calmed down.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "Then, in Xuande's opinion, what should be done?"

Liu Bei pondered for a moment and said, "First, send someone to Xuzhou to find out the situation. At the same time, send someone to Shuntian to ask Ji Xuanyuan what his intentions are. If it is truly a misunderstanding, then we can explain it clearly."

Sun Jian gritted his teeth: "Fine! I'll tolerate him for now!"

But as soon as he returned to his residence, a personal guard came to report: "My lord! Something terrible has happened! Cao Cao... Cao Cao has fled from the west of the city with his troops!"

Sun Jian's expression changed drastically!

"Cao Mengde!"

He whirled around and slammed his fist on the table, shattering it: "How dare he take advantage of our misfortune!"

Liu Bei's expression also darkened.

Cao Cao's escape confirmed the suspicion that he was colluding with Zhang Fei from within.

But then he thought about it again and realized that something was wrong.

If Cao Cao and Zhang Fei conspired, why didn't they launch a coordinated attack from within and without, instead of secretly fleeing?

"Brother Wentai."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice, "It is certainly hateful that Cao Cao has escaped, but the most urgent task at present is to deal with Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei has 30,000 troops outside the city. If we do not defeat them, there will be endless troubles in the future."

Sun Jian calmed down and nodded, saying, "Xuande is right, but Zhang Fei is stubborn and convinced that we are plotting to seize Xuzhou. How can we repel him?"

Liu Bei, with foresight, said: "Zhang Fei is brave but lacks strategy. We only need to hold our ground and send someone to Shuntian to lodge a complaint. Ji Xuanyuan will not sit idly by while Zhang Fei acts recklessly. From Shuntian to Xuzhou, it will only take a few days at a fast pace."

He paused, then said, "As for Cao Cao, he can run away but he can't hide. Yanzhou is his base, and he won't give it up. We'll settle accounts with him after we defeat Zhang Fei."

Sun Jian gritted his teeth: "Fine! We'll do as Xuande says!"

Shuntian, Tiance Prefecture.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in his study, with two urgent reports spread out in front of him.

A report from Xuzhou: Zhang Fei led his troops to attack Sun Jian.

A document from Yuzhou: Cao Cao took advantage of the chaos to escape back to Yanzhou.

After reading it, he remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"That's a clever tactic to sow discord."

Guo Jia sat at the lower end, his peach blossom eyes curving into a smile: "My lord, what about Yide...?"

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand: "Send my order to Xuzhou and tell Yunchang and Yide that Sun Jian never intended to take Xuzhou. This is just a divisive tactic put on by Cao Cao to escape back to Yanzhou. Tell them to defend Xuzhou to the death and not to leave the city easily. After I take Qingzhou, I will discuss the next steps with them."

Guo Jia nodded, then asked, "My lord, what about Gongsun Zan...?"

Ji Xuanyuan stood up, walked to the window, and gazed northward with a distant look in his eyes.

"It's time."

Three days later, in Shuntian, in the back garden of Tiance Mansion.

Inside the waterside pavilion, a table of food and drink was set out.

Gongsun Zan came at the invitation.

He was dressed casually, his face was calm, but his eyes held a hint of wariness.

Over the years, his relationship with Ji Xuanyuan has been neither particularly good nor bad.

The two fought side by side, and they were also wary of each other.

He had been operating in Youzhou for many years, nominally submitting to the imperial court, but in reality, he was an independent entity.

Now that Ji Xuanyuan is powerful, he knows that this day will come sooner or later.

"Brother Bogui, please have a seat." Ji Xuanyuan rose to greet him with a gentle smile.

Gongsun Zan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Since the Prime Minister has summoned me, how could I dare not come?"

The two sat down, and a maid poured wine.

Ji Xuanyuan raised his cup: "Brother Bogui, we have known each other for many years. Today we will only reminisce about the past and not talk about state affairs. Come, drink this cup to the brim."

Gongsun Zan raised his cup and drank it all, but he remained secretly on guard.

Ji Xuanyuan put down his wine cup and gazed into the distance, as if reminiscing: "Brother Bogui, do you still remember when we joined forces in Youzhou and defeated the Wuhuan and Xianbei?"

Gongsun Zan was taken aback, then nodded and said, "I remember, back then the Prime Minister was still in Zhuojun, and we fought side by side, how exhilarating that was."

Ji Xuanyuan laughed and said, "Back then I was young and impetuous, and I didn't know the immensity of the world. Now that I think about it, I miss it very much."

Gongsun Zan remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Prime Minister's achievements are now unparalleled, far surpassing what they were back then."

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head, his gaze deep: "Achievements that surpass the world? It was just being pushed along by the times. I never thought I would get to this point."

He poured Gongsun Zan a full glass of wine and continued, "Brother Bogui, we hit it off immediately. I have always regarded you as my brother. Over the years, you have guarded the northern frontier in Youzhou and resisted the foreign tribes. I remember all your merits and hardships."

Gongsun Zan's heart stirred, but he remained silent.

Ji Xuanyuan changed the subject: "Although the Wuhuan have been destroyed, the Xianbei are still a major threat to our dynasty. The northern Xianbei are eyeing us covetously, and although the southern Xianbei have submitted to the court, they cannot be completely trusted. The northern border defense line still needs someone to guard it."

He looked directly into Gongsun Zan's eyes: "I wish to appoint Brother Bogui as the General Who Conquers the North, to guard Tanhan Mountain and defend against the Northern Xianbei. When the Han Dynasty is unified, it will be Brother Bogui's time to show his skills."

Gongsun Zan felt a chill run down his spine.

General who led the Northern Expedition, stationed at Tanhan Mountain.

This sounds like a great appointment, but in reality, it means he has to hand over the territory of Qingzhou, Tian Kai's troops, and the foundation he has built up in Youzhou over the years.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Does the Prime Minister want Zan to hand over Qingzhou?"

Ji Xuanyuan did not evade the question, and nodded, saying, "Brother Bogui is a smart man, and I will not beat around the bush either. I am determined to take Qingzhou. Tian Kai's desperate defense of Qingzhou will only increase casualties. If Brother Bogui is willing to surrender Qingzhou, I can guarantee Tian Kai's safety and entrust him with another important task. As for Brother Bogui..."

He stood up, walked to the railing of the waterside pavilion, looked at the reflection of the lotus flowers in the pond, and said softly, "Brother Bogui's lifelong wish is nothing more than to guard the northern frontier and resist foreign tribes. I can give you this opportunity."

Gongsun Zan remained silent.

He recalled being rescued by Ji Xuanyuan in Guanzi City, and the years he fought bloody battles in the northern frontier.

Gongsun Zan was never one to covet power.

All he wanted was a white horse and a silver spear, to roam the grasslands and slaughter all the barbarians.

Over the years, however, he has gradually become blinded by power, vying with Liu Yu, fighting with Yuan Shao, and secretly competing with Ji Xuanyuan.

In the end, what did we gain?

Liu Yu now holds the title of Governor of Youzhou, but all military and political affairs in Youzhou are controlled by Ji Xuanyuan alone.

Yuan Shao once aspired to dominate the north, but now he's nothing more than a handful of yellow earth.

He looked up at Ji Xuanyuan.

The sickly boy of yesteryear is now a powerful prime minister and general of the Heavenly Strategy Army.

His gaze remained clear, yet it held a depth that was difficult to fathom.

"Prime Minister."

Gongsun Zan slowly rose, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Zan is willing to offer up Qingzhou."

Ji Xuanyuan turned around and looked at him.

Gongsun Zan continued, "I leave Tian Kai's matter to the Prime Minister to handle. I only ask that the Prime Minister treat the soldiers who have followed me for many years well."

Ji Xuanyuan stepped forward and grasped his hand: "Brother Bogui, rest assured, I never mistreat my own people."

He pulled Gongsun Zan back to sit down, raised his cup, and said with a smile, "Come, this cup is for Brother Bogui!"

Gongsun Zan raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

The weight that had been hanging over my heart for so many years has finally been lifted.

Several months later, Qingzhou was pacified.

Tian Kai was summoned to the capital, and Ji Xuanyuan appointed him as a consultant, bestowed upon him a residence, and treated him with great respect.

The counties and prefectures of Qingzhou were successively taken over by officials sent by Ji Xuanyuan.

Thus, the seven northern provinces—You, Bing, Ji, Qing, Xu, Si, and Liang—all fell into Ji Xuanyuan's hands.

Gongsun Zan, with his White Horse Cavalry, headed north to Tanhan Mountain and assumed the post of General Who Conquers the North.

Before his departure, Ji Xuanyuan personally saw him off at the city gate.

"Brother Bogui."

He pointed to the vast expanse of land to the north: "That is your battlefield. Once I have pacified the south and unified the world, it will be time for you to sweep away the Northern Xianbei."

Gongsun Zan clasped his hands in a fist salute, mounted his horse, and rode away without looking back.

Behind me, the setting sun was like blood, dyeing the entire sky red.