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

In the spring of the fifteenth year of Qianwu (215 AD), in Luoyang, at the Taiji Hall.

The morning assembly on this day was exceptionally different.

Ji Xuanyuan sat upright on his throne, his face pale, yet he was in high spirits.

The officials stood in two rows, heads bowed in solemn silence.

Crown Prince Ji Heng stood beside the throne, his gaze steady.

Over the years, he has overseen the administration of the country and has become thoroughly familiar with the politics of the court, and is fully capable of handling matters independently.

"His Majesty."

Guo Jia stepped forward and announced in a loud voice: "News has come from the Protectorate of the Western Regions that more than fifty kingdoms in the Western Regions have completely submitted. The Silk Road is now unobstructed, and merchants are coming and going in an endless stream."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Alright."

Pang Tong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Anbei Protectorate has also sent good news. The Xianbei and Xiongnu tribes have completely submitted, and intermarriage between the Han and non-Han peoples is gradually becoming the norm."

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly: "The integration of the Hu and Han peoples is not something that can be accomplished overnight, but at least, it has already begun."

The assembled officials exclaimed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"

But Ji Xuanyuan knew in his heart that these were not the focus of today's court meeting.

The main focus today is that he is going to announce a groundbreaking decision.

"My beloved ministers."

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "I have something to announce."

The officials stood in solemn silence.

Ji Xuanyuan's gaze swept over the ranks of generals: Xiang Yu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Li Cunxiao, Yang Zaixing, Ran Min, Lü Bu... These brothers who had followed him through life and death for decades were now all over forty years old, yet they still exuded fierce power.

"Since the pacification of the Western Regions and the Northern Frontier, you generals have not been involved in any battles. I know you can't stay idle." He smiled slightly.

"Therefore, I will give you a chance."

The courtiers looked at each other, wondering what the emperor meant.

Ji Xuanyuan stood up and walked to the huge map hanging in the hall.

This map is different from the previous ones; it not only depicts the territory of the Great Yan, but also the outline of the entire world.

The Eurasian continent, Africa, and the Americas, though their lines are rough, are still breathtaking.

"This is the 'Map of the World' that I ordered to be drawn," he said, pointing to the map.

"Look, how much land is left outside of Great Yan?"

The assembled officials all looked up and gasped in shock.

They never imagined that the world was so vast.

He turned around, looked at the dumbfounded generals, and said, word by word, "I have decided to give you the opportunity to be made kings."

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

King?

A king of a different surname?

It should be noted that even those brothers who followed Ji Xuanyuan in conquering the world were at most granted the titles of duke or marquis, but none of them were ever granted the title of king.

Guo Jia was the first to react, stepping forward to say, "Your Majesty, bestowing a title upon someone of a different surname may be inappropriate..."

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, interrupting him: "I am not granting them the title of king in Great Yan. I am allowing them to lead their own troops to conquer the outside world. Wherever they conquer, that will be their fiefdom. They can declare themselves kings there and choose their own titles. The court will not provide them with funds or reinforcements. Everything will depend on themselves."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.

A light gradually ignited in the eyes of the military generals.

Zhang Fei was the first to jump out, grinning broadly, "Brother, is this true?"

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "When have I ever lied to you?"

"Besides the Han Dynasty, there were also Rome, Parthia, Kushan, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Funan, Champa... These countries were independent and did not belong to each other."

He paused, then continued, "Firearms have been under development since I ascended the throne, and they are now ready for use. Plate armor technology has also become increasingly mature, and navigation technology has seen a qualitative leap in the past ten years. I will equip you with all of these things."

He turned around, looked at his brothers, and said with piercing eyes: "I want the banner of Great Yan to be planted on every inch of the land. I want the whole world to have only one voice, and that is the voice of Great Yan."

The hall was completely silent.

Immediately, Zhang Fei was the first to step forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Brother, I'll listen to you! Wherever you say to attack, I'll attack!"

Li Cunxiao also stepped forward: "Brother, me too!"

Xiang Yu stood with his hand on his sword, a sharp glint in his double pupils: "Brother, I am willing to be the vanguard."

Zhang Fei was the first to jump out: "Brother, I'm going too! I've been wanting to go out and make my own way in the world for ages!"

Li Cunxiao also said, "Brother, I'm going too!"

Yang Zaixing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject is willing to go."

Zhao Yun hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, I..."

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him and said gently, "Zilong, you should go too. It's such a waste that you're trapped in Great Yan with all your skills."

Zhao Yun bowed deeply: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Lü Bu stood with his hand on his sword, his expression calm: "Your subject is willing to go."

Finally, everyone's eyes fell on Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Brother, I will go too."

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him, his gaze complex: "Second brother, where do you want to go?"

Xiang Yu walked to the map and traced his finger in the direction of Europe: "I wish to go to Rome."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep: "Alright, the Roman Empire once spanned three continents and was one of the strongest empires in the world. If you can conquer it, you will be the overlord of the world."

Xiang Yu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject will certainly not fail your elder brother's trust."

Ji Xuanyuan then looked at Zhang Fei: "Fifth Brother, where do you want to go?"

Zhang Fei scratched his head, thought for a moment, and pointed to Goguryeo on the map: "Brother, I'll go here! It's close to Great Yan, making it easier to fight!"

Ji Xuanyuan laughed: "Alright, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, the three kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula, go and take them down."

Zhang Fei grinned broadly: "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at Li Cunxiao: "Eighth brother, what about you?"

Li Cun grinned sheepishly and pointed to Japan on the map: "Brother, I want to go to Japan. I've heard that place is quite mysterious. I want to go and see for myself."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "In the Yayoi period, Japan consisted of more than a hundred small countries. Go and unify them, and you will become their king."

Li Cunxiao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at Yang Zaixing: "Ninth Brother, where do you want to go?"

Yang Zaixing's gaze fell on the islands of Southeast Asia on the map: "I wish to go to Funan, Champa, and those other islands in Southeast Asia."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "Alright. Funan is the strongest country in the Indochina Peninsula, Champa is newly established, and the islands of Southeast Asia are still uncivilized. Go and bring them into the territory of Great Yan."

Yang Zaixing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at Zhao Yun: "Zilong, where do you want to go?"

Zhao Yun pointed to the Kushan Empire on the map: "Your subject wishes to go to Kushan."

Ji Xuanyuan's gaze was far-reaching: "The Kushan Empire, under the reign of Vasudeva I, encompassed Central Asia and northern India, and was one of the four great empires of the time. Go and conquer it."

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan finally looked at Lü Bu: "Fengxian, what about you?"

Lü Bu pointed to the Parthian Empire on the map: "I wish to go to Parthia."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "The Parthian Empire, under the reign of Vologasi VI, connects the East and the West. However, you must be careful, as the Sasanian Dynasty is rising in the former Persian lands and will eventually replace Parthia. If you can conquer Parthia, you will have a chance to rival Rome."

Lü Bu clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, sir!"

Guan Yu frowned, stroked his beard, and said, "Brother, I am stationed in the Western Regions. If I were to go on a distant expedition, what would become of the Western Regions?"

Ji Xuanyuan looked at him gently: "Yun Chang, you are different. The Western Regions are a vital passage on the Silk Road and the western gateway of the Great Yan. You cannot leave."

He took another scroll of silk from the table and handed it to Guan Yu: "I hereby appoint you as the King of Khotan. Khotan is the most powerful country in the southern route of the Western Regions. When the thirteen kingdoms of the Western Regions were conquered, Khotan made the greatest contribution. From this day forward, Khotan will be your fief. You will guard the Western Regions and protect the western gate for me."

Guan Yu took the silk scroll, his hand trembling slightly.

He knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Ji Xuanyuan helped him up, patted his shoulder, and turned to look at Ran Min.

"Yongzeng, you will stay in the court to assist the Crown Prince. The Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot be without a leader for even a day."

Ran Min clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

After the court session, in the Imperial Study.

Ji Xuanyuan sat alone at his desk, with the "Map of the World" spread out in front of him.

His fingers slowly traced across the map, and with each place he passed, he thought of a brother.

"His Majesty."

Guo Jia walked in and said softly, "Are you really going to send them all away?"

Ji Xuanyuan didn't look up, but simply said, "Fengxiao, how much longer do you think I can live?"

Guo Jia was taken aback.

Ji Xuanyuan raised his head, looking at him calmly: "Zhang Zhongjing said that I have at most five years left. After five years, when I'm gone, who can control them?"

Guo Jia remained silent.

Ji Xuanyuan continued, "When I was alive, they listened to me. Now that I'm gone, will they listen to Heng'er?"

Guo Jia shook his head: "I'm afraid not."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "Therefore, I must send them away so that they can expand the territory and make achievements outside. In this way, they will not feel that I have mistreated them, and Heng'er can also secure the throne."

He paused, then said, "Besides, there are so many other lands outside of Great Yan. Rather than letting those barbarians occupy them, it's better for our people to occupy them. Once they conquer them, those places will become vassals of Great Yan. Even if someone rebels in the future, it will be a rebellion of Han people against Han people. The world will still belong to the Han people."

Guo Jia bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's wisdom and foresight are truly admirable."

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly, a smile that contained relief, helplessness, and a touch of sorrow.

"Fengxiao, tell me, have I been too selfish throughout my life?"

Guo Jia shook his head: "His Majesty is not selfish; His Majesty is doing this for the Great Yan and for the world."

Ji Xuanyuan looked out the window and murmured, "I hope so."

Summer of the fifteenth year of Qianwu, Luoyang, the residences of the generals.

At Zhao Yun's residence.

Zhao Yun was wiping his gleaming silver spear.

This gun, which has been with him for decades, still has a point that is as sharp as new.

"Father."

His son, Zhao Tong, walked in and said softly, "Are you really going to leave Great Yan?"

Zhao Yun nodded, his gaze far-reaching: "Beyond the Great Yan, there are so many other countries. His Majesty said that those places are fertile and rich in resources. If we can conquer them, they will become the territory of the Great Yan."

Zhao Tong hesitated and said, "But Father, the journey is long, I'm afraid..."

Zhao Yun waved his hand, interrupting him, and patted the white horse beside him: "I have fought for many years and have never been afraid of the long journey. Neither have I been afraid of the Jade Lion."

Zhao Tong said no more.

In Li Cunxiao's mansion.

Li Cunxiao was drinking with Yang Zaixing.

The two drank until their faces were flushed and they put their arms around each other's shoulders.

"Myna bird."

Yang Zaixing put down his wine bowl: "You're saying the Japanese are really short?"

Li Cunxiao nodded: "What my elder brother said, how could it be false? I heard from my elder brother that the people there are not even as tall as my horse. If I ride my horse over there, I can trample a whole bunch of them to death with one foot."

Yang Zaixing laughed heartily: "Then I, your younger brother, wish my eighth brother a swift annihilation of Japan!"

Li Cunxiao slammed his hand on the table: "Good!"

Inside Lü Bu's residence.

Lü Bu was practicing his halberd skills in the courtyard.

In his hands, the halberd danced like a dragon or snake, wielding a powerful and swift wind.

"Father."

Her daughter, Lü Lingqi, walked in and said softly, "Are you really going to war?"

Lu Bu sheathed his halberd, looked at her with tender eyes, and said, "Lingqi, your father is going to conquer the world, and your father will make you the most noble princess in the world."

Lu Lingqi's eyes reddened slightly: "Father, Lingqi doesn't want to be a princess, Lingqi only wants Father to be safe."

Lu Bu hugged her and whispered, "Father will."

Spring of the sixteenth year of Qianwu (216 AD), Luoyang, North Gate.

On this day, the spring sunshine was bright and the willow catkins were flying everywhere.

Ji Xuanyuan stood at the city gate, watching his brothers leave.

Behind him, Crown Prince Ji Heng, Empress Zhen Mi, and civil and military officials stood solemnly.

Xiang Yu, clad in black armor and mounted on his black horse, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, your subject is leaving."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Second brother, take care."

Guan Yu stroked his beard, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your Majesty, I am leaving."

Ji Xuanyuan patted his shoulder: "Yun Chang, the Western Regions are counting on you."

Guan Yu nodded, turned his horse around, and rode away in a cloud of dust.

Zhang Fei grinned and said, "Brother, I'm off! When I come back after I've conquered that damn Goguryeo, you have to treat me to drinks!"

Ji Xuanyuan smiled: "Alright, I'll wait for you."

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your Majesty, I am leaving."

Ji Xuanyuan grasped his hand: "Zilong, be careful on your journey."

Zhao Yun nodded and rode away.

Li Cunxiao chuckled and said, "Brother, I'm going to fight the Japanese. Once I take them down, I'll capture their capital and make it your slave!"

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "I don't want slaves, what I want is that land."

Li Cunxiao nodded: "I understand!"

He then rode away.

Lü Bu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I am leaving."

Ji Xuanyuan patted his shoulder: "Fengxian, don't be reckless when you encounter difficulties."

Lü Bu nodded and rode away.

Ji Xuanyuan stood at the city gate, watching the procession gradually disappear into the distance, remaining silent.

His eyes were slightly red, but he didn't shed a tear.

"His Majesty."

Zhen Mi walked to his side and said softly, "It's time to go back."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded and turned to return to the city.

His silhouette stretched long in the setting sun.

Behind them, the city gate slowly closed.

That night, in the imperial palace, in the sleeping quarters.

Ji Xuanyuan sat alone by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, remaining silent.

Zhen Mi carried a bowl of medicinal soup and walked to his side.

"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine."

Ji Xuanyuan took it and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter medicine went down my throat, but it couldn't suppress the sorrow in my heart.

"Mi'er".

He said softly, "Do you think they'll come back?"

Zhen Mi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Yes, they will definitely come back."

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head, his gaze distant: "No, I know they won't come back."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked north, and murmured, "But I have no regrets. What I gave them was freedom and hope. They will build their own kingdom on that land, but their descendants will remember for generations that their roots are in the Great Yan."

Zhen Mi leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Your Majesty, you did the right thing."

Ji Xuanyuan grasped her hand, his gaze resolute.

Outside the window, the moon is high in the sky.

In the distance, the faint echo of horses' hooves could be heard.

Those who have gone far away will never return.

But their story has only just begun.

(End of text)