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

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.

The streets and alleys of Zhuojun were busier and more festive than usual.

People clean their houses and prepare for the New Year; the smoke from their chimneys seems to carry their hopes for the coming year.

Inside the prefect's residence, several newly made lanterns were hung up; though not luxurious, they added a touch of warmth.

On this day, a procession of carriages arrived outside the mansion.

The leader was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in luxurious clothes yet with composure. His face bore a five or six-point resemblance to Zhen Yi, but his brows held a sharper and more inquisitive air.

This person was Zhen Yi's second son, Zhen Yan.

He was sent by his father to bring his fifth sister, Zhen Mi, back to Wuji for the New Year.

At the beginning of the new year, the ancestral worship ceremony is a major family event, and Zhen Mi must return.

However, Zhen Yan's initiative to come in person was driven by ulterior motives.

The last time Ji Xuanyuan visited the Zhen family, he happened to be in Luoyang seeking an official position, so they did not get to meet.

Upon returning home, he was met with a series of astonishing news.

Their family had unexpectedly partnered with Ji Xuanyuan, the recently rising governor of Zhuojun, on a massive salt business.

Zhen Mi, the fifth sister who was most favored by her father, actually went on a "study tour" with Ji Xuanyuan on her own?

What he found most unacceptable was that his father intended to marry his second sister to one of Ji Xuanyuan's generals as a concubine, rather than as his wife!

In Zhen Yan's view, this was simply lowering one's own status and was extremely foolish. Even if Ji Xuanyuan had some reputation and made contributions in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, without the support of a noble family, how far could he go in this world that values ​​lineage?

In Zhen Yan's view, his father's consideration of "this person is no ordinary person" was more a result of his father being terrified by the Yellow Turban Rebellion and desperately seeking any solution.

He immediately went to ask his father, Zhen Yi.

Zhen Yi stroked his beard and said calmly, "Ji Xuanyuan is no ordinary person. I have my own considerations."

"Extraordinary?" Zhen Yan was skeptical at the time, even thinking that his father was getting senile.

How much more "extraordinary" can a border prefect who has no family background and rises to power through military merit be, even if he has some bravery and strategy?

Is it worth the Zhen family going to such lengths to lower themselves and even "send" their daughter away?

The second sister was already wronged to be betrothed to a warrior as a concubine, but the youngest sister was even worse...it's simply absurd!

He was seething with anger and wanted to see for himself whether this Ji Xuanyuan was truly powerful or just a figurehead, and what methods he had used to bewitch his father and sister.

At this moment, he stood in front of the Zhuojun Prefectural Governor's Mansion, already feeling somewhat critical.

The mansion was not particularly grand, and the entrance was not extravagant; compared to the Zhen family, it was quite simple.

After the announcement, someone quickly led him inside.

In the main hall, Ji Xuanyuan was already seated and waiting.

Upon seeing Zhen Yan enter, he rose to greet him, his movements slightly slow due to weakness, but with a gentle smile on his face: "Young Master Zhen has come from afar, you must be tired from your journey. I hope you will forgive me for not being able to greet you properly."

Upon first meeting, Zhen Yan formed his initial impression: the woman's appearance was indeed as rumored, exceptionally beautiful, far surpassing even the so-called "reincarnation of Song Yu" he had seen in Luoyang.

However, his excessively pale face, thin frame, and suppressed cough when bowing all indicated that he was seriously ill and frail.

"Little sister...you're following someone like this?"

Zhen Yan's suspicions deepened, but he remained outwardly calm and greeted them politely: "General Ji, you are too kind. I have come on my father's orders to bring my younger sister back to the manor for the New Year. I apologize for troubling you, General."

"Not at all. Miss Zhen is intelligent and calm. She hasn't caused any trouble during her time in the manor."

Ji Xuanyuan invited Zhen Yan to sit down and ordered tea to be served: "However... things are busy at the end of the year, and I am afraid that I may not be able to entertain you properly. Since Young Master Zhen has come, why not stay in Zhuojun for a couple of days, so that I can do my best to be a good host and take a look at the local scenery."

Zhen Yan had the same idea, so he readily agreed.

Ji Xuanyuan summoned Zhao Yun and instructed him, "Zilong, Miss Zhen should be in the study in the back garden right now. Take Young Master Zhen there to meet her, and accompany him for a walk around the city to see the festive atmosphere of Zhuojun. Young Master Zhen will also be your... elder in the future, so treat him well."

"Yes, sir." Zhao Yun accepted the order and bowed to Zhen Yan.

"Young Master Zhen, please."

Zhen Yan looked at Zhao Yun.

This young general was tall and handsome, with a calm and composed demeanor, unlike an ordinary brute.

His dissatisfaction with "his second sister being betrothed to this man" lessened somewhat, but his doubts remained.

He got up and followed Zhao Yun toward the back garden.

Throughout the journey, Zhen Yan's eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings.

The interior of the prefect's residence was simply furnished. Although there were not many servants, they each performed their duties in an orderly manner.

As one walks through the corridors and courtyards, the officials and soldiers one sees all appear to be in good spirits, showing no signs of slackness or dejection.

After leaving the mansion, we arrived at the streets of Zhuojun.

As the year draws to a close, the market is busier than usual.

Peddlers and laborers hawked their New Year's goods: cloth, meat, dried fruit, new peach wood charms... Although the variety was not as abundant as in Luoyang or Yecheng, it was still quite complete.

What pleased Zhen Yan even more was that although the pedestrians on the street were walking in a hurry, most of them had peaceful faces and rarely looked malnourished. There were also very few beggars. Occasionally, one or two would come up to ask if there was a place for them to be placed.

"General Zhao."

Zhen Yan tentatively asked, "Prefect Ji has only been in office for a few months, yet Zhuojun is so well-organized. It's truly remarkable. What brilliant strategy did you employ?"

Zhao Yun replied, "After you take office, my lord, your first priority is to wipe out the remaining bandits in the prefecture and stabilize the local area. Then, open the granaries to provide relief to the refugees, distribute wasteland and grain seeds to encourage cultivation, and reform the administration of officials. Reduce or exempt some of the exorbitant taxes and levies so that the people can breathe and the market will gradually recover."

His words were simple, yet they hit the nail on the head.

Zhen Yan nodded slightly. It seemed that Ji Xuanyuan was indeed quite capable in practical governance and was not just a reckless fool.

His perception of Ji Xuanyuan began to subtly change.

As they were walking, a soldier suddenly came running up to Zhao Yun, clasped his hands in greeting, and whispered a few words to him.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun looked somewhat helpless and said apologetically to Zhen Yan, "Young Master Zhen, a small matter has occurred at the manor. The two brothers went too far in their duel, and I need to go back and check on things..."

"A contest of skills?" Zhen Yan became interested.

"It's alright, I have nothing else to do. If it's convenient for you, General Zhao, would you mind coming along for a look? It would be a good opportunity to see the style and demeanor of the heroes under your command." He thought to himself, it would be a good opportunity to see what kind of people Ji Xuanyuan had under his command.

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment, then, remembering Ji Xuanyuan's instructions to treat him well and that the matter wasn't exactly a secret, he nodded: "In that case... Young Master Zhen, please follow me."

The two quickened their pace and returned to the prefect's residence.

As soon as they entered the moon gate of the backyard, they heard a dull thud and a low growl.

Turning past the artificial hill, one sees a large number of personal guards and servants gathered in the open space of the backyard, all craning their necks and looking horrified.

In the arena, two figures stood facing each other.

One of them was Xiang Yu, his double pupils gleaming. He had already taken off his outer robe, revealing a strong and muscular body.

The other was Li Cunxiao, his tiger-like eyes wide open, his fighting spirit burning fiercely.

Yang Zaixing leaned against the wall, holding his iron-clad spear, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, his face full of anticipation for a good show.

Between the two, the once heavy stone table was now shattered into pieces, with stone chips scattered all over the ground.

"Just now... the two generals were arm wrestling on this stone table," a guard whispered to his companion.

"And then... that's it."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yan's eyes twitched.

Arm wrestling... and they smashed the stone table?!

Before he could process this unbelievable scene, something even more astonishing happened.

Li Cunxiao, seemingly unsatisfied, strode to the courtyard gate, bent down, and exhaled loudly—"Rise!"

He actually lifted up a stone lion guarding the entrance with one hand!

That stone lion must have weighed at least three or four hundred pounds, but it seemed as light as nothing in his hands!

"Brother Xiang, let's try something different!" Li Cunxiao shouted, throwing the stone lion at Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu sneered, neither dodging nor avoiding, but instead lowered his waist and sat on his horse. He stretched out his hands and steadily caught the flying stone lion, his body only swaying slightly.

"It is impolite not to reciprocate!"

He let out a low growl, and with a burst of strength from his waist and abdomen, he hurled the stone lion back!

The two of them went back and forth, tossing and catching the heavy stone lion like a sandbag!

The sound of something cutting through the air was deafening, making everyone around tremble with fear. Even Yang Zaixing put away his joking expression and stared intently.

Zhen Yan was already dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

What incredible power this is!

Even if Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu, were alive today, he probably wouldn't be any better.

Could Ji Xuanyuan really have such inhuman warriors under his command?!

Yang Zaixing watched with great interest, clapping and cheering, "Well done, Second Brother! Jingsi, you too, keep it up, don't let us down!"

Just as Zhen was in shock, a sudden change occurred on the field.

Seeing the stone lion approaching with even greater force, Li Cunxiao's competitive spirit flared up. He roared and, unlike Xiang Yu who neutralized the force, he slammed his shoulders down to meet it head-on, grabbing the stone lion firmly with both hands. However, he stumbled back three steps with a series of thuds, each step leaving a deep footprint on the ground.

"Hahaha! Jingsi, I'm still stronger!" Xiang Yu laughed.

"Bullshit! I didn't use my full strength just now!" Li Cunxiao retorted, his arm muscles bulging again.

"Again! Catch this time!" He mustered all his strength, swung the stone lion around and threw it again. This throw contained all his power, and the stone lion roared away like a cannonball!

Upon seeing this, Xiang Yu's expression changed slightly. Knowing that he could not take the attack head-on, he dodged to the side like a ghost.

The stone lion flew past Xiang Yu's clothes, its momentum unstoppable.

With a loud "boom", it slammed solidly onto the brick wall in the backyard!

Smoke and dust filled the air, and bricks and stones flew everywhere!

A section of the courtyard wall, more than ten feet long, was smashed down, creating a large gap!

The entire room fell silent.

As the smoke and dust cleared, Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao's somewhat stunned faces were revealed.

Yang Zaixing and Zhao Yun's smiles froze on their faces.

Just then, a suppressed cough broke the silence. Everyone turned around and saw that Ji Xuanyuan had arrived at some point and was standing at the moon gate, his face paler than usual and his chest heaving slightly, clearly angered.

His gaze swept over the shattered stone table fragments scattered on the ground, then landed on the collapsed courtyard wall and Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao, who stood there dumbfounded. The veins on his forehead throbbed faintly.

"Xiang Yu—"

"Li Cunxiao—"

"You two—"

"Get over here!!!"

This low shout silenced all the guards and servants, who didn't even dare to breathe.

Yang Zaixing quietly moved to Zhao Yun's side and whispered, "It's over, it's over. Big Brother is really angry. Zilong, our refereeing duties are over... Second Brother, Jingsi, good luck to you two."

Zhao Yun also looked helpless, and gave Zhen Yan, who was frozen in place with his mouth slightly open, an apologetic look.

The sights we saw today were truly breathtaking.

As Zhen Yan gazed at the collapsed courtyard wall, at Ji Xuanyuan's still frail figure despite his rage, and recalled the display of power that resembled that of a god or demon, he finally gained a completely new understanding of his father's assessment that "Ji Xuanyuan is no ordinary person."

To be able to subdue such an inhuman warrior and instill such awe in him...

This Ji Xuanyuan is probably far more unfathomable than he has seen.