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

September.

Autumn arrives in Zhuojun with clarity and fullness. On the open fields, gold and ochre intertwine, heavy ears of grain bend the stalks, and the air is filled with the rich aroma of ripe grain and the warmth of the soil warmed by the sun.

In the open space behind the prefect's residence, the morning light was faint.

Ji Xuanyuan, dressed in a plain white, loose-fitting training uniform, was slowly and attentively practicing the "Five Animal Frolics" as Hua Tuo demonstrated.

His movements were still somewhat clumsy, and his breathing was not yet fully sustained, but his pale face had regained a long-lost, healthy flush, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead in the autumn sun.

Although each move is far from perfect, one can already clearly feel the subtle changes in the flow of qi and blood in the once stagnant meridians, nourishing the entire body.

"Prefect, you are exceptionally intelligent and quick to grasp concepts." Hua Tuo stopped his movements and stood still, looking at Ji Xuanyuan, who was slightly out of breath but with clear eyes, and nodded in praise.

"The Five Animal Frolics is a form of bionic exercise that emphasizes perseverance in order to harmonize Yin and Yang and strengthen muscles and bones. With the current state of recovery, if you practice for another month or so, you should be able to walk steadily and gradually regain your strength."

Ji Xuanyuan wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, feeling the faint yet real warmth and power in his chest. He sighed sincerely, "Sir's art is like the work of heaven and earth. I have benefited immensely from it. In the past, my body was like rotten wood, but now I feel the stirrings of life."

He was also deeply moved by the profound wisdom of the Chinese ancestors, who were able to create such a systematic and scientific method of fitness at this time.

With the Five Animal Frolics exercise, combined with Zhang Zhongjing's nourishing herbal decoctions and dietary adjustments, and the surgery that eradicated the deepest lesions, his body, which had been deteriorating for sixteen years, finally embarked on the road to recovery.

At this time, farmers across Zhuojun were sweating profusely as they harvested the bountiful harvest they had obtained this year through deep plowing and meticulous cultivation with curved plows.

One after another, improved wooden oxen were loaded with dried grain and, under the protection of soldiers, were being transported along the newly repaired official road to Dai County and Shanggu in the north.

There, Xiang Yu, Lü Bu, Ran Min, and Yang Zaixing led three thousand elite Jingnan Army soldiers and had been stationed for several months.

Reports from the border frequently arrived, mostly from small groups of Xianbei and Wuhuan cavalry harassing and probing, all of which were easily repelled without causing any major disturbances.

But Ji Xuanyuan knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the imperial court's prestige has plummeted, and its control over the border tribes and its appeasement policies have been greatly diminished. Mishandling by border officials and delays in distributing rewards have occurred frequently, and resentment is accumulating in the shadows.

Historically, Zhang Chun, the governor of Zhongshan, colluded with Qiu Liju of the Wuhuan tribe to rebel, shaking You and Ji provinces. This rebellion is expected to occur next year.

It was a crisis, but also an opportunity.

That will be the time to test the new cavalry, to let Xiang Yu and his men truly demonstrate their power beyond the Great Wall, and to accumulate considerable military achievements and prestige.

"Fengxiao." Ji Xuanyuan withdrew his gaze and addressed Guo Jia, who had somehow wandered to the corridor and was now examining the latest border reports and accounts in the morning light.

"How is the trial production of the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow progressing at the military workshop? We must urge them to overcome the mass production hurdle as soon as possible. If this product can be successfully developed, it will be extremely effective for our infantry defense and cavalry archery suppression."

Guo Jia put down the scroll and looked up, saying, "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I just returned from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Academy of Natural Sciences yesterday. The repeating mechanism of the crossbow is almost complete. We are currently testing the smoothness of the crossbow strings and arrow caskets made of different materials. The difficulty lies in the precision and reliability of mass production. The craftsmen are arguing about it, but with Mr. Yuan Hao overseeing things, the progress will not be slow."

He closed the ledger and said, "As for the next glass transaction, it will be held in the first month of next year. The timing is just right. After more than half a year, those nobles in Luoyang have probably already shown off all the glass they have and are itching to get back to it. At that time, we can hold an even bigger auction under the pretext of the Western Regions caravan presenting treasures for the New Year. The price may double again. As for Zhen Yan, Jia has already sent a letter hinting at it. He replied that he is eager to get started and is just waiting for his senior brother's specific instructions."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded. He always trusted Guo Jia's work. "There is one more thing. After deducting necessary expenses and reserves, use all the remaining profits from last month's refined salt to purchase fine horses. From Youzhou, Bingzhou, Liangzhou, and even beyond the Great Wall, as long as they are good horses, the price can be increased as appropriate. Make sure to replenish our army with more than three thousand qualified warhorses by the end of the year, and train the cavalry to full strength."

Cavalry will be key to conquering the northern frontier and even the Central Plains in the future.

With double stirrups, high-bridged saddles, and horseshoes, coupled with high-quality warhorses and skilled archers, they became the sharpest blade of the era.

"Yes, sir!" Guo Jia replied, then added, as if remembering something.

"Speaking of buying horses, it's quite a coincidence. I recently heard in the city that two big horse merchants from Zhongshan are currently staying in Zhuojun. One of them is Su Shuang and the other is Zhang Shiping. They have been traveling to the north to trade horses for many years. They are very wealthy and have many connections. They seem to be very interested in the recent changes in Zhuojun and have been observing the city for several days."

Su Shuang? Zhang Shiping?

A glint flashed in Ji Xuanyuan's eyes.

This was one of the most important early investors in Liu Bei's group in history!

The donation of fine horses, money, grain, and iron was a timely and much-needed help.

Although Liu Bei has now disappeared to who knows where, these two have unexpectedly come into his sight.

It seems that no matter how history takes its turns, certain figures and resources will always appear near the vortex of the times by chance.

This time, however, their gaze was no longer fixed on Liu Huangshu, the mat weaver and shoe seller, but on Zhuojun, which was under the rule of Ji Xuanyuan.

"Where are these two now?" Ji Xuanyuan asked.

"He was listening to storytelling at a teahouse in the West Market yesterday, and he must still be in the city today," Guo Jia said.

"Is Senior Brother interested in recruiting you?"

"The horse trading tycoon controls the horse resources in the north, which is exactly what our army needs," Ji Xuanyuan pondered.

"However, before recruiting them, I have another matter to discuss with these two individuals, and even the Zhen family."

He walked to the stone table under the eaves, and Guo Jia, understanding his intention, spread out paper and pen.

Ji Xuanyuan picked up his pen and first wrote a letter to Zhen Yan.

His words were earnest. He first inquired about the recent situation and thanked the Zhen family for their previous strong cooperation in salt and glass affairs. Then, he changed the subject and proposed a new idea: "...The autumn harvest is over, and the county is somewhat at peace. However, the roads in Zhuojun and even Youzhou have been in disrepair for many years, and are rugged and muddy, making it difficult for merchants to travel. The transportation of grain and fodder is particularly costly, which is a major problem restricting people's livelihood and military affairs. I, Xuanyuan, have happened to obtain the ideas left by my predecessors and combined them with the new ideas of craftsmen to create two things: 'cement' and 'red bricks'. Cement is as hard as a rock and hardens when it comes into contact with water. It can be used to pave roads, build walls, and repair canals. Red bricks are regular and fire-resistant, and are superior to adobe bricks. If we can use these two materials to build smooth roads from Zhuojun to the important county towns and even the border passes, then the flow of goods will be accelerated, the transportation of grain and fodder will be time-saving and labor-saving, and people's livelihood and military affairs will all benefit..."

He elaborated on the long-term benefits of road construction.

Reduce transportation costs, promote trade, strengthen intra-county control and coordination, and enable rapid troop deployment in wartime, among other things.

He then frankly admitted that the project was massive and costly, beyond the government's capacity to undertake alone. Therefore, he invited the Zhen family to join forces with other far-sighted merchants to raise funds and manpower through "joint ventures" or "segmented contracting" and share the profits.

"...Once the road is completed, we may set up checkpoints to collect a small amount of road maintenance fees, or the prosperity of post stations and warehouses along the way will bring indirect profits, all of which are long-term benefits. Lord Zhen is a business magnate with keen insight. He should know that this is not a waste of money, but a fundamental plan to attract investment and develop new markets. I hope you will consider this carefully. If it can be accomplished, not only will Zhuojun benefit, but the Zhen family's caravans will also be able to travel freely to and from the north, and the benefits will be long-lasting..."

After writing the letter, he handed it to his personal guards to be delivered to Wuji by fast horse.

Then, Ji Xuanyuan said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, you go and find Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping in person. Invite them in the name of the Prefect's Office and tell them that I want to discuss the purchase of horses and cooperation with you. Be sure to be polite and let me know that you are honest merchants and I have long admired your reputation."

"Senior brother, you want to..." Guo Jia understood.

"Killing two birds with one stone? Solving the problem of warhorse supply while also drawing them into the road construction effort?"

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly: "One of the biggest beneficiaries of building trade routes connecting the northern frontier is horse trading tycoons like them. With better roads, their horses can be transported to various places faster and more safely, greatly reducing losses and doubling profits. This is a win-win situation. Moreover, the connections behind such large merchants and their familiarity with the situation in the north are exactly what I need."

Guo Jia clapped his hands: "Excellent! In this way, we can leverage this to purchase horses, build roads, and even facilitate future border trade. I will take care of it now."

After Guo Jia left, Ji Xuanyuan stood alone under the corridor, gazing at the sycamore leaves in the courtyard that were beginning to turn yellow.

Everything seems to be moving in a positive direction.

But he knew all too well that beneath the calm surface, the undercurrents never ceased.

The court's suspicion and balancing act, the hostility and counterattack of powerful families, the impending large-scale rebellion of foreign tribes on the frontier, and even the imminent collapse of the empire...

Every step must be taken with extreme caution, yet one must seize the opportunity and move forward decisively.

"Cement roads... If a few main roads can be built, it will lay the real arteries for Zhuojun, and even for the future foundation," he muttered to himself.

The economic base determines the superstructure, and transportation is the lifeblood of the economy.

This is common sense in later generations, but at this moment, it is a visionary perspective that transcends time.

Whether they can persuade the Zhen family, and even traditional businessmen like Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping, to see the "long-term benefits" rather than the immediate investment, is a major test.

Just then, Dian Wei came over carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine and said in a deep voice, "My lord, it's time to take your medicine."

Ji Xuanyuan took the medicine bowl, its warmth emanating from the porcelain.

He tilted his head back and drank it all down. The bitter medicine slid down his throat, but it gave him a sense of peace.

At least, he had time to plan, the health to implement his plans, and the support of his brothers, advisors, and even potential businessmen to face the unpredictable future together.