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

Luoyang.

On the throne, Liu Hong, who was only thirty years old but already looked tired and puffy, was now completely free of his usual dazed and listless state. He stared intently at the victory report presented in the name of Ji Xuanyuan, the governor of Zhuojun, and the accompanying detailed account of the battle written by Xiang Yu, the commander of the Jingnan Army.

His fingers trembled slightly, not from fear, but from a long-lost, almost trembling excitement.

"...The soldiers of the Jingnan Army fought bravely, ambushed the rebel leader Wuyan at Jundu Mountain, and defeated the Wuhuan rebel leader Wuyan's tribe, killing more than two thousand in battle. The rebel leader Wuyan was beheaded... They then penetrated deep into the southern desert, ambushed the Xianbei chieftain Kezui's tribe in the wilderness, defeated their army, burned their camp, and captured Kezui and Kuitou, the grandson of the former Xianbei chieftain Tanshihuai..."

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Liu Hong's heart and the increasingly stagnant hall that symbolized the highest power of the empire.

"Good! Good Jingnan Army! Good Ji Xuanyuan! Good Xiang Yu!" Liu Hong slammed the silk cloth onto the imperial desk, the sound echoing in the silent hall.

His face flushed an unnatural red, and his voice rose with excitement: "This battle not only enhanced the prestige of our Han army, but also wiped away the shame of our royal army's defeat ten years ago, allowing that old traitor Tan Shihuai to run rampant! How magnificent! How magnificent!"

He surveyed the assembled officials and nobles below, his gaze piercing: "Such a great achievement must be rewarded! My mind is made up. Ji Xuanyuan and the meritorious generals and soldiers of the Jingnan Army shall be richly rewarded to demonstrate the might of the nation and to inspire the hearts of those on the border!"

However, the emperor's excitement was not immediately echoed by his ministers.

After a brief silence, whispers began to rise like mosquitoes, and soon several people stepped forward.

The first to speak was Yang Biao, the Grand Master of Ceremonies. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, although we have won this battle, upon careful consideration, we have some concerns. The rebellion of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju of the Wuhuan has not yet been quelled, causing unrest in Youzhou and Jizhou. The court needs to concentrate its forces to quell the rebellion. Now, Ji Xuanyuan has recklessly provoked trouble on the border, venturing deep into the grasslands, slaughtering the Xianbei tribes, and even capturing their chieftain and prince... Isn't this creating enemies out of thin air, allowing the Xianbei and Wuhuan to join forces and invade us? At that time, we will be attacked from two sides, and Youzhou will be in grave danger!"

Immediately afterward, Deng Sheng, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, stepped forward and reported: "What Lord Yang said is very true. Moreover, I have heard that after the Jingnan Army defeated Ke Zui's troops, they actually shot and killed more than a thousand elderly, weak, women and children in his camp!"

His voice carried a deliberate somberness and disapproval: "Your Majesty, in the past, Bai Qi buried his soldiers alive, and the name of Lord Wu'an is infamous for eternity. Now, Ji Xuanyuan's generals are committing such cruel acts. I fear this is not the conduct of a benevolent leader, and it would damage Your Majesty's virtue, further inflaming the deep-seated hatred of the Xianbei. This is completely contrary to the strategy of appeasement and pacification. The best course of action now is to return Ke Zui and Kui Tou Li to the Xianbei, demonstrating goodwill and explaining the advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps this would persuade the Xianbei to hold their ground, allowing us to concentrate on suppressing the Wuhuan rebels. This is the wise and prudent way to govern the country!"

Several other officials, including Yilang, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the Xianbei were powerful and that war should not be started lightly. They suggested that the focus should be on appeasement and control, and some even implicitly accused Ji Xuanyuan and his generals of being greedy for merit and reckless, disregarding the overall situation.

A censor from the Yuan clan of Runan added ominously, "Your Majesty, I have also heard that one of the commanders of the Jingnan Army is named Xiang Yu, who shares the same name as the ancient traitor Xiang Ji, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. Moreover, it is rumored that this man also has double pupils... Such coincidences, are they not a warning from Heaven? Ji Xuanyuan has gathered such people under his command, what are their intentions...?"

"That's enough!"

A low growl, barely containing his anger, interrupted the Imperial Censor's words.

Liu Hong's face had turned from flushed with excitement to ashen. His chest heaved slightly as he glanced at the ministers who were speaking eloquently.

He saw the glint in their eyes, and the fear that ran deep in their bones.

Fear of the iron hooves of Tan Shihuai ten years ago, fear of anything that could disrupt the status quo and trigger war.

They were also afraid that a border general like Ji Xuanyuan, who rose to power through military merit, would shake the order and authority upon which they depended for survival.

At that moment, Liu Hong suddenly felt a piercing sadness and absurdity.

The repeated compromises with the Qiang, Hu, and Xianbei only resulted in increasingly urgent border troubles, an empty treasury, and a decline in national prestige.

These high-ranking officials, who usually speak eloquently about classics, morality, and ancestral laws, are all quick-witted and shrewd when it comes to vying for power and wealth.

But once the topic of actually fighting the barbarians and having the courage to change this humiliating situation comes up, they immediately fall silent, offering all sorts of reasons to oppose, hinder, and maintain their pitiful "stability".

A person who has been kneeling for so long is afraid of heights even when standing up. They have long been accustomed to living in fear under the threat of the nomadic cavalry, accustomed to exchanging wealth and women for temporary peace, and calling it "appeasement" or "national strategy." All the humiliation seems to have become a matter of course.

Liu Hong took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and contempt surging in his chest.

He knew that he was a pathetic emperor, manipulated by eunuchs and imperial relatives, and secretly looked down upon by powerful families.

But at this moment, this victory report from the frontier, forged in blood and fire, acted like a powerful medicine, awakening the little remaining blood and spirit of the Liu family within him.

He doesn't care about the temporary gains or losses of a single city or place.

They didn't even care whether Ji Xuanyuan was too powerful to control.

Those are things that can be gradually balanced out in the future.

What he cares about is his pride!

It is the humiliation accumulated by the Han Dynasty over the past four hundred years, especially in recent decades, in the face of repeated defeats, peace and betrayal by the nomadic tribes of the grasslands!

It is the nation's growing prestige and morale that are gradually declining!

"The words of my esteemed ministers."

Liu Hong spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable coldness and decisiveness: "I understand."

He stood up, no longer looking at the ministers who looked astonished or uneasy. His gaze seemed to pierce through the palace and look towards the distant northern border.

"You fear retaliation from the Xianbei, fear being attacked from both sides, fear starting a border conflict that will be difficult to resolve." Liu Hong's tone was calm, but every word was as firm as a hammer blow.

"So, you expect me to respectfully send back the prisoners my soldiers won with their blood? You expect me to continue smiling and sending money to those barbarians who slaughter my people and plunder my wealth?"

He suddenly raised his voice, roaring like a wounded lion: "Absurd!"

"Ten years ago, when Tan Shihuai's iron hooves swept south, did any of you ministers stand up to turn the tide? No! You only advised me to be tolerant, pay tribute, and make peace through marriage! And what was the result? The barbarians treated our Han Dynasty as nothing, their loyalty and defection were fickle, the border regions were engulfed in flames year after year, and the people were displaced year after year!"

His gaze was like a knife, scraping across every courtier who bowed their head in silence or whose expression shifted: "Today, my soldiers risked their lives on the front lines, not only quelling the rebellion but also displaying a might that our Han army has never shown since the death of Tan Shihuai! They captured his chieftain alive and took his prince prisoner! What an achievement this is! Instead of rewarding and encouraging them, you are here nitpicking, fearing retaliation from the barbarians, and even criticizing the soldiers for their cruelty?"

Liu Hong sneered: "To speak of benevolence to jackals? That is cruelty to my people! The Xianbei old, weak, women and children are pitiful? Then who will pity the Han people who have been captured and slaughtered on the borders?! I tell you, this situation of appeasement and kneeling to the barbarians, which has led to the decline of morale and national prestige, must be completely reversed from this day forward!"

He ignored the hesitant crowd, resolutely turned to face the eunuchs standing beside him, and said loudly:

"Draft an imperial edict!"

"Ji Xuanyuan, Prefect of Zhuojun and General Who Subdues the Barbarians, is loyal, brave, and devoted to the country. He possesses exceptional strategic skills, is adept at training troops, and is skilled in managing generals. His troops, the Jingnan Army, have now defeated the rebellious Hu in the north and the Xianbei in the west, capturing generals and seizing flags, displaying their might beyond the Great Wall. His achievements are immeasurable! Therefore, Ji Xuanyuan is hereby promoted to General of the Northern Central Army, with a rank equivalent to two thousand shi (a unit of grain), granted the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, and appointed to oversee the military affairs of the border prefectures of Youzhou! He is hereby enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhuo, with the fief of Zhuo County!"

"All meritorious generals of the Jingnan Army shall be rewarded!"

"Xiang Yu was exceptionally brave and fierce, capable of defeating armies and killing generals. He was promoted to General Who Destroys the Enemy and enfeoffed as Marquis of Junduting!"

"Ran Min, in pursuing the fleeing enemy and capturing many, was promoted to General Zhenhu and enfeoffed as Marquis of Liaoxi!"

"Lü Bu, whose bravery surpassed that of the three armies, charging into battle, was promoted to General of Valiant Might and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyuan!"

"Yang Zaixing, a young hero, repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, and was promoted to General Yangwei and enfeoffed as Marquis of Feihu!"

"The remaining meritorious officers and soldiers shall be verified and reported to the court by Ji Xuanyuan, the General of the Northern Army, for further rewards! The captured Xianbei chieftains Ke Zui and Kui Tou shall be properly escorted to the capital and presented to the emperor as captives to demonstrate the might of the nation!"

The contents of the imperial edict resounded like a thunderclap once again in the Deyang Palace.

The ministers, who had just been discussing whether or not to return the prisoners, were now completely stunned.

He was appointed General of the Northern Central Army, granted the authority to oversee military affairs along the border of Youzhou!

This means that Ji Xuanyuan has become not only the governor of Zhuojun, but also one of the highest commanders of the northern border defense army of Youzhou, instantly surpassing the status of most border commanders!

Not to mention the real title of county marquis!

And all four of his generals were promoted to generals in one fell swoop!

Although they were not officially appointed generals and were mostly miscellaneous titles, their status in the army was already quite high.

More importantly, they were all granted the title of Marquis!

Although the title of Marquis of Ting is the lowest rank, it is still a real marquis with a fief and the title can be inherited.

An ordinary general might spend his whole life accumulating merits and still not be able to obtain the title of Marquis of Guannei, but these four people obtained the title of Marquis of Ting after just one battle.

Such a reward is not just generous, it's an extraordinary promotion!

Such a great favor is rarely seen in recent years!

"Your Majesty! You mustn't!"

Grand Master Yang Biao was nearly fainting with rage. He said in a trembling voice, "Ji Xuanyuan is not yet twenty years old, and it is already inappropriate for him to suddenly be promoted to a high position. His generals have all been granted the titles of general and marquis. If this precedent is set, I fear that the border generals will become arrogant and uncontrollable! Moreover, such generous rewards will only further provoke the anger of the Xianbei, which will be detrimental to the peace of the country..."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Guanglu Xun Deng Sheng also said anxiously, "Liu Youzhou is about to take up his post and preside over the affairs of the prefecture. Now, a new General of the Central Army is being appointed to oversee military affairs along the border. There is a risk of overlapping powers and responsibilities, which could easily lead to conflicts..."

Liu Hong looked at them coldly, his heart filled with icy chill and a profound sense of understanding.

They are not worried about overlapping responsibilities or arrogant border generals.

They were afraid that Ji Xuanyuan, a young man who did not come from a top family but rose rapidly through military merit, would disrupt the existing power structure.

They were afraid that the court's tough stance would actually trigger a full-scale war with the Xianbei, jeopardizing their peace and prosperity.

They were even more afraid that the emperor would take this opportunity to cultivate a border army that would truly obey the central government, rather than be infiltrated by powerful clans!

"My mind is made up!" Liu Hong said firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

"Liu Youzhou pacifies the prefectures and counties, while Ji Zhonglang commands respect on the frontier; they are perfectly suited to complement each other! As for the Xianbei… if they are angry, let them come! My soldiers can capture their leaders on the grasslands; surely they can defend our own borders?!"

He turned away, his back to the assembled officials, and gazed at the vast autumn sky outside the hall. His words, spoken with resounding force, were clear and powerful:

"Issue my decree, proclaim it to the world! And also to those barbarian tribes on the grasslands—"

"From this point on, the roles of offense and defense have reversed!"

"Kou Kewang—"

"I can go too!"