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

After a moment, Pang Tong spoke first. His personality was naturally quick-witted and sharp, and his words were even more direct: "The one you are referring to, sir, must be my senior brother Wenlie. I have heard of his deeds. He rose from humble beginnings to a high position. His actions often defied common sense, yet he repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats, such as defeating the Yellow Turbans, developing agricultural tools, establishing hospitals, repairing roads, recruiting poor scholars, and even the recent great victory in the northern frontier... Each and every one of these things may seem chaotic, but in fact they all revolve around the three things of 'strengthening the army,' 'enriching the people,' and 'gathering talent.'"

"His military tactics were innovative, often employing the few to defeat the many, penetrating deep into dangerous territory, and his soldiers were exceptionally brave and fierce. This is the way to build a strong army."

"His governance did not emphasize empty formalities but focused on practical matters. All his actions directly addressed the fundamental needs of the people, enabling him to quickly win over the hearts of the people and accumulate wealth. This is the foundation of 'enriching the people'."

"In employing people, they do not discriminate based on social status, but only on talent. They open their own offices to recruit talented individuals, which is the strategy of 'gathering talent.' These three aspects are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, thus establishing a solid foundation."

Pang Tong paused, then changed the subject slightly: "However, his actions were too forceful and hasty, like boiling oil over a raging fire. Although the battle in the northern frontier was a great victory, the excessive slaughter may have created deep-seated hatred and exacerbated border troubles. Opening his own government to recruit talented people will shake the scholar community and will also arouse even greater fear from powerful families. His rise to power is like a tree without roots. Although it may grow tall for a time, if the court's direction changes or powerful enemies join forces to attack, his foundation is not stable and he may be in danger of collapsing."

"Therefore, I believe that this senior brother is an extraordinary person who does extraordinary things and achieves extraordinary results. However, his path is treacherous and his future is unpredictable. Only those with great wisdom, great courage, and great luck can maintain their prosperity."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Zhuge Liang.

After Pang Tong finished speaking, Zhuge Liang slowly opened his mouth: "I deeply agree with what Senior Brother Shi Yuan said. Senior Brother Wen Lie's actions are indeed as Senior Brother Shi Yuan said, closely adhering to the three essentials of strengthening the army, enriching the people, and gathering talents. However, I think we can add another one: 'establishing trust'."

"Lixin?" Pang Tong raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly." Zhuge Liang nodded.

"My senior brother's actions may seem unconventional and contrary to established rules, but every order he issues and every action he takes is aimed at achieving practical results and benefiting the common people. For example, he distributes free curved plows, provides affordable hospitals, and recruits talented people regardless of their background. These measures have gradually established the belief in 'keeping one's word, fulfilling one's promises,' 'clear rewards and punishments,' and 'benevolence' in the hearts of the poor and talented people."

"Once this letter is established, the people will be loyal, talented people will gather, and the army will be steadfast. The soldiers in the northern frontier will be able to fight to the death not only because of their superior equipment and generous rewards, but also because they believe that he can lead them to victory and protect their homeland."

He paused briefly before continuing, "As for my senior brother's ruthless methods and hasty actions, even to the point of killing prisoners in the northern frontier... I believe that this may be due to the circumstances, and he had no choice but to do so."

"When chaos is imminent, if we are too lenient and show weakness to the enemy, we may be devoured by wolves. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"However, as Senior Brother Shiyuan said, extreme rigidity is easily broken, kindness and severity must be measured, and killing and ruthlessness must be restrained. How to grasp the balance, both deter external enemies and avoid deep grudges, both rise to power and resolve internal obstacles... This is Senior Brother Ji's greatest test in the future, and also a true test of his wisdom and magnanimity."

"Therefore, in Liang's view, Senior Brother Wenlie is like a sword drawn from its sheath, its sharpness fully revealed, enough to break through the current sluggish situation and open up a new chapter. However, a sword is a double-edged sword; it can injure the enemy, but it can also injure oneself."

Whether it can become a powerful instrument for stabilizing the world in the future, rather than a fleeting meteor, depends on whether the hand wielding the sword is steady and firm enough, and whether its mind and strategy can handle the greater storms and more complex situations that follow.

The two children, one of them analyzed the advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of "technique," in a sharp and direct way.

A profound and insightful exploration of the fundamentals from the perspectives of "momentum" and "the way".

Although they took different angles, they both touched on the core issue.

Sima Hui listened quietly to what the two had to say, his face still bearing that gentle and peaceful smile, but his eyes flashed with deep approval and a hint of indescribable complexity.

These two disciples are exceptionally talented and insightful; given time, their achievements will be no less than those of Guo Jia and Zhou Yu, who left the manor.

Although their analysis of Ji Xuanyuan was limited by their young age and limited information, they grasped the key points.

He did not directly judge who was right or wrong, but simply stroked his beard and said softly, "The sword is drawn, the momentum is there..."

"Whether it becomes a shooting star that streaks across the long night, or transforms into the North Star to guide the chaotic world, depends not only on the wielder of the sword, but also on the times, on... how many people are willing to gather around this sword and face together the impending storm that will sweep across the world."

He withdrew his gaze and looked at his two thoughtful young disciples: "That concludes today's discussion."

"Remember this, you two: when judging people and discussing matters, do not rely solely on rumors, nor be bound by prejudice. The world is like a game of chess, and people's hearts are like the sea. True wisdom lies in assessing the situation and acting in accordance with knowledge. In the future... you may have the opportunity to verify what you think today with your own eyes."

……

Tanhan Mountain, the royal court of the Xianbei.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.

Inside the royal tent, adorned with wolf heads, eagle feathers, and fur, a roaring charcoal fire could not dispel the pervasive chill.

Helian was the nominal supreme leader of the Xianbei, the son of Tanshihuai.

He sat in the main seat, which was covered with a complete tiger skin, with a gloomy expression.

He was around forty years old, of medium build, and his face inherited some of his father's ruggedness, but his eyes lacked the sharpness and domineering presence of Tan Shihuai's eagle-like gaze. Instead, they often revealed a hint of indecisiveness and exhaustion.

He Lian's voice, filled with suppressed anger, echoed in the tent: "...less than a thousand men, a Han cavalry force of less than a thousand men, launched a surprise attack on Ke Zui's camp in the central region!"

"Ke Zui was captured, the brave warriors who remained in the camp were killed in battle, and over a thousand elderly, weak, women, and children... were all slaughtered!"

"The Sanggan River was stained red, and the tents were reduced to ashes! Even more hateful is that my nephew, Kui Tou, was also there, kidnapped by the Han dogs!"

"Disgrace! This is the greatest humiliation our Xianbei have ever suffered since my father left us!" Lian He slammed his hand on the low table in front of him.

"This Han army comes from Shanggu and belongs to a unit called the 'Jingnan Army.' Their leader is a prefect of Zhuojun in the Han Dynasty. I heard he is very young, but his men are as ruthless as hungry wolves and well-equipped. Tell me, who exactly is this Han prefect?"

A commotion broke out inside the tent. Everyone's eyes burned with anger and humiliation, but also with a hint of surprise and doubt.

Although Kezui was not the strongest of the three tribes, his tribal warriors were quite brave and fierce, yet they were so easily destroyed by a Han army of less than a thousand cavalry.

A nobleman who was in charge of trade with the border markets of Han and had good access to information stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "My lord, this man is named Ji Xuanyuan. He was originally an ordinary governor of a border prefecture in the Han Dynasty, but in recent years he has repeatedly made military achievements and has won the emperor's trust. Not long ago, the emperor just appointed him as the General of the Northern Army and the Marquis of Zhuo, allowing him to set up his own office, recruit subordinates, and oversee military affairs in the northern frontier. He is currently enjoying great power and influence."

"Lord Zhuo... Ji Xuanyuan..." He Lian chewed on the name, his eyes flashing with cold light.

A mere Han Chinese prefect dared to be so arrogant, directly confronting the Xianbei and even kidnapping his nephew!

This is not only a blow to the central region, but also a serious provocation against his and his brother's personal prestige and the authority of the Xianbei royal court!

If he doesn't react strongly, he might not even be able to hold onto his position as "adult".

"Immediately dispatch fast horses to order all officials and commanders in the East, Central, and West regions to come to the Royal Court for a meeting as quickly as possible if they are able to leave!" He Lian's voice was resolute.

"We must let the Han people know the price of offending the Great Xianbei! Whether it's to rescue Kui Tou, avenge Ke Zui, or uphold the dignity of the grasslands, that Ji Xuanyuan must pay a bloody price!"

……

Our gaze returns to the land of Youji.

The combined forces of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju's rebel army, along with the Wuhuan Qiuliju tribe, did not cease their rampage despite the destruction of the Wuyan tribe.

On the contrary, because the main force of the Jingnan Army was temporarily tied down by Wu Yan in the direction of Daijun and Shanggu, the rebels took the opportunity to adopt a roundabout strategy, bypassing the heavily defended northern line, and sent out several forces south to plunder the relatively weakly defended areas of Qingzhou and northern Xuzhou, as well as the vast areas of southern Youzhou and Jizhou.

Among them, the force of about 50,000 cavalry, led by Su Puyan, the King of Wuhuan, was the most powerful.

They bypassed northern Youzhou and broke into the heart of Qingzhou and Jizhou, attacking cities and seizing territories, burning, killing, and looting as if they were in an empty land.

The three provinces of Qing, Xu, and Ji were already weakened by the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the local troops were weak. When faced with the swift and elusive Wuhuan cavalry, they were often routed, resulting in heavy casualties among officials and civilians and countless property losses.

Only Youzhou, with the Jingnan Army stationed in the northern frontier and Ji Xuanyuan's relatively complete defense system in places like Zhuojun, did not allow the main force of the rebels to penetrate deep into the region, and thus suffered relatively less damage.

In the rebel camp, Zhang Chun, Zhang Ju, Qiu Liju and others also received detailed news of the complete annihilation of Wu Yan's army, the capture of Ke Zui, and the capture of Kui Tou.

"That good-for-nothing Wuyan! Five thousand cavalrymen were slaughtered by eight hundred Han soldiers, leaving not a single one alive!" Zhang Ju's face was grim, a mixture of anger and lingering fear.

Qiu Liju's expression was solemn: "The Jingnan Army... Ji Xuanyuan... is even more troublesome than we expected. Wu Yan's defeat was not unjust. This Han army is not only fierce and brave, but also has sharp weapons that we have never seen before. The fact that they were able to defeat Wu Yan and capture Ke Zui shows that their combat power far exceeds that of ordinary Han armies."

Zhang Chun pondered for a moment and said, "Now the imperial court has sent Gongsun Zan and Meng Yi to suppress the rebellion, and there is also Ji Xuanyuan's powerful army in the north. If they attack from both the north and south..."

"What's there to be afraid of!"

"We have over a hundred thousand men and have swept across several provinces! No matter how powerful Ji Xuanyuan is, he only has a thousand or so men. It's good enough that he can defend his Zhuojun. Do you think he can fly over here? Gongsun Zan, that stray dog, couldn't even keep an eye on his own troops last time. What is there to fear? Blame Wuyan for his own stupidity, for underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly, and for his bad luck in running into the Xianbei dogs blocking his way!"

Even so, the atmosphere in the tent was no longer as relaxed as before.

The formidable strength of Ji Xuanyuan's Jingnan Army cast a shadow over the minds of some rebel leaders.

The imperial court's counterattack was not slowed down by Ji Xuanyuan's dazzling achievements in the northern frontier.

On the contrary, Ji Xuanyuan's great victory, to some extent, stimulated other generals who were eager for military merit and to wash away their shame.

In winter, the area around Shimen, a vassal state of Youzhou.

Eager to prove himself and avenge his previous defeat, Gongsun Zan, with the support of some of Meng Yi's troops, finally tracked down the main force of Zhang Chun's rebel army.

Gongsun Zan mobilized all his elite troops and engaged in a decisive battle with Zhang Chun's forces at Shimen.

In this battle, Gongsun Zan unleashed his pent-up anger and displayed the fierce bravery of the "White Horse General" to the fullest.

He personally led the White Horse Cavalry as the vanguard, repeatedly charging into the rebel ranks, fearless of death.

Seeing their commander fighting so hard, his soldiers also fought bravely and eagerly to be the first to charge.

Although the rebel army was large, it consisted mostly of coerced refugees and some Wuhuan cavalry, and its discipline and coordination were far inferior to those of the battle-hardened border troops under Gongsun Zan.

After a day of fierce fighting, Zhang Chun's rebel army suffered a major defeat, with heavy casualties. They abandoned a large number of captured women, supplies, and provisions, and fled in disarray to their old stronghold beyond the Great Wall.

Gongsun Zan achieved his first major victory since his defeat in the western expedition against Liangzhou.

The Great Victory at Shimen!

When the news spread, the court was greatly encouraged, and Gongsun Zan's prestige rebounded.

However, despite the celebration, Gongsun Zan felt little joy.

Because he knew that although the victory was valuable, the main force of the rebels had not been completely annihilated, and the Wuhuan forces, including Qiuliju, were still present.

More importantly, the man's record in the north was like a sword hanging over his head.

Ji Xuanyuan defeated five thousand with eight hundred men, capturing and killing the enemy chieftain, and his power shook the grasslands. He, on the other hand, only managed to win by using his main force.

The difference is obvious when comparing the two.

"Ji Xuanyuan..." Inside the central command tent, Gongsun Zan wiped the blood-stained spear, his gaze towards the north filled with complex emotions: admiration, jealousy, and a strong desire to surpass him.