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

August.

Shanggu Commandery, located beyond the Juyong Pass.

The autumn air is crisp and clear, a time when the grass turns yellow and the horses grow fat.

The continuous Han army's border fortifications, with banners bearing the names of "Xiang," "Ran," "Lü," "Yang," and "Jingnan" fluttering in the north wind, exuded a vigor and restlessness unlike any other year, permeating the air above the camps.

The dust had barely settled at the Youbeiping Alliance, but the Wuhuan's submission did not bring true peace to the northern frontier. Instead, it was like pressing down a spring with even greater tension.

Relying on his authority as governor and his political skills, Liu Yu managed to reach a difficult five-point agreement with the Wuhuan under the watchful eyes of Ji Xuanyuan and Gongsun Zan. He firmly grasped most of the practical benefits, especially the eight thousand Wuhuan warriors who had been scattered and incorporated into various tribes.

After experiencing the Guanzicheng Incident and the clash with Youbeiping, this governor, known for his benevolence, finally realized with deep regret that in this chaotic border region, having only benevolence and righteousness without a strong army as a backing meant that the so-called appeasement was nothing but a fragile illusion.

He began to consciously reorganize the troops of the directly administered counties of Youzhou, promoting his own loyal followers, in an attempt to grasp the long-awaited hilt of the sword.

Ji Xuanyuan seemed completely unconcerned about receiving only a thousand warhorses and a small number of Wuhuan soldiers, and did not even argue with Liu Yu further.

After handing over the horses, he stayed in Zhuojun for only a few days before taking Dian Wei and Li Cunxiao, leading four thousand elite cavalry mixed with Wuhuan warriors, carrying ample provisions and equipment, and marching straight to the front line of Shanggu amidst a cloud of dust.

Liu Hong doesn't have much time left.

His health is deteriorating rapidly; he won't make it past next year.

Before the emperor, who still held a sliver of power and harbored complex expectations for himself, could finally ascend to the throne, he needed to acquire a sufficiently substantial and dazzling military achievement as the foundation for a higher starting point in the future chaos.

Of course, there are also more practical needs.

This cavalry force under his command, which had experienced the battles against the Yellow Turbans and Wuhuans and was now equipped with brand-new plate armor, swords, and crossbows, needed a whetstone of sufficient weight to temper its sharpness and test its quality.

Looking around, is there a better target than the Xianbei?

"Big brother!"

When Ji Xuanyuan's carriage, escorted by elite cavalry, entered the Shanggu camp, Xiang Yu, Ran Min, Lü Bu, and Yang Zaixing, having received the news, had already come out to greet him outside the camp gate.

Having not seen each other for nearly two years, the hardships and battles have left deep marks on the faces of these four brothers.

The four men were dressed in bright armor and, despite their travel-worn appearance, were full of energy. However, when they saw Ji Xuanyuan get out of the carriage, a look of worry flashed across their eyes.

Although the messenger had already informed his elder brother that he had recovered well, seeing him in person still reminded him of how frail and sickly he had been back then.

Ji Xuanyuan was not wearing heavy armor today, but only a black outfit that was easy to ride, with a brocade robe over it. His face was rosy and his eyes were bright. Although his figure was still rather thin, the gloomy aura of being plagued by illness had been swept away.

"Brother Yu, Yongzeng, Fengxian, Zongxing!" Ji Xuanyuan took a few quick steps, patted Xiang Yu and Ran Min on the shoulders with one hand each, and then looked at Lü Bu and Yang Zaixing with a sincere smile.

"Excellent! Excellent! You've all become great generals! I hear your illustrious reputations in the northern frontier every day in Zhuojun! Ke Zui was beheaded, Kui Tou was captured, and the Xianbei dared not venture south to graze their horses—how magnificent!"

"Brother!" Xiang Yu looked Ji Xuanyuan up and down.

"You...you're really all better? The front lines are bitterly cold and the fighting is dangerous; you really shouldn't have come in person..."

"Yes, brother, with us here, we will surely sweep away the grasslands! You can stay and oversee Zhuojun!" Ran Min hurriedly added.

Although Lü Bu and Yang Zaixing did not speak, their eyes were full of concern.

A warm feeling welled up in Ji Xuanyuan's heart. He laughed heartily, opened his arms, and spun around: "It's alright. With Mr. Zhongjing and Mr. Yuanhua joining forces, they are no ordinary men. Although I can't yet fight alongside you men who can take on ten thousand men, I can ride horses without much trouble. If I always hide in the rear, wouldn't I be bored to death? I should come and see the men of our Jingnan Army, see the scenery of the northern frontier, and more importantly..."

His gaze swept over the four men: "Take a look at our new knives, are they effective or not!"

The group entered the central command tent.

Food and wine were prepared inside the tent. Although not luxurious, it consisted of real beef, mutton, and bread, as well as several jars of Yuantai wine transported from Zhuojun.

The group sat around, eating and talking. Xiang Yu gave a detailed account of the situation in the northern frontier over the past two years, the small-scale conflicts with various Xianbei tribes, the training of his own troops, and the exploration of the grassland terrain.

Yang Zaixing added, "Brother, ever since we wiped out Ke Zui's stronghold and captured Kui Tou last time, the Xianbei people, especially the tribes in the central and eastern regions, have become extremely wary. In the past, small groups of cavalry would raid south every few days, but now they are hiding very tightly. We rarely see them even within thirty miles of the border. Scouts report that the Queju, Murong, and other tribes have increased their patrols, and their tribes have moved further north or to more secluded places. It's hard for us to find an excuse to 'train our troops' anymore."

Ji Xuanyuan smiled slightly upon hearing this and put down the ceramic bowl: "An excuse? Why bother looking for one? The reason is right there in front of us, isn't it?"

Everyone was taken aback.

"Zhang Chun, Zhang Ju."

"These two men were once governors of the Han Dynasty and officials appointed by the imperial court. Zhang Chun even rose to the position of chancellor of Zhongshan. Now they have betrayed their country and surrendered to the barbarians, a crime that cannot be forgiven."

"The Wuhuan Qiuliju and Supuyan have already submitted, but the two traitors have taken some of their remaining troops and fled into the territory of the Xianbei. Their whereabouts are still unknown. As the Northern General, I am responsible for pacifying the border and protecting the people, as well as for pursuing and suppressing the rebels. Now there are clues indicating that the two traitors may be hiding in a certain Xianbei tribe, accepting protection, and continuing to plot against us."

"With our army stationed on the border, we should send troops deep into the grasslands to 'search for' these two 'lost' former governors, 'inquire' about the situation, and if possible, 'respectfully invite' them back to Youzhou to 'explain the situation' to Governor Liu and the imperial court."

He paused, then glanced at his brothers whose eyes were gradually brightening: "Is this reason enough?"

There was a moment of silence inside the tent, followed by a burst of low laughter.

"Brilliant!" Xiang Yu clapped his hands.

"Searching for missing officials and pursuing rebels is perfectly legitimate! If the Xianbei are sensible enough to hand over the two traitors or point out their location, that would be best. But if they make excuses, evade responsibility, or even protect and conceal them... then they are enemies of the Han Dynasty, enemies of the court, and enemies of our Jingnan Army!"

"That makes perfect sense." Ji Xuanyuan nodded.

"Two days later, I will lead Dian Wei and two thousand soldiers to garrison Shanggu, providing support, coordinating logistics, and dealing with any potential inquiries from Jicheng. Brother Yu, you will be the commander-in-chief, with Yongzeng, Fengxian, Zongxing, and Jingsi as your deputies. Lead five thousand elite cavalry, carrying half a month's worth of provisions, and set out beyond the Great Wall under the pretext of 'searching for Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju'!"

He looked at Li Cunxiao and said, "Jingsi, you are going with your brothers this time. See and learn as much as you can. The grasslands are vast and cannot be traversed by one person alone."

Li Cunxiao nodded excitedly: "Don't worry, brother! I know what I'm doing!"

Ji Xuanyuan solemnly warned, "Remember, you are going to 'search,' 'inquire,' and 'respectfully invite' them. If you encounter any grassland tribes, 'under no circumstances should you initiate combat with them!'"

Xiang Yu and his five men abruptly stood up, clasped their fists, and shouted in unison, their voices shaking the tent roof: "Your humble servant obeys! We will bring back the two former governors intact and safe!"

Two days later, at dawn.

The massive gate of Juyong Pass slowly opened amidst the sound of winches.

Five thousand elite cavalrymen of the Jingnan Army surged out of the pass like a black iron torrent, disappearing into the vast autumn scenery beyond the Great Wall.

The sunlight shone on this army, reflecting a cold, metallic sheen.

Most cavalrymen wore simplified half-body plate armor mass-produced by the Gewuyuan Water Power Workshop, which provided good protection for vital areas such as the chest and back.

The hilts of the uniform Tang-style horizontal swords at their waists trembled slightly as they were jostled, while the uniquely shaped crossbow caskets on their backs were full of arrows.

The spears they carried were specially made and twelve feet long, with straight shafts and narrow, sharp tips.

More than 60% of the cavalry were equipped with two horses, one for riding and the other for carrying supplies or rotating, ensuring the mobility of the troops for long-distance raids and continuous combat.

Xiang Yu led the charge, wielding the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, his double pupils gazing at the boundless northern grasslands, his heroic spirit soaring to the clouds.

Ran Min on the left, Lü Bu on the right, Yang Zaixing and Li Cunxiao slightly behind—five peerless generals commanding a steel torrent of five thousand heavily armed soldiers. This force was enough to make any enemy who knew of its existence restless and uneasy.

Under the central banner, a special flag was raised high, with the words "Seeking Han envoys and pursuing traitors" written in striking Chinese characters.

The army marched at an extremely fast pace, yet maintained a disciplined formation.

According to their established strategy, they will first head northeast towards the former territory of the Kezui tribe, which was destroyed last year.

That area was where the central Xianbei forces intersected, and it was also the region where Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju were most likely to have initially sought refuge or hidden.

The "search" journey begins here.

The tranquility of the grassland was destined to be utterly shattered by the iron hooves that masquerade as "courtesy".

Ji Xuanyuan, far away atop Shanggu City, leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, his eyes seemingly piercing through the distant horizon.