Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

A hint of regret flashed across Liu Bei's eyes. He nodded slowly, his tone returning to calm, and he didn't mention recruiting anyone again.

"Today, I have been ordered by the governor to command the troops of Liaoxi to attack the Xianbei. If any of you have the courage and strength, you are welcome to test your skills on the battlefield!"

"We are determined not to obstruct it!"

"However, if anyone dares to engage in infighting within the army or disobey my orders, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines upon sensing the murderous intent in Liu Bei's words!

Liu Bei turned to Tian Yu and said, "Guorang, arrange for Gongsun Shuzuo to set up camp, and ensure fairness and impartiality in all matters!"

"Here you go!"

Tian Yu bowed in response, while Gongsun Zan merely cupped his hands in greeting to Liu Bei before turning and following Tian Yu into the camp.

Liu Bei watched his retreating figure, sighed, and turned to Han Dang, saying, "This man is unparalleled in bravery and fierceness. Few in the world can match his ability to defeat enemies in battle. He is a rare and outstanding general."

"What a pity, too stubborn; stubbornness is easily broken!"

Han Dang's expression softened slightly, but he was still indignant, saying, "Our lord is eager to find talented people, and recruiting him is giving him an opportunity. How dare he be so rude! He truly doesn't know what's good for him!"

Cheng Pu laughed and said, "Haha, at first, Lord Yi ignored our lord's offer of recruitment!"

When Han Dang was reminded of his embarrassing moment, his face flushed slightly, and he explained, "That's different. I was busy and didn't see it!"

"Hahaha!"

Amidst laughter and playful banter, everyone became one with each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere as if the earlier unpleasantness had never occurred.

Three days later, a high earthen platform was built outside Yangle City.

The autumn wind howled, whipping up the large red flag on the platform, with a huge "Liu" character on it fluttering in the wind.

Below the stage, 2,300 soldiers stood in neat formations, their swords and spears like a forest, their warhorses neighing, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.

Liu Bei, clad in silver armor, with his hand on his long sword, strode onto the command platform.

His gaze swept over the soldiers below the stage, who were fully armed and ready to go. He raised his long sword high, shouted loudly, and his voice pierced through the autumn wind, spreading throughout the entire training ground.

"Soldiers!"

"The Xianbei people invaded our territory, killed our compatriots, and plundered our grain. Their blood debts are countless and have not been abated for decades!"

"In previous years, we could only cower in the fortress and watch them burn, kill, and loot."

"But today, the roles have reversed!"

"We must take the initiative and avenge this blood debt!"

"Those who offend our mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished!"

"Today, follow me north to the border; we will not return until the Xianbei are defeated!"

"Those who offend our mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished!"

"We will not return until the Xianbei are defeated!"

"We will not return until the Xianbei are defeated!"

Two thousand soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens, and even the distant city walls seemed to tremble slightly.

The onlookers were also filled with excitement, bowing to the platform and shouting "Lord Liu is mighty!"

Countless people had tears in their eyes—they had had enough of the Xianbei's plundering, and finally someone was going to avenge them for this blood debt.

"Let's march!"

In the late autumn of the second year of the Xiping era, Liu Bei, in his capacity as Marquis of Guannei and Magistrate of Yangle County, personally led 2,300 infantry and cavalry north out of Yangle City.

The team steadily advanced northward along the north bank of the Bailang River.

The troops were well-ordered, with their banners in perfect order. Two thousand infantrymen formed a long, single-file line, with shield bearers in front, halberdiers in the middle, and archers at the rear. Their steps were steady, kicking up dust.

More than three hundred cavalrymen were divided into left and right wings, patrolling on both sides of the infantry formation, while scouts were spread out several miles away, alerting the surrounding area.

The eight generals each performed their duties and led their respective troops.

Among them, Yan Gang held the highest rank and commanded the most troops. Liu Bei had him stationed in the central army to dispatch various units at any time and coordinate with the front and rear.

Xu Rong was then appointed as the vanguard to lead the way.

Cheng Pu was appointed as a scout, and a large number of cavalry were dispatched to serve as eyes and ears.

Han Dang and Gongsun Zan were assigned to lead the left and right wings of the infantry, respectively, and to manage their troops.

Zou Dan was stationed at the rear of the army, overseeing the supply trains and convoys. The trains were arranged in a continuous line, with no one scattered or disordered.

Tian Yu rode alongside Liu Bei, holding a map of the terrain along the way, and quietly reported the situation ahead.

"My lord, Xima Slope is five miles ahead, which is also the meeting place we agreed to meet with the Wuhuan cavalry."

"The scouts just reported that dust is rising from the north side of the slope, and there are about a thousand cavalrymen in orderly ranks, with no unusual movements."

Liu Bei nodded, reined in his horse, and looked up to the north.

He tapped the saddle lightly with his riding whip and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Pass down the order: the entire army shall slow down, maintain strict formation, and set up camp in front of Luoma Slope. No noise or disturbance is permitted, and no one shall leave the ranks without permission."

"promise!"

The messenger immediately spurred his horse out and relayed the order throughout the army.

The Han army, which had been advancing steadily, suddenly tightened its formation.

The shield bearers erected their shields into an iron wall, and the entire force instantly switched from marching to combat readiness, exuding a chilling aura.

Gongsun Zan rode up to Liu Bei's side, reined in his white horse, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, "My lord, the Wuhuan people have always been fickle."

"Although Qiuliju promised to lend troops, these thousand cavalrymen are still foreigners, and we must be wary of them."

"This humble general is willing to lead his troops to scout ahead of the slope. If there is any unusual activity, he can cover the rear of the main army."

Deep down, he always harbored only hostility and vigilance towards the Wuhuan and Xianbei, these nomadic tribes of the grasslands, and he would never lower his guard even when allied forces came to his aid.

Before Liu Bei could speak, Han Dang grinned and said, "Brother Bo Gui, you're being far too cautious!"

"The Wuhuan people all speak highly of our lord's reputation, and many of their followers and relatives were saved by him. How could he dare to betray his promise?"

"Lord Yi, do not underestimate the enemy."

Cheng Pu rode over, shook his head, and said, "People of the grasslands are cunning by nature, and it's common for them to betray their country in the face of battle."

"Even if Qiuliju doesn't oppose us, it's hard to guarantee that his men won't have ulterior motives."

"It's better to be cautious."

As everyone was talking, the group had already arrived at Luoma Slope.

A cavalry unit was already lined up on the open ground in front of the slope.

A thousand Wuhuan knights, each with two horses, all of them were purebred grassland steeds. They wore leather armor, carried curved swords at their waists, and had longbows on their backs, forming a neat and orderly formation.

There was not a sound, only the occasional neighing of warhorses and the soft rustling of the wind through the leather armor.

The knights all had stern faces and sharp eyes like eagles. They carried the fierce aura of years of fighting on horseback, and it was clear at a glance that they were elite warriors who had survived countless battles.

What stunned the Han army was the sight of this elite cavalry unit in front of them.

The one leading the troops was not some old, white-bearded grassland general, but a boy who looked no more than twelve or thirteen years old.

Although the young man was tall and strong, with dark skin and sharp eyes, he was clearly skilled in archery and horsemanship.

He sat upright on a jet-black warhorse, a curved knife inlaid with wolf bones hanging at his waist, a giant bow with ox horns on his back, his hands firmly gripping the reins, his figure as steady as a rock.

As he swept his gaze across the Han army's formation, it carried a scrutinizing, wary, and undisguised arrogance.

Like a wolf cub that has not yet grown up, even before it has shown its fangs, it already exudes the aura of a tyrant.