Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Fang Xuanling was also taken aback, but quickly recovered: "My lord, is it fifty thousand shi...?"

"not much."

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "The soldiers on the border have been fighting hard for half a year, eating only two meals a day. We can't let them down. Fifty thousand shi of grain should be enough for the White Horse Cavalry to eat for more than two months."

He then looked at Gongsun Zan: "Bo Gui, I don't have many extra horses here, but I can send infantry. How about this..."

He surveyed the generals, his gaze finally settling on Zhang Liao: "Wen Yuan, you will lead five thousand troops—the same veterans I fought alongside when I quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Their fighting strength is guaranteed. Go to the border to assist in defense. What do you say?"

Zhang Liao immediately stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "This humble general obeys the order!"

Gongsun Zan was both surprised and delighted. He stood up abruptly and clasped his hands in gratitude: "My lord's consideration for the front lines is truly appreciated by this humble general...this humble general is deeply grateful!"

Liu Ce waved his hand and continued, "In addition, I will have my cavalry patrol the border frequently, and they will rush to the rescue immediately if there is any alarm."

He walked up to Gongsun Zan and patted him on the shoulder: "Bo Gui, the safety of the border rests on your shoulders. But remember, do not underestimate the enemy and advance rashly. Although the Wuhuan and Xianbei are brave, they are not good at attacking cities. You can rely on the border fortresses, defend as if it were an attack, and launch a surprise attack when they are exhausted."

He paused, then said solemnly, "In case of emergency, beacon fires may be lit. I will personally lead a large army to your aid—I mean what I say."

This was a skillful way of speaking, providing both tactical guidance and confidence.

Gongsun Zan looked at Liu Ce, his eyes welling up with tears.

Before he arrived, he was actually quite uncertain—he had long heard of the prowess of Liu Ce, the Marquis of Champion and General of Chariots and Cavalry, in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion. But upon meeting him today, he discovered that this man was not only decisive in his decisions but also possessed a keen understanding of the crucial points of the battlefield, and was able to promptly allocate supplies and provide support. This reassured him considerably, as he had been fighting alone for so long.

A boss like this is worth being loyal to!

"This subordinate obeys!"

Gongsun Zan's voice boomed, his chest heaving, "This humble general will immediately return to reorganize the troops and join General Zhang. We will surely let those Wuhuan and Xianbei bastards know the might of the Han soldiers and protect the peace of Youzhou's borders!"

A day later, Gongsun Zan bid farewell to Liu Ce and mounted his horse.

Outside the city gate, a thousand White Horse Guards were already lined up and waiting.

All the horses were white, all the robes were white, and long spears stood like a forest, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

The spectacle attracted a large crowd of onlookers from Zhuoxian County.

"Look! The White Horse Cavalry!"

"How impressive!"

"With them here, the barbarians won't dare to come, will they?"

Gongsun Zan, mounted on his horse, turned back and clasped his hands in greeting to Liu Ce on the city wall. Liu Ce waved in response.

"Let's go!" Gongsun Zan cracked his whip, pointed north, and shouted.

The clatter of hooves echoed, raising clouds of dust. This elite cavalry force, like a white torrent, galloped towards the border.

Liu Ce stood on the city wall and watched them leave. Then he returned to the study in the governor's mansion and summoned Zhang Liao.

"Wen Yuan, sit down." Liu Ce pointed to a chair.

Zhang Liao sat down, his back ramrod straight: "What are your orders, my lord?"

Liu Ce looked at him seriously and said, "This time, I'm sending you with five thousand infantry to assist in the defense. It's a heavy task. Keep an eye on Gongsun Zan. He's brave and skilled in battle, but he's also impatient and impulsive at times. You need to be careful—you need to cooperate with him well, but you can't let him act recklessly."

Zhang Liao nodded: "This subordinate understands. This subordinate will certainly cooperate fully. But if his decision is wrong, this subordinate will advise him when appropriate."

"Um."

Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction. "Also, protect yourselves and your soldiers. Fighting isn't just about risking your lives; you need to use your brains. The Wuhuan cavalry are swift as the wind; don't venture out of the city for open battle lightly. Rely on the city walls and fortresses to defend and await the attack."

He thought for a moment, then added, "I will have Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong lead the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry to patrol the border area and provide support as needed. In case of emergency, light the beacon fires, and they will arrive immediately."

Zhang Liao said with emotion, "Thank you for your concern, my lord! This humble general will certainly cooperate well with General Gongsun to protect the border of Youzhou!"

After leaving the study, Liu Ce summoned Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong.

"Shubao, Jingde, come with me out of the city."

The two were puzzled, but they still followed Liu Ce out of Zhuoxian County.

When Liu Ce reached an open space five miles outside the city, he looked around to make sure no one was there.

He silently ordered in his mind, "System, retrieve the remaining two thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry."

[Ding! Removing... Removal successful.]

The system notification had barely finished when a cavalry unit suddenly appeared out of nowhere on the open ground!

Two thousand men, all clad in black armor and riding black horses, stood in neat rows, completely silent.

Liu Ce led two thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry to the city gate.

The guards of Zhuoxian were nearly scared to death when they saw this scene—a dark mass, like they had crawled out of hell.

But seeing Liu Ce leading the way, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"They are the lord's men!"

"That scared me to death! I thought the barbarians were attacking!"

Liu Ce ordered Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong to lead two thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry to join the previous one thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry and set up camp outside the city. He then instructed them:

"Frequently lead cavalry to patrol the border, and immediately attack if you discover any trace of Xianbei or Wuhuan people. But remember, the main objective is to drive them away, and do not venture deep into the grasslands."

Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong were so excited that their faces turned red.

Now with another two thousand, that makes three thousand heavy cavalry! This fighting force can crush the Wuhuan people into dust!

"Rest assured, my lord!"

Qin Qiong clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "This humble general will certainly lead this cavalry well!"

Yuchi Gong patted his chest and declared, "Anyone who dares to cross the border, I'll smash their head in with my steel whip!"

Liu Ce smiled and nodded: "Go ahead."

"This subordinate obeys!"

The two men led two thousand armored cavalrymen in a grand procession toward the main camp.

Liu Ce stood there, watching the cavalry disappear into the distance, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

With this cavalry force, the border is secure. If the Wuhuan dare to come again, they'll be met with a swift and decisive attack.

He strolled leisurely back to the city.

When he reached the city gate, the soldiers guarding the city saw him and quickly saluted, "My lord!"

But their eyes couldn't help but dart behind him—they had seen those two thousand cavalrymen clearly when they were outside the city.

That formation, that equipment, was even more intimidating than Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry!

"Stand guard properly." Liu Ce patted the officer guarding the city on the shoulder, led his horse, and walked into the city with his hands behind his back.

The soldiers left guarding the city looked at each other in bewilderment.

"My lord, where...where did you get so many elite soldiers?"

"I don't know...it felt like magic..."

Another day, Liu Ce convened a special meeting at the governor's mansion.

The attendees were quite special: Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and ten second-rate talents—Wen Yi to Wen Wu, and Wu Yi to Wu Wu.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, holding the imperial edict with the word "approved" given to him by Liu Hong.

"Sit down, everyone." He waved his hand.

Everyone sat down, looking at him expectantly.

Liu Ce slammed the imperial edict on the table: "His Majesty has decreed that I shall have full authority over the affairs of Youzhou, as you all know, so..."