"Hao Zhao will lead his two thousand troops to guard Yanmen Commandery."
"Zhao Teng will lead the scouts to first investigate the situation of the bandits in Shang Commandery and Wuyuan Commandery."
"Immediately relay the order. In three days, the troops will move to Wuyuan. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with by military law."
Everyone standing in the hall clasped their hands and bowed, saying,
"We respectfully obey the Lord's command."
Soon, the military orders were relayed one after another.
The various levels of generals stationed in the vicinity, upon receiving the orders, began to consolidate their troops, ready to march at any time.
As the various units of troops began to mobilize, many people in the commandery learned of the matter: General Zhenbei Liu Jin was about to lead a large army to campaign against the Xiongnu.
Most of the common people chose to support it, believing that once these beasts were crippled, they would no longer threaten the border residents.
However, some common people were still worried. If they won, they would naturally live very comfortably, and these foreign tribes would not harass them for several years to come.
But what they feared was defeat. If that happened, the Xiongnu and Xianbei would undoubtedly become even more arrogant, probably leading troops to raid the border from time to time, and it would still be these common people who suffered.
But they had no choice. Since General Zhenbei was going to campaign, they could only silently pray for victory in their hearts, hoping he would not fail.
In the Prefect's Mansion's backyard, Liu Jin, taking advantage of the few remaining days, spent time with his wife and children in the mansion.
Although his three wives were somewhat reluctant for Liu Jin to leave, they had no choice but to silently pray for his safe return.
Liu Jin occasionally went to Aunt Zhao's courtyard to chat, showing his respect.
Three days passed in a flash!
Outside the Yanmen Commandery city camp, horns and drums boomed!
The various camps' troops had already assembled, arrayed in several formations within the military camp.
On the high platform in the camp, Liu Jin, clad in armor, with a sharp blade at his waist and a red robe draped behind him, exuded an imposing aura.
The generals around him clustered together, looking down at the more than ten thousand strong army that had gathered below the high platform.
Liu Jin saw the high morale of the army, and a surge of heroic spirit and passion rose within him.
At the very front was the Trap Camp, followed by the Divine Archer Camp. There were also three thousand cavalry, plus six thousand infantry, totaling twelve thousand soldiers.
This army, after this period of training, had long become elite.
The only drawback was that the armor was still insufficient, with only 20% of the troops equipped, still a bit short of 30%.
After all, forging armor was very difficult and time-consuming. It was still very difficult to fully equip them in a short period.
Liu Jin flicked his long robe behind him, drew the sharp blade from his waist, pointed it at the sky, and with a dazzling cold gleam, declared loudly!
"The Xiongnu are causing trouble and harassing the border people. The imperial court has already issued an order for me, General Zhenbei, to lead a large army to suppress them."
"Are you willing to follow me to eliminate the foreign tribes and protect the common people?"
Upon hearing this, the more than ten thousand soldiers' eyes filled with fervor. They raised their sharp blades and shouted in unison!
"We are willing to follow the General, eliminate the foreign tribes, and protect the common people!"
"The General is mighty! The Han Army will surely win!"
The resounding shouts echoed throughout the entire camp, causing all the soldiers to tremble, their blood surging, each reaching their peak.
Liu Jin's face showed determination as he declared loudly!
"March!"
After saying this, Liu Jin walked directly down the high platform, mounted his horse, accompanied by Tian Feng, Cheng Yu, and others, with a hundred personal guards clustered around him.
The various levels of generals led their respective troops, gradually exiting the camp, forming a long line, and advancing along the official road.
The Liu family's military banner swayed continuously in the wind amidst the army, displaying its might.
The common people on both sides of the road, seeing the scene of the army marching out, were filled with emotion. Many of them shouted along the road!
"The Han Army is mighty! The Han Army will surely win!"
Upon hearing these shouts, the soldiers trembled, their faces radiant with confidence, their backs straight, and their morale instantly soared.
Liu Jin, riding on his black horse, smiled brightly as he saw the support from the common people along the way.
Tian Feng, with his usually stern face, revealed a smile. He stroked his beard and flattered him from the side!
"Lord, you truly have the support of the people. It is thanks to your usual care for the common people and your benevolent governance that so many people cheer and support you during this campaign."
Liu Jin, hearing this, threw his head back and laughed heartily. He did not act modest but accepted the compliment, saying loudly!
"As the saying goes, a just cause attracts much support, while an unjust one finds little. Since I cherish these common people, they will naturally cherish me, the one who governs."
Everyone gathered around him nodded upon hearing this, their respect for their Lord growing even stronger.
No wonder he could rise so quickly and become General Zhenbei at such a young age.
In addition to his own ability, his respect for worthy individuals and his love for the common people allowed him to gather so many loyal soldiers to fight for him on the battlefield, even if it meant dying wrapped in horsehide.
The army slowly advanced westward. After two days of marching, they had reached the borders of Dingxiang Commandery.
They rested there for a night. Zhang Fei and Min Chun, who were stationed there, led two thousand men to join the main army, leaving only a thousand to guard the newly established Wuding Pass.
The next morning, the army set off again, heading directly towards Cloud Middle Commandery. After two days, they had reached the borders of Cloud Middle Commandery.
Zhang He led two thousand troops to join the main army, leaving only a thousand to guard the Cloud Middle Commandery border.
By then, the army heading to Wuyuan Commandery had reached sixteen thousand men. The banners of the various generals fluttered in the wind within the large army.
A few days later!
At the city gate of Wuyuan Commandery, Zheng Qian, along with the various officials of the commandery, gathered respectfully to welcome them.
Ahead on the official road, banners unfurled, and figures moved. At the very front, flag bearers and parasols continuously approached.
Soldiers, armed with spears and armored, lined both sides, escorting a war chariot that was heading towards them.
The civil and military officials of the commandery trembled in their hearts upon seeing this scene, knowing that General Zhenbei was arriving with his credentials.
He was a commanding general with credentials, possessing immense power, able to deal with officials below the two-thousand-stone rank at will, without needing to report to the imperial court.
Even for officials of the two-thousand-stone rank, he had the authority to deal with them, though it required the imperial court's permission.
Which official in the commandery would not be terrified at the arrival of such an esteemed personage, whose single word could determine their life or death?
Zheng Qian, at the head, saw the procession approaching and swallowed, filled with immense emotion.
When he first met this young man, he was merely a Tuncun under his command, very respectful and showing a fawning demeanor towards him.
Three years had quietly passed, and he had become a commanding general with credentials, ennobled and appointed by the imperial court, his status now lofty.
Even as a two-thousand-stone Prefect, he could only look up to him in his heart.