The next morning, as dawn barely broke, the army was already assembled.
Guan Yu led three thousand cavalry, departing first from the temporary encampment and galloping westward.
The rest of the troops followed, slowly leaving the camp and heading west along the road.
Three days later!
In the territory of the Wolf Beard Mountain Range, mountains rose and fell, lush green, with various peaks standing tall.
On one of the tall peaks, many houses were built, and around them, numerous bandits, armed with sharp blades, patrolled back and forth.
Inside the Hall of Unity, a burly man sat in the main seat, his eyes sharp, a tiger skin draped over his body, making him look extremely fierce.
This was Feng Hu, the leader of the largest bandit group on Langxu Mountain, who was holding a sharp small knife, cutting pieces of lamb leg meat and slowly chewing them.
Next to him, two maids held wine pots, filling the wine cups.
Feng Hu unhurriedly picked up the wine cup, took a small sip, and felt immensely refreshed.
Looking at the two maids beside him, a greedy glint appeared in his eyes, and he immediately reached out his hand and began to caress them.
The maids' faces showed fear, but they dared not resist, only allowing him to do as he pleased.
The fervor in Feng Hu's eyes grew even stronger, and he was about to force himself upon them.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the main hall.
A soldier, head bowed, quickly ran in, bowed respectfully, and announced loudly!
"Reporting to the leader, news has come from the north."
Hearing this, Feng Hu, who had been somewhat angry, slowly suppressed his emotions.
He could only endure it for now, pushing the two maids away, and said coldly to the messenger!
"Hand it over to me."
The guard dared not delay, took out the letter from his embrace, and carefully handed it up.
Feng Hu directly reached out and took it, opened it, and examined it carefully, his brows furrowing slightly, and his face instantly showing a solemn expression.
It was General Zhenbei Liu Jin, leading a large army towards Shang Commandery.
Moreover, his objective was very clear, seemingly to suppress their bandit group.
One should know that Liu Jin's reputation was very prominent; at a young age, he had already made a name for himself, pacifying the Yellow Turban Rebellion, being ennobled and appointed as a general, and last year, he defeated the Xianbei, for which the imperial court appointed him as General Zhenbei.
Even as a bandit, he had heard much about him over the past two years.
He hadn't expected him to lead a large army to suppress them, the bandits.
After pondering, Feng Hu's fierce face became even more ferocious.
Since Liu Jin wanted to cause him trouble, he would let him experience the strength of his bandits.
Besides, with the Huns backing him, he might not be unable to contend with Liu Jin; if he defeated him, who in the entire Shang Commandery would be his opponent?
At that time, the entire Shang Commandery would completely become Feng Hu's domain, and then, breaking free from the Huns' control and declaring himself king might not be impossible.
A cold smile played on Feng Hu's lips, and he immediately instructed the guard at the door, loudly!
"Gather all the leaders of Langxu Mountain here; anyone who dares not come will be killed without mercy."
Upon receiving the order, the guard dared not delay and quickly went to deliver the message.
After a short wait, the leaders gathered on various mountain peaks arrived, their faces showing confusion.
Why had Feng Hu so urgently summoned everyone, seemingly for some important matter to discuss?
After everyone entered the Hall of Unity, they bowed to Feng Hu in the main seat and respectfully called out!
"Great Leader."
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Feng Hu did not waste words but announced loudly!
"Everyone, I have received news that General Zhenbei Liu Jin is leading a large army towards our Shang Commandery."
Upon hearing this, many leaders were stunned for a moment, then showed panic.
Some timid ones even began to tremble, appearing somewhat afraid.
Liu Jin's army arriving, they didn't even need to think; it must be to suppress their bandit group, after all, the bandits of Shang Commandery were rampant, plundering the area, killing officials, and rebelling, which was a hidden danger to the imperial court.
Some of the leaders asked in a flustered manner!
"General Zhenbei's arrival must be to suppress us; what is your opinion, Great Leader?"
Feng Hu sat on his chair, his face very calm, his palm gently tapping the table, making a clanging sound.
The leaders sitting in the hall, seeing the calm Feng Hu, slowly suppressed their panicked state, ready to listen intently.
Sure enough, Feng Hu scanned the people in the hall, and his arrogant voice slowly emerged!
"Look at you useless cowards, you're scared and trembling just hearing about the Han Army's arrival. It's not like we haven't fought the Han Army these years; we've still managed to gain the upper hand."
Upon hearing this, the leaders' chaotic state calmed down considerably, and their morale seemed to recover somewhat, no longer so afraid of the Han Army.
However, a few still showed fear on their faces and whispered!
"Great Leader, Liu Jin's troops are different from the troops in Shang Commandery; his are elite forces, and they defeated the Xianbei last year."
"If we go against them, we might not be able to win."
Hearing this, Feng Hu frowned, stood up directly, and shouted angrily!
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Does Liu Jin have three heads and six arms, or an indestructible body, or what?"
"His troops also have two shoulders and one head; if they get cut, they'll bleed. We've dominated this northwest region for decades; what kind of situation haven't we been through? What is there to fear?"
"Besides, our strength is not weak; with all our forces combined, we have over ten thousand, including several thousand cavalry. Even if we face tens of thousands of Han Army soldiers, we can still defeat them."
"To take a step back, even if we are not a match for the Han Army, we can simply defend our mountain stronghold. With the dangerous mountains, I don't believe the Han Army can climb up the mountain."
"As long as we hold them off for a while, they will run out of supplies and retreat in disgrace, and then we can still live freely."
Upon hearing this, the leaders' eyes lit up, and they all nodded in agreement, their eyes showing a fierce glint.
They all stood up and echoed!
"The Great Leader is right; we've dominated the northwest for so long, and it's not like we haven't killed officials. There's no need to fear Liu Jin; at worst, we'll fight him."
"As long as we defeat Liu Jin, our reputation will resound throughout the entire north, and then who won't fear us?"
Feng Hu, sitting in the main seat, looked at the spirited appearance of the various leaders, and a brilliant smile appeared on his fierce face.
As long as morale was stable, what could Liu Jin do to them?
He immediately picked up his wine cup and laughed loudly to the leaders!
"Come, let us all drink this cup together. Afterwards, you must all obey my, Feng Hu's, orders, and we will definitely defeat Liu Jin."
The leaders all nodded, indicating their willingness to obey Feng Hu's command.