Standing in the darkness, Jia Xu gazed silently into the depths of the alley, his dark eyes contrasting sharply with the inky night.

Soon, Shi A led his team out from the depths of the alley, each carrying a bloody head.

A faint smell of blood wafted into Jia Xu's nostrils, causing him to take a deep breath.

"Reporting to Commander Jia, all those Xianbei spies have been killed without exception, and the entire action team suffered no casualties..."

"Let's go, to the next place!"

Jia Xu glanced at the heads indifferently, then turned and walked towards another alley, with Shi A and the others quickly following behind.

With Shi A leading the team, it wouldn't have mattered whether Jia Xu was in command or not.

However, Jia Xu particularly enjoyed the feeling of witnessing the life and death of others in the darkness and smelling the blood in the night.

Anyway, it's just not normal...

As night fell, all of the more than one hundred Xianbei spies who had been hiding in Juyan City were wiped out by the intelligence agency.

The heads of those spies were all piled up in the city square, forming a small mound of skulls.

The next morning, when the people passing by the square saw the heads, they were horrified, thinking that some serious crime had occurred.

You must know that the emperor is currently in Juyan City. Who would be so audacious as to kill so many people and display their heads here?

Just as the people were filled with doubt and discussion, the Juyan government also issued a notice.

These murdered people were all spies sent by Tan Shihuai, who were preparing to assassinate the emperor.

Fortunately, these spies were discovered in advance by the intelligence bureau, which ensured the emperor's safety.

The reason for displaying the heads of those spies here is to warn those barbarians that the emperor is guarded by countless soldiers and loyal men, and no one can threaten the emperor's safety.

The announcement caused an uproar throughout Juyan...

While the people were relieved that the emperor was unharmed, they were also filled with anger.

"These mere Xianbei barbarians dare to attempt to assassinate the emperor! They are utterly audacious!!"

"The fact that they dared to do this clearly shows that they don't take the Han Dynasty seriously, let alone us!"

"Hmph! Such an offense against the Emperor and the Han Dynasty deserves a powerful army to wipe them out completely and avenge their entire race!"

"Yes, we must wipe them out completely!!"

Countless people gathered in the square, indignantly denouncing the Xianbei people who dared to offend the emperor.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

With a loud shout from Zhang Rang, Liu Hong, escorted by two squads of Imperial Guards, arrived at the square.

Upon seeing the emperor, the angry expressions on the faces of the people in the square vanished instantly, replaced by respectful bows to Liu Hong.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"

The voices of the people, like waves, rolled in all directions.

Just from this voice, one can feel the people's support for the emperor.

Liu Hong, who was on the frame, also stood up with a smile on his face, and then, taking a deep breath, said: "Rise!!"

After years of daily practice of the Five Animal Frolics, Liu Hong, in the prime of his youth, has developed a long and deep breath, and his voice has become even louder.

The people who heard the emperor's voice were overjoyed.

The emperor's good health was undoubtedly a great blessing for them.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

After the people shouted in unison, they stood up straight and looked at Liu Hong with reverence in their eyes.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Liu Hong's vehicle arrived at the center of the square and stopped in front of the pile of heads.

Liu Hong frowned as he smelled the pungent stench of blood in the air.

After glancing at the small mound of skulls, Liu Hong turned to the surrounding crowd and called out loudly:

"These mere barbarians dare to commit such a rebellious act against Heaven. What do you all think should be done?"

"kill!!"

Upon hearing the emperor's question, tens of thousands of people around them mustered all their strength and roared in unison to express their attitude to the emperor.

Public support can be used...

Hearing the thunderous roar of the people, Liu Hong nodded inwardly, then shouted:

"Your words are very much in line with my wishes. I will mobilize the entire nation to annihilate the Xianbei. Are you all willing to follow me?"

"We swear to follow His Majesty to the death!!"

The civilians and soldiers at the scene raised their arms and shouted again, looking at Liu Hong on the vehicle with unwavering determination.

Liu Hong then loudly proclaimed, "Issue my decree: effective immediately, the entire city shall prepare for war!!"

"Here you go!!"

The crowd responded in unison once again.

Afterwards, everyone dispersed, and Tao Qian led a group of officials from Juyan to organize the people to move supplies and reinforce the city's defenses.

At this time, the people of Juyan were in high spirits and responded positively to the government's arrangements, with everyone wanting to contribute to the upcoming war.

At noon, while the people were resting on the city walls, a cavalry force came from the north and headed straight for Juyan.

"Something's wrong!!" The soldier on guard duty shouted urgently upon seeing this.

The soldiers on the city wall immediately picked up their weapons and came to the back of the battlements.

The civilians resting nearby were not alarmed. Instead, they grabbed wooden sticks, carrying poles, hammers, and other items and stood with the defenders on the city wall, watching the approaching cavalry with full vigilance.

For a time, soldiers and civilians lined up on the city wall in a mixed and disorderly manner. Although it looked somewhat chaotic and incongruous, their aura and the energy they possessed were not to be underestimated.

As the flag drew closer, people finally saw the large Chinese character "汉" (Han) on the flag ahead.

"Huh? Is that a team from our Great Han?"

One of the officers guarding the city let out a soft exclamation, and the surrounding soldiers and civilians simultaneously lowered their guard.

When the news reached the prefect's office, Liu Hong turned to look at Dian Wei, Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and others beside him.

"It's Mengde! Go and bring him to me by force!"

"Here you go!!"

Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and the others responded loudly, then bowed and retreated.

When Lü Bu and his men arrived at the city gate, Cao Cao also arrived outside the city.

"Haha~, Fengxian, Lao Dian, I didn't expect His Majesty to send you to greet me!"

Upon seeing Lü Bu, Dian Wei, and the others, Cao Cao burst into laughter, then jumped off his horse and headed straight for them.

Seeing Cao Cao running towards him with a joyful expression, Lü Bu's face hardened: "Take him down!!"

"Here you go!"

The two soldiers following behind Lü Bu responded loudly and stepped forward to pin Cao Cao down.

"No... Brother Fengxian, what are you doing?"

Cao Cao, who was originally overjoyed, now had a hint of panic on his face.

He knew that Lü Bu was doing this on the emperor's orders, but he still couldn't help but ask a question.

Lu Bu glanced at Cao Cao indifferently: "This is His Majesty's order, to have you bound and taken back!"

As soon as Lü Bu finished speaking, several soldiers stepped forward with ropes, tied Cao Cao up tightly, and then escorted him to the prefectural governor's mansion.