"Mmm, it smells so good!"

At the dinner table, Cao Song held a chicken leg in his hand, chewing and praising it repeatedly.

Since leaving Luoyang, he hadn't had a proper meal. Today, with his worries finally gone, he naturally had a hearty appetite.

"Hey? Ciming, why aren't you eating?"

Looking at Xun Shuang, who was sitting opposite him with a dark expression, Cao Song spat out the chicken bone in his mouth and asked with a curious look.

Xun Shuang frowned: "Lord Cao, you really have a big heart. Don't you think it's too convenient for this Xianbei cavalry to arrive?"

His Majesty is leaving tomorrow, and they just happened to arrive today. It's as if everything was planned in advance!

"So what?"

Cao Song said something indifferently, then grabbed another chicken leg and started gnawing on it.

Seeing this, Xun Shuang helplessly rubbed his forehead: "Lord Cao, I heard that His Majesty climbed the city wall of Juyan a few days ago, saying that he and all the generals would climb to the Han Sea and drink until they were drunk..."

"Haha, Your Majesty has lofty ambitions, so it's not surprising that you would say such a thing!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Song showed no sign of distress; instead, he burst into laughter, clearly agreeing with the emperor's will.

Xun Shuang frowned: "But Lord Cao, how can His Majesty, as the ruler of all people, lightly leave the Han lands and go to the vast sea thousands of miles away?"

Cao Song raised an eyelid: "Does the Han Sea not belong to Han territory?"

"this……"

When Cao Song asked him this question, Xun Shuang was taken aback.

Wherever the sun and moon shine, and wherever rivers flow, that is Han territory.

His Majesty has personally visited the Han Sea; who can still say that it is not Han territory?

Since this is Han territory, there is no question of being far away, so where does my worry come from?

Seeing Xun Shuang's enlightened expression, Cao Song immediately said, "Ciming knew His Majesty even before I did. Based on your understanding of His Majesty, if he was able to say those words, then he was definitely going to do them. Don't you think so?"

“Uh…, given His Majesty’s temperament, that’s for sure!!” Xun Shuang nodded in astonishment.

"That settles it!"

Cao Song smiled slightly: "Ciming, go through all the history books and see if any emperor throughout history has ever led an army to reach the Han Sea."

If Your Majesty were to actually go there, it would surely be an unprecedented feat.

"Now that we are fortunate enough to have come to Juyan, and even have the opportunity to accompany His Majesty in accomplishing such a magnificent feat, is this not an immense honor?"

"Now that I hear what Lord Cao has said, it's really true!!"

Upon hearing Cao Song's words, Xun Shuang's previously solemn expression immediately relaxed, and a hint of longing and anticipation appeared in his eyes.

Following the emperor, ascending the vast sea, and accomplishing an unprecedented feat—this honor and this allure were something even Xun Shuang could hardly resist.

Soon, their conversation reached the ears of the officials who had come with them.

After figuring out the connection, the officials immediately beamed with joy.

"It seems that my trip was not in vain..."

With these thoughts in mind, the officials actively participated in the defense of Juyan.

...

Inside the prefectural governor's mansion, Liu Hong smiled after learning about the situation of He Lian's army.

"Order Huangfu Song, Tong Yuan, and Wang Yue to remain still and await the arrival of Tan Shihuai's army!"

He then ordered Zhu Jun of Liaozhou, Lu Zhi of Youzhou, and Gao Shun of Bingzhou to conduct a preemptive cleansing of the grasslands ten days later and to meet at Langjuxu Mountain!

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

One of the guards responded loudly and then quickly left.

After giving his instructions, Liu Hong turned to look at Jia Xu, who was standing to the side.

"Wenhe, there's nothing much to do here. The Investigation Division should also make preparations to deploy to the Western Regions and the Kushan Empire!"

"Here you go!"

Jia Xu respectfully acknowledged the greeting and bowed as he withdrew.

Then, Liu Hong turned to look at Cao Cao, who had been untied.

"Mengde, you will still command Qiuliju's five thousand Wuhuan cavalry. Send someone to inform them to return here in two days to participate in this decisive battle!"

"Here you go!"

After receiving the order, Cao Cao didn't leave but looked at Liu Hong with a hesitant expression. "Your Majesty, your punishment of me is over. Do you think those ten women can be taken back..."

"I have never taken back any of my rewards, so let them continue to follow you!"

Liu Hong dismissed Cao Cao's request indifferently, then waved his hand.

Hearing the emperor's heartless words, Cao Cao felt a pang of bitterness in his heart and had no choice but to retreat helplessly.

"master!!"

Cao Cao had just stepped out of the prefectural governor's residence when he heard a unified voice.

Looking up, he saw ten robust women, all dressed in armor, standing in a row guarding his carriage.

Faced with such a stark visual contrast, Cao Cao couldn't help but twitch his lips, his face turning as ugly as could be.

Cao Cao stepped forward and angrily rebuked, "Who told you to dress like this? Women wearing armor, what kind of decorum is this?"

One of them said, "Sir, this was sent to us by General Dian Wei to protect you!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao became even angrier. How could a dignified man like himself need a group of women to protect him? If word got out, would he even be able to live?

"Hmph~, with so many soldiers in the army, I don't need you to protect me!"

With a cold snort, Cao Cao didn't even want to get into the carriage and turned to walk towards his residence.

"Master, although we are all women, we are no less capable than men. We can fight on the battlefield and protect you just as well!"

"We were all unwanted, but we are so lucky to have met you. Now we have a place to eat and sleep. We are willing to give our lives to protect you!"

"Yes, sir, if you send us away, we'll have no choice but to continue living that despised life we ​​had before. In that case, you might as well let us die!"

Seeing Cao Cao's disgusted expression, the women began to complain to him.

Hearing the women's heartfelt words, Cao Cao, who had taken a few steps, stopped and paused, recalling the times these women had served him.

Although this woman was burly, ugly, a terrible cook, and rude, she also frequently thought about assaulting him.

However, during this time, she served him very diligently.

Perhaps it was during this time that a sliver of affection developed, or perhaps it was because of the pitiful backgrounds of these women.

Seeing those women, who seemed determined to protect him even at the cost of their lives, Cao Cao's heart softened for a moment.

"Alright, you can stay here then, but you're not allowed to come into my room again!"

After saying this, Cao Cao quickened his pace and walked forward.

"Yes, sir!"

The ten women happily agreed and quickly followed.