At the dock, the merchants coming and going couldn't help but look surprised as they watched Hachi and the others board the ship one after another.

It is important to know that Luoyang Wharf is now the largest wharf along the entire Grand Canal. Countless ships from all over the country gather here, and the cargo throughput is incalculable. Even a slight delay could cause huge losses.

No one could have imagined that such an important commercial transportation hub would be cleared out because of a group of monks.

"Who are these monks? Weren't all the temples in Luoyang shut down? How come there are still so many?"

"I don't know, but these people seem a bit different from the monks of the past; they all have hair!"

"Hey, look at those people. Although their formation is messy, they walk steadily and powerfully, and they all carry knives. They're clearly a group of martial artists!"

Merchants and travelers not far away were also discussing this strange group of monks.

"Set sail, let's go!!"

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Shi A, standing at the bow of the ship, shouted and directed the crew to steer the fleet westward.

...

Deyang Palace.

Not long after Hachi and the others set off, Zhang Rang also bowed and approached Liu Hong: "Your Majesty, they have all left!"

Liu Hong hummed in agreement and casually asked, "Has any intelligence come from the Western Regions?"

"Yes, the people of Dayuan raided several Han merchant caravans last year. Cao Cao, the deputy protector-general, has already led his men to Wusun to take command of the soldiers of the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes and to attack Dayuan."

Liu Hong nodded: "Send someone to inform Mengde that after occupying Dayuan, he can appropriately command the Xiongnu and Xianbei to harass the Kushan border."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang respectfully agreed, then bowed and withdrew.

Before long, a fast horse left Luoyang and galloped towards the Western Regions.

...

The fifth day of the fifth month in the ninth year of Jianning.

Wusun City, originally the royal palace of the Wusun king, has now been renamed the Western Expeditionary King's Palace.

Inside the council hall, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu sat side by side, while a group of generals from the Xianbei and Xiongnu stood on either side of the hall.

After everyone had arrived, Xie Zhiyu turned to Li Ru beside him and asked in a deep voice, "Sir, how does Cao Cao compare to Yuan Shao?"

Li Ru stroked his beard and said slowly, "Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were both students under the Han emperor and were both trusted confidants."

Although Cao Cao's character wasn't as generous and kind as Yuan Shao's, he was still a man who didn't concern himself with trivial matters. Moreover, he was decisive in his actions, only caring about the results and not the process, making him far more formidable than Yuan Shao!

"this……"

Upon hearing this, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry on each other's faces.

Xie Zhiyu frowned and said, "Lord Lian, Cao Cao has come here this time to command the warriors of our two tribes to attack Dayuan. Do you think he will take this opportunity to weaken the strength of our two tribes?"

"Well..."

He Lian also showed a hint of hesitation. Although he had met Cao Cao, he was not familiar with him. He only knew that Cao Cao had once led Wuhuan cavalry to harass the Xianbei tribes.

Those tribes visited by Cao Cao were all massacred, regardless of whether they were young, old, or children. This shows that he was a ruthless and unscrupulous man.

Such a person only cares about his own interests and has no regard for the feelings of others.

He was equally apprehensive about entrusting his soldiers to the command of such a person.

"If Your Majesties are still worried, I can accompany Cao Cao and I will certainly not allow him to harm either of our soldiers!"

Seeing the hesitant expressions on He Lian and Xie Zhiyu's faces, Li Ru also stepped forward to volunteer.

As soon as Li Ru finished speaking, He Lian chimed in, "Yes, it would be fine if the teacher were keeping an eye on him!"

Xie Zhiyu glanced at He Lian with surprise, wanting to say something, but not wanting to say it in front of everyone, so he could only nod and agree to the suggestion.

After all, Cao Cao replaced Yuan Shao as the Deputy Protector-General of the Western Regions, and now all military operations in the Western Regions are entirely under Cao Cao's control.

Yuan Shao is a gentleman, so offending him is not a big deal, but it's best not to offend Cao Cao.

Just then, a guard on duty in front of the hall ran in: "Reporting to Your Majesties, Cao Cao, the Deputy Envoy of the Protectorate of the Western Regions, is waiting to see you outside the hall!"

"Please!!" He Lian and Xie Zhi said in unison.

"yes!"

The guard agreed and then quickly ran outside.

Soon, Cao Cao, dressed in military attire, entered with his guards. Behind him were Dong Zhuo, Hua Xiong, Zhang Xiu, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan.

As for Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Li Jue, and Guo Si, they accompanied Yuan Shao on his mission to the Kushan Empire.

Among this group, Cao Cao was the smallest in stature, but the fierce aura he exuded made He Lian and Xie Zhi tremble in their hearts.

"This guy is definitely not easy to get along with!"

Almost instantly, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu reached a conclusion at the same time.

As Cao Cao walked to the center of the hall, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu hurriedly stood up from their thrones, smiling and bowing to Cao Cao, saying, "Welcome, Vice Envoy Cao!"

"Your Majesties are too kind!"

Facing He Lian and Xie Zhiyu, Cao Cao merely bowed slightly, showing no sign of politeness, and then went straight to the seat reserved for him and sat down.

The generals who had come with Cao Cao also stood in a line behind him, their expressions cold and stern, a far cry from the harmonious demeanor they had when they followed Yuan Shao.

Seeing this, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu were indignant, but dared not say anything, so they could only force a smile and sit back down.

"Your Majesties, you must have already read my message, right? When will the 40,000 troops I require be ready?"

As soon as he sat down, Cao Cao got straight to the point.

Xie Zhi said in a low voice, "General Cao, the troops are ready to depart at any time, but the supplies, provisions, and siege equipment... I'm afraid..."

Before Xie Zhi could finish speaking, Cao Cao interrupted him: "We can get our supplies and provisions from the enemy; as for siege equipment, I've brought several craftsmen with me this time, they can be made at the foot of the city!"

"To feed on the enemy?"

Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu were taken aback.

Cao Cao's words and actions today have completely overturned their previous impressions of those Han generals. They never imagined that the Han Dynasty would produce such a ruthless character as Cao Cao.

He Lian hesitated and said, "General Cao, isn't this a bad idea? Even if we really destroy Dayuan, it will be a mess, and this..."