Golden Mountain bathed in sunlight.

The golden morning light spilled over the towering, cloud-piercing peaks of the Yinshan Mountains, stretching for thousands of miles to the north.

The mountaintop was covered in snow, which turned golden under the sunlight.

Golden light then swept across the grasslands outside Cloud City, turning the grasslands golden everywhere.

Golden light shone on the barren river, making the water ripple and sparkle.

At that moment, the sound of horses' hooves broke the tranquility of the grassland, and the gates of Cloud City swung open.

Fluttering military flags, a forest of spears, and orderly marching steps.

Beneath the thick sheepskin coat lay a dark suit of armor.

Soldiers with solemn eyes and murderous auras filed out of the city gate, leading their horses.

The sun was shining brightly, but a cold wind was blowing.

After six or seven days of rest, the soldiers of the Marquis of Yinshan's mansion are about to embark on a new journey.

First came Zhang Liao's 3,000-strong cavalry battalion, followed by Xue Rengui's 3,000-strong cavalry battalion.

Finally, there was Liu Wei's main force!

"Prefect Zhang, abandoning Shanwu is a strategic necessity, so don't feel guilty. But in Yunzhong, I will not back down an inch!"

After Liu Du's three guards of Duoyan and his followers who were going to Shulechuan, along with Diao Chan, Xiao Guizi, Guo Luo, Yang Yi, and others, set off in a grand procession, Liu Wei and Yao Guangxiao led the Xuanjia cavalry to the very end.

Presumably, there will be no major battles before next spring.

The number of Xuanjia cavalry will remain at 1,600 for the time being.

As Liu Wei left the city, he gave instructions to Zhang Xun, Huyan Gu, and other officials and military officers who remained behind.

Zhang Xun was left with 100,000 common laborers, 50,000 clansmen of Liu Du who had changed their surnames to Han and settled in the household, and 10,000 white-robed infantrymen.

These figures do not include the more than 80,000 local Han and non-Han people in various counties and prefectures in Yunzhong.

"It is an honor for me to govern a prefecture for Your Lordship."

"Please rest assured, my lord, I am here in the clouds, and no one will dare to covet it."

Zhang Xun's face was resolute.

"Prefect Zhang, the three fortresses in Daqingshan can be used to garrison troops and be repaired to defend against Xianbei attacks."

"The Manhan Pass south of Wujin does not require heavy defense; a small number of soldiers are sufficient for surveillance!"

Yao Guangxiao also gave his explanation from the side.

"Why...why is this? What if the Bingzhou army from Shanwu's side launches a sneak attack?" Zhang Xun asked in astonishment.

"Dong Zhuo wouldn't launch a sneak attack. It's precisely because of our presence that he's able to demand such exorbitant supplies from He Jin!"

"The imperial court appointed a member of the imperial clan as governor, which made He Jin rely on Dong Zhuo even more."

"He's riding high right now!"

Yao Guangxiao said with a smile, "Even if he dares to come to Yunzhong, just let him in!"

"Let him taste the iron hooves of our cavalry."

Zhang Xun wholeheartedly agreed.

Liu Wei has more than 10,000 cavalrymen under his command, who can come to support him from Shuofang and Wuyuan at any time.

On the grasslands in the clouds, how could the infantry of Bingzhou be a match for the cavalry?

“What if he wants to trade horses with us?” Zhang Xun asked again.

"Sell? Why wouldn't we sell?"

Liu Wei said, "Keep the good horses and stallions, sell the inferior ones as you please!"

They defeated the Xiongnu, Jie, and Xianbei, killing as many as 150,000 enemies and capturing countless warhorses, reaching an astonishing 100,000!

Not only did the main combat troops each have two horses, but even the auxiliary soldiers and laborers had horses to ride.

Liu Wei has decided to open five horse farms within the three counties to breed superior horses.

"In addition, we promptly sent people to retrieve the supplies that Ding Yuan left behind in the abandoned city."

"I suppose Dong Zhuo will find out about this soon and try to get ahead of him."

Ding Yuan transported 50,000 catties of salt and iron and 1,000 sets of armor to the Xiongnu.

Unexpectedly, the Xiongnu killed the Han envoy.

Ding Yuan did not hand over the supplies, which were then seized by the Xiongnu's Left Grand Commandant and his troops.

They fought their way to the abandoned city east of Luo County, but were surrounded. Later, Zhang Liao borrowed troops from Liu Wei and relieved Ding Yuan's siege.

In his haste, Ding Yuan buried the supplies in a dry well.

Everyone assumed that Ding Yuan had already taken the supplies back to Bingzhou.

However, when the experienced Imperial Guards were investigating the assassination attempt on Zhang Yi by the Wolf Guards under the Right Grand Commandant, they unexpectedly encountered the Right Grand Commandant, who was wanted by Bingzhou and was on the run after being seriously injured.

Before he died, he learned the truth about some things.

Following the clues, Shen Lian learned more from Zhang Liao and concluded that the supplies were still in the abandoned city.

After receiving Shen Lian's report and questioning Hu Yangu, Liu Wei learned the whole story.

He was smeared by Zhang Yi, who accused him of killing the Han envoy and receiving secret financial assistance from Ding Yuan.

Thinking about this, Liu Wei felt both angry and amused.

Since Ding Yuan said these supplies were meant for him, how could he refuse?

Forget about the iron ingots and armor; Liu Wei was more interested in the 50,000 jin of salt.

Now that they were leaving Yunzhong, they specifically instructed Zhang Xun to handle this matter.

"Rest assured, my lord, it has been arranged."

Zhang Xun had long kept this matter in mind; there was a shortage of salt in Yunzhong!

If we had these 50,000 catties of salt, it would be a timely help.

Having said everything that needed to be said, Liu Wei gave the order to set off.

Sixteen hundred armored cavalry, escorting Liu Wei and Yao Guangxiao, meandered westward under the golden light.

On the vast grasslands in the clouds, a mighty procession stretched as far as the eye could see.

......

"I really didn't expect that old hag's feint attack has really disrupted our plans!"

Luoyang, Yongle Palace.

Empress He, dressed in magnificent palace attire, threw a tantrum in her bedchamber.

Her phoenix eyebrows were raised sharply, and her peach blossom eyes were wide open, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at her.

He Jin, standing at the bottom of the steps, also looked dejected.

His general's mansion had a large number of officials, each one a talented individual.

He also recruited famous scholars from all over the country as his advisors.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!