The Loess Plateau, the upper reaches of the Luo River.

Liu Wei and Zhang Liao crossed Hengshan and soon entered the Luoshui River Valley.

They parted ways thirty miles outside Gaonu (Yan'an) city.

"My lord, please be careful on your journey. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians await your safe return."

Zhang Liao saw them off with clasped hands.

Today, the Hetao, Hexi, Xiyu, and the newly acquired Xihe County, including Guluo City, have a combined population of 600,000 to 700,000.

Liu Wei already had three Lieutenant Generals under his command: Xue Rengui, Di Qing, and Zhang Liao, as well as more than ten Colonels, including Li Su, Geng Chun, and Zhou Qing.

In addition, there were troops stationed in the three prefectures of Hetao, including those led by Yao Guangxiao, Zhang Xun, and Liu Du.

The number of archers has already reached over 60,000.

Liu Wei has become their soul!

If something were to happen to them on their way to Luoyang, what would become of the 60,000 soldiers and the people of the three regions?

"Wen Yuan, do not worry. It is perfectly safe to go to Luoyang. No one will dare to do anything to me!"

"I'd rather these fools come to me of their own accord, hahaha!"

Liu Wei burst into laughter.

This time was completely different from the last time I left Luoyang.

Now that he has so many troops, the Han court would have to think twice before doing anything to him.

Don't think you can control him just because he's in Luoyang. If you touch him, his troops will surely rebel.

Liu Wei's troops were far superior to those of the Yellow Turban rebels.

Sixty thousand troops marched into the Central Plains, enough to give the Han Dynasty a run for its money!

Moreover, is Liu Wei even someone they can kill now?

You can exchange for tens of thousands of soldiers anytime, anywhere!

It's just that Liu Wei doesn't want to do that for the time being.

But it's not impossible if it's absolutely necessary!

After the two parted ways, Liu Wei led the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun and a hundred guards, raising the banner of the King of Yunzhong and marching in a grand manner.

One man on two horses, traversing mountains and passes as if flying.

If one rides at full speed, it will take less than a day to reach the northern foot of Jiuzong Mountain.

As long as you follow the official road through the Luoshui River Valley and pass through the Jiuzong Mountains, you can enter the Guanzhong Plain!

Liu Wei seemed to smell the fragrance of the soil from the Guanzhong Plain.

Guanzhong, the land where the Qin and Han dynasties rose to power, is where imperial achievements were made.

When Liu Wei arrived at the foot of Gaonu City, the Han officials in the city saw the flag and immediately came out of the city to greet him.

Liu Wei didn't stand on ceremony. He entered the city and stayed at the post station, chatting and laughing with a group of officials.

Officials in the area, thanks to the presence of agents from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, spread Liu Wei's heroic deeds not only in Luoyang but also throughout Guanzhong.

In particular, his heroic deeds, such as recovering the Hetao region, driving out the Xiongnu, and defeating the Xianbei, earned him the utmost respect from Han officials.

Empress He sent assassins to kill Liu Wei, which made these officials feel deep sympathy for Liu Wei.

Everyone thought Liu Wei would amass military power and become a local tyrant in the Hetao region.

Unexpectedly, an imperial edict was issued, and Liu Wei, accompanied by only about a hundred guards, rushed to the capital.

Such a prince is absolutely a loyal subject, loyal to the Han Dynasty!

It is absolutely impossible for him to rebel.

On the other hand, if he really wanted to rebel, the country would still belong to the Liu family, so what difference would it make?

Therefore, these officials naturally became very close to Liu Wei.

Having more friends means having more options!

Thus, Liu Wei traveled from Gao Nu to Jiu Zong Mountain, passing through several cities. When the officials in the cities saw the banner of the King of Yun Zhong, they all welcomed him warmly and treated him to fine wine and meat.

This meant that Liu Wei didn't need to spend any money, and he had ample supplies along the way.

Entering every city along the way, stopping frequently, slowed Liu Wei's pace considerably.

However, this was also suggested to him by Yao Guangxiao, so that he could take this opportunity to spread his kindness and reputation throughout Guanzhong.

At that time, Liu Wei will also go to the Han Mausoleum to pay homage to his ancestors and enhance his reputation.

It took them three days to travel a distance of one or two hundred miles.

......

Meanwhile, in the Han army camp on the southern slope of Jiuzong Mountain, Colonel Yuan Shu was drilling his troops.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao, the Commandant of the Capital Region, was in Luoyang, echoing Yuan Shu from afar.

Yuan Shu rode his horse and surveyed his three thousand infantry and cavalry.

With his men and horses strong and their momentum overwhelming, Yuan Shu was full of confidence.

"General, there is a messenger outside the military camp with a decree from the General's Office requesting an audience."

At this moment, a soldier ran over to report.

"Hmm? People from the General's Mansion? Invite them in!" Yuan Shu frowned.

When the visitor entered the military camp's main tent, Yuan Shu was taken aback:

"General He, is that you?"

The visitor was none other than He Miao, the younger brother of General He Jin.

"General Yuan, please dismiss your attendants."

He Miao looked around, then said with a stern face.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Shu's expression tightened, and he hurriedly dismissed the guards in the tent, leaving only the two of them.

"General He, why have you come to Jiuzong Mountain when you are not in Luoyang?"

Yuan Shu quickly asked.

“I was ordered by the Empress to pursue a group of fugitives. I finally caught up with them in Huayin and killed more than ten of their followers, but the mastermind escaped.”

He Miao said, half-concealing her meaning.

"A fugitive? Why doesn't General He seek out Prefect Duan Wei of Fufeng, but instead comes to my military camp?"

Yuan Shu found this very strange.

"We tracked her down, but she hid in Jiuzong Mountain and disappeared without a trace."

"Knowing that this is General Yuan's territory, I naturally came to inform him."

"In addition, I don't have enough manpower, so I would like to borrow some troops from General Yuan to go into the mountains to search and capture."

He Miao explained.

"What fugitive? That General He chased him all the way from Luoyang to here?" Yuan Shu asked thoughtfully.

"There's no need to ask General Yuan any further questions."

He Miao said calmly, "I request General Yuan to send troops to accompany me to the mountains to search for the fugitive."

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