Zhen Yi replied, "Governor, when I was in Zhongshan, I heard that the Black Mountain Army was very powerful. They were entrenched in the southern Taihang Mountains, with more than thirty leaders and about a million men."

"Their leader, Zhang Yan, commands two thousand cavalry and thirty thousand infantry, making him the most powerful leader in the land."

"If you urge the King of Yunzhong to come to Youzhou, and Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun contact Zhang Yan to launch an attack on you from behind, that would be disastrous!"

Upon hearing Zhen Yi's reminder, Liu Yu was immediately startled.

Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun rebelled against the imperial court; and the Black Mountain Army was also a remnant of the Yellow Turban rebels, so it's hard to say whether they had any secret connections.

Now, Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun, along with the Xianbei and Wuhuan people, are pressing forward, squeezing the government troops of Youzhou into Zhuojun.

If they were to contact the Black Mountain Army and march north to the Taihang Mountains, they could easily launch an attack from Puyin Pass and Feihu Pass, threatening the rear of Zhuojun.

In this way, Liu Yu and his remaining troops from Youzhou would be surrounded and wiped out completely.

"I didn't know my nephew had such considerations. I am truly ashamed!"

"I knew it! Why didn't he just lead his troops directly to Youzhou? Instead, he went around to Jizhou first. He wanted to secure his rear first!"

Liu Yu slapped his thigh, as if suddenly realizing something.

“Your Majesty, this is exactly what your nephew planned. He was afraid that Your Majesty would worry, so he has already sent a general with two thousand elite cavalrymen into Youbeiping.”

"And I am here on the orders of my imperial nephew to first recruit soldiers in Zhuojun to assist in the battle."

Liu Bei echoed this sentiment from the side.

When Liu Yu saw Liu Bei leading troops to help him in battle, and learned that Liu Wei had actually recognized him as his imperial uncle, he was at a loss for words.

Liu Wei wanted to acknowledge Liu Bei, a member of the royal family with whom he had absolutely no connection, just to expand the power of the royal family. But he didn't have to accept just anyone!

Hearing Liu Bei start calling him "elder brother" and "nephew" made him somewhat displeased: What level is Liu Bei now that he can be compared to him?

If Liu Yu hadn't seen Liu Bei leading troops to assist him on Liu Wei's orders, he wouldn't have wanted to pay any attention to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei also sensed Liu Yu's disdain for him, but if he wanted to integrate into the royal family circle, Liu Wei's acknowledgment was not enough. If Liu Yu, the head of the imperial clan, also approved, then it would be a done deal!

Liu Bei paid no heed to Liu Yu's disdain.

"I see. I was too hasty! Alas, if you had come to persuade me sooner, I wouldn't have rashly sent out troops and lost more than three thousand men in vain!"

Liu Yu was filled with regret. "Zidan, I'm relieved now that you've reminded me!"

"Stay in Zhuojun for a few more days. When my imperial nephew arrives, I will definitely introduce you to him! This will help you expand your business to the Hetao region in the future!"

What!

Zhen Yi was overjoyed.

He had originally intended to take this opportunity to have Liu Yu introduce Liu Wei to him, but unexpectedly, Liu Yu took the initiative to do so first.

"I have long heard of this prince's heroic deeds in the Hetao region and have admired him for a long time. If I could meet him, it would be an honor beyond measure!"

Zhen Yi quickly thanked Liu Yu.

Then I'll be able to talk to Liu Wei and introduce my daughter to him.

He believed that Liu Wei would definitely be moved by his five beautiful daughters!

"Qi Zhou, take the two of them to a meal. Treat them to the best food and drinks!"

Liu Yu then instructed his chief clerk, Qi Zhou, to take Zhen Yi and Liu Bei to eat, saying, "Then we will patiently wait here for our imperial nephew to arrive, at which time we will launch a full-scale counterattack and drive back the rebels!"

"Here you go!"

......

"Welcome, Your Highness, King of the Clouds!"

Outside Zhen Ding City, Gao Lan, along with the city's civil and military officials, lined up on both sides to welcome Liu Wei into the city.

Liu Wei ordered Zhao Yun to lead the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry and Zhang Yan to lead 500 Black Mountain Army cavalry to take over the city's defenses, while he himself led Tian Kai, Murong Ping, the Imperial Guard, and the Yan Yun Seventeen Riders to garrison the Prefect's Mansion.

Meanwhile, Du Chang and Zhang Baiqi, the two leaders of the Black Mountain Army, each selected one thousand strong men from the eight thousand Black Mountain Army soldiers to garrison outside the city and to gather the Black Mountain Army soldiers who had been scattered by Gao Lan.

Du Chang was originally ordered to attack Zhen Ding City.

He had no siege equipment and could only bluff, so his eight thousand men did not suffer many losses.

Then Zhao Yun led the Guan Ning cavalry to "escort" Gao Lan to the city walls and asked the city's garrison to open the gates.

After the city gates were opened, Du Chang's men tried to rush into the city, but Zhao Yun ordered the Guan Ning cavalry to stop them.

Seeing the murderous aura of the five hundred Guan Ning cavalrymen, the eight thousand Black Mountain soldiers dared not act rashly and obediently accepted reorganization outside the city.

The two thousand garrison troops in the city also left the city and joined Gao Lan's one thousand five hundred infantry and cavalry outside the city.

After settling the troops, Zhao Yun "accompanied" Gao Lan, joined Du Chang, Zhang Baiqi and others, and together they went to the prefect's mansion to see Liu Wei.

The Imperial Guards protected the outer perimeter of the Prefect's residence, while the Seventeen Riders of Yanyun guarded the interior. Liu Wei was flanked by Tian Kai on his left and Murong Ping on his right. They then proceeded to the main hall to discuss matters.

On the left, according to their official ranks, are Zhang Yan, Zhao Yun, Zhang Baiqi, and Du Chang; on the right are Gao Lan and a group of officials from Zhen Ding.

"Gentlemen, I, the General Who Guards the North, have been ordered to go to Youzhou to quell the rebellion."

"Zhang Yan and his men of the Black Mountain Army are deeply righteous, have realized their mistakes and returned to the right path. They have accepted my offer of amnesty and led their troops to surrender, intending to serve their country with their lives."

"Let's leave the matter of the conflict between Prefect Gao Lan and the Black Mountain Army behind and not mention it again!"

“Prefect Gao, you killed two of Zhang Yan’s sworn brothers, and two of your brothers died in this battle. Both sides suffered losses.”

"Now that you are all under my command, let's not bring up past grudges anymore, okay?"

Liu Wei appeared to be asking for their opinions, but in reality, he was leaving no room for doubt.

Gao Lan killed Zhang Yan's sworn brother, while Zhao Yun killed Gao Lan's two younger brothers. Most of the people who died on the battlefield were from the Black Mountain Army, and Zhang Yan took the blame for everything!

Liu Wei doesn't need to spoil Zhao Yun like this! Zhang Yan knew perfectly well, but could only accept reality.

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