Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

"Gu...Gu Rubing?! Wasn't he critically injured and dying?!"

"Guan... Guan Yu?! Zhang Fei?! They're all here?!"

“Run…run!”

Without any orders, and no one knows who shouted first, the Xiongnu soldiers surrounding Chen Dao dropped their weapons and ran away as if they had seen a ghost! And it wasn't an orderly retreat, but a complete and utter rout!
They pushed and shoved, trampling and desperately trying to get away from those menacing figures! Even the once arrogant Gongsun and Tian family private soldiers were terrified, their faces pale, and they fled for their lives with the barbarians, wishing they had more legs.

In just a few breaths, the street corner that was just on the verge of collapse was now filled with corpses and discarded weapons, with only Chen Dao and his dozens of dumbfounded, survivors, the slowly coming to a stop carriage, and Gu Rubing and the others who were gathering around.

Chen Dao stared at the unbelievable scene before him, then looked at the fleeing Xiongnu soldiers in the distance, who were in complete disarray. He opened his mouth, but something seemed to be blocking his throat, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a few words in a hoarse voice.

"My lord... my lord... General Guan... what... how could you..."

With the help of his guards, Gu Rubing struggled to get off the carriage. The wound on his ribs was clearly painful from the roar and jolting earlier, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. But when he looked at Chen Dao, who was covered in blood and almost a blood-soaked figure, his eyes were filled with admiration and relief.

"Uncle, you've worked hard. When we received your urgent report requesting reinforcements and the secret report from the crossbowmen about the unusual movements of the aristocratic families, we knew that Yang Le was in imminent danger. We happened to be near Yuyang, so we sent Liu Bao's cavalry ahead at full speed, while we followed closely behind with light troops. We rushed as fast as we could, and finally... caught up."

He was panting as he spoke, clearly indicating that he was extremely weak.

Guan Yu stepped forward, patted Chen Dao on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice.

"General Chen's defense of the city was no easy feat; he fought so hard with his lone army. I admire him greatly."

Although his tone remained calm, receiving a simple "I admire you" from Guan Yu was already a very high compliment.

Zhang Fei stared with his large, round eyes at the direction of the fleeing barbarians, and said in a deep, muffled voice.

"Those bastards, they're fast! I, Old Zhang, haven't even warmed up my muscles yet!"

Even so, his hand holding the spear was trembling slightly, and there was a cold sweat on his forehead. Clearly, forcing himself to fight despite his injuries was a huge burden.

Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong all nodded to Chen Dao, their expressions of approval clearly visible despite their lack of words.

Chen felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his nose tingled, and he almost burst into tears, but he forced himself to hold them back and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"This humble general is incompetent, causing the city gates to fall and nearly trapping the entire city in a desperate situation. I beg my lord to punish me!"

"You are not at fault in this matter."

Gu Rubing waved his hand, his tone turning cold.

"It's hard to guard against traitors from within, especially such disloyal and unscrupulous scoundrels from aristocratic families! We'll deal with your crimes after we've cleaned up the mess. Now, immediately muster the remaining troops in the city, wipe out any remaining enemy forces that have entered, and restore order!"
"Yun Chang, Yi De, your injuries have not yet healed, and you are not fit for prolonged combat. Stay here and assist your uncle in stabilizing the core area and driving away any remaining barbarian foes. There is no need to pursue them further."

"promise!"

Everyone obeyed the order.

Gu Rubing then looked at Chen Dao.

"Your injury..."

"A superficial injury is nothing serious!"

Chen straightened his body and gritted his teeth.

Gu Rubing nodded and said no more. Under the intimidation of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others, and with the assistance of a small number of Liu Bao's cavalry who arrived later, the chaos in the city was quickly brought under control. The Xiongnu troops that entered the city had already suffered heavy losses due to Chen Dao's remnants, and then suddenly saw Gu Rubing and the Five Tiger Generals "collectively resurrected".

Terrified, most fled the city through the opened west gate, retracing their steps. Those who couldn't escape were quickly wiped out. The private armies of the Gongsun and Tian families scattered like monkeys after their trees fell; aside from a few who resisted and were killed, most were taken prisoner.

As dawn broke, the shouts of battle within Yangle City gradually subsided, leaving only sporadic searches and painful groans. Gu Rubing sat down in the hastily cleared main hall of the county government office, his face still pale, but his spirits were relatively high.

He first had someone bring military medical practitioners to treat Chen Dao's wounds again. After confirming that although the injury was quite serious, it had not damaged the root of the problem and that Chen Dao could recover with proper care, he was relieved.

Where is the Colonel of the Crossbowmen?

Gu Rubing said in a deep voice.

A man dressed in light armor, looking travel-worn, entered in response and knelt on one knee.

"The general is here!"

"Report in detail all the intelligence, evidence, and witnesses you have gathered recently regarding the collusion between the Gongsun and Tian families in Yangle City and the Hu barbarians, and the surrender of the city. Do not omit anything."

Gu Rubing's voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

"promise!"

The officer in charge of crossbows was clearly prepared. He immediately took out a roll of stained silk and several confessions from his bosom and began to report in a clear and organized manner. From the initial hoarding and refusal to provide grain by the two families, to the secret meeting with the Xiongnu envoy to agree on the time and signal for opening the city, and then to the mobilization of private troops last night.

The investigation revealed details such as guiding the Hu cavalry into the city, and even included some secret businesses owned by the two companies in Liaodong and other places, as well as their private trade with tribes outside the Great Wall. Although some details still need to be verified, the main outline and key evidence are already clear.

As Gu Rubing listened to the report from the crossbow captain, his expression grew increasingly cold, and the anger in his eyes almost materialized. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others stood on either side, their faces also ashen, exuding a murderous aura.

Chen Dao clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. Thinking of his brothers who died in battle and the despair he felt on the verge of death last night, he wished he could immediately wipe out the entire families of those two families!
"Well done, what a distinguished family in western Liaoning! What an 'ironclad family'!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing was so angry that he laughed instead.

"In this time of national crisis, instead of serving the country, they have chosen to seek personal gain, even at the cost of inviting wolves into the house, harming their comrades, and betraying their homeland! Such behavior is worse than that of beasts! If they are not severely punished, how can military law be upheld? How can the people's hearts be at ease? How can the spirits of the fallen soldiers be comforted in heaven?!"

He suddenly looked at Zhao Yun, who was standing to the side.

"Zi Long!"

"The general is here!"

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute, his face stern.

"Take a squad of White Feather Soldiers, with my token, and immediately proceed to the fortified villages of the Gongsun and Tian families!"

Gu Rubing spoke each word with icy coldness. "Arrest all those in charge of the two families, especially Gongsun Han and Tian Chou, their immediate family members, the core clan elders involved, and the head of the guards, and bring them to the county government! If they resist, kill them without mercy! Confiscate their property and make an inventory! Remember, I want them alive, especially those two old thieves; I want to interrogate them personally!"

"The last general takes command!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Yun took the token, turned around and strode out, gathering the last hundred White Feather elite soldiers, and headed straight for the two most luxurious and fortified fortresses in the city with murderous intent.

Gongsun Family Fortress is relatively close to the county government office. Its tall gates and walls are tightly closed, but shadowy figures can be vaguely seen moving around on the gate tower. They are clearly aware of the failure of last night's plot and the news of Gu Rubing's entry into the city, and are in a state of extreme panic.

Zhao Yun led his troops to the gate of the fortress and signaled his men to go forward and knock on the door.

"Open the door! By order of General Gu, we are here to apprehend a wanted criminal who is treason! Open the door immediately, or you will be punished for treason!"

The white-feathered soldiers shouted loudly.

There was a moment of silence on the gate tower, then a man who looked like a butler poked his head out, his face pale, and shouted with forced composure.

"This is the ancestral home of the Gongsun family! My patriarch is a renowned scholar in Liaoxi, and our family has been officials for generations! Who are you, daring to lead troops to besiege this private residence? Do you have an imperial decree? Do you have any documents from the prefecture? General Gu?"

"Which General Gu? Even if it is General Gu, he has no right to trespass on private property and arrest gentry! My master is unwell and cannot receive guests. Please leave!"

These words, tinged with the arrogance characteristic of aristocratic families and contempt for "soldier ruffians," attempted to use "propriety and law" and "gentry" as a pretext to deflect pressure.

They probably thought that Gu Rubing, having just suffered a major defeat and serious injuries, needed to stabilize the region and wouldn't dare to really crack down on them, these local bullies. At most, they'd give him a reprimand and confiscate some money. After all, hadn't that been the case many times before?

However, they miscalculated.

Zhao Yun, mounted on his horse, had a cold and stern face. After hearing the steward's blustering but cowardly shouts, he didn't even lift his eyelids. He simply raised the token in his hand that represented Gu Rubing's highest military orders. His voice was calm and detached, yet it clearly carried throughout the fortress.

"My lord's order: Arrest the traitor Gongsun Han and his accomplices, who have colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. Anyone who disobeys will be considered an accomplice and executed without exception."

He turned his head slightly and uttered two words to the white-feathered soldiers behind him.

"Break the door."

Zhao Yun's command was concise and cold, as sharp as the gleaming silver spear in his hand. The hundred White Feather Soldiers behind him did not hesitate for a moment; they had long harbored deep hatred for the two families' treasonous acts.

Immediately, several burly soldiers carried a thick beam that had been found on the spot, and while shouting slogans, they rammed it hard against the heavy gate of the Gongsun family's fortified village!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The dull thud, like a heavy hammer blow, struck the hearts of everyone inside the fortified village. The steward and private soldiers on the gate tower turned pale; some wanted to fire arrows, but were held back by those beside them—

The general downstairs, riding a white horse and wielding a silver spear, along with those menacing elite soldiers, were clearly no ordinary troops. Moreover, they were holding Gu Rubing's token! If they actually made a move, it would confirm their treason!
"Stop! You...you're committing robbery! I'm going to sue you! I'll take you all the way..."

The butler was still shouting, his words a mixture of bravado and cowardice.

"Boom!"

Before he could finish speaking, after several violent impacts, the bolt on Bao Tie's gate finally broke, and the two gates were forced open and collapsed inward, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Advance! Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"

Zhao Yun took the lead, and the White Feather Soldiers surged in like a tide.

Chaos erupted within the fortress. Some loyal guards attempted to resist, but they were no match for the ferocious, well-equipped, and enraged White Feather Soldiers, and were quickly cut down. Most of the servants and maids screamed in terror and hid.

Zhao Yun had a clear objective and headed straight for the main hall. Just as he rushed into the front courtyard, he was met head-on by a group of armed guards who surrounded several richly dressed young men.

The two young men at the head of the group were a man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, whose face bore a resemblance to Gongsun Han and whose eyes were arrogant; the other was slightly younger, dressed in fine clothes, and looked panicked, and was probably an important nephew or niece of the Tian family.

When the eldest son of the Gongsun family saw Zhao Yun, he still managed to maintain the arrogance of a noble family, stepped forward, pointed at Zhao Yun, and shouted.

"Zhao Zilong! You are nothing but a mere warrior, how dare you lead troops to trespass into the residence of the Gongsun family? My Gongsun family has been nobles for generations, with disciples and former officials all over the world! If you commit violence here today, you will surely face consequences one day..."

"Noisy."

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes; he couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense. If it weren't for the timely arrival of their lord last night, General Chen Dao and thousands of soldiers defending the city would have died unjustly because of these people's betrayal! The evidence of treason is irrefutable; how dare they speak so arrogantly here?

He moved slightly, and everyone saw a flash of silver light before their eyes, followed by two short screams that rang out almost simultaneously!
"Pfft! Pfft!"

The gleaming silver spear, like a venomous dragon emerging from its cave, pierced the throats of the eldest son of the Gongsun family and the nephew of the Tian family with unparalleled precision! The arrogance and terror on their faces froze instantly. Their eyes widened as they stared at Zhao Yun in disbelief, before collapsing limply to the ground, blood gushing from their necks.

This scene was too sudden and too ruthless! The guards and servants who had been trying to remain calm, as well as the other members of the Gongsun and Tian families who were watching from a distance, were all terrified, and many of the women fainted on the spot.

Only then did they truly realize how decisive and ruthless this seemingly handsome general was! He didn't care about family background, disciples, or former subordinates; the gun in his hand and the soldiers behind him only recognized the four words "treason and collusion with the enemy"!
"Who else wants to try?"

Zhao Yun slowly sheathed his gleaming silver spear, its tip untouched by blood, and calmly swept his gaze across the entire area. Those whose eyes met his trembled in fear, dropping their weapons and kneeling on the ground, daring not to utter a single act of resistance.

"Take them all down, tie them up securely, and take them to the county government!"

Zhao Yun gave the order in a cold voice. The White Feather Soldiers immediately stepped forward and tied up Gongsun Han, Tian Chou, and the main elders and core members of the two families, who were slumped on the ground, as if they were herding cattle and sheep.

The once arrogant and domineering leaders of the two powerful families in western Liaoning were now ashen-faced, trembling like leaves, and unable to walk steadily, requiring soldiers to drag them along.

The situation at Tianjiabao went even more smoothly. Upon hearing that the heir of the Gongsun family had been killed on the spot, almost no one in the fort dared to resist. Zhao Yun sent troops to capture the main criminals of the Tian family.

The atmosphere in the county government hall was somber. Gu Rubing sat high in the main seat, his face pale, yet his authority was even more imposing. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, and others stood on either side. Below the hall, Gongsun Han, Tian Chou, and the main criminals from both families knelt on the ground, with more male members of their clans being escorted outside the hall.

Gu Rubing picked up the testimony presented by the captain of the crossbowmen and the secret letters exchanged with the Xiongnu found in the two families, and asked coldly.

"Gongsun Han and Tian Chou, the evidence against you two for colluding with the Xiongnu, opening the city gates without permission, letting the enemy in, harming soldiers and civilians, and betraying our country is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"

Gongsun Han lay prostrate on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and cried out hoarsely.

"General Gu, please see the truth! I... I was so foolish! It was all because of my wicked son! He was lured by the Huns' high profits and secretly colluded with the barbarians, doing such a treasonous thing behind my back!"
This old man...this old man was completely kept in the dark, utterly unaware! Last night's events must have been a fabrication; he falsely conveyed my orders and diverted the gatekeepers...you unfilial son! You unfilial son have ruined me! Ruined my family! (End of Chapter)