The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Liu Bei led his army swiftly and decisively, leaving Ji County and pointing his banners south, with Zhuojun as their first stop.

This is Liu Bei's hometown and the place where the rebel army started.

When the officials and people of Zhuojun heard of Liu Bei's triumphant return, they lined the streets to welcome him in an endless stream. The elders brought food and drink, eager to see this benevolent and righteous army that was "solemn and well-equipped."

The Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled here, and the prefecture was at peace. Wherever the army passed, there were provisions and supplies in the villages and towns, so the army could march very quickly.

Beyond Zhuojun lies Jizhou, the land where the Yellow Turban Rebellion was most rampant. As soon as the vanguard of the army left the Youyan region, they felt the terrain suddenly open up before them—the boundless plains on the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains were fertile, with mulberry and catalpa trees and villages scattered like stars.

This is the border of Jizhou. The land here is flat and the climate is mild. Large and small rivers such as the Zhangshui, Hutuo, Qinghe, and Koushui crisscross the area.

From Ximen Bao's governance of Ye during the Warring States period and his diversion of the Zhang River to irrigate the fields, to the Han Dynasty's virtuous officials' large-scale water conservancy projects, Jizhou's agricultural production has always been the best in Hebei.

The yield of millet and wheat per mu here is much higher than that of the border counties, and the benefits of mulberry and hemp are even more widespread in the villages. Therefore, the "Discourses on Salt and Iron" states that "in the suburbs of Yan and Zhao, the fields are well-managed and the grain is plentiful."

At its peak, it governed nine commanderies and over a hundred counties, with a population exceeding six million, making it one of the most densely populated and resource-rich provinces in the Han Dynasty.

Every year, the taxes levied from Jizhou were not only paid to the imperial court, but also allocated to Youzhou as military expenses for the border regions.

It was precisely because of its wealth that the Taiping Dao (Way of Peace) was the earliest to spread its teachings in Jizhou, had the deepest roots, and was the most rampant.

The areas of Yingtao, Xiaquyang, and Guangzong in Julu Commandery were Zhang Jiao's heartland and stronghold.

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Ji Province was the first to be hit—Liu Xu, the Prince of Anping, was captured, Liu Zhong, the Prince of Ganling, was taken prisoner, and the cities and counties were either destroyed or surrendered, while officials either died or fled.

The Zhang brothers, centered in Julu, commanded hundreds of thousands of followers and ordered the people of eight provinces, effectively making Ji Province their capital.

At present, Lu Zhi is leading five schools of the Northern Army and the Three Rivers Knights to garrison in Ye City, fighting Zhang Jiao day and night for months without a decisive victory.

The first problem Liu Bei's army faced on its southward march was how to bypass the war-torn and Yellow Turban-infested heartland of Ji Province from its northernmost border and reach the southern part of Ji Province to join forces with Lu Zhi's troops in the Wei Commandery area.

Since ancient times, military campaigns have always been prioritized over actual battles.

Leading thousands of troops on a long march, covering thousands of miles, to reach their destination is far more difficult than fighting a desperate battle.

After the army crossed the Lu River and reached Liwu, Liu Bei summoned his trusted generals and officers, including Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Tian Yu, Qian Zhao, Cheng Pu, and Yan Rou, near the Zhao family's fortified village. They discussed their route south, using a map of Ji Province given to them by the Zhao family.

Zhang Shiping, Su Shuang, and Zhao Le, the clan chief of the Zhao clan, were also invited to offer their suggestions at this military meeting.

Zhang Shiping, in particular, was a wealthy merchant who traveled extensively between Yan and Zhao, and was extremely knowledgeable about the terrain.

Therefore, Liu Bei specifically sought his advice.

Zhang Shiping was also very forthcoming, pointing to the river on the map and saying, "There are two main routes between Yan and Zhao."

"One of them is the Hejian and Anping route. After heading south from Zhuojun, it passes through the Yi River into Hejian, then turns southwest, crosses the Zhang River, and arrives at Yecheng. This was a vital trade route before the Yellow Turban Rebellion."

"Its advantage lies in the fact that there are waterways along the way, allowing for simultaneous land and water advances, which is essential for military operations."

Liu Bei nodded slightly. The best way to march was by the water to facilitate the transport of grain, which has been the best choice for military operations since ancient times.

All renowned ministers and generals, whenever they mobilized troops, would first repair ditches and open up supply routes to aid the army that had traveled thousands of miles.

But Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "The waterway is convenient, but it is not suitable for us."

"The army has hundreds of chariots and thousands of fine horses, but no boats. If we were to recruit them now, it would take at least ten days to complete. Moreover, the soldiers of Yan and Zhao are skilled in chariots and horses, but not in naval warfare. If we were to be taken advantage of by the enemy during the march, it would be too late for regrets."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly. Traveling by both land and water would easily cause seasickness, and no one wanted to travel by cargo ship.

Cheng Pu had served in the prefectural government for many years and had supervised the transport of grain and supplies. He had a deep understanding of this and agreed, saying, "What Yun Chang said is absolutely right. Building ships is not something that can be done in ten days. Even if several ships are built, they are not enough to carry carts, oxen, and horses. If we use vehicles to travel along the waterways, the river channels are winding and circuitous, which is not as convenient as taking the official road directly."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shiping realized that military campaigns were different from his business of transporting goods, and this important trade route was probably not suitable for the elite troops of Yan and Zhao to march.

So he pointed west on the map: "If we don't take the Hejian waterway, we can take the official road at the foot of the Taihang Mountains, pass through Wuji and enter the territory of Changshan State, then go south through Handan of Zhao State after leaving Zhending, and cross the Zhang River to reach Ye City of Wei Commandery."

"In the past, Emperor Guangwu received the order from Gengshi, and traveled alone to Hebei, from Jicheng southward, crossed the Hutuo River, captured Handan, and captured hundreds of thousands of bronze horses, ultimately achieving the great restoration of the dynasty. The route he took was precisely this one."

Liu Bei followed his finger and looked at the familiar commanderies, kingdoms, and counties marked along the way: Wuji, Zhongshan, Changshan, Zhending, Handan, and Weijun.

If he remembers correctly, the major railway artery that runs through the north and south in later generations also followed this route, almost exactly the same.

It seems that this is largely the trend throughout history.

The terrain and topography determined the route of the march.

As he was thinking, Zhao Le, the patriarch of the Zhao clan, spoke up, saying, "In my humble opinion, Xuande should choose this route. Zhang and Su are wealthy merchants from Zhongshan and can serve as guides. More importantly, they can also visit the Zhen family of Wuji along the way."

"The Zhen family of Wuji?" Zhang Fei's eyes widened with interest as he asked, "What kind of powerful clan is that?"

Zhao Le stroked his white beard, looking quite proud: "The Zhen family of Wuji is the most prominent family in Zhongshan. Their ancestor, Zhen Han, served as Grand Protector and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chengyang."

"From then on, the family held positions of two thousand shi (a unit of grain) for generations, accumulating vast wealth. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Zhongshan County was devastated, and officials either died or fled. Only the Zhen family, with ten thousand servants, defended their fortified village and preserved the region."

Ten thousand servants!

Everyone was shocked. Although the powerful and influential people of the time had vast territories and countless followers numbering over a thousand, this was a remarkable achievement.

However, those who possess immense wealth and employ tens of thousands of servants are truly rare in the world.

As Liu Bei was pondering this, Zhao Le looked at him strangely and said, "Emperor Guangwu marched through Hebei alone, without a single soldier. When he passed through Zhending, King Liu Yang of Zhending had an army of 100,000. He formed a marriage alliance with Liu Yang, and Guangwu thus gained troops, which laid the foundation for his later pacification and restoration of Hebei."

"Although Xuande's power is now awe-inspiring in Youzhou, he has ultimately been a guest army since entering Jizhou. The heroes of Jizhou are all watching and waiting. Why doesn't Xuande follow the example of Emperor Guangwu and form a marriage alliance with the powerful clan of Zhongshan to gain the support of Hebei?"

Zhang Fei respected Zhao Zidu and rescued the Zhao family, thus becoming very close to Zhao Le.

Seeing Zhao Le's proud expression, he glared at him and asked in a loud voice, "Hey, old man, something sounds a bit strange to me."

"Even if my elder brother wants to follow Emperor Guangwu's example and form a marriage alliance with the Zhen family, that is something the Zhen family should consider."

"What are you so smug about, jumping around like that, old man surnamed Zhao from Liwu?"

As he spoke, he took a step closer, teasing Zhao Le, "Do you perhaps have a niece like Guo Shengtong? Or do you have an illegitimate daughter hidden in the Zhen family?"

"Judging from your expression just now, you seemed happier than if you were marrying off your own daughter."

Zhang Fei was always known for his bold and unrestrained nature, and his teasing remark immediately drew laughter from the entire room.

But now that the Zhao family has invited him to help the army garrison, as a gesture of hospitality, Liu Bei is deeply grateful.

He had no choice but to reprimand Zhang Fei, saying, "Third brother, Lord Zhao is a man of high moral character and great prestige; how can you be so disrespectful?"

After saying this, he cupped his hands to Zhao Le and said, "I am deeply grateful for Lord Zhao's words. However, I have never had any dealings with the Zhen family before, and it would be inappropriate for me to suddenly come to them for a marriage alliance."

Zhao Le stroked his beard and laughed heartily. Far from being annoyed, his face grew even more smug. He said to Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, "Yide guessed right this time!"

"I do have a younger sister who married into the Zhen family of Wuji in her early years. She is the stepmother of Zhen Yu, the current head of the Zhen family."

"When the Zhen brothers see me, they must respectfully call me Uncle."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened instantly, and his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit a fist: "Old...old man, you really have a niece?"

Zhao Le stroked his white beard, his smile deepening: "I am related to the Zhen family by marriage. Although my Liwu Zhao family is not as wealthy as the Zhen family, we are still a prominent family in Zhongshan. Since Zhao Zidu, generations of us have held official positions, and we are a perfect match for the Zhen family."

"Among the families of Zhongshan, the Zhao, Zhen, Wang, and Li families have been intermarried for generations, their ties deeply intertwined. My cousin married into the Zhen family, and my nephew married a woman from the Zhen family—in fact, half of the young men in the Zhen family should call me uncle."

He then paused, his smile fading slightly, and looked at Liu Bei, saying solemnly, "Therefore, what I said just now was not unfounded. Xuande, you have lofty ambitions and brilliant strategies. Since raising your righteous army, you have conquered many battles and used troops like a god. In just a few months, you rose from humble beginnings to become a force to be reckoned with in Youzhou. This is truly the demeanor of a hero."

"Furthermore, he possesses a refined and loyal character, a generous and benevolent nature, and the courage to sacrifice himself for heroes. One day, he will surely ride the wind and transform into a dragon, soaring through the heavens."

"However, those who achieve great things in ancient times not only had heroic ambitions, but also wise and capable assistants."

"If Emperor Gaozu of Han had not possessed the talents of Lady Lü, how could he have risen from Fengpei? If Emperor Guangwu had not married Empress Guo and gathered the people of Zhending, how could he have revived the Han Dynasty?"

"Since Xuande aspires to rule the world, he should be making friends with heroes and strengthening his foundation. As the lord of the Zhao family and the maternal uncle of the Zhen family, how can I stand idly by and miss this perfect match, having encountered such a hero?"

At this point, he straightened up, his eyes gleaming: "The alliance between Jin and Liu is a timeless tale; the marriage between Liu and Zhen is perfectly timed. I am willing to act as matchmaker, facilitating this union. If Xuande is interested, I will write a letter and send it by fast horse to Wuji to introduce you to them!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei finally understood and slapped his thigh: "Well, so you old man went through all this trouble to find a husband for your niece!"

Everyone in the hall looked excited.

If our lord can form a marriage alliance with the Zhen family, a prominent clan in Zhongshan, it will greatly benefit our great cause!

Liu Bei was also moved, but after a moment of contemplation, he said, "With the Yellow Turbans not yet defeated, how can I have a home? The world is in turmoil today, and I have no heart for sentimental matters."

"I am deeply grateful for Lord Zhao's kindness. However, the marriage alliance with the Zhen family is indeed somewhat hasty, and we should discuss it again later. The most urgent task is to go to Wei Commandery to join forces with Lu Shi and alleviate the national crisis."

"If we wait until the Yellow Turban Rebellion is quelled and the country is at peace, and I happen to achieve something, wouldn't it be even better to visit the Zhen family and discuss education with them?"

Zhao Le, now mature beyond his years, was no longer the impetuous youth he once was. Upon hearing this, he stroked his beard and laughed, "Good, good, good! What Xuande says is very reasonable. With the national crisis still unresolved, how can we think of a home?"

"I sincerely admire such integrity. It was my impulsive decision to arrange this marriage."

"But Xuande's journey to Ye City is undoubtedly a necessary one. Moreover, the suppression of the Yellow Turbans requires the assistance of the heroes of Youzhou, so it would be good to pay them a visit."

"I have written this letter for you, Xuande. Please give it to Zhen Yu when you pass through Wuji."

He quickly fetched a brush and ink, wrote a letter on the spot, and handed the silk scroll to Liu Bei.

After Liu Bei accepted it, he couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. What kind of story was this, of overcoming five passes and defeating six generals?

On his journey south, he also carried a letter home.

But perhaps this westward march south is indeed quite similar to this plot.

After all, once you pass Wuji, you will reach Changshan.

If all goes well, we might even get to pay a visit to Zhao Yun!

Therefore, Liu Bei made a decisive decision, saying, "Then let's take the official road at the foot of the Taihang Mountains, with Guan Yu's iron cavalry as the vanguard, and the main army will advance at double speed!"

"Yes, sir!" The generals immediately accepted the order and went back to reorganize their troops.

The next morning, the army decisively set off and quickly crossed the border of Anxi County.

When passing by this place, Liu Bei reined in his horse and stopped, looking at the low rammed earth city wall in the distance, and suddenly felt a sense of emotion.

This was just an ordinary small county in Jizhou, with a city wall that was only a few miles long. The battlements were low and flat, and a few tattered red flags fluttered weakly on the city walls.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the fields were desolate, the villages were ruined, and a few emaciated villagers could be seen by the roadside. When they saw the army passing by in the distance, they would hurriedly hide in the bushes.

Historically, his predecessor was a county magistrate of Anxi who was awarded the title of county magistrate for his military achievements—his rank was no more than 400 shi (a unit of grain), and his duties were limited to commanding the soldiers of a county.

That was the pinnacle of his career in his youth, and also the end of his youthful ambition.

After that, he suffered from bribery by the inspector, resigned from his post, wandered from place to place, and lived under the roof of others, wasting half his life with little success.

At this moment, his two thousand elite infantry and cavalrymen marched across the Anxi boundary marker, their banners and armor illuminating the heavens and the earth.

The low city wall that had once trapped the previous life gradually receded amidst the sound of horses' hooves, like an old dream left behind, shrinking smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely.

Liu Bei suddenly felt as if he had been transported to another world.

It's as if the long river of history has turned turbulently here, transforming into a raging torrent that stretches for thousands of miles.

From then on, his achievements, reputation, strength, trajectory—everything about him—became completely different from his predecessor.

However, before he could finish his reflections, the army quickly crossed Hanchang County and arrived at Wuji.

At this time, the army was already close to the border of Changshan County. Once they crossed the Wei River, they could reach Zhengding directly.

At this time, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was at its most rampant. First, the Yellow Turbans of Youzhou killed the governor in Guangyang, and then the Yellow Turbans of Runan defeated the prefect Zhao Qian in Shaoling.

Even Zhu Jun, the Right General of the Central Army of the Han Dynasty who was in charge of suppressing the bandits, was defeated by Bo Cai of the Yellow Turbans in Yuzhou.

When news of this defeat spread, the world was thrown into chaos, and people were filled with fear. No one knew where this upheaval, which had swept across half the country, would lead.

Could it be as the prophecy says, that the Azure Heaven is dead and the Yellow Heaven shall rise?

Therefore, when Liu Bei arrived in Wuji and paid a visit, the Zhen family practically turned their backs to greet him, showing great respect for this famous general who had decisively defeated the Yellow Turbans in Youzhou.

Not only did men want to sit down and discuss the situation with Liu Bei, but women also eagerly wanted to catch a glimpse of the renowned general who had brought peace and stability to Youzhou.