Chapter Twenty: Return of the Heart

  Two figures emerged from the surrounding soldiers, rushed to Ao Lie's front, and knelt down together in unison, shouting loudly: "We two swear to die following our lord!"

  Ao Lie let go of Lü Bu's arm, and with tears in his eyes, he looked at the two people kneeling down in front of him. Who were they if not Zhang Liao and Tian Chou?

  "Wen Yuan, Zi Tai, what are you two...?" Zhang Liao raised his head and looked at Ao Lie's determined expression, saying: "I was promoted by the lord from the ranks, appointed as the vanguard, this kindness I have no way to repay, only following the lord closely, serving the lord with loyalty!"

  Tian Chu also said without a doubt: "Since ancient times, loyal ministers have not served two masters. How can I abandon my master when I first received the kindness of my lord and then again received the kindness of my lord's rebirth?"

  Ao Lie hastily stepped forward, grasped the arms of the two men and forcibly pulled them up. He said with emotion: "I understand your intentions. However, you cannot defy the imperial court's appointment. You are both officials appointed by the imperial court, how can you abandon your posts? I think it would be better for you to follow under my brother's command, what do you say?"

  Zhang Liao, upon hearing this, struggled to free himself from Ao Lü's support. He then took off his armor and threw it on the ground, shouting loudly: "I, a nine-foot-tall man, would rather die than be faithless! Today, I would rather give up my official position than not follow my lord!" Tian Chou followed with a loud shout: "Exactly so!"

  Lü Bu saw this and hastily stepped forward to grab Ao Lie, saying: "Second brother, the imperial edict clearly states that Zhang Liao, the Colonel of the Van, is under the command of the General Who Manifests Might. Now that you, the General Who Manifests Might, are going to Youzhou, it's only natural that you should bring your subordinates along as well."

  Zhang Liao and Tian Yuan cast a grateful glance at Lü Bu, then said in unison: "The General's words are reasonable!"

  Just as Ao Lie was in a dilemma, more than 100 soldiers walked out from among the troops and stood in four rows in front of him, shouting loudly: "We swear to follow General Ao to death!" After that, these over 100 soldiers imitated Zhang Liao, taking off their armor and throwing it on the ground. Then they knelt down in front of Ao Lie. Taking off their armor meant leaving the Han army, which means that these people would rather become private soldiers without military pay than follow Ao Lie.

  Ao Lie Ding Jing looked intently, these more than 100 warriors, were actually the original followers by his side, among the 500 elite cavalrymen, who survived after the great battle with the Xiongnu people.

  Lü Bu whispered to Ao Lie: "These elite soldiers will be useful in the future. Why don't you take them with you? I'll think of a way to make up for the vacant military positions." Seeing that Ao Lie still wanted to say something, Lü Bu continued: "Since the Battle of Mount Bailin, all the soldiers have admired my younger brother greatly. If you hesitate for even a moment, many more people will stand up and want to follow you, and I won't be able to fill so many vacant military positions."

  Ao Lie listened to Lü Bu's words and didn't know what to say, so he could only turn to Zhang Liao, Tian Xiu, and over a hundred old subordinates and say: "Since that's the case, you'll follow me from now on. Your military positions will remain unchanged, but don't take away any swords or armor from Jiuyuan Prefecture. Once we arrive in Youzhou, I'll reissue clothes, armor, and weapons to you."

  Hundreds of elite troops heard and cheered in unison.

  Liu Yu saw that things were settled on this side, fearing that something would go wrong again, he mounted his horse and led his troops out of the city gate amidst a chorus of farewell voices, heading northeast.

  As Liu Yu and others were about to leave the city gate, Lü Bu couldn't help but shout loudly: "Second brother! Take care!" Ao Lie heard Lü Bu's call and reined in his Night Snow Dragon Horse, turning back to look at Lü Bu, with a sigh that was hard to express. He had thought that he could quietly change some of Lü Bu's temperament, so as to avoid the fate of being surrounded on all sides like in history. But unexpectedly, after just over two years together, they were about to part ways. Although the current Lü Bu was already far removed from the arrogant and self-willed Lü Bu described in history, Ao Lie still had some misgivings, after all, the pride deep within his bones was hard to change.

  "With a sudden movement, Ao Lie shouted loudly to Lü Bu: 'A thousand miles of yellow clouds and white sun, the north wind blows geese and snowflakes. Don't worry that there is no one on the road who knows you, who in the world does not recognize you! Big brother, farewell——！'"

  Lü Bu gazed at the receding figure of Ao Lie, a misty veil clouding his vision. He muttered to himself: "Don't worry about the road ahead being unknown, who in the world doesn't recognize you? Second brother, rest assured, big brother will take care of himself. The day we meet again will surely be the day when my brothers and I make our names known!"

  Ten days later, Liu Yu and others arrived at Youzhou's administrative center, Ji County. After entrusting Tian Chou with the task of settling his family, Liu Yu began to convene a meeting of Youzhou's civil and military officials for the first time. In the government office, Liu Yu sat in the main seat, looking at his new subordinates, and said: "As I have just taken office, I am not yet familiar with the military and political situation within the territory. Please tell me about the situation within the territory."

  A robust and majestic military general, without waiting for others to speak, stood up first and said in a loud and rough tone: "I am Shi Tian, the commander of Youzhou and the chief controller of Dingyuan. I have long heard of your great reputation, Governor, but I don't know why you let a mere child sit in the main hall. Could it be that even you, Governor, are also one of those who only favor their relatives?"

  The child sitting next to Liu Yu was naturally Ao Lie. Due to the underdeveloped communication equipment during the Eastern Han period, Ao Lie's great victory over the Xiongnu and his appointment as Weiyuan General by Emperor Ling had not yet reached Youzhou. Therefore, the civil and military officials of Youzhou were very suspicious of Ao Lie, a teenager sitting in the grand hall, and Shi Huan, who was straightforward by nature, asked directly.

  Liu Yu was about to speak, when Zhang Liao, who was standing behind Ao Lie, shouted in anger: "How dare you! You're just a humble school lieutenant, how dare you be rude to General Wei Yuan?" Ao Lie chuckled and stopped Zhang Liao's words, saying: "It doesn't matter, General Shi hasn't seen me before, naturally he doesn't know who I am, Wen Yuan needn't get angry."

  Liu Yu also stopped Zhang Liao with his eyes, then said to Shi Yuan: "This is the Weiyuan General appointed by the Emperor, and he is also the second son of our general, Ao Lie." After hearing Liu Yu's explanation, Shi Yuan not only didn't calm down but instead shouted even more violently: "Weiyuan General? Haha, how ridiculous! What can a mere child of ten or so years old do to be appointed as Weiyuan General by the Emperor? Isn't it that the Governor is privately taking credit for someone else's military achievements?"

  Ao Lie didn't get angry, slowly stood up and looked at Shi Huan saying: "Then according to General Shi Huan's meaning, how can I prove that I, General Wei Yuan, am the real deal?" Shi Huan looked at Ao Lie with disdain and said: "That's simple, let's have a real fight, if you can beat me, I'll acknowledge you as the true General Wei Yuan."

  Ao Lie let out a loud laugh and said with relish, "Good! Then let's have a competition!" Seeing Ao Lie respond so readily, Shi Huan was taken aback and couldn't help but glance at a man dressed as a scholar sitting to Liu Yu's left. This person was Yan Rou, known as the number one strategist in Youzhou. Yan Rou saw Shi Huan looking over and thought for a moment before nodding slightly.

  Shi Huan saw Yan Rou's subtle hint, and with the trust accumulated over a long period of time in Yan Rou's calculations, he felt more confident and shouted: "Go, to the school field!" After finishing, he led the way out.

  Here is the translation:

  Arriving at the military school grounds, Shi Tian rode on a sturdy black horse and said to Ao Lie, "Come on, come on, let's have a big battle of 300 rounds!" Ao Lie smiled lightly and mounted the Snow Dragon Colt brought by Zhang Liao. He then said, "The Xiongnu Left Wise King was also knocked off his horse with just one move. Why do I need 300 rounds to deal with you?" Hearing Ao Lie's words, Shi Tian's anger surged to his head. What? One move to knock off the Xiongnu Left Wise King? That's not how you brag! Shi Tian didn't say anything more and urged his horse to charge at Ao Lie, swinging his long knife straight at Ao Lie's head.

  Ao Lie remained calm and composed, not even urging on his horse, Snow Dragon Colt, as he stood still, waiting for Shi Huan's blade to strike. Seeing Ao Lie unmoving, Shi Huan sensed his disdain and grew even more enraged, increasing the force of his blow.

  Yan Rou stood by, looking at Liu Yu's expression without any change, then looked at Zhang Liao with his arms crossed, a look of watching a good show. She couldn't help but feel suspicious in her heart. In a low voice, she said to the two tall and similar-looking men beside her: "Xianyu brothers, can you see anything? I always feel that something is not quite right." The two men were twin brothers, the elder was called Xianyu Fu, and the younger was called Xianyu Yin. The Xianyu brothers also noticed Liu Yu and Zhang Liao's expressions, and they too felt suspicious. Seeing Yan Rou ask in a low voice, Xianyu Fu replied in a hushed tone: "We can't see anything special about that young man either. Let's watch this round of confrontation first, and see how he responds."

  Just as a few people were talking in low voices, Shi Huan had already rushed to Ao Lie's front on horseback, with his long knife chopping heavily towards Ao Lie's head. Ao Lie shook his head and shouted: "The commander of Youzhou? Too weak!" Before he finished speaking, he held up his long spear with one hand, and the tip of the spear flashed like lightning, pointing at the blade of Shi Huan's knife.

  Clang——the sound of metal clashing, sparks flying everywhere! Ao Lie had already withdrawn his long spear and sat calmly on his horse. Looking back at Shi Huan, he was knocked back four or five steps along with his horse by Ao Lie's single spear thrust. He struggled to maintain his balance on the horseback for a few moments before falling off headfirst. The large knife in Shi Huan's hand was also sent flying into the air by Ao Lie, spinning several times before plummeting towards the ground with its blade facing down, like a shooting star. It landed with a loud clang, embedding itself in the earth less than half a foot away from Shi Huan's body!

  Looking at the blade inserted less than half a foot away from his body, Shi Yuan felt a wave of fear. He stared at Ao Lie in shock and disbelief. This young man needed how much strength to be able to knock the big knife out of his hand with one strike while he was borrowing the power of the warhorse's charge? How precise a calculation did he need to make so that the flying knife would land beside him without harming a single hair on his body when it fell back down?

  It's not just Shi Huan, even the officials and military officers of Youzhou who were watching from the side all had faces full of horror! Yan Rou, the number one strategist of Youzhou, was muttering to himself: "This child, is truly a god descended to earth!" The only two people whose expressions didn't change were Liu Yu and Zhang Liao.

  Shi Huan was a martial man, and most martial men have straightforward personalities. When they lose, they just admit defeat. So Shi Huan took three steps forward, then two steps back, and bowed his head to the ground in front of Ao Lie's horse, saying in a loud and rough voice: "I didn't recognize Mount Tai when I saw it, I offended General Wei Yuan, please punish me!"

  Ao Lie dismounted and helped Shi Huan up, smiling as he said: "General Shi Huan needn't be like this. Earlier I also had many transgressions, please forgive me. You and I will be comrades-in-arms in the future, we should work together for the sake of Great Han."

  Shi Yun said excitedly: "Thank you, General! From now on, my life belongs to the general. Whatever the general orders, even if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, I will not frown!"

  It was originally just a fight triggered by a dispute, but unexpectedly it won over Shi Huan's heart. Ao Lie secretly observed the situation and knew that this battle not only recovered Shi Huan, but also made Yan Rou, Xian Yu brothers and other Youzhou civil and military officials no longer reject these outsiders.

  Liu Yu's vision was far-sighted, knowing that through this struggle, he had already initially grasped the hearts of Youzhou's civil and military officials. With time, completely grasping Youzhou's military and government would not be a problem. At that time, there would again be a batch of warriors loyal to the Great Han. Thinking of this, Liu Yu felt greatly pleased in his heart. It must be known that since ancient times, with the alternation of power, there will always be some bloody events appearing more or less. This time, Ao Lie had perfectly resolved Youzhou's internal opposing voices, and hadn't harmed the harmony between both sides, it can be said that he did a good job, paving the way for Youzhou's future stability and unity, laying the foundation.