Outside the city of Quyuan, in the military camp, Liu Jin sat at the head of the table, with his Generals gathered together, and the atmosphere was somewhat subdued.
Zhang He, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Wei You, and others were to be separated and stationed in various places, making it difficult for them to meet again in a short period.
Liu Jin saw the somber atmosphere and said with a laugh!
"There's no need for this, everyone. Today is a day of great joy. All the Generals have been promoted, so we should be happy."
Everyone nodded at his words, but they still felt a bit down.
During their time together, the Generals had become close, like brothers. Now that they were to part, they didn't know when they would meet again.
Liu Jin continued with a smile!
"There's no feast that doesn't end. This separation is only for a better reunion. You all should cheer up and look forward to our next meeting."
Hearing this, Zhang Fei picked up a jar of wine, placed it on the table, and said loudly!
"Big Brother is right. Since we are all of one heart, what does it matter if we leave for a while? Sooner or later, we will be together again."
"Why are we being so sentimental here? It's better to drink heartily and look forward to our next meeting."
Han Dang also raised a jar of wine and laughed heartily!
"Yide is right. We are all men of the army; our words are in our wine."
"Come, come, let us drink heartily!"
The Generals in the hall nodded repeatedly, showing their strong agreement!
They all raised their wine cups and began to drink freely and heartily in the military camp.
For a time, the atmosphere in the main tent was very lively, with everyone clinking cups and drinking with abandon.
But as they drank, some people began to cry bitterly, with Zhang Fei, Han Dang, and others weeping the most fiercely.
After all, they had followed Liu Jin through countless hardships, life and death separations, and their bond was the deepest. Naturally, they were reluctant to part now.
Seeing this, Liu Jin's eyes were slightly red, and he felt a touch of sadness.
After all, all of his Generals held official court positions. It was impossible for Liu Jin to command all of them, lest he grow too powerful and threaten the court. Therefore, splitting them up and stationing them in various places was a long-standing rule of the court.
It was simply not possible to gather all the troops, quell the rebellion, and then have all these Generals and soldiers commanded by you, the main General. If that were the case, wouldn't it be giving you an opportunity to rebel?
The Han Dynasty, having existed for nearly four hundred years, was very vigilant about military power and naturally would not give anyone a loophole.
Liu Jin clenched his hands tightly, his eyes filled with determination. After this separation, they would never part again.
The next morning!
Liu Jin slowly woke from his sleep. After putting on his clothes, he pushed open the tent door and saw that the military camp was already empty.
The Generals, leading their troops, had departed to take up their posts according to the court's orders.
He felt an emptiness in his heart, as if he had lost something, and he was very reluctant to see them go.
He also wondered if Zhang He, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, Wei You, Han Dang, Zhang Fei, and others would change their minds after leaving him.
Although everyone had acknowledged him as their lord and shared a deep bond, there was no guarantee that while leading troops elsewhere, they wouldn't encounter other people and be recruited by them.
Shaking his head, Liu Jin didn't dwell on the matter. Those who would betray would eventually betray.
Those who wouldn't betray would stay with you, even if it meant going hungry.
Just then, Guan Yu slowly walked over. Seeing Liu Jin's silent expression, he comforted him!
"Big Brother, I believe Yide, Junyi, and Yi Gong will not forget Big Brother."
Liu Jin nodded at his words. In the Han Dynasty, once someone acknowledged a lord, they would become his retainer and generally would not betray him.
If they dared to betray, their reputation would become very poor, and they might even be scorned by everyone.
Lü Bu was an example of this. He repeatedly betrayed his former lords, becoming a 'three-surnamed slave,' and was detested by all.
Even after being defeated by Cao Cao, he begged for mercy and pledged loyalty, but he had no credibility left and was instead executed.
After taking a deep breath, Liu Jin returned to normal, his eyes filled with drive.
His next step was to go to Luoyang to be enfeoffed. His status and position would change, and he would no longer be the common Liu Jin he once was.
He immediately spoke to Guan Yu, who was beside him!
"Yun Chang, I am going to Luoyang this time. The thousand-strong cavalry in the army is quite large. For now, they should be dispersed and dissolved."
"After I receive my appointment, I will reassemble these cavalrymen to accompany me to my new post."
Guan Yu nodded quickly, naturally knowing that he could not lead cavalry into Luoyang, as that would be no different from rebellion.
After handling these matters, Liu Jin, accompanied by a few people and escorted by over a hundred cavalrymen, set off for Luoyang.
Time flew by, and several days later!
Henan Commandery, the county seat of Huai County!
Over a hundred cavalrymen were approaching this place in a grand procession.
Guo Yun, the Prefect of Henan Commandery, was leading the county officials in a respectful welcome outside the city gate.
Liu Jin, riding on his horse, looked at the Prefect's retinue before him, a smile appearing on his face.
Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, his reputation had spread throughout the land. No matter where he went, he would be respectfully treated by local officials.
Even a Prefect, a two-thousand-dan official, would respectfully greet him outside the city gate whenever he passed by.
Although these people's actions were not to flatter him, but merely to avoid offending him.
After all, he was young and had so many accomplishments to his name. His future was boundless, so they had to show him some respect.
Soon, he arrived at the city gate. Prefect Guo Yun, with a smile on his face, quickly walked towards him!
From a distance, he called out loudly!
"General Liu!"
Hearing this, Liu Jin's gaze swept forward.
Guo Yun, in his forties, had a round face, dark hair, and wore a long robe.
He wore a silver seal and a green ribbon at his waist, signifying that he was a two-thousand-dan official.
Moreover, the man before him was a historical figure with a very deep background. The Guo family was considered one of the foremost great clans in Bing Province.
Liu Jin did not neglect him. He cupped his hands and said politely!
"Greetings, Lord Guo."
Guo Yun smiled and nodded, his eyes continuously appraising Liu Jin.
The more he looked, the more he admired him. To achieve such world-shaking Merits at such a young age, he truly was a hero from a young age.
Liu Jin dismounted from his horse and walked over directly, his face gentle as he said with a smile!
"To have Lord Guo personally come out of the city to greet me, I am truly thrice blessed."
Guo Yun laughed heartily at this, quickly waved his hand, and said politely!
"General Liu, you are too kind. You are the hero who quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion and saved the common people of the world. As a local official, for the sake of the people, I naturally had to come personally to greet and thank you."
Hearing this, Liu Jin developed a bit more respect for Guo Yun. The two chatted happily outside the city gate.