Vanguard General Ju Yi

Their group was still quite large. Ever since Shi A started following Yuan Shu, he had been inseparable from him, bringing four highly skilled warriors to protect Yuan Shu every day. 

Additionally, the stewards Yuan An and Zhang Cheng accompanied them with four servants to attend to their needs. 

Finally, there were his junior brother Zhou Yi and little Cai Wenji inside the carriage. 

Looking at this grand entourage, Yuan Shu couldn't help but nod secretly: 

"This is more like it. Now I finally have the presence of Luoyang's number one young master." 

Yuan Shu suddenly thought of Miss Zou Rong, who was still bored at home. Since he had taken little Cai Wenji out to play, he couldn't favor one and neglect the other. So, he spoke up: 

"Zhang Cheng?" 

Zhang Cheng quickly trotted over and flattered him, saying, "Young Master, you called for me?" 

Yuan Shu nodded and said, "Go back home and bring A Rong out to join us." 

Zhang Cheng quickly nodded, "Understood, Young Master, I'll go bring the young mistress right away." 

Cai Wenji, inside the carriage, had sharp ears. She poked her little head out of the window and asked: 

"Who is A Rong?" 

Yuan Shu thought to himself, this kid is already so nosy? 

It seems that gossip is truly a woman's nature. 

Still, he smiled and replied to Cai Wenji, "A Rong is my concubine." 

Cai Wenji was surprised, "Senior Brother, you already have a concubine?" 

Yuan Shu nodded, "Of course. After all, I'm an adult now. When you grow up, you'll get married too." 

Cai Wenji pouted disdainfully and said: 

"She's just a concubine. Hmph! I will be a proper wife in the future!" 

Yuan Shu coaxed her with a smile, "Of course, in the future, Senior Brother will marry you." 

Cai Wenji stuck out her tongue and made a funny face at Yuan Shu, saying, "No way! You're too old!" 

Yuan Shu reached out to touch his youthful and handsome face, thinking: 

Old? I'm only ten years older than you... 

This little girl, if not for Senior Brother saving you, you'd have ended up worse than Zou Rong. 

So, whether you want to or not, you'll still need Senior Brother to protect you in the future. 

Zhang Cheng was efficient in his work. After Yuan Shu and his group had walked just two streets, he arrived with Zou Rong. 

Zou Rong was dressed in a light blue dress, looking both beautiful and elegant. 

Ever since entering Yuan Manor, she no longer wore a veil, and her stunning beauty drew the frequent glances of passersby. 

But as soon as she reunited with Yuan Shu, the crowd quickly recognized her as the woman of "Luoyang's Street Demon" Yuan Gonglu, and no one dared to look at her any longer. 

Yuan Shu was quite satisfied with this effect. Sometimes, having a notorious reputation wasn't a bad thing. 

"You're A Rong, my senior brother's concubine?" Cai Wenji tilted her little head from the carriage window and asked Zou Rong. 

Seeing that the speaker was such an adorable little girl, Zou Rong gently replied, 

"Yes, little sister, are you my husband's junior sister?" 

Looking at Zou Rong's beauty, the young Cai Wenji suddenly felt a little self-conscious. 

Feeling a bit down, she muttered, "I'm not your little sister. In the future, I will be the proper wife." 

Zou Rong was perceptive and, noticing how thoughtful Cai Wenji was despite her young age, she smiled and said, 

"You're so cute. If you become the proper wife, my husband will definitely be happy. Then I'll have to call you 'Elder Sister' in the future." 

Cai Wenji pouted her lips, silently calculating in her mind—having this great beauty call her "Elder Sister" in the future didn't seem like a bad deal. 

"Shi A, is there anything major happening in Luoyang today?" Yuan Shu asked Shi A as they walked. 

Shi A had now officially replaced Yuan An as Yuan Shu's number one lackey. 

Previously, Yuan Shu had used the system to test Shi A's loyalty and found that it was as high as 90—higher than even his master Wang Yue. He was completely someone to be trusted.

The reason for such a high loyalty score, Yuan Shu speculated, might be because Shi A was still young and believed that following him had great prospects.

Unlike his master Wang Yue, who was more experienced and thought things through more carefully.

Shi A immediately replied, "Young Master, today the 'Wanshan Winery' in the northern part of Luoyang has produced its first batch of wine and is officially starting sales.

This wine was previously promoted as the best in the world. Why don't we go take a look?"

Yuan Shu thought to himself—Wanshan Winery? Isn't that the winery I asked Shen Wansan to establish? I actually forgot about such a major event as its first sale.

Looks like I've really gotten used to being a hands-off boss.

He nodded at Shi A and said, "Hmm, it's good to take a stroll there. It should be quite lively."

Following Yuan Shu's instructions, the group started heading toward the northern part of the city.

Along the way, Cai Wenji stretched her little head out, looking around curiously at everything.

"Young Master, there seems to be a fight up ahead," one of the youxia (wandering warriors) suddenly reported to Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu looked up ahead and saw that there was indeed a crowd gathered around something, with bursts of angry shouts coming from the scene.

"You there! Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Hand over that treasured blade in your hands, and I'll spare your pathetic life!"

This voice was particularly rough, and Yuan Shu found it oddly familiar.

Thinking carefully, wasn't this Zhang Ji?

Looks like he's back to his old ways, committing robbery in broad daylight.

"Hmph! This Seven-Star Blade was something I risked my life to obtain. If you want it, you'll have to trade your life for it!" A clear and firm voice angrily responded to Zhang Ji.

As Yuan Shu got closer, he saw that the speaker was a young man dressed in a gray cloth robe. He stood at seven feet tall, had a strong and heroic appearance, and looked far superior to the rough and barbaric Zhang Ji.

At this moment, the young man was holding a beautifully sheathed treasured blade in his arms, standing off against Zhang Ji and his men.

Zhang Ji really was like an unkillable cockroach. It hadn't been long since he was last dealt with, yet he had already gathered three to five thugs around him again.

Judging by the young man's appearance, Yuan Shu knew he wasn't an ordinary person. He secretly commanded the system, "System, check this gray-robed young man's stats for me."

"Ding! System received the request, querying talent attributes!"

"Query successful! Talent Name: Ju Yi." (Note 1)

"Talent Ju Yi's Attributes:

Martial Strength: 91, Leadership: 92, Intelligence: 60, Politics: 21, Charisma: 40, Luck: 46

Ju Yi's Skill:

Xian Deng (Awakened): Can train a special unit, 'Xian Deng Death Warriors.'

Special Unit 'Xian Deng Death Warriors' Stats:

Minimum troop size: 500, Maximum troop size: 3000.

Average individual martial strength: 70.

Unit Abilities:

Ambush Cavalry: When fighting cavalry, individual martial strength increases by 5 points, and damage to cavalry is doubled.

Fearless: Xian Deng Death Warriors are fearless in battle. For every 10% increase in casualties, individual martial strength rises by 1 point, until the entire unit is wiped out."

Seeing the system's results, Yuan Shu was both shocked and delighted.

He never expected that this gray-robed young man was actually the famous general Ju Yi, who annihilated the White Horse Cavalry at the Battle of Jieqiao!

Although he only had a single skill, this skill was incredibly powerful.

He had been worrying about how to train his personal guard. If he could recruit Ju Yi, wouldn't that problem be perfectly solved?

With this in mind, Yuan Shu cast a sly glance at Zhang Ji in front of him.

Sorry, but I'll have to trouble you to be my pawn once again.

[Author's Note]:

Note 1: Ju Yi (also known as Qu Yi or Qu Yi, but this book will use Ju Yi)

A native of Wuwei, he was originally a subordinate of Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, and later served Yuan Shao.

At the Battle of Jieqiao, he led 800 Xian Deng warriors to crush Gongsun Zan's 20,000 infantry and 10,000 elite White Horse Cavalry.

After this battle, the White Horse Cavalry, which had once dominated the northern frontier and struck fear into the Wuhuan tribes, was completely wiped out.

Yuan Shao: "This army marches before me; at Jieqiao, they seized banners and broke through fortifications, leading the charge to victory."