The brief contact between Silver Axe Legion horsemen and Xiongnu ended within a day as Batu, the Xiongnu grand commander, decided to retreat and abandon the slaves .

  Lu Zhi and the infantries entered Ji City later and began rescuing the captured civilians .

  Xu Huang chased after Xiongnu main forces . However, their warhorses were faster than Xu Huang Army’s warhorses . They could not keep up and lost track of the Xiongnu after the sunset .

  Dejected, Xu Huang apologized to everyone in the clan chat .

  Xu Huang: "I’m sorry . We lost them . "

  Lu Zhi: "No harm . Just come back first . " ……

  11 PM .

  Xu Huang, Zhao Yun, and Tian Yu arrived at Ji City, exhausted .

  Zhao Yun and Tian Yu did not help much in the last fight as they could only fire a few crossbow bolts at the Xiongnu from the backline .

  Zhao Yun did not mind it as he understood that it was near impossible to fight against Xiongnu in a melee confrontation . They were using short bows and projectiles as their primary weapons, after all .

  Tian Yu, on the other hand, did not like it . He thought that he would get into a direct fight, so he was disappointed .

  By the time they entered the city, Lu Zhi and the other infantries already provided first-aid and distributed food to the rescued locals . With the army and the strong looking soldiers, the rescued civilians were relieved and grateful for the help .

  The corner of Zhao Yun’s mouth revealed a smile, but his light frown showed his complicated feeling . He was supposed to be Ji City Governor, but he had to yield the city to Tong’s subordinates now . .

  Next morning .

  Xu Huang and his men resumed the scouting and tracing the current whereabouts of the Xiongnu .

  Lu Zhi summoned Zhao Yun and Tian Yu, wanting to explain about the authority stuff .

  The dejected Zhao Yun entered the city hall, expecting to hear that he had to surrender the city to Tong .

  "Sir Zhao Yun, under the current circumstance, we will temporarily protect the city until Lord Gongsun Zan sends an army to protect the civilians . "

  Zhao Yun was taken aback by the promise . It was unusual for the warlord to give up a city easily .

  "Are you returning the city to Lord Gongsun when their army arrives?"

  "Yes . Our young master has ordered us to repel the foreign invaders as it is his duty to protect the country . Do you think we should be fighting each other for the power struggling reason and ignore the threat of Xiongnu?"

  "N-No . "

  "Besides, he and Lord Gongsun both were once my apprentices . They have no reason to fight each other . "

  Lu Zhi grinned while Zhao Yun stared at Lu Zhi in disbelieved .

  "T-They trained under y-you?"

  "Yes . I’m very proud of them . That’s why I’m working for one of my apprentices . "

  Tian Yu, who was tagging along with Zhao Yun, stared at the scholar in admiration . To train two warlords who held a great influence on this land was significant .

  Shamelessly, Tian Yu muttered, "C-Can I be your apprentice, too?"

  "Oh? What’s your name?"

  \r \r \r

  "Tian Yu, sir . " .

  In history, Tian Yu was also an influential figure during the Three Kingdoms Period .

  In his young age, he was under the care of Liu Bei . However, he returned to his hometown to care for his aging mother and served Gongsun Zan . Liu Bei, who noticed Tian Yu’s hidden talent, lamented sadness when he parted .

  As Tian Yu advanced within Gongsun Zan’s ranks, Wang Men betrayed Gongsun Zan and invaded the county that Tian Yu was protecting . Tian Yu proved his talent by confronting Wang Men and shaming him into retreat .

  Unfortunately, Gongsun Zan failed to notice his talent, so he did not appoint or promote him to a more important position .

  After Gongsun Zan committed suicide because he lost to Yuan Shao . Tian Yu was persuaded by his friend to join Cao Cao, which he agreed .

  During the period of his career under the Cao Family, he showed his talent in many battles, but he was outshined by Cao Cao’s top talented personnel .

  Tian Yu gained a few significant achievements later in the later days of his life . He defended and defeated Gu Jin, the Wuwan King who invaded the northern territories . He also participated in the defense of Xiangyang during Zhuge Liang’s 5th Northern Campaign .

  Because many famous generals achieved many deeds and left behind legendary tales, Tian Yu did not get much of a spotlight from the historians despite that he was also a general who excelled at defensive tactics . .

  Lu Zhi glanced back and forth between Zhao Yun and Tian Yu . These two were also hidden gems in this era of chaos, just like Tong .

  ’Ah, I want another apprentice again . Teaching that brat Zhou Cang was frustrating . Teaching a good seedling might improve my mood . ’

  Lu Zhi grinned, "Well, since we have to protect the city while we are waiting for the rightful force, I can teach both of you a few tricks to govern the city . How about it, are you willing to learn from me?"

  Tian Yu knelt without a hesitation, "I am willing!"

  Zhao Yun had a wry smile on his face . Pondering a bit, he also knelt, "I am willing! Zhao Yun greets master Lu!"

  "Tian Yu greets master Lu!"

  Lu Zhi laughed and took them along as he worked in the city hall . He spent the rest of the day teaching the two youngsters, who had no idea that Lu Zhi slowly brainwashed them .

  ’I get to foster two more geniuses and scores two talented officers for Tong . I hit two birds in one stone once again, HAHAHA!’ ……

  Xu Huang came back with an empty hand . The Xiongnu full-retreated and exited the border areas as they crossed the Great Wall and entered their territories .

  Lu Zhi and the others also finished checking the damages in the city . As he worked, he also taught Zhao Yun and Tian Yu about city administration and the basics of managing a large scale organization .

  Curious, Zhao Yun asked his new mentor, "What have we lost to the nomads, master?"

  "All of Ji’s provisions, golds, clothes, and medicines . They didn’t take any superficial treasure though . "

  "Are they just simply robbing us?"

  "A simple robbery won’t expand across the country like this . You might not know this, these men also attacked Jinyang and attempted to siege the city . "

  Lu Zhi did not hold back about the inside information . He told Zhao Yun and Tian Yu everything that he learned in the clan chat and the recent movements of Xiongnu Army . Since he had planned to rope in the two geniuses, it would not hurt to leak a couple secrets .

  "Is this a wild scale invasion? They must be serious for taking over the Han . "

  Lu Zhi sighed, "They are stealing our resources while they are increasing theirs . Also, they attacked us when we are occupied with the power struggling and infighting . If I were Xiongnu, I would have made this move, too . "

  "Is it possible to warn all lords to stop fighting?"

  "Not until their territories are invaded . This is their nature . "

  "The country is in peril, but they won’t they help? Aren’t they claimed that they are the successors of the Han Dynasty?"

  "Again, Zilong . This is the nature of humanity . Warlords usually fight for their interest . "

  "……"

  "Well, at least our young master understands about the priority . Just saying . "

  Zhao Yun frowned in disbelieved . He still did not think that Tong was such a person . ……

  The news about the loss of Ji City and the assistance of the Silver Axe Legion got to Gongsun Zan . He mobilized his army back from Xiangping and headed to Ji in a hurry .

  December 10th, 184 A . D .

  Gongsun Zan and his army reached Ji City, which Lu Zhi came out of the city to welcome them . Behind his back, Tian Yu and Zhao Yun followed after him as well .

  "Master?"

  Gongsun Zan was surprised to see his mentor welcoming himself personally .

  "It’s been a while, Bogui . "

  "Indeed . But, are you really working for Zhang Tong?"

  "Yes . He is a good lad with extraordinary insight . You should form an alliance with him as soon as possible since we are under the threat of Xiongnu invasion . "

  "I wish to talk about that as well . But master, this city should be my territory . Can you tell Zhang Tong to withdraw his troops from the city?"

  Lu Zhi laughed, "Oh, Bogui . Your worry is unnecessary . Actually, we have planned to withdraw our legion the moment you arrive . "

  Lu Zhi pointed at the south city gate direction . Xu Huang had already mobilized his troops outside of the city, heading toward the road to Zhongshan .

  "See? We’re giving your city back . We only came here to fend off the Xiongnu for you . "

  Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were astonished as they did not believe about the Silver Axe Legion’s plan . But now, everything proved that Lu Zhi was right .

  The eyes of Zhao Yun widened as he gazed back and forth between Lu Zhi and the Silver Axe Army .

  "Master, is it real?"

  "Foolish disciple! Have I ever lied?"

  "But I thought Zhang Tong wanted Ji City, so he took this chance to occupy it . "

  A fist landed on the top of Zhao Yun’s head . Lu Zhi gave him a hammer fist to punish his immature comment .

  "Don’t be biased against your senior disciple . When I said he sincerely wants to assist his fellow countrymen, he DOES!"

  Listening to Lu Zhi, Tong’s words resounded Zhao Yun’s mind again .

  [Do not sway by your emotion . ]

  Zhao Yun held his little bump on the top of his head, ’I guess I still have a lot to learn . ’

  Meanwhile, Gongsun Zan was surprised by the exchange of Lu Zhi and Zhao Yun .

  "Master?"

  Lu Zhi laughed, "Oh, I forgot to tell you . He’s maybe your subordinate, but he’s also your junior now . I took both of them as my disciples . "

  Gongsun Zan had a wry smile on his face . The relationship between them might be awkward in the future .

  Lu Zhi had not finished, "Also, I was told by Zhang Tong to help you develop Ji . I hope you don’t mind if I work here with you . "

  "Of course, of course! You are always welcomed here, master!"