Every elite unit has its own greatest strength. For example, the now-destroyed White Horse Cavalry was the fastest unit of its time. If Ju Yi hadn't seized the opportunity to annihilate them in one strike, other armies would have been left in the dust—they were simply too fast. Similarly, when Ju Yi's goal was to defeat the White Horse Cavalry, he specifically trained his soldiers for maximum lethality, aiming to completely wipe out the White Horse Cavalry without leaving a single survivor.
As a result, the Xian Deng Death Warriors were trained to be exceptionally offensive, though at the cost of defense, which was only marginally better than that of the White Horse Cavalry. However, compared to ordinary troops, the Xian Deng's overwhelming offensive power allowed them to crush enemy formations before they could react, making their weaker defense almost unnoticeable. Especially with Ju Yi leading them, most enemies fled in terror.
But unlike Ju Yi, Gao Shun, who hailed from Jiuyuan in the northern lands, knew better than anyone what it meant to be truly elite. Whether it was superior offense, defense, agility, or impact, enhancing one aspect always came at the cost of another. While elite troops often displayed such pronounced strengths that their weaknesses went unnoticed, that didn't mean they were without flaws.
Gao Shun clenched his fists as he gazed coldly toward the north, where the so-called strongest troops in the world, the Xian Deng Death Warriors, awaited. However, Gao Shun was certain that he would not be defeated. His Ferocious Cavalry had never lost to anyone, and he had pushed his elite soldiers to the absolute limit.
Unlike the White Horse Cavalry, which was known for its versatility, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry was renowned for being all-rounded, and Gao Shun's Ferocious Cavalry had been selected from the most elite of the Wolf Cavalry. Under Gao Shun's relentless training, they had become a unit without weaknesses, excelling in close combat, ranged attacks, siege warfare, and defense—a super-soldier unit in every sense.
If the Xian Deng Death Warriors were a sharp dagger that could kill with a single strike in the hands of a skilled assassin, then Gao Shun's Ferocious Cavalry was a mighty halberd—capable of stabbing, slashing, sweeping, and cutting. However, it required a top-tier commander to wield it effectively.
Meanwhile, Hua Xiong, who had been idling in Fenggao, received Liu Bei's orders to temporarily join Guan Yu's forces and await further instructions. At the same time, Zhang Fei received his orders, preparing to enter Yanzhou to engage Lü Bu. Yu Jin, after completing his previous tasks, reorganized his troops and was already stationed at the Taishan border.
"Listen up, everyone! This upcoming battle will be the toughest fight you've faced since you started your military careers. The Xian Deng Death Warriors aside, I know Gao Shun better than anyone! His Ferocious Cavalry is incredibly strong!" Hua Xiong shouted from the command platform to his soldiers.
Upon learning that he would soon be facing Gao Shun, Hua Xiong was initially stunned but then began trembling with excitement—not from fear, but from anticipation. He had fully mastered the "Heavenly Lock Triple Change" technique that Li Ru had taught him, embedding it into his very being. The prospect of facing the terrifyingly powerful Gao Shun once again had Hua Xiong brimming with excitement.
The bandits Hua Xiong had once recruited from the Taishan area had endured numerous battles, and only about half of them remained. Of those, less than half were still standing in the camp—the rest had retired. However, the new recruits, under the subtle influence of the veterans, had become just as resilient.
Hua Xiong's troops showed no reaction to his words, their discipline deeply ingrained in their very will. Yet, despite his efforts, Hua Xiong had still been unable to forge the army's spirit with his own innate ability—something he regretted deeply.
"Though the Ferocious Cavalry is strong, we are no weaklings either. This upcoming battle in Yanzhou may be one from which many of us won't return. I'll distribute compensation payments to you in advance! I, Hua Zijian, swear that even if one of you doesn't make it back, I'll ensure a second payment reaches your families!" Hua Xiong shouted to his soldiers.
Afterward, boxes of copper coins were brought forward, and Hua Xiong ordered them to be distributed to all the soldiers. It wasn't yet time for their regular pay, but Hua Xiong knew that the battle in Yanzhou wouldn't be easily won. He understood Lü Bu's strength better than most.
"Welcome back, Wenru!" Liu Bei stood up with a smile to greet Li You, who had returned looking travel-worn.
"Lord Xuande, are you planning to fight Lü Bu?" Li You asked, bowing slightly. He spoke before Liu Bei could help him up.
"Yes, Zichuan's plan has advanced to this point. The only remaining threat is Lü Bu. My intention is to offer him the chance to surrender. If he refuses, we'll have no choice but to kill him. I hope he knows when to yield," Liu Bei said, offering Li You tea and dried fruit.
"That's wise. Lü Bu is indeed a troublesome figure—it's best to resolve the matter early. But, Lord Xuande, who will command the campaign in Yanzhou, and which generals will you assign?" Li You asked respectfully.
"Guan Yu will command the forces, with Guo Jia as his strategist and Zijian as the vanguard. Yide has long wanted to face Lü Bu again, so I've made him Guan Yu's deputy. Zijing suggested I bring Wen Ze along to ensure stability," Liu Bei said openly. For him, there was nothing he couldn't share with the man before him.
"Did Jia Wenhe offer any suggestions?" Li You asked, frowning slightly.
"Wenhe agreed with Zijing's recommendation to have Wen Ze serve as the rearguard to stabilize the situation if necessary," Liu Bei replied, noticing Li You's expression. "Is there a problem with this arrangement?"
"Not a major problem, but Wenhe and the others underestimate Lü Bu. Though Lü Bu is often seen as a brute, there are two of his generals who must be taken seriously. One is Zhang Liao, known as Zhang Wenyuan—an exceptional talent in both strategy and combat. The other is Gao Shun, a man of extreme humility, but he commands an elite unit that is among the strongest in the land," Li You said with a wry smile.
Li You held Zhang Liao in high regard—so much so that, back in Luoyang, he had persuaded Dong Zhuo to grant Zhang Liao the prestigious title of Cavalry Commandant when Zhang Liao was only 23 years old, a position just below that of a general.