The flames of war finally flickered and died away outside Puyang City. After a meticulous count, Dian Wei and his comrades discovered that in this fierce battle, over seven thousand Black Mountain Bandits had perished, and more than four thousand had been taken captive. With the exception of Bai Rao, who managed to escape, the rest of the Black Mountain Bandit leaders had all been apprehended. In contrast, their own losses numbered less than a thousand. Such a vast disparity in the casualty ratio was nothing short of a resounding and glorious victory.

That very night, the main hall blazed with light. To commemorate this momentous triumph, Xun Yu had specially arranged for a sumptuous banquet, gathering everyone together in a jubilant celebration.

"This time, our thorough defeat of the Black Mountain Bandits is entirely due to General Dian's brilliant strategizing. Let us all raise our goblets and offer a toast to General Dian," Xun Yu proclaimed with a beaming smile.

Whether or not Dian Wei had received counsel from others, he was undeniably the hero of this magnificent victory. Dian Wei promptly raised his glass and joined the others in a hearty drink. After several rounds of wine, the atmosphere within the banquet hall grew increasingly lively and convivial.

Xun Yu, a goblet of wine in hand, approached Dian Wei with a smile. "General Dian, you've endured great hardships these past few days."

However, Dian Wei seemed preoccupied, his gaze drifting absently towards the backyard. "County Magistrate Xun, you are too kind," he replied.

Xun Yu noticed his distraction and inquired with a puzzled look, "General Dian, does something weigh on your mind?"

"Well... I suddenly have a stomachache and need to visit the privy," Dian Wei stammered.

"Very well. General Dian, please attend to your needs," Xun Yu said, waving his hand.

Dian Wei offered his apologies and hastened towards the backyard. Once out of the main hall, he broke into a mad dash, making a beeline for Lin Yu's residence. Before he even reached the door, the tantalizing aroma wafting from the yard assailed his nostrils.

"Big Brother!" Dian Wei burst through the door and entered. There in the yard, he beheld a table laden with several dishes, the likes of which he had never seen before. The alluring fragrance that had drawn him was emanating from these delectable offerings.

"Second Brother, you're finally here!" Zhao Yun exclaimed with a chuckle. "The dishes Big Brother prepared today smell heavenly. Had I not been waiting for you, I would have dived in long ago!"

"Thank you so much, Big Brother!" Dian Wei expressed his gratitude and eagerly took a seat. After yesterday's glorious victory, Lin Yu had promised Dian Wei a table filled with delicious dishes prepared by his own hands. This was the reason Dian Wei had slipped away from Xun Yu and the others in the county. After all, a sumptuous meal was of the utmost importance!

Lin Yu emerged from the house, carrying the last dish - Mao Xue Wang, a spicy concoction of blood and offal. Catching sight of Dian Wei already seated, he couldn't help but laugh. "You're just in time. A moment later, and there might not have been any left for you."

"Big Brother, please sit down quickly," Dian Wei urged impatiently.

"Alright, alright, alright!" Lin Yu smiled as he placed the dish on the table. Once all three of them were seated, Lin Yu retrieved a bottle of Feitian Moutai from within his robes.

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Gazing at the exquisite packaging and the jade - like body of the bottle, Dian Wei's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but gulp. "Big Brother, is this the fine wine you mentioned?"

"Yes," Lin Yu replied with a smile, slowly uncorking the bottle and beginning to pour. "In our homeland, this kind of wine is not for the common folk."

This was no idle talk. In later times, the price of Feitian Moutai had skyrocketed. Ordinary people would not partake of this wine without good reason.

As the clear and transparent liquor filled the glasses under Lin Yu's deft hand, a strange yet mellow aroma of the wine immediately suffused the air. Even Zhao Yun, who was not usually fond of drinking, had a glint of surprise in his eyes. "Big Brother, this wine smells divine!"

"It tastes even better!" Lin Yu smiled, handing a glass of wine each to Dian Wei and Zhao Yun. "Come, let us drink this toast together to celebrate our great victory!"

The three of them raised their glasses and downed the contents in one gulp. Lin Yu, hailing from a later era and accustomed to spirits, could handle it with ease. But Dian Wei and Zhao Yun were different. They usually quaffed low - alcohol brews made from sorghum and millet. Never before had they tasted such potent white wine. Just one glass, and a searing sensation coursed from their throats to their stomachs.

"What a fiery wine!" Dian Wei exclaimed.

"Ha ha, compared to Erguotou, this Moutai is not as hot," Lin Yu said with a chuckle. "You must learn to savor it slowly, allowing your taste buds to fully experience its nuances."

Under his guidance, Dian Wei and Zhao Yun raised another glass and began to taste the wine deliberately. This time, they found that the white wine was less harsh. Instead, it was elegant, delicate, mellow, and fragrant, leaving an aftertaste that seemed to linger endlessly.

"Excellent wine!" Zhao Yun couldn't help but praise.

"Big Brother, another glass!" After two glasses, Dian Wei was already a bit tipsy, yet he still proffered his glass, asking Lin Yu to refill it.

The three brothers continued to enjoy the wine and savor the delicious dishes. Before long, even Lin Yu was feeling a trifle tipsy. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked, "Second Brother, did you dispatch someone to report to Duke Cao?"

"Don't worry, Big Brother. I've already sent a letter to Duke Cao as you requested," Dian Wei replied with a drunken grin.

"That's good. Come, keep drinking!" Lin Yu smiled and raised his glass.

However, while the three brothers were indulging in their merry revelry, Xun Yu, who was waiting, was having a rather difficult time. Well into the late hours of the night, Xun Yu still had not seen Dian Wei return!

...

At Black Mountain.

Cao Cao entered the mountain stronghold, only to be greeted by an empty stockade. His countenance immediately darkened. Guo Jia, following closely behind, spoke softly, "Lord, we've just captured several Black Mountain Bandits. According to them, the Black Mountain Bandits this time dispatched their entire force with the intention of seizing Dongjun."

Cao Cao's expression grew even more somber. If Dongjun were to fall, all would be lost.

"Is there still a chance to turn back?" Cao Cao inquired in a solemn tone.

"I'm not certain," Guo Jia replied with a bitter smile. Although Puyang was a county seat with sturdy walls, there were only three thousand newly recruited soldiers within the city. With such a meager number, could they withstand the onslaught of a hundred - thousand - strong Black Mountain Bandit army? No one could say for sure.

But Dongjun was their foundation. No matter what, they had to turn back to rescue it.

Cao Cao took a deep breath and turned to look at Xiahou Dun and the other major generals in tow. "Relay my military order. From this moment on, prepare your packs and immediately return to Dongjun!"

"Yes!" The officers and soldiers received the order.

But before any action could be taken, the rapid thundering of horse hooves shattered the silence. A warhorse came galloping from a distance. Before it reached them, the rider atop the horse shouted at the top of his lungs, "Lord, General Dian has sent a military report from Puyang!"

Everyone's heart sank. Could it be that Puyang had fallen?

Cao Cao's heart was filled with trepidation, yet he forced himself to remain calm as he stepped forward to receive the letter from the messenger. After reading its contents, the gloom that had clouded his face vanished in an instant, and he burst out laughing. "General Dian... General Dian has truly not let me down!"

Guo Jia, Xiahou Dun, and the others nearby were all bewildered, not knowing what news could have elicited such excitement from Cao Cao.

Cao Cao held the letter aloft, looking at his subordinates with elation. "General Dian has repelled the Black Mountain Army in Puyang. He has slain seven thousand of the enemy and captured four thousand! Moreover, most of the Black Mountain Bandit leaders have been slain by him!"