Chương 512: Western Theater Command and Northern Theater Command

"Your subject Guan Yu obeys the imperial decree!" Guan Yu's voice was steady and powerful, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed.

"Your subject Zhang Fei obeys the imperial decree!" Zhang Fei's voice was the loudest, making the ears of the several civil officials next to him ring.

"Your subject Zhao Yun obeys the imperial decree!" Zhao Yun's voice was clear and steady as always.

"Your subject Qin Qiong obeys the imperial decree!" Qin Qiong clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, his face showing a hint of emotion.

"Your subject Cheng Yaojin obeys the imperial decree!" Cheng Yaojin's voice was so loud that it seemed the entire city of Luoyang could hear it.

Cheng Yaojin thought to himself with smug satisfaction: "Commander, a third-rank official, leading an army—that's quite a rank, enough for me to brag about for a lifetime. I just wonder how many men I have under my command. If there aren't enough, won't that make me look more impressive as a commander?"

...

After the appointments for the Central Theater Command were announced, everyone in the hall took a short breather.

Several civil officials took the opportunity to stretch their stiff legs, while the military officers exchanged glances, all wondering who would be sent where.

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Office, took the first policy document and began to read it aloud.

Fang Xuanling's voice was gentler than Xun Yu's, but equally clear and powerful:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Su Lie is hereby appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Western Theater Command, leading an army of 100, 000 to defend Chang'an. The entire military defense of the Northwest is now entrusted to you.

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Su Lie stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a strong and resonant voice, carrying the unique boldness of a man from the Northwest: "Your subject Su Lie kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great favor! I will certainly strengthen our troops and prepare our horses, strengthen our border defenses, and ensure the unimpeded passage of the Hexi Corridor! If any Qiang or Hu dare to invade, I will surely capture their leader alive and present him to Your Majesty!"

"Good!" Liu Ce exclaimed, thinking to himself that Su Lie's imposing manner was indeed suitable for taking charge of the western frontier.

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Office, began to read aloud the second policy document:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Xue Rengui was appointed as the deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, assisting Commander Su Lie in handling the daily affairs of the theater command and being responsible for the defense of the various fortresses in Guanzhong and the transportation of supplies...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Xue Rengui stepped forward, his voice booming and echoing throughout the hall: "Your subject Xue Rengui obeys the imperial decree! I will certainly assist Commander Su Lie in guarding the gateway to Guanzhong!"

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Administration, began to read aloud the third policy document:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Cao Cao, Lü Bu, Yuwen Chengdu, Zhang He, Qu Yi, and Yuchi Gong were appointed as commanders of the Western Theater Command, leading their respective troops...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

The six men stepped forward at the same time and knelt down on one knee with a thud.

"Your subject Cao Cao obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject Lü Bu obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Yuwen Chengdu, obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject Zhang He obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Qu Yi, obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Yuchi Gong, obeys the imperial decree!"

Cao Cao knelt on the ground, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His ambition back then was to become the General Who Conquers the West. Although he no longer holds that title, he has become the commander of the Western Theater Command, wielding even more power than the General Who Conquers the West.

Good heavens, this is fate. After all the twists and turns, we've ended up in the west.

When he attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, he never imagined things would turn out this way.

Lu Bu knelt beside him, expressionless, but in his heart he was thinking: The west? Good, there's a battle going on there.

His biggest fear in life is not having a war to fight; he gets itchy hands.

Yuwen Chengdu lowered his head, thinking: That place in Liangzhou to the west...

Zhang He, Qu Yi, and Yuchi Gong each accepted their orders, their expressions varied, but their eyes all shone with light. To become a division commander was a life well-lived.

...

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Office, began to read the policy document aloud:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Xu Da is hereby appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Theater Command, leading an army of 100, 000 to garrison Zhuo County. The entire northern border defense is now entrusted to you...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Xu Da stepped forward, his expression humble, but his eyes revealing determination. Having fought alongside Liu Ce for so many years, he deeply understood the importance of the northern border defense.

Zhuoxian was where Liu Ce started his rebellion and was also his hometown. Entrusting him with this task was the greatest trust in him.

"Your subject Xu Da kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor! I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly to the cause, even unto death, to safeguard the northern gate of the Han Dynasty!"

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Office, began to read the policy document aloud:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Zhang Liao was specially appointed as the deputy commander of the Northern Theater Command, to assist Commander Xu Da in handling the daily affairs of the theater command...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Zhang Liao stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder: "Your subject Zhang Liao obeys the imperial decree!"

Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Government Office, began to read the policy document aloud:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, Gongsun Zan, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou were appointed as commanders of the Northern Theater Command, leading their respective troops...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

The five men stepped forward and knelt on one knee with a thud.

"I always encounter spring, and I obey your orders!"

"Your subject, Li Wenzhong, obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Gongsun Zan, obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject Yan Liang obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Wen Chou, obeys the imperial decree!"

Chang Yuchun knelt on the ground, thinking to himself: The north? Perfect! It's cold there, which suits me. I'm strong and don't mind the cold!

Li Wenzhong knelt beside him, thinking: Zhuo County? That's where His Majesty started his rebellion. Going there wouldn't be bad.

When Gongsun Zan received the order, he seemed lost in thought... and now he has returned.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou exchanged a glance, both seeing the fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

The Northern Theater Command is their hometown; going back to fight there would be a piece of cake for them.

...

After the appointments for the Northern Theater Command were announced, everyone in the hall took a short breather.

Several military officers whispered among themselves, guessing who would be sent to the east.

Some say it must be Yue Fei, others say it might be Qi Jiguang; everyone has their own opinion, and no one is convinced of the other's.

Du Ruhui, the Right Vice Minister of the Government Office, took the policy document and began to read it aloud.

Du Ruhui's voice was more crisp and decisive than Fang Xuanling's, which suited his nickname "Du the Decisive."

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" I hereby appoint Qi Jiguang as Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Theater Command, leading 70, 000 troops to garrison Jianye. The entire military defense of the southeast is entrusted to you. I expect you to train a powerful navy, capable not only of defending the Yangtze River, but also of naval operations to protect the maritime security of our Han Dynasty...

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang knelt deeply, his voice resolute: "Your Majesty, I, Qi Jiguang, kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor! I will certainly do my utmost to train an invincible navy, safeguard the Yangtze River, and ensure the peace and prosperity of the people in the southeast! If anything goes wrong, I am willing to atone with my death!"

Liu Ce raised his hand, signaling him to return to his place.

Du Ruhui, the Right Vice Minister of the Government Office, began to read the policy document aloud:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" Gan Ning was appointed as the deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command, responsible for the northern land defense and offensive operations, and to support the operations of the Northern Theater Command.

The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Shenwu era.

Gan Ning stepped forward, his face beaming with excitement: "Your subject Gan Ning obeys the imperial decree!"

He had long wanted to go to the East—there was the sea and the navy there, which suited his taste perfectly.

This "brocade sail pirate" can finally roam the seas legitimately.