Chương 577: The Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty

"Now, I hereby reaffirm my vow: Five years from now, I will ensure that the banner of the Great Han flies over Lake Baikal, across the Pamir Mountains, across the Japanese archipelago, and across the Indochina Peninsula! I will ensure that the might of the Great Han resounds throughout the four seas and eight wastelands! I will ensure that everyone in the world knows that they have no regrets in choosing to serve the Great Han!"

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

All the civil and military officials bowed in unison once again and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

This time, their voices were more resolute and more hopeful than ever before.

Some people shed tears, some choked up, and some shouted until their voices cracked.

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Taiji Hall, bathing Liu Ce in a golden glow, making him appear as if a god had descended to earth.

Looking at the spirited officials below him, at the distant Mangshan Mountains, and at the boundless fields outside Luoyang, his heart was filled with pride.

Sixteen years of journey, sixteen years of struggle.

Now, he is leading the Great Han to an even more glorious future.

An unprecedented industrial age and golden age belonging to the Han Dynasty is about to begin.

..................

Subsequently, Xun Yu, the Minister of State Affairs, approached the assembled officials with the edict. He slowly opened it, cleared his throat, and read it aloud. His voice echoed throughout the spacious hall, each word clear and distinct:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" He ordered Li Jing, commander of the Central Theater Command, to lead 100, 000 troops in the Central Theater Command, and Xu Da, commander of the Northern Theater Command, to lead 100, 000 troops in the Northern Theater Command. The combined force of 200, 000 troops was to be under the overall command of Li Jing, in preparation for a decisive battle against the Xianbei and Xiongnu of the northern grasslands.

February 1st, the sixth year of Shenwu.

"Your subject, Li Jing, obeys the decree!"

Li Jing stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and the clanging of his armor made a crisp sound.

The voice was strong and clear, as if one could already hear the battle horns.

"Your subject, Xu Da, obeys the decree!"

Xu Da also stepped forward, his expression calm and his eyes firm, like a rock.

Xun Yu continued reading, picking up the second policy document, his voice booming:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" He ordered Su Lie, the commander of the Western Theater Command, to lead 100, 000 troops in preparation for conquering the kingdoms of the Western Regions.

He ordered Qi Jiguang, commander of the Eastern Theater Command, to lead 70, 000 troops in preparation to crush the Japanese pirates.

He ordered Yue Fei, the commander of the Southern Theater Command, to lead 50, 000 troops in preparation to conquer and crush the southern barbarians.

February 1st, the sixth year of Shenwu.

"Your subject, Su Lie, obeys the decree!"

"Your subject, Qi Jiguang, obeys the imperial decree!"

"Your subject, Yue Fei, obeys the imperial decree!"

The three men answered in unison, their voices so loud that the glazed tiles on the roof of the palace trembled slightly.

Then, everyone accepted the order.

Liu Ce looked at the generals, his voice strong and resonant, like the final drumbeats of war:

"My lords," I say, "this battle is not for territorial expansion, nor for plundering wealth, but for survival! It is so that our descendants may live in peace and prosperity on this land, no longer subject to the invasions of barbarians! I want posterity to remember that those who offend the might of the Great Han, though far away, shall be punished!"

"Those who offend the might of our Great Han Dynasty, though far away, shall be punished!"

All the generals roared in unison, their voices shaking the glazed tiles on the roof of the palace.

The civil officials in the hall were also infected by this heroic spirit, and they all raised their arms and shouted. Some of the old officials were so excited that their beards stood up.

..................

After the court session ended, the Taiji Hall instantly became as bustling as a vegetable market.

The generals gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing the tactics for the Northern Expedition: how to fight, where to attack, who to attack first and who to attack later, arguing heatedly.

The civil officials gathered together to discuss how to coordinate, ensuring that no aspect of the supplies, provisions, or logistics could be neglected.

Cheng Yaojin, pulling Yuchi Gong along, headed straight for the tavern outside the palace, their steps quick.

"Come on, Old Black! Let's go for a drink! Let's discuss this properly: whoever kills the most enemies in the battle treats the loser! The winner gets it for free!"

"Let's go! Who's afraid of who!" Yuchi Gong said defiantly, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his muscular arms.

"My wife said, don't be a coward in battle, be at the forefront, and you'll get extra food when you get back!"

Lu Bingze remained silent, his face cold, and led several commanders of the Imperial Guards out of the palace.

His steps were hurried and fast, his boots thumping on the bluestone slabs. He needed to return immediately to deploy the operation to eliminate the powerful clans; there was no time to lose.

Liu Ce watched their retreating figures, shook his head with a smile, and turned to walk towards the inner palace.

As soon as he reached the entrance of the Ganlu Hall, several younger children rushed over, like a flock of little birds, surrounding him and shouting:

"Daddy! Daddy! You promised to take us kite flying today! You can't go back on your word!"

Liu Ce smiled, picked up Liu Xian, lifted her high, gently pinched her little nose, and said tenderly:

"Alright! Daddy will take you to fly kites! Today we'll fly the biggest dragon kite! Whoever flies theirs the highest will get a candied hawthorn as a reward!"

The children cheered and jumped for joy, running ahead like a group of frolicking little rabbits.

The ladies greeted her with smiles, and Cai Yan said softly, "Are you tired? Have some tea and rest for a while, don't push yourself. You always neglect your health when you're busy; you haven't even eaten yet, have you?"

Liu Ce held her hand; it was warm and soft. Looking at his lover and children, he felt a warmth in his heart, as if he had been warmed by the sun.

Wasn't everything he did all for this moment?

For the sake of peace and prosperity for the people, and for the sake of those I love, I wish we could live happily ever after.

...

On the third day of the third month of the ninth year of Shenwu, thirty miles outside Luoyang, at the Central War Zone camp.

As dawn broke and before the roosters crowed for the first time, the camp gates opened, and bugle calls from each camp rose and fell in a relay race, each one louder than the last.

"Get up, all of you! Get up! The sun's already high in the sky!" the officers of each battalion yelled, kicking open tent doors and dragging the still-drowsy soldiers out of their blankets.

"Today the army is setting out, so everyone better be alert! Anyone who dawdles and delays the appointed time will be cleaning the outhouse for a month!"

The soldiers rubbed their eyes and yawned as they hurriedly dressed, folded their blankets, and packed their equipment.

Some people wore their pants inside out, some couldn't find their other boot, and some wore their helmets crookedly, only to be slapped straight by an officer.

The entire camp was in chaos, as lively as during Chinese New Year.

The 100, 000-strong army assembled overnight, and black banners bearing the Chinese character "Han" filled the entire camp. When the spring breeze blew, they fluttered and rustled, like a black forest swaying in the wind, even shaking the clouds in the sky to the side.

The kitchen chimneys were taller than flagpoles, with hundreds of chimneys belching black smoke at the same time, turning half the sky gray.

The meat was simmering in a large iron pot, and the aroma wafted for miles, making even the stray dogs that passed by so hungry that they circled around the camp gate and wouldn't leave no matter how hard you tried to shoo them away.

The head cook, surnamed Wang, nicknamed "Fatty Wang," had been shouting until his voice was hoarse all morning: "Hurry, hurry, hurry! The steamed buns are ready! The stew is done! Don't dawdle! Soldiers, eat so you can get on your way—no, so you can go to war!"