Chương 580: No ceding of territory! No paying reparations! No tribute! No marriage alliances!

No paying reparations! No tribute! No marriage alliances!

(BGM for this chapter: nijamena) Liu Ce took a deep breath and shouted, "The Han army is mighty!"

"General, you are mighty!"

One hundred thousand soldiers responded in unison, their voices booming like thunder, rolling across the earth and echoing even in the distant mountains.

Liu Ce shouted again, "The Han army is mighty!"

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

This time, the voice was louder and more resolute, carrying a do-or-die determination and a fearless courage.

Liu Ce shouted for the third time, using all his strength, until his voice was almost hoarse:

"The Han army is mighty!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Han Dynasty! Long live the Han Dynasty! Long live the Han Dynasty! Long live the Han Dynasty!"

One hundred thousand soldiers shouted with all their might, their voices shaking the reviewing stand and causing the wooden planks to creak.

Even the distant Luo River rippled, spreading outwards in concentric circles.

Flags fluttered, swords and spears stood ready, and shouts echoed endlessly through the valley, wave after wave, as if they would never cease.

At this moment, all the soldiers were filled with fervor, wishing they could sprout wings and fly to the north to fight the barbarians to the death.

Some soldiers were so excited that their eyes turned red, while others gripped their weapons tightly, their veins bulging.

Looking at the young and determined faces below the stage, Liu Ce's eyes also welled up with tears.

He knew that these soldiers were the backbone of the Han Dynasty and his strongest support.

Some of them came from Youzhou, some from Jizhou, some from Qingzhou... Some were sons of farmers, some were sons of craftsmen, some were sons of retired soldiers...

They laid down their hoes, picked up weapons, and left their hometown to protect this land.

With them here, the Great Han will surely prevail!

Just then, Li Jing stepped forward, bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Ce, his voice firm and resonant:

"Commander Li Jing of the Central Theater Command: The entire army is assembled. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty!"

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "Begin!"

"promise!"

Li Jing turned around and shouted to the messenger, "The military parade begins!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Thirty-six large cowhide drums were struck simultaneously, their sound shaking heaven and earth.

The drumbeats were deep and powerful, each one like a hammer blow to the heart, making even the earth tremble.

The drummers, their arms bare and muscles bulging, gave their all with every beat, sweat flying everywhere.

The first to appear was an elite cavalry formation.

Five thousand Xuanjia cavalrymen, riding identical fine horses, clad in heavy armor, wielding lances, and carrying repeating crossbows, slowly rode past the reviewing stand in neat formation.

The warhorses were also armored, with iron masks on their heads and iron armor covering their bodies, only their four hooves were exposed.

From a distance, they look like a group of steel monsters.

The sound of horses' hooves was uniform and rhythmic, rolling across the land like muffled thunder, raising dust and creating a magnificent spectacle.

The sound grew closer and closer, making one's heart pound.

As they reached the front of the reviewing stand, the cavalrymen simultaneously drew their swords, raised them high above their heads, and shouted, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The glint of the blades flashed in the sunlight, resembling a silver waterfall.

"Great!" Liu Ce couldn't help but clap and cheer, his palms turning red from clapping.

These cavalrymen were all seasoned veterans, the elite selected from various units, the sharpest blades of the Han Dynasty.

They were skilled horsemen and ruthless swordsmen; they were the ones who dealt with the Xianbei and Xiongnu.

Everyone can shoot arrows on horseback, slash and chop on horseback, and change horses on horseback...

Next up is the heavy infantry formation.

Ten thousand infantrymen, carrying swords and composite shields, marched past the reviewing stand in neat steps, chanting "one, two, one."

Their steps were synchronized, each landing with a resounding thud, every step perfectly timed, like a moving steel wall.

The sheer scale and the spectacle were exhilarating.

Then came the archer phalanx.

Ten thousand archers, armed with composite bows and carrying thirty armor-piercing arrows.

When they reached the front of the reviewing stand, they all drew their bows and nocked arrows, firing them simultaneously into the sky.

"Whoosh whoosh!"

The movements were so synchronized, it was as if the same person was operating them.

Countless arrows flew into the sky, obscuring the sun like dark clouds, and the world instantly darkened.

Then the arrows fell in unison, and the target in the distance was densely covered with arrows, like a hedgehog.

The soldiers below the stage erupted in cheers, and even the cavalrymen couldn't help but turn around to look.

Next, the most exciting formation of musketeers appeared.

Ten thousand musketeers... holding breech-loading muskets, marched past the reviewing stand in goose-step.

When they reached the front of the reviewing stand, they all stopped, turned around, raised their guns, and aimed.

The movements were executed in one smooth motion, without the slightest hesitation.

"put!"

The commander gave the order.

"Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!"

Gunfire erupted, and smoke billowed.

The sound was so dense, like popping beans, crackling and popping all at once, making people's ears ring.

The scarecrow target in the distance was instantly riddled with holes, even the wooden frame fell apart, and straw flew everywhere.

The soldiers below the stage erupted in thunderous applause and shouts that shook the heavens.

Finally, the artillery formation made its grand finale appearance.

One hundred new-style cannons, pulled by strong warhorses, slowly passed the reviewing stand.

The cannon barrel was jet black and shiny, with a dark, gaping muzzle that exuded an aura of death.

Beside each cannon stood four artillerymen, dressed in red uniforms and wearing black hats, with serious expressions.

When they reached the front of the reviewing stand, the artillerymen stopped, skillfully adjusted the muzzles, loaded shells, and aimed at the distant hillside.

Their movements were so fast it was like magic; they completed the loading in just a few seconds.

"Ready! Release!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of loud bangs shook the earth, even the reviewing stand swayed three times, and Liu Ce almost lost his footing.

On the distant hillside, black mushroom clouds exploded instantly, sending rocks flying everywhere. Half of the hillside was flattened, and dust blotted out the sun. It took a while for the wind to disperse the dust.

"Wow! That's amazing!"

Cheng Yaojin jumped up and down, shouting excitedly and rubbing his hands together, wishing he could fire a cannon right now.

After the parade ended, the entire military camp was completely silent.

One hundred thousand soldiers stood silently in place, awaiting the emperor's final command.

No one spoke, no one moved, even the horses were quiet, only the flags were still fluttering in the wind.

Liu Ce took a step forward and stood at the very edge of the reviewing stand. The wind blew his cloak, making it flutter like a flag.

His gaze swept across the entire room, and his voice was firm and powerful as he spoke, word by word:

"Starting with me! My Great Han Dynasty!"

"No ceding of territory! No paying reparations! No tribute! No marriage alliances!"

These twenty words, like a thunderclap, resounded in the ears of every soldier and were etched into their hearts.