Chương 714: I am willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty and devotion, and together we wil

The hall was silent for a few seconds, then everyone stood up in unison, bowed and clasped their hands, the sound so loud it seemed to make the ceiling vibrate.

"Your Majesty is wise! We obey your decree! We are willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty and diligence, working together to create a glorious and prosperous world!"

Everyone's face was filled with excitement and anticipation.

They knew they were participating in something unprecedented.

What they were going to create was not just a powerful dynasty, but an era belonging to the Han Dynasty that would illuminate the entire world.

That was not a great achievement left in the history books by a certain emperor, but the common glory of all the people of the Han Dynasty.

The court session ended, and the ministers left in twos and threes, still discussing the topics they had just discussed, each one of them quite interested.

The military officers walked at the very front, and their voices were the loudest.

Zhang Fei patted Cheng Yaojin on the shoulder and said casually:

"Old Cheng, the westward expedition starts in March. Let's have a contest and see who can capture the Kushan capital first!"

"Let's have a contest! Who's afraid of who!" Cheng Yaojin retorted defiantly.

"It's been a long time since I've had a taste of my three signature axe blows; I'll have to practice them properly this time!"

"You two shouldn't just rush in," Zhao Yun said with a smile, shaking his head.

"His Majesty said that the Kushans are easy to defeat, and Parthia is not difficult either. The real challenge is Rome, which lies behind them. They have 400, 000 professional soldiers. Although their equipment is inferior, they are all seasoned veterans. We cannot underestimate them."

"Zilong is right," Guan Yu said calmly, stroking his long beard.

"We'll proceed steadily, step by step. First, we'll defeat the Kushans, then the Parthians, and finally, we'll march on Rome. There's no rush."

"Hey, Guan Yu is still the most reliable," Dian Wei said in a deep voice.

"I don't care, I'll just follow His Majesty. Wherever His Majesty goes, I'll go. If anyone gets in my way, I'll smash them."

Everyone laughed.

Xue Rengui and Yue Fei walked behind, discussing tactics:

"Pengju, what tactics do you think are most suitable for dealing with the Roman legions? Their phalanx and short swords make them quite formidable in close combat."

"No matter how fierce they are in close combat, they can't withstand artillery fire," Yue Fei said calmly.

"First bombard them with artillery, then fire with line infantry, and finally charge with cavalry. Their phalanx won't last three rounds. However, they are experienced in combat, so we must guard against their night raids and encirclements."

"That makes sense." Xue Rengui nodded.

On the other side, Qi Jiguang and Zhou Yu huddled together, discussing the navy:

"Gongjin, the navy has a heavy task on this western expedition. We need to control the Indian Ocean, transport supplies to the army, and fight in the Mediterranean later."

"General Qi, rest assured," Zhou Yu said confidently.

"Our steam warships are like adults fighting children when it comes to their sailing ships. First, we'll take Ceylon, then the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, advancing step by step, very steadily. Once we've entered the Mediterranean, we'll show the Romans what a real navy is."

"Great! Let's join forces and turn the Mediterranean Sea into our own inland lake!"

The two exchanged a smile, their eyes gleaming with sharpness.

The civil officials walked behind and talked in much more detail.

Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui walked together to discuss matters concerning the regency.

"His Majesty is personally leading the expedition; the three of us must take good care of the home front," Xun Yu said.

"Logistics and provisions are of paramount importance. With an army of 500, 000, the men and horses cannot go without food for even a day. We must transport the provisions to the Western Regions in advance and ensure sufficient reserves."

"Wenruo, rest assured, the Ministry of Revenue is already making preparations." Fang Xuanling nodded.

"The main railways in various regions have been completed, which will be perfect for transporting grain, much faster than before."

"We also need to prepare weapons, medicines, and clothing in advance," Du Ruhui added.

"The westward expedition is a long journey with long supply lines, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

"Hmm." Xun Yu nodded.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is still young, so we need to help him out more and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng were discussing colonial strategies.

"Your Majesty's five moves are intricately linked, truly impressive," Pang Tong exclaimed.

"Military, economic, governance, education, and immigration—a combined punch that even the largest empire couldn't withstand."

"The key is a broad perspective," Zhuge Liang said slowly, waving his feather fan.

"In the past, the dynasties of the Central Plains only focused on the Central Plains and fought each other. Your Majesty has set your sights on the whole world. This is true wisdom and strategy."

"Yes," Fa Zheng nodded, "we are fortunate to have caught up with this era. In the future, we will also have a place in history books."

Cao Cao walked alone at the very back.

He looked up at the sky; the sun was shining brightly after the snowfall.

He recalled his youth in Luoyang, where he fought for power with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and felt that was a matter of utmost importance.

Later, he followed Liu Ce to pacify the Western Regions, thinking that he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

But today, after listening to that grand theory of "the British Empire on which the sun never sets," he suddenly realized that his own understanding was really too shallow.

The world is so big, and the road ahead for the Han people is still very long.

How fortunate Cao Cao was to be able to participate in it.

Walking down the street, in the distance, a dozen or so people were playing... their laughter was crisp and clear.

Cao Cao looked at them and suddenly laughed.

The future of the Han Dynasty rests on their shoulders.

And he could fight for another ten years, adding another brick and a tile to the "sun never sets" of the Han Dynasty.

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

A few days later, a court assembly was held in the Liangyi Hall.

Xun Yu, the Minister of State Affairs, approached the assembled officials with the policy document in hand. He slowly opened it, unfolded it, and read aloud:

"Emperor's Decree of the Great Han Dynasty:" It is said that Heaven and Earth are the ultimate poles, with China at the center, and the reach of the Emperor's rule extends to every corner of the land. Our Great Han... receives the Mandate of Heaven, governs all regions, its virtue and benevolence extend to the eight directions, and its teachings reach the four seas.

Wherever the sun and moon shine and wherever the wind and rain reach, all places pay tribute and bow in submission, this is the natural order of Heaven and human relations.

Then there were the three cities of Kushan, Parthia, and Rome, living in remote and desolate lands, untouched by royal rule, with hearts of ravenous beasts and natures of jackals and wolves. They repeatedly violated the laws of heaven, their sins piling up like mountains... Yet they remained incorrigible and stubborn, their rebelliousness growing daily, and acts of aggression and violence frequently reported.

Their crimes were fourfold: Firstly, it is an overstepping of authority and a refusal to submit to the king's rule...

Secondly, they secretly concealed weapons to threaten the border regions...

Thirdly, they plundered merchants and disrupted trade routes...

Fourthly, the internal affairs are chaotic and corrupt, causing immense suffering to the people...

Heaven created the people and appointed officials to govern them, originally to bring peace and order. Now, the sins of the three states are overflowing, arousing the wrath of both gods and men. If I were to continue to show leniency, I would be betraying Heaven's mandate and failing the hopes of the world. Therefore, I have acted in accordance with Heaven's will, to mourn the people and punish the guilty, to raise the six armies to punish the disobedient, and to display Heaven's might to bring peace to the people.

Today's special order...

The proclamation was made known to all, far and wide.

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

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

On the third day of the third month of the eighteenth year of Shenwu, just as dawn was breaking in Luoyang and the east was beginning to lighten, the city was already bustling with activity.

The streets were swept clean, not even a scrap of paper could be found. The willow trees on both sides had just sprouted new buds, so tender that you could squeeze water out of them. They swayed in the wind as if joining in the fun.

The people got up early, carrying baskets, boiled eggs, and homemade rice wine, and crowded towards the city gate and the camp... Everyone knew that today His Majesty was going to personally lead hundreds of thousands of elite troops to fight westward, which was an unprecedented and earth-shattering battle!

The old lady tiptoed forward, trying to catch a glimpse of what the emperor looked like...

The young men clung to the base of the city wall, their eyes shining, wishing they could join the procession...

The teenagers ran around, shouting "Beat the barbarians! Beat the barbarians!" with the excitement of setting off firecrackers during the Lunar New Year.

An old man named Wang, who sold steamed buns, rushed to the front of the procession with his load on his shoulder, but was stopped by the soldiers patrolling the street. The old man was so anxious that he kept shouting:

"Young man! These steamed buns are freshly steamed and still warm! Let the brothers have some on the road! You can't fight barbarians on an empty stomach!"

The soldier was both amused and exasperated, but in the end he accepted the steamed buns, paid the price, and the old man happily returned them.

The palace was quiet, with candlelight shining through the Ganlu Hall, making it warm and cozy.

Liu Ce had just gotten up and was standing in the center of the hall wearing an undergarment, letting his wives fuss over him like a giant doll.

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zhen Jiang, and Zhen Mi, all five of them, helped him put on that golden, gleaming armor.

The nail plates were polished to a shine, reflecting light so brightly that you could see yourself in them.

"Slow down, make sure these nail plates don't get caught on your collar." Cai Yan was the most meticulous; she knelt down to tie his waist belt, gently smoothing the gaps between the nail plates with her fingertips, and even lifting them up a little.

"Loosen your shoulder a little more, otherwise it will feel tight around your arm when you swing the sword. You said it was chafing last time."

"Sister, you're just too meticulous," Zhang Ning said with a smile, standing beside her with her helmet in hand.

"He's been fighting for so many years, he wears armor better than he wears civilian clothes. It's just that you guys insist on adjusting him one by one, as if you're afraid he'll get cold or hungry."

That's what she said, but after Liu Ce fastened his belt, she still reached out and pressed the breastplate, wiggled it left and right to make sure it was secure, before handing the helmet over with peace of mind.