Chương 716: Speech Before Departure

The infantry formation was in front, with spears like a forest and shields arranged like a city wall, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

The cavalry were on both flanks, their warhorses fierce and powerful. The knights carried swords at their waists and composite bows on their backs. The men and horses were both still, not even snorting.

The artillery battalion was at the rear, with each cannon gleaming and its muzzle pointed westward; the thick barrels looked intimidating.

The uniforms of soldiers in different war zones are slightly different in color, including black, red, and green, and they are arranged in distinct zones with clear lines.

Hundreds of thousands of people stood there, completely silent, with only the rustling of flags in the wind and the occasional snorting of warhorses.

It was eerily quiet, and also terrifyingly imposing.

This is a well-trained and powerful army... as still as a virgin, as swift as thunder.

Liu Ce dismounted and, surrounded by a group of generals including Xu Da, Li Jing, Xue Rengui, Su Lie, Yue Fei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin, ascended the command platform.

This platform is over three zhang high and is made entirely of stone. Standing on it, you can see the entire army of over 100, 000 people, just like looking at a sand table.

Liu Ce stood in the center of the platform, not saying a word, just looking at the soldiers below.

The faces were young, ranging from stubble-bearded veterans to greenhorn recruits with youthful faces. Their eyes held excitement, tension, but even more so, a fierce determination... They were all soldiers of the Han Dynasty, men who had seen blood and faced death, not a single coward among them.

He stared for a full half minute before taking a step forward and speaking.

"Brothers!"

When Liu Ce spoke, the room remained quiet, everyone straining to listen, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Twelve years! Our Great Han Dynasty hasn't seen a single battle in twelve years!"

His voice was loud and clear, with a hint of self-deprecation: "In these twelve years, I have led you to build railways, factories, reclaim wasteland, and engage in maritime trade... Life has gotten better and better, we have made more and more money, we can eat our fill of meat, and every household has surplus grain."

"I know some of you are grumbling... Has His Majesty forgotten about the war? Are our swords about to rust? If we don't act soon, we'll all become commoners!"

Some people below chuckled, and many veterans nodded slightly... There really were people who had thought of that.

Especially Zhang Fei, Cheng Yaojin and their ilk, who spend all their time on the training ground, are practically bored out of their minds.

"I haven't forgotten!" Liu Ce's voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap.

"Good days don't fall from the sky; they're earned by our own blood and sweat!"

Back in Youzhou, we couldn't even get enough to eat, and we shivered from the cold in winter. How did we manage to conquer this vast land? It was all thanks to the sword in our hands and the courage to fight anyone to the death!

The Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Turks—how arrogant they were back then? They raided south every day, but what happened? We drove them away, subdued them, and even raided their homelands!

The soldiers below stood tall, their faces filled with pride... It was a battle fought by their predecessors, and a glory for the Han Dynasty.

"Now that life is better, some people think that we should just stay in our own territory and live our lives. The barbarians in the west have nothing to do with us, so there's no need to fight them."

Liu Ce sneered, his voice filled with disdain:

"Wrong! Utterly wrong!"

In the past, we were weak, and the Xiongnu and Xianbei would come south every day to plunder, kill our people, and steal our food. At that time, we had no choice but to endure it and focus on developing our strength.

Now that we are strong, with steamships, cannons, and railways, and a powerful army, are we really going to wait for them to come knocking on our door? Are we going to wait until they cut off our trade routes and rob our caravans before we take action? By then, it will be too late!

I'm telling you, there are three countries to the west: Kushan, Parthia, and Rome. Each of them thinks they're so powerful, occupying trade routes and charging tolls, bullying our caravans, and they're always thinking about attacking eastward to seize our territory.

They think we're still the old Central Plains dynasty, living a life of passive defense, only able to defend our own doorstep?

Wrong!

He suddenly swung his arm, pointing westward with overwhelming force:

"This western expedition is not because I am idle and want to fight, but so that our descendants will no longer have to guard the Pamir Mountains against the barbarians, and will no longer have to fear that people from the west will attack us."

This is so that our caravans can stand tall anywhere in the world, with no one daring to impose heavy taxes or rob our goods. And if they are merchants from the Han Dynasty, the other party will have to treat them with utmost respect.

This is to let the whole world know... those who offend our Han Dynasty, no matter how far away, will be punished! If they harm even one of our people, we will destroy their entire nation!

"good!!!"

Someone below couldn't help but shout, and a chorus of agreement immediately followed, the crowd was in high spirits, like boiling water.

The soldiers' faces were flushed, their fists clenched tightly, and they couldn't wait to rush out.

Liu Ce pressed his hand down, and after things quieted down, he smiled and said, his tone immediately becoming more relaxed:

"Of course, I won't play games with you. What are the benefits of fighting a war? Let me tell you something practical."

First, military merit! Rank promotions and monetary rewards are based on kills and battle achievements, no exceptions! Your family will receive tax exemptions and land allocations! If you achieve great merit, even your father and son will benefit!

Secondly, broaden your horizons! You've been as far as the Western Regions before, haven't you? You've seen deserts and Gobi. This time, we'll head west to see the plains of Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean Sea, eat Roman grapes, taste Parthian spices, and experience the local customs and culture.

When you come back from the war, you can chat with your neighbors and say, "Back in the day, I conquered Rome and even washed my feet in the Mediterranean Sea. How impressive that was! You could brag about it for a lifetime!"

Third, the benefits! The conquered territories—gold, silver, livestock, and land—will be distributed according to merit. Let me be frank with you, the west is incredibly wealthy; the king's palace is piled high with gold, richer than even the Jiangnan region. After this battle, everyone will return with a substantial fortune, enough to marry and build a house without worry!"

These words caused an instant uproar. The soldiers' eyes lit up as if they had seen gold.

Plain language, the most practical.

The concepts of benevolent rule and imperial power, or the Celestial Empire, are too far removed from the lives of ordinary soldiers.

Getting promoted, making money, broadening one's horizons, and providing a good life for one's family—these are the most practical things and the most morale-boosting.

Zhang Fei, listening nearby, chuckled and whispered to Qin Qiong:

"His Majesty's speech is just right, much better than those pretentious civil officials! Who can understand all that archaic language? We need to get down to business! It's inspiring!"

"Don't talk, just listen." Qin Qiong glared at him, but couldn't help nodding... Indeed, soldiers loved to hear His Majesty speak.

After Liu Ce and the others discussed for a few moments, he raised his voice, his smile fading slightly, and his expression becoming serious.

"Of course, let me make it clear from the start."

War inevitably results in death; that's the truth, I'm not lying to you. Swords have no eyes, and cannons are merciless; once you're on the battlefield, there's a possibility of dying.

But I assure you, as long as I am here, I will never let my brothers die in vain!

Artillery will clear the way for the charge, so you won't have to risk your lives to fill the city walls; cavalry will cover the retreat, and we won't abandon our brothers.