Chương 717: Dedicating Oneself to the Country, Living Up to the Glory of the Han Dynasty

If you are wounded, you will be treated by military doctors. Our military doctors can even cure smallpox, so this kind of injury is nothing. If you die in battle, the imperial court will support your parents and children, erect a monument for you, and enshrine you in the Martyrs' Shrine. You will be remembered for generations to come, and no one will forget you.

I will walk with you, eat with you, and fight with you. Wherever I am, you will be there!

I will not hide in the back and let you charge forward!

"When the uprising began in Zhuo County, I charged alongside my brothers; today, on this western expedition, I will again charge alongside my brothers!"

The room fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

It's not uncommon for emperors to personally lead military campaigns, but when an emperor says, "I'll charge with you," that carries a different weight.

The veterans in the front row had tears in their eyes... Back when they followed His Majesty to conquer the world, His Majesty was always at the forefront.

So many years have passed, he's sat on the dragon throne, become emperor, but nothing has changed.

He's still the same big brother who ate and lived with his brothers back then.

"Brothers!"

Liu Ce took a deep breath, his voice filled with a burning intensity that made one's eardrums vibrate:

"West of the Pamir Mountains lies a vast territory waiting for us to conquer! Across the four continents and the wealth of all nations await our conquest!"

We must let the whole world know that wherever the soldiers of the Han Dynasty go, that is the territory of the Han Dynasty! Wherever the flag of the Han Dynasty is planted, that place must obey our orders!

Are you confident you can win?!

"have!!!"

Tens of thousands of people roared in unison, like thunder, shaking up the dust on the ground. The flags beside them fluttered loudly, and even the birds in the distant trees were startled and flew away.

"Can't we show those barbarians in the west the might of the Han Dynasty!"

"able!!!"

The sound rose higher and higher, soaring into the sky and scattering the clouds.

Liu Ce looked at the soldiers below, their blood boiling with enthusiasm, and nodded in satisfaction.

He took half a step back, straightened up, clenched his right fist, and placed it heavily on his left chest, near his heart.

Xu Da, Li Jing, Xue Rengui, Yue Fei, Su Lie, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and others behind him also did the same, each standing up straight, their right fists pressed against their left chests, their expressions solemn, the armor plates clanging together with a neat "click".

The eyes of hundreds of thousands of people were all focused on the high platform.

Liu Ce took a deep breath, mustered all his strength, and shouted:

"The Han army is mighty!"

"General, you are mighty!"

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers responded in unison, their voices like thunderclaps, rolling across the earth and causing the command platform to tremble slightly.

The soldiers in the front row stood tall and straightened their backs, gripping their swords and guns even tighter.

Liu Ce shouted again, his voice deeper and louder than before:

"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 absolute trust in the emperor.

Many soldiers shouted until their faces turned red, veins popped out on their necks, and their eyes were full of worship and passion, as if they were about to burst into flames.

Liu Ce shouted for the third time, his voice hoarse but carrying immense force, striking everyone's hearts:

"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!"

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers shouted with all their might, raising their swords and spears high, their cold gleam resembling a steel forest, shimmering in the morning light.

The shouts continued for a long time, swirling in the air above the camp and carrying for miles. Even the people of Luoyang could hear them clearly, and they joined in shouting "Long live the Great Han!" The whole of Luoyang was in an uproar.

The wind whipped the flags into a fluttering sound, and the swords and spears gleamed brightly in the morning light.

The passion of hundreds of thousands of men was ignited at that moment.

No one is afraid anymore, no one is panicking.

They all wished they could sprout wings and fly to the West immediately, to fight those Western barbarians to the death, to make a name for themselves, to bring glory to the Han Dynasty, and to make their families live a better life.

Liu Ce raised his hand and pressed it down.

The shouts gradually subsided, but the soldiers' chests were still heaving violently, their eyes were still shining, they were panting heavily, their bodies brimming with energy, like arrows drawn taut, just waiting for the order to be released.

The training ground was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and breathing could be heard, but the murderous aura and the passion were so thick that they seemed tangible, making it hard to breathe.

"Let's march!"

Liu Ce drew his sword from his waist. With a "whoosh," the blade flashed with a cold light and pointed straight to the west. The sunlight shone on the sword and reflected a beam of light.

"Victory is certain! Victory is certain! Victory is certain!"

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers shouted again, wave after wave of sound, like an endless tide.

Then, the team started moving.

Xu Da and Li Jing organized the troops methodically, and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers set off in batches towards the train station in the south of the city.

The infantrymen marched forward in neat formation, their footsteps making a "thump-thump-thump" sound like drums, shaking the ground.

Cavalrymen flanked the area, their hooves thundering in unison, raising clouds of dust; artillerymen, leading mules and pulling cannons, followed slowly behind, red ribbons tied to the cannon barrels for good luck.

The procession stretched as far as the eye could see, heading south along the main road. People lined the road to see them off, cheering without ceasing, throwing eggs, dry rations, and sachets into the procession as if they were sending off a loved one.

Liu Ce stood on the high platform, watching the procession depart. Beside him stood Crown Prince Liu Chen, as well as several regents, including Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui.

"Father," Liu Chen bowed, his expression solemn, like a little adult, "Your son will definitely protect the family and not let you worry. The court, logistics, spring plowing... Your son is keeping a close eye on everything, and there will be no trouble."

Liu Ce turned around, patted his shoulder with a light but firm touch, and said with expectation:

"I'm leaving the household affairs to you. As for daily government affairs, consult with the three elders. Make decisions directly on minor matters without consulting them every time, so as not to delay things. If you're unsure about important matters, send them to the front lines by express courier, and I'll make a decision then."

He paused, then added instructions, his tone like that of an ordinary father:

"Railways, factories, and spring plowing—these three things cannot be delayed; they are the foundation of the nation. Southern maritime trade and immigration to Southeast Asia should proceed as planned and not be halted because of the war."

Lu Bing will leave some Imperial Guards to help you. Consult Xun Yu and the others if needed. Don't be impulsive or indecisive. Remember, stability is paramount.

"Your subject has remembered." Liu Chen nodded earnestly, engraving every word in his heart.

After the disaster relief incident, he matured a lot and was no longer the naive young man who only talked about "kindness".

"Minister Xun, Minister Fang, Minister Du," Liu Ce said solemnly, turning to the three senior ministers.

"The Crown Prince is young and inexperienced in major affairs. Please help him and offer him guidance. With you all in charge of the court, I am at ease."

"We will certainly devote ourselves wholeheartedly to assisting the Crown Prince and safeguarding the country! We will not fail Your Majesty's trust!" The three bowed in unison, their tone firm and their eyes solemn.

These three were all veteran ministers who followed Liu Ce in conquering and governing the country. Their abilities and loyalty were beyond question. With them around, the rear was as stable as Mount Tai.