Chương 735: Low cost, high return.

Liu Ce scanned the crowd, then slowly began to summarize the essence for everyone:

"First, military strangulation."

There's no need to occupy all the territory; just guard the ports, key routes, and core cities. The navy controls the waterways, and the army guards the passes. Anyone who disobeys will have their lifeline cut off or their city bombed.

Military force is a source of confidence, but it doesn't need to be used every day. Just having it there means no one will dare to act recklessly.

Second, we must grasp the lifeline of the economy.

Trade, mines, trade routes, and money—we control them all. We let them make money, but we're always the ones who make the biggest profits. We tie their interests to ours, so that we share both prosperity and adversity.

Before they can rebel, they should first consider whether their own wallets will allow it.

Third, divide and rule in politics.

Never let them band together. Pull one faction against another, support the weak and suppress the strong, so that they restrain and fight each other internally.

We act as referees and arbitrators, always standing on the side of reason, striking down anyone who dares to challenge us, and never allowing any one party to dominate.

Fourth, slow cultural infiltration.

There's no need to rush to change customs or force them to change their beliefs or clothes. First, provide them with upward mobility, so that the elite class will voluntarily gravitate towards us, feeling that being Han Chinese is honorable and beneficial.

Slow assimilation, like a gentle rain nourishing the earth, is a hundred times more effective than forceful application.

Fifth, immigrants are creating obstacles.

Near Kushan and Parthia, migrants and artisans were relocated to settle and build cities, creating Han Chinese communities; further away from Rome, Han Chinese streets were first built in the ports, and merchants and artisans gradually settled down.

Wherever the Han people are, that's where our rule is based. Over time, once the stronghold is firmly established, our territory will be secure.

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed and exclaimed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise! We are in awe!"

I'm truly impressed.

With this combination of moves, let alone three empires, even ten, we'll make sure they're all dealt with clearly.

"Don't just shout slogans." Liu Ce waved his hand and began assigning tasks.

"Ministry of Personnel, within a month, determine the official system and the candidates for garrison officials in the Kushan, Parthian, and Roman territories. Remember, use more local people and fewer visiting officials; core positions can be filled by your own people."

The Ministry of Revenue should draft regulations for individual commercial taxes and mining franchise operations, and then calculate clearly how much money can be recovered in the first year and how many years it will take to recoup the military expenses. The calculations should be detailed; don't lose money.

Ministry of War, produce plans for garrisoning troops and enlisting servants in the three locations. Quickly draw up blueprints for fortifications along key roads and ports. The size of the garrison should be appropriate—neither too many nor too few.

I want to see the naval garrison layout and port expansion plans in the Mediterranean next month.

The Colonial Affairs Department, in coordination with the Ministry of Revenue, developed an immigration plan, initially relocating a batch of people there to test the waters.

The Academy of Sciences sent a group of craftsmen and scholars there to explore for minerals, build water conservancy projects, and construct factories.

"Hurry up, everyone. We just won the battle in the west, and morale is low. The sooner we establish a system, the easier it will be to stabilize the situation."

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

The crowd accepted the order in unison and filed out, each with hurried steps and eyes full of enthusiasm.

With such a large undertaking and so many things to do, although we are busy, who wouldn't be excited when we think about the future profits and this unprecedented achievement?

Just as Shen Wansan was about to leave, Liu Ce stopped him.

"Shen Qing, please stay for a moment."

Liu Ce pointed to the gold and silver mines of Rome and the estates of the Senate on the map, and said with a half-smile:

"When you get back, have your Ministry of Revenue calculate whether confiscating the homes of those diehards in the Roman Senate, along with the treasuries of the Parthian and Kushan royal families, will be enough to recoup all the military expenses of the three-year western expedition."

"I demand the truth; do not exaggerate or underreport."

Shen Wansan's eyes lit up, and he patted his chest to assure them, his abacus practically sparking with anticipation.

"Your Majesty, I obey! I will return and immediately lead men to calculate the matter overnight!"

In my opinion, let alone breaking even, they might even have a considerable surplus! The Roman nobles have accumulated a substantial fortune over hundreds of years!

Liu Ce smiled and waved his hand: "Go ahead. Be precise."

"Why!"

Shen Wansan walked away happily, his steps almost breezy.

The hall gradually emptied. Liu Ce stood up, walked to the Kunyu Map, and looked at the territory of the Han Dynasty, stretching from east to west, from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, forming a continuous expanse.

He lightly traced the map with his fingertips, from Luoyang to the Mediterranean, from the Pamir Mountains to Rome, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Conquering the world is difficult, but governing it is even more difficult.

But as long as the path is right, there is no country that cannot be defended, and no territory that cannot be conquered.

......

The first day of the sixth month in the twenty-first year of Shenwu.

This was no ordinary court assembly. The follow-up troops and generals of the western expeditionary army had all returned to the capital. Everyone in the court knew that today was a day for rewarding merits. Not to mention being late, even coughing had to be suppressed.

On Zhuque Avenue, processions of carriages and horses moved toward the palace gate, their hooves and wheels barely audible in the morning dew.

Officials all put on a solemn facade, but in reality, they're all secretly on edge, their hearts pounding with anxiety.

The rough and tough guys in the martial arts troupe are the least able to hide their thoughts.

Zhang Fei, mounted on his tall horse, his gruff voice booming, whispered into Cheng Yaojin's ear:

"Hey, Lao Cheng, what kind of promotion do you think our brother can give us today? I, Lao Zhang, followed our brother from Zhuo County when he started the rebellion, and we fought all the way to Rome. We should at least get a promotion, right?"

Cheng Yaojin sneered and shook his head: "Give me a break! You're already the Duke of Yan, the next rank is a prince. His Majesty's surname is Liu, yours is Zhang, what are you dreaming of? I think you'd be lucky if you got a few hundred more households of fiefdom so you could brew a few more vats of wine."

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and he was about to shout a retort when Guan Yu slowly turned around, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, his long fingers stroking his five-pronged beard, and he hummed a single word: "Hmm?"

Zhang Fei immediately wilted, shrinking his neck and muttering, "I haven't even entered the palace yet..."

Zhao Yun, standing beside him, subtly curled the corner of his mouth.

His crimson court robes made him appear even more handsome and upright, his back straight as firm as a javelin.

He had fought all his life and seen all kinds of battles, but at this moment his heart couldn't help but burn. After all, that was Rome in the far west. Going back to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to Emperor Wu of Han, whose army could cross the Pamir Mountains and fight all the way to the Atlantic Ocean?

The civil officials' side was much quieter.

Xun Yu sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, resting, while his fingertips still held a scroll of memorials on the establishment of the Protectorate.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui sat with their heads close together, talking in hushed tones about how Rome was divided into five protectorates and the selection of other officials. The war was over, but that was just the beginning. How to manage such a vast territory was the real challenge.

Guo Jia, leaning against the carriage shaft, was twirling a wine jug, looking nonchalant. Xi Zhicai kicked him, saying, "You're carrying a wine jug to the grand court assembly? Be careful not to lose your composure."

Guo Jia chuckled and stuffed the wine jug back into his pocket: "Don't worry, I won't neglect business. We'll drink to our hearts' content at the banquet tonight."

In the convoy further along, Song Yingxing and Jia Sixie huddled together, one talking about railway construction and the other about drought-resistant crops suitable for growing in the Anxi sandy land. The two were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't have time to think about rewards or honors.

In their eyes, having workshops and land to conduct research is more valuable than any title.

Shen Wansan peered out from behind the carriage curtain, his mind racing with calculations: Once Rome is settled, silk, porcelain, and tea will be transported westward, while gems, spices, gold, and silver will flow eastward. Wouldn't that gold and silver be flowing into Luoyang like a river?

When the procession arrived at Chengtian Gate, the officials dismounted from their carriages and horses, lined up according to their ranks, and filed in.