Chapter 106: Emperor Wu of Han Opens Up and Expands the Territory

Within a few days, Liuju's consort selection edict spread throughout Long Peace City.

Great Han Media's subsidiary, the Great Han Weekly, front-page headline read: "The emperor takes personal charge! His Majesty will hold a public consort selection in three days!" In an instant, the whole Great Han fell into frenzy.

And the greatest response came from the Great Han Women's Daily's report and its readership.

It reported on Liuju's consort selection from a female perspective.

The article emphasized women's attention and participation in the consort selection, and also described women's performance during the selection process.

The report also quoted some women's viewpoints, showing their feelings and expectations regarding the consort selection.

Female readers were very interested in the consort selection, and they all posted their opinions and views in the newspaper.

"This is the first time since the founding of our dynasty that a consort selection is open to the public!" Great Han Media's newly hired professional reporter, upon starting work, was assigned to report on this.

He interviewed a venerable elder, asking: "What is your opinion on this?"

"Heaven blesses Great Han! Our emperor is sage and bright!"

The elder, moved to tears, said: "Allowing women across the world a chance to become empress is truly a blessing for our Great Han!"

As the news spread, throughout the inner chambers of Great Han, there was nothing but laughter and joy.

Young girls gathered together, eagerly discussing this unprecedented consort selection event.

At this moment, Li Yan, who had just returned to Chang'an from the Yellow River flood‑relief rescue site, stood before a bronze mirror, her fingertips lightly brushing over the slightly gaunt face reflected in it.

Her gaze lingered on a faint worry in the depths of her eyes, where lay the tangled thoughts from her several encounters with Liuju.

In his eyes, the Son of Heaven Liuju was steady yet not lacking sharpness, his words and deeds revealing a vigor unique to youth.

He was not only extraordinarily talented, but also knew how to balance the duties of family and state with personal responsibility.

Thinking of this, her heart quickened.

She admired Liuju; this feeling had taken root and sprouted since their first meeting, and now it was hard to suppress.

However, previously their social statuses were vastly different……

"I want to enter the selection."

She murmured to herself, her eyes falling on the edict on the desk.

Now there is an opportunity!

At the easternmost corner of Long Peace City, sunlight filtered through a thin mist onto the cobblestone-paved alley.

Shi Liangdi pushed open the noodle shop's door, and a waft of noodle aroma drifted in the morning light.

Her mother sat behind the counter, her pallid face appearing and disappearing in the steam rising from the steamer.

"Mother, we need to add more flour today." Shi Liangdi said softly while tying her apron.

Her mother said nothing, merely nodding; her wrinkled hands continued to busy themselves on the cutting board.

A thick layer of flour had accumulated on the cutting board, but Shi Liangdi knew that this small noodle shop relied entirely on those hands.

Shi Liangdi stood at the shop doorway, gazing at the occasional passersby on the street.

Her gaze involuntarily fell upon the daughters of wealthy families, who wore splendid long dresses and walked away under the escort of servants.

These figures overlapped with her memory of herself—back then, she was a member of the noble household of the Prince of Lu'an, and had once belonged to a clan dressed in fine attire.

But now the Prince of Lu'an has been confined to the ancestral temple, and times have changed.

"A bowl of plain noodles!" a shout suddenly came from the street; Shi Liangdi snapped to attention, hurried to the stall, and skillfully kneaded dough, rolled wrappers, and filled them, her movements clean and swift.

Her fingers were roughened by flour, glowing with a thin callus in the sunlight.

Soon the noodles were ready and sent out.

Several customers in the shop also ate their fill and left.

While clearing the tableware, Shi Liangdi inadvertently glanced at the newspaper fresh off the press on the table—boldly printed across it were the characters 'Imperial Consort Selection'.

Her mother gently said: "These days, everyone on the street is talking about the consort selection; do you want to sign up too?"

Shi Liangdi looked at the newspaper, then at the struggling little shop and her aging, frail mother.

She stared blankly, lost in thought.

Yellow sand filled the sky, the wind howled.

The entourage of Emperor Wu of Han Liuche, Li Guang, and Huo Qubing trudged difficultly across the vast desert wasteland, setting out from the city of the Wusun King and pursuing the Xiongnu chanyu all the way to the territory of the Great Moon Clan.

Liuche rode a vigorous steed, standing firm on this land, his gaze like a torch scanning this unfamiliar yet exotic region.

In the distance, mountain ranges rose and fell, half‑hidden beneath the yellow sand; gullies crisscrossed between them, like cracks in the earth, recounting the vicissitudes of ages.

At the foot of the mountains lay expansive grasslands, now ravaged by war into a desolate sight; the withered yellow grass trembled in the wind, as if fearing the impending fate.

"This land, though scarred by war, still retains its magnificent grandeur."

Liuche sighed, his voice low yet betraying undisguised fervor: "Though the capital of the Great Moon Clan has fallen to the Xiongnu chanyu, this land's terrain is strategic and its resources abundant; if we make it serve our Great Han, it will surely expand our borders and strengthen our national power."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a fiery light flashing in his gaze; the ambition to expand Great Han's territory remained undiminished.

"Your Majesty, the Great Moon Clan's terrain is perilous, easy to defend but hard to attack. If our Great Han can establish a foothold here, it will not only deter neighboring states but also open the route to the Western Regions, expanding our trade."

Li Guang rode up beside Liuche, his eyes likewise revealing a deep understanding of this land's strategic value.

Liuche gave a slight nod, agreeing: "Old General, you are absolutely right. I have waged war for years so that Great Han's prestige may spread far and wide, and that our people may live in peace and contentment across a broader world."

He spurred his horse forward a moment, full of heroic ambition, and spoke with a firm, powerful voice:

"This land must never fall into others' hands. The Xiongnu chanyu dares to coerce the Great Moon Clan into opposing our army; if this grudge is not avowed, I will never cease! Moreover, I will plant the banner of Great Han across every inch of the Western Regions."

This is also why he refused Liuju's request to return to Chang'an and came to the Western Regions.

Huo Qubing, upon hearing this, felt his blood boil; he brandished his spear and shouted loudly:

"Your Majesty, rest assured; with me and the troops, we will surely crush the Xiongnu chanyu's rebel forces in one blow, making the Great Moon Clan a vassal of Great Han."

"By then, all the states of the Western Regions will witness Great Han's majesty and dare not harbor the slightest designs against us."

The Xiongnu chanyu had been fleeing everywhere, and Huo Qubing's spear had long been thirsting for action.

The soldiers around him also surged with fervent zeal.

Liuche looked at Huo Qubing, and the Great Han soldiers full of fighting spirit, he smiled with satisfaction and said:

"Zimeng, I believe you. In this campaign, we must not only exterminate the rebel army, but also fully occupy this land."

"Isn't there still that Great Han Media? Let them come over and set up a branch, so these barbarians can witness the grace and etiquette of our Han family."

"Your Majesty is sagacious and enlightened!"

Li Guang and Huo Qubing responded in unison.

At that moment, an urgent report arrived from afar on a fast horse: Liu Ju had already resolved the Yellow River flood.