Chapter 31: Ma Chao Arrives

"System, help me raise Guo Jia and the other two's strength to the Postnatal First Layer," Liu Bian said to the system.

"Ding, request from host received, currently elevating the three to the Postnatal First Layer realm, deducting 3,660 points of National Fortune Value from the host, remaining National Fortune Value 6,340 points."

In the blink of an eye, the ten thousand National Fortune Value dropped to just over six thousand, but that's only temporary.

After the remaining one hundred thousand jin of sweet potatoes are distributed, the National Fortune Value will certainly surge.

While the three were puzzled about how Liu Bian raised their strength, a massive internal force suddenly entered his body.

The three were nearly knocked over by the massive internal force, and immediately Liu Bian's scolding rang out: "Steady your minds, fully activate the cultivation method, and refine this internal force!"

Hearing this, the three hurriedly sat cross‑legged, instantly steadied their minds, fully activated the method, and began refining the internal force.

After a while, the three refined the internal force within themselves, and their auras stabilized at the Postnatal First Layer realm.

Looking at the awakened group, Liu Bian checked their attributes...

Name: Guo Jia

Age: 18

Realm: Tongsheng First Layer

Position: Fourth‑rank Military Advisor

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Scheming Heaven Holy Body (unawakened)

Method: Vast Righteous Qi Formula

Loyalty: 100

…

Name: Dian Wei

Age: 19

Realm: Postnatal First Layer

Position: Huben Army Commander

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Vast Heaven Overlord Body (unawakened)

Method: Heaven and Earth Creation Martial Canon

Loyalty: 100

…

Name: Xu Chu

Age: 18

Realm: Postnatal First Layer

Position: Huben Army Deputy Commander

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Demon Tiger Holy Body (unawakened)

Method: Heaven and Earth Creation Martial Canon

Loyalty: 100

…

"Good... now the Emperor has added three Postnatal Realm masters. And the three's loyalty has all reached one hundred."

Seeing the three's upgraded attributes, Liu Bian was overjoyed.

"We, the ministers, thank Your Majesty!"

The first thing Guo Jia and the others did upon waking was to thank Liu Bian.

"Get up, you all go down and cultivate properly; ten days later, the Emperor will dispatch troops to Xiliang and Bingzhou, so go prepare well."

"We obey the decree."

Watching the three depart, Liu Bian recalled today's gains and couldn't help a slight smile.

With these talents added, the Han Empire's unification can advance another step.

"Your Majesty, Xun Yu and Jia Xu are requesting an audience outside!" At this moment, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng entered from outside the Dian to report.

"Oh, Wen Ruo and Wen He have arrived, please come in quickly," Liu Bian said immediately.

"Your humble servant pays respects, Your Majesty," Xun Yu and Jia Xu bowed to Liu Bian upon entering.

"Second ministers, please rise, and sit to speak," he said, looking at the kneeling two.

"It seems the two have cultivated well during this time; they've reached the Tongsheng Second Layer realm."

Observing the aura emanating from the two, Liu Bian used the Probe Eye to examine them.

Name: Xun Yu

Age: 20

Position: Director of the Secretariat

Realm: Tongsheng Second Layer

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Vast Righteous Dao Body (unawakened)

Method: Vast Righteous Qi Formula

Loyalty: 100

…

Name: Jia Xu

Age: 25

Position: Staff Officer

Realm: Tongsheng Second Layer

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Physique: Tongtian Holy Body (unawakened)

Technique: Vast Righteous Qi Formula

Loyalty: 100

……

"All thanks to Your Majesty's great blessing; we must continue to work hard so as not to disappoint Your Majesty's kindness!"

Upon hearing this, the two instantly addressed Liu Bian with flattery.

"My technique is merely a method of cultivation; how far you can go depends on yourselves. It truly is what you deserve."

"What is the purpose of your two coming here this time?"

Looking at the respectful two, Liu Bian smiled and said.

"Your Majesty, we have issued an Imperial Decree to Ma Teng, which he has accepted, and to coordinate with the Imperial Court's army, Ma Teng has also sent his eldest son Ma Chao here."

From below, Xun Yu was the first to speak.

"Oh, that's good news; it seems Ma Teng still has loyalty to the Han Empire, worthy of being a descendant of our Han Empire's Fubo General."

Hearing this, Liu Bian clapped his hands excitedly and laughed heartily.

"Indeed, Your Majesty, with this we can obtain the Six Commanderies of Liangzhou without shedding blood."

"As for Xu Rong and Duan Wei stationed in the Four Commanderies of the north, with their forty‑thousand troops they cannot stop our army; then the whole Liangzhou will be within easy reach!"

Xun Yu looked at Liu Bian, his face full of excitement, and said.

"Originally, the hardest part of attacking Liangzhou was Ma Teng's stance; if he truly opposed the court, it would still be difficult for us."

Jia Xu, seated nearby, also spoke to explain.

"Indeed, now that Ma Teng no longer blocks us, the whole Liangzhou region is no longer a threat to us."

"By the way, Wen Ruo, you just said Ma Teng sent his eldest son Ma Chao; where is Ma Chao?"

Remembering Ma Chao, Liu Bian hurriedly asked Xun Yu.

"Your Majesty, when we arrived we brought Ma Chao with us; now he is waiting outside the Dian for Your Majesty's summons."

"Attendant, summon Ma Chao," Liu Bian called out toward the Dian.

In a short while, a valiant young general clad in white battle armor strode proudly into the Dian.

"I, the junior general Ma Chao, salute Your Majesty. I come by my father's command to assist Your Majesty in subduing the rebel ministers."

Looking at the seat of authority, the young yet not intimidating Liu Bian, Ma Chao's eyes were filled with curiosity.

Name: Ma Chao

Age: 17

Realm: First-rate

Position: Deputy General

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Physique: Greedy Wolf Holy Body

Technique: None

Loyalty: 77

"I didn't expect Ma Chao at this time to already be 17; it seems my transmigration still has some effect on this world."

Looking at the seventeen‑year‑old Ma Chao before him, Liu Bian couldn't help but sigh.

"Nevertheless, Ma Chao's strength is truly formidable; at this age he already possesses the power of a First‑rate Martial General, worthy of being one of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han!"

"You may rise, my dear minister. Speaking of Liangzhou, these years have truly been thanks to your family's garrison; otherwise countless citizens of our Han Empire would have suffered the Qiang's slaughter."

"Truly worthy descendants of our Han Empire's Fubo General, all fine sons of Han! The Han Empire will never forget any meritorious minister."

Liu Bian looked at Ma Chao below, his face full of excitement, and said.

"Junior General thanks Your Majesty; serving the Han Empire is my duty, I dare not claim credit!"

Ma Chao promptly replied humbly to Liu Bian.

"Since General Ma Teng has handed you over to me, I hereby appoint you as Colonel, to first serve under Lü Bu's command; later you shall seek Feng Xian to have him teach you Martial Dao techniques."

Immediately, Liu Bian finalized Ma Chao's assignment. This time the Xiliang Army is marching on Liangzhou, and placing Ma Chao into the Xiliang Army is the best choice.

"Junior General thanks Your Majesty, I take my leave," he said, then departed with a puzzled expression.