Chapter 40: Pre‑War Analysis

After all, our soldiers only began cultivation a month ago, and to achieve such good results, you all are indispensable.

Liu Bian, pleased with the army's excellent results, said to the crowd.

"It is all Your Majesty's wisdom; we dare not claim credit!" the officials trembled.

"Enough, no more flattery. E Lai, report the situation of your Huben Army to the Your Ministers!"

Liu Bian cut off the officials' flattery and calmly said to Dian Wei.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, in my Huben Army, aside from the junior general and Zhong Kang who have reached the Postnatal First Layer, ten have broken through to First‑rate, a hundred to Second‑rate, and the rest of the soldiers are at Third‑Rate strength."

Dian Wei respectfully reported to Liu Bian.

"Good, truly the elite I selected!" Liu Bian, already aware of the Huben Army's strength, wanted to show his face before the officials and display the Han Empire's power.

"Your Majesty, among my Xiyuan Eight Captains, those who have reached the Houtian First Level are: Xiahou Yuan, Yu Jin, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Le Jin—five people; ten are at the Second‑rate Martial General Realm; a hundred are at the Third‑Rate; and the other soldiers are close to breaking into the Third‑Rate realm."

Immediately after, Cao Cao Chulu and reported the cultivation results of the Xiyuan Eight Captains.

"Good, not to mention Zhang Liao's hundred‑thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry; under his command, several should have broken through to the Postnatal Realm, so I already have over twenty Postnatal Realm experts in my hand."

Liu Bian, his face excited, said to the crowd.

"We congratulate Your Majesty!" the ministers exclaimed.

"Your Majesty, now our soldiers have entered cultivation; across Tian Xia, no army will be able to oppose us."

"I, the humble minister, think that with the strength of Liangzhou and Bingzhou, our army can easily defeat them."

"General Zhang Liao, within this month, has expanded the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to a hundred‑thousand men."

"Moreover, the fifty‑thousand troops that joined later are now fully equipped."

"Although training has been only twenty‑plus days, its combat power already matches the armies held by other marquises."

"Furthermore, if we send the full hundred‑thousand troops to campaign in Bingzhou, the Sili region will be left with only fifty‑thousand Yulin Army stationed."

"Although Your Majesty has issued an Imperial Decree, we cannot guarantee others won't covet it, so I, the humble minister, suggest that for this expedition to Bingzhou, General Zhang Liao should take only fifty‑thousand troops; quality matters more than quantity."

The troops we have are truly elite.

"Your Highness," Xun Yu said with a solemn expression, analyzing.

"What do the Your Ministers think?" After hearing Xun Yu's analysis, Liu Bian looked at the people below and asked.

"Your Majesty, I concur with Lord Xun Yu's words; in Bingzhou, there are only the twenty‑thousand men under Niu Fu, Dong Zhuo's son‑in‑law, and we have enough with fifty‑thousand troops!"

Jia Xu, with a confident and wise expression, smiled at the crowd.

"Your Majesty, at present the main concern is defending against Liu Dai of Yanzhou; he is a member of the Han Imperial Clan, and by seniority he is Your Imperial Uncle."

"Moreover, since taking the post of Inspector of Yanzhou, he has been vigorously expanding his power, recruiting talent from all walks, his intentions are obvious!"

At this moment, Guo Jia also stepped forward, his wise face looking at the crowd, and slowly began to speak.

"As for Inspector of Jizhou Han Fu, a disciple of Yuan Kui, I conclude that although he harbors a thief's heart, he lacks a thief's courage, and now he will certainly bide his time."

"If the Imperial Court's troops achieve a great victory this time, later Your Majesty need only summon Yuan Kui himself to Jizhou, and he will submit to Your Majesty."

"If the court is defeated, even with Yuan Kui's involvement, he will not submit to Your Majesty."

"Therefore, as long as we successfully capture the two provinces, more than half of the Han Empire's marquises will submit to Your Majesty."

Guo Jia looked at the crowd and continued. As a historically renowned strategist, his talent is evident.

"Your Majesty, the three lords speak reasonably; we second them!"

The ministers below, though ignorant, after hearing the three analyses, suddenly seemed enlightened and all echoed in agreement.

"What you three say aligns with what I think; Han Fu's heart is higher than the heavens, his courage thinner than paper, he acts hesitantly, not even a little fearful."

"Indeed, Liu Dai of Yanzhou must be carefully defended."

"None of my Imperial Uncles are simple folk; they all wait for my death to inherit the Han Empire!"

After hearing Xun Yu's three analyses, Liu Bian understood, but thought that these people, originally members of the Han Imperial Clan, now see the Han Empire on the brink of collapse and each calculate their own gains.

Just thinking about it makes him angry; had he not possessed a system, he could not speak of this world's history, and it would have been the same as his previous life—ultimately the world divided into three, the Sima clan seized the fruits, and the Han people were nearly exterminated.

"Hmph, these people truly deserve death; sooner or later I will kill them!"

By the end, Liu Bian was still furious, his voice laced with murderous intent.

"The ministers, trembling, beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!"

The ministers, frightened by Liu Bian's demeanor, knelt, their faces full of fear, and said.

"Rise, I am not blaming you!"

Seeing the kneeling ministers, Liu Bian put away his murderous intent, his face showing a helpless expression.

He muttered to himself, "Being emperor has this flaw: these people constantly drop to their knees at the slightest provocation; it's terribly annoying!"

Liu Bian took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and loudly proclaimed, "Send an Imperial Decree to Zhang Liao, ordering him, three days later, to lead fifty‑thousand troops to seize the entire Bingzhou; any resistors shall be killed without mercy!"

His voice echoed through the Gongting, bearing unquestionable authority.

"Thus, his subordinates Colonel Zhang He and Gao Lan each command twenty‑five‑thousand troops to guard against Liu Dai of Yanzhou."

His gaze swept over the assembled ministers, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

After writing the Imperial Decree on the spot, sealing it with the Imperial Jade Seal seal, Liu Bian handed it to Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcai, instructing, "Immediately dispatch someone to deliver it to Zhang Liao in Chang'an."

Li Liangcai respectfully took the decree and promptly replied, "Yes, I obey the decree!"

Watching Li Liangcai rush away, Liu Bian said to the officials, "Alright, you all go prepare as well!"

His tone was calm and firm, inspiring awe.

Having finished, Liu Bian rose at once, stepped out with steady strides, and left the Court Hall.

Seeing Liu Bian's slowly fading silhouette, the ministers shouted in unison, "Yes, we retire, and respectfully see Your Majesty off!"

Their voices were uniform, full of respect and obedience to the emperor.

They felt fortunate that when they first chose a side, they stood with Liu Bian, whereas those who, under Dong Zhuo's oppressive power, chose Dong Zhuo.

Now the grass on their graves is already two zhang tall!!!