Chapter 41: The Emperor Personally Leads the Campaign Against Xiliang

After arranging everything, Liu Bian decided to spend these two days properly accompanying Diao Chan.

After all, he didn't know how long it would be before he could return from this campaign.

……

In Chang'an, at the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry Corps' great camp, Zhang Liao was at this moment discussing the day-after-tomorrow's campaign matters with his generals.

"Reporting to the General, the envoy bearing the decree from Luoyang has arrived!" Suddenly, a guard soldier from outside the camp walked in to report.

"Oh, it must be His Majesty's Imperial Decree. Please invite him in at once!" Upon hearing the guard's words, Zhang Liao immediately said to everyone.

Immediately, an Imperial Eunuch walked into the Great Tent. Upon seeing Zhang Liao and the others, he hurriedly said with a smile: "General Zhang, this servant has come by His Majesty's command to deliver the decree."

"Commander of Bing Province Army Zhang Liao receives the decree!" After first explaining his purpose to Zhang Liao and the others, the Imperial Eunuch solemnly called out to everyone.

"This subject, Zhang Liao, along with all the officers and Soldiers of the Bing Province Army, receives the decree!" Upon hearing the Imperial Eunuch's words, Zhang Liao and the others all knelt solemnly on the ground and called out respectfully.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Two days from now, Commander of Bing Province Army Zhang Liao is ordered to lead an Army of Five Hundred Thousand Troops to attack and take Bing Province. Zhang He and Gao Lan are each ordered to lead Two Hundred Thousand and Five Thousand troops to garrison Sili, to guard against Liu Dai of Yanzhou. Respect this!"

After the Imperial Eunuch's shrill voice fell, he said to Zhang Liao with a face full of smiles: "General Zhang, please receive the decree!"

"This general, Zhang Liao, receives the decree!" After reacting, Zhang Liao hurriedly said in a loud voice.

"General Zhang, then this servant shall return to report back. I wish General Zhang an Emperor's Return in triumph!" The Imperial Eunuch said to Zhang Liao with an obsequious expression.

Ever since Liu Bian took power, those eunuchs who had once thrown their weight around had all become extremely cautious, no longer daring to casually play any petty tricks.

And Zhang Liao, as a favored figure beside Liu Bian, even someone like Li Liangcheng had to show him deference.

Therefore, this Imperial Eunuch naturally did not dare to show the slightest negligence, nor dare to offend Zhang Liao, because once he offended him, his own life would likely be hard to preserve.

"Since that is the case, then I shall not detain you further, Eunuch. Please take care on your way."

Seeing the Imperial Eunuch's fawning appearance, Zhang Liao responded with a smile.

Afterwards, a guard stepped forward and escorted the Imperial Eunuch out of the tent.

After the Imperial Eunuch left, Zhang Liao turned to look at Zhang He and Gao Lan, and said with a solemn expression: "Zhang He, Gao Lan, each of you go select Twenty-Five Thousand elite Soldiers."

"Once I depart on this campaign, the heavy responsibility of garrisoning Sili shall be entrusted to you two. Pay special attention to Liu Dai of Yanzhou."

After speaking, he stared intently at the two, his eyes full of trust and anticipation.

Zhang He and Gao Lan exchanged a glance and answered in unison: "We generals accept the order. We shall surely not fail the trust placed in us by His Majesty and the General!"

They were deeply aware of the importance of this mission, so their words were filled with solemnity, indicating that they would spare no effort to complete it.

"Good. With you two garrisoning Sili, I can set my mind at ease. However, you must not neglect your Cultivation either."

"I estimate that within the Imperial Court, there must be quite a few people who have broken through to the Houtian Realm, while we have an Army of One Hundred Thousand, and only the three of us have broken through to the Houtian Realm."

Zhang Liao said to the two with a solemn expression.

Since receiving the Cultivation Method imparted by Liu Bian, currently, of the original Five Hundred Thousand Troops, a Hundred have broken through to the strength of a Third-rate General.

Ten have broken through to the strength of a Second-rate General. As for First-rate Martial Generals, currently there is only one. And those who have broken through to the Postnatal Realm are even fewer—only the three of them. For an Army of One Hundred Thousand, this is still far too few.

As for the other Soldiers, they are currently all on the verge of breaking through to the Third-rate Realm.

"We generals accept the order. General, you may set off on the campaign with peace of mind. We will guard Sili well, and we will not neglect our Cultivation either!" Seeing Zhang Liao's solemn expression, Zhang He also said gravely.

"That's right. With my strength and Zhang He's, plus the Soldiers under our command, as long as we don't engage the enemy in a frontal battle and fight a defensive one, we fear no one."

Gao Lan also said to Zhang Liao.

"Good. With you two here, I am very much at ease. Then go and make preparations!"

Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Zhang Liao's face, and he then said to the two.

"We generals take our leave!" The two did not linger. After cupping their fists to Zhang Liao, they strode out of the tent.

Zhang Liao stood in the empty Great Tent, pondered for a while, and then also went to prepare matters for the Army's departure.

An Army of Five Hundred Thousand Troops setting out requires no small amount of preparation. The rations for the men and horses alone require a considerable amount.

……

"Chan Er, the day after tomorrow, the Emperor shall depart with the Army. When the Emperor returns, I shall formally take you as my consort."

In the Imperial Palace, within the Imperial Study, looking at Diao Chan who was accompanying him, Liu Bian spoke in a gentle voice. Gazing at Diao Chan's lovely face, his eyes full of tenderness, he said.

"This concubine thanks His Majesty for your affection!" Diao Chan bowed gracefully to Liu Bian.

"However, Your Majesty, on the battlefield, blades and swords have no eyes. You possess an Imperial Body, you must be extremely careful. This concubine is still waiting for you!"

After first thanking Liu Bian, Diao Chan immediately revealed a worried expression. Looking at Liu Bian, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, she spoke with deep affection.

"Chan Er, you may rest assured. You don't know the Emperor's strength yet? In this world, the person who could harm the Emperor has not yet been born!"

Looking at Diao Chan's tear-streaked face, Liu Bian was heartbroken and immediately spoke to comfort her.

"Even so, you must be careful."

Diao Chan was still not at ease. She reached out and grabbed the hem of Liu Bian's robe, her eyes glistening with tears.

Liu Bian reached out, gently stroking Diao Chan's hair, and said tenderly: "Chan Er, you need not worry. The Emperor shall return safely. When the Emperor returns in triumph, it shall be the day of our Imperial Wedding."

Hearing Liu Bian's words, Diao Chan was deeply moved, and tears flowed down uncontrollably. She threw herself into Liu Bian's embrace, sobbing softly.

Liu Bian held Diao Chan tightly and comforted her softly: "Don't cry, Chan Er. The Emperor promises you, I shall return safely to reunite with you."

Diao Chan nodded, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, looked up at Liu Bian, and said firmly: "Your Majesty, this concubine believes you will surely defeat the enemy and return safely. This concubine shall wait for you here, always."

Liu Bian smiled, lowered his head and kissed Diao Chan's forehead, saying softly: "Thank you, Chan Er. With your support and encouragement, the Emperor fears nothing."

During the next two days, Liu Bian spent all his time accompanying Diao Chan. Both were young people who had just tasted the sweetness of intimacy, and with Liu Bian about to depart on campaign, Diao Chan was especially enthusiastic during these two days……

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Today was the day Liu Bian led the Army on his personal campaign. Early in the morning, Liu Bian brought Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Guo Jia, and Jia Xu.

Arriving at the Xiliang Army's great camp west of Luoyang City, Liu Bian wore the Emperor Armor, had the Emperor Sword at his waist, and rode the Wuzhui Horse exchanged from the system. He looked noble yet no less imposing, his entire body radiating a dense Imperial Aura.