Chapter 45: Expedition to Bing Province

Zhang Liao, seeing that the newcomer was Military Advisor Xi Zhicai, couldn't help but speak to him, his anger on his face impossible to conceal.

"General, no need to be angry; this is all Dong Zhuo's doing. Now, with the Emperor present, we can forgive them for not causing any more trouble; after the Emperor deals with the Han Dynasty's problem, it will be the turn of those Foreign Tribes."

After hearing that Zhang Liao was angry over the Bing Province issue, he immediately said comforting words to him.

"The Military Advisor says that the Emperor's goal is not merely the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty, but the entire Tian Xia!"

At this point, both Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai wore looks of fervor.

Since Liu Bian taught everyone the Martial Cultivation Method, those who were originally loyal to the Han house are now Liu Bian's steadfast supporters; under the influence of the system's cultivation method, each person's Loyalty has reached one hundred percent.

"General, that's right, and more importantly, our Emperor's methods are unparalleled; first, there is the Martial Cultivation Method that boosts strength, and I heard that a month ago, he even had Lord Wang Yun plant a high-yield food called Sweet Potato!"

Xi Zhicai, thinking of Liu Bian's tactics, showed an excited expression and said excitedly to Zhang Liao.

"I have also heard of this; it is said that this Sweet Potato can yield about Ten Thousand jin per mu, and at that time the entire Tian Xia was in a frenzy, and the most astonishing part is that only the lands under the Emperor's control can cultivate it."

Zhang Liao, also excited, told Xi Zhicai about the events of recent times.

Then, speaking mysteriously to Xi Zhicai, he said: "It is said that at that time all the Marquis across Tian Xia coveted this item; after exhausting all means, they obtained the Sweet Potato, but it could not be cultivated at all—every seed they got died in the soil!"

"Hiss, hearing you say that, could it be that Sweet Potato can only be planted in Sili, and nowhere else can it be cultivated?"

Xi Zhicai, upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, was also greatly surprised; he hadn't expected such a strange occurrence in Tian Xia.

"Then what do you think! I heard that the Sweet Potatoes provided by the Emperor have been imbued with celestial technique, and only those who are loyal to the Emperor can cultivate them; otherwise, even if they obtain the seeds, they cannot be planted."

At this point, Zhang Liao's face was full of awe.

"Hiss, if that is truly the case, then the Emperor's methods are indeed terrifying! Such shocking tactics exist!"

Hearing this, Xi Zhicai was also shocked by Liu Bian's profound and unfathomable tactics.

"Therefore, as long as we serve the Emperor well, when the Emperor arbitrarily grants us some resources, that will be enough for us; after all, the things the Emperor bestows are not necessarily purchasable even with money."

"Moreover, receiving the Emperor's Imperial Grace is a symbol of status and rank; I heard that Lord Wang Yun, for his great contributions in forging weapons for the Emperor and planting Sweet Potatoes, was granted the Emperor's Marrow Cleansing Pill, thereby breaking through to the Tongsheng Realm."

Zhang Liao, looking at Xi Zhicai, continued to recount the information he had obtained; because Xi Zhicai joined later, and had spent this period in Cultivation, there were some matters he was not very clear about.

"What! Lord Wang Yun has already broken through to the Tongsheng Realm, and that's only because he received the Emperor's Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

Hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai was also greatly astonished; after all, only a few high officials in the Court knew of this, while others did not.

Immediately, curious, he asked Zhang Liao: "May I ask, General Zhang, what exactly is the Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

"Haha, Military Advisor, you have indeed asked the right person; at present, not many know about the Marrow Cleansing Pill."

Zhang Liao, seeing Xi Zhicai's curious question, immediately said proudly to him.

Then Zhang Liao began to describe the effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill: "This Marrow Cleansing Pill is something unique to the Emperor; it has the effect of cleansing essence and marrow, improving the physique, unblocking the body's meridians, and can grant those unable to Cultivate the opportunity to Cultivate. Tell me, who could dislike such a thing?"

"Hiss……"

"Truly enlightening; I never imagined the Emperor even possessed such a treasure!"

Xi Zhicai, after hearing Zhang Liao's explanation, immediately gasped and said aloud.

"Therefore, as long as we serve the Emperor well, the future path of Cultivation will be nothing but prosperous."

Zhang Liao, looking at Xi Zhicai, said gravely.

"Indeed, the General's wisdom is unparalleled and his insight unique! Considering the Emperor's current layout, in the future the Han Empire will surely become a realm that everyone aspires to, a land of immortals; the money and land once prized by the Great Clan may no longer be the main resources, and the primary commodities of the Han Empire will undoubtedly be cultivation resources."

Xi Zhicai, being very intelligent, quickly saw the essence of the matter and guessed Liu Bian's intention.

"Military Advisor, you truly are a person the Emperor values; with just a few words I said, you have guessed the Emperor's intention."

Seeing that Xi Zhicai, with only his few words, had seen through Liu Bian's layout, he couldn't help but regard him highly.

"General, the time is fast approaching; it's also time for us to set out!"

The two stopped their conversation here. The matters that followed were beyond what the two could partake in, immediately. Xi Zhicai then said to Zhang Liao.

"Alright, then let's also set off!"

Then the two hurried out of the Great Tent; Zhang Liao said to his nearby bodyguards: "Transmit the Ben General's order, command the Army to set out immediately!"

"Yes, General!" the guard shouted loudly to Zhang Liao.

Then he shouted to the Army: "Transmit the General's command, the Army sets out immediately…"

……

The scene returned to when Liu Bian, on the training ground, ordered the Army to set out, then said to those around him: "I intend, after Zhang Liao and our Army set out, to march on Bing Province; what are your thoughts!"

Facing Liu Bian's question, the others glanced at each other, and Military Advisor Guo Jia stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I think it is acceptable; in fact, the timing of General Zhang's expedition does not affect the overall situation!"

"I know, but I no longer wish to waste time; with my current strength, aside from the shortage of soldiers at hand, my high-end combat power fears no one!"

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Liu Bian confidently said to the crowd.

Then, seeing no objections, he immediately said to Li Liangcheng: "I will write a secret decree at once; you arrange for swift horses to deliver it to Zhang Liao."

"Yes, I obey the decree!"

Immediately, an Imperial Decree dispatching troops to Chang'an for Zhang Liao was swiftly delivered to Zhang Liao's Jiang Zhong Da Zhang, after which the previous scene unfolded.

After arranging the Army, Liu Bian and several others also set off with the Army…

And as Liu Bian's Army mobilized, the Marquis across Tian Xia began to grow restless…