Chapter 450: Preparing the Army for War

Seeing the six commanders respond with determined faces, Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction.

After resolving various matters, Liu Bian suddenly stood up from the Dragon Throne, came to the front of the high platform, and scanned the officials with majesty.

Subsequently, he said to the officials with a majestic face:

"I intend to launch a military campaign against the remaining six states in three months."

"The Han Empire has been divided for too long; it is time to reunify!"

Upon hearing this, the officials were startled, then all showed expressions of excitement, bowed in unison to Liu Bian, and shouted in unison:

"Your Majesty is wise! We subordinates second this!"

Today, their strength was already invincible in the world.

Now, there were nearly a hundred people whose strength had reached the Postnatal realm.

And Lü Bu's original fifty thousand Xiliang Army, and Zhang Liao's one hundred thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, now all possessed at least the strength of first-rate martial generals.

These people, with the help of the Spirit Stone fragments Liu Bian had bestowed, had all broken through to the strength of first-rate martial generals in one fell swoop.

Now, only those at the Divine General realm could serve as centurions, and only those at the Postnatal realm or above could hold positions of centurion or higher.

With such formidable strength, the officials had long been looking forward to the unification of the world.

If it weren't for the lack of sufficient grain and fodder for the army to set out, they would have long since petitioned Liu Bian to send troops.

And now, with the harvest of sweet potatoes, plus the cattle and sheep captured from the Xiongnu by Zhang Liao some time ago, and the assets of the aristocratic families confiscated in the three provinces of Sili, Liangzhou, and Bingzhou.

The imperial treasury was finally a bit fuller.

If the sweet potatoes could be harvested for another season, there would be no need to worry about grain and fodder.

Moreover, in Liu Bian's system space, there were still one hundred tons of hybrid rice seeds.

Liu Bian had not yet distributed these seeds; he was waiting for Xu Shu and the others to fully control the situation in the four provinces including Yuzhou before distributing them evenly to these provinces.

Seeing that not a single official opposed, Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction.

"Since none of you ministers oppose, then it is settled!"

"Wenruo, after you and the Cabinet go down, contact the four inspectors, Xu Shu and Ju Shou, and arrange the affairs of the four provinces including Yuzhou as soon as possible."

"These four provinces must fully implement our established policies; the farmland in the hands of the aristocratic families must all be handled according to what was implemented in Sili."

"If any aristocratic family dares to disobey, they shall be dealt with strictly without exception: confiscate their property and demote them to slaves!"

"My Han is currently in need of manual labor; the construction of the Shrine of Heroic Souls and the Imperial Academy requires a large amount of manpower."

For these aristocratic families who dared to resist, simply killing them would be a bit of a waste.

If these people truly dared to resist, they would be the best labor force.

"We subordinates obey the decree!"

Upon hearing this, the Six Ministers and Cabinet members all responded with solemn faces.

They knew that this time, quite a few aristocratic families in these four provinces would likely be struck from the records.

Previously, when Liu Bian's decree reached the thirteen provinces of the Han, in these four provinces, apart from the reduction in taxes.

Not a single bit of the farmland in the hands of the aristocratic families had been handed over.

"Remember, I only give you one month!"

In order to quickly bring the four provinces into order, Liu Bian imposed a time limit on them.

"We subordinates obey the decree!"

Upon hearing this, the men's expressions also tightened, and they all responded loudly and solemnly.

"Mengde, have Gan Ning and Taishi Ci set out for Xuzhou?"

At this moment, Liu Bian suddenly asked Cao Cao about the whereabouts of Gan Ning and Taishi Ci.

Cao Cao, upon hearing this, immediately bowed and replied:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Generals Gan Ning and Taishi Ci set out for Xuzhou three days ago."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian immediately said to Cao Cao with a solemn face:

"Good, tell Xuzhou Inspector Chen Gong that after Gan Ning and the others arrive, he is to fully cooperate with them in recruiting soldiers."

"I want to see the presence of my Han Navy in the unification war three months from now!"

At that time, the Jingzhou battlefield and the Yangzhou battlefield would be the home turf for the navy.

If the navy's assistance were lacking, the progress of attacking these two provinces would be delayed.

Cao Cao, upon hearing this, felt his body tremble, and he replied solemnly to Liu Bian:

"This subject obeys the decree!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction, and subsequently, he said to the officials with majesty:

"Right, Cao Xing, who is garrisoning Hangu Pass, is to be transferred back to Fengxian's Shenwu Army to serve as a General of the Shenwu Legion."

"Official Rank Fourth Grade, salary of six hundred shi, rewarded with a Yellow Grade Ultimate Weapon, one Qingfeng Blade!"

"Hulao Pass Defender Hao Meng, for his meritorious service in garrisoning Hulao Pass, is now conferred as the Han Empire's Fourth Grade Anying General, salary of six hundred shi, rewarded with a Yellow Grade Ultimate Weapon, one Yanyue Blade!"

"Hulao Pass Defender Cheng Lian, for his meritorious service in garrisoning Hulao Pass, is now conferred as the Han Empire's Fourth Grade Xingye General, salary of six hundred shi, rewarded with a Yellow Grade Ultimate Weapon, one Liuyun Blade!"

Upon hearing this, the officials all bowed and shouted in unison:

"Your Majesty is wise, we subordinates are in awe!"

Such clear rewards and punishments were the mark of a wise monarch.

These two had garrisoned Hangu Pass and Hulao Pass for so long, and Cao Xing and Cang Ba, who were with them, had all received rewards.

If they did not promote these two, it was estimated that they would harbor grievances in their hearts.

Although it would not go so far as betrayal, the emotions that should be there would still arise.

Soon, Liu Bian had Xun Yu take up the pen and write the imperial edicts of appointment for the men on the spot.

He handed the rewards for the three and the imperial edicts to Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng to be delivered to the three by fast horse.

After everyone discussed a few more issues together, this Grand Court Assembly finally came to an end.

"Phew, it's finally over. Three months from now, there will still be nearly six months left until the time for Task Three."

"Within six months, recovering the six states is not too difficult!"

After the officials retreated from the court, Liu Bian returned to the Imperial Study, let out a long sigh, and could not help but exclaim.

"Your Majesty, Commander of the Shadow Guards Tai'a requests an audience!"

Just as Liu Bian had let out a breath, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng hurried to Liu Bian's side and said respectfully.

"Oh, call Tai'a in!"

Hearing that it was Tai'a requesting an audience, Liu Bian could not help but feel a bit curious.

Generally speaking, Tai'a would absolutely not seek him out unless there was something important.

After Li Liangcheng brought Tai'a in, Tai'a immediately bowed respectfully to Liu Bian:

"This subject Tai'a pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Rise, Tai'a, why do you seek an audience with me?"

Waving his hand at Tai'a, Liu Bian asked him.

"Your Majesty, we have just received intelligence from the Youzhou Dark Guards: Liaoxi Prefect Gongsun Zan, taking advantage of Lord Liu's return to the capital, has seized the opportunity to attack Liaodong Commandery."

"Yesterday, Liaodong Prefect Gongsun Du resisted to the death, but in the end, he was defeated by Gongsun Zan."

"Gongsun Du was killed, and now, Gongsun Zan has occupied the entire Liaodong Commandery."

"Now, he already possesses the lands of both Liaoxi and Liaodong Commanderies!" ===== CHAPTER 451 =====