Chapter 59

The Wenxin Mirror is an Earth Grade Supreme Grade treasure; it was obtained together with the cultivation technique Liu Bian exchanged for, costing him thirty thousand National Fortune Value at the time.

The National Fortune Value saved these days has been completely exhausted; we can only wait for it to gradually accumulate later.

Initially, he thought that over five hundred thousand National Fortune Value was already a huge sum, but he never imagined that when actually spent, it would be far from enough.

In the System Mall, he couldn't afford a single one of the truly good items!

In his previous life, he was truly a pauper; he never expected that in this life he would be an emperor, yet still couldn't escape the fate of being a pauper.

At least, that's how it is now!!!

……

"How much longer until we reach Liangzhou territory?"

After the two finished discussing the Shadow Guard, Liu Bian turned to Jia Xu beside him and asked.

Hearing Liu Bian's question, Jia Xu pondered for a moment, then immediately spoke.

"Your Majesty, after resting tonight in Qi County, we expect to reach Chun Gu County in Liangzhou by tomorrow evening."

"Chun Gu County is only sixty li from Linjing City, the seat of Anding Commandery; at our marching speed, we can get there in just one day."

At this moment, Guo Jia also stepped forward and respectfully said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, could we order General Xiahou Dun to lead five thousand troops to first take Chun Gu County and Yinpan County along the way?"

After saying that, Guo Jia then asked Jia Xu: "Do you know, Sir Jia, how many troops are stationed in Chun Gu County and Yinpan County?"

"And who is the garrison commander of the city?"

Upon hearing Guo Jia's question, Jia Xu replied without hesitation: "The Dark Guard has already sent detailed intelligence."

After a pause, he continued: "According to the intelligence returned by the Dark Guard, Chun Gu County and Yinpan County originally had two thousand troops stationed."

"Since Your Majesty issued the imperial decree for the expedition, Duan Wei has recalled the garrisons from other cities; now the entire military force of Anding Commandery is concentrated in Linjing City."

"Adding the original twenty thousand troops of Linjing City, the total force there now numbers forty thousand."

Jia Xu then detailed the current intelligence returned by the Dark Guard to everyone.

"What about Xu Rong of Beidi Commandery? Won't he also have gathered the entire commandery's forces and concentrated them in Fuping City?"

Upon hearing Duan Wei's maneuver, Guo Jia was also a little surprised, and quickly thought of Xu Rong of Beidi Commandery; he genuinely worried that Xu Rong would also mobilize the entire commandery's forces to safeguard Fuping City.

"That's not the case, however, I've heard that Han Sui of Jincheng is sending people to make contact with Xu Rong."

"Currently, Han Sui and the Qiang tribes of Jincheng have been increasing their contacts!"

When Han Sui was mentioned, Jia Xu's expression also grew somewhat grave; according to the intelligence from the Dark Guard, Han Sui is likely to rebel.

"Hehe, Han Sui's move is within my expectations; there's nothing surprising about it. I just didn't expect Duan Wei to be so ruthless."

"Isn't he afraid that Han Sui of Jincheng and Ma Teng of Wu Wei will seize the opportunity?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian felt no surprise at Han Sui's actions, but found Duan Wei truly unexpected.

"Your Majesty, if I am not mistaken, it must be that Han Sui of Jincheng promised something to Duan Wei."

"Otherwise, Duan Wei would never dare to do this."

At this point, Guo Jia seemed to have guessed Duan Wei's intention: without Han Sui tying down Ma Teng of Wu Wei, how could Duan Wei possibly act this way?

After hearing Guo Jia's analysis, Liu Bian and the others nodded slightly; they would not believe it if Han Sui had not helped.

"Since Han Sui dares to do this, Wenhe, you immediately order the Shadow Guard to command Ma Teng of Wu Wei Commandery to first eliminate Han Sui for me!"

"This ungrateful white-eyed wolf actually dares to collude with foreign tribes! Also, recall Ma Chao to help; with his Houtian First Layer cultivation, Ma Teng will have a smoother time."

Liu Bian spoke somewhat angrily about Han Sui's actions.

Although everyone had already guessed he would rebel, none wanted to see him join forces with foreign tribes to slaughter the Han people.

Since ancient times, no one fails to be angry at Han traitors, especially knowing that in those dark later ages, Han people were slaughtered like livestock.

Thinking of this, Liu Bian felt some fire in his chest, and his anger toward Han Sui's actions grew even stronger.

Seeing Liu Bian's angry expression, Jia Xu felt a jolt in his heart and immediately replied, "Your servant obeys the order!"

Afterward, Jia Xu clasped his fists in salute to Liu Bian and then went down to make arrangements……

Seeing Jia Xu depart, Liu Bian then said to Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, you said to send Miaocai first to Chun Gu County and Yinpan County; I agree."

"However, at most we can only occupy Yinpan County; we must not advance rashly, after all, there are forty thousand troops stationed in Linjing City."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing Liu Bian's words, Guo Jia immediately responded respectfully.

"Fengxian, Mengde, issue orders to the army: tonight we will rest in Qi County, and set out again early tomorrow morning!"

After saying that to Guo Jia, Liu Bian then turned to Lü Bu and Cao Cao beside him and said.

"The subordinate obeys the order!"

Lü Bu and the two of them respectfully clasped their fists in salute to Liu Bian, then both went to arrange the troops.

Watching the busy crowd depart, Liu Bian then discussed the follow‑up matters with Guo Jia, and then again set out with the army.

……

At that moment, the imperial court in Luoyang had also received the victory report transmitted by Zhang Liao!

At that moment, in the imperial palace's Court Hall, Xun Yu was holding the battle report sent back by Zhang Liao, and excitedly addressing the assembled officials.

"Gentlemen, this is an eight‑hundred‑li urgent dispatch just sent from Bingzhou!"

"General Zhang Liao, in just ten short days, has already seized the entire Shangjun region; now he has even captured Xihe Commandery's Hanyang City and Hanyin City!"

"Moreover, we have achieved this with zero casualties!!!"

Xun Yu's face flushed red with excitement as he loudly addressed the officials; so overcome was he that his body trembled slightly.

No one can comprehend Xun Yu's current feelings.

Xun Yu's entire life was spent striving for the Han house; in history, he is even more noted for having committed suicide to prevent Cao Cao from becoming emperor.

Although he may have known that the Han house had failed the realm, he, Xun Yu, did not fail the Han house.

He could face the Han house, he could face the people of the world, he could face anyone!

Only, sorry to his lord, the King of Wei—Cao Cao!!!

It is exactly because hopes for the Han house are too deep, therefore Xun Yu at this moment truly feels sincere joy for Liu Bian, and even more joy for the Han house!

And upon hearing Xun Yu's words, Yuan Kui, Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Cai Yong and others were moved to tears, tears streaming down.

"Ancestors of the Han Dynasty! Do you see? Your Majesty, he has done it!"

"Your Majesty, mighty!"

No one knows who it was, but suddenly someone shouted, and then, as if infected, everyone followed suit and shouted loudly together.

"Your Majesty, mighty..."