Chapter 590: Sui‑Tang World Situation

When the ministers entered the Court Hall, Liu Bian was already seated on the Dragon Throne.

"All officials, kneel and pay homage!"

After everyone stood properly, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng stepped before the officials and shouted loudly.

"We, the ministers, pay our respects to Your Majesty! May Your Majesty's sacred lifespan be boundless!"

Liu Bian raised his hands in a feigned gesture and said to the officials with authority:

"Precious Subjects, stand upright!"

"We, the ministers, thank Your Majesty!"

When everyone responded in unison and stood again, Liu Bian addressed the assembly:

"Three months ago, the Emperor told you that our Han Empire would once again launch a campaign against the Otherworld."

"Your Ministers, are you all prepared!"

When Liu Bian's imposing words fell, the officials shivered and shouted at him:

"We have long been ready and are willing to give our lives for Your Majesty!"

Seeing the officials so united, Liu Bian nodded with satisfaction.

"Very well!"

"Your Ministers all share this resolve, this loyalty to the Han Empire and the will to fight for it!"

"With you, Your Ministers, in the Han Empire, why should we fear that we cannot stand atop the summit of all realms!"

In response to the ministers' reply, Liu Bian lavishly praised them.

"We serve Your Majesty and the Han, and would die without regret!"

Hearing Liu Bian's commendation, the officials shouted excitedly with flushed faces.

He nodded at the crowd, then shifted his tone and said gravely to the officials:

"However, the world we are about to campaign to is stronger than any we have previously fought, and among them are Martial Emperor Realm strongmen!"

"Therefore, in this expedition we must be cautious and never careless!"

The crowd's expressions grew solemn as they quietly listened to Liu Bian's briefing.

Even the Cabinet Ministers who already knew the matter, and the commanders of the Major Armies, wore solemn looks.

"The world we are heading to is called the Sui-Tang World, and its world tier is a High Martial Low Grade World!"

Upon hearing it was a High Martial World, the uninformed ministers' pupils contracted and they stared at Liu Bian with grave faces.

Regarding the world tier, they were now exceedingly clear.

Their Great Han Main Realm had only ascended to the High Martial Low Grade World a little over a year ago.

And this Sui-Tang World, without question, is certainly a High Martial Low Grade World that has long reached its pinnacle.

This still places great pressure on the Han Empire.

Surveying everyone's expressions, Liu Bian gave no further explanation and turned his gaze toward Guo Jia.

"Now, let Fengxiao present the basic situation of the Sui-Tang World to Your Ministers!"

As Liu Bian's words ended, Guo Jia stepped out from the ranks and bowed his hands to Liu Bian and the officials.

"I, the humble minister, obey the decree!"

"The Sui-Tang World, as the name suggests, has the strongest nation—the Sui Kingdom, which occupies the Central Plains."

"The Sui Kingdom's geography is roughly similar to our Han Empire, and it is likewise surrounded by Foreign Tribes."

"However, due to the Sui Kingdom's strength, these Foreign Tribes can only nominally submit and survive trembling under its might."

"Within the Sui Kingdom there are also many Jianghu Forces; these forces have long lineages, and those with profound Martial Dao cultivation are members of the Jianghu Forces."

"The Martial Emperor Realm strongmen you mentioned, Your Majesty, are found among these Jianghu Forces."

"However, Martial Emperor Realm strongmen are the true backbone of a force; they only appear when those Jianghu Forces face life‑or‑death crises."

"Besides the Foreign Tribes and Jianghu Forces, the Sui Kingdom also has many Aristocratic Clans."

Upon hearing this, many people wore solemn expressions, concerned about the Sui-Tang World's strength.

Sensing the crowd's worry, Guo Jia shifted his tone and smiled:

"However, you need not be worried; the Sui Kingdom is not as powerful as you imagine."

"The present Sui Kingdom is already in its final stage; extinction is but a step away!"

Hearing this, everyone's expression jolted and excitement flashed on their faces.

"Military Advisor, how could such a mighty Sui Kingdom be on the brink of extinction!"

Hearing Guo Jia's words, the ministers asked in puzzlement.

"In fact, the Sui Kingdom was initially very strong, especially its founding emperor Yang Jian, who was a man of great talent and strategy."

"Unfortunately, the Sui Kingdom's second emperor Yang Guang was rather unsatisfactory."

At this point, Guo Jia and the Cabinet Ministers showed traces of sentiment and regret.

Back then, Yang Jian was a heroic ruler! He possessed extraordinary wisdom and lofty ambitions, and with his great talent unified Tian Xia, establishing a strong and prosperous nation.

However, unexpectedly, his son turned out to be so worthless—a complete prodigal!

In just a few years, this once prosperous nation was ruined beyond repair and now teeters on the brink of extinction.

This made Guo Jia and the other ministers sigh, "The world is unpredictable!"

Nevertheless, it is precisely because of a prodigal like Yang Guang that they have an opportunity to campaign against the Sui-Tang World.

"Yang Guang, using treacherous means, gained Yang Jian's trust, and after inheriting the throne, began to indulge in pleasure and fancy beautiful women."

"To indulge, he raised taxes and lavishly built pleasure palaces, leaving the populace destitute and full of complaints."

"And the ministers, to cater to Yang Guang's taste for beauty, began secretly gathering exceptionally beautiful women for him…"

Guo Jia spoke coldly, summarizing what he knew, his words dripping with contempt for the Sui Kingdom and Yang Guang.

"For now, this is roughly all the information we can know. As for the specific situation of the Sui-Tang World, we will have to wait until the Army crosses the Realm before gathering it."

"Now, let us discuss the personnel for the expedition to the Sui-Tang World."

As Liu Bian's words fell, all the generals in the military officers' line strode forward and solemnly requested battle from Liu Bian.

"I report to Your Majesty, your humble general is willing to serve as vanguard!"

This situation was entirely within Liu Bian's expectations. He waved his hand at the generals and said with authority:

"Due to the restrictions of the World Consciousness, this expedition can only allow two hundred thousand to cross over. Any more and we would be detected by the World Consciousness of the Sui-Tang World."

"Therefore, this first group to cross over shall be the most elite Army of our Han Dynasty."

"I, the Emperor, have decided that the personnel for this first crossing shall be led by you, Fengxian, commanding two hundred thousand troops of the Shenwu Legion on the expedition."

Hearing Liu Bian's words, Lü Bu in the military officers' line was instantly overjoyed, and bowed to Liu Bian with excitement:

"Your humble general accepts the order. Your humble general shall certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

The others all looked at Lü Bu with faces full of envy, but upon thinking of the strength of Lü Bu and the Shenwu Legion under his command, they felt at ease.