Free Web NovelChapter 305: Rewards
**Yangzhou.**
**Danyang Commandery.**
**The Coiling Dragon Hall.**
All officials and ministers were standing in their assigned positions in an orderly manner.
And among these officials, the most eye-catching person, without a doubt, was the one standing at the front. He was dressed in a robe adorned with the sun, moon, and sky-blue dragon patterns, with a Qinggang sword at his waist. His eyes seemed to contain the vastness of the universe and stars.
Who else could this be but the Grand General, Long Chen?
Long Chen bowed slightly and reported, "Your Majesty, Yanzhou was conquered by our army a few days ago. Now, Yanzhou has been reclaimed for the imperial court."
Upon hearing this, all the officials and ministers remained calm.
This was because they had already heard the news yesterday, whether at home or in taverns and brothels.
After all, this was a significant event, and with the spread of the news by peddlers and refugees, it had long been known throughout Jiangdong.
The people and otherworldly beings across Jiangdong were naturally overjoyed.
The lord they followed—Long Chen—had once again expanded his territory significantly, which was undoubtedly a great thing for them.
The common people could live more prosperously, their hearts more at ease.
As for the otherworldly players, they could happily continue their steady growth, farming and leveling up.
Most of the otherworldly beings who came to Jiangdong were part of the farming faction.
The reason was simple.
Under Long Chen’s governance, Jiangdong had become a paradise far removed from the chaos of the Central Plains, where the people could live in peace.
It’s often said that only in a peaceful environment can development and growth happen.
This undoubtedly attracted a large number of otherworldly beings to flock to Jiangdong.
Indirectly, this provided a huge boost to Jiangdong’s economic development.
As the beneficiary, Long Chen was also generous, reducing taxes for these merchants and otherworldly beings.
On the surface, it seemed like he was losing money, but in reality, it attracted even more people to Yangzhou.
In times of chaos, the most valuable resource is not food or armor, but the people—population. freewebnσvel.cøm
Only with people can development happen, and there will be those who will farm for you and gather resources. With resources, you can support more soldiers and generals, and only then do you have the ability to go to war.
Otherwise, how could Long Chen have remained in a near-constant state of warfare over these past few years?
It was all thanks to the people across Yangzhou!
Returning to the court, while the officials didn’t show much reaction, the Emperor, Han Shaodi Liu Bian, who had spent most of his life in the deep palace, was unaware of all this.
The young emperor beamed with joy upon learning that Grand General Long Chen had fought valiantly to reclaim part of the Han Empire’s territory.
Waving his hand enthusiastically, he laughed and said, "My dear minister is indeed unparalleled in might. With the Grand General’s assistance, how could the Han not flourish!?"
"My dear minister, ask for any reward you desire! As long as I can grant it, it shall be yours!"
This was the benefit of having a new emperor. If this had been the previous Emperor Liu Xie, upon hearing such news, he would have been even more cautious and defensive against Long Chen. frёeωebɳovel.com
Liu Xie would have used the ministers and officials to limit and balance Long Chen’s power.
But the simple-minded Han Shaodi Liu Bian wouldn’t do that. He simply believed he was incredible, having greatly helped the Han Dynasty.
"Well, that’s good," thought Long Chen to himself. "I’ll ensure you live in wealth and peace in the future."
And I’ll also treat your Empress Dowager well~~
Thinking of Empress Dowager He’s well-preserved skin and her voluptuous, seductive figure, Long Chen couldn’t help but lick his dry lips.
He then cupped his hands and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, my official rank has already reached its peak, so I don’t need any rewards. However, my soldiers still need to be rewarded."
"Of course, of course. Let King Wu handle the matter," Liu Bian said, waving his hand grandly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Long Chen bowed once more.
Seeing this, the officials and ministers lamented in their hearts—on one hand, they sighed at the weakness of the new emperor, who was clearly under Long Chen’s control. On the other hand, they felt powerless, unsure of what they could do, and could only sigh helplessly...
After the court session ended.
The rewards soon followed.
As the main hero of the Yanzhou campaign, Lü Bu naturally received generous rewards.
Long Chen appointed him as a third-rank military officer, General of Pacifying the East, and bestowed upon him ten beauties from the Western Regions, ten beauties from Jiangdong, along with ten chests filled with gold, silver, and jewels.
The reason for giving away twenty beauties all at once had two main purposes.
First, it was to win Lü Bu’s loyalty and goodwill.
After all, Lü Bu’s reputation for abstaining from alcohol but not from women was widely known.
Even heroes can’t resist the allure of beautiful women!
Secondly, it was because Long Chen had married Diao Chan, and deep down, he felt a slight tinge of guilt.
After all, in his previous life, the couple pairing of Diao Chan and Lü Bu was so iconic. The famous line, "Where is my Diao Chan..." made Long Chen feel a little uneasy.
Thus, by gifting Lü Bu twenty beauties, including the wild and passionate women of the Western Regions, Long Chen hoped to keep him too busy to think about such things... and maybe drain his energy in the process...
Why did he feel like he was being a bit mischievous?
Long Chen shook his head.
