Free Web NovelChapter 313: His Majesty Agrees
Yangzhou.
Danyang County, Panlong Palace.
At this moment, the young Emperor of Han, Liu Bian, sat solemnly on the dragon throne, facing the civil and military officials below the grand hall. His youthful face, though delicate, bore the weight of leadership, but traces of uncertainty occasionally flickered in his eyes.
“If there are matters to report, speak up. If not, court is dismissed!”
A eunuch holding a dust whisk announced, his voice echoing through the hall as the ministers exchanged cautious glances. The grandeur of the palace only added to the tension in the air.
Clang!
Long Chen, standing at the forefront of the military officials, stepped forward. His silver qilin armor emitted a dazzling light, catching everyone’s eyes. Combined with Long Chen’s heroic and extraordinary appearance, he was truly captivating. His presence alone was enough to command the attention of all who were present.
Long Chen bowed towards Emperor Liu Bian on the dragon throne and said, “Your Majesty, this subject has a report.”
“Beloved Minister Long, please speak!” Liu Bian waved his hand and smiled warmly. Despite his youthful demeanor, he knew to show deference to the man standing before him. After all, his very survival and position were largely due to Long Chen’s prowess. freewebnoveℓ.com
His mother had already informed him that the greatest contributor to him reclaiming the throne was none other than Minister Long. Without Long Chen’s decisive victories and loyalty, Liu Bian knew he would not be seated on the throne today.
Moreover, Minister Long was the only person they, mother and son, could fully trust. In a world full of treachery, their circle of allies was narrow, and Long Chen was at its center.
Therefore, his mother had instructed him long ago that whatever Minister Long requested, he must comply with unconditionally. There could be no hesitation, for Long Chen’s loyalty was the key to their continued rule.
Liu Bian had always held his mother, Empress Dowager He, in great reverence and did not dare to defy her wishes or demands. Her wisdom had guided them through dark times, and he relied on her counsel now more than ever.
Thus, upon hearing that Long Chen had something to report, Liu Bian’s attitude was exceedingly polite and gentle, a reflection of his deep gratitude and the bond that tied them together.
Long Chen raised his head, his gaze deep, and began, “Your Majesty, I believe that after a period of recuperation, our Han dynasty has regained its strength.”
“And yet, the territories of the Han remain fragmented, scattered like chess pieces. I believe the time has come to direct our forces westward, to reclaim our lands and restore the glory of the Han dynasty!”
“This...” Liu Bian’s face was filled with surprise and a hint of dread. The idea of war made him uneasy, dredging up memories of past betrayals and bloodshed.
Having experienced the rebellion of Dong Zhuo in his youth, and nearly being poisoned to death by him, Liu Bian had developed a psychological aversion to war. The scars of that treacherous time still haunted him.
Deep down, he was weak and cowardly, so when Long Chen proposed a campaign to reclaim Han territory, his expression revealed some panic. His heart raced, but his duty as Emperor demanded more of him than fear. He could not afford to falter in front of his court.
However, in that moment, he recalled his mother’s teachings: “Bian’er, now that you are the Emperor, the ruler of all under heaven, you must remain calm in the face of any danger. Even if Mount Tai collapses before you, your expression should not change. Face all crises with composure and clear thinking.”
Her words rang in his ears, a guiding force that allowed him to steady himself. He knew that as Emperor, the world would watch his every move. He could not afford to display weakness.
After a brief pause, Liu Bian regained his composure and forced himself to remain calm. His back straightened, and his expression returned to one of regal control.
Seeing Liu Bian’s reaction, Long Chen secretly nodded in approval. Not bad, he thought. It seems that the words he had spoken to the Empress Dowager in private had taken root in her heart. His influence was growing, not just over the Emperor but within the imperial family itself.
Next time, he could teach her some other things...
“Your words are very reasonable, my beloved minister. Where do you propose to reclaim next?”
Liu Bian nodded in agreement with Long Chen’s proposal and then waved his hand, asking the question. His earlier fear had subsided, replaced by a sense of duty and determination.
Long Chen cupped his hands and replied:
“Your Majesty, having already reclaimed the lands of Yangzhou and Yanzhou, I propose that the next step be to reclaim Yuzhou. I have already stationed 200,000 elite soldiers on the western border of Yangzhou, ready to launch an attack on Yuzhou at any moment!”
“Good! Excellent!” Liu Bian rose from the dragon throne, his eyes sharp as lightning, and slapped the golden dragon heads on the armrests of his throne. “Since Minister Long is ready, I hereby appoint you as the Grand General of the Western Campaign, commanding all the empire’s forces to march on Yuzhou.”
Long Chen had already been appointed as Grand General, the highest-ranking military official in the Han dynasty, a first-rank position. His authority within the military was unparalleled, and his soldiers followed him with unwavering loyalty.
In the game The Grand Lord, the benefits brought by the first-rank title of 【Grand General】 were immense for Long Chen.
Firstly, it increased the number of troops Long Chen could recruit to one million. As long as he had enough soldiers, resources, and funds, he could raise an army of one million, capable of defeating any obstacle.
However, due to the fact that Long Chen’s current territory included only Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and part of Xuzhou, the resources from these areas allowed him to recruit only 300,000 troops.
Now, to wage war and reclaim Yuzhou, Long Chen had dispatched 200,000 troops. As for the remaining 100,000 or so, most were stationed in Yangzhou and Yanzhou to defend the current territory and protect the people.
Several tens of thousands of troops had also been sent north, in preparation to cooperate with Gongsun Zan, the lord of Youzhou, to attack Yuan Shao of Jizhou, thereby buying time for Long Chen to conquer Yuzhou. The coordination between his forces was nothing short of masterful, showcasing Long Chen’s strategic genius.
Moreover, the title of Grand General enhanced Long Chen’s leadership, increasing his prestige in the army and making it easier for him to command his soldiers.
To put it another way—
Long Chen, by controlling the young Emperor Liu Bian and wielding the imperial power to command the lords, had amassed countless titles for himself. His ambitions were vast, and each victory brought him closer to realizing them.
Whenever other players encountered Long Chen, the first thing they would see was the deep purple title 【King of Wu】, symbolizing supreme power in the Han dynasty. After all, the Han dynasty’s founding emperor, Liu Bang, had decreed: “Anyone other than the Liu family who claims the title of King shall be punished by the entire empire.”
The fact that Long Chen was able to obtain the title of King of Wu was proof of his immense strength.
Next to the 【King of Wu】 title was the bright red title of 【Grand General】, drawing even more attention.
After receiving the imperial edict from Liu Bian, Long Chen respectfully returned to his position. His eyes, however, gleamed with the quiet confidence of a man whose power was steadily growing, a man who was more than capable of bending the empire to his will.
As for the other civil and military officials in court, who would dare speak against Long Chen!?
Since the incident involving the secret imperial decree, Long Chen had ruthlessly wielded his power, beheading several high-ranking ministers among the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers.
Such actions had struck fear into the hearts of the court officials, leaving them unwilling to meet the eyes of the young and formidable Long Chen.
This demonstrated the extent of Long Chen’s overwhelming power. The court was his to command, and soon, so too would be the empire.
