After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 778 - 768: Deploying Troops

The eunuch hurriedly intervened, "Your Majesty, it’s already late at night, and you’re still sick; you can’t go out and catch a breeze."

"The hall is stifling; it’s summer, not winter. The sun has shone for seventy-three consecutive days; even if I’m bare-chested, I won’t catch a cold!" The Emperor pushed the eunuch aside, "Get far away; I don’t want to see you all."

The air outside the hall was stifling, but the sky was clear with a sparse scattering of stars, showing no sign of rain.

Liu Yuan felt even more troubled; if this continued, before Zhao Hanzhang and the Jin Court attacked, they would have already descended into chaos internally.

His grand plans for the kingdom, his boundless ambition, were they all to come to a halt here?

Liu Yuan’s emotions fluctuated, breathing heavily, and his already dizzy mind grew cloudier. He feared being labeled a traitor and outlaw, so he seized the name of the Han Dynasty to proclaim himself emperor. As long as he could destroy the Jin Dynasty, unify the world, and establish peace throughout, these slanders would all dissipate.

But now... Heaven does not favor him!

Liu Yuan sat in a daze on the railings in front of the hall, while the eunuchs following him became increasingly anxious.

Liu Yuan, being of advanced age and indulging in sensual pleasures these past two years, was in poor health. Recently, due to ongoing droughts in Bingzhou, some counties had rebellions, and he fell ill from worry.

Liu Yuan felt that stepping out at night and catching a breeze was no big deal, but the eunuchs knew that should his condition worsen, they who served him would not live to see another day.

The eunuchs pondered deeply and, finally biting the bullet, decided to secretly seek out Empress Shan.

By the time Empress Shan, dressed and hastily arrived, several people were already kneeling before the hall, with Liu Cong leading them.

Empress Shan came hurriedly, her hair slightly disheveled, hesitated for a moment, and refrained from stepping forward, standing at the corner with her entourage, instructing the maid beside her to persuade the Emperor to return inside.

The maid carried out the instruction and, shortly after, the Emperor returned inside, supported by the eunuch’s hand. Empress Shan breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the eunuchs, "Quickly, summon the eunuch."

The eunuch went off in reply.

Empress Shan glanced towards the doorway of the hall, seeing the Emperor and several ministers had already returned inside, and Liu Cong, who was about to enter, paused and stared at her intently.

Startled by his gaze, Empress Shan furrowed her brow slightly, avoided his gaze, and turned to leave.

The maid beside the Empress also felt Liu Cong’s gaze was overly disrespectful and said, "Your Highness, the Lu Li King is far too disrespectful, daring to stare directly at Your Highness."

The maid suggested that Empress Shan should bring this matter up with the Emperor to assert justice.

Empress Shan furrowed her brows and said, "His Majesty is already worried about the drought; it’s best not to trouble him with such matters. Just warn Yi’er to be cautious around him."

The maid bowed her head in acknowledgment.

Liu Yuan sat down, frowning at the ministers, "Why do you enter the palace at this hour, before dawn?"

Liu Huanle lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, we have just received military reports; there are rebellions disrupting the rear."

The Emperor held his head and said, "Aren’t there rebellions disrupting every part?"

"But this time, the leader is a Jiehu. He serves as an Assistant General in the army, named Yin An. Most rebels this time are Jiehu, while Han people only make up thirty percent. I’ve heard they’ve contacted Shi Le, intending to take our cattle and sheep and head for Shangdang," Liu Huanle said sternly, "Your Majesty, you must be wary of Shi Le. If he hadn’t promised something to Yin An, how could he dare to rebel? I believe Shi Le harbors disloyal thoughts as well."

Many shared Liu Huanle’s thoughts and said, "Previously, Wang Jun and Liu Kun conspired to attack Qingzhou, Zu Ti aimed at our territory in Jizhou. Shi Le could have aided us with a simple gesture, but he waited until Zu Ti captured several cities, threatening his administration, before acting — resulting in Zu Ti’s expansion and occupation of a prefecture."

"Your Majesty, there’s a saying among Han people that accurately reflects this: ’Different races, different hearts.’ In essence, Shi Le does not share our intentions; as a Jiehu, why would he sincerely follow us?"

Liu Yuan, suffering a fever, was reluctant to speak and asked wearily, "What do you propose?"

Liu Cong stepped forward and said, "Your son requests the authority to lead troops to attack Yan State."

Liu Yuan seemed slightly revitalized, lowered his hand, and sat upright, "Attack Yan State?"

"Yes, Father. Now that the summer harvest has concluded, and many couldn’t pay summer taxes due to drought, rebellion is rampant. Given this scenario, the autumn harvest will likely be even more dismal. Rather than letting those ruffians disrupt us, why not lead them to battle? If the summer harvest is lacking, we can plunder; if cattle and sheep die of thirst or heat, we can plunder them as well!"

Liu Cong said, "Even the threat posed by Shi Le can be resolved by deploying our forces, letting him attack Luoyang, drawing Zhao Hanzhang’s troops away, and letting them expend their strength on the battlefield. After this battle, neither Shi Le nor Zhao Hanzhang will pose any further threat to us."

Liu Yuan clenched his fingers tightly and asked, "What if we lose this battle?"

Liu Cong said, "We are not concerned with victory or defeat; the goal is to seize money and grain from the Central Plains to weather the natural disasters. By then, we..."

"No," Liu Yuan interrupted him, raising his head and looking at him with fierce determination, "This battle, we must win!"

He declared, "With the strength of the entire nation, extinguish Great Jin, and thereafter the entire Central Plains will be ours. No drought, flood, or locust plague will ever frighten us again. Gold, silver, treasures, grand mansions, beauties—the luxuries you desire will all be attainable!"

His words ignited passion among the assembly; even old figures like Liu Huanle couldn’t help but have their eyes gleaming, the clouded gaze flashing with a sense of determination.

Liu Yuan stood up and clenched both fists, proclaiming, "Our Han Kingdom has stood for four years; it is time to unify the realm."

He continued, "The drought has affected Bingzhou but has an even greater impact on Jin State. This time, Wang Jun and Liu Kun are self-involved, Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang are at odds, even the Emperor and Gou Xi harbor suspicions between them. With our troops, we possess favorable conditions: heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony. This drought is Heaven aiding me; we must seize Jin State in one fell swoop!"

Liu Huanle led the kneeling with a fervent "Yes," loudly declaring, "We will not fail Your Majesty’s expectations; we will storm Yun City and capture Emperor Jin alive as a birthday tribute to Your Majesty!"

"Good!" Liu Yuan breathed heavily, his eyes reddening as he glared at Liu Cong, "Appoint Liu Cong as General of the Southern Expedition, and mobilize troops to Yan State immediately."

He added, "Appoint Shi Le as Western Expedition General and order him to attack Luoyang, ensuring the reclamation of Si Province occupied by Zhao Hanzhang, appoint Liu Qin as General of the Northern Expedition to recapture Jinyang."

His gaze turned icy, "I have long been aggrieved by Liu Kun stubbornly defending Jinyang. It is a thorn in my heart that must be removed!"

He had endured Liu Kun for a long time.

The Xiongnu, keen warriors, hastened preparations as soon as Liu Yuan gave the order; even the rebels disrupting were eager to head for the Central Plains to fight, abandoning confrontations with the imperial forces, quickly packing weapons, armor, and horses to join the army.

The Xiongnu Army did not disdain those who had fought against them recently; they incorporated them and placed them at the vanguard, intending to let them charge first.

Only a small portion persisted, mainly Han people who did not wish to march south to attack the Central Plains, desiring only survival, hoping for the destruction of the Han Kingdom or at least tax respite for survival, or failing that, a bit of food to allow departure.

Some wished to defect to Liu Kun in Jinyang, others to Zhao Hanzhang in Si Province.

Yet these forces were scattered and weak, drawing little concern. As the main army mobilized, the remaining rebellious garrison could be subdued, leading to the capture of individuals who could be enslaved or sent to the frontline against Jin Army’s bows and arrows.