Liu Hong, sitting on the Dragon Throne, scrutinized Liu Jin who stood in the center of the hall.
In an instant, a smile appeared on his face, and he said kindly!
“Wen Yi, quickly rise. You are a Qilin Child of the Imperial Clan, and I am very pleased.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin quickly straightened his back and bowed respectfully!
“Thank you for your majesty’s praise.”
He covertly observed Liu Hong on the Dragon Throne: a pale face, a white beard, dark circles under his eyes, and a frail body. He looked utterly like someone with kidney deficiency.
He sighed inwardly, clearly a result of excessive indulgence, leading to a depleted body. At this rate, he probably wouldn't live much longer.
However, he didn't meddle. Liu Hong himself knew about his excessive indulgence, but he didn't restrain himself, clearly intending to continue his decline.
Liu Hong, sitting on the Dragon Throne, pondered for a moment before his voice slowly emerged!
“Minister Liu, as a son of the Han Dynasty, you are loyal to the emperor and patriotic. Since leading troops to quell the Yellow Turban, your achievements have been outstanding. I specially invite you to the palace now to receive your enfeoffment.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin immediately knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and bowed to receive the order!
Liu Hong nodded, and his majestic voice continued!
“After discussing with the civil and military officials in the court, I hereby enfeoff you as Marquis of Changwu Township and appoint you as Defender General of the Xiongnu, with authority over the three commanderies of Yanmen, Cloud Middle Commandery, and Dingxiang, to resist the Xiongnu and Xianbei from the north.”
Upon hearing these rewards, even though Liu Jin already knew the outcome, he was still very excited at the moment he truly received them.
These were the positions of Marquis and General, either of which, when taken alone, was a two-thousand-stone official, a highly coveted title and office.
Now, all of this was bestowed upon Liu Jin, how could he not be thrilled?
He clasped his hands and bowed respectfully!
“Thank you for your majesty’s immense grace. Your subject will certainly fulfill his duties to repay the Han Dynasty.”
Liu Hong nodded slightly, and a eunuch nearby slowly approached, holding a tray in both hands.
Liu Jin stood up, watching the seal symbolizing the title of Marquis and the tiger tally for mobilizing troops slowly come towards him.
He immediately reached out and accepted the golden seal and purple ribbon, as well as the Defender General of the Xiongnu’s tiger tally.
The moment he held them in his hands, though they felt somewhat cold, his heart was incredibly fervent.
After hovering between life and death, he had finally obtained what he temporarily desired.
Many civil and military officials in the court showed envy in their eyes at this scene.
That was the title of Marquis of a Township, extremely precious throughout the entire Han Dynasty. Many officials spent their entire lives without the qualifications to obtain a noble title.
However, envy was one thing, but Liu Jin had indeed earned it through tangible military achievements, so even if they wanted to belittle him, they couldn't.
The Great General He Jin, seeing this, maintained an extremely calm expression, but inwardly, he smiled.
Liu Jin was his subordinate; the higher he climbed, the greater the help he would be to him, and the more influence he would have in the court later on.
By then, let's see who would dare to oppose him, the Great General. All aristocratic families and Eunuchs would have to step aside. He was determined to control the court and awe the world.
Liu Hong, sitting on the Dragon Throne, looked at Liu Jin in the main hall, and with a serious voice, he declared loudly!
“Minister Liu, in recent years, the Xiongnu have become increasingly brazen, frequently raiding the borders of our Han Dynasty and encroaching on quite a bit of territory.”
“After you take charge of the northern region, remember not to allow these Hu to continue southward and raid our Bing Province. You must also find a way to reclaim the lost territories.”
“Do you understand?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin did not hesitate, bowing once more and saying loudly!
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty, your subject will certainly guard the frontier and never allow the Hu to step one inch into the Han Dynasty.”
Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. Just his composed demeanor indeed made him worthy of being called a Qilin Child of the Imperial Clan.
Just then, a loud shout came from outside the hall!
“Report!”
“Liang Province is in urgent crisis!”
The sound instantly spread throughout the entire hall. Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials frowned and began to whisper among themselves.
After all, the unrest in Liang Province had been frequent in recent years, with no signs of stopping.
Now, with another urgent report, it was clear that something must have erupted.
Liu Hong, sitting on the Dragon Throne, heard the news, and his already pale face instantly showed anger.
He seemed to dislike hearing news from Liang Province.
A palace guard, with an urgent expression, quickly rushed in, knelt on one knee, and reported!
“Reporting to Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from Liang Province.”
Liu Hong raised an eyebrow and coldly demanded!
“Report quickly!”
The messenger palace guard, hearing the cold words, trembled slightly, naturally knowing that His Majesty was already showing impatience.
He immediately reported!
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Inspector of Liang Province, Zuo Chang, sent word that Beigong Boyu, Han Sui, Bian Zhang, and others, in league with the Qiang people of Liang Province, have launched a rebellion, amassing hundreds of thousands of troops to attack various parts of Liang Province.”
“Among them, the Administrator of Jincheng, Chen Yi, and the Protector of the Qiang, Leng Zheng, led troops to resist for several days but were overcome by the rebels. Their entire families, old and young, were massacred, and their bodies were hung at the city gates for display.”
“Currently, the Inspector of Liang Province, Zuo Chang, is leading his forces to garrison Aiyang County. The rebels are fiercely attacking but are unable to break through, and a standoff has formed between the two sides.”
As soon as these words were spoken, they shook the court. Many civil and military officials, upon hearing this, involuntarily began to tremble, filled with panic and fear.
They hadn't expected that immediately after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, a rebel army would emerge in Liang Province. In recent years, unrest had been frequent in many places.
Dong Zhuo, among the military generals, heard this and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, unnoticed.
He had waited so long, and finally, this news had arrived.
In fact, he had heard rumors about movements in Liang Province two months prior.
He had simply not spoken out, waiting for the unrest in Liang Province so he could request to lead an expedition, command the previous army to suppress the rebels, gain merit, and increase his influence within the military.
Over time, this army would be firmly under his control.
Liu Hong, sitting on the Dragon Throne, looked at Liu Jin in the main hall, his eyes showing ferocity. He hadn't expected these traitors to dare to betray him.
He roared in anger!
“That Beigong Boyu, Han Sui, and Bian Zhang, which of them did not receive the great grace of our Han Dynasty? Yet, instead of striving for progress, they rebelled against the court, amassed troops, and murdered court officials. They are all ungrateful wretches!”
His voice, deafening, echoed throughout the entire hall. The civil and military officials heard this and wore solemn expressions.
This rebel army was well-equipped, had ample cavalry, and was very powerful, incomparable to the Yellow Turban Army organized by the common people.
General He Jin fell into contemplation upon hearing this. After a moment, his eyes lit up.
The Liang Province rebellion was a good opportunity for him to show his capabilities. It was perfect for him to arrange for his subordinates to go and earn merits, increasing his standing in the court.
He immediately looked at Liu Jin beside him, blinking his eyes, silently asking a question!
Liu Jin, seeing the suggestive look, naturally understood what it meant.
He was asking if he was willing to become the commanding general to lead an expedition to Western Liang and quell this unrest.