Zhang He, Gongsun Zan, Cheng Pu, Xu Rong, and others looked at Liu Jin, feeling an inexplicable sense of respect.
Although he was slightly younger than them, his thoughts were meticulous, his vision broad, and he had a complete grasp of the situation. One could even say he was strategizing from a thousand miles away, surpassing them.
Liu Jin remained calm as he met their gazes. He was a foreteller, understanding the course of this history.
Therefore, he could easily see through the current overall situation.
As long as Zhang Jiao was stationed in Guangzong City, it would be impossible to break through in a short time.
The only solution was to wait for Zhang Jiao's death, at which point the city would fall into panic and chaos, perhaps even collapsing without a fight. Then, Guangzong City could be taken.
It was now mid-June of Guanghe Year Seven, with just over a month remaining until Zhang Jiao's death.
Liu Jin's eyes sparkled as he began to plan his next moves. He had to seize this opportunity to achieve merit and lay a solid foundation for his promotion.
Just then, Guan Yu came galloping on a date-red horse.
His face was filled with excitement, and he shouted loudly from a distance!
"General, the imperial court's rewards have arrived!"
Liu Jin's heart rejoiced upon hearing this. Could it be that Zhao Teng had already connected with the Great General and reported the achievements from Wuji County, gaining recognition?
Otherwise, how could the rewards arrive so quickly? It had only been half a month since he killed Zhang Liang. Even if Lu Zhi received the battle report and sent it up, it probably hadn't reached Luoyang yet.
Without thinking further, he immediately clasped his hands and smiled at Zhang He, Gongsun Zan, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, and the others beside him!
"Gentlemen, since the imperial court's rewards have arrived, I shall not linger here. I must go and welcome the imperial envoy."
Everyone nodded, their eyes showing envy.
They naturally knew that Liu Jin, who was about to make his appearance, would likely be their superior.
From now on, they would have to treat him with respect and could no longer chat casually as they did now.
Liu Jin and Guan Yu galloped on their tall horses, leaving the small hill and quickly returning to his military camp.
Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Wei You, Wu Xing, and others hurried forward to greet him.
Liu Jin immediately ordered!
"Yide, prepare a hundred thousand coins."
Zhang Fei pouted upon hearing this, his face showing dissatisfaction. He didn't need to think twice; it was surely to bribe the Eunuchs who were about to arrive.
However, he did not delay. He scurried back to the camp, ordered the soldiers to carry out several large chests, and then respectfully waited at the camp entrance.
A moment later, over a hundred people, escorting several carriages, slowly approached.
At the forefront was Zhao Teng. He immediately saw Liu Jin, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and others waiting, a smile on his face, waving continuously.
However, he did not shout, as a Eunuchs named Zuo Feng was seated in the carriage nearby. His status was several levels higher than the Little Yellow Gate who had previously delivered decrees.
Rumor had it that he was a favorite of His Majesty. Not only could his elder brother not afford to offend him, but even Lu Zhi, the commanding general of this army, probably couldn't either.
The carriage followed the road to the camp entrance. Two young Eunuchs respectfully lifted the carriage curtain.
Zuo Feng, thin and with gloomy eyes, dressed in a Eunuchs' robe, exuding authority, stepped down from the carriage.
His gaze swept around, landing on Liu Jin, who was at the front of the crowd.
His cold expression softened slightly as he asked!
"Are you Liu Wenyi?"
Liu Jin quickly stepped forward, his face respectful, clasped his hands, and said!
"Greetings, Imperial Envoy. I am indeed Liu Wenyi."
Zuo Feng nodded slightly and said with a smile!
"General Liu's valiant deeds during this period have reached my ears. Seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary."
"His Majesty has praised you repeatedly, calling you a 'Kylin Child' among the imperial clan."
"He intends to groom you into a Champion Marquis, to sweep away the chaos, stabilize the imperial court, and become the bulwark of the Great Han."
"You must not disappoint His Majesty's trust."
Liu Jin was overjoyed to hear this. It was exactly as he had guessed.
The current Emperor highly valued members of the imperial clan. As long as they showed some ability, he was willing to promote and entrust them with important positions.
He didn't even need to worry about being suppressed if he held a high position, because Liu Hong was very generous towards the imperial clan, with virtually no precautions.
In his eyes, even if the pot of meat was rotten, it had to rot within his own people's pot. How could he hand over the empire to others?
That was why he heavily relied on the imperial clan, following Liu Yan's system of provincial governors, allowing members of the imperial clan to serve as governors of various provinces, ruling a region and stabilizing the empire.
Liu Jin's face showed respect as he bowed and said loudly!
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your high regard. Your humble general would never dare to betray your trust. I will surely eliminate the chaos and stabilize the Great Han's empire."
Zuo Feng smiled and nodded. He still greatly admired Liu Jin.
His respectful attitude and humble tone, these two points alone, made him feel elated and very satisfied.
After all, the situation for Eunuchs like them was not good. Civil and military officials, noble families, all clamored to eliminate them.
They were treated with cold eyes, as if people wished to eat their flesh and drink their blood.
He immediately pulled an imperial decree and a silver seal with a green ribbon from his sleeve and said with a smile!
"General Liu, there are no outsiders here, so I won't bother with these formalities."
"Some time ago, you led your troops to defeat several thousand Yellow Turban in Wuji County, killing their Qu Shuai, achieving outstanding merit."
"His Majesty has been informed, and after deliberation, he has promoted you to the position of Commandant of Two Thousand Piculs, under Lu Zhi's command, to suppress the northern Yellow Turban."
Liu Jin looked at the silver seal with a green ribbon and the position of Commandant that was brought out, his breathing quickening.
Although it was just barely two thousand piculs, it was a position countless officials of a thousand piculs dreamed of.
Without any hesitation, he immediately knelt on one knee, raised his clasped hands above his head, and respectfully said!
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace."
Zuo Feng smiled and nodded, handing over the imperial decree and the silver seal with a green ribbon.
Liu Jin took them, gripping them tightly in his hand, unwilling to let go.
He had finally taken this step. As long as he entered the ranks of two thousand piculs, he was considered a mid-level high official in the entire bureaucratic system.
Behind him, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, Wei You, and Zhao Teng were all incredibly excited, their faces filled with joy.
Their elder brother's promotion thrilled them even more than their own.
After Liu Jin stood up, he glanced at Zhang Fei beside him.
Zhang Fei, understanding the command, waved his hand and instructed several soldiers to bring out the chests.
Liu Jin quickly walked forward, came beside Zuo Feng, and respectfully said!
"Imperial Envoy, these are local specialties from my You Province. A small token of respect, please do not decline."
Zuo Feng looked at the chests, smiled, and subtly glanced at the Eunuchs.
Soon, the large chests were carried into the carriage.
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