Soon, He Jin, following He Huan's instructions, took the receipts for the sale of the house and went to the county magistrate.

"Oh? You mean you plan to donate the money from selling the house to the government to renovate the clinic?"

Upon hearing He Jin's purpose, the magistrate of Wan County was taken aback.

"Yes, Your Excellency. With Your Excellency's recommendation, my younger sister is about to go to Luoyang. I also plan to make a living in Luoyang. This house here will just fall into disrepair if left unattended, so why not sell it and do something for our hometown!" He Jin said with a righteous expression.

"Good, very good. I never expected Brother He to be so righteous. I will definitely report your He family's affairs to the higher authorities and give you credit."

The magistrate of Wan County immediately praised He Jin and grew to like him more and more, promising to put in a good word for him.

He Jin's face lit up with joy: "In that case, thank you for your trouble, County Lord!"

"Haha, it's only right. If your sister could enter the palace, I would be honored, wouldn't I?"

He Jin cupped his hands and said, "It's all thanks to the county magistrate's hard work!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, He Jin took his leave.

The magistrate of Wan County also wrote a letter of recommendation, in which he also mentioned He Jin's sale of his house to donate money.

...

A few days later, He Jin, along with his sister and all their belongings, headed towards Luoyang under the escort of government officials.

Although there were still some days before the official selection, He Jin and his sister believed that arriving in Luoyang sooner would allow them to learn more about the situation and prepare for the upcoming selection.

Of course, there were quite a few people who shared the same thoughts as He Jin and his sister.

In a short time, eligible women who lived relatively close to Luoyang flocked to the city.

As a result, many young women began to wander around the palace, constantly peering into the palace.

Fortunately, the women only looked around and did nothing else, so the soldiers guarding the palace did not make things difficult for them.

Liu Hong was somewhat amused and exasperated by these situations.

He also temporarily suppressed the idea of ​​leaving the palace incognito, because if he were recognized by those women, it would be troublesome.

After all, no one could guarantee that these women who frequented the palace every day wouldn't do anything crazy.

While the entire court was busy with the emperor's selection of a concubine, several letters sent by Yuan Shao from the Western Regions were placed on Liu Hong's desk.

In the letter, Yuan Shao gave Liu Hong a detailed report on the current situation in the Western Regions and the specific details of his plans with Li Ru.

Liu Hong was clearly very satisfied with the plans Yuan Shao and Li Ru had devised to destroy Kucha and Wusun, as well as the alliance between the Xiongnu and Xianbei.

Two years later, once the empire has recovered, it can integrate and govern the Western Regions, bringing them completely under the control of the Han Dynasty.

"Phew~, next up is the Kusang!"

After reading all the letters, Liu Hong stood up and went to the map of the Great Han Dynasty. His gaze slowly moved westward and finally settled on the Kushan Empire, which was right next to the Western Regions.

According to historical records, the Kushan Empire stretched from Iran in the west to the middle reaches of the Ganges River in the east. It was one of the four great powers in Eurasia, along with the Han Dynasty, Rome, and Parthia. Its territory included what later became Afghanistan, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries.

Liu Hong had been coveting this place for a long time.

Although the Han Dynasty cannot currently develop and utilize many of the resources there, there will eventually be a day when they can be used.

It is best to classify it as "since ancient times" as soon as possible, so that future generations can be free from constraints and always occupy an advantageous position.

Of course, besides this, the Kushan Empire was also an important land route for the Han Dynasty to reach Rome, and an important passage of the Silk Road in Central Asia.

Whether the Han Dynasty wanted to trade with or interact with Rome, it could not bypass the Kushan Empire.

If the Kushans cause trouble, it will greatly affect the interests of the Han Dynasty in Central and West Asia.

This is something that Liu Hong and the Han Dynasty cannot accept or tolerate.

...

Inside Deyang Palace.

Liu Hong also summoned a group of key officials from the court to this place and convened an impromptu imperial meeting.

Apart from Cao Song, Yuan Feng, Yang Ci, and Xun Shuang from the Cabinet, and Duan Jiong, Huangfu Gui, and Zhang Huan from the Privy Council, young people such as Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhang Zhao, and Zhou Yi were all summoned.

"Gentlemen, now that Kucha and Wusun in the Western Regions have been destroyed by the Xiongnu and Xianbei respectively, if I am not mistaken, next year, Dayuan and the remaining countries will also be unable to escape the attack of the two armies."

Unfortunately, the Han Dynasty is currently unable to send troops to the Western Regions and can only wait two years to completely control them…

Liu Hong also gave a general account of the situation in the Western Regions to everyone present.

Cao Song was the first to stand up and said, "Your Majesty, although we are currently unable to send troops to the Western Regions, we can still continue to recruit able-bodied men to go there."

Merchants can also continue to strengthen trade between the two places and develop the areas they have already controlled.

Once the Xiongnu and Xianbei are driven out, it will be much easier to take over and settle the western regions.

Liu Hong said with a smile, "Minister Cao's words are reasonable. However, the most important task at present is to appease the Xiongnu and Xianbei to prevent them from causing great damage to the areas they have already occupied. This will make it easier for the court to take over in the future."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, everyone unanimously agreed.

"Therefore, I have decided to appoint the Xiongnu leader Xiezhiyu as the Left King of the Western Expedition of the Great Han, and the Xianbei leader Helian as the Right King of the Western Expedition of the Great Han."

By establishing a vassal relationship, we will provide them with certain economic and political assistance to safeguard the interests of the Han Dynasty in the Western Regions.

Cao Song was the first to agree, saying, "Your Majesty, this method is excellent. In this way, the court can intervene in the governance of Kucha and Wusun when the Xiongnu and Xianbei occupy them."

After the two groups withdraw, they will leave behind two relatively intact and stable regions for the Han Dynasty.

Compared to some forms of economic aid, this is undoubtedly the most cost-effective approach.

As the Minister of Revenue, Cao Song was arguably the most adept at accounting.

After he explained it this way, everyone immediately understood the many benefits and agreed to the suggestion.

"Gentlemen, as the saying goes, 'He who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.' Now that the Western Regions issue has been clarified, the next challenge is the Kushan Empire in the west...!"

After explaining the situation in the Western Regions, Liu Hong then steered the conversation toward the Kushan Empire.

Regarding the Kushan issue, Liu Hong had previously discussed it with others and formulated a multi-pronged policy of disintegration and division, encompassing diplomacy, economy, culture, and religious beliefs.

Now that Liu Hong has raised this issue, it means that the Han Dynasty is about to take action against the Kushan Empire, and everyone's focus for the next few years will shift to the Kushan Empire.

Minister of Rites Yang Ci spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that the most important task at present is to select a capable minister as an envoy to be stationed in Kushan as an inside agent, so as to facilitate the implementation of various plans!"

Liu Hong raised his eyes and asked, "Then, Minister Yang, who do you think is capable of this task?"

Yang Ci: "Yuan Shao, Deputy Protector-General of the Western Regions!"