Following the Da Han Daily, other newly emerging newspapers also began publishing various articles.

Some described the miserable lives of ordinary Qiang people under the oppression of powerful chieftains based on their own experiences.

Yes, it describes the deep bond between the Han army and the Qiang people in the Qiang region.

Some describe the various happy lives of the Qiang people after they migrated to the Han Dynasty.

Although these articles differ in content, they all convey the same core message.

That is, the Han army's expedition was just, reasonable, and legal.

Countless people, upon learning the news, expressed great support and enthusiasm for the Han army's expedition.

Countless able-bodied people spontaneously organized themselves and approached the government to volunteer for logistics and transportation.

Factories and workshops in various places also began to focus on producing all kinds of equipment and supplies needed for the army's expedition.

After receiving orders from the Privy Council, troops stationed in various regions quickly began to mobilize their forces and head towards Luoyang.

In an instant, the war machine of the Great Han, which Liu Hong had single-handedly built, began to run at full speed once again.

In the early part of February of the thirteenth year of the Kaiyuan era.

After several months of preparation, the armies of Liaozhou and Bingzhou have all arrived in Luoyang.

A transport team of 500,000 able-bodied men began to escort various supplies toward Jincheng.

February 15th.

Early that morning, Liu Hong also crawled out of the Empress's bed and began to get dressed.

After changing his inner lining, Zhang Rang, accompanied by several eunuchs, carried a set of extremely luxurious gilded armor to Liu Hong.

This set of armor was handcrafted by a group of top craftsmen for the emperor.

This suit of armor consists of more than two thousand plates. It has a red tassel on the head, golden phoenix wings on both sides of the helmet, and majestic beasts on the shoulders. Then there are shoulder capes, armor body, leg skirts, etc.

Liu Hong was completely wrapped up from head to toe, exuding luxury while also providing excellent protection.

"Your Majesty, you are truly awe-inspiring and exceptionally powerful! Even the celestial beings and gods in heaven cannot match your majesty!"

Upon seeing the emperor in his armor, Zhang Rang flattered him with a fawning expression.

"Haha, stop flattering me, let's go, the soldiers are waiting!"

Liu Hong smiled happily, then turned and walked out of the palace.

Meanwhile, Cao Song, Yuan Feng, Duan Jiong, and other accompanying ministers had been dressed in their finest attire and had been waiting outside the Southern Palace for quite some time.

After leaving the palace and meeting with a group of ministers, Liu Hong rode a pure black steed and led the way towards the west of the city.

However, Liu Hong was accompanied by a general with a special status.

This person was none other than Lü Bu's sworn sister, Lü Zhen.

Lu Zhen rode a crimson steed, wearing a red helmet and red armor, and holding a red-tasseled spear; he was truly a dashing and heroic figure.

Seeing a female general beside the emperor, the onlookers on the roadside were both surprised and began to whisper among themselves with great interest.

The appearance of a female general was still a novelty in the Han Dynasty.

However, the people did not have much resistance to this; they were mostly just curious.

Hearing the discussions among the people on the roadside, Lü Zhen on horseback paid no attention and waved to them from time to time, appearing quite excited.

At least she became the first female general since the founding of the Han Dynasty, and this honor naturally made Lü Zhen very happy.

Upon learning that the emperor was preparing to personally lead another military campaign, the fifteen-year-old Lü Zhen began to have her heart set on it.

He spent all his time running to the palace, and whenever he had the chance, he would find Liu Hong, wanting to go on a military expedition with the army.

At first, Liu Hong refused, after all, she was a girl and it was really not appropriate for her to go to the battlefield.

However, he couldn't withstand Lü Zhen's persistent pleading and cajoling day after day.

Finally, after witnessing Lü Zhen defeat more than a dozen of his personal guards, Liu Hong reluctantly agreed to Lü Zhen's request to join the army.

Liu Hong also knew that the main reason why Lü Zhen wanted to go on the expedition was not only because of Lü Bu's influence, but also because Zhao Yun was in Jincheng.

Ever since Zhao Yun graduated from the Imperial Guard and was ordered to go to Jincheng, the two had never seen each other again.

Now that Lü Zhen is at the age where she is just beginning to experience love, and is willing to do anything for her lover, Liu Hong is naturally happy to help her achieve her goal.

At the same time, the Liaozhou Army, Bingzhou Army, Northern Army, and Yulin Army, a total of 70,000 cavalrymen, also stood in neat formation on the open ground west of the city.

Generals such as Lü Bu, Zhu Jun, and Xu Rong stood in front of their respective troops, fully armed and waiting quietly.

Apart from the fluttering banners and the snorting of the warhorses, there was no other sound at the scene.

"His Majesty has arrived!!"

With a shout, all the soldiers turned to look at the city gate.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Hong, riding a black steed and wearing magnificent armor, appeared in the sight of the soldiers.

Upon seeing the emperor dressed like this, a look of excitement immediately appeared on the faces of the soldiers.

Under the gaze of his generals and soldiers, Liu Hong slowly rode his warhorse forward and began to inspect them.

In Liu Hong's eyes, these soldiers were all strong and powerful, with a muscular build, and each of them had a look of longing in their eyes.

Liu Hong could see that these soldiers not only longed for the military merits and honors that war brought, but also yearned for the romance of dying on the battlefield wrapped in a horse's hide.

Now, with the emperor before them, the light in the soldiers' eyes shone even brighter and more intensely.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!