April of the 20th year of the Kaiyuan era.

Inside the Deyang Palace in Luoyang.

Now 32 years old, Liu Hong has grown a beard and looks increasingly mature and wise.

Looking at the intelligence sent from within the Kushan Empire, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh.

Intelligence indicates that over the past two years, the three princes of Kushan, under the instigation and guidance of Jia Xu, Xi Zhicai, and others, have been frantically sending large armies to plunder the enemy's territory.

Today, the Kushan Empire has a total population of less than six million. More than 60% of its villages and towns have been destroyed, and more than 70% of its arable land has been abandoned.

The once wealthy and powerful Kushan Empire has transformed into what it is today in just a few short years, a fate remarkably similar to that of the Jin Dynasty in later generations.

It's absolutely impossible to say that one feels no guilt whatsoever for having so ravaged a country like this.

However, in order to ensure a better life for their descendants, they have no choice but to compromise the well-being of others.

"The time is almost right. It's time to help you end your suffering!" Liu Hong muttered to himself as he put down the intelligence report in his hand.

The twentieth year of the Kaiyuan era was undoubtedly the most important year for the Han Dynasty and Liu Hong.

This year not only marked the 20th anniversary of Liu Hong's ascension to the throne, but also the first year that the Han Dynasty officially embarked on its path to world domination.

Today, the infrastructure construction within the Great Han territory is almost complete, and the Jiangnan and Northeast regions, which have been developed for more than a decade, have become two new granaries.

In addition, with the development of various high-yield crops, the food problem that had hindered the path to hegemony has been solved.

With the large number of horses provided by the northern grasslands in recent years, as well as the transportation network connecting the whole country, Liu Hong now has the ability to deploy a force of over 100,000 people to any region within two months.

In an era when horse-drawn carriages were the only means of transportation, Liu Hong was already very satisfied with what he had accomplished.

"Your Majesty, where are you planning to go?"

Seeing Liu Hong stand up, Zhang Rang, whose temples were already gray, asked softly.

"cabinet!"

Liu Hong said something without turning his head, and then walked straight out of the palace.

Now, all the cabinet ministers have been replaced by Liu Hong's loyalists: Yang Biao, Xun You, Zhong Yao, and Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and Zhang Zhao, who were transferred back last year.

Meanwhile, veteran officials such as Cao Song and Yuan Feng all chose to retire last year.

Having served Liu Hong for nineteen years, they complemented the emperor perfectly. For Cao Song, Yuan Feng, Yang Ci, and others, their lives were worthwhile.

At least in later historical records, it was they who assisted the emperor in creating the Kaiyuan era of prosperity step by step.

Inside the Cabinet Office.

The new generation of prime ministers, such as Yang Biao and Tian Feng, who were promoted by Liu Hong, were also full of ambition at this moment.

After more than a decade of honing their skills, they have earned their current power and status through their talent and hard work.

Although there were many dissenters in the court, they all shut their mouths after seeing their past records.

When the emperor arrived at the cabinet, everyone became excited, knowing that the emperor was about to embark on a major undertaking.

When the Xianbei were driven out, the court planned to recuperate for five years before launching a military campaign against the Kushans.

However, due to the development of navigation and the construction of Illinois, the troop deployment plan was repeatedly postponed.

Now, the plan has been delayed for eight years, and the strategic grain reserves in the Great Han granary have accumulated to a terrifying amount enough to feed all the soldiers and civilians for fifteen years. Moreover, the annual grain production continues to increase.

Not for any other reason than to avoid wasting food, but simply because it was time for the Han Dynasty to expand.

A moment later, apart from the cabinet ministers, all the officers of the Privy Council and the heads of the Six Ministries had arrived.

For these bureaucrats, who are generally in their thirties or forties, expanding outwards and establishing an unparalleled empire is an achievement they all desperately desire.

After all, everyone hopes to leave their mark on history.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"

When Liu Hong, dressed in casual clothes, appeared in the cabinet office, all the officials bowed in greeting.

"Gentlemen, you may dispense with the formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After exchanging greetings, the elites of the Great Han Dynasty took their seats and stared intently at Liu Hong.

After everyone was seated, Liu Hong had Zhang Rang lead a group to hang up the "Map of the World and the Four Seas" that was hanging in Deyang Hall.

Although it wasn't the first time they had seen it, these young people still felt a surge of ambition every time they saw this map that encompassed all parts of the world.

This world is so vast. Even though the territory of the Han Dynasty has now surpassed that of Emperor Xiaowu, it still only occupies a small portion of the map.

Over the years, through continuous maritime trade and colonization, silver mines in Japan and Taiwan, gold mines in Liaozhou and Luzon, as well as large quantities of rare pearls and precious stones from overseas, have poured into the Han Dynasty.

All of this was observed by a group of elites, who, as the top beneficiaries, had an expansionist enthusiasm far exceeding that of ordinary people.

In particular, the expansion model of purchasing various raw materials from overseas at low prices and then selling various finished products at high prices has shown them endless wealth.

It can be said that when Liu Hong first proposed overseas capital trade, the entire empire was already on a chariot that could not be stopped and was constantly moving forward.

The newly emerging classes of industrialists, capitalists, and colonizers, who rely on various policies, will devote themselves to continuous expansion with great enthusiasm until they finally occupy every piece of land they can.

Looking at his ministers below, who were holding their breath and staring intently at him, Liu Hong laughed.

"According to intelligence from the Kushan Empire, the three factions within the Kushan Empire are currently fighting each other, and the people are suffering greatly."

Uprisings are rampant within the country, and nearly two million refugees have now fled to the Western Regions seeking refuge, hoping that the Han Dynasty will send troops to help them overthrow the tyrant.

As soon as Liu Hong finished speaking, the bureaucrats below began to whisper among themselves.

Of course, the topic of their discussion was not the lives of the Kushan people, but rather the series of benefits that sending troops would bring to the Han Dynasty.

The Kushan Empire was one of the obstacles between the Han Dynasty and the Western world, and also a stumbling block on the Han Dynasty's path to hegemony.

If the Han Dynasty wanted to dominate the world, the Kushans would be the first opponent to be defeated.

"From this day forward, the Western Expedition plan is officially launched. At the same time, I will personally lead an army of 200,000 men on the expedition!"

Seeing the excited faces of Yang Biao and the others, Liu Hong finally voiced his long-held request.

"Here you go!"

The officials paid no attention to Liu Hong's proposal to personally lead the expedition.