By September, under Zhang Rang's round-the-clock supervision, the three production lines responsible for producing telescopes, compasses, and bearings were finally completed and put into operation.

At this time, encouraged by the emperor and the court, a large number of adventurers began to prepare for another long voyage.

The advent of the telescope and the compass was met with great enthusiasm from adventurers.

Especially the compass, which can determine direction, is a life-saving artifact for sea voyages.

As for those bearings, they were used by the Research and Development Department, the Engineering College, the Ministry of Industry and other departments for the improvement and development of various machines, including military equipment such as siege engines and crossbows.

The widespread adoption of these three items further propelled the maritime and industrial progress of the Han Dynasty.

September 15th.

In the cool autumn breeze, a delegation from the imperial court arrived in Wusun City.

Cao Cao, who was in charge of guarding the area, also led a group of generals and officers to invite the official who was to deliver the imperial edict to the government office.

After taking over Yuan Shao's post in charge of the Western Regions, Cao Cao immediately abolished Yuan Shao's peaceful approach to governance and treated the Western Regions states with exceptional severity.

During this period, in addition to the 20,000 Han troops dispatched by the imperial court, Cao Cao also selected 50,000 able-bodied men from Gaochang, Shanshan, Cheshi and other states to be incorporated into the subordinate army and trained.

Cao Cao's method of training troops differed from conventional training; he used the most direct methods of warfare.

At the beginning of the army's recruitment and establishment, Cao Cao led these newly recruited soldiers to launch attacks on the Western Regions states that had not yet submitted to him.

During this period, Liu Yu also issued many articles criticizing him, but Cao Cao scoffed at them and did not take them seriously.

In the past two years, the kingdoms of Shache, Pishan, Xiye, and Yinai in the southern part of the Western Regions were successively destroyed by Cao Cao. Of the original 50,000 vassal troops, only 30,000 remained, but their fighting strength was far greater than before.

In addition, Cao Cao led the Xianbei and Xiongnu people to launch no fewer than ten large-scale raids on the Kushan border.

It can be said that during those two years, Cao Cao was either fighting or on his way to fight.

Having honed his skills by leading troops alone, Cao Cao now clearly possessed a commanding presence.

After Cao Cao burned incense and washed his hands, the official who was delivering the imperial edict held up the edict and loudly proclaimed, "His Majesty has issued an edict; Cao Cao, receive the edict!"

"Your subject, Cao Cao, obeys the imperial edict!"

Cao Cao also bowed deeply to the edict in the official's hand, his face showing excitement.

The official delivering the imperial edict slowly opened it and proclaimed loudly: "The Western Regions are a vital area of ​​the nation. Now, Cao Mengde is stationed there to guard the Western Regions and protect the peace of the region. His merits are truly outstanding."

Now, Cao Mengde is hereby specially appointed as General Who Guards the West, in charge of all military affairs in the Western Regions, and granted the authority to make decisions on the spot!

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Upon hearing that he had been promoted to General Who Guards the West, a blush appeared on Cao Cao's dark face.

Although this was not the position of General Who Conquers the West that he had always dreamed of, it was a powerful general with the authority to make decisions on the spot, which was enough to show the emperor's trust in him.

After receiving the imperial edict, the official delivering the decree took out the secret report with the emperor's approval and handed it to Cao Cao.

"General Cao, this is His Majesty's personal approval. Please take a look!"

"Stay put and guard the post; do not let other thoughts arise!"

Upon receiving the secret report and seeing the emperor's reply in small print, a hint of disappointment flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.

The official who delivered the imperial edict stepped forward and said, "General Cao, His Majesty has a message for me to relay!"

"Speaking!"

"His Majesty said: The area surrounding the Han Dynasty is not limited to the Western Regions and the Kushan Empire; there are many other places as well!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's expression shifted, but after a moment's thought, he understood.

Previously, he was only envious of Liu Bei, Sun Jian and others who were able to go out and show their skills, but he forgot that there were still many places around the Han Dynasty waiting to be conquered.

These surrounding places may require a lifetime to conquer, so to covet those more distant places is indeed a bit too ambitious.

Having figured out the connection, Cao Cao solemnly bowed to the official delivering the decree: "Please convey to Your Majesty that I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations and focus on the present!"

"Please rest assured, General Cao, I will certainly convey your message!"

The official who delivered the decree did not linger and took his leave, while the fifty-man staff officer team that had accompanied him stayed behind to assist Cao Cao in his subsequent military operations.

The staff officer in charge of leading the team was named Liu Shu, a member of the imperial clan who graduated from the Imperial Guard last year.

"General Cao, do you have any information about Kangju, such as the distribution of cities, population, and terrain? The more detailed the information, the better!"

After the introductions, Liu Shu couldn't wait to inquire about Kangju.

"These are all here; someone will bring them to you shortly!"

Cao Cao smiled and nodded, clearly very satisfied with Liu Shu and his advisory group's work attitude.

Liu Shu continued, "By the way, we also need to find out about the Xianbei and Xiongnu people!"

"no problem!"

As he spoke, Cao Cao gestured to the sergeant beside him. The sergeant understood and quickly withdrew to prepare the necessary information for the staff group.

While Cao Cao was mobilizing troops and supplies from various regions, he also sent people to inform Xie Zhiyu and He Lian, who were in Dayuan, to begin mobilizing their troops and preparing for the expedition to Kangju.

In late October, after more than a month of preparation, Liu Shu's staff team finally formulated a feasible troop deployment plan.

According to the staff group's plan, Cao Cao's 20,000 Han soldiers and 20,000 auxiliary troops were the main force for attacking the city. They would travel from Dayuan, from east to west, conquering cities and fortresses along the way, and directly push towards Kangju, the capital city.

The Xianbei and Xiongnu cavalry were responsible for cutting off reinforcements and supplies from cities along the way.

The entire plan involved marching routes, food and fodder allocation, encampment locations, and siege methods. The specific coordination and actions of the troops were precise down to the minute level. It also included specific solutions and arrangements for all possible emergencies. It was so meticulous that even Cao Cao could not find any problems with it.

Once the battle plan was communicated to all the troops, Cao Cao, as the commander-in-chief, only needed to issue a military order to "go on the expedition." As for what to do next, he simply waited for the army to return in triumph.

In other words, the staff system has freed an army from dependence on its commander to a large extent.

Even Cao Cao couldn't help but marvel at the power of the advisor system.

Of course, the staff group only provided a plan; the specific action arrangements still needed to be directed and coordinated by Cao Cao, the commander-in-chief.