Xi Zhicai nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty, the political assessment is over!"

Liu Hong asked with concern, "How is the situation?"

"Your Majesty, the preliminary political assessment has been completed. I have identified approximately 1,500 unqualified individuals. Once the second assessment begins, I will seize the opportunity to expel them!"

Liu Hong gave Xi Zhicai a meaningful look. "Hmm, does General Huangfu have any objections?"

Xi Zhicai respectfully replied, "Those people were all selected after discussions between me and the old general!"

Liu Hong nodded and said with a smile, "Zhicai, there's no need to worry too much. I think leaving only two thousand men in the Imperial Guard is enough!"

"What?"

Xi Zhicai was startled and hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, isn't eliminating three thousand people at once too many?"

"If not in this way, how can I select the most outstanding talents to serve me?"

"Furthermore, my Imperial Guard is not a place to balance the court, nor is it a place for them to gild their resumes."

"The Imperial Guard belongs to me!"

Finally, Liu Hong looked at Xi Zhicai and asked, "Zhicai, do you understand?"

Xi Zhicai's expression shifted, and he realized the emperor's meaning. He quickly replied, "Your subject understands!"

Just as the two were talking, Song Dian, a young eunuch, hurriedly entered the Deyang Palace with a memorial in his hand.

"Your Majesty, General Zhang Huan, the Protector-General of the Xiongnu, has submitted a memorial."

"Bring it here!"

"promise!"

After speaking, Song Dian bowed, took the report, and quickly stepped forward to hand it to Liu Hong.

"Hehe~ I guess the Northern Xiongnu must have made some moves recently!"

Liu Hong accepted the report with a relaxed expression and chuckled at Xi Zhicai.

Since Zhang Huan's report did not contain any urgent wording, it should have just been a report on some routine matters.