"Your Majesty, it has been exactly two and a half years."

Seeing that the emperor had so accurately predicted the date of his departure from the capital, Yang Biao was deeply moved.

Liu Hong smiled and said, "It's rare that Minister Yang is willing to come to this harsh and cold place. Let's talk about the situation in western Liaoning."

"promise!!"

Yang Biao respectfully agreed and then said, "Your Majesty, there are now ten counties under the jurisdiction of Liaoxi, with a population of 600,000, including 400,000 Han Chinese, 120,000 Wuhuan people, and 80,000 slaves from various tribes."

These people have all been registered as citizens and have become part of the Han people. During the off-season, the government would hire them to transport coal and build roads.

Today, the coal trading markets in northwestern Liaoning have undergone several expansions and have reached a considerable scale, capable of transporting 20,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of coal daily.

Liu Hong asked, "Which tribes are those people mining coal? Are they mainly Wuhuan people?"

Yang Biao nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty. In addition to the Southern Wuhuan people, many Fuyu people, Northern Wuhuan people, and some Xianbei people have also joined in."

Liu Hong asked, "How is the situation at the mine?"

“Each family has sent people to the mine to guide the local people in their digging. Qiu Liju, Nanlou and others have also taken the initiative to send troops to protect their safety. Everything is fine.”

"Heh, they're quite enthusiastic."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong couldn't help but chuckle.

“After all, they only need to mine some coal to exchange for grain and salt, without having to fight or plunder, so they are naturally extremely happy to do so,” Yang Biao echoed.

"Yes, if there were a way to survive, how many people would be willing to pick up their swords and guns?"

Liu Hong couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion, and then said in a solemn voice:

"With the increasing availability of coal, the demand for coal will only increase in the future. The current daily demand of 20,000 shi is far from enough. Minister Yang should make preparations in advance."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have already sent people to the Northern Wuhuan, Xianbei, Yilou, and Sanhan regions to recruit coal miners, which will surely cause a large loss of their population and reduce their war potential."

"I will also work with the various families in western Liaoning to organize manpower and experiment with underground mining techniques. I believe that within three years, coal production will definitely reach 100,000 shi per day..."

"As for the coal transport teams, in addition to the land transport teams, I also plan to build a port in southwestern Liaoning and use a fleet of ships to transport the coal directly to Qingzhou and Bohai through the Bohai Bay."

Yang Biao then explained to Liu Hong in detail the future consumption of population in various regions, coal development, and the construction of sea and land transportation in western Liaoning.

"Very well, Minister Yang is indeed a rare talent. With you here, I have no worries."

Seeing that Yang Biao had planned everything for the future in an orderly manner and was even preparing to develop maritime transportation, Liu Hong was pleasantly surprised and gave the greatest affirmation to Yang Biao's talent.

Yang Biao humbly replied, "It is my duty as a subject to share Your Majesty's burdens, and I do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty."

Liu Hong smiled and nodded: "By the way, Minister Yang, what are your thoughts on the annexation of Goguryeo?"

Yang Biao paused, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"Your Majesty, the sphere of influence controlled by Goguryeo was already very large. With the addition of the annexed Hanye and Okjeo, its actual area has exceeded the combined area of ​​Yan and Qing provinces."

I believe that after annexing Goguryeo, we can establish a new province and then divide it into prefectures and counties.

They also relocated their people inland, organized the migration and reclamation of refugees, stationed troops to cultivate the land, built extensive roads to connect with the counties and prefectures of Youzhou, and vigorously built schools to educate the local people.

Thus, within thirty years, Goguryeo and other regions will be completely incorporated into the Han Dynasty.

"Very well, what Minister Yang says is exactly what I want." Liu Hong smiled and nodded: "In that case, Minister Yang can write down his thoughts in a memorial."

"promise!!"

Liu Hong and Yang Biao talked for a long time, until dusk, before they parted ways.

That night, representatives from the Zhao, Zhen, Cao, Yuan, Yang, and Chen families, who were in charge of purchasing coal in the area, also came to pay their respects to Liu Hong, bringing with them large gifts.

These companies are now making a fortune by reselling coal.

After being summoned by the emperor, the heads of these families, without Liu Hong having to say a word, took the initiative to request road repairs.

Liu Hong had originally planned to offer them some road tax breaks, but seeing that these people were even more proactive than he was, he simply decided not to bring it up.

After a two-day stop in western Liaoning, the army set off again, slowly advancing towards Xuantu County.

Meanwhile, Li Xiao, who was leading the Goguryeo army to besiege Muzha City, was also constantly sending people to inquire about news of the Han army.

Upon learning that the Han army had begun its march towards Xuantu Commandery, Li Xiao hurriedly summoned his generals to discuss the matter.

Inside the tent, Li Xiao glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, the young emperor of the Han Dynasty is personally leading the expedition. We should not stay here any longer and need to take Muzha City as soon as possible."

The Right Chancellor hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the weather is really cold today, and many of our soldiers have suffered frostbite and have no will to fight. I think we should withdraw our troops."

"Yes, Your Majesty. When Wei Qiutai learns that the Han army is coming to our aid, he will surely fight to the death. If our army launches a strong attack, we will suffer heavy losses. How will we then be able to resist the Han army?"

"Our army is currently short of food and supplies and can hardly hold out for long. If we stay here any longer, we may face annihilation."

The generals in the tent also echoed the Right Chancellor's sentiments, hoping that Li Xiao would withdraw his troops.

"shut up!!"

Hearing his subordinates all clamoring to retreat, Li Xiao, sitting in the main seat, slammed his hand on the table with a gloomy expression.

"How can you strengthen our Goguryeo if you are so cowardly and afraid of death? We have lived here for generations. If we can't stand this extreme cold, how can the Han army?"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!