The campfire in the camp didn't go out until dawn the next day. The soldiers, satisfied, patted their round bellies and, burping from their drinks, began to clean up the mess in the camp.

January 3rd, the fourth year of Jianning (171 AD)

According to the rites, the emperor was already sixteen years old, which was the age for the coming-of-age ceremony.

However, since the emperor was away on a military campaign, Chen Fan, along with Hu Guang, Li Ying, Yuan Feng, and other officials, submitted a memorial to Empress Dowager Dou, hoping that she would issue an edict to formally return power to the emperor, and that the coming-of-age ceremony would be held after the emperor returned to the capital.

Historically speaking, the fact that this generation of officials so actively demanded that the young emperor assume personal rule is unprecedented.

Dou Miao readily agreed to the petition submitted by the officials.

After several purges by Dou Miao, all those who posed a threat to the emperor were eliminated from the court, and she naturally no longer clung to power.

Soon, Chang Le Palace issued an edict stating that the emperor had come of age and was ready to rule in his own right, and that the Imperial Seal and the troop-mobilizing talisman would be returned to Weiyang Palace.

When the imperial edict was issued, the officials in the court were overjoyed. The empress dowager, who had always oppressed them and was unreasonable and extremely ruthless, had finally relinquished power, which made them breathe a sigh of relief.

After consulting with Empress Dowager Dou, senior officials such as Chen Fan and Hu Guang began to prepare for the emperor's coming-of-age ceremony and subsequent wedding procedures, waiting only for the emperor's triumphant return so that the ceremony could officially begin.

As for the selection of the empress, the officials tacitly kept quiet and waited for the emperor to return before making any further comments.

Just as the court officials were busy, the messenger dispatched by Wei Qiutai, after going through many hardships, finally arrived in Xuantu on the fifth day of the first month.

Upon seeing the letter of surrender from Wei Choutai, along with the topographical map and population register of Buyeo, and hearing the messenger's message of Wei Choutai's request to submit, Liu Hong did not hesitate. He immediately summoned Huangfu Song, Xi Zhicai, and others to the army to discuss the matter of sending troops.

Liu Hong picked up Wei Choutai's letter of surrender, glanced around at everyone, and said in a deep voice:

"Gentlemen, King Weichoutai of Buyeo has sent a letter of surrender, hoping to bring 500,000 subjects and all the land of Buyeo to the Han Dynasty, and requesting that I immediately send troops to rescue Buyeo. What do you all think?"

Xi Zhicai spoke first, saying, "Your Majesty, Fuyu is a vast area with abundant resources and a special geographical location. As long as our army can station troops and set up defenses in Fuyu, the four prefectures of Liaoxi, Liaodong, Xuantu, and Liaodong can be freed from the threat of the Eastern Xianbei and Northern Wuhuan."

Your Majesty, I believe we can grant Wei Choutai's request and accept Buyeo.

Huangfu Song echoed, "That's right. In this way, our army can shrink the northern defense line of Youzhou to the three counties of Yuyang, Dai, and Shanggu, and connect it with the Fuyu garrison. At that time, the Han Dynasty will have the military initiative against the Xianbei in the east and the Wuhuan in the north, and can launch an attack on them at any time."

Zhou Yi, who was standing nearby, also spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have heard from Yang Wenxian, the governor of Liaoxi, that the land of Fuyu is fertile, mostly plains with a dense network of waterways. If it is cultivated, it will provide our Han Dynasty with nearly 40 million mu of fertile land, enough to settle 3 million refugees within the Han territory."

(The land controlled by Fuyu during the Han Dynasty was equivalent to more than half of the present-day eastern Inner Mongolia, northern Liaoning, and western Jilin. Of the nearly 200 million mu of arable land in the three northeastern provinces, Fuyu occupied almost one-fifth.)

"Yes, Your Majesty. Since Buyeo has voluntarily submitted to the Han Dynasty, we should accept it."

"To expand our territory and achieve lasting fame is something we can accomplish."

The generals in the tent also spoke up, showing great enthusiasm for incorporating Buyeo into the Han Dynasty.

Because the potential profits are so great, people naturally won't give it up.

Looking at the enthusiastic crowd, Liu Hong couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that his hawkish education had been very successful.

Liu Hong then turned to Huangfu Song, the commander-in-chief of this expedition, and asked in a deep voice, "What does Yizhen think? Should we send troops immediately, or wait a little longer?"

Huangfu Song pondered for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I originally planned to wait until Buyeo fell and became a no-man's land before taking it back."

But now that Wei Qiutai and his men are willing to voluntarily join the Han Dynasty, it will save our army a lot of trouble. I believe we can send troops immediately.”

Liu Hong looked at Ju Shou, who was in charge of the soldiers' logistics, and asked in a deep voice, "How are the soldiers' preparations for the cold weather? I don't want to see my soldiers get injured because of the cold."

Ju Shou quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that the army has prepared cotton and leather boots. I have also sent people to collect a large amount of lard and animal fat from the people's homes for warmth. In addition to cotton clothing, each soldier has also been given an extra layer of fur for warmth, ensuring that no one will freeze to death or be frostbitten."

"That's good." Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Huangfu Song, "In that case, Yizhen, give the order."

After saying this, Liu Hong stood up and stepped aside, giving the main seat in the tent to Huangfu.

"promise!!"

A look of excitement flashed in Huangfu Song's eyes. He then straightened his armor and strode to the main seat.

Huangfu Song glanced solemnly at the generals in the tent, then picked up a command arrow.

"Zhu Jun!!"

"Your subordinate is here."

Zhu Jun, whose name was called, responded loudly, then stood up and bowed to Huangfu Song.

"I hereby appoint you as the commander of the reinforcements, and together with Li Jue, Guo Si, Gao Shun and other generals, must gather 20,000 soldiers of the Yuyang Camp, carry His Majesty's banner and all the flags of the army, and deploy them as 80,000 feint troops to head straight for Buyeo. They can only march 30 li per day, and there is no need to send scouts. You can let the Goguryeo army investigate the strength of our army."

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