In the following days, on New Year's Eve, the news that the emperor had awarded medals to a group of scholars was also spread far and wide through the Great Han Daily.

Countless ordinary people and students held newspapers, reading about the various contributions and honors that the scholars had made, feeling both admiration and envy.

Previously, people only knew that the three colleges were good because they offered opportunities to learn skills and gain valuable experience.

However, thanks to the overwhelming publicity in the Da Han Daily today, people have finally realized the many benefits of participating in scientific research.

Those who received the First Class Order of the Empire, in particular, are destined to be recorded in history and remembered for generations to come.

At this moment, many people's thoughts also changed without them realizing it.

Liu Hong, who always keeps a close eye on what's happening in the community, was also very pleased to discover this situation.

The Han Dynasty has finally ushered in a new era of intellectual ferment, where a hundred schools of thought contend.

Subsequently, Liu Hong issued the first imperial edict of the seventh year of Jianning and proclaimed it to the world.

The imperial edict stated: Whoever invents or researches something that benefits the people will be rewarded with corresponding wealth, honor, and titles.

If funding is insufficient during the research and invention process, one can apply to the imperial court and government for evaluation. Once the evaluation is approved, the imperial court and government will provide funds to assist in the research.

The moment this edict was issued, it caused a sensation, whether people were already studying it or wanted to study it.

A new path to advancement has appeared before everyone.

As long as you can research something good, you can get everything you want: fame, wealth, and status.

Many students who originally joined the three academies in hopes of becoming officials have now begun to focus on various research and inventions.

Even many craftsmen and artisans in the countryside racked their brains in their spare time to come up with an invention that could change their own destiny.

After discussions with court officials, the court established a new Research Department outside of the Six Ministries. The department was staffed by doctoral students from the Three Imperial Academies, the Research and Manufacturing Bureau, and the Three Colleges, and was specifically responsible for managing and coordinating the empire's scientific research and innovation.

This incident also put the scientific research of the Great Han Dynasty back on track.

After the fifth day of the first month, the officials who had finished their leave returned to their posts and began to plan and coordinate the affairs of the seventh year of Jianning.

Now, news of the situation on the grasslands has been relayed back to the imperial court: the Xiongnu have migrated westward, the Murong tribe has been destroyed, the Yuwen tribe and the Wuhuan people have been severely weakened, and Tanshihuai has become the dominant power.

Everyone knows that in the next few years, the focus of the Han Dynasty will shift from the interior to the grasslands, the Western Regions, and the Eastern and Western Qiang.

"Sigh, it seems like we've never had a moment's rest since we became officials!"

Inside the Ministry of Revenue, a middle-aged official shook his head and sighed as he tallied the accounts.

A colleague next to me laughed and said, "This is good too. Before, I wanted to do things but couldn't. Now there are endless things to do, and I feel quite fulfilled!"

"Hmm~, that's true!!"

The middle-aged official also chuckled and echoed the sentiment.

Today's officials, apart from those newly promoted through performance evaluations, are mostly those who have survived several purges and are known for their practical abilities.

Seeing the Han Dynasty growing stronger and stronger thanks to everyone's joint efforts, the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment is self-evident.

Deyang Palace.

Liu Hong also summoned young men such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, Sun Jian, and Ju Shou to the palace to discuss matters concerning the Western Regions and the grasslands.

On the wall behind Liu Hong's throne hung a brand-new map of the empire.

This map, apart from the original territory of the Han Dynasty, also includes Juyan, Chengde, Zhangbei, Liaozhou, the Southern Barbarians, and the Yamatai Kingdom, which were newly conquered in previous years.

In addition to the places mentioned above, the grasslands along the Great Wall in the north, Shanshan, Xiaowan, Gaochang in the Western Regions, as well as the Eastern and Western Qiang places, also displayed a Han flag.

The marking of these places also foreshadows the next move of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Hong picked up a baton, stood up, and went to the bottom of the map, pointing to the location of the Yuwen tribe.

“Since the decisive battle with the Wuhuan last year, the Yuwen tribe has been severely weakened, and the Wuhuan people are no longer a threat. Tan Shihuai will definitely seize the opportunity to annex the Yuwen tribe.”

"Although the Han Dynasty is not afraid of Tan Shihuai now, if it is allowed to unify the Xianbei, it will inevitably cause some trouble for the Han Dynasty."

What are your thoughts on this situation?

Upon hearing the emperor's question, the crowd exchanged glances, and Xi Zhicai rose and bowed to Liu Hong.

"Your Majesty, news came from Shangdang not long ago that the peace delegation sent by the Yuwen tribe has left Shangdang and is heading towards the Han Dynasty."

Your Majesty, I believe that we could take advantage of this peace negotiation to have the Han Dynasty send a contingent to the Yuwen tribe to help them resist Tanshihuai!

Liu Hong nodded: "Then which team should we select? The Red Ribbon Army of Tuolü?"

Xi Zhicai smiled and nodded: "That's right. Apart from Tuolü's Red Ribbon Army, the 20,000 Southern Wuhuan soldiers of the Yuyang Affiliated Camp can also be sent over!"

"With the addition of these two teams, the safety of the Yuwen tribe can be guaranteed, and the Red Ribbon Army can also dismantle the Yuwen tribe from within!"

"Hmm, not bad!"

Liu Hong nodded, then turned to look at Cao Cao and the others.

"As for who will lead the army this time, Mengde, Xuande and Wentai will be in charge, and Yunchang and Yide will also be brought along."

"promise!!"

The three of them stood up and agreed.

Liu Hong nodded, then looked at Yuan Shao beside him.

"The burden on the original is also heavy. You need to go to the Western Regions as soon as possible to lead the various countries to resist the westward migration of the Xiongnu. You can select a few helpers when you pass through the Dunhuang camp."

"promise!!"

Yuan Shao also stood up with a happy expression and agreed.

It's clear that Yuan Shao is full of expectations for this opportunity to hold the line alone for a year.

Liu Hong smiled. "Alright, everyone, go back and prepare yourselves well. We'll depart immediately after January!"

"We take our leave!!"

The group stood up, bowed to Liu Hong, and then withdrew.

On the fifteenth day of the first month, a procession slowly made its way from the north towards Luoyang on the official road north of the city.

This group was an envoy sent by the Yuwen tribe of the Xianbei people in central China to negotiate peace with the Han Dynasty.

Walking on the smooth, hard cement road, looking at the farmland on both sides and the convoys coming and going on the road, the Yuwen tribe members couldn't help but marvel.

Looking at these country bumpkins from the grasslands, who seemed to have never seen the world, the accompanying Han soldiers and passing civilians all showed a hint of disdain.

Despite their resentment at the strange looks from the Han people, the Yuwen tribe members dared not say anything.

"The Han Dynasty is so powerful and wealthy, no wonder the tribes of the grasslands cannot resist it!"

Walking at the front of the group, Yuwen Qi couldn't help but feel deeply moved as he thought about what he had seen and heard along the way.