After Huangfu Song, Gongsun Zan and others left the palace, the news that the emperor would hold a military review three days later also reached the Great Han Daily.

Kong Rong, the chief editor of the Da Han Daily, also personally wrote and embellished the deeds of these cavalrymen who guarded Liaodong.

After the article was delivered to the printing plant, the workers once again began working through the night to typeset and print it.

By this time, most of the people in Luoyang had become accustomed to buying newspapers.

Although many people are still illiterate, with the construction of schools, most families now send their children to school for early education. Although they may not know many characters, reading a newspaper is not a big problem.

Through newspapers, the deeds of Gongsun Zan, Ma Teng, and others in leading their troops to defend Liaozhou and drive out the surrounding nomadic tribes became widely known.

First, the soldiers of Liaozhou braved the wind, snow and bitter cold, and even when their hands and feet were numb from the cold, they remained steadfast in their duty to guard the frontier, which deeply moved the people.

Furthermore, the cavalrymen took the initiative to leave the pass and attack tribes near the territory of the Han Dynasty, upholding the iron will of the Han Dynasty and stirring the blood of the people.

At the end of the article, it was also published that the emperor planned to inspect these soldiers outside the Southern Palace in two days, and invited the people to come and watch.

Military parades have existed since ancient times, but usually the emperor would go to the military camp to inspect the troops. This is the first time that such a public event has been held.

Thanks to Liu Hong's influence over the past few years, the people of the Han Dynasty now have a strong affinity and admiration for soldiers, and naturally look forward to watching the military parade.

March 4th, Nangong Square.

Before dawn, many people in Luoyang got up early, dressed, and then, with their wives and children, headed out of the Southern Palace.

As dawn broke, the area around Nangong Square was already packed with people who had come to watch the ceremony.

Before long, the palace gates opened, and a thousand or so Imperial Guard soldiers marched out of the palace in unison, then divided into two teams, standing on the north and south sides of the South Palace Square.

After the Imperial Guards soldiers took their positions, dozens of eunuchs came out of the palace and began to organize the people to stand behind the Imperial Guards soldiers, making way for a passage from east to west.

As the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out from the east side of the square, and the people turned to look.

Then, the soldiers of the four battalions—White Horse, Blazing Fire, Black Edge, and Yellow Wind—led by Gongsun Zan, Ma Teng, and Huang Zhong, rode their warhorses slowly toward Nangong Square.

The area outside the palace fell silent as everyone stared intently at the soldiers.

Before long, the soldiers of the Fourth Battalion stopped at the East Street entrance, 300 meters from Nangong Square, awaiting the emperor's inspection.

As the sun fully rose, Liu Hong, dressed in military uniform, ascended the city tower of Nangong, surrounded by a crowd.

"May the Emperor live ten thousand years!!"

The moment Liu Hong appeared, a thunderous cheer erupted outside the Southern Palace, and the people bowed and greeted their emperor.

Liu Hong, standing on the city wall, waved to the people with a broad smile. He felt that everything he did was worthwhile because he had such support from the people.

After the people cheered, Huangfu Song, the commander-in-chief, rode a tall steed to Nangong Square and saluted Liu Hong on the city wall.

"Your Majesty, the soldiers of the four battalions are ready and await Your Majesty's inspection!"

Liu Hong nodded, focusing his energy in his dantian: "Begin!"

"promise!!"

Huangfu Song responded loudly, and then withdrew.

Then, several drummers on the city wall began to beat the war drums.

"Knock knock knock~!"

As the rhythmic drumbeats began, the soldiers of the Fourth Battalion, who were stationed at the entrance of East Street, also started to move.

First to march was the White Horse Camp led by Gongsun Zan. Behind him, five thousand White Horse Camp soldiers formed a long military formation, with ten men in each row.

The soldiers, with serious expressions, maneuvered their warhorses, moving slowly to the beat of the drums. The discipline of their formation was in no way inferior to that of an infantry phalanx, a testament to their years of training in Liaozhou.

Amidst the drumbeats and cheers, Gongsun Zan, who was walking at the front, arrived directly below Liu Hong.

Gongsun Zan turned his head and looked up at the emperor on the city wall, his right fist clenched and pounded on his chest.

"The White Horse Camp pays its respects to Your Majesty!!"

The five thousand White Horse Camp soldiers behind them also turned their heads in unison, looking up at their emperor with reverence.

Such synchronized movements instantly brought the enthusiasm of the surrounding crowd to its peak.

Looking at the handsome and valiant soldiers, the people felt a surge of pride and couldn't help but cheer.

Liu Hong also raised his hand, waving to his soldiers with a smile, his eyes full of satisfaction and pride.

When they met the emperor's gaze, the soldiers' hearts raced and their bodies straightened unconsciously.

Following the White Horse Camp came the Fiery Camp, clad in crimson armor and robes, exuding a highly aggressive aura; then came the Black Edge Camp, clad in black armor, radiating a chilling aura; and finally, the Yellow Wind Camp, clad in bright yellow armor, radiating an air of majesty and composure.

The soldiers of the four battalions, each with their own distinct style, were a feast for the eyes of the people, even more spectacular than watching an expensive performance.

After being inspected by the emperor, the soldiers of the four battalions did not stop, but continued westward, embarking on their journey to Bingzhou.

Liu Hong, standing on the city tower, also raised his hand and waved goodbye to the soldiers.

Only after the soldiers disappeared from sight did Liu Hong descend from the city wall.

After returning to Deyang Palace, Liu Hong dismissed everyone and stood under the map of the Great Han Dynasty, gazing at it intently.

With the development of Liaozhou, the submission of the Southern Barbarians, the destruction of the Murong tribe, and the completion of Chengde New City, the northernmost edge of the Han Dynasty's territory had extended to the middle and upper reaches of the Heilongjiang River, covering the Outer Northeast region in later generations.

At its southernmost point, it consolidated the rule of Rizhao Commandery, covering most of what would later become Vietnam.

Today, the territory of the Han Dynasty, excluding the Western Regions, has superficially surpassed that of the reign of Emperor Xiaowu.

Of course, this was not enough for Liu Hong; he would not let go of Tibet, Outer Mongolia, and other regions in later generations.

Although it's difficult to develop that area right now, let's occupy it first.

I can choose not to use it, but I cannot do without it.

If the Han Dynasty wanted to expand its territory with peace of mind, the northern grasslands were the first problem that needed to be solved.

Now, the Great Han has begun making various preparations for the upcoming decisive battle with the grasslands.

Therefore, it is best to resolve some unstable factors before the final battle.

After staring at the map for a long time, Liu Hong finally fixed his gaze on the Western Regions.

"Over there, it should have already started, right?"

Thinking of Zhang Xiu, who had been away from Luoyang for a long time, Liu Hong murmured softly.