In the early part of July of the 29th year of the Kaiyuan era.
Just as the people of the Han Dynasty were celebrating the harvest, the army, which had been preparing for a long time, finally embarked on its journey.
The first to set off were 100,000 cavalrymen led by Lü Bu, Zhao Yun, and others.
These 100,000 cavalrymen were composed of 20,000 Imperial Guards, 40,000 Bingzhou Cavalry, and 40,000 Xiliang Iron Cavalry. Their warhorses were also from the Danyang Military Horse Farm, and each cavalryman had three horses.
Before the cavalry set off, Liu Hong ordered his guards to block the official road from Chang'an to Wusun with the emperor's edict. The long-sealed granaries along the way were also opened for the first time to provide food for the army.
On the western city wall of Luoyang, Liu Hong, dressed in military uniform, silently watched the departing army, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Standing behind, Zhang Rang looked at the emperor's back and felt a surge of emotions.
Back then, the emperor entered the palace at the age of twelve. In just thirty years, he not only saved the dynasty from collapse but also destroyed powerful enemies in the surrounding areas, pushing the Han Dynasty to an unimaginable height. Now, he has even sent a large army to conquer the far western world thousands of miles away.
Such achievements in both civil administration and military affairs are unparalleled throughout history.
Such an emperor is destined to be remembered for all time, and I, his trusted confidant who has served the emperor for nearly thirty years, will surely also leave my name in the history books.
Thinking of all this, Zhang Rang couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had served His Majesty in the past.
"Let's go back!"
Watching the army disappear into the distance, Liu Hong turned around and walked down the city wall, with Zhang Rang quickly following.
Five days after Lü Bu's cavalry left, Yuan Shu arrived at the port of Donglai with the emperor's appointment.
By this time, after years of development and continuous improvements by countless craftsmen, the shipbuilding industry of the Han Dynasty had become quite advanced.
The warships used by the navy were also improved based on the six-masted treasure ships. While increasing the hull's carrying capacity and sturdiness, they also further enhanced the ship's ability to resist sea storms.
"With this treasure ship, what is there to fear about the vastness of the sea?"
Looking at the warships moored in the naval port, Yuan Shu couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Although Yuan Shu was known as the greatest navigator of the Han Dynasty, he possessed the largest fleet outside of the official fleet.
However, the ships he used were all retired from the navy in the past, far inferior to the new warships in front of him.
In Yuan Shu's view, even with just two or three such warships, he would dare to go to the farthest reaches of the ocean.
Led by a naval officer, Yuan Shu boarded the flagship's command center.
A huge nautical chart hangs on the wall of the cabin.
This nautical chart, centered on the Great Han Dynasty, radiates outwards in all directions, encompassing all discovered waterways, ports, and islands. Moreover, this nautical chart was drawn according to actual scale after years of surveying and mapping.
Subsequently, naval officers brought Yuan Shu newly manufactured navigational tools such as compasses and telescopes from the Research and Manufacturing Bureau.
Looking at the nautical charts and those sophisticated tools, Yuan Shu was also amazed.
The sophistication and power of the Han navy had completely exceeded his expectations.
Yuan Shu originally thought that the expedition to Rome would be a difficult battle, and he was prepared to sacrifice himself for the Han Dynasty.
After all, in the minds of many adventurers, Rome was the only country in the world that could be compared with the Han Dynasty, and its military strength was certainly not to be underestimated.
However, after seeing the equipment of the Han navy, Yuan Shu suddenly felt that Rome was nothing special.
After staying for two days, the thousands of huge warships stationed at Dongnae Port also broke through the waves and headed south.
Like the cavalry, the ports along the shipping route between the Han Dynasty and Rome were also temporarily closed, and the various supplies stored there were given priority to the navy on expeditions.
Although this move would affect the revenue from maritime trade, the merchants and sea adventurers were not unhappy at all. On the contrary, they actively contributed money and effort to provide various conveniences for the expeditionary navy.
For these maritime merchants and adventurers, the Han Navy was their source of confidence when venturing out to sea. With the Han Navy by their side, they were fearless of any risks and did not have to worry about encountering unfair treatment in unfamiliar places.
Therefore, no one desired the strength of the Han navy more than they did.
It's August now.
After a month-long march, Lü Bu's 100,000 cavalrymen arrived in Kushan territory.
According to the Privy Council's plan, Lü Bu and his men were to first go through the Kushan Empire and cooperate with Crown Prince Liu Cheng to destroy Parthia. Then, once the army arrived, they would join forces with the navy to attack Rome from both sides.
In the capital of the Kushan Empire, Liu Xuan, the second prince who was enfeoffed as the King of Kushan, along with Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Jia Xu, Xi Zhicai, and others, held a grand banquet to comfort Lü Bu and the soldiers of the expeditionary force.
After years of conflict, the Kushan Empire remains somewhat desolate, but in recent years, encouraged by the imperial court and government, nearly five million Han Chinese have migrated to various parts of the Kushan Empire.
Today, the Kushan Empire is dominated by Han Chinese, and it will be completely transformed into Han territory within two generations.
"Zhicai, Mengde, Benchu, it's been so many years, you've all aged quite a bit!"
At the banquet, looking at Xi Zhicai, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and others whose temples were already gray, Lü Bu couldn't help but sigh.
"Haha, time flies, who among us can escape it?"
However, thinking about everything I've done over the years, I'm grateful to God for allowing me to be born in this era!
Upon hearing Lü Bu's remark, Cao Cao laughed heartily, his face beaming with joy.
Being able to follow the emperor step by step to push the Han Dynasty to the top of the world, and to achieve fame and fortune with many wives and concubines, was something Cao Cao was very content with.
Xi Zhicai also smiled and chimed in, "Yes, back in the pre-Qin period, it took six emperors to unify the world."
Who could have imagined that in just thirty short years, we would witness the Han Dynasty achieve a feat far surpassing that of the pre-Qin era!
“Now, the Emperor has issued an edict to launch an expedition to Rome. Our generation has accomplished a feat that several generations of them could not achieve!” Yuan Shao stepped forward and said with a smile.
Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. For ordinary people, this may be filled with emotion and regret, but for Cao Cao and others, it is filled with gratitude and passion.
After exchanging pleasantries, Lü Bu also retrieved the emperor's edict.
"Mengde, Zhicai, Benchu, His Majesty has ordered you to remain in Kushan for the time being to oversee the subsequent land operations. After His Highness the Crown Prince has destroyed Parthia, you will join our army in marching on Rome!"
"We obey your command!"
Upon hearing Lü Bu's words, Cao Cao and the others respectfully agreed.
Three days later, Lü Bu led 100,000 cavalrymen on another journey, heading towards the eastern region of Parthia.
Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, Yuan Shao, Jia Xu, and others began preparing for the subsequent large-scale army.
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