In particular, the emperor's words, "Those who kill my Han soldiers, even if they are thousands of miles away, shall pay for their crimes in blood," stirred the blood of countless young people and moved countless soldiers deeply.
The fact that the emperor was willing to spare no expense to send troops on distant expeditions for the sake of the Han soldiers undoubtedly greatly enhanced Liu Hong's prestige among his subjects.
After several days of continued fermentation, and through various channels of understanding, Liu Hong could clearly feel that through this expedition to the Western Regions, the people, both high and low, had unknowingly formed a cohesive force, and the core of this cohesive force was their trust in the emperor.
This discovery filled Liu Hong with immense joy.
Whether it's a small group or a large nation or country, the key to leading others lies in cohesion.
Strong cohesion can turn the impossible into possible; weak cohesion, no matter how strong it appears on the surface, is just an empty shell that will eventually collapse.
As the saying goes, one wave subsides only for another to rise.
Just as Liu Hong was overjoyed, another message reached Luoyang.
King Yi Hyo of Goguryeo refused to accept the edict from the Han Dynasty and killed the eunuch sent by the Han Dynasty to deliver the edict and more than a dozen Imperial Guards soldiers.
The news caused an uproar as soon as it was released.
This is a provocation, a blatant provocation.
Just as the entire nation of Shanshan had submitted and the Han Dynasty was sending troops westward, and people were filled with excitement, Goguryeo followed up with a slap in the face. How could this be tolerated?
Those who had previously been discussing how to punish the Western Regions have now turned their attention to Goguryeo.
Countless students from the Imperial Academy and young students once again took to the streets, shouting their protests.
"Kill Li Xiao and crush Goguryeo."
Faced with Goguryeo's provocation, the people, brimming with confidence and a sense of honor, were utterly enraged.
Students from the Imperial Academy and young scholars, chanting slogans to crush Goguryeo, once again gathered in the square outside the Southern Palace.
Countless ordinary people also joined in, demanding that the imperial court send troops to the northeast to destroy Goguryeo.
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