Dahan: A 100-year-old veteran, I will build the strongest family

Chapter 33 The Emperor Invites the General (Long Chapter)
In fact, the news that the foreign race had assembled 100,000 cavalry to invade the border counties of the Han Dynasty caused a greater reaction in Luoyang City than in any other year in the past few years.

Four years ago, Liu Hong sold all his belongings and raised 60,000 cavalrymen, hoping to achieve great things and fight a great war with foreign races.

The people at that time were also looking forward to it.

But who wants to.

The three cavalry groups lost their way on the vast grassland and were surrounded by foreign cavalry.

In the end only one in ten survives.

The disastrous failure of this plan made everyone realize that not everyone could fight on the grassland.

The vast grassland is the home ground of the alien race.

"Thousands of miles of supply" and "confirming direction" are all difficult problems that the Han people need to solve.

Even before that, the Han army still needed to train their "riding skills" to be comparable to those of other ethnic groups.

In cavalry combat, riding skills cannot be ignored.

Therefore, everyone knows that even if they want to muster up the confidence to fight against the aliens.

The results may not be good.

But this year seems to be different.

"You San, have you heard? These damn foreigners are going to plunder the border counties of our Han Dynasty again. This time, the people of Yanmen County will suffer from burning, killing and looting by the foreigners again." On the streets of Luoyang, a vegetable vendor on the roadside said to a middle-aged man selling tofu next to him.

"Alas, who says it isn't true? These damn foreign races, if the war god Wei Qing of our Han Dynasty were still alive, they would never have the chance to invade our border counties. What a pity, the court lacks courage and has lost confidence after the last defeat. Our Han Dynasty does not have famous generals who can fight like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. I'm afraid it's impossible to fight the Xianbei! Even if we can resist, it will be difficult, and the people in the border counties will suffer!" The middle-aged man selling tofu said with hatred.

When the vegetable vendor heard this, he cursed the damn aliens a few times, but suddenly he seemed to think of something, his expression changed, and he said:
"Then You San, tell me, didn't General Li of the Li family become a peerless military commander? That was Xiang Yu's martial arts realm back then. Do you think General Li would be able to do it?" The vegetable vendor looked a little excited and said to You San who was selling tofu nearby.

Although the vegetable vendor hadn't finished speaking, the middle-aged man selling tofu immediately became alert. However, he hesitated again the next moment and said:
"It's true that General Li is a peerless martial arts general, but that's just a martial arts level. Commanding an army to fight a war is not just about personal strength. How many people can one person kill?"

"Of course, maybe General Li can really fight against the aliens? After all, General Li guarded the border for decades. He is not only brave, but also has rich experience in fighting on the battlefield. Hey, don't say it, it is really possible..."

……

The sound can be heard everywhere in Luoyang City, in the streets, alleys, restaurants and brothels.

It seemed that, numb to the foreign invasions, many Luoyang citizens and children of aristocratic families had some expectations for the sudden emergence of Li Hong.

Although it was his martial arts level rather than his ability to command troops that made Li Hong famous.

But this does not prevent them from seeing a glimmer of hope in the darkness that inspires their imagination.

……

The Imperial Palace, Chengde Hall, this palace symbolizes the power center of the Han Empire. It is tall and majestic.

At this time, civil and military officials gathered together, and Liu Hong was holding a piece of cloth, venting his anger.

"The Xianbei and Xiongnu raised an army of 100,000 cavalrymen to invade and plunder Yanmen County. They are so arrogant that they even dared to send a provocative letter. Do they really think that no one in our Han Dynasty will support us? Send troops, send troops!"

Liu Hong roared angrily, and his voice echoed in the hall.

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and other ten eunuchs, as well as the current Grand Marshal Yang Ci, Minister of Works Yuan Feng, Grand Minister of Agriculture Cao Song and other civil and military officials all bowed their heads and silently endured Liu Hong's anger.

The Xianbei people are really arrogant.

It would have been fine if they had sent troops to plunder Yanmen County, but they actually sent another provocative letter.

That’s right, although they didn’t announce it to the public.

But almost every year, they would receive provocative cloth from the Xianbei when they launched an invasion on the border counties of the Han Dynasty.

What was written above were words insulting the Han people for being trash and asking the Han people to send troops to the grassland to compete and see if they dared.

Although childish, it also illustrates the arrogance and disgusting nature of the Xianbei.

"Your Majesty, calm down. This is a trick of the Xianbei people. Their purpose is to make our Han border troops walk out of the city walls and passes. They want to fight a battle in the field with our Han border troops. The Xianbei people are best at fighting in the field. We must not fall for their tricks."

Taiwei Yang Ci immediately stood up and bowed to Liu Hong.

"Tricks, tricks, I've heard them all so many times. When will the Han army be unable to fight in the field? When will the Han army be forced to retreat to the city walls and pass?"

"I can't swallow this anger. We must send troops!"

Faced with Yang Ci's persuasion, Liu Hong not only did not find a way out, but became even more emotional.

No wonder Liu Hong was so angry.

Concubine Wang, Liu Hong's favorite beauty, actually committed suicide by burning herself out of fear of punishment during her struggle with the Queen in the palace. Unfortunately, he also liked the Queen and did not do anything to her.

For the past half month, Liu Hong has been feeling angry.

At this time, the alien race actually gathered again to invade Yanmen County, and called Liu Hong a waste of waste!
Liu Hong couldn't help it again.

The last time Liu Hong couldn't help it was four years ago, and he decided not to endure it anymore.

Liu Hong's face flushed, his eyes flashing with hatred as he shouted:

"Captain, how many troops are left of our Han border army in the north?" "This... Your Majesty, please think twice. Sending troops is a major military and national affair. We must not act rashly!" Yang Ci trembled and said hurriedly.

"Stop talking so much nonsense. I'm asking you a question." Liu Hong shouted impatiently.

Yang Ci looked unhappy, but he didn't dare to touch Liu Hong's brow.

Everyone knows that Liu Hong has been in a bad mood during this period.

"Your Majesty, our Great Han Northern Frontier Army has 30,000 troops stationed in the northern part of Bingzhou, defending the Yanmen Pass area, including 10,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry."

"Youzhou still has 20,000 troops, 10,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, stationed in Yuyang County and Youbeiping."

"Youzhou and Bingzhou have a total of 50,000 border troops!"

Yang Ci reported to Liu Hong.

"There are only 30,000 border counties near Yanmen Pass? Only 10,000 cavalry? The aliens have 100,000 cavalry at any time. It seems that they are really bullying us, the Han Dynasty, because we have no soldiers!" When Liu Hong heard Yang Ci's report, he couldn't help but paused and said helplessly and powerlessly.

Yanmen County belongs to the northern part of Bingzhou.

However, Yuyang and Youbeiping are located in the northeast of Youzhou.

Therefore, even if the Han Dynasty wanted to send troops to stop the alien race, it could only mobilize border troops from Bingzhou.

It is too far to transfer troops from Youzhou. By the time we arrive, I'm afraid the opportunity will be lost.

Liu Hong came back to his senses. Although he felt that he had fewer soldiers, he was still so angry that he couldn't swallow his anger. He said:
"I understand. Although we have few soldiers, I cannot swallow this insult. I must send troops."

"What? Really send out troops? Your Majesty, you can't do that. These border troops are used to guard the city and the pass. If they are defeated by foreign tribes, then the northern passes of our Han Dynasty will be in danger!"

"Your Majesty, please don't fall for the foreigners' tricks!"

One voice after another rang out.

The civil and military officials were in an uproar and tried to dissuade Liu Hong one by one.

The Han treasury was indeed not rich. The Han's military system needed to support 250,000 soldiers in each state and county, 100,000 border troops, and 50,000 garrison troops including the Southern Army and the Imperial Guards guarding the imperial capital Luoyang, for a total of 400,000 soldiers and horses across the country.

These 100,000 Han border troops were distributed in the border counties of six states: Bingzhou, Youzhou, Liangzhou, Yizhou, Yangzhou, and Jingzhou.

Among them, the border troops of Bingzhou and Youzhou accounted for the majority.

In anyone's opinion, Liu Hong's move was impulsive.

It's just nonsense.

If the border troops were defeated, wouldn't there be no one left to defend the northern part of the Han Dynasty?
"Bang!" Liu Hong slammed the table suddenly and looked at the civil and military officials with a cold expression.

The civil and military officials gradually quieted down.

"If the border troops are destroyed, then we will mobilize the county soldiers for defense. Do I keep so many county soldiers just to eat for free? Besides, there are 30,000 southern troops in Luoyang City, which can also be mobilized!" Liu Hong's shout immediately caused a commotion among the civil and military officials, and they wanted to persuade Liu Hong again.

Use county soldiers to guard border towns and passes?
Isn’t this even more nonsense?
What are county soldiers?

He is responsible for the public security in the county, and at most he is responsible for suppressing bandits and robbers.

It's ok for them to bully the weak and fear the strong, but if they are mobilized to the border and put in a real fight, they will probably be scared to pee their pants.

The Southern Army and the Imperial Guards are responsible for guarding the safety of the imperial capital.

"Alright, stop talking nonsense. This time I am going to send troops out. All three dukes and nine ministers will follow me to the Li family to ask General Li to come out of retirement. General Li has guarded the border for decades. If you don't believe me, you should believe General Li, right?"

Liu Hong set the tone with just one word: he must send troops. The death of Concubine Wang was a great shock to Liu Hong, and the foreigners had humiliated him repeatedly. Liu Hong just wanted to find an opportunity to vent his anger on the foreigners. As for the resistance in the court, Liu Hong pushed it onto Li Hong without hesitation.

Li Hong has been guarding the border for decades and has rich experience in war. As long as Li Hong says that he can send troops, then Liu Hong will have the imperial sword.

Yes, Liu Hong still took a fancy to Li Hong’s peerless military strength.

Fight, you must fight!
Inside the hall, the noisy civil and military officials immediately quieted down when they heard Liu Hong say that he wanted to invite Li Hong to come out of retirement.

They still trust Li Hong and feel that he is reliable.

After all, Li Hong has been guarding the border for many years and would never act capriciously, recklessly, or make trouble.

People like Yang Ci, Cai Yong, Zhang Wen, etc., who were concerned about the country, made up their minds that they must ask Li Hong to persuade Liu Hong later.

Li Hong is a centenarian veteran with high moral character and is truly worthy of being personally invited by the emperor and his high officials.

Liu Hong stepped onto the dragon chariot, followed by a group of officials including the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, and, under the escort of the Yulin Army, they crossed the streets of Luoyang and headed towards the Li family.

"Aren't those the emperor and ministers? They are all high-ranking officials at the level of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. What are they going to do?" A commoner asked, leaning forward on the side of the street.

"It seems that I heard that the current emperor is going to take the three dukes and nine ministers to the Li family and ask General Li to come out of retirement again to fight against the foreign races!" A well-informed young man from an aristocratic family excitedly explained to someone nearby.

"What? The emperor and his three dukes and nine ministers asked General Li to come out again and fight against the foreign races? Good, good, the emperor finally did something humane."

"General Li is truly the pillar of our Han Dynasty. When he was young, he worked diligently and guarded the Han Dynasty for decades. Now he is a hundred years old and wants to come out again. The emperor and the three dukes and nine ministers invited General Li to come out. It is really a good story. I hope General Li can punish the foreign race!"

On the streets, as the news spread that the emperor and the three dukes and nine ministers had invited Li Hong to come out of retirement, the people on the streets of Luoyang City immediately began to discuss it excitedly.

(End of this chapter)