All ten thousand troops needed to do was reach Ye City. Marching speed was all that mattered; there was no need to worry about shortages of provisions or lagging logistics, because Ye City itself was the greatest granary!
Xu You felt admiration at these words. "Your Majesty has considered everything. I am deeply impressed!"
Liu Xie composed himself and said, "Delay breeds trouble. Once I have received Xun Chen, you will set out."
"As Your Majesty commands!"
After finishing his discussions with Guo Jia and Xu You, Liu Xie summoned Xun Chen, who had been waiting outside for some time.
Although he did not know what the great gift Xun Chen spoke of was, he could more or less guess.
Given the current situation in Ye City, especially Yuan Shao's expulsion by Yuan Xi, the aristocratic clans, true to form, would surely be unable to resist investing a little. They hoped to win the merit of supporting a rising sovereign; even if they failed, all they would lose was some money.
Before long, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar entered the Xuan Room.
At the sight of Xu You and Guo Jia still standing in the hall, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"Your subject Xun Chen pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty reign for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, with everlasting joy!"
Xun Chen's formal obeisance was unlike anyone else's, exceptionally solemn and dignified.
In all this time, he alone could rival Kong Rong in matters of etiquette.
"Rise."
Liu Xie reclined against the soft couch, his voice indifferent.
Seeing that the Son of Heaven was not as welcoming as he had imagined, Xun Chen inwardly thought, This is bad.
He took a list from his robes and presented it with