Lu Su said, "Your Majesty, this commoner believes there is something more important now than raising an army to punish the rebels. Or rather, it concerns Your Majesty's grand plan to unify the realm."
"Speak."
Lu Su's eyes shone. "If Your Majesty wishes to restore the Han Dynasty, you must first return to the old capital! What this commoner proposes is moving the capital back to Luoyang!"
"Your Majesty has already unified the north, and now even the Central Plains are in your hands. Ye City is no longer suitable as the capital."
"Luoyang lies at the center of the realm, sheltered by the barriers of Xiao and Mian, commanding the throat of Qin and Long, and standing where the routes from Zhao and Wei converge. It is a place all powers must contend for."
"If Your Majesty moves the capital back to Luoyang, Hangu Pass and Tong Pass will guard the west, while the east and north are already under your control. Then Your Majesty can bring the might of the north against the south and strike straight at Jing Province!"
Lu Su listed the advantages of moving the capital to Luoyang one by one.
Liu Xie frowned. "What does moving the capital to Luoyang have to do with dealing with the great aristocratic clans of Yan Province and Yu Province?"
"Everything, of course."
Lu Su answered unhurriedly, "After the turmoil caused by Dong Zhuo and Guo Li, Luoyang has long since lost its former splendor. Its walls are ruined, its towers have collapsed, and the palace treasury has been burned to ashes of silk and brocade."
"If Your Majesty wishes to move the capital back to Luoyang, the city must be rebuilt. But rebuilding the capital would place too great a burden on the people and drain the