Even Luo Qing, who had come to Chang'an, had not expected things to go so smoothly. Emperor Liu Xun was different from what many had imagined; he seemed to be waiting impatiently for this war to arrive.
The whole of Great Han, and even All Xia, was shaken to its foundations by this decree from Emperor Liu Xun.
Order after order sped into the commanderies and kingdoms with the departing envoys.
Liu Xun's unprecedentedly firm stance had indeed surprised many, and vast ranks of soldiers were conscripted from the various commanderies and kingdoms.
"Not since Emperor Xiaowu crushed the Xiongnu in the decisive battle in the Northern Desert have the armies of the Central Plains been as powerful as they are today."
"Does this not count as exhausting the people through relentless warfare?"
"How can the Confucian Order still have a pedant like you? Emperor Li Liu Dan imposed taxes by force without regard for the people of All Under Heaven being driven from their homes. That was exhausting the people through relentless warfare."
"Under His Majesty's rule, Great Han flourishes with every passing day, and the state treasury is far richer than before. Even warfare on a large scale could not leave displaced people everywhere. This is called acting within one's means!"
All manner of voices rose in various places, finally converging into one: the emperor's edict. "Crush the Xiongnu, restore peace to Great Han's borders, and secure another fifty years of stability for Great Han!"
Luo Shi received the emperor's command. "You are the son of the late Marquis of Unshuang. In years past, Marquis of Unshuang Wu Ji commanded the armies of the Western Regions and Hexi, struck into the Northern Desert, and annihilated the Xiongnu. Now I entrust this task to you once more. Do not