Chapter 75

Zhang Hao indeed handled the situation in this manner. Liu Bian and Liu Xie were just children, and Empress He was merely a woman. Zhang Hao would not treat them harshly. Treating them like ordinary people was enough. After all, they were the royal family of a nation, and keeping them, though it required some expenses, was necessary.

This was not because Zhang Hao planned to become emperor and thus treated the royal family differently. What sin could children like Liu Bian and Liu Xie have? Empress He, although she had used some vicious means in the palace, such things were not uncommon in the harem.

Moreover, there was still Liu Bian to take care of. Therefore, Zhang Hao only punished Empress He.

If they still had any complaints after this, it would be their own fault.

This was also because Zhang Hao had enough confidence and did not believe they could cause any trouble for him or the country in the future.

If Emperor Liu Hong were still alive, Zhang Hao would not hesitate to deal with him severely. Of course, this was absolutely not out of jealousy!

Regarding the treatment of the Han royal family, excluding the opinions of the people of Dahan, others had mixed reactions. Some were grateful and thought Zhang Hao was merciful, while others believed he was hypocritical and had ulterior motives, but no one said he was soft.

In private, there were even whispers that Zhang Hao was cruel and inhumane.

After capturing Luoyang, Zhang Hao executed many people. It was not against the common people or soldiers, but against Han officials and aristocratic families.

It could be said that less than thirty percent of the Han officials and aristocratic families in Luoyang remained; the rest had been eliminated.

Based on their reputation and various reports and accusations, all those who were corrupt, lawless, and oppressive were selected and punished according to the laws of Dahan. Those who resisted Dahan in various ways also faced severe consequences.

Such punishment from the beginning shocked and terrified many aristocratic families, especially the Yuan family. The Yuan family's reputation as having held high offices for four generations was unmatched by any other aristocratic family in Han, even though there were families like the Yang family that were equally accomplished.

However, the Yang family was not as skilled in networking as the Yuan family, which had connections and disciples all over the world. Their reputation and power were at the peak of the aristocracy. Even He Jin and Dong Zhuo in history first chose to ally with the Yuan family, which shows their influence.

But this Yuan family was directly exterminated to the ninth generation. The only one who escaped was Yuan Shu, who was working as a manure carrier at the time.

The Han aristocracy was inherently arrogant, holding knowledge and reputation, which gave them the right to be so. Even though Emperor Liu Hong found them extremely annoying, he could not avoid the fact that most of the court positions were held by the aristocracy.

It is easy to imagine how angry and terrified the spoiled aristocracy would be when faced with Zhang Hao's execution.

Zhang Hao did not care about their thoughts at all.

Those who understood Dahan more deeply also knew the reason for Zhang Hao's confidence.

In Dahan, due to the invention of printing and new paper-making techniques, knowledge could be widely disseminated, thus eliminating the greatest advantage of the aristocracy. The reason the aristocracy could be so arrogant was that the rulers had no one else to use. But the situation in Dahan was different.

By dealing with the Yuan family so harshly, Zhang Hao intended to set an example to make the aristocracy behave.

Additionally, Zhang Hao was deeply resentful of the Yuan family's actions.

The idea of negotiating with the Liangzhou rebels and inviting foreign tribes to the south was proposed by them. Although it was not Yuan Wei who suggested it, but one of the Yuan family's disciples, the idea came from them.

The more prestigious and powerful the family, the less they wanted the Han to fall into the hands of foreigners, as it would greatly affect their power.

Since the Yuan family had suffered, others would not be spared either. He Jin, the Grand General who had been 'wise and valiant' for half a year due to the butterfly effect, also did not escape his fate. As the Grand General, even if the idea was not his, the final decision was his.

The heads of the aristocracy in Luoyang rolled, especially with the presence of a family like the Yuan family. The resistance in the hearts of the aristocracy and the unrest in the unoccupied regions were inevitable, but what did it matter?

Zhang Hao did not grow up relying on the Han. Both his army and officials were trained by him, and through various means, his foundation was very solid.

As for those who wanted to cause trouble, it would be convenient for Zhang Hao when he eventually cleaned up the regions. They were jumping up on their own.

With his sword in hand and power in his grasp, and control over various propaganda channels, no one could cause much trouble.

Zhang Hao's various actions and the trials in Luoyang were now being communicated to various regions through various means. He wanted to show his authority. The Han had fallen, and the new dynasty would have new rules.

The illustrious Yuan Shao thus faded away. Another person who must be mentioned is Cao Cao.

Regardless of how much people might criticize Cao Cao for his women, as a man, the criticism was more out of envy and jealousy. In Zhang Hao's impression, Cao Cao was undoubtedly wise, valiant, and strategic.

Although Cao Cao was playful in his youth, his reputation as an official was always good. He was still a loyal minister to the Han at this time. Witnessing the might of Dahan, he knew the Han was destined to decline and chose to return to his hometown.

Zhang Hao did not stop him. Both heroes and warlords needed the right opportunity to rise. Dahan would not give them that chance. Zhang Hao had not decided how to handle Cao Cao, so he let him return to his hometown. He would still be watched secretly.

Thus, the three heroes, warlords, and villains who would divide the world were completely under Zhang Hao's control.

After hearing Zhang Hao's handling of the Han royal family, Huangfu Song finally made his decision. He stood up and bowed deeply to Zhang Hao.

"Your Highness, I know my abilities are insufficient. Please send someone to take over these more than fifty thousand soldiers. As you said, they are all excellent. No matter how difficult the conditions, they never gave up. I believe that under your command, with Dahan's military system, after reorganization, they will still be a top-notch army."

"General Huangfu, if even you say your abilities are insufficient, then are there any talents left in this world!?"

A smile appeared on Zhang Hao's face. Huangfu Song's behavior clearly showed that he had accepted the reality, which made Zhang Hao happy. At least it avoided a war.

"I know General Huangfu is loyal and righteous, but the world does not belong to one family forever. You have done everything you could for the Han. You have always been loyal and diligent, and you have not let the Han down. So, General Huangfu, you should think about yourself now and not waste your talents.

You should also think about your hometown. Your hometown has been ravaged by the Qiang people. Don't you want to pacify the turmoil and bring peace to your hometown?"

Zhang Hao's series of questions made Huangfu Song's expression hesitant.

"Huangfu Song listens to your command." Zhang Hao suddenly said, drawing out the words.

Huangfu Song hesitated for a moment but then knelt before Zhang Hao, "Huangfu Song requests your instructions."

"King of Dahan orders: Appoint Huangfu Song as the General of the Western Expedition and Inspector of Liangzhou, to lead the pacification army and a part of the Shen Ce Army to suppress the rebels, pacify Liangzhou, and demonstrate our might to the Qiang people." Dian Wei solemnly announced. After Huangfu Song thanked him, Dian Wei handed him the seal and credentials.

These were all prepared in advance, not because Zhang Hao was confident, but as a precaution.

"General Huangfu, I will send you some internal documents of the Dahan army. You may know that the military system of Dahan is different from that of the Han, and the tactics differ due to the difference in military equipment. But I believe you will adapt quickly.

This time, the part of the Shen Ce Army you will lead is commanded by Sun Jian. You are familiar with each other, so I believe there will be no problems in cooperation."

Zhang Hao said to Huangfu Song.

"I deeply detest the barbarians. The Han spends money to keep some barbarians as watchdogs, but these watchdogs often turn against their masters, showing their wolfish intentions. Some are like leeches, constantly raiding and plundering the people, destroying their peaceful lives, which is extremely despicable.

For such people, we can only show them our might and deal with them harshly, and strictly supervise them. We should not only stop spending money and grain on them but also make them serve us diligently. They must pay half of their annual income, and if they do not obey, they will be punished. We must make them understand that if they are dogs, they must behave like dogs."

Zhang Hao's tough words made many officers in the tent excited, but the wiser ones were somewhat worried.

"Do not worry too much. We have the ability to suppress them. We will also not leave them without a way to live.

I am a celestial being who can connect with various realms. In the future, various advanced technologies will appear in this world, and with the development of commerce, if the barbarians behave, they can also live in peace and prosperity." Zhang Hao explained.

Huangfu Song nodded. Although he did not have much confidence without seeing the actual results, it did not stop him from following Zhang Hao's orders. Zhang Hao's trust in him was unparalleled, and he did not reorganize or plant his own people in the army, even providing him with additional troops. Huangfu Song could only serve him with all his might.

"General Huangfu, inform the soldiers. Let them relax and prepare. The Liangzhou rebels have been a long-term problem. This time, we will break their bones here, making it easier for you to pacify Liangzhou." Zhang Hao smiled.

Not long after, cheers echoed in the camp. Under Zhang Hao's orders, the Shen Ce Army directly entered the camp. A large amount of grain and supplies were also sent through the time-space gate to reward the soldiers. Zhang Hao knew that the life of Huangfu Song's pacification army had not been easy.

On one hand, even in dire circumstances, the officials and those in charge still did not forget to embezzle. Additionally, the Han's financial resources were insufficient, and even with their best efforts, they could not provide enough support. Now that the army belonged to Zhang Hao, the first thing to show was the superior treatment.

PS: Thank you to the reader Wang Shen Ling for the two donations yesterday, and to the reader Hao Yan and the reader 150818191918079 for their donations.

Yesterday, Niu Dou expressed the hope that readers would support, and the readers immediately responded with donations, which made him feel very warm. Thank you very much.

Also, thank you to the readers who clicked, collected, and recommended the book. You hold the fate of this book in your hands. Niu Dou feels honored that you can read this book. In the vast sea of books on Qidian, our meeting is a matter of fate, and I hope this fate will have a beginning and an end. Niu Dou will do his best!

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