Jinyang, the mansion of Marquis Shenwu.

Meeting hall.

This is the first time Li Hong has appeared in public after being seriously ill for nearly a year.

This surprised Xi Zhicai, Xun You, Guo Jia, Mi Zhu, Zhen Yi, Huang Zhong, Xia Yu, Tian Yan, Zang Min, Yan Liang, Hua Xiong, Wang Lei, Ma Tie and others below.

There was some regret in Ke Bineng’s eyes.

On the other hand, Jia Xu, who was sitting in the first seat among the civil officials, looked calm.

“My Lord is finally well. You may not know that during the days when you were seriously ill, the people of Bingzhou and Youzhou prayed day and night for my speedy recovery!”

Seeing Li Hong’s rosy face, Zang Min was more excited than Li Hong’s descendants such as Li Ding, Li Wen and Li Wu.

“It seems that the people of the two states are looking forward to my recovery.” Li Hong said with a smile.

“Your Majesty treats the people of the two states well, reduces and exempts excessive taxes, makes the administration of the two states clean and honest, and eliminates foreign threats. Naturally, the people of the two states hope that Your Majesty is doing well.” Zang Min said bluntly.

Hearing this, Li Hong’s smile widened, but then it faded, and a hint of anger appeared on his face as he said:

“I summoned you today because I recently left the Marquis’ Mansion and heard that Dong Zhuo was causing chaos in government, disrupting the government, and killing officials. Now all the states and counties are mobilizing to form an alliance to fight against Dong Zhuo. Is that right or not?”

Li Hong had a cold expression on his face, and all the civil and military officials showed resentment on their faces when they heard his words.

“My lord, it is true. Dong Zhuo’s evil deeds have long been known throughout the world. How dare a little Dong Zhuo be so arrogant? He has really brought shame to the people of Xiliang. I, Hua Xiong, can chop off his head with the sword in my hand. My lord, I, Hua Xiong, would like to lead a small army to suppress the traitor Dong Zhuo!”

Hua Xiong immediately stood up, bowed to Li Hong and asked for orders, speaking excitedly.

Hua Xiong was indeed excited. When he first heard that there was a Dong Zhuo in Xiliang who was causing chaos in the government and committing treason, Hua Xiong was almost angry to death. Under Li Hong’s command, he had been granted a title of nobility and appointed a general. Although he was not a senior general or a high-ranking title, it was still a title of nobility and a general, which brought honor to the family.

Who knew that Xiliang would come up with such a thing? Isn’t this a disgrace to Hua Xiong?

Li Hong couldn’t help but be surprised to see Hua Xiong so excited.

However, Li Hong comforted Hua Xiong and said:
“Of course the traitors should be executed, but this time the alliance between the governors and county governors is a bit too much? Do we need to gather the strength of all the heroes in the world to defeat a small Dong Zhuo?”

Jia Xu, who had been silent, immediately stood up, bowed to Li Hong, and said:
“My Lord, Dong Zhuo’s power cannot be underestimated. Dong Zhuo brought 150,000 soldiers from Xiliang into Luoyang, and later recruited 100,000 elite soldiers from Xiliang. Because Xiliang is a place with tough people, the 250,000 soldiers from Xiliang are not like the Yellow Turbans. They are fully equipped. Dong Zhuo has annexed the troops of Luoyang, so he now has 300,000 soldiers under his command. In addition, Dong Zhuo occupies Guanzhong and Luoyang, and there are strong passes around to protect them. I’m afraid that only the two states of You and Bing of my Li family can take him down. No other princes in the world can resist Dong Zhuo.”

“Therefore, Cao Cao took the emperor’s edict, raised the banner, formed an alliance of princes, and attacked Dong Zhuo.”

Jia Xu hesitated slightly and said, “Although the troops of Youzhou and Bingzhou of my Li family can gather a large army and kill the traitors, the troops of Youzhou and Bingzhou of my Li family will also suffer heavy losses!”

In the hall, Jia Xu’s words made Huang Zhong, Xia Yu, Tian Yan, Zang Min, Yan Liang, Hua Xiong, Wang Lei, Ma Tie and other generals all look a little ugly.

In their opinion, the Li family was the strongest in suppressing the borders in the world today. How could Dong Zhuo compete with them? Even though Dong Zhuo was the one who occupied the pass and was guarding the frontier, they were still unhappy.

“Bang!” Li Hong’s expression suddenly turned ugly after hearing Jia Xu’s words. He slammed the table and said, “A mere Dong Zhuo can’t do anything to him? Cough cough cough cough!”

Li Hong seemed excited, his face suddenly turned red and he started coughing.

Immediately, Huang Zhong, Xia Yu, Tian Yan, Zang Min, Yan Liang, Wang Lei, Ma Tie and other generals in the hall hurriedly advised:

“Old General, you must not let a thief injure your body.”

“Old General, calm down.”

Li Hong waved his hand and asked Jia Xu:

“How many troops can the Li clan mobilize from Youzhou and Bingzhou?”

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu did not hesitate and bowed his hands and said:
“My Lord, after several years of development, Youzhou and Bingzhou have reduced taxes, developed stably, and stayed away from war. A few years ago, my Lord sent a notice to all places, saying that there were a lot of fertile lands in Youzhou and Bingzhou that no one was cultivating, so that the righteous men and refugees from all over the world could settle in Youzhou and Bingzhou to help the development of the two border states. A large number of people from various states have flowed in, and now there are five million people in Youzhou and Bingzhou. According to the request of my Lord, the strategy of fifty people supporting one soldier, Youzhou and Bingzhou have recruited a total of 100,000 troops, and the Beiwei Army supported by the business of the four major families has made up the 100,000 troops. There are also 50,000 beggars filled with criminals and prisoners. Therefore, the total strength of the army of Youzhou and Bingzhou alone is 250,000 troops, all of which are well-trained. In addition, there are 8,000 naval warships ordered by my Lord in Youzhou.”

After a pause, Jia Xu continued:

“In addition, the grassland has also entered a state of recuperation for several years. We have 50,000 elite cavalry on hand. If necessary, we can mobilize 150,000 cavalry within three months!” Jia Xu’s voice echoed throughout the hall. In the hall, Huang Zhong, Xia Yu, Tian Yan, Zang Min, Yan Liang, Wang Lei, Ma Tie and other generals were all shocked. For the first time, they had such a direct impression of the troops that could be mobilized under Li’s command.

Three hundred thousand troops, fully equipped, well-equipped, and well-trained!
Li Hong, who was sitting in the main seat, was quite pleased to hear Jia Xu’s report of his family’s wealth. He was very satisfied that he had been able to maintain an army of 300,000 with complete weapons and equipment and good training for several years, while keeping a low profile and not attracting the attention of the court or affecting the lives and production of the people in You and Bing states. He also had naval warships in preparation.

“Well, with so many troops, how can we let Dong Zhuo cause chaos in the world?”

“I intend to personally lead an army of 150,000 to personally fight against Dong Zhuo and eliminate the traitor for the late emperor!”

Li Hong stood up suddenly and spoke loudly.

“Cough cough cough cough…”

As if he was too excited, Li Hong started coughing violently again.

“Don’t get excited, old marquis. Why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? I, Pan Feng, am willing to lead the army to personally attack Dong Zhuo. Old marquis, please wait for me to report the victory in your mansion!”

“Old General, Tian Yan is willing to lead the troops to attack Dong Zhuo!”

The generals in the hall panicked again and tried to dissuade Li Hong, saying that they were really afraid that Li Hong would die on the battlefield and that they truly admired and respected Li Hong.

It was Li Hong who led them to achieve great things!
It was Li Hong who led them to expel the aliens and made an unprecedented contribution!

It can be said that even if Li Hong cannot move, it does not affect Li Hong’s position in their hearts at all.

“Damn it, this old and sick body has misled me!” Li Hong sat down on the chair and said angrily, seeming dissatisfied with his old and sick body.

Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Xun You and other counselors looked at Li Hong and wondered whether he was pretending or was really old.

Ke Bineng, on the other hand, had a look of deep surprise in his eyes.

“Don’t worry, father. Dong Zhuo is a little thief. Son, be filial and go and kill him!”

At this moment, a sharp voice rang out, and a young man who was about 1.8 meters tall walked in. It is not accurate to call him a young man, because his face was full of childishness.

“Little Marquis!”

Seeing Li Cunxiao enter the hall, Huang Zhong, Xia Yu, Tian Yan, Zang Min, Yan Liang, Wang Lei, Ma Tie and other generals all bowed and hurriedly stepped back.

“Father, father, let’s go and kill him!”

Li Shimin, Li Wenzhong, Zhou Yu and several other grown boys all walked in.

All the generals in the hall saluted, calling him “Young Master” or “Young Marquis”.

“Why are you here?” Li Hong frowned and said when he saw Li Cunxiao, Li Shimin, Li Wenzhong, Zhou Yu and other grown boys.

Several of them were in their teens, but in Li Hong’s opinion, they were still too young.

Jia Xu, on the other hand, stroked his beard and said with a smile:
“My Lord, all of you are outstanding men, very excellent, with talents and intelligence not inferior to those of adults. In addition to Young Master Cunxiao, who is highly skilled in martial arts and has the potential to defeat ten thousand enemies, the rest can join the army for training!”

“My Lord, why don’t you take charge of Youzhou and let the young masters go out to see the world, so that all the princes in the world know that the Li family is full of talented people!”

Jia Xu said to Li Hong with a smile.

He naturally understood that Li Hong still could not leave Jinyang at this time. Otherwise, with Li Hong’s achievements and prestige, the heroes of the world would have no chance to play with him and all their ambitions would have to be suppressed.

“Li’er?” Li Hong was moved when he heard Jia Xu suggest that Li Li be the commander-in-chief and let his sons go out to gain some experience.

After all, Li Li had grown up after years of fighting on the grassland.

Moreover, Li Hong has decided to take advantage of this opportunity to further expand the Li family’s territory. Li Li, Li Cunxiao, Li Shimin, and Zhou Yu will attract the attention of the heroes in the front, so that Dong Zhuo will be careless. He will take the opportunity to expand the territory in the back, attack Guanzhong, and even take over Xiliang. (End of this chapter)