"Ding, notifying the host, the host has a total of 122 million Dao of Slaughter value, 180 million Dao of Fortune and Virtue value, and 39 Dao of Reincarnation power."
...
The eleventh day of the fourth month of the twenty-eighth year of Great Han.
"Your Majesty, the eighty-seven Dao states have been re-divided. The governors are Bao Zheng for Yuzhou, Xun An for Daozhou, and Xie Hui for Lingzhou."
"Newly selected local officials, numbering thirty-four thousand two hundred and fourteen, arrived at their posts seven days ago."
Longsun Wuji, the Minister of Personnel, said with clasped hands.
"Your Majesty, for the past seven days, I, leading the Ministry of War, have recruited soldiers from the three states and received 2.2 million soldiers from the major legions. A total of 5 million soldiers have been distributed to the major cities to maintain their daily operations!"
Du Ruhui, the Minister of War, stated.
"Your Majesty, I have surveyed the three states, replanned forty-five large cities, and fourteen hundred defensive fortifications. The Ministry of Works has also delivered spirit materials, spirit rice, and other resources to the inhabitants of the three states..."
Yuwen Kai, the Minister of Works, stepped forward, presented a memorial, and handed it to Crown Prince Yang Chen.
"Since the establishment of Great Han, it has been twenty-eight years. Most of you have followed me from humble beginnings. Now, the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty controls eighty-seven Dao states, and the ten great legions have been baptized by blood to guard the Heavenly Dynasty. This foundation is hard-won!"
Yang Hao sat upright on the dragon throne, looking at Li Si and others in the hall, and said with a smile.
The barracks had already reached the fourth level. The eighty-seven Dao states of the western hundred cities were all within his grasp. The immense amount of Fortune and Virtue value was enough to upgrade the divine artifact Nine Tripods.
It was time to ascend to a Divine Dynasty!
"Li Si!"
Yang Hao stood up and called out.
"Your servant is here!"
Prime Minister Li Si stepped forward and bowed to Yang Hao.
"Issue an imperial edict: On the sixth day of the sixth month of the twenty-eighth year of Great Han, the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty shall be elevated to the Great Han Divine Dynasty!"
"Announce this to all directions, and invite surrounding forces and beings to witness the ceremony!"
Yang Hao's lips curved into a smile, his eyes calm. He considered that the ascension to Divine Dynasty would be in two months, which would also serve to further consolidate local control.
In the past few days, although the new officials and city guards had taken office, the hearts of the city's inhabitants had not yet fully embraced Great Han. There was still some lingering resentment.
Two months would be enough for the new officials to gain control of the regions and for the inhabitants to deeply feel the impact of the Great Han Heavenly Dynasty's policies towards ordinary people.
"The remnants of the Haiyun Divine Dynasty, Hai Yao, and the Divine Emperor of the Yaoguang Divine Dynasty have defected to the Thunder God Hall and the Demon Sea Swamp. For the past two months, until the Heavenly Dynasty's ascension, the ten great legions must firmly control the border regions. Any discovery shall result in immediate execution!"
Yang Hao's usually calm face instantly became stern, and a murderous intent surged in his eyes!
"Your servant obeys the decree!"
Li Si solemnly accepted the order.
Behind him, the marshals of the ten great legions simultaneously stepped forward and bowed.
...
Ten days later.
"System, exchange ten million Dao of Reincarnation Power!!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining ten million Dao of Reincarnation Power!"
"Ding! Notifying the host, there are 22.2 million Dao of Slaughter value remaining!"
"Summon!"
Over the past ten days, after handling the myriad of administrative affairs, Yang Hao sensed the fluctuations of divine power within him and the divine beasts in the ten divine fires. He thought of using the Fortune and Virtue value to enhance his own realm, preparing for the Heavenly Dynasty's ascension.
"Ding! This summoning consumes 3.3 million Dao of Reincarnation Power. The system is beginning to summon!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully summoning the peerless general from the river of history, the mid-Tang Dynasty's famous general – Li Su!"
Li Su!
Yang Hao murmured. He wasn't very familiar with this person, only knowing of his surprise attack on Cai Prefecture on a snowy night and his pacification of Li Shidao's rebellion.
As for why the Reincarnation Pagoda bestowed the title of peerless general upon Li Su, Yang Hao mused that it might be related to Zhang Yu's compilation of the "Hundred Generals Biography" during the Northern Song Dynasty, which listed him as a famous general.
From another perspective, Emperor Wuzong of Tang bestowing upon him the honor of being worshipped alongside him in the Imperial Ancestral Temple could also indicate Li Su's extraordinary capabilities at the time.
"View the information of the Great Tang famous general – Li Su!"
In the Sea of Souls, Yang Hao stood before the Reincarnation Pagoda, gazing at the figure in armor, holding a long saber in his hand and a long bow on his back, standing in the river of time, and said softly.
"Name: Li Su"
"Style name: Fuzhi"
"Dynasty: Tang Dynasty"
"Cultivation: Saint King, fifth layer"
"Cultivation technique: Dao Yan True Art"
"Accompanying troops: 'Top-tier troops – 100,000 Great Tang Iron Cavalry!'"
Experience: Li Su was the eighth son of Li Sheng, the Prince of Xiping at the time.
Li Su was skilled in strategy and proficient in archery and horsemanship. Due to his father's influence, he was appointed as an Assistant Music Officer by the imperial court and served in other positions over the years.
In the twelfth year of Yuanhe, Li Su was appointed as the Military Governor of Tang and Deng, leading the army to suppress the rebel forces of Wu Yuanji who controlled Huaixi.
The following year, Li Su launched a surprise attack on Cai Prefecture on a snowy night, capturing Wu Yuanji alive and pacifying the Huaixi rebellion in one battle.
This battle brought him significant merit and fame throughout the north and south. With his military achievements, Li Su was enfeoffed by the imperial court as the Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit, Grand Preceptor, and the Duke of Liang.
Later, Li Su also served as the Military Governor of Wuning, leading the army again to decisively defeat the Pinglu forces of Li Shidao. Li Su's army was invincible and victorious in every battle.
In the first year of Changqing, when Tian Hongzheng, the newly appointed Military Governor of Chengde, was assassinated, Li Su was enraged upon hearing the news and wanted to lead his army to avenge him. However, due to his severe illness, the matter had to be temporarily put aside, and he returned to Luoyang to recuperate.
In the same year, Li Su died of illness in Luoyang, with the posthumous title "Wu." In the sixth year of Huichang, he was granted the honor of being worshipped alongside Emperor Xianzong in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Due to his outstanding achievements, his command of the army, and his unconventional strategic planning, he was included in Zhang Yu's "Hundred Generals Biography" during the Northern Song Dynasty.
"Not bad!" Yang Hao smiled with satisfaction.
He looked at the magnificent Xuanhuang Reincarnation Pagoda and said, "Continue to use Reincarnation Power to summon!"
"Ding! Successfully deducted 3.3 million Dao of Reincarnation Power!"
"Ding! The system is beginning to summon!"
Yang Hao glanced at the receding river of time and then turned his gaze back to the Xuanhuang Reincarnation Pagoda. He saw a golden light ahead, bypassing the second and third levels of the pagoda body, directly reaching the fifth level where several golden figures flickered. The golden light flowed, locking onto a grey, carved figure. Instantly, golden light permeated, the sound of the Great Dao hummed, the Milky Way spread out, and starlight flowed!
A mysterious voice accompanied the magnificent river of time, absorbing wisps of Reincarnation Power amidst the heavenly sounds.
At this moment, on the fifth level of the Xuanhuang Reincarnation Pagoda, there were roughly a dozen flickering golden carved figures, as Yang Hao scanned them.
The sixth level was also becoming brighter. Perhaps soon, this sixth level would also open completely to Yang Hao!
At the end of the dim expanse, the river of time flowed across, and streaks of golden light swirled around the Northern Wei period!
Amidst the star-like arrangement, the final carved figure on the fifth level of the pagoda body suddenly flashed with golden light!