The Rise of History’s Most Powerful Empire

The vassals' faces fell, the joy they felt from all the land they god washed away in dissatisfaction.

But the next thing they saw was the icy glare of the figure on the throne and knew he wasn't messing around.

He killed millions of clansmen in the Yi State, to the point there was hardly any literate man still alive. Not to mention he killed hundreds of thousand in Jiangling, the neighboring state.

They had just turned coats a few days ago, got the rewards to prove it and now they fuss over their new boss?

With his temper, who knew where they would end up? Many felt a chill down their spines and stiffened.

No one made a peep.

Seeing it finally sinking him in whose hands they were, Zhong Yu spoke. 

"The Yu Empire has 200,000 elites, left in the central region to defend the empire and its ruler, to deter the nation from disobedience. But the world still needs a force for conquest!"

Wang Yun, the one to take advantage of any chance said.

"Your Majesty, how many men do you require? What are your goals?"

Zhong Yu eyed him and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not that many, only a meager million, such a force the great Yu Empire can still support."

The vassals paled at that number, understanding his last words. They were going to pay for the troops.

Anger rose in their hearts, but recalling the fate of Yi State and Jingzhou, they cooled down on the spot.

Instead of their heads rolling, their money would, down to the last coin. It was the only way to survive and compensate Zhong Yu for giving up their lands.

It wasn't hard to fork out money over death, wisely saying they'd support Zhong Yu's army and coming forward with the money to placate this ruthless new boss.

The hall became a place where the vassals competed over donations, who gave away more.

I showcase how deep their loyalty for Zhong Yu was so he wouldn't see them as stingy.

For later when it mattered to find themselves sitting precariously on their new seats.

And these same folk could barely spare a grain to the ex emperor's armies to quell the rebellion.

This was called giving away all just to survive. Even though they fought tooth and nail to keep their wealth before, now life had far more value in their eyes.

In moments, there was enough supplies to last a million soldiers for three years. These officials ended up donating ten years of Great Han's tax money.

The high nobility of the Yu Empire withdrew with a heavy heart to their homes.

Zhong Yu also retired, satisfied with a well unified court and ready to recruit a million men. With how many they were, his plan for it was long in the making.

Three days later found the empire filled with orders asking people to enlist, voluntarily, so the soldiers that came out of training would be a cut above. 

Half of the 800,000 cannon fodder dispatched for Luoyang was also discharged. It was made up of old and weak, or their body didn't fit the standard. 

Now that the soldiers had pay, pension and death assurance, all were happy to join.

As for the court having enough money to send them all on the front? Weren't they worried? Well Zhong Yu had people send news in secret.

That he took money from the clans, enough to feed a million three years. And that the court would not collect taxes for ten years. 

Since the emperor would give away his land,  how could he not have enough to pay.

The joy of enlisting was everywhere as wave after wave of people were brought in and the world grew peaceful.

One month later and recruits kept coming. It reached 400,000 and the four generals took each of them their share in pacifying the pockets of resistance and taking Han's heritage. 

Everywhere the army passed, they surrendered. A detailed report was sent to the general of their desire to surrender and show their loyalty. Except for the very few too stubborn to go with the program, sent into the dirt with swiftness.

Another five months passed and the Han Dynasty was taken over in its entirety. The empire celebrated with song and dance, feeling the peace on earth.

After six months of recruiting, the 600,000 new bloods were called to train at camps.

After six months of that, the trained men would join the 400,000 veterans to attack Xianbei, all to breed 200,000 true elite forces.

Them and the 200,000 from Luoyang made 400,000, the force the barbarians in the main world had.

He also issued a recruiting order of people of talent, to help him govern the world.

Just like he expected, the men with skills flock to him like pigeons to bread. From all around his lands, people came to show off their skills.

There was no shortage of strategists and political figures in the Three Kingdoms period and this move had most of them in his net. Except those yet to be born, they didn't count. 

They would keep his domain in the main world free of worry and sufficient for a long time. 

The talents were asked to come to Luoyang as well, making some people resentful since they had no craftsmen to ask for help when they needed a tool or something built.

However, Zhong Yu wasn't one to mind such petty things as a little discontent.