Chapter 2451: Overtime for Everyone

In the past, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry didn’t have any armor, only wearing sheepskin and cloth. Even with this elite talent, doubling the defensive power of cloth armor was meaningless. But now, it’s changed to plate armor—two centimeters thick, then three centimeters thick—is there really a significant difference in defense?

Once stability returned on Zhang He’s side, the first talent that emerged was this: the heavy cavalry’s formidable defense, once covered with this talent, essentially ignored conventional arrow barrages.

As for what Zhang He needs to do now, it’s to stabilize the emergence of the second talent. Although no one knew what exactly transpired during the battle in the Northern Frontier, during that madness, Zhang He led the heavy cavalry to confront the Northern Huns Guards, not just once.

In the first battle, they were defeated but not annihilated. The second battle was tragic, yet they survived. By the third and fourth, Zhang He had already figured how to handle them somewhat, though not completely successfully.

Reflecting after leaving the battlefield, that was the Military Spirit Legion they fought! To think a fully formed elite would engage the enemy four times and live, while having killed many of them, seems nearly impossible.

Thus, Zhang He hurriedly trained in hindsight, striving to develop the combat power of the heavy cavalry to the maximum. Up to now, with the experiences from clashing four times with the Military Spirit Legion and surviving, Zhang He’s heavy cavalry has reached the limits of the second talent.

What Zhang He is unaware of, is that if Sun Ce hadn’t rushed to reinforce the legion, if he’d sorted out the madness after the Northern Frontier battle, Zhang He would now be leading heavy cavalry with dual talents.

To confront the Military Spirit Legion four times and survive, what you’re lacking is certainly not quality, willpower, or courage, but brains!

However, even without brains, after fighting the Military Spirit Legion four times, even if defeated every time, one should have touched upon the level of dual talents.

Back then, although Zhang He made some reckless moves, it’s undeniable that in that reckless process, he touched on other hidden facets.

For instance, the Great Halberdier’s crucial ability when facing cavalry: force dispersion—an essential talent that converts forces exceeding the Great Halberdier’s tolerance into the earth, which Zhang He’s heavy cavalry inherited.

Meaning Zhang He’s heavy cavalry, when faced with heavy attacks—like maces, heavy flails, great hammers, etc., typically used against heavy cavalry’s blunt weapons—potentially dealing damage beyond limits, then Zhang He’s heavy cavalry bears no issues, converting excessive damage into the ground.

Yet currently, this talent is unreliable at times. After the Northern Frontier battle ended, Zhang He’s Iron Cavalry hadn’t stabilized this talent yet, before being thrust with newcomers, causing Zhang He’s heavy cavalry to stall at the dual talents threshold unable to cross.

Of course, Zhang He himself doesn’t know these details, only feeling fortunate reaching the dual talent threshold so quickly and deeply satisfied with his abilities. He didn’t consider how any legion engaging the Military Spirit Legion four times without perishing would compare in weakness to his own.

Grinding against the Military Spirit Legion: either the legion crumbles and avoids them next time, or confronts them fearlessly until the Military Spirit Legion wipes them out, or repeatedly withstands their onslaught until becoming strong enough to defy them without flinching.

Typically, no legion has the chance to clash with the Military Spirit Legion four times. Even Hua Xiong’s Iron Cavalry Headquarters experienced initial bloodshed from the Vanguard, forcing replacements. Of course, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry fought back later, but the Iron Cavalry weren’t a standard type of dual talent.

For Zhang He, clashing with the Military Spirit Legion four times, leaving over a thousand survivors—so long as morale doesn’t implode, pondering briefly could lead to dual talents. Yet, Zhang He was in a state of anger back then, not considering this, and adding new recruits made the initially meant dual talents conceal themselves, astonishingly.

No matter though. Once Zhang He returns to the battlefield, recalls past anger, carries past experiences, the second talent emerging wouldn’t be the inherited talent from Great Halberdiers but a talent of personal comprehension.

Perhaps traces of Great Halberdiers remain, yet it’ll be more suited to heavy cavalry than before. Advantages have disadvantages.

While others may struggle at this step lifelong without breakthrough, as a Four Courts of Hebei renowned general, Zhang He’s current tranquility foreshadows future explosive moments—it’s a renowned general’s destiny!

Chang’an, with heavy snow—this New Year, Liu Tong didn’t even want to host a Grand Assembly, delegating everything to Cao Cao, then went out with escorts to play.

Unlike Liu Xie’s dismal outlook, Liu Tong appeared carefree about such matters. As long as the Great Han Dynasty’s banner wasn’t toppled, the realm remained Han’s domain. Handling political affairs? Indifferent—do it if you wish, I just don’t want the work.

The meaning of the Han Emperor’s existence boils down to two things: one is to ensure the country remains peaceful for a long time, and the other is to securely pass the throne to his own people upon his death.

Regarding the first goal, Liu Tong expressed that she doesn’t need to do anything as Cao Cao can handle it well; since Cao Cao is working well for the Han Dynasty, what’s the need for her to seize power?

As for the second goal, the Great Han Dynasty is still concerned about this; there are many emperors without heirs, and if she falls, naturally there will be others to succeed.

Thus, the unconcerned Liu Tong skipped the Grand Assembly at the start of the year; now she is enjoying the snow views in Chang’an with her escorts. About half a month ago, she had already instructed the delivery of various festive gifts to those over seventy years old in Chang’an City. Since her private treasury and the national treasury are separate, spending her own money and sending whatever she wants is entirely up to the Regent Grand Princess.

“Compared to years ago, the chaos when migrating to Chang’an and the constant disturbances in previous years, this year’s snow-covered Chang’an is truly beautiful.” Standing in the snow, Liu Tong reached out to catch the snowflakes and turned her head with a smile.

“Your Highness should return to the palace, the snow is getting heavier.” Silk Lady shivered slightly; although, in theory, she shouldn’t feel cold, as a southerner, she felt a chill whenever she saw snow.

“I’ve decided, today we return to announce a general amnesty, forgiving those who are not heinous criminals.” Liu Tong suddenly turned, shaking her red cotton cape with pride and said, then she almost slipped and fell.

“You need to wait until you return,” Silk Lady said, reaching out to support Liu Tong, feeling speechless.

“By the way, the Duke of Jin sent a lot of rock candy and cubes; since we can’t finish them, let’s distribute them to the children of Chang’an.” Liu Tong, thinking that she won’t feel bad about things she got for free, plus Liu Bei’s constant warnings that eating too much will cause tooth decay, decided it’s better not to tempt herself and give them to the kids, which would make everyone happier.

“Alright, alright, do as you wish, but just don’t find yourself running out and then go asking the Duke of Jin for more afterwards,” Silk Lady responded rather reluctantly, feeling she was quite different from other Immortals in the background spirit version.

“Just a little food, the Duke of Jin surely doesn’t mind,” Liu Tong said with a laugh, “The snow keeps getting heavier, next year should be a bumper year.”

In Weiyang Palace, Cao Cao watched the empty seat with an indifferent expression. Although Liu Tong had previously notified him of her absence at the Grand Assembly, instructing him to handle matters himself as she wouldn’t be there to solve any issues.

But on the first day of the new year at the Grand Assembly, you went out to play, while we, the ministers, discussed state affairs below; no matter how you think of it, it’s unpleasant. New year, new atmosphere, is this the new atmosphere for the Han Dynasty?

Cao Cao inexplicably felt a bit unsatisfied; previously, whether Liu Xie was weak or had other issues, at least he occupied that position, and even if he did nothing, there was always someone to jump out and obstruct his governance.

Although Cao Cao didn’t intend to severely suppress imperial authority, his governance was indeed aimed at better development for the country. However, the process of easily defeating those who jumped out as Royalist Faction made Cao Cao clearly feel he had reached the peak of ministerial power, influencing the court intensively.

Now, Liu Tong has no intention to create issues, purely serving as a mascot, without any desire to intervene in national affairs. Assemblies are basically avoided whenever possible; when attending, she acts entirely as a mascot, with a stance of “Cao Sikong, go on, solve this problem.”

While Cao Cao can indeed solve issues well and even willingly solves them, Liu Tong’s completely hands-off approach led to an inexplicable feeling for Cao Cao that he had no sense of achievement.

Yet, despite this lack of accomplishment, the work must go on; the renowned Minister of Works, under one person but above ten thousand, an exceptional talent, a pillar of the nation—all features that compel him to stand up. Who else would if not him?

In summary, Cao Cao now feels completely fatigued, without the sense of dominating the court anymore. His goal should be the General Who Conquers the West, but what a mess has this become? Seeking liberation.

Of course, such thoughts stay within Cao Cao’s mind; although he doesn’t have the previous dominating sense now, he still needs to act as if he enjoys being imposing and on top, otherwise, he would disgrace himself with long-sought-after position, only to find he is worse off than before.

“That’s it, the Imperial Guard Commander will lead troops to ensure the roads remain open, the Prefect of Jingzhao will bring people to visit disaster victims, tonight all the Chief of Staff should work overtime, I want to see the sun tomorrow!” Cao Cao gestured grandly, signifying that from tomorrow onwards, snow in Yongzhou and Liangzhou should cease. It’s already a snow disaster, how can it keep snowing? It leaves no room for the people to live; it should be sunny tomorrow, and all Chief of Staff must work overtime today to change the weather.

At this moment, Cao Cao appeared incredibly grand, serving entirely as a sanctuary for the people, with an image of considering the welfare of the citizens.