Liu Xie didn't use the money in the system casually. Many of the items in it were definitely very useful. As his strength increased, the system's development would become more comprehensive. At that time, it would be most important to save money to buy necessary items.
Even without firearms, we must still strive to be ahead of others in certain matters.
The current court needs to be filled with civil and military officials. When Dong Zhuo was in power, he killed many officials, including many notorious ones. Now that the situation has reversed, it is natural to need to have methods that are ahead of other warlords.
Moreover, Liu Xie could vaguely sense that the feudal lords would not simply obey the court's orders. Holding military power and becoming a regional lord gave one a sense of superiority, and the feudal lords would not easily relinquish their power. All of this required him to fight and earn it himself.
In recruiting talent, having the authority of the imperial court made it a hundred times easier than recruiting feudal lords.
With this thought in mind, Liu Xie felt a little better.
There was also a drill ground in the palace, which was prepared for the imperial guards to guard the palace. Previously, it had been occupied by the soldiers under Dong Zhuo.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Upon seeing Liu Xie's carriage appear, He Yong hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.
To be promoted from Chief Secretary to Grand Master of Ceremonies was an immense honor, and this honor came from the current emperor, a far cry from the appointments made when Dong Zhuo held power.
An eunuch tried to help him up, but Liu Xie refused and jumped off the carriage.
He Yong's lips twitched, but considering Liu Xie's age, he didn't say anything more.
"No need for formalities, Grand Master of Ceremonies. I have come to the palace guards today to check on their condition," Liu Xie said.
The position of Guanglu Xun was in charge of the imperial guards and attendants, and only the emperor's confidants could hold it.
"Welcome, Your Majesty," He Yong said, bowing.
The Guanglu Xun (光禄勋) commanded the Five Offices, Left, Right, Tiger Guards, Feathered Forest Guards, and the Imperial Chariot Commandant and Cavalry Commandant, among others. Currently, there are only a thousand guards in the palace, which is quite ironic. Even so, they were carefully selected from the current military strength of Chang'an.
The sounds of battle cries echoed throughout the training ground.
After touring the army camp, Liu Xie asked, "Why are the imperial guards so poorly equipped?"
"Your Majesty is unaware that when Dong Zhuo fled Chang'an, his men took with them their elite armor and weapons," He Yong explained helplessly.
They killed Dong Zhuo, but many of his soldiers defected, including many elite troops. Those who remained in Chang'an were mostly old and weak. If it weren't for Zhang Liao's intervention and ability to turn the tide, these traitors might have stormed the palace and caused chaos.
The Liangzhou army, freed from Dong Zhuo's control, was like a wild horse running free.
"I'm itching to try out the equipment used for training the soldiers," Liu Xie said with a smile.
Having improved his martial prowess and possessing the Overlord's Heaven-Shattering Halberd, Liu Xie felt it wasn't enough. In chaotic times, even an emperor was in danger of falling. The best way was to further enhance his strength, ideally becoming an unparalleled warrior.
Liu Xie, after all, came from the future. Given this opportunity, he naturally wanted to achieve something. Historically, Liu Xie was a weak emperor, but now that he was in charge in Chang'an, it was essential for him to firmly grasp military power.
"Your Majesty is of inestimable worth; how can this be allowed?" He Yong hurriedly stopped him.
Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "Grand Master of Ceremonies, don't forget that I killed the old traitor Dong Zhuo."
Seeing this, He Yong reluctantly agreed. Liu Xie's killing of Dong Zhuo was mostly due to luck, but it was still a good thing that Liu Xie had a setback at the training ground. After all, he was a young emperor, and he needed a lot of trials to grow up.
"These are stone weights used by soldiers to train their arm strength, weighing twenty pounds," a general stepped forward and carefully explained.
Liu Xie's arrival at the army camp was a great honor for the guard generals, but they were still quite apprehensive about Liu Xie's desire to use the training equipment used by the guards.
Liu Xie stepped forward, grabbed the stone lock with one hand, and gave a low shout. The stone lock was then lifted up by Liu Xie.
When He Yong and his generals saw this, they were understandably shocked. Lifting a 20-pound stone lock with one hand is no easy task, but Liu Xie lifted it with effortless ease. Considering Liu Xie's age, it would not be an exaggeration to describe him as having superhuman strength.
"Your Majesty is incredibly brave!" a general shouted.
The other generals realized what was happening and echoed their agreement.
Twenty jin, thirty jin, all the way up to fifty jin of stone weights, Liu Xie's face turned red. Even so, it made many generals in the army feel ashamed. Such strength was something that even they could not match.
"Your Majesty possesses superhuman strength; I admire you greatly," He Yong said, bowing respectfully.
Receiving such praise, Liu Xie smiled with satisfaction. "Generals, who is willing to step forward and challenge me?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent. It was hard to say who would win against the current emperor. If he won, the emperor would be dissatisfied, though he wouldn't show it on the surface, but he would definitely take action later. If he lost, it would be even more embarrassing. If the emperor, who was so young, could defeat military generals, wouldn't that mean that military generals were useless?
Liu Xie's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately understood the generals' thoughts: "If you fight against me and win, you will be promoted one rank."
"This humble general, Wang Xu, humbly requests Your Majesty's guidance," a general dressed as a captain stepped forward and said.
Civil and military officials value their reputation highly, especially since it presents an opportunity for promotion.
"Good, bring me your weapons," Liu Xie said.
The eunuchs who had accompanied Liu Xie were already completely flustered. It was bad enough that the emperor had come to the army, but he had even sparred with the generals. Any general who could become a general must have some skills. If they accidentally injured Liu Xie, they would be guilty of a thousand deaths.
"Your Majesty, the sparring among the military generals uses wooden weapons," He Yong hurriedly said.
"Then let's use wooden weapons," Liu Xie said.
Having obtained the Overlord Sky-Breaking Halberd, Liu Xie needs to familiarize himself with it. While his current age limit is a good thing, Liu Xie believes that with the system's help, becoming a peerless master is just around the corner.
He Yong stepped forward, whispered some instructions to Wang Xu, and then stepped back.
Liu Xie brandished the wooden weapon in his hand. "General Wang, you go first."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xu apologized and rushed forward, his spear aimed straight at Liu Xie's chest.
Liu Xie slowly raised his halberd and then lowered it. It seemed slow, but it was actually extremely fast, accurately blocking Wang Xu's attack.
The force transmitted from the wooden weapon almost caused Wang Xu to drop his spear, and his gaze towards Liu Xie was filled with apprehension.
The halberd had barely fallen when it was thrust at Wang Xu again.
Wang Xu's expression changed drastically; he wanted to block the attack, but it was too late.
The halberd stopped three inches from Wang Xu's throat. Although it was a wooden weapon, piercing the throat would be fatal.