Volume 1, Chapter 7: The Arrival of the Great Qian Envoy

Sima Yun stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. “Your Majesty, although General Jiang Yu and Jiang Han have personally experienced the matter, it should not be taken lightly.”

“Now, the only thing that needs confirmation is whether the person who struck truly was Grandmaster Ye Liuyun.”

The Sovereign of the Great Qian Kingdom nodded slightly and looked toward the national advisor. In the past, he had been skeptical, but now he had no choice but to believe.

When the Grandmaster takes action, it is no trivial matter.

“Advisor, you expended your life force to cast the divination. How trustworthy is it?”

The Great Qian Kingdom’s advisor stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, the hexagram is not deceitful. Though I cannot explain the full reasons, the peril facing Great Qian is no empty warning.”

The Sovereign furrowed his brow and, after a moment of silence, said, “Issue my decree: dispatch additional personnel to closely monitor the movements in Liyang Commandery and strengthen border defenses.”

The ministers cried out in unison, “Your Majesty is wise!”

The Sovereign rose and continued, “This court session is adjourned. Sima Yun, you shall oversee the realm. I will personally journey to the Liuli Imperial City to investigate this matter!”

“Also, send someone to Liyang Commandery and have Gu Changfeng provide me with an explanation!”

“Your order shall be obeyed!” Sima Yun replied joyfully, bowing deeply.

By all rights, the Sovereign had already decreed that Gu Changfeng, who had been released, must not be assassinated. Yet, he had not pursued any accountability from him or the national advisor. Instead, he entrusted Sima Yun with governance—this was not only absolute trust but a tacit way for both sides to save face.

On one hand, the Sovereign could not admit fault outright.

A ruler may acknowledge and correct mistakes but cannot openly admit error, lest he lose his regal dignity.

After all, Gu Changfeng’s family had come close to serving as mere dogs to survive.

Moreover, the pleasure of tormenting a century-old enemy had been constant, and the original alliance sworn upon Liyang’s surrender could not be broken.

Many vassal kings were watching; the Sovereign valued his reputation above all.

As for why the Sovereign could remain so composed, naturally, it was because of his own strength.

He had once single-handedly beaten a ninth-grade expert, and with both hands, he was naturally an eighteenth-grade master.

Meanwhile, in Liyang Commandery, Gu Changfeng and his companions had returned to Liyang City.

In the former imperial court of Liyang, Gu Changfeng held a document, seated quietly on the steps beneath the throne, calmly surveying the old ministers gathering below.

Some among them wished him dead.

Yesterday, the White Tiger Army should not have caught up with them so swiftly; there must have been a trap left along the way.

And among the old ministers still settled in Liyang Commandery, there were certainly ill intentions.

Those sent into slavery were mostly royal relatives; almost all legitimate heirs had perished.

Even the illegitimate sons born to concubines were frequently assassinated.

Only one illegitimate heir had survived, now standing before the stage, too afraid even to lift his head.

To claim he bore no guilt was false.

“Gu Yan, many royal bloodlines have perished. Why do you still live?”

“Brother Wang, with all due respect!” Gu Yan bowed casually. “I was hidden away by the old general Wang Qian and have barely survived until now!”

“Oh?” Gu Changfeng’s interest was piqued. “Tell me, who else?”

Gu Yan, recognizing the moment, rattled off a long list—almost a third of the court ministers.

Those named broke into sweat, though a few remained remarkably calm.

After the roll call, the attendant paused his brush.

The guards hurriedly brought the documents to Gu Changfeng.

But he did not glance at them, instead sweeping his gaze over the ministers who dared not meet his eyes.

“Everyone, I know many of you have deep ties to the Great Qian Kingdom’s ministers, but I will not pursue it.”

At this, many old ministers’ eyes brightened.

Gu Changfeng continued, “For I am a servant of Great Qian myself. My return is simply to stabilize Liyang Commandery!”

“Burn this list.”

He raised his hand casually. Though hesitant, a guard took the documents and threw them into the nearby stove.

If he were to slaughter everyone, where would he find replacements? It would be foolish to fill the ranks with incompetents.

Besides, these men still had their uses.

At this, all the old ministers were inwardly astonished, regardless of their factions.

“Your Highness, your actions…”

One old minister tried to speak but was cut off by Gu Changfeng.

“No need for words. Liyang Commandery will still need you all.”

He rose and paced, saying,

“Wang Yi, draft a letter. State that we have safely returned to the Liyang capital and express sincere thanks to the White Tiger Army for their escort.”

“Also, request grain aid from Great Qian and demand the return of ten thousand soldiers conscripted from Liyang.”

“Say… we intend to cultivate the land, provide disaster relief, and restore order. We hope His Majesty of Great Qian will approve.”

As he finished, a lean, scarred man stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

This was Wang Yi, the former military advisor of Liyang, who had accompanied him to the slave camp.

From childhood, he had studied military classics and renowned texts. By twenty-five, he had become Liyang’s strategist, following his king’s father to the battlefield and devising many plans.

This return was even a personal division of forces with Gu Changfeng, willing to be bait—it spoke to his loyalty.

Gu Changfeng smiled gently. “You know how to draft it, yes?”

This man was his only confidant in the slave camp besides Zhao Yi. The three had schemed for thirteen years to secure release.

“Understood!”

Wang Yi replied. They exchanged a glance, smiling slyly.

At that moment, an old minister spoke, “Your Highness, what of Grandmaster Ye?”

The question energized everyone; all were eager to unravel the truth.

Gu Changfeng turned, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke gravely, “Grandmaster? How would I know?”

At this, the ministers whispered among themselves, all sharing looks of confusion.

Gu Changfeng continued, “Ye Liuyun is the Grandmaster, head of the Ye family of the Aolai Kingdom. Why he would come to Liyang Commandery is none of our concern.”

“Wang Yi, in your letter, demand that Great Qian swiftly investigate this matter. It has unsettled the people.”

Now everyone was even more bewildered. So, they were just here for leisure?

What a fuss for nothing.

At this point, an old minister who was not convinced stood up, “Your Majesty, General Zhao’s martial prowess…”

Gu Changfeng chuckled. “General Zhao was never disabled. It’s merely that the Great Qian advisor lacks the ability to uncover the truth.”

“Ah, I see now!”

The ministers suddenly understood and began to discuss the shortcomings of the Great Qian advisor.

“All right, everyone,” Gu Changfeng said.

“Liyang Commandery is a desolate land; the pressing task is to restore the people’s livelihoods and help Great Qian stabilize Liyang as soon as possible.”

“If you have good plans, speak freely.”

The ministers nodded. One spoke, “Your Highness, we must start with agriculture—encourage farming, reduce taxes, and build irrigation systems to improve the fields.”

Another minister added, “On the military side, recruit new troops, strengthen training, and repair the city walls to reinforce defenses.”

Gu Changfeng listened and nodded slightly. “Excellent.”

As the council deliberated, a guard hurried in to report, “Your Highness, a Great Qian envoy has arrived!”