Commendation of the Heavenly Dao

"Oh?" Seeing his utter certainty, Zhong Shengguang grew curious. "How do you plan to do that?" "When I had uniforms and waist tokens custom-made for these river bandits, I got my hands on their rosters," He Lingchuan said solemnly. "The bandit chiefs wanted to withhold names, but I told them dividends and supplies would be distributed strictly by head count and according to the roster. Anyone not registered gets nothing." "If they don't submit full rosters, they receive less money, meaning even less to distribute to their men. When that happens, their subordinates will suspect them of pocketing the funds," He Lingchuan continued. "They weren't entirely stupid—they tried submitting bogus names of random loafers to claim extra shares. But I had the rosters posted on grand red placards across several major towns and villages, making a public exhibition of it. It caused an ugly internal uproar in both Qianjin Stronghold and the Globe Amaranth Gang. I heard their ranks argued back and forth multiple times. Reluctant as they were, they ultimately handed over the real rosters." Zhong Shengguang said with delight, "You got their names? Good, excellent!" One of the main reasons the Longchuan river bandits were so difficult to deal with was that Yuheng City could never tell who among the marsh dwellers were fierce bandits and who were honest folk. The villagers within the marshlands would also cover for the bandits. In the past, when Xiao Maoliang led troops into Longchuan to suppress the bandits, he had accidentally harmed too many civilians, which incited fierce resistance from the local tribes and drove them to join forces with the bandits against the army. Now, without shedding a drop of blood, He Lingchuan had obtained rosters covering most of the river bandits aside from the Xiji puppet troops. Telling them apart would no longer be an issue. If they ever attempted rebellion in the future, the Yuheng City Army could strike with precision, tracking them down by the book. "In the past, the Longchuan bandit scourge couldn't be eradicated because the bandits were like weeds—no wildfire could burn them all away, and come spring, they'd sprout anew," He Lingchuan said. "I'm not weeding them out; I'm going to domesticate them into crops!" "And how will you do that?" "Power and profit," He Lingchuan answered earnestly. "River bandits can be turned into guards for the trade route, but guards won't turn back into bandits. Robbing at knifepoint is never as comfortable as sitting back and collecting pay. Once they put on the uniforms and hang waist tokens from their belts, it won't take two months for them to realize that the ones paying their wages aren't their old bandit chiefs at all, but Yuheng City! Their true direct superiors won't be those chiefs anymore either, but the Yuheng Army." "When that day comes, they'll know whose orders to follow: their old chiefs', or mine? If they follow their old chiefs, they'll either die beneath the blades of the Yuheng Army or slink back to Longchuan to resume a dead-end trade. But if they listen to me, they can keep sitting comfortably and making money." He Lingchuan raised his uninjured left hand and drew a finger across his neck. "At that point, I can begin reorganizing these bandits, shattering the old power structure in Longchuan and cataloging the residents of every village and stronghold house by house." Zhong Shengguang raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on his face. This kid was sly to his very bones. "With this plan, Yuheng City and the army will expend the least resources and time. We'll be able to devote far more energy to training soldiers and guarding the border." He Lingchuan elaborated on several details, and Zhong Shengguang listened with rapt attention. Only when He Lingchuan finished did he speak: "If it can truly be carried out smoothly, it is indeed a brilliant move, but it will require Old Wen's cooperation. Your ideas are bold and innovative; he excels at civil administration, but lacks your flexibility. As the civilian and military heads of Yuheng City, the two of you must communicate more often." From the tone of his voice, He Lingchuan knew his debriefing was finally a success. Now was the time to strike while the iron was hot: "Commander Zhong, I don't know whether it's appropriate to ask, but..." Zhong Shengguang retorted irritably, "Then it isn't." He had never noticed this kid had such a glib tongue before. Had he developed it here in Yuheng City, or had he just hidden it well in the past? He Lingchuan chuckled. "Why did you transfer me to Yuheng City?" Zhong Shengguang said nothing. He could hardly admit that Panlong City had merely promoted a newly minted officer to get some practical experience after taking Xiji, never anticipating that the river bandits would collude with foreign enemies to punch a gaping hole in their defenses—and certainly never expecting this newly appointed commander of Yuheng City would perform so brilliantly, tackling the bandit crisis that even Xiao Maoliang had failed to resolve with a mix of finesse and decisive blows. He could only say, "As you said, the Longchuan trade route is far too important to Panlong City." "Yet guarding the Longchuan trade route won't be easy, even after the bandits are dealt with," He Lingchuan said solemnly. "Beijia has already set its sights on us. With one scheme foiled, they are bound to follow up with another. Yuheng City is nowhere near as strong as Panlong City. In the limited time we have, we must drill our forces and strengthen our military, or the Longchuan trade route will be in grave peril." Zhong Shengguang frowned. "You are the commander of a city, and you're telling me you can't hold the Longchuan trade route?" "I can hold it!" He Lingchuan answered immediately. "Provided the conditions are met!" "Oh? Let's hear it." "Yuheng City must re-enter a state of war readiness, with military matters taking absolute priority over everything else!" Zhong Shengguang froze, staring intently at him for several moments before sudden realization struck. "You rascal! You took such a massive detour just to ask me for more authority!" Giving military affairs top priority meant civil governance took a back seat. Was this brat trying to climb over Old Wen's head and take the top spot? "The Panlong Wasteland and Xiji won't stay peaceful forever," He Lingchuan said gravely. "Time is precious. Wouldn't you like to have another elite vanguard under your command?" Zhong Shengguang stared hard at him, searching his eyes for his true motives. He Lingchuan met his gaze with unblinking candor. Zhong Shengguang picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip of cool tea. "Let's go. Mr. Lu should be returning." ... By the time Wen Daolun accompanied Lu Xun back to the government office, Zhong Shengguang and He Lingchuan happened to be coming out, both looking thoroughly relaxed. Zhong Shengguang smiled. "Mr. Lu, how about having a meal at Juxianzhuang?" Naturally, Lu Xun had no objections. On the way to the restaurant, He Lingchuan chatted and laughed easily with Lu Xun, while Wen Daolun glanced at Zhong Shengguang, inquiry in his eyes. Zhong Shengguang gave him a slight shake of the head. Wen Daolun was somewhat astonished. Had Commander He actually managed to convince Commander Zhong? Could Commander Zhong truly have agreed to continue handing out money to river bandits? Zhong Shengguang smiled back at him, deep thought hidden in his eyes. If only things unfolded as smoothly as He Lingchuan planned. Lu Xun suddenly turned his head and asked Zhong Shengguang, "Commander Zhong, when did that flood dragon head motif on the wall appear?" Following the direction of his pointing finger, the three of them indeed saw a flood dragon head motif upon the surface of the wall. The wall was built of gray brick, and so the motif was of the same material, protruding slightly in vivid detail. It was a relief carving. Hearing this, Zhong Shengguang looked toward Wen Daolun and He Lingchuan. He had only arrived in Yuheng City a step ahead of Lu Xun and had no idea when the motif had appeared. Meanwhile, He Lingchuan and Wen Daolun had each had so much to report that this hadn't even made the agenda. "Three days ago," Wen Daolun replied. "That morning, we discovered the flood dragon head motif had appeared. There are four of them in total on walls across the city." At the time, it had drawn curious crowds of city residents. After all, there were few Panlong natives here, and most residents had never seen such a symbol before. At that moment, a young boy was holding a piece of red ochre and scribbling on the wall. He first drew two turtles, then colored the dragon head's majestic, imposing eyes in red ochre. The group watched from the side without stopping him. Noticing something behind him, the boy looked back and saw several adults staring fixedly at him. Startled, he took off like a streak of smoke. Lu Xun then walked forward and stroked the dragon head. "So Yuheng City has already earned the commendation of the Heavenly Dao. Good, this is wonderful!" The Heavenly Dao? He Lingchuan couldn't help asking, "The Heavenly Dao's... commendation?" This mystery had puzzled him for a very long time, yet whenever he was in front of General Red or Zhong Shengguang, it slipped his mind. He hadn't expected Lu Xun to lay it bare today with a single phrase. "Have you not heard that 'Heaven's principles are manifest'? This is the mark of Yuheng City carrying out Heaven's will and following Heavenly principles," Lu Xun said, nodding repeatedly. "With the Heavenly Dao as witness, it proves Brother Zhong's and Panlong City's determination to resist the Heavenly Fiend is exceptionally steadfast. When I return to report back, I will make a special point of mentioning this to the Council of Elders!" A sudden silver lining—the matter had taken a sharp turn for the better! Zhong Shengguang beamed from ear to ear. "Then I leave it in your capable hands, Mr. Lu." Wen Daolun said, "The flood dragon head motif is actually that important? It appeared in Panlong City long ago." "It is a major consideration." He Lingchuan asked, "Has the flood dragon head motif appeared in other places as well?" He recalled the Yuan Kingdom. In the illusions before the fall of the Yuan Kingdom, he had seen this flood dragon head motif too. "Of course. It is an affirmation and commendation from the Heavenly Dao," Lu Xun said with a smile. "In truth, the Council of Elders has studied this. The mark usually appears in places where enforcing Heaven's will and resisting the Heavenly Fiend are at their fiercest." He Lingchuan followed up immediately: "Since it's a commendation, are there any tangible rewards?" His question was blunt and practical, but Panlong City had always maintained a pragmatic culture, so neither Zhong Shengguang nor Wen Daolun objected. Lu Xun nodded. "There are. Wherever the flood dragon head motif appears, the local climate gradually turns mild, produce becomes abundant, and disasters and calamities grow rare. None of this requires the expenditure of origin power; it is bestowed silently by Heaven, nourishing all things without a word." He Lingchuan reflected on this. Indeed, the land and water conditions of the Chipa Plateau where Panlong City stood were absurdly favorable, almost like a different world compared to the Panlong Wasteland. Grains and crops on the plateau yielded bumper harvests year after year; otherwise, how could it support so many people? He had originally assumed it was due to Zhong Shengguang channeling origin power, but never imagined it was a commendation from the Heavenly Dao, requiring no effort from the people themselves. Now, under Panlong City's jurisdiction, a second city favored by the Heavenly Dao had emerged. This also demonstrated from another angle that Wen Daolun and He Lingchuan's governance of Yuheng City had been remarkably successful. Zhong Shengguang smiled. "Here is Juxianzhuang. Today's meal is on me!" This was a joyous occasion worthy of celebration, and he would pay out of his own pocket. ... By the time He Lingchuan returned to his residence, the moon had climbed over the treetops. Being an injured man, Zhong Shengguang had forbidden him from drinking alcohol and sent him home to rest after a few courses. His guards escorted him to the courtyard gate and turned back. Just as He Lingchuan was about to push the door open, he saw Sun Fuling walking down the mountain path. She wore light yellow robes, fresh as frangipani blossoms blooming in spring. Her thick hair was gathered loosely at the back of her head with a simple wooden hairpin, plain and elegant yet full of lively grace. Viewing a beauty beneath the moonlight, her complexion was still somewhat pale, and He Lingchuan noticed she had slimmed down a little more. Seeing his right arm bound in a sling across his chest, her delicate brows knit slightly. "Just a trip to Baisha Bay, and you came back injured?" "While escorting our distinguished guest, we were ambushed by Fu Shanlie." That simple sentence made Sun Fuling's face blanch. Yet she didn't press for details; the fact that he was back here, standing before her, meant he had returned safe and sound. "Have you eaten?" "At Juxianzhuang. Commander Zhong treated, and I kept him company." Sun Fuling stepped right up to him, squinted her eyes, and sniffed him lightly a few times before saying with satisfaction: "Not bad. Not a trace of liquor."