Several years ago, Great Yuan had restructured its official system, followed by reversals and adjustments, leaving the administrative hierarchy somewhat chaotic even now. Even so, an Area Command remained the supreme local authority, responsible for wielding both military-administrative command and civil governance with a firm hand. If the Regional Inspector of Jinzhou were to see his former subordinate now, he would surely seethe with envy and jealousy.
He Lingchuan had never imagined that his father, who had languished in obscurity for so long, would suddenly skyrocket through the ranks.
The leap was simply enormous.
Foiling the rebels' plot to seize the Dafang Pot and subverting their scheme against the imperial army—that was one immense merit.
Executing Sun Fuping was the second immense merit.
The post of National Preceptor had always been held by someone of unmatched loyalty to the sovereign and supreme supernatural abilities, someone capable of swaying the kingdom's very dynastic fortune. Thus, Sun Fuping's betrayal had been a heavy blow to the Yuan Kingdom, directly rattling the resolve of both army and populace.
Not to mention, who knew how many earth-shattering secrets he harbored? Leaking even one or two would probably shake the world.
Around power and rule, how many shameful, dirty secrets lurked in the shadows? Left to the vivid imaginations of the common folk, they could fabricate dozens of scandalous dramas and stage a new one every day without repeating.
With Sun Fuping dead, a massive weight was lifted from the monarch's heart, and he could finally sleep more peacefully at night.
He Chunhua had seen this clearly; that was why he had fought tooth and nail to claim both merits.
"We're still far from reaching the heavens, but it is indeed a major step forward!" Though He Chunhua spoke with casual modesty, the ruddy glow on his face betrayed the true turmoil of excitement in his heart. "Xiazhou isn't wealthy, but its location is crucial. It's much closer to the capital—far closer than Jinzhou or Qiansong Commandery, at least."
The closer one was to the heartland, the more attention one received. Tucked away in Qiansong Commandery as they had been, they were stranded on a remote frontier cursed with bitter cold, blistering heat, and sheer barrenness—a place no true dignitary would deign to approach.
It was precisely because of its miserable conditions that the Emperor banished criminals here for hard labor, just as He Chunhua had been in years past.
He Lingchuan offered his congratulations repeatedly.
Whatever the case, Xiazhou was undeniably in a better location than Jinzhou, or his father wouldn't be grinning from ear to ear. Besides, an Area Command wielded tremendous local authority; to say it covered the sky with one hand would hardly be an exaggeration.
The big tree backing him had grown thicker and sturdier, making leaning on it far more comfortable and pleasant. Excellent, very excellent.
"Also, Nian Zanli has rebelled." He Chunhua's smile faded slightly. "He raised troops in Xunzhou in support of the Grand Marshal."
He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow and looked over at He Yue.
*Well? Nailed it, didn't I?*
He Yue, however, said, "No wonder the royal court rushed to appoint you as Area Commander of Xiazhou. They want you on the front lines to fight, and fast."
"The former Area Commander of Xiazhou passed away of illness three months ago during his tenure. With the royal court preoccupied with the war, the post was left vacant," He Chunhua nodded. "You're right. The authorities recognized my merits in eliminating border bandits, repelling foreign foes, and promoting agriculture and trade. They want me to march north to confront the enemy and put down Nian Zanli's rebellion."
He rubbed his hands together in excitement. "At last, I can leave Blackwater City and legitimately spread my wings!"
Merit was hard to earn in times of peace; only troubled times forged great figures.
He had possessed no shortage of grand ambitions, yet he had remained confined to the remote frontier of Qiansong Commandery. Abandoning one's post was a capital offense, but now with a single transfer order from the royal court, he could finally enter the passes by imperial decree and realize his aspirations.
How many years had he waited for such an unprecedented opportunity!
He Lingchuan asked in curiosity, "If they want you to march north to face the enemy, you still need troops. You've only just been appointed—will the local soldiers in Xiazhou obey you?"
Without knowing their backgrounds or loyalties, there was no telling if they were capable or useless.
"The backbone will naturally be drawn from Blackwater City. I will build my own core cadre first."
"Uh, aren't the Blackwater City troops supposed to guard the border? If they get redeployed..."
"Our relations with the western states are peaceful at the moment, and the wild sand season won't end anytime soon. With the Panlong Desert acting as a natural barrier, there will be no border troubles for at least three to four months. The royal court took this into account as well," He Chunhua said with a smile. "We will lead our detachment north first. The commandery's assistant governor will temporarily oversee Blackwater City's affairs, and he will recruit and fill vacancies in the city guard. There's no need for us to worry."
He paused, looking at his two sons. "The war is urgent, and I must select men to head north. You two should make preparations. We depart in three days."
Madam Ying smiled and said, "We are hosting a banquet tomorrow evening. Yue'er, come help write the invitations; they must all be delivered before tomorrow morning. Lingchuan, you help deliver them when the time comes."
Both sons agreed. He Lingchuan had already finished two large bowls of thin noodles in mutton broth and devoured a plate of scallion-pork potstickers. Wiping his mouth, he stepped out of the side hall alongside He Yue.
Laughter and cheerful chatter drifted from behind; it had been a long time since the He couple had been so joyful.
After walking a dozen paces, He Yue finally exhaled a long breath. "Sure enough, as soon as word of our killing Nian Songyu spread in the capital, Nian Zanli rebelled."
He Lingchuan laughed. "Don't shoulder the blame. If Nian Zanli had no intention of rebelling, why would he send Nian Songyu to claim the Dafang Pot? Father merely... gave him a nudge."
"He harbors a blood feud with us for his son's death, and soon we'll clash on the battlefield. When enemies meet, their eyes will be red with hatred."
He Lingchuan asked, "How much do you know about the war in the north?"
"After the Grand Marshal retreated to Wuzhou, he won two consecutive victories and morale surged, until he was checked by Wei Ao twelve days ago and lost a senior general. As for the Governor of Xunzhou, all we know is that he firmly supports the Grand Marshal. Alas, we're too far away, so our intelligence is already stale."
He Lingchuan smiled. "This time you'll get to go north and broaden your horizons."
"This day was bound to come sooner or later. I'm ready." He Yue looked at his elder brother. "What about you?"
"Me?" He Lingchuan replied nonchalantly. "What do I need to prepare?"
"Brother, you've practiced martial arts for years. Don't you want to seek a post in the military?" He Yue said softly. "Only military merit brings promotion. Look at the prominent figures across Great Yuan today—which one among them lacks illustrious military achievements?"
An official post? He Lingchuan felt a momentary blur. His predecessor had been rather clueless about such things and had made no plans. Yet now that the He family was moving into Great Yuan's heartland, no longer content with languishing in an isolated corner, where did He Lingchuan's future path lie?
Continuing as a spoiled scion wasn't out of the question, but...
He inexplicably recalled his dream from last night—that battlefield where hot blood and terror coexisted, where hope and despair intertwined.
If he also marched off to the northern front, would he have to experience that kind of warfare? Only this time, it would be for real.
"You're right." He fell silent for a moment. "I'll think about it."
The brothers parted ways to attend to their own affairs.
He Yue watched his brother's retreating back, feeling that something about him had changed.
Just a gut feeling, impossible to put into words.
...
Taking advantage of the post-meal rest, He Lingchuan had someone bring out an archery target and nail it up in the training grounds, along with a heavy bow, a one-handed crossbow, and a supply of arrows and bolts.
Soon, everything was ready.
Previously, he had treated martial training merely as a pastime, almost entirely neglecting ranged marksmanship. But his journey into the Panlong Desert had made him realize it was best to patch up his weak spots as quickly as possible.
He gripped the heavy bow, aimed, and released.
His predecessor had possessed extraordinary strength since childhood and later trained in martial arts; reinforced with true qi, he could draw a six-dan heavy bow. Of course, a three-dan bow was more than enough for daily practice; channeling true qi would only tear up the target unnecessarily.
Chapter 94