After the Yan army entered the city, Second Prince Murong Ping, following Murong Yan’s instructions, ordered the Yan forces not to burn, kill, or plunder the common people, and promulgated Yan State’s new policies in Chang City.

The people kowtowed in gratitude for imperial grace, while the Wei State royal relatives who remained in Chang City… reluctant to leave Wei State’s former capital, were filled with resentment. They wanted to argue with Murong Ping, planning to use the support of Wei State’s old aristocratic families to threaten him, but they couldn’t even get an audience with Murong Ping.

The implementation of all new policies would damage the interests of the old aristocratic families. Back then… it was precisely because of this that after Empress Ji promoted new policies, Yan State was despised by the nobles of all nations.

When the rulers of various nations saw Yan State gradually growing stronger due to Empress Ji’s new policies… even becoming dominant and looking down upon all nations, the reason they couldn’t emulate Yan State was that those in power in each Kingdom lacked Empress Ji’s courage and dared not burn their bridges to contend with the aristocratic families.

The power of aristocratic families was deeply entrenched in the courts. The slightest carelessness could lead to the overthrow of imperial power. All nations had precedents of this, so since ancient times, when countries attempted reforms to strengthen themselves, they proceeded gradually, appearing weak and lacking stamina. More often, they failed due to pressure from aristocratic families, and the strong ministers and pioneers who promoted reforms in various countries mostly met tragic ends.

The reason Empress Ji’s reforms succeeded was because the circumstances provided the right time, place, and people.

But if other nations wanted to emulate this, without the reigning monarch’s determination to stake everything on one throw, without the courage to remain fearless even if imperial power was overthrown, it would be difficult to shake the old order in the slightest.

On the twenty-fourth of the same month, Second Prince Murong Ping finished organizing Wei State’s imperial palace and led his troops to respectfully welcome Yan Emperor Murong Yu into the city outside Chang City’s gates.

When Yan Emperor stepped into Wei State’s capital Chang City, this represented that the once-despised Yan State had now joined the ranks of powerful nations, announcing to all nations that Yan State had trampled the former powerhouse Wei State underfoot.

This also made Jin State and Xiliang newly wary of Yan State.

As one waxed, another waned—Yan State’s strength inevitably meant another nation’s decline.

Xiliang, which had once annexed small states and gradually shown signs of becoming a strong nation, had its elite forces of one hundred thousand slaughtered in the battle with Jin State’s southern frontier, followed by the chaos in Yun Capital, leading to national decline and military shortage. Even though the current Xiliang Empress was a wise ruler with extraordinary abilities, she still needed time to revitalize Xiliang.

With Great Yan about to destroy Wei first, and Jin State currently devouring Great Liang, this made Xiliang feel like it had thorns in its back, wanting to form alliances with the Rongdi and Jin State to jointly resist Yan State.

Half an hour before stepping into Chang City, Xiao Rongyan received news that the Xiliang Empress had sent envoys to the Rongdi, seeking to alliance.

However, the Xiliang Empress probably couldn’t imagine that Yan State had already signed a treaty with the Rongdi agreeing not to attack Xiliang for three years. Instead, it was the Rongdi and Jin States… who were restless, plotting to destroy Xiliang.

Today, Yan Emperor Murong Yu, dressed in ceremonial robes, was supported by Feng Yao as he slowly emerged from the great tent. Seeing Xiao Rongyan standing under the black bird and azure sparrow banner, who had just burned the secret report and casually tossed it into the water pool, he stood with hands behind his back… displaying the full bearing of a sovereign.

Murong Yu’s pale, bloodless lips curved slightly, his eyes filled with gentle, warm smiles.

Actually, Murong Yu had been bedridden for over half a month, but this time… as Yan Emperor, Murong Yu needed to enter Wei State’s imperial capital under the witness of the people, step into the imperial city—this held different significance.

He had to tell all nations that the Wei State… was now territory under his Yan State’s feet.

He had to tell Wei State’s subjects that heaven and earth had changed masters, and now he, Murong Yu, was their lord, their heaven!

He had to tell Wei State’s people and those aristocratic families that from now on, Wei State’s capital, Chang City’s imperial palace, would become his traveling palace, and he would use Yan State’s governing strategies to rule this new Yan territory.

Therefore, even though Murong Yu could barely hold on, he still supported himself with Feng Yao’s hand and stood up, wearing the extremely heavy jade twelve-tasseled crown, dressed in the most formal and intricately crafted imperial robes, with the imperial sword at his waist.

With every step, Murong Yu couldn’t help but gasp for breath. Just moving from the bed to the doorway, Murong Yu’s forehead was already covered in fine perspiration.

He forced himself to appear calm and composed, calling out: “A’Yan…”

Xiao Rongyan turned around and saw his elder brother, who usually struggled even to sit up, actually wearing the extremely heavy ceremonial robes and crown…

The brilliant, dazzling golden morning sun reflected on Murong Yu’s exquisitely beautiful features, seeming to add a layer of warmth to his pale, almost transparent complexion, making his complexion and mental state appear much better than yesterday.

“Elder brother…” Xiao Rongyan stepped toward Murong Yu, quickly supporting his other side, carefully observing him with smiling eyes. “Elder brother looks better today than yesterday.”

Not wanting his younger brother to worry, Murong Yu lowered his gaze and grasped his brother’s hand that was supporting him, smiling: “Yes, today we enter Wei’s capital. I’m in good spirits… and feeling more vigorous.”

Finally, a smile appeared at the corners of Xiao Rongyan’s lips. He also gripped his elder brother’s hand firmly, saying: “Elder brother will get better day by day! Yan State will also get better day by day!”

Murong Yu said: “Let’s go! Prepare to enter the city…”

Feng Yao summoned a four-horse war chariot, boarding first to extend his hand and help Murong Yu up.

Originally, Xiao Rongyan’s intention was for Murong Yu to simply ride in a carriage into the city, but Murong Yu felt that since this was to display Yan State’s national might and let the former Wei State’s people and aristocratic families know they had a new master, he should ride a war chariot into the city, letting them all clearly see who their master was.

Xiao Rongyan also understood that Murong Yu was doing this to intimidate those old aristocratic families who intended to negotiate terms, so he had to agree.

Murong Yu was pulled and supported onto the war chariot, gasping continuously, his hands gripping the bronze-wrapped handrails. Feng Yao quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Murong Yu’s face, his throat choking: “Master, why not ride in a carriage instead!”

Xiao Rongyan stood beside the war chariot, looking up at his elder brother who was forcing himself to endure, feeling indescribable emotions.

Murong Yu waved his hand, signaling Feng Yao not to wipe his sweat, and looked toward the deeply worried Xiao Rongyan with a smile: “A’Yan… come up!”

Hearing this, Feng Yao immediately stepped down from the war chariot and respectfully invited Xiao Rongyan to board. He nodded, lifted the hem of his long robe, and mounted the war chariot, supporting Murong Yu while asking in a low voice: “Does elder brother have something to entrust to me?”

Murong Yu smiled, raised his hand to grasp Xiao Rongyan’s hand, gripping it firmly. Under the golden light, his eyes were filled with gentle, tender radiance as he spoke with determination: “You and I, two brothers, will ride into the city together.”

Xiao Rongyan’s brow furrowed slightly: “Elder brother, the Wei State nobles have all seen Xiao Rongyan!”

Yesterday, I received news that Xie Xun has already reached Weishu City. The destruction of Wei is imminent—it’s time to return your name to you.” Murong Yu wanted to entrust the Yan State, which was still striving forward, to his younger brother Murong Yan. “At this moment, elder brother needs you standing by his side!”

Because he knew his younger brother’s aspirations and capabilities. With him there… he could lead Yan State to unification. With him there… he could create a prosperous age of mountains and rivers.