Loyal Military Official

“You… what is your name?”

When the deity spoke, Wang Yitong began crying in the Buddhist hall. Seeing fierce and menacing soldiers all around him, he hastily wiped away his tears and put on a fawning smile to curry favor.

Pitiful and pathetic—perhaps his burst of anger wasn’t fierce enough, or perhaps he was simply not born to be a bandit. In any case, the head of the Wang household who charged toward the mountain gate didn’t rob a single coin, but was instead kicked down by a monk from Hongluo Temple and immediately apprehended for legal proceedings.

Hongluo Temple was filled with gathered officials—not only was the Commander of the Banner Guards present, but even Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Justice was there. Wang Yitong was detained and brought into the temple for immediate interrogation. He knelt on the ground, looking up in fear, and saw a high official sitting before him. The man had a square, dignified face and was much older than himself. Wang Yitong noticed he wore an iron gauntlet on his right hand, which bore mottled rust stains completely unsuitable for someone of such high palace rank.

“You…” The official leaned forward, his iron hand gently stroking Wang Yitong’s back: “What is your name?”

When the official spoke again, Wang Yitong lowered his head and stole a glance at the man. He saw that the iron-handed man’s gaze was not cold, but seemed like his long-deceased father looking at his poor son who had done wrong—both pitying and worried…

“Bold bandit! Quickly confess everything truthfully!” Just as little Wang was in a daze, someone slapped his cheek hard. He jolted awake and frantically said: “Spare my life, sir! My wife and children are still waiting for me to come home. Please quickly release me…”

“Even farts need to have some substance!” The Commander of the Banner Guards jumped forward. He was so angry his eyes flashed with golden stars as he roared: “Don’t you understand yet? You’re finished! Finished for life! On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first month in the eleventh year of Zhengtong, a criminal emerged from Hongluo Temple. He neither covered his face nor had accomplices—holding a steel blade, he single-handedly attempted robbery. This person not only openly robbed, but robbed the incense money of Buddhist monks! This isn’t just touching upon crime—it’s creating evil karma! Such a mad criminal is rarely seen in this world, frightening all the surrounding common people who jumped up and jointly beat him, nearly killing him. This person should spend at least ten to eight years in prison, yet he still thinks about going home?”

Hearing the charges against him, Wang Yitong regretted his actions deeply, knowing he would never see his wife, children, and elderly mother again. He covered his face and wept bitterly, crying: “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I know I was wrong—please forgive me this once! This humble person will never dare again!” Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Justice yawned and shook his head: “This fellow is truly annoying. Don’t waste words with him—beat him once so he’ll sign his confession earlier.”

At the Ministry of Justice minister’s command, the officials looked like wolves and the clerks like tigers, all with fierce expressions ready to beat him severely. But then came a sharp shout, and the iron-handed man stood up, glaring at Minister Zhao and saying coldly: “Forgetting I’m here?”

Wearing a precious blue robe with yellow trim, a four-clawed golden dragon belt around his waist, and a lion embroidered on his chest with dignify dragon eyes, the iron-handed man spread open his official robe, displaying the bearing of a powerful minister and frightening away all the wolf-like and tiger-like officials.

Those wearing yellow robes as great power ministers—since the founding of the dynasty, only two surnames could do so: one surnamed Song, one surnamed Jiang. Now there was a new surname added—one, two, three, four, five, Wu Zixu’s Wu, Dingyuan’s Ding, humble person’s Yuan. Wu Dingyuan, the current Grand Commander of the Zhengtong Dynasty, the supreme commander of the Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army—just by staring at Minister Zhao’s face, he frightened him into a dramatic change of expression. Zhao hastily grabbed the accompanying审官 beside him and sternly said: “You pig-like Clerk Xu! I’ve repeatedly warned and ordered you not to use private torture anymore! How has this old bad habit returned?”

That Clerk Xu had originally been half-dozing with half-closed eyes, never expecting to become a scapegoat. His face turned green then red as he hastily grabbed another person beside him and sternly said: “You pig-like Clerk Wang! Instead of properly questioning the suspect, you’re busy beating people? Are you still fit to be a court official?”

All those surnamed Wang have bad luck. That Clerk Wang opened his mouth wide and looked around bewildered. Seeing his subordinates had fled far away, he could only raise his hand and vigorously slap his own face while cursing: “Pig-like Clerk Wang… like a pig!”

The official arena is like a theater stage—who plays the red-faced hero and who plays the white-nosed clown cannot be confused. The officials became monkeys, which made Wang Yitong laugh heartily. But his laughter didn’t last long—thinking of his own situation, he began crying again.

“Don’t cry…” Just as he was about to wipe his tears, that iron hand had already reached over, patting his back in comfort: “With me here, you’ll definitely receive a fair trial.” The iron-handed man appeared honest and upright, built like an imperial cat, resembling the Southern Hero or Dragon Diagram Lord Bao—clearly a righteous person. Hearing his comfort, Wang Yitong nodded vigorously with tears in his eyes.

“Someone come.” The iron-handed man gave a look, and two military officers quickly stepped forward, bringing over a bundle. Wang Yitong looked down and saw the bundle wrapped in oilcloth, layer upon layer, though he didn’t know what was inside. Fear filled his heart, and he was about to ask when the iron-handed man had already taken the bundle and said gently: “Don’t be afraid, good boy. I just want you to carefully look at this thing… come… don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”

Layer after layer of oilcloth was unwrapped, and finally light emanated from within. Inside the oilcloth bundle lay a blade—quiet and resentful, like a corpse lying motionless, waiting for its master to come identify the body.

Wang Yitong shuddered violently and dared not make a sound. The iron hand patted his shoulder and said gently: “Come, I just want you to recognize this blade. Look carefully… is this your thing?”

The sincere and gentle tone made Wang Yitong feel even more uncomfortable. Though he wanted to deny it, he didn’t want to deceive the iron-handed man. In his hesitation and fear, he finally admitted tearfully: “In response to your honor… I… I recognize this blade. This is the one I… I… used when robbing… that blade…”

Wang Yitong covered his face with both hands, but before he could finish speaking, Minister Zhao casually grabbed the wooden fish from the offering table, using it as a gavel and slamming it down heavily, sternly saying: “Someone come! Both human and material evidence are complete—no room for denial! Force him to sign! Take him to prison!”

Wang Yitong’s soul flew beyond the heavens. He had thought honesty was paramount, but who knew that confessing would be taken as admitting guilt! He immediately cried out: “No! No! I haven’t finished speaking! That blade isn’t my possession! I’ve been wronged!”

Hearing the scoundrel change his story, Minister Zhao’s anger flared as he roared: “Nonsense! Wasn’t this the blade you used when robbing? Speak!”

Wang Yitong cried: “Yes, yes, but… but this blade truly isn’t my possession…”

Minister Zhao grew more annoyed and furious: “Nonsense! First it’s yours, then it isn’t! Clearly sophistry! Someone come! Severe torture! Beat him until he confesses!”

Just as torture instruments were about to be brought out and the common people cried and wailed in the chaos, a cold snort was heard: “Hmm?”

The Grand Commander’s dignified gaze swept across the entire scene, frightening all officials into silence. Wang Yitong crawled over crying and desperately kowtowed to the iron hand: “Sir, please believe me! This blade truly isn’t mine—I was framed by someone. Believe me… please believe me…”

The scoundrel’s persistent entanglement was extremely annoying. Minister Zhao said: “My lord, don’t listen to this commoner’s nonsense. We finally have complete human and material evidence—let’s close this case quickly…”

The Grand Commander said indifferently: “You think he’s talking nonsense?” Minister Zhao gave a dry laugh, but before he could speak, the Grand Commander casually grabbed the steel blade and threw it directly toward Minister Zhao’s face.

The flying blade frightened Minister Zhao out of his wits. Just as he was about to shriek in terror, he saw the steel blade inexplicably spin and fly up, then fall straight down with a light “thud,” the blade tip偏斜 and inserting precisely into the table, allowing Minister Zhao to see clearly.

Only now did all the officials carefully observe this blade. They saw it was four and a half feet long with a thick back and narrow edge, extremely heavy—almost impossible to hold with one hand. Judging by its weight, this blade was definitely not a kitchen knife for cooking—it was meant to kill things larger than chickens and ducks.

Things larger than chickens and ducks… cattle? Sheep? Pigs? Or… or…

In the midst of horror, the iron hand reached over and pointed at the grip. This allowed everyone to see the circular guard.

What kind of blade needs a guard? Minister Zhao gasped and said tremulously: “This… this is a military saber.”

Blades requiring guards don’t kill things waiting to be slaughtered on cutting boards, but things that fight back. Needless to say, this blade kills people—only people… would desperately resist.

Only now did everyone understand why the Grand Commander of the Five Armies, despite his busy daily affairs, personally came to examine the criminal. This case wasn’t just ordinary—it didn’t only involve criminal matters, but likely military ones as well.

In the silence, the Grand Commander squatted beside the commoner again and said gently: “Tell me where this blade came from. Was it stolen?”

Military sabers aren’t kitchen knives—commoners definitely can’t buy them. The Grand Commander, worthy of his background as a constable, immediately asked the key question with his first words.

Wang Yitong desperately shook his head and cried: “Sir! How would this humble person dare steal a blade? This blade isn’t mine—someone else gave it to me! Woo woo…”

The Grand Commander comforted him: “Don’t cry. Who gave you this blade? Do you remember?”

“I remember! I remember!” Wang Yitong shouted: “This blade was thrown to me by a big man. His hair was mostly white, his eyebrows drooped like white-eyed tigers, and… and his left foot seemed fake, made of wrought iron…”

“It’s him!” All the officials and clerks jumped up in fright upon hearing this. While everyone else was terrified, the iron-handed man showed no alarm. He merely squinted and asked indifferently: “Where did you encounter him?”

Wang Yitong lowered his head and choked out: “Right… right at the mountain gate of Hongluo Temple.”

Upon hearing this, Minister Zhao was the first to let out a piercing shriek, immediately diving under the offering table and colliding with Clerk Xu. The two high officials fought over territory while other officials scattered in all directions, each seeking cover.

Wang Yitong was also startled and said tremblingly: “What… what? Is that iron-footed monster… Genghis Khan?”

Genghis Khan had long died, but his prestige lived on in the Central Plains. So whenever common people encountered demonic prestige, these four characters would slip from their tongues. But at this moment, the soldiers in the hall who heard the Mongol war god’s name only smiled bitterly, as if they would rather face Genghis Khan in battle than encounter the iron-footed monster.

Was Genghis Khan frightening? Those who had been to the northwestern front understood that this person merely had fierce troops and horses but wasn’t truly fearsome. Sun Wu said: “Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. Next best is to disrupt his alliances. The next best is to attack his army. The worst is to besiege walled cities.” No matter how martial Genghis Khan was, he at most understood attacking armies and besieging cities, but his cannons could bombard China’s Great Wall yet could never breach the heart-defenses of the Central Plains people. As long as the distinction between Chinese and barbarians existed for even one day, the Great Wall in people’s hearts remained. Even if the real Great Wall collapsed, the court wouldn’t fall.

Unlike Genghis Khan, the reason the “Fury King” was terrifying wasn’t because of fierce martial arts or powerful troops. This person was difficult precisely because he carried a certain “disease”—even the war god Genghis Khan would have to retreat upon encountering it.

About eight years ago, that strange disease emerged. At that time, the court first deployed armies to the northwest. A million troops battled at Tongguan, defeating the fury bandits into complete rout. Subsequently, reinforcements from various routes continuously arrived—cart after cart of provisions was requisitioned, and common people after common people were assigned as military laborers. Eventually, four million able-bodied men were mobilized as soldiers. The military grandeur was unprecedented—even a collective sneeze from the entire army could震死 the bandits. As a result, in that same year when the weather turned cold—perhaps from too much sneezing—a strange disease truly erupted throughout Gansu.

On the seventeenth day of the eighth month in the second year of Zhengtong, the strange disease quietly arrived. No one could say what kind of disease it was—they only knew it lurked very quietly but erupted extremely fiercely. At that time, all those infected were civilian laborers. They quietly gathered before the military camp, appearing normal—neither coughing nor suffering from colds, showing no external symptoms whatsoever. But when the court ordered them to kneel, they discovered all their knees were ruined. No matter how much the officials and soldiers beat them, they simply couldn’t kneel… Finally, they cried and shouted, madly rushing toward the commander’s tent with all their strength to reclaim the provisions the court had requisitioned. The military camp became a sea of fire, and everything west of Tongguan fell into enemy hands within three days.

After this great battle, famous generals throughout the realm understood that the world’s most brilliant military strategy wasn’t about attacking plans or disrupting alliances—even winning through superior numbers wasn’t necessarily the path to victory. Because the Fury King had thus proclaimed to all beings under heaven… “In confrontation between two armies, attacking the heart is supreme!”

Over ten years, wherever Iron Foot passed, evil poison scattered and the strange disease spread. When slaves contracted the disease, they struck their masters. When criminals contracted it, they killed jailers. Even gentle concubines, once infected, dared to take knives and cut off their masters’ vital parts. Eventually, the plague spread wider and the fury bandits killed more, forcing the court to issue prohibitions strictly forbidding commoners from mentioning demonic names like “Fury King” or “The Lame One”—otherwise this great war would never end…

“Help!” Thinking of Qin Zhonghai’s terror, the officials in the hall fled crying for help as if tigers had charged into the hall. When court officials lose composure, one can only look to the actions of the Zhengtong army. Military boots rang out as a staff officer stepped forward and sternly said: “To destroy the Zhengtong Dynasty, who must first be defeated?”

“The Zhengtong Army!” All generals roused their spirits and roared toward heaven.

That officer’s eyes blazed as he sternly said: “To defeat the Zhengtong Army, who must first be defeated?”

All generals roared as one: “The True Dragon of a Generation!”

“Gentlemen!” That staff officer said solemnly: “As long as our Zhengtong Army commander sits in command here, even if the enemy is Genghis Khan, what do we have to fear?”

These words rang with force, greatly boosting the generals’ morale as they loudly responded—to topple the Zhengtong Dynasty, one must first break through the Zhengtong Army titled “Steadfast Loyalty,” and to make the seven hundred thousand strong Zhengtong Army vanish into smoke, one must defeat the entire army’s spiritual标杆 banner, the “True Dragon of a Generation.” For Qin Zhonghai to throw the realm into chaos, he must pass this hurdle.

The generals who followed the Grand Commander had long regarded death as returning home, without complaint or regret. With such firm resolve, they naturally weren’t afraid of the fury bandits’ psychological warfare. Seeing his subordinates standing proudly like steel lions, Wu Dingyuan, as commander of the Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army, naturally had to speak. He took a deep breath and ordered: “Xiong Jun, Jiao Sheng.”

“Subordinates present!” Military boots thundered as two officers responded and saluted with cupped fists, appearing quite spirited.

Wu Dingyuan removed his Zhengtong command token: “You two take my command tablet to the loyalist army camp and borrow three thousand iron cavalry, each equipped with an iron shield, to garrison along Red Snail Mountain.”

Upon receiving orders, Xiong Jun and Jiao Sheng quickly departed. Wu Dingyuan continued: “Gong Zhi, immediately go notify His Majesty’s escorts and ask them to immediately deploy the firearms squad to strictly protect His Majesty.”

With firearms squads in formation, even if the Fury King wanted to directly storm the forbidden grounds, he’d likely be shot full of holes. Having made arrangements, the Grand Commander restored quiet to the hall. Minister Zhao and Clerk Xu crawled out from under the offering table and said frantically: “My lord, what… what exactly is happening? Didn’t you… didn’t you just win a victory at Xiangyang?”

Wu Dingyuan waved his hand: “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” He gave the vicious blade to his subordinate and squatted before Wang Yitong again, quietly looking at him.

The commoner before him was very helpless—just an insignificant small person. But precisely because of his humble smallness, his every action and thought could reveal the spiritual orientation of hundreds of millions of common people throughout the realm.

As commander of the Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army, Wu Dingyuan understood better than anyone that this ten-year great war the court was fighting wasn’t about northwestern or southwestern territory, nor about three or five strategic passes. Both sides relied solely on one word: “righteousness.” Whoever’s reasoning was “correct” could win the hearts of all people and win this ten-year great war.

The Grand Commander stared speechlessly, as if worrying for the commoner. Wang Yitong couldn’t help but hope again, saying tremulously: “Great… great sir, may I go home?”

Wang Yitong was fantasizing again. Minister Zhao, full of anger with nowhere to vent, heard this criminal still clamoring about going home and was about to open his mouth to scold harshly. But the Grand Commander stopped him. In the silence, with compassionate light in his eyes, he said softly: “In sentiment, I want to release you.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yitong was naturally overjoyed while Minister Zhao frantically lamented. Before either could speak, the Grand Commander sighed and said quietly: “In principle… you carried a blade to rob—the national law cannot tolerate this…”

Wang Yitong felt thunderstruck and cried: “The national law cannot tolerate… then… then I won’t…”

The Grand Commander said quietly: “I’m sorry. There’s no way I can help you.”

Hearing the Grand Commander speak thus, Wang Yitong couldn’t help but cry like rain, while Old Zhao cupped his hands and smiled: “The Commander is wise!”

The way to govern a country lies in fairness. Though Wang Yitong before him appeared pitiful, he had carried a blade to rob—this couldn’t be overlooked through favoritism. If the Grand Commander himself didn’t uphold law, when news spread in the future, with people sharing the same heart and officials the same principles, wouldn’t the nation’s legal system waver? Wouldn’t law-abiding citizens complain loudly?

Seeing the Grand Commander silent and hanging his head, Little Wang knew there was no hope and only cried with lowered head. Minister Zhao raised his voice and roared: “Someone come! Take this fellow to prison—tomorrow morning we’ll open court to determine his guilt!”

Seeing officials approaching with cold sneers, the Grand Commander suddenly raised his iron hand and said through gritted teeth: “Wait, wait again. Let me think once more.”

The Ministry of Justice, Censorate, and Court of Judicial Review were collectively called the Three Legal Departments. Wu Dingyuan, with his constable background, was familiar with law and naturally knew Wang Yitong’s fate once sent to the Ministry of Justice.

Gathering crowds to take to the mountains: death. Using violence to seize wealth: death. Wang Yitong’s blade robbery was a serious crime. Once in court for trial, at minimum he’d be exiled to the frontier to be a slave for life; at worst, he’d be dragged to the executioner’s block for immediate beheading. “Governing chaotic times requires harsh laws” to prevent problems before they arise. This was the dynasty’s established severe punishment system, and Wu Dingyuan, with decades in government service, naturally understood the reasoning.

What to do? There was no need now to discuss grand theories of governing the country or great causes of saving the people. The situation before him was simple: once Wang Yitong entered prison, eight or nine times out of ten he would die. But did he deserve to die? Wu Dingyuan squinted, looking at that wailing commoner, his iron hand stroking his iron face, gritting his teeth in bitter thought.

To exonerate Wang Yitong wouldn’t be difficult. With just one word, learning Jiang Chong’s bureaucratic techniques, Minister Zhao would definitely give him face, and the other officials would obediently listen. If he didn’t want to corrupt legal governance, he still had Zhuo Lingzhao’s cold example—just close his eyes and turn deaf ears to the crying. In the future, it would be the Three Legal Departments killing Wang Yitong, having nothing to do with himself.

What to do? What to do? Should he use official position as pressure? Or… or should he ignore it?

When young with humble position, encountering injustice he would just fill with righteous indignation and curse loudly at corrupt officials above. But ten years later, that surnamed Jiang above had long disappeared, and when it was the turn of one surnamed Wu to be in charge, he realized the difficulty involved.

“In government service, one can cultivate virtue well.” Wu Dingyuan had previously commanded with determination and utmost clarity, but now his gaze seemed confused. Sometimes he looked at the struggling commoner, sometimes he closed his eyes in hesitation. Wang Yitong knew his fate depended entirely on this person’s single thought, so he could only wipe his red eyes and constantly drink back tears. The other officials had iron-gray faces, all waiting for the Commander’s judgment.

“In sentiment I don’t want to arrest you, in principle… I shouldn’t release you… between sentiment and principle… between sentiment and principle…”

On this Lantern Festival flower-moon night, in the quiet Buddhist hall, the iron hand was seen picking up and putting down, putting down and picking up. Even for this “Tianshan Inheritor,” noble as a true dragon, this burden seemed to weigh ten thousand pounds and was truly difficult to bear.

“My lord, sir…” After an unknown time, Minister Zhao was first to smile bitterly: “If you continue agonizing like this, even by next year’s Lantern Festival there’ll be no resolution…”

Wu Dingyuan stared in bewilderment. He raised his iron hand to cover his forehead, also blocking his vision.

“Someone come!” The Grand Commander gave up resistance, and Old Zhao immediately got to work: “Take this person back to the Ministry of Justice! Tomorrow we’ll open court to determine guilt!”

“No! No!” Amid piercing cries, large numbers of officials surged forward and immediately seized Wang Yitong. They heard him shriek: “Spare me! Spare me! I cannot die! My children are still small! Ah! Have mercy!”

Little Wang was dragged away, but his mouth continued to wail loudly. Wu Dingyuan heard the words “children” and suddenly shuddered, gasping: “Slow…”

The Grand Commander spoke again, seemingly about to change his mind again. Minister Zhao smiled bitterly: “My lord! Forget it! This is a case for Zhao’s Ministry of Justice—it has nothing to do with you!”

The Grand Commander paid no attention. He walked before Wang Yitong and said through gritted teeth and held-back tears: “I… I haven’t asked you yet—you were a good citizen, why did you resort to robbery?”

“Three taels of silver!” Upon hearing this, Wang Yitong immediately burst into loud sobs. He knelt on both knees, hugged the Grand Commander’s legs, and cried out miserably: “Three taels of silver! I only sought three taels of silver! But in all of Beijing, no one would pay attention to me! Woo woo! Woo woo!”

The Grand Commander’s eyes reddened. He looked at Wang Yitong and quietly ordered: “Someone come! Bring my Zhengtong Army grain tickets.”

The crowd parted and the provisions officer slowly stepped forward. He took out a stack of grain tickets from his chest and handed them to his superior’s iron hand.

“By order of the Five Armies Grand Commander’s Office to all prefectures and counties: these tickets are worth one shi of white rice each. Exchange grain upon presenting tickets. Counterfeiters will be beheaded.”

These vouchers came from the Five Armies Grand Commander’s Office and circulated within Zhengtong Army camps. One could exchange them for rice at market price at any garrison. The Grand Commander took the grain tickets and stuffed them all into the commoner’s palm, saying softly: “When your family visits you in prison, remember to give these tickets to them.”

Wang Yitong frantically counted and was shocked to discover thirty tickets in his hand. At that time white rice was expensive—one shi cost three taels and two qian of silver. These thirty tickets were equivalent to receiving one hundred taels of silver.

Wang Yitong was delighted holding this gift, his heart very happy. This gamble with his life had finally earned big money for his family—with the whole family living frugally, it would last several years. He chuckled, about to thank the kind Grand Commander, but inexplicably two streams of tears disobeyed orders and rolled down his cheeks.

His heart understood clearly: having received the money, it was time to die. From now on, his wife would have no husband, his children would lose their father, and his old mother would have to bury her son. Wang Yitong couldn’t say that word “thank you”—he could only kiss the grain tickets as tears pattered down, wetting the exquisite printing on the tickets.

“Take him away!” The scene was tragic as large numbers of officers surged forward and dragged Wang Yitong away. At the moment of parting, the commoner turned his head back with all his strength and shouted loudly: “Sir! Thank you! On behalf of my whole family, I thank you! You are the best, best good person in the world!”

He still said those two words: thank you. Wang Yitong was ultimately an honest person. The Grand Commander didn’t want to look at his expression and only turned his face toward the screen wall, speechless.

The crying gradually faded as the criminal was finally taken away. The officials relaxed and were about to speak when they heard a sob from within the hall—seemingly from Commander Wu. The officials looked over to see Lord Wu facing the screen wall, his broad shoulders trembling constantly, his iron hand tightly gripping his forehead and constantly pulling. Perhaps this was how his forehead became bald.

Minister Zhao said in shock: “My lord, are you… are you alright?” He tiptoed slowly toward the Grand Commander, about to look at his expression when he suddenly heard a tragic wail—the Commander gritted his teeth in such sorrowful crying…

“Eighty-three!”

Eighty-three? Could there be eighty-four, eighty-five? The officials were full of wonder, looking at each other bewildered, not knowing what mystery lay in these words. The situation grew worse. Minister Zhao was first to realize and hurriedly said: “Gentlemen, this humble official has some private matters and must leave first—see you at the rain prayer ceremony in a while…”

Seeing things were seriously amiss, who dared look at the Grand Commander longer? Minister Zhao was clever and naturally wanted to slip away. Just as he started to move, a staff officer unexpectedly grabbed him and whispered: “Sir, regarding the commotion just now, please be sure to…”

Seeing the staff officer raise his finger to his lips in a silencing gesture, Minister Zhao’s heart trembled, knowing the whereabouts of the fury demon were unknown but he seemed to have appeared in Beijing—this absolutely must not be publicized. He hurriedly said: “Yes, yes. Zhao will definitely keep silent.”

Minister Zhao left, and the officials also took their leave one by one. In the vast hall, only the Commander sat alone with several staff officers attending beside him, listening to his lips murmur indistinctly—he seemed to say a few more words, but they couldn’t understand clearly.

The Grand Commander was always like this. His martial arts were outstanding and his nature steady—even in battlefields surrounded by enemies on all sides, he could calmly respond and lead his subordinates to carve out a bloody path. But whenever he returned to the capital and entered the jurisdiction of the “Three Legal Departments,” he always seemed like he had fought a great defeat and couldn’t raise his head for half the day. The staff officers had served in the army for a long time and naturally knew their superior’s temperament. For a moment, they could neither advise nor not advise—they could only sigh here.

It was well known that under Longshou Commander there were four staff officers: the “Provisions Officer” named Cen Yan, the “Banner Officer” called Yan Feng, and another “Orders Officer” Gao Jiong. These three each had their strengths—some could deploy troops and generals, some excelled at extraordinary strategies and献策, but when it came to consoling their superior with words, they fell far short. Seeing the Grand Commander in low spirits, they could only stand there suffering.

In the midst of their troubles, they heard footsteps as someone entered from outside the hall. When the generals saw this person’s face, they all cried out joyfully: “Master Gong! You’ve returned!”

One of the four great staff officers of the Zhengtong Army was Gong Zhi from Changzhou. As soon as he entered and saw the desolate atmosphere in the hall with not a single official or clerk remaining—only his superior sitting alone—Gong Zhi’s heart trembled as he hurriedly asked: “What happened? Was that commoner taken into custody?” Gong Zhi was meticulous and guessed the general situation in just a few words. The staff officers could only smile bitterly and nod. Gong Zhi sighed deeply: “This is troublesome…”

Indeed it was troublesome. In confrontation between two armies, attacking the heart is supreme. To defeat the “True Dragon of a Generation,” one couldn’t rely solely on martial prowess but had to grasp his character. If they could force him into confusion, not knowing what he was fighting for, half the battle would already be won.

Qin Zhonghai was a cunning man who had confused the Grand Commander countless times over the past ten years. Recalling Wang Yitong’s clear testimony, everyone worried about Qin Zhonghai’s movements and felt deeply troubled. Gao Jiong whispered: “Master Gong, if Qin Zhonghai really comes… does the Grand Commander have a way to restrain him?” Gong Zhi sighed: “Don’t talk about that now. Yan Feng, go fetch a basin of water. I’ll serve the Commander by helping him wash his face.” Yan Feng, nicknamed “Fourth Fire,” was the youngest of the four staff officers. Upon hearing the elder brother’s instruction, he immediately assented and left.

In the vast hall, only Wu Dingyuan sat alone. This man had been taciturn since youth, and now that he was older, once he fell silent, his image became only more stern, making people instinctively afraid. The staff officers felt cold in their hearts and all looked toward Gong Zhi, hoping he would quickly step forward to console him.

In the Zhengtong Army, everyone came from the battlefield except for Gong Zhi. He had previously been a clerk in a government office, never leading troops for a single day, understanding neither military affairs nor strategy. But precisely because of his background, whenever they went on campaign, he always bore the most crucial responsibility. In confrontation between two armies, attacking the heart is supreme—he had to consolidate the Zhengtong Army’s psychological defenses. From the Grand Commander to the common soldiers, whenever anyone felt confused, it fell to this chief staff officer to act. Gong Zhi knew this burdensome task was unavoidable. He first straightened his clothing from top to bottom, then approached his superior and bowed: “Commander, your subordinate has returned.” Wu Dingyuan’s gaze still looked toward the ground without responding. Everyone understood clearly—with the “Tianshan Inheritor’s” martial prowess, how could he possibly not hear Gong Zhi’s words? Needless to say, at this moment his heart was dead with despair—he didn’t want to manage anything anymore.

The staff officers secretly groaned, fearing that even Gong Zhi couldn’t persuade him. Gao Jiong whispered: “Master Gong, I see the Commander’s expression is wrong. Why don’t I go invite Madam over to let her persuade the Commander?” Gong Zhi shook his head and whispered: “Don’t alarm Madam yet. If the couple has a disagreement, it would only make the Commander more troubled.”

Everyone in the Zhengtong Army naturally understood Yan Ting’s temperament, so Gao Jiong dared not speak further. Gong Zhi could only ponder his words. He slowly moved two steps closer: “Commander, please listen to Gong Zhi’s words, will you?” Seeing Wu Dingyuan neither speak nor move, he boldly placed his hand on his superior’s shoulder and said quietly: “Commander, everyone in our Zhengtong Army can lose their way, but you cannot. If even the supreme commander loses his way, there’s no need to continue fighting this battle…”

These weren’t alarmist words. Qin Zhonghai had mastered the Six Meridians of Yin and Yang—no one in the orthodox sect could match him. Only Wu Dingyuan’s “True Dragon Constitution” was sufficient to counter him. If the Grand Commander’s fighting spirit completely collapsed, whether in single combat or full army battle, he would face utter defeat upon confronting the Fury King.

Gong Zhi’s earnest persuasion meant that even if Wu Dingyuan’s mood was ten times worse, he had to respond now. He opened his eyes and said quietly: “I’m fine, and I haven’t fallen into anyone’s conspiracy trap. I just… just feel that I myself… myself…”

Hearing him claim to be “fine” while constantly rubbing his forehead, Gong Zhi knew he wasn’t fine at all. He boldly grasped his superior’s iron hand and said quietly: “Commander, if you have any worries, why not speak them out? Let everyone help you consider them.”

Despite Gong Zhi’s careful inquiry, the boss still kept his head down without speaking, as if heavy with concerns. After a long while, he finally sighed and said distantly: “Gong Zhi, can you tell me… all these years, has Wu… has Wu…” His gaze looked toward the distance in confusion: “done what is ‘right’?”

Hearing their superior ask such strange words, the staff officers immediately cried out: “Commander! You couldn’t be more right! Didn’t you see how that commoner just now was grateful and left happily? You’ve battled the Fury Rebels for ten years, for country and people—above, you’re worthy of the court; below, you’re worthy of all people. How could you be wrong? You’re right a hundred times, a thousand times! You’re the most benevolent official since the beginning of heaven and earth!”

Of the four great staff officers of the Zhengtong Army, some managed provisions, some managed formations, but none were skilled at psychological warfare. Indeed, they spoke until their mouths were dry with the same repetitive words, but Wu Dingyuan paid no attention, only fixing his gaze on Gong Zhi’s face—seemingly only wanting to hear him speak.

Now it was Gong Zhi’s turn to suffer. As chief staff officer, he wasn’t like Cen Yan or Gao Jiong who handled various affairs—he had only one mission: to watch over his boss’s thoughts. Precisely because of this, his responsibility was extremely important. Seeing the Grand Commander’s earnest expression, he didn’t even dare sigh and could only lower his head to carefully calculate his superior’s mood.

Why was the Grand Commander suffering? With martial arts at his level, he could kill whoever he wanted and eliminate all the bad people in his mind at any time. But with such omnipotent martial prowess, why was he still confused? Could it be that he felt his official position wasn’t high enough to carry out the justice in his heart? But with a person controlling 140 garrisons and commanding 700,000 troops, with power at his level, could it still be insufficient?

The trouble wasn’t that his martial arts weren’t high enough, nor that his power wasn’t great enough. On the contrary, the Grand Commander suffered precisely because he was too high and too great, so he wanted to understand eight characters…

How should one act…

to be right.

Gong Zhi understood the Commander’s concerns, but cold sweat also poured down. Looking at the boss’s appearance, he wasn’t just lost—he was wavering from head to toe in every inch. Thinking of the countless major affairs of court life and death, people’s survival or betrayal, Gong Zhi really didn’t want to speak. After all, those cries from hell were mournful and every word unjust—as the dynasty’s foremost military leader, how dare he claim complete ignorance?

Just as he was afraid, footsteps sounded in the hall as Yan Feng finally returned with water. Under the gaze of all staff officers, Gong Zhi hurriedly went to meet him, taking the towel and wetting it—first wiping his own cold sweat before attending to other matters. Just as he was trying to muddle through, Gao Jiong coughed: “Master Gong, please say something. The Commander is waiting.” Cen Yan also urged: “Yes, Master Gong, don’t stay silent—we’re all family here.”

Gong Zhi wanted to muddle through, but others wouldn’t let him. He smiled bitterly, knowing he couldn’t delay further. He immediately knelt on one knee and declared loudly: “Reporting to the Grand Commander! What’s right or wrong—your subordinate has never considered! From the first day Gong Zhi followed you, I threw myself beyond all considerations of right and wrong!”

Hearing Gong Zhi’s words, the staff officers were naturally shocked. The Zhengtong Army was called the Army of Righteousness, having spent ten years eliminating evil and rescuing people from suffering—yet how could the chief staff officer say such things? Everyone cried out in surprise and urgency: “Master Gong! What are you saying? Our Zhengtong Army has shed blood and sweat for ten years, for country and people—how could we be wrong?”

Gong Zhi quietly shook his head: “I’m sorry, I don’t know.” Everyone exclaimed in shock: “Why?” Gong Zhi sighed and lowered his head: “I’m merely a staff officer, not the court’s historian. I don’t want to discuss matters of right and wrong.”

Staff officers discuss victory and defeat; historians discuss right and wrong—their pursuits are different and cannot be lumped together.

In the midst of bewilderment, Wu Dingyuan sighed: “Well said… very well said… People like me have no qualification to discuss right and wrong.” As he spoke, his shoulders sagged with an extremely desolate air. The staff officers were greatly alarmed and exchanged urgent glances, all hoping Gong Zhi would say a few kind words instead of rambling on and tormenting their boss.

Gong Zhi spoke this way with purpose. He crouched beside his superior and said gently: “Commander, it’s not that your subordinate intends to contradict you—I truly have limited talent and virtue, unfit to discuss such grand principles. But your subordinate’s heart understands one thing…” His expression became solemn as he tightly grasped his superior’s iron hand and whispered in his ear: “If today…”

“Lord Lu were here…”

Upon hearing this, Wu Dingyuan couldn’t help but raise his face, the muscles on his face trembling constantly. Gong Zhi pressed close to his superior’s ear and whispered: “Your subordinate firmly believes that Lord Lu… would not blame you for a single word…”

Hearing Gong Zhi’s comfort, Wu Dingyuan’s mouth corners turned down as two streams of hot tears suddenly rolled down.

The most favored advisors in the world are definitely not flatterers and sycophants, but truly intimate confidants. Gong Zhi had followed his superior for a long time and knew his inner knot. With just a few words, he had pierced through his boss’s concerns and brought tears to this hero’s eyes. Seeing their boss cry, the staff officers became extremely flustered and were about to crowd around to speak, but Gong Zhi waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw. He then handed over the towel and said softly: “Commander, wash your face.”

Wu Dingyuan covered his face with the towel. He suppressed his voice, leaning forward with his entire body trembling constantly. Gong Zhi also silently stood beside him, allowing his boss to vent the bitterness in his heart.

“I’ve worried you all…” After an unknown time, Wu Dingyuan slowly stopped crying, folded his arms across his chest, straightened his back, and resumed his resolute and steady demeanor. Seeing everyone looking at him, he waved his iron hand and said quietly: “All come over.”

Seeing their boss recover, the staff officers were naturally overjoyed. Though they didn’t know what miraculous method Gong Zhi had used, they were utterly impressed.

Pop, pop, pop… Firecrackers sounded from the temple, their distant noise making the hall’s quiet even more pronounced. Wu Dingyuan was currently in the mountain gate hall. Hearing the continuous firecrackers from outside the hall and thinking of this year’s various major and minor events, he suddenly showed a weary expression.

Of 365 days in a year, only three days were the Lantern Festival. This year they had finally won a battle at Xiangyang and could happily return to the capital for the holiday. Who knew that last night at the third watch, just after putting down their luggage, before dawn they were summoned back by the Ministry of War to surrender their “cavalry command tokens.” After that came afternoon banquets, then going to Weiwu Military Camp to hear military intelligence, and in the evening there was still a rain prayer ceremony waiting for him.

Even if Wu Dingyuan were made of iron, he should rest. He made up his mind that no matter what happened in the next few days, he would stay home with his wife and children. He picked up the towel and vigorously blew his nose: “If you have any official documents, bring them now for my seal. I won’t be going to the office for business these next few days.”

Hearing the Grand Commander wanted to rest, the generals quickly opened their portable files and all got busy.

The Zhengtong Army controlled 140 garrisons, with documents so numerous and affairs so extensive they involved nearly half the government offices in the capital. Besides the Ministry of War, there were also the Ministry of Works’ military weapons and equipment, the Court of Imperial Stud’s horse administration, and the Ministry of Personnel and Revenue’s personnel and military pay… So every time Wu Dingyuan returned to the capital to report on duties, there were endless documents and files to review. Wu Dingyuan had returned home at midnight last night and risen at dawn, naturally not sleeping well. Just as he was resting with closed eyes, he heard Cen Yan laugh: “Commander, my books have arrived—please review them.”

Wu Dingyuan squinted and looked, only to see account books piled as high as a small mountain brought before him, all dumped at his feet with a thunderous crash, frightening Wu Dingyuan so much his eyes widened and he nearly fell off his stool.

As the provisions officer, Cen Yan was first to present the mountain-high account books, naturally causing Wu Dingyuan great distress. Leading troops in battle wasn’t just about riding horses and shouting—horses needed grass, men needed grain, and even common soldiers couldn’t fight for free. Even wealthy families couldn’t support 3,000 troops. Though Wu Dingyuan was a frugal person, in daily life he only knew how to tighten his belt. When it came to accounting knowledge, he was completely ignorant. Seeing the account books piled so high, he could only reluctantly flip through them. However, his face showed fatigue, and though he looked at the figures, it was like “one, two, three, four, five—immortals dancing everywhere.” Seeing this, Gong Zhi said: “The Commander is tired today—present them another day.”

Cen Yan said frantically: “That won’t do! These are all last year’s funds that the Ministry of Revenue hasn’t allocated yet. It’s all thanks to Madam advancing the money. If I don’t go to the Ministry of Revenue for verification this month, I won’t be able to request funds in the future!” This Cen Yan had originally been a common soldier under Liu Angtian, specializing in grain storage at Juyong Pass. Later, following Dingyuan in campaigns north and south, his accounting experience had reached over twenty years—even working as a merchant’s accountant, he would succeed. Though Gong Zhi was the chief staff officer with seal authority, his accounting skills were far inferior to Cen Yan’s. Hearing him speak thus, he could only take the account books and shout: “Next one!”

As soon as he finished speaking, this time it was “Orders Officer” Gao Jiong who came forward. The book he presented was thin, though its purpose was unclear. Wu Dingyuan didn’t like reading accounts but enjoyed reading books. Seeing this book was quite thin, he flipped through it. This time there were no troublesome numbers but rather ten or so names: “Liu Xinghuo,” “Hu Dachi,” “Zhang Zhaoyu”… all unfamiliar names. He couldn’t help frowning: “What is this for?”

Gao Jiong hurriedly said: “In response to the Commander. These are all famous heroes from the martial world who all hope to serve the country loyally and follow the Commander.” Hearing these people were famous heroes, Wu Dingyuan again lowered his head to examine the roster, but looking back and forth, he still couldn’t recognize the people. He had to ask: “What does this ‘Liu Xinghuo’ do? How have I never heard of him?”

Gao Jiong hurriedly said: “This ‘Liu Xinghuo’ is from Sichuan, originally named ‘Liu Shizhen.’ Because he specializes in meteor hammer techniques, he changed his name to ‘Meteor Fire’—it’s catchy and easy to remember.” Hearing the three characters “Liu Shizhen,” the Grand Commander now recognized the person. He nodded: “So it’s Liu Shizhen of the Four Sichuan Heroes. His original name was quite famous—why did he arbitrarily change it?”

Just as the words left his mouth, he saw Gao Jiong give a dry laugh, Yan Feng force a smile, Cen Yan giggle secretively, while Gong Zhi had already turned his back, pretending not to know. Wu Dingyuan realized his mistake and could only wave his hand, saying in a deep voice: “Next one.”

The Grand Commander sat on his stool with staff officers coming before him one by one, like a doctor seeing patients. Now it was Yan Feng’s turn. He moved swiftly, stepping forward with his upper body leaning forward, touching one knee to the ground, then taking out an official document from his chest and declaring solemnly: “Reporting to the Grand Commander! The Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud reports: Western Region envoys have presented tribute of 200 Heavenly Steeds. To prevent princes and high ministers from seizing them first, please have the Commander issue an early decree to reserve the heavenly horses for battlefield use.”

Hearing the heavenly horses had arrived, the generals were overjoyed. Despite strict military discipline, they still cheered.

The Fury Rebels had been near the Western Regions for many years, and through their established foundation, their generals each obtained divine steeds as mounts. Each time they fought the court in open battle, they naturally held great advantage. Among them, two jade-intelligent horses were of heroic build with saddles over ten feet from the ground, given to two great elders to ride. One was Shi Gang’s “Black Elephant Great Black Horse,” the other was Lu Guzhan’s beloved mount “Green Claw Jade Steed”—both could drag 500-pound cannons. Other generals either rode imperial horses like “Dark Cloud with Snow,” war horses like “Dapple Gray in Clouds,” or possessed strength and charging power in various ways. It seemed that thanks to the Western Region envoys’ blessing, these famous Heavenly Room steeds might reverse their disadvantage.

With such good fortune coming their way, the generals naturally rubbed their hands together in anticipation, each wanting to select a thousand-li famous steed. Wu Dingyuan understood their feelings and was about to nod and take the document when he saw Gong Zhi’s lips move as if he had something to say.

The two had perfect understanding. Wu Dingyuan nodded slightly, and Gong Zhi immediately leaned over and whispered: “Commander, that red rabbit horse… has followed all the way…” At the appearance of the world’s foremost steed, Wu Dingyuan’s heart naturally trembled. He quickly lowered his voice: “You mean… that horse followed them into the capital…” Gong Zhi nodded and whispered in his ear: “Can’t drive it away, can’t catch it… followed all the way north from Xiangyang City, just following the prison cart…”

Dogs and horses love their masters and cannot bear to be separated from them—this always moves people to sighs. Seeing the Grand Commander sigh, Gong Zhi whispered again: “Commander… should we tell Miss Juan about this?” Wu Dingyuan looked troubled and only raised his iron hand to cover his face: “We’ll discuss it later—delay as long as possible… don’t mention it to Madam either…”

The two whispered together for a while. Seeing all the generals waiting, they each fell silent. Wu Dingyuan arranged the books neatly and asked Gong Zhi: “Where’s your book?” Gong Zhi shook his head—he had no book to present. Cen Yan said in surprise: “Master Gong, didn’t Madam instruct you last time to acquire some new weapons? You haven’t arranged for it yet?” Hearing this, Gong Zhi only shook his head without a word.

Wu Dingyuan’s brow furrowed slightly. For an army to campaign, three things were needed: provisions, personnel, and horses and weapons—none could be lacking. Gong Zhi was from Iron Casting Manor, so acquiring weapons should be familiar territory for him, yet in recent years he had never seen him contribute his expertise, which was somewhat regrettable. He shook his head: “Someone bring the seal.”

At the command, Gong Zhi, as “Seal Officer,” removed the military seal from his waist, dipped it in ink pad, and respectfully presented it. Cen Yan and Yan Feng brought over a tea table. Wu Dingyuan sat on his stool, stacked the thick account books neatly, then with consecutive “booms,” the official seal fell vigorously onto the books, creating one red square after another bearing the inscription: “Serving Heaven’s Will, Loyal Military Minister, First-Class Loyal and Mighty Marquis, Bearing the Five Armies Grand Commander’s Order, Commanding the Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army Cavalry Command Token, Wu Dingyuan, Hereditary Iron Certificate, This Seal”

Looking at the great seal with thirty-nine characters total, though dazzling to the eyes, each character had great significance. The staff officers watching from the side naturally felt secret envy in their hearts.

First looking at the two most prominent military positions: one was “Five Armies Grand Commander,” the other was “Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army Supreme Commander.” The former was a permanent military position, the latter a temporary commissioned office. Though both held great authority, neither was hereditary—upon completion of term, both had to surrender their tokens and resign. However, the “Second-Class Mighty Marquis” was different—this honor would follow Wu Dingyuan for life until his death. The “Hereditary Iron Certificate” could even benefit his descendants—in the future, his wife and children could sit when entering offices and need not bow when meeting princes of first or second rank, all thanks to this certificate. Only everyone understood that though the “Grand Commander” position was excellent and the “Hereditary Iron Certificate” was wonderful, compared to the eight characters at the beginning of the great seal, they would pale in comparison. “Serving Heaven’s Will, Loyal Military Minister”—all honors in the seal combined couldn’t match these eight characters. This was “Special Merit”—with this achievement, Wu Dingyuan would be promoted to Duke at age sixty, granted the title of Grand Guardian, and receive a posthumous title after death. This wasn’t something ordinary military generals could obtain. Even with Qin Baxian and Liu Angtian’s illustrious military achievements, they never received this special honor.

According to the dynasty’s merit rankings, first-class special merit was “Founding and Assisting, Loyal Military Minister,” only granted to those who followed the founder in establishing the dynasty. Next was “Serving Heaven and Pacifying Rebellion, Demonstrating Strength Military Minister,” only honored to those who served in the civil war. Next was Wu Dingyuan’s “Serving Heaven and Supporting Fortune, Loyal Military Minister”—this rewarded those who had merit in saving the emperor. This indicated that “Mighty Marquis” wasn’t an ordinary general—he had participated in the imperial protection battle.

Defeating Turks, fighting Xiongnu, destroying Mongols… even conquering the world through campaigns north and south, the achievements couldn’t compare to this one battle. Only because “Special Merit” involved legitimate succession and imperial authority did it seem so precious in the Son of Heaven’s heart.

Everyone was filled with admiration and was about to gather around to speak when they heard hurried footsteps outside the hall and a sharp voice calling: “My lord! My lord! Are you here?”

The person’s urgent shouting suggested some major incident had occurred. Everyone was slightly startled and turned to look, seeing a man rush into the hall. His hair was completely white but he had not a single whisker—clearly a eunuch had arrived. Gong Zhi’s heart trembled as he quickly signaled the staff officers to bow and pay respects, saying in unison: “Greetings to Director Fang!”

Stars change and things transform—after ten years, even the Dong Chang director had changed. This was the palace’s foremost favorite, the Secretarial Eunuch Director Fang. This person was deeply trusted by the emperor and empress. His sudden arrival naturally caused everyone in the hall to kneel. Yet amid all this respect, Wu Dingyuan only folded his arms across his chest and remained sitting on his stool without rising to greet him.

The dynasty’s foremost military leader’s attitude was somewhat disrespectful, but Director Fang paid no mind and only laughed heartily: “My lord! This servant has run to many places and finally found you!” Just as he was about to rush forward to speak, Wu Dingyuan lowered his head and gave a look. The staff officers understood his thoughts and quickly rose to intercept Director Fang.

When young with low position, bowing was routine and kowtowing was commonplace. Now that Lord Wu had aged, he no longer enjoyed socializing. When encountering official interactions, he had subordinates handle them. Ordinary people wanting to buy military equipment from him or curry favor mostly wasted their efforts.

Director Fang didn’t care about all this and immediately rushed forward, planning to strike directly at the heart. Cen Yan, as provisions officer, quickly blocked his path and used his kneading-dough technique to delay softly: “Oh my, oh my, Director, don’t be so hasty! We haven’t seen each other for so long—please say a few words to Cen Yan!” When the provisions officer blocked the path, Director Fang stretched out both hands and grabbed Cen Yan’s cheeks like kneading dough: “Cen Yan! Cen Yan! Changed your name but not your nature! Still the same ugly appearance!” Speaking thus, he applied force to knead the face and cursed: “Die! Let Qin Zhonghai beat you to death!”

The three characters “Qin Zhonghai” were normally taboo, yet Director Fang spoke them freely, showing his considerable power and disregard for others’ opinions. Director Fang hummed a few times and was about to deliver a slap when he heard Cen Yan flatter him: “Oh Director, of course Cen Yan is ugly! If I had half your beauty, this lifetime would be infinitely blessed!” Though this was somewhat frivolous, it hit the eunuch’s weak spot. Looking at “Director Fang,” his hair was completely white, but his face had crystal-clear skin—who knew what divine elixir he had consumed. Indeed, “a thousand piercings, ten thousand piercings, but flattery never pierces.” Hearing the flattery, Director Fang’s mouth finally showed a smile: “Bah! At least you have eyes to know the Director is beautiful!”

With a “slap,” Cen Yan still received a small slap and was thrown aside. Just as Director Fang was about to advance, he heard military boots striking the ground as a young man came before him like a spear, blocking the way—it was Yan Feng. He declared loudly: “Reporting to the Director! My lord is not conducting business tonight. May I ask what urgent matter you have? Let this subordinate go report it!”

The “Banner Officer” had arrived. In the entire Zhengtong Army of scarred men, it was rare to have one with red lips and white teeth. This Yan Feng was runner-up in the military examinations, born with handsome features and skilled with the spear, earning him the nickname “Little Zhao Yun”—the most handsome of the four great staff officers. Director Fang’s eyes lit up as he smiled: “Feng’er, my Feng’er, my little Fourth Fire! Look, you’ve returned safely from Xiangyang. Heaven be praised, heaven be praised!” Speaking thus, he no longer sought Wu Dingyuan but grasped Yan Feng’s hands with a face full of affection.

Yan Feng had unexpectedly deployed a beauty trap that actually hooked Director Fang. Shocked and frightened yet unable to escape, with surprise and anger mixed together, his cheeks flushed red like two apples—shy and adorable. Director Fang looked more and more pleased and actually sighed: “Look at you… you’ve gotten thin again! This Lord Wu is truly stingy—how has he been feeding you?” Speaking thus, he began touching and feeling, as if wanting to check how many pounds of flesh Yan Feng had lost.

The Dong Chang director was no small position. If officials were divided into internal and external categories, this secretarial eunuch would be considered an internal official with status equal to a prime minister. Thus in former times, Liu Jing holding Dong Chang could stand equal with Jiang Chong and Liu Angtian in a three-legged balance. But ten years had passed—the chair hadn’t changed, but the posterior sitting on it had, becoming the appearance of an old duck and turtle master. This made Cen Yan lower his head and chuckle secretly while Yan Feng’s face flushed red. For a moment he couldn’t break free but also couldn’t not struggle, forced to endure this unwanted intimacy.

Just as he was about to lean in for a kiss, he heard a cough as a flat, square face appeared before him: “Director Fang, your subordinate Gong Zhi wishes you a late New Year.” The seal-bearing officer had arrived. Looking at Gong Zhi’s sturdy build and plain appearance—his face resembling Wu Dingyuan’s brother, both flat and square with many pockmarks—seeing such an ugly sight, Director Fang’s interest completely disappeared. He said coldly: “Oh, it’s Gong Zhi. When will you heroically sacrifice yourself for the cause? This eunuch has long prepared funeral gifts for you and really wants to pay them to you soon!”

Hearing Director Fang’s increasingly disrespectful words, with none of his subordinates able to handle the situation, Wu Dingyuan shook his head and slowly stood up.

The Grand Commander had risen. With his broad shoulders and nine-foot height, just by slightly lifting his knees, there came two “thud” sounds as Yan Feng and Cen Yan’s military boots heavily struck the ground, turning solemnly toward him. The other staff officers, without need for orders, each took their positions, surrounding him at the center.

The supreme commander of the Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army stepped forward, and the Zhengtong Army’s military discipline became even more imposing. Director Fang was startled, involuntarily crying “Oh my, oh my” several times, his arrogance completely deflated as he hurriedly smiled apologetically: “Lord Wu, you’re truly unsociable! This servant has business to discuss with you, yet you keep having these disciples and grandsons block me—this disappoints this servant’s good intentions toward you!” He called out coquettishly, wanting to come over and touch and feel, but Wu Dingyuan darkened his face and said coldly: “Hmm…” The lord’s snort was like a tiger’s pressure, frightening Director Fang so much he jumped and cried “Ah!” Not knowing if by coincidence or intention, he tumbled into Yan Feng’s arms.

With two “thud” sounds, subordinates brought over two stools. Wu Dingyuan folded his arms across his chest and sat down boldly with his legs spread like a horse stance. Seeing his masculine bearing, Director Fang’s face suddenly reddened and he sat down docilely with his toes slightly turned inward.

“Director Fang, if you have business, speak early. If not…” Wu Dingyuan raised his head to look at the golden dragon in the Buddhist hall and said coldly again: “Then leave early.” The Grand Commander spoke directly and straightforwardly to the extreme. Director Fang looked at his nostrils and could only give a few dry laughs, smiling apologetically: “My lord, this servant knows you’re tired from fighting battles. Normally I wouldn’t disturb the Three Precious Halls without cause, but just now… sigh…” Speaking thus, he took out an oilcloth bundle and sighed: “This blade… it scared people to death…” The oil bundle opened to reveal a military saber—precisely that vicious blade Wang Yitong had brought. Director Fang smiled bitterly: “My lord, has Qin Zhonghai broken into Beijing?”

The scene turned solemn as no one spoke. Qin Zhonghai was the world’s demon king—if he were to break into Beijing single-handedly, it would surely bring bloody storms. The generals’ brows furrowed deeply, yet they heard firecrackers crackling again from the plaza outside, like gunshots, making people’s hearts even more agitated.

Wu Dingyuan remained unmoved and asked in return: “Director Fang, did you hear this from Minister Zhao?” The Grand Commander’s foresight was divine, causing Director Fang’s face to redden as he hurriedly said: “Just now this servant was accompanying several princes to view lanterns, when Old Zhao was beside us looking worried and melancholy. When asked several times, he hemmed and hawed, unwilling to speak…” Wu Dingyuan looked at him sideways: “So he leaked military intelligence?” Director Fang smiled bitterly and could only nod.

Since the establishment of the Zhengtong Dynasty, the government situation had been renewed, with capable talents all going to the northwestern battlefield. The remaining Dong Chang directors and Jinyiwei commanders were mostly good-looking but useless types. These people couldn’t help much, but their ability to create panic throughout the capital shouldn’t be underestimated.

Wu Dingyuan, now advanced in years, though displeased in his heart, didn’t show his emotions, only closing his eyes to sit quietly as if sleeping. Director Fang said quietly: “My lord, exactly how did you win the great battle of Xiangyang? Can you tell us now?”

This question touched on crucial matters, even causing Gong Zhi to slightly tremble. The Xiangyang campaign had yielded rich results, with Zhengtong Army officers and men returning triumphantly, yet the Grand Commander had never revealed how he achieved victory. The staff officers had asked several times but he refused to say. Wu Dingyuan, seeing everyone looking at him, said: “Our army’s officers and men gave their all, finally able to pacify the rebellion. Do you have further questions?”

The staff officers exchanged glances, and amid their eye signals, they heard Director Fang whisper: “My lord, we’re all family here—don’t hide it from me. I heard people say that the reason the great battle of Xiangyang was won… was purely because of that blade…” Wu Dingyuan didn’t even listen, immediately waving his hand: “Stop. There’s no such thing.” Director Fang shrugged with a fortunate expression, seemingly having heard too much of such official rhetoric, and laughed: “Never mind, never mind. If you say there isn’t, then there isn’t…” He then glanced at Gong Zhi and smiled: “Staff Officer Gong, don’t you think so?”

Gong Zhi took a deep breath: “Naturally so. The Grand Commander once promised me that no matter what happens in the future, he would never use anything from my Ouyang family.”

After Ouyang Nan’s death, Iron Casting Manor fell apart, with disciples leaving and scattering—all harmed by a single demonic blade. Thus when Gong Zhi entrusted “the thing” to the Grand Commander years ago, he hoped he could suppress this demonic object, ensuring it would never see daylight again. What Director Fang said greatly touched his taboo.

In the silence, the staff officers exchanged glances while Wu Dingyuan had no intention of saying more. Director Fang gave a dry laugh: “Look at this mouth of mine, always causing trouble. Grand Commander, let’s discuss serious matters…” He leaned over and whispered: “Commander, has that fellow really broken into Beijing?”

Director Fang wasn’t from the military but constantly probed for military intelligence. Wu Dingyuan showed displeasure on his face. Seeing the military saber still lying on the ground, he suddenly took a deep breath, extended his iron palm and pulled back with a reverse motion. A streak of purple light flashed as the blade was actually drawn toward him.

This seemed incredible, but for Wu Dingyuan it was merely the reverse application of splitting-air palm force. By simply retracting his palm power, he could create an air current in mid-air to retrieve objects from a distance—nothing unusual. The staff officers, accustomed to the Grand Commander’s martial arts, weren’t surprised. Director Fang, witnessing this for the first time, was greatly shocked and couldn’t speak for a long time.

Wu Dingyuan picked up the blade and examined it repeatedly, saying indifferently: “Director Fang, I can tell you clearly that Qin Zhonghai has a straightforward nature. If this blade truly came from him, it means…” He spun the blade like a disk, the blade light dancing mixed with purple lightning, as he sighed distantly: “He has already issued me a challenge.”

Director Fang jumped in fright, tightly grasping Yan Feng’s arm and shrieking: “A challenge? You… you mean?” Wu Dingyuan said indifferently: “A challenge means seeking battle. He wants to fight the final battle with the court.”

Hearing the great battle was imminent, everyone’s faces changed. Director Fang had already jumped up, shrieking: “What? This… this is too sudden! Then… then what should we do?” Director Fang asked frantically, but Wu Dingyuan answered wonderfully. He shook his head and said directly: “Nothing to do.” Director Fang said in horror: “What? You… you say nothing to do? Are you joking?”

Military forces throughout the realm report good news but not bad—even if enemy armies reached the city gates, they would still advise people to sleep peacefully. Hearing Wu Dingyuan speak so frankly naturally terrified Director Fang. Wu Dingyuan glanced sideways, and seeing the staff officers also looking horrified, shook his head: “Don’t panic. Didn’t I just say this blade, ‘if’ it truly came from Qin Zhonghai, then it would be a challenge letter.” He held the steel blade in his hand, examining it again: “Conversely, then it’s nothing at all.”

Director Fang’s heart rose and fell, fell and rose, tormented by Wu Dingyuan’s teasing. He hurriedly said: “Wait, my lord means this blade isn’t Qin Zhonghai’s?” Wu Dingyuan said: “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.” Director Fang, hearing him deliberately create suspense, complained: “My lord! Don’t keep playing around—is it or isn’t it? Give us a straight answer!”

Wu Dingyuan said indifferently: “Don’t rush, Director Fang. Why don’t you first use your brain to think—in the past ten years, has Qin Zhonghai ever broken into Beijing?” At these words, Director Fang immediately exclaimed: “Right! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I really hadn’t thought about it. That fellow indeed has never broken into the capital.”

Qin Zhonghai had previously been an imperial guard and knew the capital’s roads well, yet in these ten years, no matter how urgent military situations became, he had never come to the capital to kill and set fires. The staff officers’ hearts trembled as they hurriedly asked: “Commander, is there… some hidden story in this?”

Wu Dingyuan sighed: “Let me tell you honestly. There lives a person in this capital—as long as he remains alive for one day, Qin Zhonghai won’t dare return for one day.” Hearing the word “won’t dare,” everyone couldn’t help but feel somewhat bewildered. Qin Zhonghai was the world’s madman with high courage and ruthless methods, killing in and out of million-man armies at will. Who could frighten such a heaven-defying madman? Director Fang exclaimed, nearly thinking he had misheard, and hurriedly said: “That fellow still has things he doesn’t dare do? This I didn’t know. My lord, who is that person?”

Wu Dingyuan was quite straightforward this time: “Sorry, this involves state secrets. I cannot say.”

The Grand Commander’s deliberate mystery-making naturally whetted everyone’s appetite. Director Fang frowned in bitter thought but couldn’t guess who this mysterious person was. After all, Qin Zhonghai was the world’s foremost demon—even if gods and buddhas truly existed, they could only descend to pursue him, not force him to not dare move. If anyone else had said this, they would have been loudly mocked, but coming from the Grand Commander’s mouth, it couldn’t help but be believed.

Director Fang smiled bitterly: “Commander, who exactly is that person? Give us a hint? I won’t leak it out.”

The Dong Chang director’s ability to keep secrets probably couldn’t match others’ loud proclamations. Wu Dingyuan could only shake his hand: “Don’t ask anymore. This involves my former superior’s reputation—Wu cannot and shouldn’t say. In any case, you can all rest assured—as long as that person is alive, Qin Zhonghai won’t come to break through this final barrier.”

Surprises came one after another. Looking at Wu Dingyuan’s background from the Liu school, his former superior would be “Western Expedition Grand Commander” Liu Angtian—this was something everyone in the military knew. But strangely, this Commander Liu had been dead for a long time. How could a figure from the underworld restrain Qin Zhonghai’s movements? Director Fang frowned: “Commander, are you joking?”

Wu Dingyuan said seriously: “How can military and state affairs be treated as jokes? Trust me. As long as Qin Zhonghai retains one part of humanity, he won’t cause mutual destruction.” Speaking thus, he wrapped the military saber back in oilcloth and said no more.

The Grand Commander’s tone was certain, as if this matter was natural. The staff officers dared not ask further, but Director Fang, confused, how could he give up without asking? His eyes rolled as he intentionally probed indirectly, exclaiming: “Wait, I know who that person is!”

Hearing this, the staff officers naturally widened their eyes, and Wu Dingyuan also raised his thick eyebrows. In the silence, Director Fang laughed heartily: “Grand Commander, I heard recently that Huashan disciples went south seeking Ning Bufan—is this true?”

This remark hit the point, and everyone understood his meaning. To find a peerless master in the world who could suppress Qin Zhonghai, only the former “Number One Under Heaven” would suffice. Needless to say, the reason Qin Zhonghai dared not invade Beijing was entirely due to Ning Bufan’s secret restraint.

Director Fang’s move was quite clever. The former “Number One Under Heaven” was undoubtedly Ning Bufan. Years had passed and Ning Bufan had long retired, but today with masters emerging in great numbers, exactly who would claim the title “Number One Under Heaven” remained a matter of debate.

Though Director Fang wasn’t from martial arts circles, he knew various jianghu rumors. They all said that since Wu Dingyuan assumed the Grand Commander position, his momentum was incomparably strong. Throughout the world, besides the Fury King Qin Zhonghai, no third person in jianghu could compare with him. Yet he had once been defeated by Ning Bufan, for which people behind his back pointed and whispered, saying Wu Dingyuan’s abilities weren’t sufficient to ever become the true “Number One Under Heaven.” The entire Huashan sect was especially proud of this, constantly boasting about it. Director Fang’s deliberate mention of this matter was definitely intended as provocation.

Seeing everyone’s brows furrow tightly, Director Fang knew he had hit a vital point and laughed again: “Oh my, don’t all stare at me like that! Could it be that Old Fang said something wrong? Sigh… though Qin Zhonghai is formidable, if he really encountered Master Ning, wouldn’t it be like a mouse meeting a cat—two words for you: ‘scurrying away’!” He then laughed heartily again: “What a pity, what a pity! If Hero Ning hadn’t retired, letting him sit in this Five Armies Grand Commander position, this ten-year great war would have ended long ago… sigh, we’ve truly buried talent and wasted countless public funds!”

Director Fang’s giggling mention of “wasting public funds” was equivalent to slapping Wu Dingyuan across the face. Presumably in his fury, he would surely reveal various secrets. Only Wu Dingyuan managed to contain himself, closing his eyes to sit quietly without intending to argue.

The boss could endure it, but the staff officers couldn’t swallow it. Regardless of Director Fang’s high position and great power, they angrily said in unison: “Director Fang! What kind of person is our Commander? Please speak with respect!” Seeing everyone angry, Director Fang quickly acted timid and said frantically: “Sorry! Sorry! Look at this mouth of mine causing trouble! The Grand Commander has campaigned for ten years—if there’s no merit, there’s still hard work! Sigh, even wasting some public funds is deserved. Look at me talking nonsense!”

The more everyone listened, the angrier they became, all placing hands on their sword hilts. Director Fang exclaimed in alarm: “Don’t get angry! They say ‘the Way rises one foot, demons rise ten feet’—I mean well too! Since even the lord can’t defeat Qin Zhonghai, what use is Ning Bufan? I think you two families should join hands early. They say ‘a good man can’t fight many enemies, two fists can’t match four hands’—Ning Bufan plus Wu Dingyuan, two together beating him up. No matter how high Qin the Demon’s martial arts, that’s still ‘One Ning plus Old Wu, specially conquers paper tigers.’ Without Liu Angtian’s ghost taking action, the world would be greatly at peace!”

The Dong Chang director held his belly laughing while the staff officers were naturally furious, but for the moment they found it hard to refute. Just in their grief and indignation, they suddenly heard a loud “slap” as Gong Zhi heavily stamped his right foot and declared loudly: “‘Divine fetus precious blood符天录, True Dragon of a Generation born from the sea’! Even if Qin Zhonghai’s ‘Fire Greed One Blade’ were ten times stronger, he still couldn’t defeat his own biological father!”

“Divine fetus precious blood符天录, True Dragon of a Generation born from the sea”—these two lines weren’t only Wu Dingyuan’s title but also Qin Baxian’s title. Director Fang had still wanted to speak but was awakened by this shout.

Undoubtedly, the person in Beijing who could make Qin Zhonghai extremely fearful was the Grand Commander himself. For Qin Zhonghai to defeat him, he would have to surpass his own biological father. Seeing Director Fang harbor fear, the staff officers were immediately overjoyed. Led by Gong Zhi, they all prostrated themselves and said in unison: “The Tianshan Inheritor sits in command here—though the Fury King is bold beyond measure, he dare not cross the thunder pool one step!”

Director Fang smiled apologetically: “Disrespectful, disrespectful. The Commander’s ten years of campaigning surpass the former Ning Bufan—impressive, impressive!” The Dong Chang director’s words of praise surpassed others’ endless flattery. The staff officers felt honored and frequently agreed.

Amid sincere admiration, Wu Dingyuan showed no pride. He stood up from his stool and slowly walked to the front of the hall. The staff officers looked up and followed his gaze, seeing the vast night with Hongluo Temple’s lanterns like a sea—sequentially the Heavenly Kings Hall, Great Hero Hall, and Patriarch Hall stretching magnificently.

Not knowing what he was looking at, everyone was puzzled when suddenly a thunderous sound erupted. Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, dyeing the horizon golden yellow. Everyone looked up to see the night sky fireworks slowly fade, but at the mountain’s edge, auspicious red light散发, long-lasting and bright—clearly two pagodas.

Everyone exclaimed: “Hongluo Pagodas…”

Hongluo Temple was a Pure Land sect sacred site. Besides having one more courtyard than ordinary Buddhist temples, it also had two famous “Hongluo Pagodas.” Legend said the pagodas housed the Jade Emperor’s two daughters who could pray for blessings and disaster relief for the human world. Everyone saw the precious pagodas faintly emanating radiance, tinting the night sky red as if two beautiful “Hongluo Heavenly Maidens” truly lived in the towers, blessing and praying for all living beings.

The Grand Commander folded his arms across his chest, gazing at the distant pagodas. His face showed vast heroic spirit, truly like the guardian deity of the Zhengtong Dynasty, making people dare not look up at him. Seeing the martial deity’s heroic bearing, Director Fang naturally felt secret admiration and quickly slapped his own cheeks several times in apology: “Oh my, look at this cheap mouth of mine—a few words and I’ve offended you… Come, come, in honor of the Grand Commander being ‘Number One Under Heaven,’ this servant has a small something here, not worthy of respect…” As if fearing Wu Dingyuan would hold a grudge, he had already pinched his fingers to produce a vest.

The Dong Chang director’s polite offering showed considerable sincerity. But Wu Dingyuan squinted, his face growing even colder. Having served as Grand Commander for ten years, he had naturally seen many imperial treasures. First, he wasn’t rare about them; second, he wasn’t greedy for them and would never inappropriately accept private gifts. He glanced at Gong Zhi, who understood his superior’s meaning and was about to step forward to refuse when Director Fang was already smiling: “My lord, don’t rush to decline. Once you see this thing, you’ll definitely love it and be unable to part with it!”

Hearing his boast, the generals were slightly curious. Director Fang was even more proud as he held up the vest to display before the heroes. The generals looked closely but couldn’t see anything special—they only felt this vest was grayish and dirty, with about a hundred “longevity” characters woven on it, nothing particularly rare. Cen Yan, full of curiosity, reached out to take it and held it to his chest, comparing it and saying in surprise: “What broken thing is this? Is it some old woman’s burial clothes?”

“Longevity your big head! Go die!” Director Fang roared, casually grabbing Wang Yitong’s abandoned vicious blade and thrusting it at Cen Yan’s chest. Everyone was greatly shocked—first, Director Fang possessed martial arts with extremely fast moves; second, the two were too close, catching him off guard. Wu Dingyuan shouted loudly, immediately raising his palm to advance, grabbing emptily in mid-air. A surge of true force had already drawn the military saber back.

With a whoosh, Director Fang’s hands were empty as his weapon was confiscated. In the sudden turn of events, figures flashed as Director Fang couldn’t even turn around before a firearm was pressed against the back of his head. His throat simultaneously felt pain as a steel blade appeared, while Gao Jiong’s dagger firmly pressed against his heart. Strong generals have no weak soldiers—the hundred-battle lions lived up to their reputation, truly capturing Director Fang in one move. The eunuch hurriedly said: “No misunderstanding! No misunderstanding! Just playing around with you…”

Gong Zhi leaned close and said coldly: “Director, please don’t move. Obediently listen to the Commander’s instructions.” Wu Dingyuan snorted, about to check Cen Yan’s injuries, when he saw the provisions officer climb up by himself. With a face full of surprise, still holding that vest, he said in shock: “Am I not dead yet?” The staff officers were both surprised and delighted, seeing Cen Yan completely unharmed without even a drop of blood. Only then did they realize a rare treasure had arrived. They quickly released Director Fang and bowed apologetically.

Gong Zhi, coming from Iron Casting Manor, naturally had broad knowledge. He remembered a treasure impervious to weapons and hurriedly said: “Is this the Hundred Longevity Armor?” The old eunuch, his soul just settled, first snatched back the vest while wiping cold sweat and explaining: “At least you, Gong Zhi, haven’t been混ing for nothing! Legend says Chongming Island in the South Sea produces giant spiders one foot long weighing a hundred pounds, skilled at spinning silk and weaving webs. This ‘Hundred Longevity Armor’ is woven from that giant spider silk. Impervious to blades and spears yet extremely light.” He then handed the armor to Wu Dingyuan, smiling: “My lord, this servant’s small token of respect—not worthy, not worthy.”

With the Hundred Longevity Armor before him, Wu Dingyuan wasn’t hasty to reach out and take it, only asking indifferently: “Director, I heard this ‘Hundred Longevity Armor’ was in ‘Prince Tang’s’ hands—when did it transfer to yours?” Hearing him pierce through the inside story, Director Fang hurriedly said: “Oh my, my lord, aren’t you asking the obvious? Give some face here.”

They say one shouldn’t accept rewards without merit. This Director Fang’s前倨后恭 attitude, first playing with a blade for half the day, must have ulterior motives. The staff officers, hearing “Prince Tang” mentioned, knew Director Fang had finally revealed his true purpose—he had come for the “Crown Prince Selection Case.”

Wu Dingyuan had long anticipated this in his heart and only sighed without the slightest surprise. The world’s three great cases were called “Mausoleum Abolition,” “Club Attack,” and “Imperial Will.” Now a fourth great case had emerged, called the “Crown Prince Selection Case.” Since the “Club Attack Case” eight years ago, Emperor Jingtai’s eldest son was deposed, and the crown prince position remained vacant. The Zhengtong Emperor himself had no children, so as soon as the dragon御殡天, the court would immediately fall into chaos. For this reason, various factions coveted the crown prince position and would stop at nothing. Looking at Wu Dingyuan controlling over 140 garrisons, he was truly the dynasty’s feudal lord and naturally bore the brunt.

Everyone wanted to be emperor, but there was only one throne. Prince Tang had only one precious son surnamed Zhu, named Zai Wu, who naturally wanted to sit on it and taste the flavor. Wu Dingyuan had spent his lifetime embroiled in imperial enterprises, and seeing himself again become the target of all arrows, he inevitably felt lonely and lightly yawned: “Gong Zhi, the ceremony is about to begin.”

Having followed Dingyuan for a long time, Gong Zhi had perfect understanding and naturally grasped his superior’s meaning. He hurriedly pushed the Hundred Longevity Armor back, saying apologetically: “Director, thank you for your kind intention. Only this ‘Hundred Longevity Armor’ is too narrow and small—how could our Commander’s iron tower figure fit into it? Please let Prince Tang use it himself.”

Hearing his refusal, Director Fang didn’t get angry but laughed, spitting: “Gong Zhi, look at you—smart face, stupid belly. What kind of chief military advisor are you? Listen clearly—this Hundred Longevity Armor isn’t for the Commander to wear. Do you understand the four words ‘love the house and its crow’?”

Love the house and its crow—extending grace through affection. Everyone awakened, knowing this vest wasn’t prepared for Wu Dingyuan but to be given to his wife and daughter. Director Fang smiled: “My lord, with war’s dangers, your wife and young miss must be careful in their daily movements. If you don’t think for yourself, you should think for them. Please accept it.”

Director Fang was indeed formidable. Knowing the Grand Commander’s divine skills were unparalleled yet he lived frugally, rather than kicking this iron plate, it was better to focus on his family members. Seeing “Prince Tang” had found Director Fang as his helper, the Eastern Palace crown prince throne was surely in the bag.

Wu Dingyuan thought of his wife and daughter, his heart secretly generating tender feelings. One should know the world’s toughest material is spider silk—if twisted to finger thickness, it could suspend an elephant in mid-air without breaking. If woven into clothing, it would be like practicing the Vajra Indestructible Body, impervious to blades and swords. Thinking of how Yan Ting had faced harassment from bandits coveting her beauty during her jianghu travels these past years, Wu Dingyuan’s heart stirred and he wanted to reach out and take it. But thinking of how imperial enterprises would thereafter entangle him, he hesitated. Director Fang watched from the side at leisure, only smiling: “My lord, don’t rush—think slowly. This servant waits here.”

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of military boots on the ground outside the hall. The person approached extremely quickly, racing over the high hall steps in moments. Soon outside the hall door came a military officer who slapped to attention with a loud sound, standing solemnly toward heaven: “Subordinate Jiao Sheng! Military affairs report!” Earlier the Commander had issued orders for Xiong Jun and Jiao Sheng to go to the “Loyalist Army” camp to borrow 3,000 troops—at this moment he had finally returned.

Wu Dingyuan breathed a sigh of relief and threw the “Hundred Longevity Armor” back to Director Fang: “You’ve come at the right time. Where are the troops?” Hearing his superior’s question, Jiao Sheng maintained his frontline style, first stamping his military boots vigorously and declaring loudly: “Reporting to the Grand Commander! Your subordinate is incompetent! Failed to bring back the troops!” Hearing this, everyone was slightly startled. Cen Yan said in surprise: “You didn’t borrow the troops?” He looked left and right and said again: “Where’s Xiong Jun? Didn’t he go with you to borrow troops? Why didn’t he return together?”

Hearing the questions, Jiao Sheng seemed to hesitate, as if having something hard to say. Wu Dingyuan glanced sideways and saw Director Fang smiling while standing nearby with the appearance of probing military intelligence, so he said: “Director, the rain prayer ceremony is about to begin. Please go there early.”

Director Fang wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He picked up the “Hundred Longevity Armor” and stuffed it into Wu Dingyuan’s hands again, shaking his head: “That won’t do—the lord hasn’t accepted this person’s kind intention yet.”

Old ginger is the spiciest, and old eunuchs are the craftiest. This Director Fang was extremely shrewd, knowing the Zhengtong Army had no forces stationed in Beijing. If they wanted to deploy troops at this moment, they would have to negotiate with the “Loyalist Army.” But hearing Cen Yan and others’ words, it seemed two officers had gone out together but only one puppy returned. Looking at Jiao Sheng’s face showing faint injuries, something major had obviously happened. At such a critical moment, how could this master manipulator leave? He naturally wanted to investigate thoroughly.

Wu Dingyuan knew military affairs were urgent and couldn’t be delayed, so he stopped trying to dismiss the man and said directly: “Jiao Sheng, whatever happened, just speak plainly.”

Jiao Sheng lowered his head and said quietly: “Reporting to the Commander, Major Xiong was… was detained by the ‘Loyalist Army.'”

Hearing this, the staff officers couldn’t help but be greatly shocked. The Loyalist Army was also called the “Emperor’s Personal Army,” managed in rotation by four princes. Though these “Lin, Hui, De, Qing” four princes wielded great power, they still wouldn’t dare provoke the Grand Commander. How could they arbitrarily detain a “Zhengtong Army” general?

Xiong Jun was a Jingzhou vanguard while Jiao Sheng was a Fenzhou garrison commander—both had just been recalled to Beijing recently. Presumably their faces weren’t familiar and they didn’t understand the protocols, thus offending people. Gong Zhi hurriedly asked: “Isn’t Prince Hui on duty tonight? How did trouble arise? Did you two not show your command tokens to the Prince?”

Jiao Sheng said quietly: “In response to the Military Advisor, we did present our tokens, but we didn’t see Prince Hui.”

The generals widened their eyes in surprise: “Why not?”

Jiao Sheng said in a low voice: “The gate guards said Prince Hui had orders to leave the city and wasn’t currently in camp, so he couldn’t receive us two.”

On the annual Lantern Festival night when all under heaven celebrated, what urgent official business could there be? The generals were full of surprise and hurriedly asked: “Prince Hui left the city? Where did he go?”

Jiao Sheng shook his head: “Don’t know. We kept asking, but that guard claimed it was classified and refused to say. When we wanted to enter camp to see, these people were fierce and domineering, absolutely refusing to let us in…”

Gong Zhi sighed. This Jiao Sheng was an honest man with quite a bit of Wu Dingyuan’s genuine character—he wouldn’t be the one causing trouble. He said: “What happened next? Did General Xiong start fighting?”

Jiao Sheng said frantically: “No! Ever since Little Xiong fought with Miss Qiong, he was beaten with military sticks by the Commander—how would he dare be impulsive again? Seeing how fierce they were, General Xiong had no choice but to humbly ask that guard to do us a favor and deploy three thousand iron cavalry from camp to return with us to Red Snail Mountain.”

The Loyalist Army’s total forces numbered over a million, reformed from the Jingtai Dynasty’s imperial guards. Borrowing three thousand troops would be like taking a hair from nine oxen. Everyone heard that Xiong Jun had made progress and pressed: “Very good! What happened next?”

Jiao Sheng smiled bitterly and hemmed and hawed without speaking. Cen Yan, full of anxiety, hurriedly said: “What exactly happened? Speak quickly!”

Jiao Sheng lowered his head and said quietly: “The result was that guard said… Prince Hui had taken all the soldiers away, leaving no troops available in camp.”

Hearing such evasion, everyone naturally opened their mouths wide. This “Loyalist Army” had total forces of over a million with military might even greater than the Zhengtong Army—how could they not deploy a mere three thousand troops? Obviously, they simply didn’t want to lend them.

Jiao Sheng said quietly: “General Xiong has a fiery temper. Hearing their endless excuses, his anger flared and he punched that guard’s nose bridge. That bastard, seeing us strike people, also drew his blade to hack at us. We fought left and right, getting bloodied. Later General Xiong covered my escape while he himself was dragged into camp…”

Everyone looked at each other, all unable to speak. These two, Xiong Jun and Jiao Sheng, only knew battlefield combat but didn’t understand the weights and consequences of official circles. That Xiong Jun still had a case pending—a month ago, Jingzhou local officials submitted twelve joint memorials naming him as arrogant and arbitrary, arousing public resentment among Jingzhou people, forcing the Grand Commander to recall him to Beijing to avoid further trouble. Who knew that a leopard couldn’t change its spots—just returned to Beijing and on his first official duty, he’d stepped in shit again?

Seeing Wu Dingyuan’s face showing worry, presumably concerned about Xiong Jun’s case, Gong Zhi hurriedly mediated: “Everyone don’t overthink this. I think Prince Hui truly went out of the city, causing this misunderstanding. Later I’ll go find him to apologize—make a big thing small so everyone can reconcile as before.”

Hearing his conciliatory attitude, Gao Jiong couldn’t help but chuckle: “Master Gong, didn’t you hear Prince Hui left the city? Even if you want to kowtow and apologize, you can’t find the person!”

Hearing Gao Jiong’s sarcastic tone, Gong Zhi only pretended not to understand and turned to ask Yan Feng: “Fourth Fire, you’re friendly with Ministry of War clerks—have you heard what official business Prince Hui might have?”

Yan Feng shook his head: “Haven’t heard.”

Seeing Gong Zhi desperately covering up, Director Fang suddenly clapped his hands in delight: “Wait! I know! I know! I know where Prince Hui went!”

Gong Zhi hurriedly said: “If the Director has insights, please speak freely.”

“Three characters for you.” Director Fang held up three fingers and laughed heartily: “Pleasure. Flower. House.”

“That bastard!” Director Fang spoke bluntly, naturally causing Gong Zhi to frantically lament while others were indignant. Cen Yan roared again: “What the hell! Guarding the city by going to a brothel? We ‘Zhengtong Army’ scrimp and save—can’t even get hot shit to eat! They ‘Loyalist Army’ have nightly pleasures, eating well and drinking fine? Some ‘Emperor’s Personal Army’! Fuck your grandmother!”

Generally speaking, while some people yawned in Beijing, others visited prostitutes in military camps. These four princes “Lin, Hui, De, Qing” were leaders in this regard. When the mood struck, sometimes they brought wives and concubines into camp, sometimes returned to the capital to visit prostitutes. Zhengtong Army officers and men had long heard rumors. Tonight, hearing them bully people too much, they couldn’t help but explode: “Grand Commander! Let’s go seek justice!”

The generals were indignant, all red-eyed with anger. Gong Zhi said frantically: “Stop arguing! Quiet down! Quiet down first!”

Director Fang laughed heartily but didn’t forget to add fuel to the fire: “Gong Zhi, don’t keep your elbow bent outward! Rarely does the Grand Commander return to the capital—I’ll back you up. Let’s settle accounts with these imperial relatives!”

The generals, filled with righteous anger, loudly responded: “Exactly! Let’s lead troops to storm the Capital Garrison Camp and force them to hand over Xiong Jun!”

The generals talked nonsense until finally even Gong Zhi got angry: “Shut up! Are you truly confused or pretending? With great enemies before us, our government troops fight among ourselves—are we afraid Fury Mountain doesn’t have enough jokes to watch?”

The scene was chaotic with Director Fang adding fuel and Gong Zhi desperately putting out fires, while Wu Dingyuan only stared blankly, thinking of those jokes from common soldiers’ mouths—for a moment seeming like he was in a daze.

“Capital troops are pampered, border troops are idle, burying corpses in the northwest with none to pity”—this was the portrait of the Zhengtong Dynasty’s three armies.

Of the world’s three great military forces, which was most leisurely? None other than the “Border Army.” This force specialized in coastal and frontier defense, also called the “Garrison Army.” Though it had the most soldiers under its banner, most were criminals exiled to the borders. With poor provisions and low morale, they could only frighten mountain bandits and intimidate barbarians on ordinary days—they were “straw soldiers” in the Zhengtong Army’s mouths. Like a thin, bitter house dog that could only lie at the door to bite thieves—when encountering real bandits, it would be kicked to death with one blow.

As for the Loyalist Army, called the “Emperor’s Personal Army,” they were the Zhengtong Army’s mortal enemies. This force protected the emperor, with mostly hereditary thousand-households under its command. First in equipment, first in provisions, called the “World’s Number One Elite Force,” yet mocked by the Zhengtong Army as “ten against one, world’s number one.” Like a fantasy thoroughbred horse that could gallop proudly for a thousand li daily when on downhill roads with tailwinds, but when unfortunately encountering narrow mountain paths and uphill roads, gasping and falling behind, getting ambushed, it would inevitably “go one-on-one, all the way west.”

The best fighting force in all the world was Wu Dingyuan’s “Northwestern Anti-Rebellion Army” under his command. Compared to the Border Army as thin dogs and the Loyalist Army as bloated horses, the “Zhengtong Army” was like a stubborn mule. It could endure the Border Army’s hardships and fight the Capital Army’s battles. Camp officers and men were permanently stationed in the northwest with frequent campaigns, often dying heroically, earning the emperor’s praise as “the dynasty’s most loyal and fierce division.” In the capital, if you saw someone with missing hands or legs, they were definitely “Zhengtong Army” veterans. Pitifully, after fierce battles with fury bandits, when they finally returned triumphantly to the capital, this was the scene waiting for them…

Seeing the Grand Commander remain silent for a long time, they heard footsteps as “Little Zhao Yun” Yan Feng came forward. He declared solemnly: “Reporting to the Commander! The Loyalist Army is gilded on the outside but rotten within—what use are such pig soldiers and dog troops even if borrowed? Please Commander immediately order Yan Feng to recall Northwestern troops to the capital overnight to let them know our Zhengtong Army’s might!”

Yan Feng was usually quiet and reserved, yet now he was first to step forward—truly his blood was stirring. Everyone hearing “pig soldiers and dog troops” naturally felt secretly pleased, but Gong Zhi was too lazy even to scold and only turned to Director Fang, saying quietly: “Director, my Grand Commander is in Beijing these few days and cannot be without troops to command. In this emergency, could we borrow your Imperial Guard for use?”

Besides the three major regular armies, the Zhengtong Dynasty had another batch of imperial guards collectively called the “Tiger Guards,” “Prefecture Army,” “Golden Guard,” and “Feathered Forest”—four great guards all under Dong Chang’s command. Since the Loyalist Army had official business, they could only negotiate with Director Fang.

Just waiting to hear Director Fang make difficulties, this eunuch suddenly became generous, only smiling: “Sure! The Commander wants some troops—this servant is most enthusiastic. If you want five thousand, I’ll give ten thousand—just don’t be polite!” Speaking thus, he had already taken out a command token and handed it directly to Gong Zhi.

Director Fang was a person who sought ten thousand for every one invested, yet now he was very generous—presumably due to fear of Qin Zhonghai. Gong Zhi’s heart leaped with joy and he was about to receive the command token when Director Fang gave a “hey” and shook his hand—that token flew up again, magically flying back into his pocket like a magic trick. He said in surprise: “Oh my, how did it fly back?”

Gong Zhi was furious in his heart but couldn’t show it on his face, so he had to restrain himself and not move. He heard the eunuch laugh: “Don’t misunderstand! Don’t misunderstand! If Lord Dingyuan wants to borrow troops, this servant would beg grandfather and grandmother to guarantee it fully. If the Grand Commander wants to requisition grain, this servant would sell his pants and empty his pockets to arrange it properly for you. But Grand Commander…” He leaned his head over, rubbing against Wu Dingyuan’s side and sighing bitterly: “But what if someone comes to borrow your head—what should we do then?”

The Director’s words had hidden meaning, naturally causing the generals to tense slightly. Director Fang sighed deeply again: “Lin, Hui, De, Qing—these four great princes of the ‘Loyalist Army’ have been at odds with your ‘Zhengtong Army’ from the start, constantly clamoring and shouting that Wu Dingyuan eats free meals, that Wu Dingyuan wastes provisions, saying ‘Old Wu’ and ‘Qin the Demon’ colluded for fake battles and real wealth… sigh… this servant truly dares not listen…”

In the court, besides the four “Lin, Hui, De, Qing” petty men, there was also the formidable and sinister “Prince Tang.” Thinking of that “Hundred Longevity Armor,” Gong Zhi’s face changed, knowing Director Fang wanted to drag the Commander into deep waters again. He coughed and said: “Director Fang, if you’re willing to lend troops, then be straightforward—please don’t mention these irrelevant matters.”

“Irrelevant?” Director Fang blinked and smiled: “Commander, listen to what your staff officer says! The Son of Heaven’s position—how can it be trivial? This servant advises here—if we don’t join forces to bring down the four princes, when that Zai Yun ascends the throne, what will be your fate… hehe, think for yourselves.”

At these words, all generals’ faces changed dramatically, and even Gong Zhi swallowed saliva, unable to speak anymore.

Prince Hui’s son was surnamed Zhu, named Zai Yun. What this child’s talents or character were like, no one cared much about. What mattered was this child had four uncles jointly promoting and supporting him in competing for the Eastern Palace position. If this child truly sat on the imperial throne in the future, the Zhengtong Army would have no place to retreat—one step back meant no place to die. Seeing Gong Zhi and others silent as winter cicadas, Director Fang smiled: “Commander, worldly affairs can be big or small. Though that Xiong Jun was arbitrary and arrogant in Jingzhou, beating common people, he was at least serving country and people—how does that compare to the ‘Loyalist Army’s’ eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, killing and arson? But thinking about it is truly strange—both violating military law, why do the censors with sharp eyes specifically target your Xiong baby while turning blind eyes to the four great princes’ beloved generals?”

The staff officers’ hearts sank, knowing the “Loyalist Army” had found the Censorate’s supervising censors to deliberately make difficulties for the Grand Commander. Everyone turned their gazes to the “Hundred Longevity Armor,” knowing their superior had no retreat—if he didn’t bow to “Prince Hui,” he’d have to ask “Prince Tang” for aid and support.

Director Fang chuckled and made a beheading gesture, saying again: “Grand Commander, your eyebrows are on fire! After they finish eating Xiong baby, next they’ll play with Old Wu’s life. Pity that you all can escape the present but not the future. Commander… what should you do?”

Due to military supplies and provisions, the Zhengtong Army had long been at odds with the four princes. Now that they coveted the Eastern Palace position, they naturally saw Wu Dingyuan as a thorn in their eye and wanted to strike first. Everyone listened with growing depression when suddenly Gao Jiong roared in fury: “Fuck your mother! When tigers show no prestige, do you really think we’re sick cats? Director Fang, let me tell you plainly! What Prince Tang, Prince Hui—we don’t care about any of them! I’ll go find Madam right now! Ask her to directly meet His Majesty—let’s see who still dares touch a single hair on our Grand Commander!”

Thinking of Yan Ting, all generals cheered. The Commander’s wife was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also first-class in power and methods. If she truly took action, managing the Censorate and Court of Judicial Review, all imperial relatives under heaven would have to step aside. Cen Yan clapped his hands: “Exactly so! When Madam takes action, you know if she’s capable! Just by moving her little finger, all those censors in the Censorate will be bought by us…” Before he finished speaking, Gong Zhi angrily said: “Audacious! Do you want the Grand Commander to become ‘Jiang Chong’?”

The ancestor of playing with laws and弄权 was called “Jiang Chong.” At these words, all generals were stunned, but they heard Director Fang laugh heartily: “Gong Zhi, oh Gong Zhi, so what if he becomes Jiang Chong? Still better than being bullied and becoming a dead man, right? Gong Zhi, don’t just preach—come up with a solution!”

Though the generals didn’t dare agree aloud, in their hearts they felt greatly satisfied. Seeing Gong Zhi unable to continue, Director Fang immediately smiled and said leisurely: “Commander, it’s not that I’m instigating your subordinates—I truly pity them. Look, in the Censorate’s eyes, Xiong Jun is just a small major, not worth dying for. But this servant has inquired—though this child has a rigid character, on the battlefield he leads from the front. For this great war, this Xiong baby still doesn’t dare marry, to avoid leaving behind orphans and widows…” He lowered his head and sighed: “Pitiful! Laboring in vain, only to end up with an executioner’s blade… sigh, a person born into the wrong family can still be saved, but following the wrong boss means eternal damnation…”

“Grand Commander!” The generals gritted their teeth, one by one red-eyed, all kneeling down. Gong Zhi didn’t want to say more and only avoided to one side. In the silence, Wu Dingyuan was heard to sigh quietly and say softly: “Enough.”

When the Grand Commander spoke, with a loud “slap,” all generals and officers straightened their forms, awaiting the Commander’s instructions. Director Fang was confident, only smiling on the side while watching.

Wu Dingyuan suddenly rose. He walked to the mountain gate hall entrance, leaning against the door, only gazing at the mountain of people and sea of lanterns in the plaza.

Looking down from the high hall steps, opposite the mountain gate hall was the Heavenly Kings Hall, separated by a spacious plaza. Lantern pavilions were arranged with countless seasonal gauze lanterns—from afar it looked like a brilliant sea of lanterns. Looking at the plaza center with gongs and drums clamoring, dragon boat races, stilt walking, yangko dancing… further enhancing the joyous Lantern Festival atmosphere.

Wu Dingyuan stared at this peaceful human world and suddenly said: “Gong Zhi… how long has it been since we came to a lantern festival?”

Gong Zhi bowed: “Last time was the eighth year of Zhengtong, today is the eleventh year. We haven’t come for three years.”

The last time the generals came to the lantern festival was the eighth year of Zhengtong, bingzi year of the rat zodiac. Looking at today, it was already the eleventh year of Zhengtong, jimao year of the rabbit. Wu Dingyuan squinted: “No wonder. Last time it was mice stealing oil lamps, now they’re all rabbits pounding medicine.”

The generals looked toward the plaza and indeed saw all the large and small lanterns in the pavilions were rabbit-shaped. One by one glowing red, yellow, and green, some pounding medicine, some hopping, surrounding Chang’e fairy—looking innocent and delightful. But at this solemn moment, no one could laugh.

Wu Dingyuan gazed at the mountain of people and sea of lanterns, only wanting to find his wife and children’s figures. But with hundreds of officials’ families all coming to celebrate the New Year, the plaza was crowded with people coming and going. Even with his keen eyesight, he couldn’t spot them.

One could see Dingyuan was tired. He hadn’t slept all night, leaving home before dawn with no time to speak with his wife and children. Finally enduring until evening, just wanting to enjoy lanterns with his family for the Lantern Festival, another bandit Wang Yitong appeared, holding him here and making him shed tears in vain. Now worried again about court affairs, truly not knowing when he’d have leisure.

In comparison, fighting was much easier. Having a good, straightforward fight with Qin Zhonghai without needing to think about anything…

Seeing Wu Dingyuan remain silent throughout, Director Fang sighed: “Grand Commander, in terms of court strength, you naturally fear no one. But now we’re competing for the imperial throne! If you keep taking hits without fighting back, be careful of being smashed to pieces.” Speaking thus, he handed all the items to Cen Yan: “This servant has said all that can be said. Here are this servant’s guard military tokens, plus the gifts Prince Tang prepared for you—everything depends on what you say.”

Having finished speaking, Director Fang took his leave, but this time left the items behind. The military blade, spider armor, and tokens were all collected in the bundle, but the Grand Commander still had no words, neither thanking nor seeing him off, as if he’d become a statue.

Gao Jiong worried in his heart and hurriedly said: “Grand Commander, what… what do you say?”

Wu Dingyuan silently gazed at the distant plaza and said quietly: “Don’t ask me. I don’t know.”

The generals said in surprise: “Don’t… don’t know?”

Wu Dingyuan looked up at the bright moon on the horizon and suddenly smiled: “I probably won’t live much longer.”

The generals exclaimed in surprise, all terrified and shocked. But the Grand Commander said no more. In an instant, his sleeves fluttered as he turned and left the hall.

Gong Zhi shouted loudly: “Zhengtong Army! Guard the Grand Commander!”

The chief military advisor shouted, and with two “slap” sounds, Yan Feng and Gao Jiong’s military boots heavily struck the ground as they turned solemnly. The other staff officers, without need for orders, each took their positions. Gong Zhi on the left, Yan Feng on the right, Gao Jiong in front, Cen Yan following behind—all with strict military discipline, together escorting the Grand Commander as they departed.