Feng Yuanji's pupils suddenly shrank, and his body under the iron armor visibly trembled. "You... You actually..."
Anyone who has led troops knows that a general's real power does not lie in the shiny seal or the magnificent official robe, but in the number of personal soldiers willing to lay down their lives under his command.
A private army that only obeys the general's orders and ignores the imperial edict is a general's greatest reliance!
The Huo Family's Iron Cavalry in the past was like this, the Feng Family's Army now is like this, and the Xiao Family's Army, which is renowned in the southern border—naturally, it is no exception.
However, Xiao Jingnan left all the remaining 100,000 personal soldiers of the Xiao Family in the southern border.
...
Xiao Jingnan lowered his eyes, his fingertips gently caressing the edge of the teacup. The rim of the cup reflected the candlelight, as if there was still lingering bloodlust.
His voice was soft, but every word was as heavy as iron.
"The southern border is an old wound in the hearts of the Xiao and Huo families."
"I will never allow the six cities in the southern border to fall back into the hands of An Luo again."
He raised his eyes. His eyes were as calm as an abyss, but there was a fierce glint in them, like the last moment of silence before a blade was unsheathed.
"This old problem in the southern border... this time, I will make it heal completely."
As his voice faded, the room suddenly fell into silence. Only the ticking of the clepsydra could be heard, one sound after another, like the gong sounding to recall the troops on the battlefield.
After a long time, Feng Yuanji let out a long sigh. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if he had suddenly aged.
"Forget it, forget it. I'm really old. I can't keep up with your young people's thinking." He waved his hand, his voice filled with infinite exhaustion. "Do whatever you want. You don't need to ask me along the way..."
Xiao Jingnan was slightly taken aback.
He came here today originally to consult Feng Yuanji on whether it was appropriate to secretly escort the Kang father and son to the capital and to publicize the great victory loudly. After all, Feng Yuanji was the commander-in-chief, and many things needed his approval.
But now hearing what he said, it was not appropriate to ask anymore.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jingnan stepped forward half a step and bowed respectfully. "General, you've worked hard during your time in Shou'an."
"Don't flatter me!" Feng Yuanji glared at him, his beard standing on end. "I've just been here in the city to watch out for a few mice. What's so hard about that? But you..."
He stared at the glaring wound on Xiao Jingnan's cheek and scolded. "Hurry up and take care of your wound. Otherwise, when Xiao Yuancheng sees it, he'll blame me for not taking good care of his precious son!"
The corner of Xiao Jingnan's lips curled up slightly. Finally, a genuine smile appeared in his eyes. He bowed again.
"Yes, I'll follow your orders, senior."
————————
The news that the emperor had personally led the army on a campaign and returned in triumph spread across both sides of the great river overnight.
When Zhao Yanke's imperial carriage slowly left Lingxi County, the sides of the official road were already crowded with people. The commoners jostled against each other, and their cheers resounded through the sky.
"Long live the emperor!"
"The true dragon has appeared!"
"May Heaven bless the Great Sheng!"
"The sage has descended to the world! The sage has descended to the world!"
The waves of sound were like tides, one after another, shaking the leaves on the roadside trees to fall rustling.
When they reached the border between Min and Lingxi, suddenly a series of urgent drumbeats came through the air.
On both sides of the official road, eighteen cowhide drums were lined up in a row. The drumsticks fell simultaneously, and the sound was like thunder!
The lion dance team leaped up following the rhythm of the drums. The golden lions glared angrily, their manes flying. With a deft move, one of the lions opened its mouth wide and spat out a piece of red-gold brocade: Peace under heaven!
Zhao Yanke on the imperial carriage was also entranced by the sight. He couldn't help but lean out half of his body. The bright yellow dragon sleeves fluttered in the wind, making the young emperor look even more high-spirited.
Seeing this, the officials from Min below quickly bowed and stepped forward. "Your humble servants welcome Your Majesty! Your Majesty's triumphant return passing through Min allows us to behold Your Majesty's countenance. It's truly the greatest fortune of our lives..."
Zhao Yanke glanced at him but didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head and looked behind him, shouting at the top of his voice. "Princess Consort! Don't you still have something to do? Come out quickly!"
At the back of the procession, Li Wanming reined in her horse and asked Chen Mazi in a low voice. "Are you ready?"
Chen Mazi's face was full of panic. "Big Boss... No, no, no, Princess Consort! Really... Really don't need to do this. I can go by myself..."
"Of course not!" Li Wanming deliberately put on a stern face, but there was a hidden smile in her eyes. "You're a hero in the recovery of the southern border. How can you not receive the imperial reward?"
"But... But..." Chen Mazi cried with a long face. "I... I get weak in the knees as soon as I see an official..."
Chen Mazi still felt dizzy when he recalled it.
His big boss had actually married the heir apparent and become the princess consort!
And the "grandpa" who had applied medicine to him in Dayi Mountain a few days ago was actually the emperor, the current Son of Heaven!!
Goodness gracious!
Heaven help him! He had actually let the emperor apply medicine to him!
This... This was really a blessing that could lead to the execution of nine generations of his family!
When Chen Mazi learned this news, he almost wet his pants...
...
"What's so scary about officials? And what about the emperor? Look at you, such a coward!" Jiang Xiaohuan rode her horse over and glanced at him disdainfully. "Even the emperor has to rely on us common people in the war. A good man needs three helpers. Don't you understand?"
Li Wanming nodded approvingly. "Xiaohuan is right." She looked at the faraway ceremonial procession with fluttering flags and said softly. "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Even the Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven of the common people."
After the great victory in the southern border, the Women's Army led by Jiang Xiaohuan had made great contributions by developing a deadly poison and was officially incorporated into the Shou'an garrison.
The court not only appointed her as a centurion but also bestowed a resounding title—Chixia Guards, which meant "loyal and devoted, with a glorious spirit."
Jiang Xiaohuan, a peasant girl, had actually become the first female general with a rank in the Great Sheng!
Chen Mazi shrank his neck. "Can I be the same as her... She's a female bandit..."
"Haha!" Li Wanming couldn't help laughing out loud. "What you said, as if you weren't a bandit! You're probably a more genuine bandit than her!"
After saying that, she whipped the horse's rump of Chen Mazi. "Go! Let these local officials in Min see what a good son of Min is!"
The bay horse neighed in pain and reared up its front hooves, shaking Chen Mazi so much that he almost fell off the horse's back.
He grabbed the horse's neck in a hurry, looking like a frightened quail. Just like this, he staggered and rushed to the imperial carriage.
"I... I, a commoner... See... See..." He rolled off the horse, but his tongue seemed to be knotted.
At first, Zhao Yanke listened patiently. But later, seeing that he just trembled and couldn't say a complete sentence for a long time, he finally couldn't bear it anymore and waved his hand. "Feng Xiao, read out the edict!"
Feng Xiao walked out of the queue with a dark face. He was very dissatisfied with being assigned the task of a eunuch to read out the edict temporarily, but he couldn't resist.
So, he could only clench his teeth and unfurl the bright yellow scroll in his hand, shouting angrily.
"By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor's Edict:
Now, there is Chen Mazi. Although he was born in a humble family, he has the heart for the country. In the war in the southern border, he did not shy away from hardships and dangers but stepped forward to serve. He offered strategies to assist the military, and his ambition is praiseworthy.
The rise and fall of the country is the responsibility of every citizen. You, as a commoner, were able to fight for the country bravely. It is truly a blessing for me and all the people.
Now, you are specially rewarded with 500 taels of silver and granted the title of "Righteous and Brave Gentleman" to commend your merits. I hope that you will still maintain this heart in the future, be loyal and diligent without slack, and be an example for the villagers.
This edict is announced to the world so that everyone may know.
So it is decreed!"