Chapter 77

"It's already the fourth hour of the Snake (10 o'clock). How is the situation in Cai State?" Kong Yingzhi led the five hundred elite soldiers of the Kong family, anxiously waiting in the Qingquan River Valley.

Suddenly, a late-stage Foundation Establishment guard ran over in a panic, "Young Master, it's bad, we need to run!"

"What happened?" Kong Yingzhi was still dazed.

The guard didn't have time to explain, pulling Kong Yingzhi and fleeing to the rear. Just as Kong Yingzhi climbed over the hill, he heard the sounds of explosions and fierce battle from behind.

"Uncle Guo, what's going on? Did Cai State fail?" Kong Yingzhi looked at the guard, but the guard's head slumped, and he was dead.

"Uncle Guo!" Kong Yingzhi was shocked. When he turned the guard over, he saw two fist-sized blood holes on his back, already a mess of flesh and blood.

Kong Yingzhi was stunned, then he picked up the guard's body and fled for his life.

Behind him, the battle ended quickly; Beichen Yuqing counted one by one, "One main character escaped!"

"I'll go after him!" Liu Leigang was about to chase.

Beichen Yuqing stopped him, "No need. If we chase further, it will be within the Zhongshan County territory, with high mountains and dense forests, making it impossible to pursue. Besides, we shouldn't completely break ties with the Kong family right now. Even if we catch that person, we still have to let him go."

"Why?" Liu Leigang was confused.

Beichen Yuqing smiled bitterly, "Killing the brother and the son, if we kill the son again, Kong Donglai will go mad. Moreover, we need the Kong family to cooperate with us on something. Protect these bodies well, don't damage them; they are important evidence."

Liu Leigang looked at Beichen Yuqing and sighed, "What do you strategists think about all day?"

"Strategists!" Beichen Yuqing laughed and led the way out of the valley.

——

When Anyang achieved an unprecedented victory, the second wave of messengers sent by Li Liang flew to Wuyang again.

"The enemy's strength is unprecedented, nearly fifty thousand soldiers, and over fifty war magic artifacts?!"

This news completely shook the court. The emperor was at a loss. As Xu Ren had evaluated, the emperor truly lacked the ability to rule, panicking when faced with major events.

"Your Majesty, I will immediately go to the rescue!" Fu Minghui said again.

"Your Majesty, no!" Kong Xiang stopped him again, "Since Cai State has used over fifty war magic artifacts, it shows that their intentions are not small! If it were just Anyang, they wouldn't make such a fuss. I fear this is Cai State's strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. Once the capital's defense is weakened, Cai State's main force will surely invade from the north.

In my humble opinion, please have Kaiping County, Zhongshan County, and Luliang County provide mutual defense. Anyang can be abandoned, but the capital cannot be risked!"

Kong Xiang's words were too beautiful! The emperor was at a loss again.

Wang Chuan sneered, coldly watching Kong Xiang's performance. Then he looked at Li Yulong, his eyes filled with smugness—neither of your sons will return! Hmph!

Li Yulong was anxious but couldn't find a good excuse to counter. Moreover, as a civil official, he was not in a position to speak on military matters.

In the end, the emperor ordered Fu Minghui to continue guarding Wuyang City. At the same time, he ordered Kaiping County, Zhongshan County, and Luliang County to provide mutual defense for Anyang.

After the court session, Wang Chuan approached Li Yulong again, "Minister Li, I believe the two young masters will return safely. However, a person like Kong Xiang, who disregards the overall situation, should not remain as Grand Tutor. We should replace him with someone who cares for the country and the people."

Li Yulong, of course, knew Wang Chuan's intentions—this guy wanted to be the Grand Tutor. But Li Yulong had no time to think about these things and hurriedly returned home.

By noon, a shadow appeared in Li Yulong's study.

"How is it?" Li Yulong asked nervously.

The shadow's tone was full of confidence, "A great victory, the situation is as such..."

Li Yulong was stunned, and after a long time, he finally laughed heartily. "Very good, very good, Wang Chuan, you want to be the Grand Tutor? Dream on!"

Shortly after, Li Yulong called Yang Zhong, "Yang Zhong, deliver this letter to the Grand Tutor's residence, and make sure to hand it to Grand Tutor Kong Xiang personally!"

"Yes."

Yang Zhong was very fast, and in less than a moment, the letter was in Kong Xiang's hands. Kong Xiang was suspicious but ultimately opened the envelope. Inside, there was only a blank sheet of paper.

"A blank sheet of paper?"

Not just Kong Xiang, even Yang Zhong was confused. He confirmed multiple times that he had not tampered with it.

After Yang Zhong left, Kong Xiang stared at the blank sheet for a long time, then suddenly realized—it was all for nothing!

The blank sheet meant it was all for nothing. The reason it was a blank sheet and not an empty envelope was that it meant—your foundation can still be preserved.

Put together, it meant: Your Kong family has worked hard for nothing, even facing the risk of collapse. Want to preserve your foundation? Cooperate with me, Li Yulong! Give me what I want!

Kong Xiang clutched the blank sheet, his hands trembling with anger. After a long time, he finally sighed, sitting down in the chair, exhausted and weary.

In the evening, the capital erupted in chaos, the noise filling the sky.

The steward just approached Kong Xiang, who smiled bitterly, "Was it a great victory in Anyang?"

"Um... Your Excellency, you are truly insightful," the steward said with infinite admiration.

"Insightful? Heh..." Kong Xiang could only laugh bitterly.

There were three court sessions in one day, one at midnight, one in the morning, and one in the evening. But the emperor looked very good. Facing the officials, the emperor personally announced the results of the battle:

"Li Xian annihilated four thousand of Cai State's Imperial Guard in the Huangshi Valley, only the General of the Army escaped.

In the defense of Anyang, the first battle killed over seventeen thousand enemies, pursuing them for over thirty miles.

The second battle killed over nine thousand seven hundred pursuing troops.

The third battle killed a total of about thirty-three thousand, reducing Cai State's southeastern defense by seventy percent, making it unable to attack for three years.

On the Anyang side, there were five thousand one hundred and forty-eight casualties.

A great victory, a great victory! An unprecedented victory! The largest victory in the past thirty years, and a true victory!"

The officials were stunned, especially Wang Chuan, who seemed to have been hit with a stick, unable to think for a moment.

Kong Xiang suddenly stood up, "Your Majesty, this old minister is guilty. I just received news that Yao Jianye colluded with the enemy, privately allowing four thousand elite troops of Cai State to enter the pass, nearly causing a great disaster.

Please allow this old minister to retire."

The emperor, in a good mood, joked, "I approve. However, I have one last question for the Grand Tutor. Who do you think can assist the country?"

Kong Xiang sighed, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Looking at the current court, the virtuous are Chancellor Ouyang Wubing, the capable are Censor Li Yulong, and the military are Grand Marshal Yuan Yong. As long as Your Majesty heavily relies on these three, the empire can be secure for twenty years."

"Very good. Li Yulong, starting today, you will be my assistant minister. I have a task for you. The factory with ten thousand looms has been completed. You must help me manage it well."

Li Yulong sighed inwardly, a ruler who will lead to the downfall of the country, still caring about such things at this time. But he said, "Yes."

The emperor then looked at the chancellor, "Chancellor, what punishment should Yao Jianye receive?"

"Confiscate his property and exterminate his clan!"

"Very good. Who does the chancellor think can replace the governor of Kaiping County?"

The chancellor hesitated for a moment, "No one but Li Liang. With the momentum of victory, Li Liang can quickly stabilize Kaiping County, eliminate hidden dangers, and ensure the northeastern border of the Daxia Kingdom is secure."

"Good, then recall Yao Jianye, confiscate his property, and exterminate his clan. Promote Li Liang to the governor of Kaiping County and Li Liang to the governor of Anyang."

...

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends