In the Ze Tian Palace, purple smoke lingered around the incense burner, and waves of fragrance wafted in the air.
There were two rows of Imperial Guards on both sides, but only Qin Lei was there. Chu Huaiying, the commander of the Dragon Guards, had already taken leave to recuperate. Feng Jixing and Lin Muyu walked side by side into the main hall. At this moment, Qin Jin, dressed in a dragon robe, came to the throne. He frowned and asked with concern, "Yu, I heard that you were also attacked. How are you?"
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and said, "I'm fine. I only lost 21 brothers of the Imperial Guards."
Qin Jin heaved a sigh of relief and said, "It's good that you're fine. I can't let two of my Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning Generals get hurt at once. Otherwise … I'm afraid everyone in the world will laugh at me."
Feng Jixing said, "Your Majesty, the House of Chivalry has been attacked time and time again. This matter cannot be delayed. The empire can no longer tolerate the House of Chivalry."
Qin Jin revealed a hint of anger and said, "I also know that the expedition order has already been issued to the governors of the various provinces. But this group … this group of good-for-nothings only know how to receive their salaries but don't know how to do things. They either say that their generals are sick, or they send troops but don't fight. I really don't know what's the point of raising this group of useless people!"
"This …"
Lin Muyu thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, in fact, many of the provincial governors and other officials are acquainted with the higher-ups of the House of Chivalry. Some of them are even in cahoots with each other. If we really want to attack them, I'm afraid that it will hurt the interests of these governors. This is probably the biggest reason why they are unwilling to really attack the House of Chivalry."
"Yu, how do you think we should destroy the House of Chivalry?" Qin Jin asked with a smile.
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and said, "Just send the generals to lead the troops to attack them. If the local generals are unwilling to send troops, then we can directly choose generals from Lanyan City."
Qin Jin raised his eyebrows and said, "It seems … this idea is not bad, but there aren't many generals that can be used in the Imperial Capital. Yu, you can be considered one. General Chu Huaiyi is injured, Feng Jixing is in charge of the Imperial Capital's defense, and Qin Lei has to protect Ze Tian Palace Hall. The people that can be used … perhaps Yuwen Lian and Ling Feng can be considered candidates?"
Lin Muyu smiled and said, "Actually … Feng Jixing's subordinates, Zhang Wei, Luo Lie, and the others are all fierce generals who can take charge of an area. Your Majesty can also put them in an important position."
Qin Jin smiled. "General Feng, are Luo Lie and Zhang Wei really as Yu said?"
Feng Jixing cupped his fists and said, "Yes, if this subordinate is unable to personally lead the army, Zhang Wei and Luo Lie can indeed lead the army to kill the enemy."
"Alright!"
Qin Jin patted the armrest of the dragon chair and said, "Pass down my order. Promote Zhang Wei and Luo Lie to Deputy Generals. Each of them will lead 5,000 imperial guards to destroy the rebels of the House of Chivalry within 500 miles of Lanyan City!"
Feng Jixing said, "Your Majesty, it is not enough to just destroy the House of Chivalry in the North Ridge Province. We must send troops to the surrounding provinces around Lanyan City, such as Earth Star Province, Cangnan Province, Sea of Qi Province, and Heaven's Pivot Province. We must wipe out the forces of the House of Chivalry north of the Qinling Mountains in one fell swoop!"
"Yes."
Qin Jin narrowed his eyes and said, "Yu, you are the Commander of the Eagle Nest Battalion. It is already winter, and your tasks will be greatly reduced. Are you willing to take advantage of this time to wipe out the rebels in Cangnan Province for my Imperial Father?"
"I am willing." Lin Muyu cupped his fists and bowed. He did not dare to overstep his authority by calling him Imperial Father. With this kind of relationship, it was fine to call him Emperor. Lin Muyu knew his own limits and knew when to advance and when to retreat.
Qin Lei, who was at the side, said, "Your Majesty, the military strength of the Eagle Nest Battalion is less than 1,000 people, but the Rangers in Cangnan Province have gathered at least 30,000 people. I am afraid that this number of troops is not enough to wipe out the rebels!"
"Of course I know that."
Qin Jin stroked his beard and said with a smile, "After the deployment of the Imperial Guard, there are only 20,000 left, and they cannot be used anymore. There are two other armies within the territory of Lanyan City. One is the 90,000 strong Tianchong Army, and the other is the 40,000 strong Longquan Army that guards the Imperial Mausoleum. Feng Jixing, Qin Lei, which army do you think should be given to Yu to command?"
Feng Jixing thought for a moment and said, "Although the Tianchong Army has 90,000 strong soldiers, they are responsible for guarding the Qihai Stronghold. I am afraid … the deployment of the Tianchong Army is inappropriate. Your Majesty should also know that Duke Lan has 200,000 soldiers in Qihai City. If we move the Tianchong Army away … Duke Lan's army will be able to pass through the Qihai Stronghold and enter Lanyan City without a hitch …"
Qin Jin took a deep breath and said, "This … We also know, but Duke Lan has always been loyal and devoted. He should not be disloyal. Besides, isn't Xiao Xi still in Lanyan City?"
"Xiao Xi is only …"
Feng Jixing wanted to say something, but stopped himself. His eyes flickered as he cupped his fists and said, "This general only has a suggestion. As for the specifics, I will leave it to Your Majesty to decide."
"Qin Lei, what do you think?" Qin Jin looked at Qin Lei.
Qin Lei did not have so many misgivings and said bluntly, "Although Xiao Xi can move freely in Lanyan City, Grand Duke Tang Lan has sent Xiao Xi to live in Lanyan City for so many years in order to express his feelings to Your Majesty. He would rather leave his most beloved granddaughter in Lanyan City as a hostage. This has already explained everything. On the other hand, Longquan Army is said to guard the Imperial Mausoleum in name, but in reality, it is mutually dependent with the Imperial Army. Together, they guard the Imperial Capital. Therefore, this general believes that Longquan Army cannot be moved. However, the Tianchong Army can be deployed for Yu's use."
Qin Jin smiled in satisfaction. "Hmm, this is exactly what I was thinking. How about this … I will immediately write an imperial edict for Yu, ordering you to head to the Seven Seas Pass and deploy twenty thousand elite troops from General Du Hai. After that, you will enter Cangnan Province. You must eliminate all the rebels from the House of Chivalry in Cangnan Province within a month. Yu, can you do it?"
Just as Lin Muyu was secretly sighing that Tang Xiaoxi's status in Lanyan City was not as glorious as it seemed on the surface, she raised her head and said with clear eyes, "I cannot guarantee whether I can do it or not, but I will definitely do my best. Your Majesty, I have stayed in the House of Chivalry for a period of time, and even know the filth of the House of Chivalry. Please rest assured, I will definitely do my best!"
Qin Jin could not help but laugh. "Yu's words make us very happy. Good, I will immediately write an imperial edict and prepare the tiger seal for you! In addition, I will promote you, Yu, to be the General of the South, so that you will have the authority to command twenty thousand troops. "
"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and at the same time asked in a low voice, "The General of the South … just how high is his rank?"
Feng Jixing laughed in a low voice and said, "The rank of the General of the South … is much higher than your previous rank of General Long Xiang, and your commanding power is Captaincy. In short, you can only command twenty thousand people if you wear the General of the South's seal. Otherwise, how will you be able to command the generals under you if they are all of a higher rank than you?"
Lin Muyu was pleased. "Hmm, I understand."
…
Not long after, the imperial edict was written. Qin Jin's handwriting was excellent, and even without the Emperor's seal, others would probably be able to recognize it. However, with the golden clay seal, it was even more convincing.
At this time, an official handed the General of the South's seal and token to Qin Jin. Qin Jin walked forward and said in a low voice, "General of the South, Lin Muyu, receive my seal!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lin Muyu cupped her fists and bowed. She lowered her head and opened her hands to receive the seal. Beside the heavy blood-red general seal, there was a golden general token with the words' South 'carved on it. The seal was too heavy and he couldn't bring it along with him at all times, but this token could prove Lin Muyu's identity and status. He couldn't help but feel a little happy. Perhaps it was because the military rank of the Xiang Dragon General was too low that he didn't even have a seal, but now, he could finally have his own identity and status.
Qin Lei chuckled at the side. "Congratulations to Yu for being promoted to the rank of Captaincy!"
Lin Muyu replied with a smile, "Thank you, Commander Qin Lei."
Qin Jin placed his hand on Lin Muyu's shoulder and said in an extremely gentle voice, "Yu, my child … no matter the outcome of this battle, you will always be father's pride. This expedition to the Cangnan Province is just a chance for you to train your troops. Go, be careful along the way, father and your younger sister will miss you."
Qin Jin was the emperor of a generation, but at this moment, the expression he revealed was actually like a father sending off his son who had enlisted in the army. Even Lin Muyu had an illusion that at this moment, Qin Jin's aged appearance actually overlapped with his father Lin Shun's impression, the same prematurely aged weariness, the same loving affection.
"I know, father." He said in a low voice.
Qin Jin was also startled, he clenched his fists and slowly loosened them. He said, "Go, father will prepare a celebratory feast for you at Ze Tian Palace."
"Yes!"
…
Lin Muyu placed the imperial edict and token in his chest pocket, then led his horse out of Ze Tian Palace. Feng Jixing and Chu Huaiying also sent him all the way to the outskirts of the palace. Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the others were still waiting for him, so he brought everyone back to the Eagle Nest Camp.
He did not know how long this trip would take.
There were too many things in Lin Muyu's heart that he could not let go, so after dinner, he went to visit Chu Yao, then went to the Duke of Seven Seas' residence to chat with Tang Xiaoxi for a while. Although Chu Yao and Tang Xiaoxi could not bear for him to leave, after all, Lin Muyu's current status was different. He was one of the high-ranking generals of the Empire, and there were too many things that he had no choice but to do.
Life was like the billowing waves of the deep sea, and Lin Muyu could not extricate himself from it. He was very clear that he needed to grow and experience, otherwise, if he was not strong enough, he was afraid that a small disturbance would be enough to consign him to eternal damnation. The grudge with the Divine Marquis Residence was enough to explain everything. He needed to obtain status and military power in the Empire's army, otherwise he would be worthless!
He refined the Perfection Elixir for Tang Xiaoxi that night, but he did not have the time to see how she completed the cultivation of the Fire Fox Seal. Early the next morning, Lin Muyu led Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and a total of 60 Imperial Guards out of the Eagle Nest Camp. This time, he did not bring too many Imperial Guards, but he brought all the Imperial Guards. Lin Muyu needed this group of people to escort him on this mission.
…
Moreover, would it be successful to use the Northern Ridge Province's army to enter Cangnan Province to eliminate the rebels?
Probably not.
Unconsciously, the image of a person surfaced in Lin Muyu's mind. Long Qianlin, the person with the highest military power in Cangnan Province, would definitely not let things go too smoothly for him. After all, Cangnan Province, Five Valleys City, House of Chivalry, there were too many connections.
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