The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 446 Cinnabar-dyed Characters
The stove burned quietly in a corner of the side hall of Jinyang Palace, occasionally bursting into a few bluish-white sparks that were quickly extinguished in the stagnant air.

The hall was warm and inviting, creating a world apart from the howling north wind outside.

Li Cunxu lay hunched over a large sandalwood desk, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, which made his young profile appear slightly cold and hard. After a moment, the vermilion brush in his hand paused, and his gaze fell on the open pages of "The Art of War by Duke Wei," where a line of black ink had been annotated: "Double the speed and speed, and if you fight for profit within a hundred li, you will surely defeat the general."

On the other side of the desk lay a brand-new copy of "Zhenguan Zhengyao" (Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era). Compared to the military book next to it, whose pages were frayed and edges were soft from repeated reading, this book had crisp, clean pages.

The eunuchs standing in the hall held their breath, their hands at their sides, afraid that the slightest sound would disturb the figure before them.

Li Cunxu hesitated for a moment, and just as he picked up the "Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era" and opened the book, the palace door was suddenly pushed open by hurried footsteps.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty."

Li Congxi, the trusted eunuch, hurriedly knelt on the ground, his usual composure vanishing. He held up a thick scroll with both hands, his voice filled with barely suppressed urgency: "The two towns of Dingzhou and Zhaozhou have suddenly changed!"

Li Cunxu's hand paused almost imperceptibly as a drop of full vermilion splattered onto the word "common people" in the opening of "The Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era," which read, "The way of a ruler is to first care for the common people." The splatter quickly spread into a small, glaring red blush, like congealed blood.

His face remained expressionless, and he didn't even look up at Li Congxi. He simply put down his pen slowly, his movements so steady that there wasn't a single unnecessary tremor.

"Send it up."

Li Congxi crawled a few steps on his knees and held the scroll, still chilly and seemingly covered in snow from beyond the Great Wall, high above his head. Li Cunxu took it; the scroll felt heavy in his hand, and it contained a considerable amount of information.

He turned to the first page and calmly scanned the chilling text hastily written in vastly different handwritings by various spies, scouts, and frontline generals.

"The first month of the eighth year of Tianyou, on the day of Guiwei..."

"...Wang Rong presented maps and household registers..."

"Wang Chuzhi relinquished his royal title..."

The hall was deathly silent, save for the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire and the barely audible rustling of the pages turning. Li Cunxu read through the text line by line, at a moderate pace, his face remaining expressionless. Only when he read words like "kneeling," "kowtow," "execution," "changing flags," "stripping of titles," and "pleading guilty" did a fleeting glint of cold light flash in the depths of his pupils, so fast it was almost imperceptible.

The last page was turned. Li Cunxu slowly closed the file, but the soft sound of it closing was strangely clear in the silence. He placed the scroll on the corner of the table, his movements gentle, as if he were setting down an ordinary official document.

A moment later, Li Cunxu raised his eyes and looked down at Li Congxi's back, which was hunched over in extreme fear. His voice was as calm as ever, without the slightest hint of emotion: "Understood."

He paused, then ordered, "Summon Guo Chongtao, Zhou Dewei, Zhang Chengye, and Lu Zhi to an audience immediately. Convey my oral decree: from this moment forward, without my written order, the palace gates are locked, and no one is allowed to enter or leave, nor to transmit a single word to the outside world. Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot."

"Yes...yes!" Li Congxi felt as if he had been granted a pardon and staggered out, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

A moment later, several people entered the hall one after another, the atmosphere heavy.

Li Cunxu sat upright in the main seat, his all-white attire standing out starkly against the candlelight, exuding a chilling aura. Below him, the chief secretary Guo Chongtao, the commander-in-chief of both Han and non-Han cavalry Zhou Dewei, the military supervisor Zhang Chengye, and the judge of the military governor Lu Zhi stood solemnly. The dossier that had just been passed between them had already been handed over, its significance self-evident.

“Our Jin soldiers… have suffered such humiliation.” Zhou Dewei’s bronze face flushed with barely suppressed rage, his voice choked with suppressed sobs: “Your Highness, if it weren’t for my incompetence in failing to suppress the Western Route Army’s rebellion, the late King would not have been forced to leave Taiyuan and fall into such a perilous situation. If the late King were still alive, how could Xiao Yan and his ilk be so arrogant? Grand Commandant Li and Marquis Xue, pillars of the state, have been… have been so humiliated by that brat Xiao Yan. Thousands of our soldiers, the elite troops of Hedong, have been trapped like lambs to the slaughter in enemy territory. Your Highness…”

He stepped forward, clasped his hands and bowed, his voice hoarse from suppressing his anger: "This is an unprecedented disgrace for my Jin state! This old minister begs to lead the elite Flying Cavalry to Jingxing Pass under the cover of night. To rescue the trapped soldiers and fight the Liang bandits to the death. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will use my life to wash away this hatred and comfort the spirit of the late king in heaven."

His grief and self-reproach were palpable, causing him to lose some of his usual composure and become overly arbitrary. However, Li Cunxu, who was known for his bravery and fierceness, was now as silent as a deep abyss.

"General Dewei is loyal and brave, and his sincerity shines as bright as the sun and moon."

Guo Chongtao spoke at the opportune moment, then replied sternly: "However, if the general wishes to fight to the death, I dare to ask: After you leave Jingxing and provide support, will you fight or retreat? If you fight, Xiao Yan, with the prestige of newly pacifying Hebei and Zhao and Dingzhou as his allies, and our army having just suffered a great loss, with morale dampened and supply lines long, is it possible to win? If you retreat, since Xiao Yan has already ordered us to stay for ten days, if our army forcibly provides support for our breakout, wouldn't that give him an excuse to 'break the agreement and raise an army,' inciting his wrath and prompting him to mobilize the entire Hebei army and even the imperial guards of Bianliang to press on our border? At that time, not only will the trapped soldiers be difficult to rescue, but we will also be setting ourselves up for disaster, leaving our Hedong region wide open and plunging us into an abyss of no return. This is not about saving our soldiers, but about bringing disaster to the country."

Guo Chongtao's words were like a bucket of ice water poured on Zhou Dewei's burning anger, and also on everyone's hearts.

Zhou Dewei's lips moved, his chest heaved violently, but in the end he could only sigh heavily and take a step back in despair. He had always been good at understanding military situations, and he knew all too well that attacking at this moment was unwise. However, the overwhelming humiliation and self-reproach had nearly driven him mad over the past few months.

"What Secretary Guo said is a wise and experienced approach to governing the country." Zhang Chengye's aged voice rang out, carrying a hint of imperceptible heaviness, yet it was also exceptionally firm.

"Your Highness, I have served in Hedong for decades and know firsthand how hard-won the late king's legacy was. This scoundrel Xiao Yan is ruthless and intimidating; his aim is not only to intimidate, but also to test the strength of Hedong and Your Highness's resolve. Our Jin state has just ascended the throne, the national mourning period is not yet over, and the Tongwen Hall… alas, its internal affairs also need reorganization. In this perilous situation, we should outwardly show submission to lull him into a false sense of security, while inwardly strengthening our military to solidify our foundation. The most urgent task is not a matter of pride, but to quickly gather the sufficient provisions Xiao Yan demands and transport them safely to Zhenzhou to save the lives of the thousands of trapped soldiers. Only by saving lives can we plan to save the nation…"

Zhang Chengye's gaze swept over Zhou Dewei and Guo Chongtao, finally settling on Li Cunxu again. "Enduring this humiliation is not out of cowardice, but to accumulate strength. When the treasury is full, the armor and weapons are sharp, and the people's hearts are with us, then we will have a chance to wash away today's humiliation. If we act rashly and waste our strength, causing the late king's foundation to collapse in an instant, even if I die, I will have no face to meet the late king in the afterlife."

Lu Zhi, the military judge, immediately stepped forward and said in a steady voice, “What Supervisor Zhang said is absolutely right. What is even more worrying is that Zhao and Dingzhou have changed sides in an instant, and the shield of Hebei has been completely destroyed. Xiao Yan’s next step will definitely be to consolidate Hebei, eyeing Hedong with covetous intent. The most urgent task for our Jin state is, externally, to send high-ranking officials again to present a memorial to show sincerity, with more respectful words and more generous tribute, in order to appease them and lull the powerful Liang into complacency; internally, we need to strengthen our army, emulate the reform of the Bianliang Imperial Guard, eliminate the weak and retain the strong, cultivate the lands of Daibei and Yunshuo, recruit refugees, expand the military farms, and replenish the granaries. This is the foundation for resisting Liang. We must not act rashly out of momentary anger and destroy the foundation that our late kings built with great difficulty.”

Li Cunxu sat motionless, his gaze slowly sweeping over the officials below. Their demeanor—a mixture of grief, composure, pragmatism, and resignation—was distinct, like a painting reflecting the struggles of the Jin state before Xiao Yan.

He didn't rush to express his opinion. His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the armrest, making a barely audible tapping sound, the rhythm as steady as his heartbeat.

After everyone finished speaking, the hall fell silent again. Li Cunxu's gaze finally settled on Guo Chongtao: "Minister Guo, in your opinion, how should this be dealt with?"

Guo Chongtao immediately stepped forward and said in a calm and steady voice: "First, recognize the situation. Xiao Yan's intimidation of Hebei is a done deal. Wang Rong and Wang Chuzhi have switched sides, and the die is cast. Dwelling on humiliation is useless; we should think of practical countermeasures."

"Secondly, protect the army. The stranded soldiers are all our battle-hardened elites, the backbone of the nation, and must not be lost. Even if Xiao Yan makes insatiable demands, we must do our best to procure provisions and select capable officers to escort them, ensuring that the ten-day period is passed safely. At the same time, I secretly order Grand Commandant Li and Marquis Xue to strictly discipline their troops, guard the camp, and prevent any incidents or giving others any leverage. This is the foundation of our survival."

"Thirdly, consolidate the foundation. Externally, we need to send another high-ranking official with a personal memorial from the King to Bianliang as soon as possible. The memorial must be written in a humble and respectful tone, reiterating our submission and explaining in detail that the 'pursuit of the traitor' is a domestic legal matter, and we have no intention of offending the Emperor's majesty. We earnestly request Xiao Yan to forgive the soldiers for their detention. We must adopt the lowest possible stance to lower their guard."

"Fourth, strengthen the nation. Domestically, accelerate the implementation of the King's established strategy: reorganize the army in Daibei, eliminate the weak and retain the strong, revise the military system, and rigorously train elite troops; cultivate Yunshuo, recruit and pacify displaced people, expand land reclamation, and replenish granaries. This is the cornerstone for long-term resistance against Liang. In particular, land reclamation and grain storage are the top priorities." Guo Chongtao emphasized the last sentence, his gaze meeting Lu Zhi's for a moment.

"Fifth, long-term strategy. The layout in the northern desert cannot be abandoned. Although Xiao Yan is powerful in Hebei, the northern desert is deeply troubled by internal strife, and Shuliduo is in a state of chaos. This is a good opportunity. We can increase our efforts, send elite troops to infiltrate the grasslands, choose strategic locations to establish strongholds, and contact the tribes that are dissatisfied with Shuliduo. This move can not only restrain Xiao Yan's ability to look north, but also open up a second front for us to resist Liang and accumulate strength."

"Sixth..." Guo Chongtao paused, lowering his voice slightly, "Although Grand Commandant Li and Marquis Xue suffered humiliation this time, they still hold the old troops of the Tongwen Academy, which may be of use in matters concerning the northern deserts. Your Majesty might as well entrust them with the responsibility of contacting and planning infiltration into the northern deserts. However..." He changed the subject, "We need to send a capable military supervisor to accompany them, reporting on everything, big or small, every ten days, to observe their actions and discern their intentions."

Li Cunxu listened quietly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He nodded slightly, "What you have discussed is all wise and insightful advice for governing the country. Approved."

"Regarding the procurement and transport of provisions, Minister Lu, you must immediately convene the Ministry of Revenue and exert all your efforts to ensure the journey commences within three days. Commander Zhou..." He looked at Zhou Dewei, who was still silently filled with grief and indignation, "...select a steady and capable lieutenant general who is familiar with the routes to Zhenzhou to lead your elite troops in escorting the provisions to ensure their safe arrival at the camp. This concerns the lives of thousands of comrades and cannot be compromised."

"Regarding the petition to apologize and the request for increased tribute, Minister Guo will personally draft the petition, and I will personally copy it, ensuring that the wording is sincere and heartfelt. The tribute shall be prepared as you have suggested. Supervisor Zhang..." He turned to Zhang Chengye, "After all, you have been to Bianliang once and know the key points. You must choose a trusted and capable eunuch to go there with the imperial insignia and present it to Xiao Yan or a senior official of the Tian Ce Mansion, conveying my 'repentance' and 'submission'."

"Training troops in Daibei and establishing military settlements in Yunshuo are the foundation for consolidating the nation's strength. Commander Zhou and Minister Lu must work together to accelerate their progress. The necessary funds, provisions, and equipment must be prioritized for supply by the Revenue and Works departments without delay."

"Regarding the infiltration of the northern desert..." A cold glint flashed in Li Cunxu's eyes. "According to Guo Qing's plan, after Grand Commandant Li and Marquis Xue return, the two of them will be fully responsible for liaison and planning, and will be given the authority to act as they see fit. Guo Qing, you will need to put in a lot of effort in handling this matter."

Finally, Li Cunxu slowly rose, his white figure standing out prominently before the throne. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over every high-ranking official below.

"Today's humiliation is etched into our hearts. I and my ministers shall remember this shame. But those who achieve great things do not succumb to momentary anger. King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation, spending ten years building up his strength and ten years training his troops, ultimately destroying the powerful state of Wu and avenging the humiliation at Kuaiji. Today's forbearance paves the way for future triumphs. My ministers and I shall take this as a reminder!"

At this point, his voice suddenly turned stern, "The discussion in the hall today shall end here. Anyone who leaks even a single word or phrase outside, thereby shaking the morale of the army and the people, shall be executed without mercy, no matter who they are! ... Disperse."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" The four bowed in unison, each with their own thoughts, and filed out of the council hall.

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, shutting out the wind and snow outside and the lingering somber atmosphere inside. The palace instantly fell silent, broken only by the crackling of the charcoal fire. Li Cunxu's gaze returned to the glaring drop of vermilion on the page of the *Zhenguan Zhengyao*, staring at it for a long time. The charcoal fire cast a warm glow on his plain white mourning clothes, but it couldn't dispel the invisible chill that quietly permeated him. He stretched out his finger, forcefully rubbing the crimson dot with his fingertip, but the vermilion had already seeped deep into the paper, leaving only a more murky stain.

A soft hum escaped from his nose. He abruptly flicked his sleeve, brushed aside the unsightly book, and strode out with his hands behind his back.

A moment later, Guo Chongtao was silently led by Li Congxi into a small, warm chamber. The charcoal fire was still burning, but the air felt even more stagnant than in the main hall.

The moment the door closed, Li Cunxu's carefully maintained composure crumbled. He whirled around, grabbed a beautifully carved jade paperweight from the table, and slammed it to the ground.

With a sharp bang, jade fragments flew everywhere. Li Cunxu's chest heaved violently, his face contorted with extreme anger, and his eyes brimming with murderous intent that was about to burst forth.

"Xiao Yan! It's Xiao Yan again! Xiao Yan! How dare he... how dare he humiliate my Jin general like this, treating Hedong as nothing! Treating me as nothing!"

A low growl, forced from between his teeth, echoed in the cramped, warm chamber, carrying a suppressed rage. This was no longer the calm and composed young Prince Jin, but the Li Yazi of the past, utterly enraged and baring his fangs.

Guo Chongtao stood with his hands at his sides, his face solemn, and remained silent. At this moment, any words would be superfluous; he could only wait for the monarch to vent his inevitable anger.

After a moment, Li Cunxu took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his surging blood. With his back to Guo Chongtao, he looked at a huge map of Hedong hanging on the wall of the warm pavilion, his gaze fixed on Zhenzhou. His voice regained its calmness, but became even colder: "Minister Guo, is it troublesome that my father's relics have fallen into Xiao Yan's hands?"

Guo Chongtao raised his eyes, his voice steady and direct, calmly saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial seal and tiger tally are ultimately inanimate objects. Their weight lies in the title bestowed upon them by the person who holds them. Xiao Yan holds them in her hands, but they are merely a useless trifle, not a sharp blade. The key lies with... the Thirteen Protectors. She is the only one who knows the inside story of the late King's death or even his last will and testament. As for Grand Commandant Li's words... I still maintain that they are credible, but not entirely so. And the fact that the Thirteen Protectors are in Xiao Yan's hands may also be one of the reasons why Grand Commandant Li is willing to submit to humiliation and dare not make the slightest move!"

Li Cunxu turned around abruptly: "Li Cunren...she's really still alive?"

Guo Chongtao met that gaze and said in a deep voice, "This matter is not difficult to verify. Moreover, the Thirteen Protectors are involved in the cause of the late King's death and the secrets of their years by his side. The latter is something we are unaware of. Now that Xiao Yan has the Thirteen Protectors, she is ultimately a hidden danger. In her hands, she is like a sword hanging over the head of our Jin Kingdom. The potential dangers are endless."

He calmly analyzed, "Xiao Yan's reluctance to act at this time has two possible purposes: First, he uses the Thirteen Protectors as bait to coerce someone in our Jin state, making them hesitant to act rashly, or even... forcing them to secretly serve Liang; second, when the time is right, if our Jin state makes any unusual moves, or when they intend to launch a major northward advance, he will then launch his attack, justifying the campaign under the guise of 'cleaning up the family for the late king,' thereby undermining the morale of our Jin state and subduing them without a fight. This is a strategy of destroying hearts and minds, more terrifying than a hundred thousand soldiers."

Li Cunxu clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve, his knuckles cracking from the force. "No matter the cost, we must find out exactly what's on Li Cunren's body, and find a way to...destroy it, or...take it back."

He stared at Guo Chongtao, "You will personally take charge of this matter. I will have Jingxinmo mobilize all the manpower and resources of Xilinglou to cooperate with you, at all costs, to contact Li Cunren... or, Xiao Yan's core people. I need concrete written information, to know Xiao Yan's attitude towards this item."

"Your subject is willing to die ten thousand times over." Guo Chongtao solemnly accepted the order.

"Furthermore," Li Cunxu walked to the window, looking at the still raging wind and snow outside, his voice wavering, yet carrying a deeper chill: "Strengthen the surveillance of Tongwen Hall. I need to know every move and every word of my fourth and sixth brothers."

He turned around, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "Based on what you said before, I have been pondering this for a long time, and I also feel that... Li Siyuan's death was all too perfectly timed..."

Guo Chongtao remained silent, only bowing deeply, his meaning clear without words.

------

The wind and snow finally showed signs of stopping; the howling gradually weakened, leaving only a few snowflakes drifting in the air.

Inside the Zhenzhou government office, a huge sand table was brightly lit, and Feng Dao stood beside it. The mountains, rivers, and cities on the sand table were clearly visible, and blue flags representing the Liang army's new defenses were planted in the key locations of the four Zhao states.

"Your Highness, the household registers, land maps, tax accounts, salt and iron monopoly records, and official granary inventory of the four prefectures of Zhao have been preliminarily inventoried and sealed. The capable officials dispatched by Yingzhou Xingtai and Tiancefu Household Department are checking them day and night, and we should have a definite number within the month."

"The Zhenji Campaign has been established by General Tian Daocheng, who has led 3,000 elite troops from the Palace Guard to guard the strategic pass at the east entrance of Jingxing Pass. The camp has been fortified and scouts have been deployed."

"The reorganization of Tielin is being overseen by Li Honggui. The bravest soldiers are selected from the original Zhao State garrison, supplemented by 500 veterans transferred from Tian Ce Prefecture as the backbone. The equipment is provided by the Zhao State Armory, and the training regulations have been drafted."

"The second son of the King of Zhao, Wang Zhaohui, was escorted by a unit of soldiers from the Palace Guard yesterday and set off for Bianliang."

"The troops stationed at the Jin army camp are under close surveillance by Zhao soldiers, and the camp is quiet. On the Jin side, the first batch of provisions has been dispatched from Taiyuan and is being transported along the Hutuo River. It is expected to arrive in two days. The guard posts along the way have been doubled in manpower to ensure that the supply route is unobstructed."

Feng Dao spoke steadily and clearly, his face showing the fatigue of days of hard work, but his eyes were unusually focused and bright. Having been stationed in Yingzhou for several years, overseeing the finances and administration of Hebei, he was already very adept at the task of receiving and resettling people.

After listening, Xiao Yan nodded slightly: "I have always trusted Ke Dao to handle matters. There are countless things to do after the Zhao Kingdom's recovery, and with spring plowing just around the corner, appeasing the people is the top priority. You will be in full charge of the military and political affairs here. Before spring plowing, the troops under Tian Daocheng, Li Si'an, and Wang Jingren will all be under your command. You must ensure that the farming season is not a problem, that the people's hearts are gradually at ease, and that the foundation is solid."

Tian Daocheng, Li Si'an, Wang Jingren, and the others who were standing around them dared not slack off and all accepted the order in unison.

Feng Dao bowed deeply, his voice steady and powerful: "Your Highness has entrusted me with this important task. I, Feng Dao, will do my utmost to pacify the people and secure the land, rectify official corruption, and urge spring planting, so as not to fail Your Highness's trust. I will ensure that Zhao becomes a solid shield for Your Highness's northern defenses, rather than a source of worry for your rear."

The next morning.

The raging snowstorm finally subsided, and the leaden clouds cracked open, sparingly letting down a few weak rays of sunlight. The sunlight shone on the snow that had not yet begun to melt on the ancient road outside Zhenzhou City, and the reflected white light was dazzling. The air was still as cold as a knife, and the coldness was biting as it scraped against the skin.

Outside the pavilion, civil and military officials including Feng Dao, Tian Daocheng, and Li Si'an stood solemnly to see them off.

Xiao Yan wore a plain blue, narrow-sleeved, close-fitting outfit, covered by a slightly worn cloak of the same color, with the Qi King's sword hanging at his waist. Behind him were the hundred Qin King's loyal followers, each wearing light armor over a gray cloth robe, carrying bows and crossbows, with long weapons slung over their saddles, their faces covered with iron masks, revealing only pairs of cold, calm eyes. The warhorses stood quietly in the muddy ground, snorting thick white breaths.

In the ranks, Gongyang Zuo led a dozen or so Night Scouts who had been redeployed, silently scattered along the front and rear flanks.

A short distance behind them, two carriages stood silently. In the first carriage, Li Cunren, still recovering from serious injuries and wrapped in a thick fur coat, was as pale as paper, his eyes staring blankly at the canopy, as if his soul had been ripped away.

Beside the carriage shaft, Bago, dressed in a dark, close-fitting outfit, with a Shatuo short dagger at his waist, showed no signs of injury. However, his sharp gaze swept around, especially lingering near Li Cunren's carriage.

Shangguan Yunque and Wen Tao were also mixed in with the group. The former was still yawning, while the latter was as low-key and unassuming as ever, leading his horse and following Xiao Yan silently.

"Spring plowing is imminent," Xiao Yan's voice was exceptionally clear in the cool morning breeze. He turned his gaze to the vast and boundless plains to the northeast. "I am going to the north, which I haven't seen in a long time, to inspect the local areas and oversee the spring plowing. I will travel south along the river. Do not disturb unless it is an extremely urgent military matter."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Feng Dao: "If there are important matters in the central government, or major decisions to be made in Hebei, report directly to the Tian Ce Mansion in Bianliang, where the Princess Consort will discuss and decide together with Jing Xiang and Han Yanhui. In case of any indecision, the Princess Consort's opinion shall prevail."

Feng Dao was clearly somewhat prepared, and simply bowed, saying, "Your subject understands. I will promptly report the matter of Hebei to the Princess and the two dukes, Jing and Han."

Xiao Yan's gaze then fell on Tian Daocheng and Li Si'an: "During the Jin army's stay, the situation will be relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside. Daily supplies will be provided in accordance with the agreement, and no deductions or difficulties will be allowed to avoid giving others a reason to complain. However, within a radius of ten miles of their camp, double the number of scouts will be dispatched, day and night. If there is any unusual activity, no matter how small, it will be dealt with immediately and reported later, without needing to ask for permission."

"Your subordinates obey." Although Tian and Li were somewhat surprised, they were only slightly alarmed and clasped their hands in unison, their voices echoing in the vast snowfield.

Finally, Xiao Yan looked at Gongyang Zuo, his tone turning cold: "Order the night watchmen to set up hidden stakes along the way to block my tracks and movements, and thoroughly investigate the true state of affairs and governance in the prefectures and counties I pass through. Pay particular attention to whether any local officials are using the pretext of preparing for spring plowing and water conservancy projects to arbitrarily conscript labor and exploit the people; whether any clerks are creating pretexts to impose exorbitant taxes beyond the tax exemption edicts; and whether any powerful families are taking the opportunity to annex land and harass farmers. Record any evidence found. In case of emergency, you may use the order I give you to mobilize the local military forces along the way to immediately arrest the ringleaders and detain them on the spot."

"Your subordinate obeys," Gongyang Zuo replied in a deep voice, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Having finished explaining, Xiao Yan said no more and mounted his horse.

The magnificent white horse beneath him neighed softly, raising its head and rearing up. His black cloak billowed in a clean arc in the chilly spring breeze. The hundred riders stood at attention, as if forming a perfectly coordinated whole, and slowly began to move. Two carriages followed closely behind, their wheels creaking over the snow. The entire procession meandered northeastward, soon disappearing into the greyish-white horizon.

Outside the pavilion, only the figures of Feng Dao and others bowing for a long time remained, along with two clear lines of muddy hoofprints and cart tracks extending into the distance on the official road.

(End of this chapter)