Online Game: Me, with Unparalleled Comprehension

Zhao Kuangyin glanced at the three men, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He raised his hand and waved it, his voice steady and powerful: "No need for formalities. Congratulations to you all for achieving the top three in this martial arts competition; you have lived up to my expectations. Guards, present the rewards."

As soon as he finished speaking, three men dressed in blue eunuch robes walked over from both sides of the tent carrying trays covered with bright yellow brocade, exuding a sense of luxury.

The three men presented their trays to Wu Feng and his two companions, slowly lifting the brocade. The rewards for second and third place were several heavy ingots of gold and silk, as well as land deeds. Wu Feng's tray also contained the same gold, land deeds, and silk, but in greater quantities than the other two.

Wu Feng reached out and collected the items on the tray one by one, but his gaze unconsciously fell on Zhao Kuangyin, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

He pondered to himself, "Winning the martial arts exam should, according to common sense, be a title that Zhao Kuangyin would bestow upon me. I just don't know what that title will be."

Just as he was pondering, Zhao Kuangyin spoke, his gaze first falling on the two NPC generals, his tone calm: "Second place, Li Lie, I hereby appoint you as deputy commander. Go to the Imperial Guard camp in Kaifeng Prefecture to report for duty. Take office immediately and train the troops well to protect the safety of the capital."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Li Lie immediately knelt down again to pay his respects, his voice filled with excitement and gratitude, his forehead even beaded with sweat.

Zhao Kuangyin then looked at the third-ranked general: "Wang Hu, the third-ranked general, I hereby appoint you as a commander. You will accompany Li Lie to the Kaifeng Prefecture military camp to assist him in training the troops. You must not make any mistakes."

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree! Thank you for your grace!" Wang Hu also knelt down to express his gratitude, his expression equally excited.

After arranging the two NPC generals, Zhao Kuangyin's gaze slowly fell on Wu Feng.

His tone was slightly gentler than before, but still carried the majesty of royalty: "Martial Arts Champion Wu Changfeng, you may go back and rest for now. I have made arrangements for your post, and I will have someone inform you later."

"Hmm?" Wu Feng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, his brows furrowed subconsciously, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

He wondered to himself, "Could it be that Zhao Kuangyin didn't intend to directly appoint me to an official position because I'm a player?"

But the two NPC generals just now received their appointments directly, so there's no reason for him to be left out.

After a moment of stunned silence, Wu Feng immediately realized that this might be an opportunity to trigger a hidden quest.

He immediately straightened his posture, looked up at Zhao Kuangyin, and said with a firm tone and sincere expression, "Your Majesty, I request to go to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, to recover lost territories, to expand the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, and to live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!"

"Hmm?" Zhao Kuangyin, who was about to turn around and walk towards the inside of the tent, stopped abruptly upon hearing this, slowly turned around, and looked intently at Wu Feng.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which was then replaced by a meaningful expression.

He remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a soft "tap-tap" sound, as if he were weighing the pros and cons. The tent fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of his fingers tapping on the table remaining.

After a moment, Zhao Kuangyin slowly spoke, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Wu Changfeng, I am very pleased that you have this intention. However, at present, our military strength is not yet sufficient, and there are other hidden dangers on the border. We are temporarily unable to deal with the Khitan troops in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. This matter needs to be considered in a long-term manner."

"It's alright." Wu Feng immediately replied, his tone still firm, with no trace of hesitation in his eyes. "I do not need the court to send a single soldier. I alone can go to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to make plans, and I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust."

He secretly calculated that as long as he could trigger the mission, even if it was just a preliminary step, he would always have a chance to complete it and perhaps even receive unexpected rewards.

Seeing Wu Feng's resolute expression, Zhao Kuangyin's lips curled slightly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He then declared loudly, "Since that's the case, I grant your request! I appoint you as the Grand General of the Champion Army, allowing you to go to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to plan their recapture. If you successfully recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, I will appoint you as the Military Governor of Yan and Yun, wielding supreme military and political power over the Sixteen Prefectures, a position to be inherited by your descendants!"

His tone was somewhat casual, clearly not taking Wu Feng's words about single-handedly recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to heart, but rather considering it a youthful, impulsive vow.

But the moment he finished speaking, a golden system notification appeared before Wu Feng's eyes again:

[Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, issues you a hidden mission—Recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. Mission Description: Travel to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, defeat the Khitan garrison, recapture all sixteen prefectures, and restore the Song Dynasty's rule over the region. Mission Rewards: The official position of Military Governor of Yan and Yun (wielding military and political power), and an exclusive Military Governor's seal. Accept the mission?]

Looking at the task prompt in front of him, Wu Feng's eyes flashed with ecstasy. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately tapped the "Accept" option.

The Military Governor of Yanyun! This is one of the highest official positions that one can obtain in the Song Dynasty. It is equivalent to a regional lord, who holds military and political power over a region. It is no different from a local emperor. Even if the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun cannot be completely recovered in the end, as long as a part of it can be accomplished, one can expect to gain a lot of benefits. No matter how you look at it, it is not a loss.

Seeing that Wu Feng agreed without hesitation, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand and said in a calm tone, "Go back to your residence and rest first. I will have someone send the official token and uniform of the Champion General to your residence later. Remember, do everything within your ability and do not be reckless."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Wu Feng bowed slightly, his tone respectful, then turned and stepped out of the tent.

The two NPC generals quickly stood up, bowed to Zhao Kuangyin again, and followed Wu Feng out of the tent.

After Wu Feng left, Zhao Kuangyin also stood up, straightened his dragon robe, and turned to walk towards the inside of the tent.

The officials following behind him exchanged glances, their faces showing a hint of confusion.

One of the officials, dressed in purple robes, stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this martial arts champion Wu Changfeng is too arrogant. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are strategically important and the Khitan army is powerful. Even the imperial army has difficulty in easily taking them down. He actually wants to take them down single-handedly. It's just wishful thinking."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, his tone tinged with weariness: "Dismissed. I am tired. This matter need not be discussed further."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The officials dared not say anything more, bowed respectfully, then turned and quietly left the tent, each going their own way.

Zhao Kuangyin, accompanied by his personal eunuch, slowly walked out of the camp and returned to the palace along the palace road.

He remained calm throughout the journey, not uttering another word, and his aura became somewhat subdued.

After returning to the main hall of the palace, he dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only his personal eunuch to wait outside the hall. He then walked to the window of the main hall, leaned on the windowsill with one hand, looked north, and had a complicated expression, as if he was thinking about something.

Outside the window, the sunlight was perfect, and the glazed tiles on the palace walls gleamed brilliantly, but in his eyes, there was a hint of unspoken heaviness.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun remained a thorn in his side.

"Prepare the token and uniform of the Champion General, and send them to Wu Changfeng's residence immediately. Do not delay." Zhao Kuangyin remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The personal eunuch outside the hall bowed and replied hastily, then turned and quickly left to arrange related matters.