The Prodigal Son

The Imperial Palace of Daning.

Exhausted, Zhao Luan returned to the Imperial Study after the court assembly.

Looking at the mountain of memorials piled up on his desk, Zhao Luan felt inexplicably irritated.

For a fleeting moment, she even considered letting loose completely and burning all these memorials as firewood.

Shangguan Youyi noticed that Zhao Luan was in a bad mood, so she carefully served her from the side.

She sensed that Zhao Luan had been smiling much less ever since the expedition against the Min Kingdom began.

Especially after Bei Qi's surprise attack on Zhubei City, Zhao Luan's temper became increasingly unpredictable.

Seeing Zhao Luan's current state, Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but worry, and for some reason, she missed Qin Yu.

If Qin Yu were still in the capital, with her joking around in front of His Majesty every now and then, His Majesty's mood might be much better.

At worst, when His Majesty is in a bad mood, you can use scaring him to amuse yourself.

While lost in thought, Shangguan Youyi ground ink for Zhao Luan.

Zhao Luan picked up a memorial to the throne with a frustrated expression.

She was already in a bad mood, and when she saw the dense text on the memorial, her face immediately fell.

Zhao Luan, though furious, forced herself to control her temper and picked up another memorial.

The second one, the third one...

Zhao Luan reviewed eight memorials in a row, and only one of them used punctuation marks.

Zhao Luan frowned, annoyed, and said, "Didn't the Ministry of Rites already distribute the punctuation usage guidelines created by Qin Yu? How come so many officials' memorials still lack punctuation?"

Shangguan Youyi lowered his head and replied, "Officials in the capital have generally already started using punctuation marks in their memorials. However, when officials in the various prefectures and counties submit their memorials, the instructions on how to use punctuation marks issued by the Ministry of Rites should not have arrived yet..."

Shangguan Youyi was also helpless at this moment.

The popularization of punctuation marks is not something that can be achieved overnight!

His Majesty surely understands this himself, yet he is now losing his temper over it.

There's a certain element of deliberately finding fault in this.

Zhao Luan irritably tossed the memorials aside and instructed Shangguan Youyi, "Tell the Ministry of Rites that I don't want to see memorials without punctuation marks next month!"

"Your Majesty, there are only about ten days left until next month. Isn't that a bit too rushed?" Shangguan Youyi asked tentatively.

"Is it really that difficult to promote such a simple punctuation mark?"

Zhao Luan remained unmoved and said irritably, "If officials at all levels don't use punctuation marks, how are students supposed to use them? They dawdle over such a small matter; how can we expect them to be efficient if something important happens?"

Shangguan Youyi opened his mouth slightly, "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, I have noted them down."

After handing over the task, Zhao Luan then picked up the memorials that lacked punctuation and began to examine them carefully.

She had been reading these memorials for many years and was used to them, but now she found them increasingly displeasing and felt an urge to call these officials to her side and give them a good scolding.

Zhao Luan knew that her emotions were not right, so she could only check the memorials while trying to calm herself down, but inwardly she cursed Qin Yu.

That bastard!

Who does he think he is?

Or did they venture deep behind enemy lines alone?

Now that you're injured, do you feel better?

He shouldn't have to train!

When this bastard returns to the capital, I'm going to hang him up and give him a good beating!

However, despite her scolding, she was also filled with worry.

Ning Huang and Zeng Guan both followed Qin Yu, but Qin Yu was still injured!

Judging from his own pain, Qin Yu was seriously injured.

It's unclear what kind of fierce battle it was that caused Qin Yu, who was being protected by Ning Huang and Zeng Guan, to be injured on the battlefield.

Hopefully, Dong Xiufu's arrival at the front lines will alleviate some of the pressure on Qin Yu!

Exhausted, Zhao Luan rubbed her head and forced herself not to worry about Qin Yu's situation.

She's so far away, there's no use in worrying!

I should just focus on doing what I'm supposed to do!

After clearing her mind of distractions, Zhao Luan adjusted her emotions again and gradually calmed down before carefully reviewing the memorials.

She had just finished reviewing several memorials when an excited voice suddenly rang in her ears: "Your Majesty! Good news has arrived from Yinzhou!"

Zhao Luan suddenly stopped, momentarily doubting whether she had misheard.

Good news has arrived from Yinzhou?

Was there any fighting in Yinzhou? Where did the news of victory come from?

Did Yun Zhao directly attack and capture Gongzhou of Chu after receiving his secret decree?

No way?

Didn't you make your own secret message very clear?

Right now, we are only advancing towards Gongzhou. We will only send troops if Qin Yu's forces are in a major crisis!

Could it be that Qin Yu's side is already in dire straits?

In an instant, countless years flashed through Zhao Luan's mind, and she became tense.

At this moment, Yun Ying rushed in, excitedly saying, "Your Majesty, my father has sent someone with news of Qin Yu's troops' victory!"

"What?"

Zhao Luan suddenly raised her voice.

Yun Zhao sent someone to deliver a report of victory from Qin Yu's troops.

This……

How did this turn into talking about Yun Zhao?

Zhao Luan, disregarding her doubts, quickly took the report of victory presented by Yun Ying and began to examine it word by word.

Yun Zhao's handwritten victory report was written without any punctuation, but Zhao Luan found it exceptionally pleasing to the eye and was extremely pleased.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Zhao Luan's chest heaved violently, and she almost shouted with joy.

After reading the news of victory, Zhao Luan struggled for a long time before finally calming down.

"That bastard is incredibly audacious!"

Zhao Luan cursed under her breath, but her smile was exceptionally bright.

Seeing Zhao Luan smile, Shangguan Youyi also breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems my hard times are coming to an end, and I won't have to be so careful all the time anymore.

"Guards! Summon Prime Minister Gao and the ministers of all departments to a meeting! Also, summon the left and right vice ministers of the Ministry of War!"

Zhao Luan gave an order, then handed the victory report to Shangguan Youyi, "You two should take a look too!"

Shangguan Youyi quickly took it and went to examine it with Yunying.

When they read the news of the victory, both women couldn't help but open their mouths in an "O" shape.

With only 9,000 Ningguo cavalrymen and 2,000 additional cavalrymen from Minguo, Qin Yu fought continuously behind enemy lines, defeating more than 100,000 enemy troops. He also crossed the Qujiang River three times and captured Yuwang Pass without bloodshed.

This...this is too dreamlike!

No wonder His Majesty was smiling so brightly!

If Yun Zhao hadn't said in the letter that Zeng Guan had said it himself, they would have all doubted that the good news was fake.

After regaining his composure, Shangguan Youyi also smiled, "The situation in Min Kingdom is now settled! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Yunying quickly followed suit and spoke up.

"No!"

Zhao Luan suppressed her excitement and gently shook her head, "Only by holding Yuwang Pass can we say that the overall situation is settled!"

Shangguan Youyi smiled and said, "Qin Langzhong is a man of extraordinary talent. He not only has more than 16,000 men under his command, but also Ning Huang in charge. It shouldn't be difficult for him to defend Yuwang Pass, right?"

"That's hard to say."

Zhao Luan shook her head slightly. "The food supplies at Yuwang Pass are ultimately limited. If the Chu Kingdom sends troops from Gongzhou again, and joins forces with the enemy forces within the Min Kingdom to encircle Yuwang Pass from both sides, they will likely be in danger once their food supplies run out..."

Shangguan Youyi frowned slightly.

Your Majesty's concerns are indeed somewhat justified!

In that case, they are definitely celebrating too soon!

Zhao Luan lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then instructed Shangguan Youyi, "Immediately make a copy of this victory report and send it to the Duke of Wei!"